Is it a good idea to sell an expensive watch to friends and family?

[chro.nic]

Has anyone had any unpleasant "surprises" down the road after selling to friends or family?
Along the lines of "Oh, I changed my mind", "I think I'd prefer to have the money back"...
Is it a scenario best avoided?
Niko

[Chewbacca]

I trade back and forth with my sibs. No issues.

If I were to actually sell I’d charge much more to family as I’m the poorest.

[easterbunny]

I would avoid unless like Chewie its with a sibling. And even then, I would expect Murphy's law.

[Nikrnic]

None of my family are into watches but being in the car biz I do deal with family and although I'm very careful doing so I've never had a problem.

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[RobearH]

First ask yourself if family should buy expensive stuff from you....if so then maybe still not safe to proceed dealing with family. Only you can be sure, and still not really..who really knows. JAT

[Etschell]

Depends on who it is.

[123Blueface]

I would avoid it like the plague.

[brucethemanlee]

no. money and family never mix well

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

no. money and family never mix well

Yes. This is true.

[Brew]

My family is just patiently waiting . . . .

[Ian Macdermott]

Originally Posted by Brew

My family is just patiently waiting . . . .

Same as mine.

[JDsnewwatch]

What do you think the ADs are doing? Ever wonder how so many watches that have 25 year waiting lists wind up on Jomashop, Bobs, Crown and Caliber etc..? The ADs (might?) be selling them to their family at retail and then directing them to the secondary market so they can sell them for 2-3X the purchase price. The AD and the family member split the profits, Rolex turns a blind eye (warranty might be voided now). Its both bothersome and fantastically brilliant all in one.

[RidingDonkeys]

Originally Posted by JDsnewwatch

What do you think the ADs are doing? Ever wonder how so many watches that have 25 year waiting lists wind up on Jomashop, Bobs, Crown and Caliber etc..? The ADs (might?) be selling them to their family at retail and then directing them to the secondary market so they can sell them for 2-3X the purchase price. The AD and the family member split the profits, Rolex turns a blind eye (warranty might be voided now). Its both bothersome and fantastically brilliant all in one.

Only took ten posts to get a Rolex conspiracy theory going. New record?

[Mr.Rolex1]

Originally Posted by RidingDonkeys

Only took ten posts to get a Rolex conspiracy theory going. New record?

No theory, it's a fact

[3PS]

My brother asked me to sell him 2 watches from my collection (non Rolex), I just give it to him as gift. Don't need to mix family and money.

[Quailhunter]

It is rare for both sides of a transaction to feel equally happy. Family relationships are difficult enough without introducing the strain of a soured transaction.

[1William]

They are your family so I am sure you know how they are. Some will be good, others, not so much. It would be just like anyone else in that I will do what serves my needs and I would not worry about something that might happen.

[Mr.Rolex1]

Only if I know they're doing it to avoid an AD

[GB-man]

Too situational to offer advice. With a car of course not but watches are less maintenance prone.

[tie219]

I would not.

[LandWatch]

No, but I’ve given them watches before. I’d rather not mix family and finances or trade.

[locutus49]

Money and family do not mix well. YMMV.

[enjoythemusic]

What i usually do is send watch to service, then sell to.... This way she is just serviced and so is ALSO under warranty from factory.

[Mr.Rolex1]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

What i usually do is send watch to service, then sell to.... This way she is just serviced and so is ALSO under warranty from factory.

Good advice

[mjclark32]

I’ve helped a few friends and family buy pieces, but just as a pass through. Nothing gained for me. “Here’s the price, I’ll buy it and you can reimburse me when I give it to you”
Haven’t had a single issue.

[chro.nic]

Thanks for the responses guys! Interesting perspectives.
In my case it's a friend who wants to buy my OP39 black, now that I just picked up the Explorer.
I bought it new in Jan of this year, so plenty of warranty left on it should it need it. I just wanted to see if anybody had any experiences of buyer's remorse or something similar, because that might get touchy.
Thanks guys!
Niko

[chro.nic]

Haha, would you believe it?
I just saw a video by Archie himself denouncing the practice of selling to friends/family!!!
Sorry Mike, Archie has spoken!

[77T]

Originally Posted by chro.nic

Haha, would you believe it?

I just saw a video by Archie himself denouncing the practice of selling to friends/family!!!

Sorry Mike, Archie has spoken!

Gift it. Then no need to worry about the recipient wanting money back.


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[enjoythemusic]

Lol Archie. Over the decades a variety of watches have passed various hands. Sometimes I buy from friends, sometimes I sell to friends. That's how I'm able to rock my Rolex SS SkyD blue right now, local dealer so far is a total disaster for Daytona, SkyD, and still waiting on BLRO (called seconds after it was first announced). Sad fact, when I went to my local Rolex dealer a year or so ago, the sales people had never seen a blue Sky-Dweller.

My friends come through :-)

On the other hand I've had very rare watches, rare Patek Worldtime wall clock, etc and eventually a few of them found their way into my close friends hands. All transactions have been smooth, as over the decades as every single person has been happy.

Maybe you guys need better friends and family :-)

[Brew]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Maybe you guys need better friends and family :-)

Nah, I'm cool with mine, as long as they remain patient.