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Selling Watchfinder: legit?

T
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Hello all!

I’m thinning out my watch collection to pay for a new bathroom, and one of the watches on the chopping block is my Railmaster. Watchfinder gave me a decent offer, but I’ve never dealt with them before. Anyone in the US sell to them? How did it go with them being in the UK?

thanks!
 
hronists
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They are legit. Surprised they buy from states, but whatever.
 
Davidt
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Also surprised they’ve offered you a reasonable amount. Stronger pound over last 6 months I guess
 
cchen
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I sold them a Lange with a surprisingly reasonable offer as well.
I'm based in London and dropped it off at one of their showrooms.
Easy process. Not sure how it would work from the US given the import duties here?
 
Croc
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They are owned by Richemont. Sold them a couple of watches in the UK, process was smooth and was happy with service. If you are based in the US, would guess you are dealing with their US branch/shop (would expect that if you are selling to the UK would be a load of issues relating to customs, import duties, which wouldn’t make it worthwhile for you or them).
 
BusyBuilder
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Sold part ex'd a watch.
Problem I had was I saw the watch I wanted, they asked me to send in my watch to check/verify which took 2/3 days. I got my offer and watch I enquired about was sold. But they found me similar at slightly more money, but I am very happy with the watch they sent and the deal was okay.

But I thought once I enquired about exchanging mine for one of theirs, they'd take their watch off the sales list ?
 
Dan S
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BusyBuilder BusyBuilder
Sold part ex'd a watch.
Problem I had was I saw the watch I wanted, they asked me to send in my watch to check/verify which took 2/3 days. I got my offer and watch I enquired about was sold. But they found me similar at slightly more money, but I am very happy with the watch they sent and the deal was okay.

But I thought once I enquired about exchanging mine for one of theirs, they'd take their watch off the sales list ?

Classic bait and switch. They had you on the hook.
 
TickTopia
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I've submitted a number of watches to Watchfinder in the U.S. and have never struck a deal with them due to their lowball offers. But they've got a good reputation, so I wouldn't hesitate to do business with them if you like their offer. By the way, you'd be sending the watch to their New York branch, not the U.K.
 
BusyBuilder
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Dan S Dan S
Classic bait and switch. They had you on the hook.
The watch I bought was a year newer and £130 more expensive, when we a re talking paying thousands for a watch, then £130 is hardly a lot more.
 
TickTopia
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BusyBuilder BusyBuilder
The watch I bought was a year newer and £130 more expensive, when we a re talking paying thousands for a watch, then £130 is hardly a lot more.
These guys aren't saints, but that's not unreasonable, and nothing like the predatory bait and switch stories I've heard of other dealers pulling.
 
stevec14
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BusyBuilder BusyBuilder
Sold part ex'd a watch.
Problem I had was I saw the watch I wanted, they asked me to send in my watch to check/verify which took 2/3 days. I got my offer and watch I enquired about was sold. But they found me similar at slightly more money, but I am very happy with the watch they sent and the deal was okay.

But I thought once I enquired about exchanging mine for one of theirs, they'd take their watch off the sales list ?
They do, but you have to put a deposit on the watch as well as the part ex then they take it down.

as for them as a firm to sell to, great - their collection service is a doddle and the prices they are offering recently have not been too bad (for them).
 
Evitzee
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BusyBuilder BusyBuilder
Sold part ex'd a watch.
Problem I had was I saw the watch I wanted, they asked me to send in my watch to check/verify which took 2/3 days. I got my offer and watch I enquired about was sold. But they found me similar at slightly more money, but I am very happy with the watch they sent and the deal was okay.

But I thought once I enquired about exchanging mine for one of theirs, they'd take their watch off the sales list ?
This is dependent on the company. I've bought/sold/traded various watches over the years with European Watch Co in Boston and have been treated fairly. I was in a B&B in Cognac, France in June perusing their site and saw a watch I had been interested in, so I sent them an email inquiring about what they could do with two watches that I wanted to offer in trade. They immediately put the watch on 'Reserved' status as we negotiated for a day (6 hour time difference). I told them up front I was travelling and would not be able to send the watches for two weeks and they were ok with that. We agreed on a deal and they told me to enjoy the rest of the vacation and we would complete the deal when I got back. Two weeks later I packed up the two watches with their prepaid FedEx label, wired them the monetary difference as we agreed, and two days later I had my new watch. Easy. In my view a company should put a hold on a watch while a deal is being negotiated instead of allowing it to be still available for sale. Some do, some (most) don't.
 
cchen
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I had a negative experience with EWC. Wasn't anything super high valued but a mint vintage example that I asked if they were interested in and they made me an offer which I accepted. Then radio silence. After a few days and multiple emails someone replied saying deal was off. Unprofessional. Ended up selling the watch here for more


Evitzee Evitzee
This is dependent on the company. I've bought/sold/traded various watches over the years with European Watch Co in Boston and have been treated fairly. I was in a B&B in Cognac, France in June perusing their site and saw a watch I had been interested in, so I sent them an email inquiring about what they could do with two watches that I wanted to offer in trade. They immediately put the watch on 'Reserved' status as we negotiated for a day (6 hour time difference). I told them up front I was travelling and would not be able to send the watches for two weeks and they were ok with that. We agreed on a deal and they told me to enjoy the rest of the vacation and we would complete the deal when I got back. Two weeks later I packed up the two watches with their prepaid FedEx label, wired them the monetary difference as we agreed, and two days later I had my new watch. Easy. In my view a company should put a hold on a watch while a deal is being negotiated instead of allowing it to be still available for sale. Some do, some (most) don't.
 
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