UK, but don't want to buy from eBay! Anyone help?

danielhurst

I know it's bad, but I have seen WAY too many pieces on eBay that look great, but there is always something wrong with, getting lucky with a great piece on eBay is, of course, tricky...for now....I've decided to buy from the OF forum, not only will I be safe in the hands of the fellow members, but I know for sure the quality I will be getting!

Now for my question, I suppose! I know there is a forum specifically for this, but I don't want to pester admin just to post one question on what I'm looking for.

Looking for a UK based member on OF who is selling some or even one of their watches, would love to have a look if so! I'd feel much happier purchasing from someone also based in the UK for my first purchase.

If anyone can help or direct me to someone they know, I would be so grateful!

If the post needs to be moved to a more suitable forum, that's no problem!

Thanks guys!

- Dan

Davidt

Just be careful with some of the pm's you may get from this thread Daniel (this isn't directed at @davidswiss).

Certain undesirables may message you and take advantage of your inexperience by offering watches that aren't up to scratch.

Just do your due diligence, check references and be wary of very new members with no history on the forum.

dsio

Definitely don't wire any money, make sure if there is a deal its face to face if its local or paypal if it isn't. eBay might be intimidating but its buyer protections can often be a saving grace particularly for new buyers, once they work out how to avoid the swamp of redials and badly dealer prepped watches.

Davidt

Just be careful with some of the pm's you may get from this thread Daniel (this isn't directed at @davidswiss).

Certain undesirables may message you and take advantage of your inexperience by offering watches that aren't up to scratch.

Just do your due diligence, check references and be wary of very new members with no history on the forum.

nonuffinkbloke

Hello @danielhurst. Yes I can sympathise with your concerns. It also works the same way for an Inexperienced owner who decides to sell a watch. Not so much with regard to the quality of the item, I was thinking more about the actual financial transaction.

We have this rather strange situation where we buy and sell items that are valued in multiples of 1000's of dollars or pounds based on photographic evidence. The more I think about it the crazier it sounds. I can't think of anything else, of that value, that I would purchase on that basis. It scares the 'shite' out of me,😲 but it's normal practise here and seems to work OK for experienced members.

I have never bought or sold any watches on this forum or any other so, as such, I have no reputation good or bad. Even though I contribute all sorts of 'old cobblers' on this forum, I am still an 'unknown person'. Many of our members are long-term, serious collectors. As such they may have built up a good reputation over several years. Obviously, a new member cannot offer this kind of assurance to a buyer.

I do believe, however, that if a new member demonstrates a measure of transparency about themselves, and the item they are selling, this can offer a degree of reassurance to a purchaser. I can see why a collector needs to be security conscious, but If they are overly vague about themselves, or the watches they are selling, that has got to be a red flag to a prospective buyer. That's why I like the way the sales sections on this forum are managed. Items for sale are on view to all members including our experts and moderators. Any obvious misrepresentations can be quickly picked up by experienced members.

You mentioned that you live in the UK. Are you able to get into London? If so, you could contact @tyrantlizardrex and ask if you could attend the 'time for a pint' meet ups. (I think Chris stipulates that you bring at least one watch). I live in Dorset so I'm hoping to do this myself at some point. It would provide an opportunity to meet forum members face to face and maybe get some advice about how to go about buying.
cheers Jonathan.

padders

You do need to be more specific on what you are actually looking for. Just asking for any old Omega vastly increases the chances of getting ripped off at worst or more likely buying something that the buyer can't shift elsewhere at an over inflated price. I am UK based and have several pieces I might consider selling but it would be a waste of your time and the sellers if you expect them to send you a constant stream of pictures and details since inevitably many styles wont be to your taste.[/QUOTE

The reason for me not specifying a style is simply becasue I want to see what is out there. For me, its more about getting a good watch for the price. Course style comes into so here goes 😀 Really into some of the Seamaster range and the Connie range, as well as the UG Polerouter and Longine Heritage (1954 to be more specific) Would prefer a piece that was on or suited a brown leather strap, so the face I would like to be champang coloured or rose gold perhaps, as these work really well on brown straps.

The perfect watch: Omega Seamster (not too bothered on the year nor the cal.) in good condition, with a champagne dial on a brown calf/lizard strap....I think, would need to see it first, of course, haha.

Thanks 😀

padders

You do need to be more specific on what you are actually looking for. Just asking for any old Omega vastly increases the chances of getting ripped off at worst or more likely buying something that the buyer can't shift elsewhere at an over inflated price. I am UK based and have several pieces I might consider selling but it would be a waste of your time and the sellers if you expect them to send you a constant stream of pictures and details since inevitably many styles wont be to your taste.