Buyer wants to return submariner, thoughts?

[anothernewphone]

That's a really bad position the buyer is putting you in. I'd tell him you're using his funds for another purchase, so you won't be able to give him all of his money back. He can take it or leave it.

[WML]

"Buyer's remorse" is when my wife buys a purse from Saks or Bloomies and doesn't like it as much as she did in the store, when she gets it home..a deal is a deal in the Gulf as it is anywhere else..perhaps more so.
However, if the buyer is a friend or a close acquaintance, then go with what feels best to you.

[WWC]

man... I feel ya.

I'd tell him nicely that there are no refunds. But if you feel bad maybe take it back at 20% off from what you sold it at?

Also, there are some cheeky people out there. Be sure to tell him that once you see him face to face. Cause they might change the parts in the watch since you're taking it back at 20% off.

Hope it helps! good luck man

[StuartM1970]

Thanks all for your views and thoughts. I'm finding it a tough call.

I have genuinely spent the money.



My biggest worry is advertising it again. While it will get plenty of enquiries, I'm sure buyers who watch the classifieds - like me - will wonder why it's come back. If I saw an advert that was a rapid repeat from some one with no reputation - like me - I'd give it the swerve just on safety alone.

The fact that I'm agonising is probably a reflection on me. It's a cultural trait here to test people's politeness to the limit; I haven't decided where my limit is yet.

Will report back. Thanks again folks, love this place.

[porschedude]

Send him on down he road, don't let him push you around like that

[John in MA]

This reminds me of a time a few years ago when I sold a great condition blue tudor snowflake 9411 with service dial and hands that was still under a Rolex warranty. I also used the funds to purchase a white exp II. Watch was as described and was in fantastic condition.



The gentleman that purchased it from me contacted me a day later and asked if I'd be willing to offer a refund since he had decided he wanted one with original dial and hands. He was willing to take a hit for a "restocking fee" of 10% which was $300. Pure buyers remorse.

I thought for all of 5 mins and told him I would. He paid for the shipping both ways plus the fees and once I had it I checked it out and Wired his money back and didn't take him up on the offer of the restocking fee.

I was able to sell it again the next day for the same price.

Could I have said "No?" Yes. Did I have the right to do that? Yes. Still, except for the inconvenience and the fact I'm not a dealer I figured it was the right thing to do.

In this case, you can't go wrong either way. As there is no "shipping" per se I would request the cost for shipping as if you had sent him the sub and call it good. Forget the 10-20% restocking charge.

[mtb]

do you think it might have had a "heart operation" during these 8 hours?

[Thebiglagu]

Do what you believe is the right thing to do. If you follow you're gut you can't go wrong! Keep us posted !

[melrob1]

Dont even think about returning the money. He should have put in his homework before making such a big decision. You spent your time and effort marketing it and dealing with the guy. If he made a bad decision the. Its up to him to sell it or whatever. Face to fave equals done deal. Dont feel bad!

[Furbo]

I would politely refuse and sent him to hell in my thougts, I can't stand undecisive people.

[CDNWatchNut]

If the guy is genuinely nice and appreciative(as in knowing its a favour and not an expectation), and I trusted him, I'd probably be willing to undo the deal, straight up. However, I'd expect him to pay up front, any costs necessary to open, verify, inspect and reseal, pressure test at an AD or RSC. If there was any damage or evidence of attempt to defraud, then obviously, he's out of luck.

[GB-man]

Simple.

Sir, I used the money to acquire another watch that I had been trying to fund. I do not have the money to refund your purchase. I would be more than happy to assist you in selling the watch by providing you with the names of some individuals I know whom buy watches. Outside of that I cannot afford to do more.

[nickng]

If you wanna be nice, then accept the return at 10% reduced price from the original price you sold him. And also have the watch professionally checked and verified prior. All these as compensation to your inconveniences.

Alternatively, you should asked him to resell it himself or you do on his behalf with small commission.

[Alexth1]

What if he swapped out any parts?

[ceconomakis]

Originally Posted by StuartM1970

We're outside the US, but I may offer a buy back. The price difference may focus his thinking. Honour and honesty are a big thing here, so I don't think he'll have stripped it for parts, but its just such a hassle dealing with all the crazies when selling.

I live in Dubai and have done so for over 14 years. Things are changing here also. Unless you know the buyer personally do not take it back for the below reasons:
1. He is an adult and you should not be penalized for his mistakes
2. He could have taken it to the Gold Souq and put in another movement in an hour
3. Maybe he got yours and found one cheaper
4. Many other reasons
You are not his nanny.

[nickng]

Originally Posted by ceconomakis

do not take it back for the below reasons:
1. He is an adult and you should not be penalized for his mistakes
2. He could have taken it to the Gold Souq and put in another movement in an hour
3. Maybe he got yours and found one cheaper
4. Many other reasons
You are not his nanny.

x10
My thoughts exactly.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by slashd0t

I'm torn here. If its an easy face to face return and the watch is absolutely the way you sold it to him, I would probably take the return ...

Is it inconvenient? For sure. But, this is what makes people top notch sellers and dealers. Also a huge karma bump.

Sometimes people spend so much time researching an item without actually seeing one in real life.

Is the buyer being unfair asking for a refund? Probably.

Such is life. Sometimes being the good guy is just the right thing to do.

I don't think you're in the wrong either way.

Option 1

Originally Posted by Baco Noir

IF you take it back, do so at an AD. Look over the entire watch for any sign it was dropped and have the AD check the timing, have him pay to have the case opened to verify the movement, and bracelet removed to verify the serial number. He should be willing to do this to give you peace of mind if you are going to be kind enough to take it back.

