Question about buyers/feedback on sellers

[rdragon]

I'm still reading/learning/researching and am getting more comfortable with the thought of buying from a trusted seller. Am even possibly considering going that route in the future.

There's one thing I find curious though that I thought you guys could help explain. I see a fair amount of feedback from users who are first time posters (or with very few posts).

I'm sure people read a while before posting for the first time (I did), but for your first (or within the first few) to be about purchasing from a seller then pretty much not having much posts afterwards. No details about what they purchased (especially when incoming threads seem to be the norm). What's the consensus on this kind of behavior?

Maybe they are instant believers or something. Or maybe they just started pm'ing sellers right away. But I still can't seem to grasp this. Yes, there are a fair amount of posts about who's xxxx (referencing a seller), are they good/trusted, how does this process work, etc...But, I would think there would be some history of posts of first time members asking about that before jumping right in and buying. Thanks.

[tkerrmd]

I think some use this site to find a trusted seller as an alternative to buying at an AD to save some money

[joe100]

I've used the folks here for years. I have my favorites and I've even sent them money sight unseen for watches. All I need is "yep Joe, it's what you want" and I'm good to go.

[jhcam8]

Probably just guys who lurk and have enough info to discern the trusted sellers.

On the Style Forum, e.g., I've sold a number of items to buyers with low post counts. Here also, now that I think about it.
From the buyers point of view they want to feel comfortable with the seller and that probably comes from the seller having a lot of solid feedback, yes?

[Speed]

If the posts you reference are for sellers who no one else posts about...it could be an issue.

[drumminj]

I think I fall into this category...

I'm relatively new to higher-end watches. Used to just wear a Timex, but bought my first automatic (a Tissot) a year and a half ago, and just recently purchased a Rolex Explorer I (thanks Mark!) from a trusted seller on this forum. It's been a quick ramp-up to be sure.

I've lusted for the watch ever since looking into higher-end watches, but didn't know much about it (or Rolex) and wouldn't have anything to offer on this forum. Heck, I still don't, for the most part, so I lurk and read and don't post much.

But, I found about about the trusted sellers on TRF via another forum (Watchuseek) and so started watching/researching folks here. Saw a watch come up for sale here that matched my criteria, researched the seller, and pulled the trigger. It was a great transaction, so I left feedback for the seller.

I'm not afraid of doing deals with folks online - I met folks in person from "online" back in the BBS days, have traded in guitars, camera equipment, audio recording equipment, etc, in forums like this where folks with a similar passion congregate. So there wasn't a huge bump to get over to be comfortable doing my research and pulling the trigger.

I don't know if I'll ever really have much to contribute to this site - I"m not much of a "me too" kind of poster and am totally outclassed in the knowledge realm. So my post count may remain low, but I am an active lurker :)

I can't speak to all the other low-post-count/new member feedback givers, but that's my story.

[rdragon]

tkerrmd/joe100 - Thanks.

jhcam8 - Yes, definitely. Having a lot of solid feedback on the seller from the buyers point of view is helpful. But, if it's from first time (and only) posters, it's seems a bit questionable.

speed - Yeah, that would definitely raise some questions. But I did see enough even on the better known sellers (which is main reason I'm seeking advice on this topic).

drumminj - Thanks for sharing your story. I'm like you too - relatively new/mainly to read/learn, can't contribute much, etc...Your reply/story was helpful. I'm going to send you a pm to ask something about another post of yours.

All/mods/admins - Is there anything to prevent someone from making multiple aliases (like one alias/ip address or mac address or something along those lines)? I know in the rules it states one active user account, but how is that monitored?

Especially for unknown sellers, what's to stop them from giving feedback on themselves with other aliases?

[2Redbulls]

One thing I do besides just asking the seller for a reference, is evaluate the reference itself. If the reference is a high post member, who themselves is a trusted member then that reference means more to me. I specifically like it when past references are from buyers and/or trades not sellers (although a high dollar buyer of multiple pieces is pretty good in my eyes).

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by rdragon

tkerrmd/joe100 - Thanks.

jhcam8 - Yes, definitely. Having a lot of solid feedback on the seller from the buyers point of view is helpful. But, if it's from first time (and only) posters, it's seems a bit questionable.
Especially for unknown sellers, what's to stop them from giving feedback on themselves with other aliases?

Look mate - that's why I said SOLID feedback. If it's bs, then it ain't solid, see?

[Lgear080]

If you're concerned about wires and such... Stick to ftf. Surely there is someone trusted close to you.