Pre-owned Rolex remote purchase from an unknown party

[anksagr]

Hi All,

Looking for some help form the esteemed members here. I understand that the immediate response for this would be a "big no" but I am still trying to see if there is a way to make this work.

I have an opportunity to buy a pre-owned Rolex from an out of state seller (Boston, MA) who I won't be able to meet for a face-to-face transaction. I found this watch on one of the watch forums and the seller does not have any references. Seller is the original owner of the watch which was bought from an AD

If I pay the seller by Paypal, would paypal cover me if the watch is fake or I do not receive the watch ? If not, are there any suggestions/ideas to make this possibly work

I would only proceed with this deal if I can get a good enough reasoning that I will be covered if things go south.

Would appreciate a response from the group.

[AK797]

I would only do cash on collection, paypal is not guaranteed to rule in your favour against a skilled scamster, so it's a pass for me.

[Girkmonster]

I would say no. Seems to me that enough signs are present that would cause PayPal to state that you got exactly whatever you were paying for.

If you want certainty, buy from an AD or trusted seller. Otherwise, caveat emptor.

[sturgeon123456]

Nope. The amount you might save is completely irrelevant and outweighed by what you stand to lose.

[Jim Smyth]

You could use your Credit Card through Paypal. That way you have 2 options if things go south. Is the Seller a confirmed seller on Paypal? Also you can ask for a picture of said watch say on a Newspaper/Computer/Cell Phone screen or some other reference so you know the person actually has said watch in hand. Said seller may also have other feel good things like a Ebay account with 100% positive feedback for many years etc. You can also do a search on sellers name, address to see if things match up. If he is receptive you can have him take it to a local Rolex AD for verification on your nickel. Lots of options. ;-) Best of luck.

[floater156]

Don't do it.

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[Keith1]

There are too many good deals to be had from a trusted seller, so why risk your hard earned $$?

[TonyD]

Ask them to bring it to The Watchmaker in Stoneham MA, about 20 min north of the city. They will open it up and authenticate for you. They have done it for me for free because I do business with them, but I'm sure they will charge very little.

I believe Jack is the Rolex expert. You could call him and talk to him about it.

The guy could still send you an empty box of course..... but at least if he is willing to go get an inspection from a 3rd party you will get an idea of his integrity.

[Rashid.bk]

well...
ok so....
hmmm....

So no one knows this guy, and you're not sure....not me. This type of purchase should not be a stressful matter. It's stressing enough seeing my bank acct go down and my wife make funny shapes with her mouth, don't need to be worried about loosing my money on a fugazi deal/watch.
One of my first lessons here, buy the seller.

Davidsw, Oscar, Waqstar, Takuya, Jizeal, etc etc... = peace of mind/great prices.

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by TonyD

Ask them to bring it to The Watchmaker in Stoneham MA, about 20 min north of the city. They will open it up and authenticate for you. They have done it for me for free because I do business with them, but I'm sure they will charge very little.

I believe Jack is the Rolex expert. You could call him and talk to him about it.

The guy could still send you an empty box of course..... but at least if he is willing to go get an inspection from a 3rd party you will get an idea of his integrity.

Great advice!

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Keith1

There are too many good deals to be had from a trusted seller, so why risk your hard earned $$?

this^^^^

[Chewbacca]

based on your info, you're SOL on this transaction if it goes south and non of the seller assurances or info is worth anything without proof. paypal can only help if the seller posts it on ebay and then there's the cost and fees associated.

automatic pass imop. there's plenty of watches out there.

[dysondiver]

any savings you might make , wont cover the stress , and probable loss ...
buy the seller.


if in doubt ,,,,,,,,,,, dont.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by anksagr

Hi All,

Looking for some help form the esteemed members here. I understand that the immediate response for this would be a "big no" but I am still trying to see if there is a way to make this work.

