What are the top 10 buying mistakes?

[kilyung]

Research, research, and more research. No such thing as too much research.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Research, research, and more research. No such thing as too much research.

Exactly.

Buy what you want even if you have to save and put it off, never substitute a lesser watch, you will flip it and likely lose money.

[Frogdog]

My first Rolex I knew had to be the Sub C w/ date. After looking through the FS section I found that going with the pre ceramic and no date version would be more cost effective, so I went with the 14060m. Within a couple of months of owning it I knew I made a mistake by not getting my first choice. So after a couple flips and losing a few $$ I finally got the piece I wanted. The lesson I learned is to always go with your gut and don't settle for an alternative.

Ive bought several other pieces since and have caught myself looking for an alternative when the specific piece I'm looking for is not available. Fortunately I have mustered up a little patience and held out for the right watch to come available.

Sorry for the dissertation! Hope it helps!

👍👍

[joe100]

1-10: buying a watch because you think others will think its impressive/cool/interesting, instead of buying what YOU like.

[ahafs1]

Originally Posted by joe100

1-10: buying a watch because you think others will think its impressive/cool/interesting, instead of buying what YOU like.

I couldn't agree more! This was my first mistake when I bought my first Rolex at the age of 17 although I learnt the hard way

[Annan]

Know all about the model you are buying before you pull the trigger. My first Rolex and my grail was a TT DJ. Went into an AD and walked out with a TT Date. Why? (1) because they didn't have a TT DJ in stock; (2) the date was less $$$; (3) I did not know there were any differences between the two; (4) I wanted to buy something TODAY!. Regardless, wore my Date for 21 years and then finally got a DJ.

[Mystro]

Paying msrp. I simply can't, its a sickness.

[actionkwj]

So far, I think Clay has the #1 Worst Buying Mistake!!! Clay, I hear a story coming... Please keep 'em coming and do tell. Dissertations are appreciated and more entertaining for all.

Spilling your guts over something regretful is a form of therapy that costs you nothing more than your lifelong reputation on the TRF!

If you bought in haste before, what did you buy and why? How did you resolve it? Any bad trade stories? And bad ebay experiences? Any bad experience with friends?

[peetnik]

Whenever I shop for anything -- watches, cars, bicycles, laptops, whatever -- I start at the top, not the bottom. That makes me aware of all the options before buying, and I work my way down the list until I find the right level.

Also, save for what you really want and don't settle.

[actionkwj]

What were you looking for? Where did you start? And where did you end up?

Originally Posted by peetnik

Whenever I shop for anything -- watches, cars, bicycles, laptops, whatever -- I start at the top, not the bottom. That makes me aware of all the options before buying, and I work my way down the list until I find the right level.

Also, save for what you really want and don't settle.

[Eric Chan]

Ensure you can afford the watch. Too many times I have seen people purchase items, watches included when they cannot truly afford them. Once you are financially prepared to purchase the watch, then do the research and find the one that "sings" to you.

[stockae92]

You should never:

(1) to ask on a forum to decide which watch to buy (ask question and make up your mind!)
(2) buy a watch over another just because its a "better deal"
(3) buy a watch that you will never wear or never plan to wear
(4) buy a new watch as an investment
(5) buy a watch to impress other people
(6) determine if the watch is a good fit for your wrist size and shape base on internet photo alone
(7) buy a counterfeit watch
(8) don't talk about fight club
(9) don't talk about fight club
(10) don't talk about fight club

[busytimmy]

1. Buying large watches that don't look good on my wrist.
2. Buying more than one watch per brand. I've come to realise I like diversity in brands and complications.


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[actionkwj]

Did you have several watches from one brand at on time? Or have you always been a true collector from several brands? What are your collection favorites?

I'm kind of the same way. I only have one watch from four different brands, but I didn't really plan it that way. For me it was more a matter of adding something different to my collection - I'm probably not that guy that will buy five version of the Sub. Just one will do.

Originally Posted by busytimmy

1. Buying large watches that don't look good on my wrist.
2. Buying more than one watch per brand. I've come to realise I like diversity in brands and complications.


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[busytimmy]

Originally Posted by actionkwj

Did you have several watches from one brand at on time? Or have you always been a true collector from several brands? What are your collection favorites?



I'm kind of the same way. I only have one watch from four different brands, but I didn't really plan it that way. For me it was more a matter of adding something different to my collection - I'm probably not that guy that will buy five version of the Sub. Just one will do.

Yes, as one point I owned 3 Omega watches, for instance. It's all part of the learning.

Favourites include my Speedmaster pro, JLC MUT Moon 39 and Rolex polar 216570.


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[actionkwj]

I don't know what the JLC MUT Moon 39 is, but looks like you've got a great collection of three special watches that are all different. Sweet!

