Bob's Watches

[CorradoBrit]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

It's not a pawn shop. He's not loaning money at exorbitant interest rates with your watch as collateral.

They are betting that once you've shipped them your watch that you'll take their low ball offer.

This

[Metal]

Originally Posted by smym18

If you sell things at market value, you obviously have to buy below, which a lot of people don't seem to understand.

Say he pays you exactly what you're asking for, he obviously then marks it up. Now the narrative becomes "Bob's is a ripoff."

His offer was nothing near what they offered after I sent pictures. Once they had the watch, they told me my brand new never worn bracelet had no value. Then they made getting my watch back a pain.
Clearly, I'm not in a hurry to sell the watch since I still have it but had he given me what they told me I'd have sold it and used the money as store credit on a 16710 Pepsi.

[mrblue]

First it's not a pawn shop. That's a very specific type of business. Second, do you really expect them to actually pay the owner of the watch based on photos rather than actually having the watch in hand and examining it? Did I miss something in the story where you are forced to take their offer? To make an issue of the company name is ridiculous. The CEO of Ford has to have the last name Ford?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by mrblue

First it's not a pawn shop. That's a very specific type of business. Second, do you really expect them to actually pay the owner of the watch based on photos rather than actually having the watch in hand and examining it? Did I miss something in the story where you are forced to take their offer? To make an issue of the company name is ridiculous. The CEO of Ford has to have the last name Ford?

Yes, absolutely. I expect them to make an accurate offer based on pictures. They should be within a narrow margin of error, just like anyone here who buys off pictures alone in the for sale forum.

Their watchmaker examines every watch and they polish everything that doesn't have stickers on it. I expect those fixed costs to be built into their initial offer. Their practice however, is to wait until they have your watch in hand to mention these fixed costs. And, their final offer is tens of percent off their initial offer. It's an unethical business practice IMO.

[mrblue]

Except if you buy a watch from Bobs, based on pictures, you can return it and get your money back. Bob's or any similar retailers do not have that same option when they buy a watch. We all know photos can be disingenuous if someone wants them to be. If someone thinks they are going to get full retail when selling a watch to someone to resell they really are kidding themselves.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by mrblue

Except if you buy a watch from Bobs, based on pictures, you can return it and get your money back. Bob's or any similar retailers do not have that same option when they buy a watch. We all know photos can be disingenuous if someone wants them to be. If someone thinks they are going to get full retail when selling a watch to someone to resell they really are kidding themselves.

No one is expecting retail from a retail store. In fact, everyone expects Bob's to be close to the offer posted on their webpage for each model, which is obviously far less than retail. That expectation however, seems to only apply to BNIB watches with stickers on. All else will be low balled far below their online value or their written initial offer.

If Bob's can't glean enough information to make an accurate offer from the pictures, they shouldn't be in the watch business. They clearly have the expertise, so the only other explanation is that they use shady business practices.

[mrblue]

Can't argue with the experts here. I would never accuse someone of being shady without personal experience. You do know that retail prices are negotiable don't you?

[imperio]

Originally Posted by mrblue

Can't argue with the experts here. I would never accuse someone of being shady without personal experience. You do know that retail prices are negotiable don't you?

The very first post is of someone's personal experience. Multiple others have chimed in with similar personal stories.
You need to read all 300+ posts within this thread. Have you done that?

[CorradoBrit]

Originally Posted by mrblue

Can't argue with the experts here. I would never accuse someone of being shady without personal experience. You do know that retail prices are negotiable don't you?

I've yet to hear of ANYONE who has actually got a confirmed offer close to the quote once Bob gets the watch. That speaks volumes. I don't need personal experience to know when to avoid a certain business. The slow return of sellers property is also

[Tony1T]

Have them send the watch back. Put in a drawer and just wear it on special occasions Im sure she'll find the love for it again.

It doesn't cost anything to keep it in a drawer.

[Metal]

Originally Posted by Tony1T

Have them send the watch back. Put in a drawer and just wear it on special occasions I'm sure she'll find the love for it again.

It doesn't cost anything to keep it in a drawer.

