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Old 12 May 2019, 01:10 AM   #1
aaron1977
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meeting face to face to sell

Am I being overly paranoid NOT wanting to do a face to face meeting to sell?

I don’t want to get jumped...scammed with a fake check/cash, etc...
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Old 12 May 2019, 01:12 AM   #2
Coolex
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ask to meet inside a bank.
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Old 12 May 2019, 01:18 AM   #3
AK797
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Yes, meet inside your bank with double security doors. And get there very early, and also pay all the money straight in to your account so they have no reason to be waiting for you when you leave. If the deal doesn't go through then be cautious when leaving.
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Old 12 May 2019, 01:29 AM   #4
Coopdog
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When I buy/sell in person / cash from an unknown source I generally have them meet me at a jeweler. I get there a bit early. It’s an AD with a security guard. If they say they are there I ask them to call me and so I can figure out who they are, are they alone, do they look well dressed, etc. Not a ton you can tell from looking at someone but recently I did figure out by doing this that the person came with friends which was weird (it went fine).

If I’m buying I tell them ahead of time ill have no cash or anything of value on me, and that after I look at the watch we can go to the bank to do business. In my town this is all walkable so it makes sense.

If I’m selling it’s a bit tougher, bc they know you’re showing up with a watch. One thing I have done is leave the watch in the trunk of my car, and then met the person and after making small talk etc and feeling comfortable then I get the watch.

It takes serious balls to physically rob someone but it obviously does happen. If it’s an item that is high value to the point where you can’t afford to hand it over, don’t do an anonymous transaction.


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Old 12 May 2019, 01:42 AM   #5
Mohawkman450
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Yes Use double door security if possible for inspection an yes have to Money transfers direct into your account an if you have same bank even better or take certified bank draft from his bank an you watch him at teller an you get it direct free m teller ! If it a legit sale none of these things will be an issue ! If those terms can’t be met I’d walk .
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Old 12 May 2019, 01:45 AM   #6
mrs_LA
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I did two F2F transactions this week:

First was to sell: I met the buyer at a big bank. I deposited his cash first before I handed over the watch. This is to address both safety and “fake cash” as you say.

Second was to buy: We met at a local cafe of seller’s choice, and I told him prior to meeting that i don’t like holding a lot of cash, so I will withdraw at a bank after if the watch looks good. That’s exactly what happened.

Sometimes you also need to take a good look at your buyer/seller. You have to use assumptions and biases here, for your own safety. Cheers and best of luck. Also helps to have a companion with you, so that it’s 2 vs 1 and the other person doesn’t try to pull anything.


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Old 12 May 2019, 01:51 AM   #7
mjclark32
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I met Opaline460 back in the day (6 or so years ago). Hopped in his car. Handed him $10k cash. He handed me the watch. He counted it. I looked at watch. We said all good and thanks and we went on our way... wasn’t worried for a minute. I understand things have changed a bit, but do as much research on who you’re selling to or buying from and you should be OK
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Old 12 May 2019, 02:03 AM   #8
timeisessence
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I would be a little paranoid getting jumped on for meeting face to face.
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Old 12 May 2019, 02:24 AM   #9
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When I sold my bluesy, we met at an AD. The guy buying the watch though, was smarter than I am and played the tricks on me that are described in some comments above.

He said he was there, inside. I went in and didn’t find him so I called him; turned out he was sitting in a Jeep right in front of the store trying to check me out as I came in lol

Anyway, we met there, he liked the watch, AD looked it over for him and said it was good to go

He wired me half of the money right then and there, and the next day we met at a restaurant, I have him the watch and box and everything, and he gave me the rest of the cash.

I brought one of those markers that check if bills are counterfeit so that i could check the cash. They cost like $7 at Office Depot.

In conclusion, all went well, but yes it was stressful.

