Advice on buying from the forums

[tgoddu]

I found a watch I've been looking at for a while. The price is great and can't be beat. This would be my first time buying of the forums non F2F. Any advise on how to best handle the transaction and protect myself as a buyer?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays

Tyler

[MonBK]

Take your time and wade through the hundreds of posts on this subject.

[Flstfirider]

Look at the sellers history on the forum. There are several well respected sellers on the forum, you should be able to quickly figure out who they are.

[The Libertine]

Read reviews in the feedback sales/sub-forum, or do a search for the particular seller’s name for threads related to their transactions.

Be sure to ask any/all questions before buying, and if there exists any doubt - pass.

[Justinmg]

I'd read the watch out section and who's who.

[s14roller]

Is it a trusted seller? My eyebrows always raise when I hear stuff about how the price can't be beat...

[m j b]

When I buy, or think of buying from someone on the forum, I look for history in the feedback section. Then, I often look at the actual users who left feedback - are they folks who contribute to the forum and are active users, or just an account that seems to be created for just the purpose of leaving feedback?

I also often ask the seller for a copy (scan) of their driver's license. Then I'll google them and the address, make sure everything matches up. This paid off in spades once when I bought a watch from a guy in Chicago, and when wiring the funds to him his bank (Chase) wanted confirmation of the account number with his name and address. If I didn't already have all of that, it would have delayed the transaction by days.

As an occasional seller myself, I've got no problem if someone asks all of that from me. If anyone balks or hesitates to share everything about themselves with you, then take a pass.

[Rolex addict]

Do your homework.

[eltonbalch]

Well, one thing I CAN say with absolute certainty is if it sounds too good to be true then run the other way. Spending a few dollars more to buy from a totally reliable seller is just a complete no brainer. And, yes, there most definitely are good, solid and reliable members and independent sellers, but it requires knowledge to ensure you are protected and that the Watch you expect will arrive after you pay your money. Your post would indicate that you are in the “novice” category so heed the advice others have given you and absolutely do your due diligence before sending any money. I would personally spend up to 10% more and avoid all the work that goes into vetting a new or questionable seller as my time and sanity are worth more to me than saving a few dollars. There are, by the way, lots of members here and at other sites that I would buy from (or sell to) in a heartbeat but for a first purchase, I’d tread very carefully...

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by tgoddu

I found a watch I've been looking at for a while. The price is great and can't be beat. This would be my first time buying of the forums non F2F. Any advise on how to best handle the transaction and protect myself as a buyer?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Happy Holidays

Tyler

How well established is the seller?
What is the method of payment?
What reviews does the seller have?
What photos is the seller providing?

[RichM]

Can't stress enough, do your homework. There is an active thread going in the "watch out" section about someone who got burned. Not sure about the outcome.

If it's too good to be true, that's usually exactly what it is.

[GB-man]

Be extremely cautious. Feel free to post a reference check in The Who is Who section is you are not 100% confident. Hopefully an established member will comment with a report of past dealings with that individual.

If unsure at all, walk.

[sand lizard]

Always do your homework on buying from a seller, ask questions make sure your comfortable with the transaction. if any doubt walk away. I just purchased from a trusted seller on the forums last night already received my watches this morning.

[The Argonaut]

As I was told, you’re buying the buyer. Also, as my dad used to say, “where there is doubt, there is no doubt.” In other words, walk away if you’re not 100% happy with everything. A good seller will be patient and look to put you at ease and really work with you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Take your time and wade through the hundreds of posts on this subject.

i see what you did there.

[tyler1980]

trusted seller does not mean pledge member as there is no vetting required to be that.

[Tphamnd02]

I was also looking to buy from a TS and quickly found myself looking at 5 potential sellers that put my mind at ease. Do the research, ask questions, and hopefully you’ll find what you are looking for!

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

trusted seller does not mean pledge member as there is no vetting required to be that.

Only a pledge member can sell here on the boards, but you’re right, the simple fact that they are a pledge member, does not automatically make them a trusted seller!
A trusted seller is a seller that has literally hundreds of completed sales with 100% satisfactory customers....and even then, you need to do your homework and make SURE, you are dealing with the actual person you are supposed to be. NEVER assume, or take a chance.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by tgoddu

I found a watch I've been looking at for a while. The price is great and can't be beat. This would be my first time buying of the forums non F2F. Any advise on how to best handle the transaction and protect myself as a buyer?



Any feedback is greatly appreciated.



Happy Holidays



Tyler

So what do you think?

Sounds like your request for *advice* has resulted in several folks willing to *advise* you re: the process.

What now?

[run23]

Also, (i) friend person on Facebook, (ii) google the person to see where they work (LinkedIn can be good) and ask for an email from the work email, (iii) picture of utility bill with name and address. I’ve done combinations of this as both a buyer and seller and never had any problems— as a seller I’m more than happy to do these simple things, and it makes me more comfortable that the buyer is legit too.

This won’t guarantee that the seller doesn’t have a different idea of what “excellent condition” for a watch means, but nowadays you can be pretty comfortable you are dealing with a real person that you can find if you are totally ripped off.

[tgoddu]

Thanks for everybody's comments.

The watch is a Panerai, and therefore the seller is not on Rolexforums, It is off WatchUSeek.

The payment would be by wire (are there better ways)

He has provided any photo that I request.

His facebook and linkedin match up.

He has sold on ebay with a 100% positive account and gave me some WUS references I just received and am going to contact.

[armen34]

As long as everything is matching up, you should be ok with wire. Good luck. Post some pics

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by tgoddu

Thanks for everybody's comments.

The watch is a Panerai, and therefore the seller is not on Rolexforums, It is off WatchUSeek.

The payment would be by wire (are there better ways)

He has provided any photo that I request.

His facebook and linkedin match up.

He has sold on ebay with a 100% positive account and gave me some WUS references I just received and am going to contact.

Just be careful. Guy can just give you three emails that are all his etc

Aside from eBay is there any feedback online regarding this individual?

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by tgoddu

Thanks for everybody's comments.

The watch is a Panerai, and therefore the seller is not on Rolexforums, It is off WatchUSeek.

The payment would be by wire (are there better ways)

He has provided any photo that I request.

His facebook and linkedin match up.

He has sold on ebay with a 100% positive account and gave me some WUS references I just received and am going to contact.

Can you verify his place of residence and/or his place of work?
If you needed to contact him after the wire, for any reason, are you 100% certain you could locate this individual to a specific physical location?

If so, and the rest checks out, then you've done your due diligence.