Watch Sales Tips
I’ve actually sold a dozen or so watches over the years on eBay, but I’m getting tired of paying the stupid fees every time, especially for less expensive watches where you’re only making a few bucks anyway. I’m getting ready to sell some cheaper watches (Chinese brands, some G Shocks, etc.) and figured I’d give the FB Marketplace/Groups, forum route a try. If it goes okay, maybe I’ll graduate up to selling some more expensive stuff in the future.
I know the basics - get good pics, offer a detailed description. These have served me well. But I’m curious for any tips you guys have for selling in these, shall we say, “less regulated” forums than eBay or Chrono 24. Anything I need to be on guard with regarding buyers or payment methods you have found to be particularly dodgy? Any lessons you have learned, good or bad, in selling? Got a preferred place you sell? Whatever you’ve got is helpful! Thanks folks!
(Just for some more eyes, a pic of a Vaer I sold a few months ago.)
Just a humble watch collector in the under $1000 price tier… but that isn’t to say I don’t enjoy drooling at your Grand Seiko or Rolex.
I have sold some on eBay but I agree the fees suck. I had trouble selling two Nodus watches I had so I ended up using them as trades for another watch at Topper Jewelers. Joe is awesome there. They give you a fair quote and will pay to have the watch shipped to them for the trade. They usually discount whatever you buy from them and they carry so many brands.
I will never sell a watch on EBay again. I sold a new Omega Seamaster 300m on there and they held my money for 6 weeks after.
Be cautious, FB can be dodgy. Know your buyer or ask them for references and only accept standard payment methods like PayPal. Make sure every flaw and blemish is disclosed. I’d recommend lurking in the group for a while so you get to learn a bit about the people.
I used to buy and sell pretty expensive billiards cues, balls and collectibles on FB. I only transacted in groups where you had to be accepted into the group so that the admin had a list of the people in the group.
I only got burned once when buying and once when selling, out of many transactions. Best of luck!