I'll take 65 more posts form you any day of the week if they include pictures of your fantastic pieces. Three pages now. Is there really any doubt that the watch hasn't been spoken for, sold, boxed up, shipped, and on it's way to the lucky new owner by now? Hopefully it's off to a fellow OF member.
Not to stir the pot, but it seems that the the exception oftan swallows the rule. I find it peculiar that prospective buyers, albeit new ones, are unable to post even when attempting to buy an item. If a seller lists a small window for payment and is willing to do business everyone wins. I have without exaggeration purchased nine watches in the last month and the experience has been fraught with perils and pitfalls. For a neophyte such as myself whose life experience consists of passed down antiquities and picking things out that evoke "ohs and ahs," having a resource and community of trusted sellers of vintage items is paramount.
The 200-posting rule is a bit of a nuisance for new members but we all appreciate the reason for the rule's existence -and even though it may cause personal inconvenience, the credibility of the forum is far more important than the needs of an individual. However, one thing that I should highlight is that 'new' members can feel frustrated because, like myself, they have often been de-facto 'shadow-members' for many months before signing up and posting. So the potential time-lag between their first post and the small light at the end of the tunnel which is the 200-mark can seem much greater. On top of which -although I have avidly read hundreds of threads and thousands of posts over the last 9 months (I only signed up at the end of last month when I thought I knew enough to be serious about buying my first Constellation) unless I think I can add to the conversation, in line with a lot of newbies I don't post just for the sake of it. I have no desire to sell at the moment -but I am certainly looking to add to my collection and would probably like to post in the WTB section on this forum -certainly preferring to buy here rather than on the 'bay. (mods -please note that at this point I resisted the temptation to mention what I would like to buy ) But the reason I'd rather buy here is because of the 200-post rule -so, chicken and egg - it has to stay. Anyway -with a few carefully chosen words new members can always highlight their watches for sale or ones that they want to buy and so long as the conversation boards don't become a secondary market place I don't think anyone really minds that much -in fact we get to see some great watches we wouldn't otherwise see and it creates topics for discussion like this one...... Just so that the post includes a pic of a beautiful watch -I really really like the watch that Sgt_Bilko kindly posted on my recent thread (below). 1966, Stainless steel Cal 564 Constellation -just saying....... 170+ to go
Scammers will find a way to scam just like buyers and sellers will find a way to buy and sell. I tried to sell on the FS section, contacted a mod and never got a response. So, it goes to ebay where I have 10 years of sales and hundreds of feedback. I cant tell you who wins or loses in these situations, I just look at it like "it is what it is". If I was gung ho on selling I would comment on 30 threads a day to surpass the 200 limit, which is also what I would assume a scammer would do. For me, I post 5 times a week so, in a year or so I will get to a point where I can post for sale items. That wont make me any more credible, legitimate or honest, but those are the rules so abide by them or go elsewhere I suppose.
Once again, if you PMed me and got no response, it likely means I just lost it in the 50-100 I get every week. Who'd you PM?
I have only been on here a very short time, but I have bought two watches by sending personal messeges to the sellers. The watches I bought were not for significant amounts of money but by the same token it was not small change either. I felt confident that everything was ok becuase I could gain an impression of them through looking at what they have posted. I am very happy with what I have bought and I will try to buy all my watches via this forum if possible becuase I feel that I gain gain an impression of a seller through seeing their posts and the combined knoweledge of members is better than any auctionhouse or ebay. Of course their is always the possibility of being scammed but I think it is less likely on here.
It all seems fair to me. A new (unknown) need 200 posts to post in sales. If you are desperate, impatient and feel you have nothing to add, then contact a mod with your Bona fides. If you satisfy him, you can post. This is after all primarily a knowledge sharing forum, who's primary purpose is NOT selling watches (to tourists!)
I bought a watch recently, as ive not enough posts i PM'ed the person and got a reply straight away, bought watch sameday!! Sometimes i would like to be able to make contact quickly on th FS forum, but alas cannot!! Ian
Also i too can be active on forum, then get too busy to post for a couple of weeks, still look on and off through day though...
Replying their thread doesn't necessarily get their attention nor does it send an email notification, PMs on the other hand do. Negotiations should also take place privately, not in the thread, partly because bumping FS threads with replies is a distraction for the other people that aren't interested in it.
I would hope its will not get the next thing after Ebay etc, as Darren says its a knowledge/info interesting reading specialist site. Not a quick way to make a fast buck...or pound actually... Im selling a watch on fleabay now and its killing me... ian
yes, but if a forum member sells something on ebay other forum members have hardly a chance to get aware of the sale. i would rather buy from a forum member's ebay auction and use the forum chat to examine the investment on a sound basis than to buy from a non-forum members ebay auction.
So what happened with the watch in the first post? I don't remember seeing it offered for sale in the Sales forum?
Watch is now for sale on eBay. Should be easy to find...can post link if anyone needs it....many thanks for all your help here ..