Originally Posted by busytimmy

Yes, as one point I owned 3 Omega watches, for instance. It's all part of the learning.

Favourites include my Speedmaster pro, JLC MUT Moon 39 and Rolex polar 216570.


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[Sir Larry Wildman]

Always check the watch before you purchase it, up and down.

The sales people might pressure you, or give you attitude, but before you hand over the card, look at things like bezel alignment, dial alignment, cycle through the dates to make sure they don't stick, etc.

While no watch is perfect, and they are all unique is some small way, you can mitigate the chance that you got a lemon by knowing what to look for.

[actionkwj]

Larry, that's a good one that I honestly would not have thought about on my own. IMHO, a watch from an AD should be perfect to begin with, but as I've learned from other TRF members, "it ain't alway so!." - PS: That means bring a loupe with you to the AD!

Originally Posted by Sir Larry Wildman

Always check the watch before you purchase it, up and down.

The sales people might pressure you, or give you attitude, but before you hand over the card, look at things like bezel alignment, dial alignment, cycle through the dates to make sure they don't stick, etc.

While no watch is perfect, and they are all unique is some small way, you can mitigate the chance that you got a lemon by knowing what to look for.

[sierra11b]

Never compromise. For example, if you're set on getting an 114060 don't opt for the Tudor Black Bay thinking your original want will just disappear. The want will eat away at you from the inside until you’re happy with owning what you had originally wanted.

[mechanicaltime]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

Never compromise. For example, if you're set on getting an 114060 don't opt for the Tudor Black Bay thinking your original want will just disappear. The want will eat away at you from the inside until you’re happy with owning what you had originally wanted.

I decided that I wanted a 114060. The local AD only had one with the date. I told them to call me when they got the nd sub in stock. They called me and when I got there, all they had was the one with the date! This was two weeks later. The guy tried to tell me that the sub with the date was the number one selling Rolex yadayada. I told him I wanted the no date. This kinda annoyed me. Today I went to another nearby AD and bought a no date for a better price than the original AD was offering.

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by mechanicaltime

I decided that I wanted a 114060. The local AD only had one with the date. I told them to call me when they got the nd sub in stock. They called me and when I got there, all they had was the one with the date! This was two weeks later. The guy tried to tell me that the sub with the date was the number one selling Rolex yadayada. I told him I wanted the no date. This kinda annoyed me. Today I went to another nearby AD and bought a no date for a better price than the original AD was offering.

[doubleinfive]

The biggest mistake is buying only one watch...

[tkerrmd]

Pretty easy for me, I buy what I like and don't care what other people think.

[Old Expat Beast]

Mistake: Buying something because people keep saying that "you can't go wrong" with it. Truth is, you can go wrong with any Rolex if it's not right for you.

[actionkwj]

Or is that anecdotal from TRF buyers-remorse stories? If yes, what happened?

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Mistake: Buying something because people keep saying that "you can't go wrong" with it. Truth is, you can go wrong with any Rolex if it's not right for you.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by actionkwj

Or is that anecdotal from TRF buyers-remorse stories? If yes, what happened?

Not happened to me, just observed here.

[steptoe]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Mistake: Buying something because people keep saying that "you can't go wrong" with it. Truth is, you can go wrong with any Rolex if it's not right for you.

You can't go wrong with this advice....................

[foodle]

If at all possible, see the watch "in the metal" before buying. Seeing a watch in person will often highlight pros and cons that you didn't see or foresee from just pictures on the Internet.

[actionkwj]

This goes back to my one piece of advice. See it over "in the metal" and over a period of time and see if it really "sticks". Can't agree more.

Originally Posted by foodle

If at all possible, see the watch "in the metal" before buying. Seeing a watch in person will often highlight pros and cons that you didn't see or foresee from just pictures on the Internet.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by actionkwj

Be patient and revisit your target watch multiple times over a few months. If that watch still sings to you at the end of three months (or six months), then your should feel pretty good about buying it.

I bought my Explorer and it was the first time I ever laid eyes on one. I've never had an ounce of regret.

I bought my DJ and it was the first time I'd ever personally seen a black stick dial. I had already decided that I wanted a DJ, though. I've never had any regrets regarding that one.

I was quite familiar with the Subs before I bought my 14060M and I did wait until I was convinced that it would soon be discontinued before I bought it. In that case, the decision was well thought out and naturally, I'm quite pleased with it, especially since it has the same movement as the 114060.

As for my BLNR, I have yet to personally see one, but I have tried on a number of GMTII models, so I'm quite certain that I'll be pleased with it when it finally comes in. I've always liked the GMTII watches, but it's been on the back burner, so to speak, because there were others that I wanted more.

I don't think that there are any special rules for buying watches.

It's pretty much the same no matter what you buy that costs a significant sum. Do your research. Use good judgement and buy what you like.