In my case (and I believe a couple of others) they made getting the watch back difficult. They refused to ship mine back or bill me for return shipping.
I had to go to FedEx and fill out the forms to have a call tag sent.
It seemed like they were trying to wear me down and make it difficult NOT to accept their offer.
That was more annoying than the low ball offer.

[Reddy_Kilowatt]

Originally Posted by mrblue

Can't argue with the experts here. I would never accuse someone of being shady without personal experience. You do know that retail prices are negotiable don't you?

Hi Bob!

[superstarmar]

I'd pass on doing business with Bob's or Beckertime...
Plenty of other smaller dealers willing to give you exceptional
service and quality pieces at a fair price... The mixed reviews are
enough to steer me away.

[jlovda]

Imagine what a thread would be like talking about someone taking their watch into a shop on 47th St. in NYC?

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by Metal

In my case (and I believe a couple of others) they made getting the watch back difficult. They refused to ship mine back or bill me for return shipping.
I had to go to FedEx and fill out the forms to have a call tag sent.
It seemed like they were trying to wear me down and make it difficult NOT to accept their offer.
That was more annoying than the low ball offer.

I have heard this same BS,Some Sellers even had to threaten legal action to get their Watch back....How someone can be such a Snake and still in Business is beyond me.You will also notice that nobody from Bob’s defends their Name because they know it’s TRUE.

[Sirschwag]

ahh....the Palindrome that is BOB! I was offered a consignment agreement at 25% commission.....can't blame them for trying., but Paul didn't respond directly, someone from Bob's did...not a very personal feel at all. Prices are high and a lot are over-polished...they do seem to price accordingly and I've seen a few decent Subs...nice one's are pricey, but hey - they are hot now!

[ACmbc]

Newbie here. Cannot believe this conversation is still ongoing. Very interesting!

[KilgoreTrout]

Bob’s watch is famous for low balling. From experience, I got quotes from crown and caliber and bob’s, guess who did I end up selling to? I don’t remember but Bob’s quote was ridiculously low.

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by KilgoreTrout

Bob’s watch is famous for low balling. From experience, I got quotes from crown and caliber and bob’s, guess who did I end up selling to? I don’t remember but Bob’s quote was ridiculously low.

Then You have to factor in that it would have been even lower once they got your Watch.

[mdubya]

Originally Posted by jlovda

Imagine what a thread would be like talking about someone taking their watch into a shop on 47th St. in NYC?

I actually had a great experience selling to a 47th shop believe it or not. Wasnt planning on selling but had the watch on my wrist and mentioned i was thinking of selling. They made an offer well above TS offer prices and the rest was history.

[CorradoBrit]

Originally Posted by mdubya

I actually had a great experience selling to a 47th shop believe it or not. Wasnt planning on selling but had the watch on my wrist and mentioned i was thinking of selling. They made an offer well above TS offer prices and the rest was history.

I've yet to hear of a similar experience with Bob's. Their MO is clear.

[sambb]

THis thread is enlightening, and wondering if the process of offer revision is still common with them

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by sambb

THis thread is enlightening, and wondering if the process of offer revision is still common with them

Yes! The amazing part is the length of time this post has been active and we still have the original poster commenting. God I love this forum! Keep up the good work gentlemen!

[djona]

Even after turning down lowball offers by both text and email, I continue to get bombarded with boilerplate emails from representatives reminding me to ship them my watch.

[214270Explorer]

I will NEVER deal again with them. Their service guy is nothing more than a bad attitude. At least, who they had a few years back . . .

[DeVille]

My 2 cents... just the other day I offered them a BNIB (card dated the day before) piece, and the offer I received was so ridiculously low (way under 'dealer' buy price) that I thought the guy hadn't heard the watch description/model number correctly.
Needless to say, I passed...

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Investr

They are SCUMBAGS!!!

Bigtime!

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by sambb

THis thread is enlightening, and wondering if the process of offer revision is still common with them

You mean the process of ripping people off???? Yes they still do that

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Bigtime!

You're replying to a five-year-old post from a banned member?

[TomLou]

Paul Altieri….is the owner of Bob’s watches
Price, at the moment for your watch is $2500 …2 years ago $1600