Question on buying privately

[77T]

Originally Posted by noshame

Thank you for all your responses. Pretty much what I expected. Personally, I wouldn't buy from FB or CL. I put in a good word to my SA for my friend but he wouldn't give me a timeline and my friend wants to secure a watch sooner rather than later.

I know the only 100% way to verify is to open the watch up at an experienced watchmaker (Otto or German Watchmaker in Vancouver) but I was seeing if that would be necessary if all the other boxes get ticked.

I will suggest to my friend to not buy this watch, but if he does, he should get it authenticated, otherwise, walk away. Thank you.

I’d swap that advice around - not to buy any watch from FB or CL.


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[Flintstone]

Originally Posted by RUSH2689

Buy the seller, not the watch

This.

[AlbionJackal]

Originally Posted by Chris

I've sold 3 rolex on fb market place the latest yesterday.

For security i met the buyer at my bank he checked the watch and was happy. The cashier put the money through the counter, so no chance of forgeries, or buyer switching envelopes for cut up pieces of yesterdays newspaper. Facebook is no different to anyother market, as long as you use common sense and take necessary precautions.

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+1

• Buy the seller.
• Do your research.
• Buy with as much supporting evidence as possible, box, papers, service history, original receipt.
• Ask for ID or to meet up at an RSC, even if you don't go though with getting the authentification done by Rolex.
• Don't assume Dealers aren't immune from selling on "dodgy" stock. They are just as bad as private sellers, if not worse, in my experience, sometimes the mistake is genuine, sometimes not.
• If in doubt check it out.

[joli160]

I never do business with private persons. Gladly pay more to buy from well known sellers for a head ache and worry free transaction.

[VonSomething]

I'd be more worried about getting violently robbed. A lot of scary situations lately.. People getting cut with machetes, shot, stabbed etc.

Typically these were private sales setup with a public meeting spot. Some people just don't care about witnesses..

[Gab27]

I would probably not personally purchase at all in that situation due to security concerns.

If an AD can't get ahold of the watch (which, it seems like for a DJ they may be able to in a reasonable amount of time), I would go to DavidSW or a trusted seller here (and consider whatever premium paid as worth peace of mind + security.)

[Moondoggy]

I potentially buy from anyone, however I really do my checks and balances,

Matching numbers obviously.
Price, is it too good to be true.
Behaviour of seller, nervous, too friendly, desperation, smiles as he talks, all that body behaviour stuff, research seller google his cell number, it can tell you a great deal.
Weight of the watch (yes I know links can change result, however fakes are often lighter.
I take a 10X loupe and look carefully at font/finish etc.
Always meet at the back of a cafe with the only exit the front with a buddy sitting there incase and the cafe owner knows me too.
Always have as much dialogue as possible in lead up to the sale enables you to read between the lines, as ther saying goes "if you gonna lie you have to have a good memory" they often don't.
History of the watch, original receipt etc, how did they come to acquire it etc.

I like to think I have good instincts and I always go with my gut.

If you can't do all this, just bail, even the slightest I mean slightest red flag I am out of there.