Community Stories

Anyone bidding on this one?

JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,938
BrianPankow BrianPankow
The forum often makes me laugh and sometimes wince at the same time. I’m always surprised how A thread can so quickly go off the rails.

My only objection to posting active auctions is the increased exposure. I search to find a nice item, two folks bidding, good price.... Once posted on the forum how many others might now be interested that might not have done any homework to locate the item before the post.

That said, I’m appreciating the information on shill bidding. Thank you.
I’ve always thought it would be nice if we could post a listing and “call it” like fielders in baseball.
 
Syrte
Posts
7,624
Likes
21,860
Whenever Hodinkee identifies something as a good purchase the price flies off the bounds of normalcy because it’s like an investment seal of approval. Same with Philips auction.
It’s clear this watch was going to be priced high no matter what and I’m sorry for poor @Zapatta finding himself in the cross hairs of so many parties.
However I must say, without having a dog in this fight, I too suspect the chances of Hodinkee having picked it up here are strong, with the effect of increasing the ultimate sale price by what — 90%?
Again, this forum is used as a work tool by professionals and investors. Maybe the person who writes « Bring a Loupe » had a gazillion alerts such as Omega chronometer but he cannot possibly sift through as many alerts as he needs to monitor the entire market.
Considering OF has been listed as a source of expertise in the New York Times I strongly believe many professionals monitor it, many of them who do not contribute here, and I think that for many free riders we are the ones doing the work separating the wheat from the shaff.

That is why I have very mixed feelings about the manner in which some information is shared here, and personally have a very strong distaste for the « outing » of live auctions.

However, and since it is (regretfully IMO) not against forum rules (which IMHO are outdated on this point), I feel bad for a newbie having been on the receiving end of such an uproar.

Perhaps @Zapatta is right there should be an « etiquette » note somewhere about this. After all there must be some newbies who read the main sticky threads.
Edited:
 
pdxleaf
Posts
5,376
Likes
18,684
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I’ve always thought it would be nice if we could post a listing and “call it” like fielders in baseball.

Like Bringatrailer.com. sellers who are prepared with answers for educated buyers are rewarded.
 
janice&fred
Posts
4,593
Likes
10,795
Ah I say just like in the movie "It's a mad mad mad word"...every man (and woman) for themselves.

Want to keep a potential deal secret and to yourself? Do the work. Get offline and do some boots on the ground searching for the hidden watch treasures.
 
Syrte
Posts
7,624
Likes
21,860
janice&fred janice&fred
Ah I say just like in the movie "It's a mad mad mad word"...every man (and woman) for themselves.

Want to keep a potential deal secret and to yourself? Do the work. Get offline and do some boots on the ground searching for the hidden watch treasures.

Not all of us have a team of three doing it — as you said you do 😉 let me farm a few likes by reposting your description.
You’re certainly bringing the trade of watch « hunter-gatherer » to the next level. 😁
https://omegaforums.net/threads/sold-3-vintage-beauties-for-one-price-of-270.118246/#post-1574470
Edited:
 
E1671947-F9AE-4968-81D7-B3129CBB79DC.png 461CD46B-2A75-46C5-A3D8-05539B98A1F4.png
jsducote
Posts
1,035
Likes
1,907
Syrte Syrte
After all there must be some newbies who read the main sticky threads.
What if it (among the other important written and unwritten rules) was part of the new account sign-up process instead of a sticky?
 
Archer
Posts
28,059
Likes
71,645
jsducote jsducote
What if it (among the other important written and unwritten rules) was part of the new account sign-up process instead of a sticky?

The bottom line is that its not against the rules. If the mods here wanted to stop this, they would change the rules, and enforce them.

Personally I don’t think it’s necessary, and although it may help some collectors to do so, it would likely be mostly dealers that would benefit from this.
 
Syrte
Posts
7,624
Likes
21,860
Archer Archer
although it may help some collectors to do so, it would likely be mostly dealers that would benefit from this.

That’s an interesting viewpoint. How and why do you believe that would be the case?
 
michael22
Posts
1,790
Likes
2,001
I can't imagine rules that would solve the (perceived)problem. Dealers & journalists can post farm as boorishly as anyone. Many new members arrive on a mission to find info., & a questionnaire to gain access will put many off. I hope there is some answer, since I am a collector, not a Dink fan.
 
MikeMan2727
Posts
1,665
Likes
8,765
Syrte Syrte
That’s an interesting viewpoint. How and why do you believe that would be the case?

Everyone likes getting a deal, but none more than dealers who depend on profit margins to survive. If auctions have higher traffic, dealers will be unlikely to get a great deal and may be less likely to buy.