I have an opportunity to buy a pre-owned Rolex from an out of state seller (Boston, MA) who I won't be able to meet for a face-to-face transaction. I found this watch on one of the watch forums and the seller does not have any references. Seller is the original owner of the watch which was bought from an AD

If I pay the seller by Paypal, would paypal cover me if the watch is fake or I do not receive the watch ? If not, are there any suggestions/ideas to make this possibly work

I would only proceed with this deal if I can get a good enough reasoning that I will be covered if things go south.

Would appreciate a response from the group.

I would pay through PayPal using a major credit card as a source; that way if PayPal doesn't work as protection then use your credit card company. I've used this approach with ebay with good results.

[T01]

If going pre-owned I'd stick to TRF sellers.

[anksagr]

Thanks for very helpful suggestions folks. I decided to not go for this deal. The risk is too much for me to take.

The watch in question is a Sea-dweller 16600. I saw some listings from the reputed sellers here for sea-dwellers but the asking price is just too high. I do not want to pay so much premium over what I would get for the watch if I have to sell it.

[Dvenus11]

i would not personally risk it

[Johny]

make arrangements to meet up with the seller at the afore mentioned watchmakers and then get a flight.

[Spoonage]

I would suggest a trusted seller here. I've read nothing but great things about the trusted sellers on this board. I'm sure any of them can get you what you want and you're assured to get exactly what you paid for.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Spoonage

I would suggest a trusted seller here. I've read nothing but great things about the trusted sellers on this board. I'm sure any of them can get you what you want and you're assured to get exactly what you paid for.

Yep.

[Mr. K]

The watch could be legit but stolen, legit but have water damage inside, legit but a franken rolex.....

[azguy]

Seriously, why buy from an "unknown, referenced seller"

There's probably 10 SD for sale her on TRF

...and if you are already thinking about what you can get as you put it ".....if I have to sell it..." then you shouldn't buy it....IMHO

[anksagr]

What I meant by ".....if I have to sell it..." is that the difference between the selling price and the buying price is about $1500 to $2000 for a $6000 watch through the reputed sellers. I have seen some reputed sellers asking as much as $8500 for this watch. May be this is a common pattern for all the pre-owned watches but I am not comfortable paying so much extra money for a pre-owned watch and I am in no hurry to wait for one at the right price.

[h20addict]

Don't waste your time or money, why risk it. I second what everyone else has already voiced, buy from a trusted seller here and remove all doubt of the watch's authenticity as well as credibility of the seller.

[locutus49]

Look, the intelligent part of your brain knows the right answer, but the emotional part - the devil - will have its way and you will buy it.

Good luck. It will be a lesson for you, so I hope you can afford to lose the money.

[Kyle89]

from the title of your thread alone i would say no. If you have to second a guess a watches or sellers authenticity id say its a no go.

[nickb732]

I would do it - trust Paypal.

[Im Lauf der Zeit]

Originally Posted by azguy

Seriously, why buy from an "unknown, referenced seller"

There's probably 10 SD for sale her on TRF

...and if you are already thinking about what you can get as you put it ".....if I have to sell it..." then you shouldn't buy it...

Three great points that sum up rational thinking about this situation.

[kaseri]

If you have any doubt it's best to pass.

[TonyD]

I'm going to disagree with you guys a little bit here.

Of course the #1 safest way to buy a watch is to call David SW. This we all know.

The 2nd safest way to buy is to go to an AD and pay full price (or close).

I buy and sell a fair number of watches here and on other forums. Maybe 10 total over the years. I am not DavidSW and never will be. But I am an honest guy and will offer a good price because I know the buyer is taking a risk on me. I have some very good feedback but not a lot.

I just hope that when I offer up a for sale post that I have a shot at selling it. Otherwise there would only be 10 people using the sale forums here on TRF, just the well known trusted sellers.

So in conclusion....

IF the guy is willing to talk on the phone and
IF he is willing to take images of the watch in a requested pose and
IF he is willing to jump through a few hoops to assure you the watch is ok and
IF he is willing to take it to an AD or independent person to help things go smoothly.....

THEN I might consider it.

If they guy gets squirrelly and aloof then run away of course.