Well I learned the hard way....

[dkg1616]

So every once in a while I check the local craigslist listings for old watches (specifically Rolex’s) to see if there is some old timer or someone a little less educated on watches as we are.

I came across a two tone black and gold 16613 P serial (2000) submariner. The pictures all checked out. Photos of the bracelet, lugs, crown, warranty card, serial number, reference, etc. I was txting back and forth with the seller and everything seemed to check out. He answered all of my questions adequately and seemed knowledgeable about the watch. Said the reason the price was so low ($3,000) was because he knew the watch needed to be serviced as it has never been serviced and polished. He encouraged the transaction to take place via PayPal as it protects both buyer and seller.

I figured, hey, good opportunity for me to flip my first Rolex. Sent notes to my local AD who also said looks like everything checks out.

Finally I decided to pull the trigger. The seller responded he was on his way to ship and would send info soon. Well... after a couple follow up texts and no response I decided to check the status of the PayPal transaction.

That’s when I knew I was scammed. Somehow the transaction was rerouted to someone with a completely different name and email address. Let’s just say the name and picture related to this person said it all...

I immediately contacted PayPal and my bank to block the transaction. PayPal said it could take up to two week for me to get my money back!!! My bank said 2-3 days and they can go after PayPal. I figured it would have been much faster given the timeleyness I was able to identify the scam.

I will call PayPal again tomorrow. Bottom line...lesson learned. I will be sticking to the buy from an AD and hold tactic from here on out.

End rant.

P.S. if anyone has any experience with a PayPal transaction gone wrong I’d love you help!

[Chewbacca]

So sorry to hear this.

[dkg1616]

Thanks CJ; good news is it was all done on a credit card and PayPal and my bank will figure it all out!

[donas]

I got scammed with a camera on Craigslist. I contacted the credit card company I use on Paypal; I found that dealing with Paypal was virtually worthless. It worked out for me then turned around, LOL. Credit card company immediately credited the amount back to me. I relayed such to my wife and she misunderstood and thought I meant Payal credited the money. Credit card did a follow up by calling her number (no idea why they called her number), nevertheless, she told them everything was good because Paypal credited the amount. The credit card company then took their money back and closed the complaint. I was done at that point - back to being out the money again

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Craigslist is for buying used lawn mowers.

Hope it works out OP!

[GradyPhilpott]

Good luck.

There must be some way to set the record straight, so that justice is served.

[FinWatch]

Sorry to hear... it’s truly a nasty feeling when you are finding out something like this...
All the best, good luck!!!


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[Jsol]

Don’t beat yourself up. You used PP and even if they take a min, they will return your money. Onward!!

[crew]

Originally Posted by dkg1616

So every once in a while I check the local craigslist listings for old watches (specifically Rolex’s) to see if there is some old timer or someone a little less educated on watches as we are.

Sorry for your loss and, hopefully, you’ll be able to get your $ back. These types of things typically work out for the buyer in Pay Pal disputes.

There’s more than a little irony, though, in your statement about hoping to find ‘an old timer a little less educated than we are’.
The scammer is looking for someone a little more trusting and/or greedy that he can take advantage of.

The bottom line is, if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Again, I do hope you get your money back.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by crew

Sorry for your loss and, hopefully, you’ll be able to get your $ back. These types of things typically work out for the buyer in Pay Pal disputes.

There’s more than a little irony, though, in your statement about hoping to find ‘an old timer a little less educated than we are’.
The scammer is looking for someone a little more trusting and/or greedy that he can take advantage of.

The bottom line is, if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Again, I do hope you get your money back.

Yes, someone who thinks he can by one for $3,000

[Andad]

Originally Posted by crew

Sorry for your loss and, hopefully, you’ll be able to get your $ back. These types of things typically work out for the buyer in Pay Pal disputes.

There’s more than a little irony, though, in your statement about hoping to find ‘an old timer a little less educated than we are’.
The scammer is looking for someone a little more trusting and/or greedy that he can take advantage of.

The bottom line is, if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Again, I do hope you get your money back.

Yes, a telling comment.

And that is not ‘learning the hard way’.

That is ummmm karma?

[1William]

Sorry for the deal not working but it is what occurs when you let the money or cost of an item get out in front of common sense. This watch would be significantly undervalued at 3k even if it needed a service unless it was seriously abused. My experience with PayPal is that you will get your money back but they are slow.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by 1William

Sorry for the deal not working but it is what occurs when you let the money or cost of an item get out in front of common sense. This watch would be significantly undervalued at 3k even if it needed a service unless it was seriously abused. My experience with PayPal is that you will get your money back but they are slow.

’sorry for the deal not working’??

You seemed to have missed the boat once again.

[dkg1616]

Update: got my money back!

[520Matt]

Awesome

[donas]

Originally Posted by dkg1616

Update: got my money back!

Nice! Through your credit card or did PayPal actually help?

[AzPaul]

Good to hear your situation was resolved.

The relatively few transactions where I've purchased a watch from a previous owner, have all been conducted in the lobby of my trusted watch tech's store. Unfortunately, it does limit the number and scope of used watches available for me to buy, but it also eliminates all concerns about authenticity and condition, and there's a lot to be said for that.

[artschool]

Originally Posted by crew

Sorry for your loss and, hopefully, you’ll be able to get your $ back. These types of things typically work out for the buyer in Pay Pal disputes.

There’s more than a little irony, though, in your statement about hoping to find ‘an old timer a little less educated than we are’.
The scammer is looking for someone a little more trusting and/or greedy that he can take advantage of.

The bottom line is, if it seems too good to be true it probably is. Again, I do hope you get your money back.

You can't cheat an honest man!

[NKflyer]

Hey bud, sorry you had a bad experience but please don't let this minor setback discourage you from flipping another watch and making 100% profit your first time out. Maybe try ebay instead of craigslist - I think it's safer.

[Duey]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Yes, someone who thinks he can by one for $3,000

So you thought you were pulling one over on the seller so you could flip it for more money is exactly what you're saying here

[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by NKflyer

Hey bud, sorry you had a bad experience but please don't let this minor setback discourage you from flipping another watch and making 100% profit your first time out. Maybe try ebay instead of craigslist - I think it's safer.

I totally missed this point that it was all about flipping...
I start to understand what this flipping-madness does to this hobby, passion....


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