Collectors will most likely be willing to pay up to market price if they can afford it.

If an auction stays "under the radar," dealers who have more time to search for obscure listings will have greater chance of winning.

In this way, I think that increased exposure is a benefit to the average collector if I am understanding @Archer correctly.
 
Rasputin
Posts
1,383
Likes
1,774
MikeMan2727 MikeMan2727
Everyone likes getting a deal, but none more than dealers who depend on profit margins to survive. If auctions have higher traffic, dealers will be unlikely to get a great deal and may be less likely to buy.

Collectors will most likely be willing to pay up to market price if they can afford it.

If an auction stays "under the radar," dealers who have more time to search for obscure listings will have greater chance of winning.

In this way, I think that increased exposure is a benefit to the average collector if I am understanding @Archer correctly.
Well this collector appreciated the exposure...
 
88694D31-0D9D-4D0B-93E9-1AD094A22C6D.jpeg
MSNWatch
Posts
6,618
Likes
11,373
I think @mac_omega brought attention to this corner of the vintage omega world with his magnum opus of a book. And we are now starting to see more collectors pursuing manual wind 30mm chronometres with higher prices being the result - there are fewer of these watches in nice shape to begin with since they are 75-80 years old already.
 
jsducote
Posts
1,035
Likes
1,907
Archer Archer
The bottom line is that its not against the rules.
And yet it caused a bit of an uproar among the populace. I thought calling it an "unwritten rule" would cover that, but I've observed that you prefer precise language. Would you prefer it if I suggested calling attention to the norms and mores of the community? I mean, if the only way people learn is by getting yelled at (the current model) then it means we're doing a lot of yelling.
 
Archer
Posts
28,059
Likes
71,645
jsducote jsducote
And yet it caused a bit of an uproar among the populace. I thought calling it an "unwritten rule" would cover that, but I've observed that you prefer precise language. Would you prefer it if I suggested calling attention to the norms and mores of the community? I mean, if the only way people learn is by getting yelled at (the current model) then it means we're doing a lot of yelling.

Well, it caused an uproar with some certainly, but I don't think they are in the majority here, at least I see no evidence of that. As has been pointed out, the "norms and mores" of this community include posting links to live auctions. Yelling at people for this is, as I've said, IMO bad form.

But if people want "unwritten rules" put down in writing, then just make it a rule and be done with it. Trying to make it into some official pseudo-rule is only going to make it more confusing than it already is, at least in my view.
 
Dan S
Posts
21,764
Likes
49,381
jsducote jsducote
And yet it caused a bit of an uproar among the populace. I thought calling it an "unwritten rule" would cover that, but I've observed that you prefer precise language. Would you prefer it if I suggested calling attention to the norms and mores of the community? I mean, if the only way people learn is by getting yelled at (the current model) then it means we're doing a lot of yelling.

I don't think there is even a consensus. Some people don't like it, others think it is ok (including the mods and administrators). So I don't think it's plausible to make a rule, written or unwritten, on the topic.

On the other hand, I think it's fair for people to express their reasoned opinions pro and con. It will help others decide whether they want to post a link to a live auction in a particular case.
Edited:
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,938
I'm still not clear why there was such an uproar initially- and it was only a few who expressed chagrin, many more rushed to the OP's defense- including myself. The OP already admited that his original question was a clumsy attempt to learn about the watch and what makes it special and not out potential bidders. As I said earlier, if you were a bidder, why respond to this thread and bring more attention to it?!?
I have no intention of ceasing the posting of live auctions when I think they are relevant to watch collectors here. They spark conversation and create a dialogue that usually results in educating others (include the thread drift to colloquial uses of profanity).
As has been said before, eBay is the largest marketplace on the planet. Someone posting a listing here is hardly going to blow the doors off an auction- it's already bee seen by thousands. Shrewd buyers never let an auction go the distance- they have already pitched a serious offer and had it accepted before you can refresh the page 2 minutes after it was listed.
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

ATWG

Anyone bidding on Gordon’s Speedmaster?

ATWG Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
SpeedyPhill
SpeedyPhill
Posts
30
Views
4K
drose224

OMEGA 17 JEWELS Cal 371 MECHANICAL. Thinking of bidding on this. Worthwhile?

drose224 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
drose224
drose224
Posts
4
Views
202
Sa Calobra

Seamaster 321 - too many downsides on this one?

Sa Calobra Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
13
Views
1K
theycallmeSerg

Opinions on this vintage, worth bidding?

theycallmeSerg Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
theycallmeSerg
theycallmeSerg
Posts
10
Views
1K
E

Speedmaster Mark 2 Racing, thoughts on this one?

ErichKeane Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Fish70
Fish70
Posts
19
Views
3K