Option 2

Originally Posted by Thebiglagu

Do what you believe is the right thing to do. If you follow you're gut you can't go wrong! Keep us posted !

The moral ground.

This is very difficult. The deal is done, but a return policy wasn't stated so just maybe...
Being a nice guy has also got me burned before. Considering the region where you are, I find you're in the middle and one must always do the right thing. At this point you have genuinely spent the money, if this is the case then there's no discussion. He needs to sell the watch.
If you're in a position to buy the watch back, then perhaps it would be the right thing to do, considering the steps in option 2 above, that's the only way(or full inspection at watchmaker/ad of YOUR choice) I think I could entertain a return plus a 10-20% "restocking" fee for your trouble now.

In this case not doing a return doesn't make you bad or wrong in the least but coming to some agreement with terms in your favor will definitely make you good and morally right, the restocking fee cannot be overlooked imho. In this case he cannot ever speak bad of you for the present deal as is, but if on the other hand you accepted a return he can only ever speak good of you.
You're the only person that really knows what you must do, but I would not ride this out for a number of days, it fosters hope and maybe there isn't any, make a decision now and tell him, end of story.
Good luck.

[Andad]

I have an idea.

Let's beat this to death with a stick.

The buyer changed his mind.
The seller has two options.
Accept it back and refund the money.
Or not.

I doubt the buyer would accept a re-stocking fee and this just makes the decision easier.

[Billywiz]

Originally Posted by StuartM1970

Thanks all for your views and thoughts. I'm finding it a tough call.

I have genuinely spent the money.

Attachment 411992

My biggest worry is advertising it again. While it will get plenty of enquiries, I'm sure buyers who watch the classifieds - like me - will wonder why it's come back. If I saw an advert that was a rapid repeat from some one with no reputation - like me - I'd give it the swerve just on safety alone.

The fact that I'm agonising is probably a reflection on me. It's a cultural trait here to test people's politeness to the limit; I haven't decided where my limit is yet.

Will report back. Thanks again folks, love this place.

In this case taking it back and deducting something from what he paid you is probably conveying more distrust of him than you want to or portraying yourself
As cynical and exploiting him.
You should simply tell the truth...Im sorry Ive pent the money. Unfortunately if you have not responded with this immediately then its going to sound a lie. Prove it to him buy sharing what you spent the money on.
Do not give in to perceived cultural pressure - take refuge in the fact you are being truthful - You sold this to fund the purchase of something else and you have spent the money. Let him trade it.

[LA_LEC]

This really not your problem. This was a simple transaction between to private individuals. You advertised an item for sale at a specific price.
The other party bought the advertised item at the price asked of his own free will.
The contract was completed at the exchange of money for item.

You have no obligation to return the money. He is not claiming the watch was defective or that he was mislead in any fashion. He simply changed his mind...call it what you will.

He now has to sell the item that he now owns if he wants cash for it - simple as that.

[bayerische]

It's a ND Sub, he'll be able to sell it. I wouldn't take it back, unless it was a known buyer to me.

Since it even was a f2f deal, he doesn't really have any good motives for returning it. "Buyers remorse" isn't really an option when buying privately IMHO.

Good luck.

[rolexmariner]

"Buyer's remorse" my arse, its a done deal, dont buy back!!!

[polarinda]

Not gonna pay for anyone's remorse. Besides, a lot of things could happen to the watch in 8 long hrs.

[Greg G]

You should not buy a watch you do not want. The watch is his, it is his responsibility to sell it if he does not like it anymore.

[Nucengineer]

How do you know he didn't drop it or somthing worse? With all the tire kickers that lurk on the forums, he should consider this one of life's lessons. You are under no obligation to return the watch because all of a sudden he decided he spent too much or for some other reason. You are not a Rolex retailer, that is why he got a better price in the first place.

[Rags]

Buyers remorse is NOT your problem. But if you do decide to be a nice guy & refund his money I would say a 10 to15% charge is in order.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Rags

[Casey VP-26]

This has happened to me on several occasions, I did refund the buyers, in full.

Did I like it?, NOOOO.

Just recently I had a buyer return a watch after finding an issue which I was not aware of, after that he offered a lower price which I excepted and then he tried to return the watch a second time, This time I said, NO.

Its not easy, but it is your decision. Good Luck.

[ppbskis]

As a member of John Q Public I would say you don't owe him a return. Especially when he purchased from you in person.
When a big boy goes shopping, he does it to purchase something. Not buy a dress and not cut off the tag so it can be worn or returned at will as little girls do.
He met you to buy a Sub. You presented the piece, I would think he tried it in, looked at it in every conceivable angle and felt " yeah I love it!", here's the cash.
What if it was a car ?.... Maybe a Porsche or Ferrari , you sell it and a week later he pulls in your driveway and says I don't really like or want it anymore.
So don't feel too bad whatever you do.
I would think you knew what you would do as soon as he told of his buyers remorse.

[Doug T]

I feel that it's his responsibility to sell the watch especially as it was a face to face deal. Nobody forced him to buy it in the first place and he has likely been in the habit of doing this with other purchases in the past. I have a friend that has buyers remorse on most of his purchases that involve larger $$$$.

[StuartM1970]

Well, as the saying goes, day ain't over yet, but having responded to the buyer this morning my time, things have gone quiet.

I wrote back outlining everything we had gone through in the transaction to reinforce the point that he knew what he was getting in to.

I offered to take the watch back at -15% to guarantee me an easy sale and also make it better for him to just sell it himself, which I feel is what he should be doing. This offer had a deadline of today only and since then I've heard nothing.

This has taught me an interesting lesson and I appreciate the advice. Interestingly, this is also my most active thread ever, so at least the experience fuelled some debate.

Be careful out there.