If I could change anything, I would’ve met at an AD so he can verify the watch is legit, then gone straight to the bank so he can pull the money and pay me there and not have to worry about his money being counterfeit.
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Old 12 May 2019, 04:04 AM   #10
aaron1977
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Well I came up with what I hope is a better solution. The buyer from Hong Kong has multiple friends who own jewelers here in Texas. I’m going to one of them today in Dallas and he will pay me cash for the watch
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Old 12 May 2019, 07:44 AM   #11
schoolboy
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Originally Posted by aaron1977 View Post
Well I came up with what I hope is a better solution. The buyer from Hong Kong has multiple friends who own jewelers here in Texas. I’m going to one of them today in Dallas and he will pay me cash for the watch


Awesome
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Old 12 May 2019, 08:34 AM   #12
nick c
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Yes, meet inside your bank with double security doors. And get there very early, and also pay all the money straight in to your account so they have no reason to be waiting for you when you leave. If the deal doesn't go through then be cautious when leaving.
Good advice Neil.
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Old 12 May 2019, 09:13 AM   #13
77T
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aaron1977 View Post
Well I came up with what I hope is a better solution. The buyer from Hong Kong has multiple friends who own jewelers here in Texas. I’m going to one of them today in Dallas and he will pay me cash for the watch


I guess that works as long as you call ahead to see if the shop knows the buyer’s name.

On the bank thing, many scams include the “buyer” doing a grab and run. No bank has “sally port” doors that require buzzing in.

A Police Department that supports safe online sales fulfillment is best.

Some Rolex ADs have sally port doors and that’s relatively safe.


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Old 12 May 2019, 09:27 AM   #14
janice&fred
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i dunno. we been meeting people face to face for many years buying and selling and love it. never ever once had a problem and met many friends in the process. i think the chances of things going spectacularly wrong are very slim and some of the precautions described are a bit cloak and dagger.

it's not as if we're a bunch of CIA agents swapping prisoners at check point charlie. relax, talk to the other party on the phone, know who they are and meet up. does anyone really suspect someone is going to hand over a pile of counterfeit cash or point a gun at you? if it's really that much of a concern then just blow the watch out/buy from a known dealer.
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Old 12 May 2019, 01:40 PM   #15
aaron1977
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I guess that works as long as you call ahead to see if the shop knows the buyer’s name.

On the bank thing, many scams include the “buyer” doing a grab and run. No bank has “sally port” doors that require buzzing in.

A Police Department that supports safe online sales fulfillment is best.

Some Rolex ADs have sally port doors and that’s relatively safe.


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I had to reschedule but I did just this. called the jeweler and they know him well. 👍🏼
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Old 12 May 2019, 07:16 PM   #16
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If selling, I use a friendly jeweller and place watch there the night before or first thing in the morning to meet later in afternoon. If buying, I make it clear that direct transfer of funds will take place and that I won’t be carrying cash.
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Old 12 May 2019, 11:47 PM   #17
piratfisk
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I had to reschedule but I did just this. called the jeweler and they know him well. ����
Great! I hope this puts your mind more at ease. GLWS, OP.
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Old 12 May 2019, 11:48 PM   #18
brandrea
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Bank only.
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Old 13 May 2019, 01:35 AM   #19
Ssunnylee24
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You can’t be too paranoid meeting someone to sell your Rolex.
There are scums out there trying to rob your watch.

Take all the precautions necessary, hire a damn security for the transaction if you dont feel safe.
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Old 13 May 2019, 02:01 PM   #20
rolehex
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Before you meet, Ask for a DL photo. make sure it matches up when the buyer arrives.
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Old 14 May 2019, 07:19 AM   #21
cm10005
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Everyone is mentioning a bank. Banks get robbed everyday around the world. How bout the lobby of a police station. Never heard of someone being robbed there. I do recommend getting there earlier than your meet time. You can see who the buyer/seller arrives with, where he parks his car etc etc
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Old 14 May 2019, 07:34 AM   #22
droptopman
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Completed many face to face deals over the years. Never had a bad experience, but that does not mean that they do not happen. Last deal the buyer flew into my town. Picked him up at the airport. We talked watches for the few minutes it takes to drive to a bank--actually a branch of his bank first. We sat in the bank and he inspected the watch. He liked it and then bought a cashier's check at the counter. We exchanged watch for cashier check and drove over to my bank where I deposited it. We then went out to lunch at my golf club, then I took him back to the airport. It was actually a fun experience and he is a member here and a great guy. A true WIS. I am sure it was more stressful for him as he was in my "hood". AFAIK he still has the watch. A mint mid 60's gilt Sub.
That system worked well and I would do it that way again.
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Old 14 May 2019, 04:58 PM   #23
johnch
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I purchased a watch from a trf member and we met at a bank for both of our safety. The bankers didn’t care that we were there, and I was comforted by the fact that we were in a public place with security cameras


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