Downsides and Risks of Buying from a "Trusted Seller"

[RaymondAZ]

Longtime Lurker, First time poster.

I am considering purchasing a DSSD D-Blue from "Trusted Seller" on here since it seems impossible to find at an AD.

I've done my research and am very confident that he is very trust worthy and respected. I've read the "Don't buy the watch, buy the seller" comments on the forum.

However, I still have a few question and concerns.

What are the risks of purchasing from a "Grey Market" seller?

I was told by my AD that the warranty is non-transferable. Is that true?

Another concern is that the watch may have internal damage/after market parts that the Trusted Seller may not be aware of. How common is that on newer models? Is it something to be worried about?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[00Seven]

Biggest downside is the warranty is no longer transferable. That’s about it.

[HogwldFLTR]

If the watch has an active warranty then it follows the watch not the owner. So a BNIB with an active warranty is just as good as one purchased from an AD less the time lost between warranty activation and the repurchase.

[RaymondAZ]

Originally Posted by 00Seven

Biggest downside is the warranty is no longer transferable. That’s about it.

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

If the watch has an active warranty then it follows the watch not the owner. So a BNIB with an active warranty is just as good as one purchased from an AD less the time lost between warranty activation and the repurchase.

I keep getting conflicting advice on whether the warranty is transferable to. new owner.

Hopefully I can get more people to chime in so I can get a consensus.

[Andrés G]

You can buy from a trusted seller and still get your name on the papers. It will be a brand new watch with a full warranty with Rolex. Ask around and you'll find what you're looking for.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by RaymondAZ

Longtime Lurker, First time poster.

What are the risks of purchasing from a "Grey Market" seller?

I was told by my AD that the warranty is non-transferable. Is that true?

Another concern is that the watch may have internal damage/after market parts that the Trusted Seller may not be aware of. How common is that on newer models? Is it something to be worried about?

Warranty is transferable and follows the watch, anyone telling you otherwise is misinformed or trying to scare you.

Non genuine internal parts? Possible but extremely uncommon/almost impossible for the top trusted sellers on modem watches (vintage is another story), they have watchmakers themselves and always open the caseback usually taking in trades if there's the slightest suspicion. Not to mention their hard earned reputation is on the line. If you're that worried get a watchmaker to confirm so you can sleep easy or go buy from AD.

Main risk of buying from trusted sellers? Seeing how easy and hassle free it is after the first time and hanging out here wasting more money buying more watches...slippery slope.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by RaymondAZ

What are the risks of purchasing from a "Grey Market" seller?

First, welcome to TRF. Like anything in life, risk is 100% loss.

I was told by my AD that the warranty is non-transferable. Is that true?

False. Warranty follows the timepiece, just make sure you get the card.

Another concern is that the watch may have internal damage/after market parts that the Trusted Seller may not be aware of. How common is that on newer models? Is it something to be worried about?

This virtually never happens on new pieces, especially those with stickers on them. Even without stickers, a new or lightly used watch is probably as new with a bit of wear (or the Rolex AD took the stickers off so it is as new minus stickers, which is common too but some people cherish stickers).

[dcash0615]

I agree with everything said here. To reiterate your concerns... the warranty follows the watch not necessarily the person named on the warranty card.

Originally Posted by sensui

Warranty is transferable and follows the watch, anyone telling you otherwise is misinformed or trying to scare you.

Non genuine internal parts? Possible but extremely uncommon/almost impossible for the top trusted sellers on modem watches (vintage is another story), they have watchmakers themselves and always open the caseback usually taking in trades if there's the slightest suspicion. Not to mention their hard earned reputation is on the line. If you're that worried get a watchmaker to confirm so you can sleep easy or go buy from AD.

Main risk of buying from trusted sellers? Seeing how easy and hassle free it is after the first time and hanging out here wasting more money buying more watches...slippery slope.

[HK Islandboy]

Originally Posted by sensui

Main risk of buying from trusted sellers? Seeing how easy and hassle free it is after the first time and hanging out here wasting more money buying more watches...slippery slope.

Agreed.

The last watch I bought from a trusted seller arrived at my house before I did! In spite of spite of doing the deal halfway around the world, the deal was unbelievably smooth

[jschmidtdmd]

You honestly have 0 concerns.

Find the best price and someone you trust.

Personally, I still use paypal for an added layer of protection. I started out doing this because it made me feel better and I have done so for many years since for that extra layer of protection.

I exclusively buy from a very small group of sellers, so my trust with them is not an issue, but more so with the AD that supplied the watch, whom I do not know.

JPS

[handsfull]

Originally Posted by 00Seven

Biggest downside is the warranty is no longer transferable. That’s about it.

As the others have stated...the warranty follows the watch.

[hambone1983]

I recently bought my first "trusted seller" watch. Did my research here and found nothing but positive comments, literally dozens of them going back 9 years. Also has a brick-and-mortar location and a very active website. Posts 5 watches here in the classifieds here every day. You literally can't do any better in terms of picking a seller.

