How to tell if a seller is trustworthy?

WYO_Watch

Every private seller (barring a few grandfathered in accounts) have 200 posts at a minimum to sell in the FS section. However, posts alone shouldn’t be an indicator of trustworthiness IMO.

You can definitely scroll through posts, but I think it’s likely a better indicator of if they use the forum to sell their wares or if they’re addicting to learning about watches. I.E. if all their posts are FS ads and bumps then who cares if they have 2k posts. A better indicator is talking with them.

Many of them have reviews here: https://omegaforums.net/forums/watch-seller-profiles/

I also like to see a few people like a sales posts before I take the plunge. That usually reassured me that the piece is objectively attractive.

Eve

I had an intersesting experience as a seller recently. I met up with the potential buyer f2f. ... We shook hands... then he told me that he would also need a copy of my identification. Seriously? I understand if we had an online deal, but why would someone want my id on a f2f deal? Is this a common practise nowadays? I feel a bit torn. I dont have any reasons not to trust the buyer, just feel uncomfortable giving him my private data.

Muddlerminnow

Well, when I buy a watch, whether online, f2f, from a dealer, or anywhichway, I ask for an invoice that gives the seller's information, as well as the sales price, etc. This is helpful for insurance purposes, and any other possible issues down the road. The invoice will have the seller's name and address and phone or email on it too. When sellers refuse to provide such an invoice in advance of payment, it raises a red flag for me.

A Akkad

So I am very new to the forum, but I very keen to purchase a piece in the near future.

Can you guys give me any advice as to how may posts/ likes or previous sales would make a seller appear trustworthy? I know that is very subjective, but maybe just a minimum? Or any offer advice you would offer?

Thanks in advance.

Eve

I had an intersesting experience as a seller recently. I met up with the potential buyer f2f. And he had the chance to investigate the watch. Then the seller agreed to my asking price and we ageed to meet again in a few days for the transaction (cash vs item). We shook hands... then he told me that he would also need a copy of my identification. Seriously? I understand if we had an online deal, but why would someone want my id on a f2f deal? Is this a common practise nowadays? I feel a bit torn. I dont have any reasons not to trust the buyer, just feel uncomfortable giving him my private data.

Eve

What insurance purposes?.

The Father

Did you ask for his ID in return? Seems logical.

Muddlerminnow

Proof of purchase price. And date of purchase. This goes alongside appraisals. It generally doesn't matter much until you need to file a claim....when it then really matters...

Eve

What if you are not the first owner, there is no proof of price or date (only the stamped warranty card).
I still dont underatand in what case would you want to file a claim on a private sale, after you have examined the item in person (unless you were sold a fake).

Muddlerminnow

The insurance is for loss, not fakes: fire, flood, theft. Usually you'd have a rider on your insurance policy for this, and the insurance company will want to have an invoice/proof of payment/serial number for an expensive item. Individual insurance companies have their own requirements--. The key thing is if/when you file a claim, which I have had to do twice, once for a flood and once for theft, having good records, and an invoice, helps. The invoice could also be handy in the unfortunate event the watch is discovered to have been stolen when you should try to sell it. Provenance matters.

If all this is too much for you in terms of worry, my suggestion is to sell through a third party. The vintage bamboo rod guys I fish with do this often, losing 15-20% of the sale to the dealer who manages the transaction, and who keeps your identity secret from the buyer (but who keeps records of who you are nonetheless).