The Rationale Behind Flipping?

[jinikari01]

Originally Posted by clb521

If you buy a brand new Rolex and decide to sell it later to try something new, you will only lose a little bit of money if any at all if you take care of the watch.

So lets say you bought a new Hulk Sub at lets say retail price 9k (or cheaper from trusted folks here). In 5 years you decide to sell it and it is still in good to very good condition, you can probably sell it for at least 7-8k possibly more depending on the market. So at worse case you may have a loss of 1k or maybe 1500. You got to enjoy a 9k watch for 5 years for only $1500.

Try to get that kind of return back on a car. The second you buy a car you lost money.

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Well said.

[jon_jon]

Originally Posted by kneedeep

Flipping makes it possible for me to move from a watch I like to one I like better using less new cash than buying outright. Also keeps me from having watches that won't get much wrist time. I'm a believer in wear it or move it.

I wonder if there is or ever will be a market for renting watches like they have for renting exotic cars. Rent a Rolex for a week and see if you really like it enough to buy it. If pricing is reasonable, people won't have to serially flip

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Chaps

I love flippers, they nearly always sell at a loss and some of us gain from that.

Personally I would not dream of selling a Rolex, how can you love a watch one day and sell it the next?

Mick

I also agree with this ...
I spend my hard earned money to acquire a nice timepiece that
I've longed to get and enjoy only to sell at a loss because I fancy
another ??? a day , a week , a month later ??? No way I say !!!
Only add ,.. Not flip ... No flippers for skippers here, dare I say ...
Nay nay... No way Jose!!!!

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by ancientmariner

Bulliondesk has correctly described 'flipping' in my opinion. This definition is widely used regarding cars and to a lesser extent houses. It should apply to anything bought to sell on quickly for a profit.
I also agree that this forum uses 'flipping' in a different way, to replace the words 'selling' or 'trading-in' or part-exchanging' (these expressions may be different for different countries).

My definition of flipping is the same as Bulliondesk. However after reading several posts on this site, I would say that is not the same definition that the majority here, recognizes.

To me, flipping is making money. If you lost money, I would consider that trading in.

[MILGAUSS88]

Just curious, so I checked Webster's Dictionary:

flipping:
to buy and usually renovate (real estate) so as to quickly resell at a higher price
So, I would not consider someone who sells watches at a loss a "flipper".

[Andad]

I have never flipped, sold, traded, crushed, melted down, etc. a watch.

Must be a Scottish thing.

[Jake B]

A lot of the time it's VERY simple and guys flip to try out another model. If they lose a little dough in the process then they consider it to be a sort of " rental fee". I think that if you were to do a survey, you'd find that majority of the "flippers" are Millenials and/or people who might considered by most to be "liberals" for whom ownership of private property is less important. They likely keep a floating Paypal balance and occasionally supplement with credit/debt when they want to "upgrade".

All this of course in contrast to the more conservative (and likely older) of us who shy away from credit, preferring to save in order to pay for their watches in full and then keep them for life to pass down to the next generation.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by Jake B

A lot of the time it's VERY simple and guys flip to try out another model. If they lose a little dough in the process then they consider it to be a sort of " rental fee". I think that if you were to do a survey, you'd find that majority of the "flippers" are Millenials and/or people who might considered by most to be "liberals" for whom ownership of private property is less important. They likely keep a floating Paypal balance and occasionally supplement with credit/debt when they want to "upgrade".

All this of course in contrast to the more conservative (and likely older) of us who shy away from credit, preferring to save in order to pay for their watches in full and then keep them for life to pass down to the next generation.

jake, i appreciate your thoughts, but, these are some pretty sweeping generalizations that i would think are hard to back up with any actual data.

[Alex_TA]

Originally Posted by ming the merciless

It's just God's way of telling you that you need to lose some money.

Brilliant.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Jake B

A lot of the time it's VERY simple and guys flip to try out another model. If they lose a little dough in the process then they consider it to be a sort of " rental fee". I think that if you were to do a survey, you'd find that majority of the "flippers" are Millenials and/or people who might considered by most to be "liberals" for whom ownership of private property is less important. They likely keep a floating Paypal balance and occasionally supplement with credit/debt when they want to "upgrade".

All this of course in contrast to the more conservative (and likely older) of us who shy away from credit, preferring to save in order to pay for their watches in full and then keep them for life to pass down to the next generation.

I don't think that's even remotely accurate.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

jake, i appreciate your thoughts, but, these are some pretty sweeping generalizations that i would think are hard to back up with any actual data.

Hey, I never said it applies to everyone and so yes it's some generalizations but they're based on LOTS of research and observation while I've been working in the watch industry for several years now & have friends and contacts in the pretty much every field related to it, so I can say that I stand behind what I say %100 since it's flippers, 2nd hand watch sellers and my own experience that tells me this.

[Jake B]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I don't think that's even remotely accurate.

You can think whatever you like. I'd never try to tell anyone what to think or do. I don't believe that anyone really has the authority to tell anyone else what to think or do.

I'm not sure if your comment was serious or meant as a joke (tough to tell online sometimes) but I'm curious...are you a "Flipper"?

[SMD]

The grass always appears greener on the other side.

[buke45]

I Flip because I can do it at a minimal loss if any and still get to have the cool experience of having owned almost all the models. By the way i am not a millenial and my PP account is paid in full.

[hoanghung45]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

Unless it is being done for profit, I assume for most it is a matter of scratching an itch. Some people want to try many different watches and can't justify/afford to simply purchase all of them. Once they have had t for a while, the novelty wears off and they move to the next.
I am not they type who flips, but I do get it...