I have to say though - not a criticism - you don't get a lot of hand-holding. This is NOT buying from an AD, where you get the cloying, overly officious handling. I think the assumption is that they are dealing with buyers who've been around the block before and can seem a little curt in comparison. Despite the level of confidence I had going in, your mind kind of plays tricks on you until the transaction is completed and you wonder if every little hiccup is the beginning of a horror story.

Of course, there was no horror story, everything was done in a timely manner and precisely as represented. The anxiety was of my creation, but it's difficult not to go there when thousands of dollars are hanging out there.

[singe89]

I've wired hundreds of thousands of $$$ to DavidSW over the years without issues. He's also gotten me watches that my AD couldn't and was even able to get me my sons birth watch ahead of time to wear as he was born and then dated the papers on his birthdate in his name. All warranties are 100% intact and had to test them a couple times without issue.

[jschmidtdmd]

Originally Posted by singe89

I've wired hundreds of thousands of $$$ to DavidSW over the years without issues. He's also gotten me watches that my AD couldn't and was even able to get me my sons birth watch ahead of time to wear as he was born and then dated the papers on his birthdate in his name. All warranties are 100% intact and had to test them a couple times without issue.

That's what I was trying to say too ;)

[WS9D]

Originally Posted by 00Seven

Biggest downside is the warranty is no longer transferable. That’s about it.

This is inaccurate. Bought a watch from a trusted seller here earlier this year that had a five year warranty. Had to send the watch to RSC Dallas for an issues and had zero issues. Watch was serviced for free and sent back in 4 weeks.

[jazznpool]

Even though it sounds obvious make certain you are speaking and transacting with the actual trusted seller. There is a history of serious criminals lurking here that hijack identities or set up emails similar to a trusted seller. Sadly TRF members that were not really careful have been bilked for big bucks. I've purchased face with face a few times with OCROLEXGUY and on the phone with DAVIDSW. I highly recommend them both.

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by 00Seven

Biggest downside is the warranty is no longer transferable. That’s about it.

I really dislike bad information!

[Laszlo]

Buy from the top trusted sellers and you'll have zero to worry about. I've had my wife's Rolex serviced under warranty without an issue and have purchased, traded, etc., many watches with trusted sellers without an issue at all.

[mmzofhala]

Good to be a part of this forum !

[gwozhog]

Unless you buy from an AD you personally have no warranty in your name. Now the watch might but you will not. It's a risk. Now with that being said the odds of your watch needing warranty service are pretty slim. And if it does break send it to the watchbuyersgroup.com in California and they will fix fast and very affordable. Much better option than RSC.

[DocHorton]

I've bought from 3 trusted sellers on this site (DavidSW, Takuya, and OCRolexGuy) and have had nothing but great transactions.

No downside at all besides the fact it isn't in your possession the same day, you'll get it the next day.

[kauffee]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

Unless you buy from an AD you personally have no warranty in your name. Now the watch might but you will not.

Well when I break I go to the doctor and I have insurance for that.
A warranty on the watch should be good enough.

And by the way, some trusted sellers here will put your name on the warranty card for new watches.

[GB-man]

There aren't really any concerns. I'd still recommend finding an AD that will work with you if you have the time. Long term you're better off.

If your time is more valuable than a few grand here and therethen trusted seller all the way. Thanh Do is my favorite.

[kepler22]

Same topic, similar question, are there any trusted sellers in the UK as import duty and taxes make it uneconomic to buy from a trusted seller in the US

[CrazyMD]

I’ve bought from takuya and ocrolexguy. All flawless transactions. Multiple gold Rolex transactions. I’ve sent them over $100k. Never had an issue. Watches all come with warranty cards. I’ve saved a LOT of money buying from these guys. Won’t ever purchase from an AD again. Even if I had an issue, and the watch didn’t have warranty, a full service is no more than $1,000 and then I get a warranty from Rolex. That’s peanuts compared to the $20k saved on the purchase price of a watch.


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[RaymondAZ]

Thanks for the the advice. Greatly appreciated.

[ronricks]

Only downside is with the prices some of the trusted sellers are now asking you can get the same watch cheaper from an AD. Trusted Sellers are on the way to pricing themselves out of the market which was the only reason to go with them in the first place.

[1William]

No issues with our Trusted Sellers. I have done too many transactions to remember and have never had a bad experience. Get all the information and prices on the watch you want. Cross reference them with an AD and see where you end up. I have a great AD that I deal with and it is no BS. They tell me like it is and I do buy from them when they can do better than the Trusted Sellers. And they do on occasion. Only on SS though, they have not been able, or willing, to do a deal on PM. Good luck on the watch hunt.

[pjaffe]

Originally Posted by jschmidtdmd

That's what I was trying to say too ;)

David is very direct, which is totally fine, but a little nerve wracking for a newbie like me buying my first watch from him. Everything went completely smooth, and he went out of his way to deal with Omega directly when the local Omega store was giving me the run around on a maintenance issue.

[cab56]

OP, There are some easy steps to reduce your risk and increase your peace of mind. Verify that the trusted seller has significant positive feedback in the TRF who's who and that you're actually dealing with that person. I've purchased multiple watches from established TRF sellers (after checking who's who) and from my AD (who is flexible on price) and I've been happy with both approaches.