Well said

[yannis]

i flipped a lot before i settled down with my current set up about a week ago

[kaiserphoenix]

For me flipping is also a learning process or learning curve. By trying out different models, scratching the itch, whatever you wanna call it, you start to refine your tastes and appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of various brands and models. Without flipping I would not have the necessary exposure to understand and appreciate what I really like and value.

For example if I had not tried the AP Royal Oak 15202, I would not know how silky and amazing the 5711 bracelet is, etc. I have made many mistakes and lost enough money to probably buy a very decent watch but at least Im in a situation where I have some core watches that will build a solid foundation for any other special pieces i may encounter in the future.

Furthermore, people's priorities change over time too, maybe if you're single with no kids, having money tied up in watches is no bad thing, but if you get married, have kids, then other stuff start to take priority and you feel guilty for having money tied up in "unproductive" assets. (I don't have kids btw LOL)

On a side note, watches, particularly Rolex and PP are fairly liquid assets which for me "encourages" such flipping behaviour because the market is so liquid.

[jrbar-on]

To borrow and modify some lyrics by Pete Townshend ..

"You ain't the first and you ain't the last
I gain and lose my WATCHES fast
I never want to make them cry
I just get bored, don't ask me why"

Cheers,

Jonathan

[Lew Archer]

What gives the most pleasure? The most satisfaction?

The thrill of acquisition? The pre-purchase excitement, anticipation, desire...all in play leading up to the actual purchase, then a phase of happiness caused by having the new treasure? An intense high that may deflate as quickly as it inflated?

Or, the long term satisfaction of owning the watch, living with it, having it become a part of the time of your life, associated with events, good and bad, with people, a watch imbued with your own history over time?

Each of us will answer differently.

Some, after the thrill of acquisition passes, will gradually loses interest in the watch. They may want to experience that thrill again, but the old watch no longer stirs the blood. Others, will deepen their own bond with the watch over time, long after the acquisition thrill has passed.

For me, it is both. The thrill of the acquisition. A great feeling. No question. "Incoming!" we announce with child like joy. That wears off, though, in time. The sudden "hot damn, I've got it!" joy passes. For me, it then gradually settles into a long term pleasure, not as intense, but satisfying. Yes, that new watch, will eventually find its way back into the safe...but, sooner or later, I will rediscover it. Over time, it becomes intertwined with my own personal history, meaningful only to me.

Some of us are hooked on getting the watch. Some of us are hooked on having the watch. And some of us are hooked on both!




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[kilyung]

Some flip spouses while others flip watches. Watch flipping is cheaper.

[soundserious]

Life is too short to never watch a minute totalizer on a vintage Daytona click over, or feel a Patek rotor whir while moving you arm, or experience the pushers on a Lange chronograph.

Isn't it? That's a rhetorical question. Of course it is.

[nch209]

For me it's the hunt for the right piece, or a good deal. Guess I learned this from Anastosis (tempoking). And as odd as I know it is, I'll keep buying watches I've had in the past and felt blahhh about (read LVc) because I love it in pics and WANT to love it in the flesh.... But never do!!! But yea, the main reason is the hunt... Then the release! Lol

[ref1655]

taking this 'flipper/upgrading' mentality into mind...the Costco Rolex offerings are probably a godsend to those so inclined. with its liberal/no time limit return policy, an initial $8K-$26K purchase can now be 'churned' into a countless number of watch options.

it's almost like leasing a car...

[Daycruiser]

For me, I only flip watches I obtained through the grey market, usually preowned. I am seriously considering flipping my TT YM2, since I got it for $16K, I could probably get all my money back and maybe a little extra.

The rationale is that our taste evolves, certain watches that seemed appealing at certain points, become less appealing as our palates become more refined, or as our public persona changes. I would flip my YM2 for a PP 5711 in a heartbeat. In this case I would still have to add in a little extra cash, but I think it's well worth it. PP 5711 is simply more elegant and less in your face then the TT YM2.

I am slowly moving to "limited" "vintage" and special editions only watches. The only watch I would never sell is my 116519, not my favourite watch by any means, but it was a gift from my mother who passed away.

[versatile1]

Originally Posted by .458chris

i love watches, which, might seem counterintuitive but that's why i flip. I get to own many more watches than if i never traded up. I sometimes feel bad letting an old piece go but that quickly subsides once i get my new one on my wrist. To each his own.

x2

[RolexAuthority]

Flipping is a disease the symptoms being fast heart rate, palpitations , the sweats, sleepless nights, confusion and loss of senses there is only one know cute that is to buy another watch - but note the flipping disease lays dormant and can resurface very quickly it's lifelong but regular buying and selling helps keep it in check

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by AK797

A lot of this has to do with TRF allowing pics.

[Relyt]

Originally Posted by kjp1Iam

If I were uber-wealthy I might add a few more watches to the permanent stable, but I think I would still buy/sell other models.

What is uber wealthy? Does that mean you driver for uber for a living and make bank? Ha. Jk. Sorry had to lighten the thread.



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[Laszlo]

My early flipping days were based on finding the right watches that I wanted to keep long-term. I stopped flipping Rolex watches once I found two that I was absolutely comfortable keeping lifetime.

[BawlaDK]

During my first 3 years i also flipped a great deal of watches, simply for the sake of learning and also because I wanted to try as much as possible before settling on additional keepers other than my Sea-Dweller. Has taken me years to find out what my perfect collection should consist of. Turns out I am just a boring Rolex guy and my collection now only consists of 3 watches... Vintage 1675, 16600 Sea-Dweller and a 116519 Daytona...Every time I stray from Rolex i regret it and go back.