Follow the Great White Hunter
With the holidays and January behind us, We’ve all made our new years resolutions. Many of us swearing off a watch purchase until sometime in the distant near future. Well the future is upon us, as they say. It’s later than you think.
With the 2023 watch hunting season under way. I thought I would share a few of my ebay buying & selling tips with you all.
I’ve had an Ebay store for the past 30 years, Originally I had a rare toy and original comic art store. But I’ve bought and sold just about every cool thing you can think of. Right now my focus is on vintage watches, I’m still learning about watches. But I know a thing or two about Ebay.
So let’s start with buying, One of the issues I notice coming up regularly on WatchCrunch is. "I bought a watch and it doesn’t work! Even though it said it did in the auction description” also the seller states "They don’t accept returns”
If the seller states it works and when you get it, It doesn’t. Give the seller a chance to accept the return. If they don’t, Don’t contact the seller again! Just open a dispute that you’ve received a nonworking item. Ebay will provide you with a return label and once the item shows delivered. Your money will be refunded.
Remember as everyone says over and over again "Buy the Seller” If you find a watch you want. Take the time to check out their feedback. Generally I won’t buy from a seller with negative feedback. It’s obvious when negative feedback is the result of a pain in the ass customer versus a shady seller.
Okay back to spending your money, Use Sniping software! I use Esnipe. You pay for the service. But you will save hundreds of dollars in the long run. You place your bid on Esnipe and set the maximum bid and how many seconds before the auction ends. Esnipe defaults to 5 seconds. I usually reset it to 3 or 4 seconds. Why not 1 second? Well the lead time can backfire sometimes if it’s too close. And your bid will fail.
Sniping software has a multitude of benefits beyond just bidding at the last second. For one, you’re not driving up the price. While the listing is live, if you bid. Someone will out bid you by a dollar here and a dollar there just for the sake of bidding.
The other benefit of using bidding software is, You have up until 2 minutes before the end of the auction to change your mind. Maybe you see the price going past your maximum bid but still want it. So easy peasy just adjust your bid amount. Maybe you decide you really don’t want it after all. Well just cancel your bid and known one knows you were even there.
This is the way!
Okay I won’t reveal all my tricks of the trade, but this one’s so simple it amazes me how often it works. Look for misspelled auctions!
Two of my favorite's to search for: Sieko, Boluva I’m always shocked how many I find!
like grabbing Apples off a tree!
Now I know at some point I will most likely be bidding against another WatchCruncher. So you’re probably wondering why I would share at all. Because there is plenty to go around and as they say. misery loves company!
Let the 2023 Watch Hunting Season Begin! Happy Hunting!
Things I like: Warm Socks, Cold Cookies and Watches of all types, shapes, makes and sizes. However I do have a soft spot for watches from the 60's-70's Things I'm not fond of: Wet Socks, No Cookies an...
@Ichibunz
@tempo365
@EdWhite1964
@GasWorks
@KairosChrono
@MrYoung74
@Dsoeer
@Edwin66
@Lax019
@RainMan
@Edge168n
@flashman
@kernit
@Watching
@DenisSF
@CaptainRon
@Pallet_Fork
@romanzolotarev
@alad1302
@jesperado
@EricCigar55
@moemoe
@romaker
@turbillonagre
@IceCreamMan
@Guvnor64
@CMAC_25
@sanabarqy
@Kharisds
@HillsboroNCDialGuy
@DancingWatch
@codeitlikemiley
@semjaza
@BtownB9
@ddg1993
@Gauthier
@Rynoceros
@she_loves_watches
@dgstng
@sabinalex95
@Stevieb
@Overfriendlyconcierge
@Volvomike
@the11060
@chrisz8
@Dysconnect
@Jimmyhideaway
@Hamza1
@GGWatchReviews
@Cheatingonyouwithquartz
@skinflint
@AB_001
@CaptainRon
@DavoDigs
@codeitlikemiley
@jcwatch
@guillermorojas44
@Darkoverlord
@ansWatches
@Hadakiri
@anvil5
@Jasper77
@goldcoins8
@seikosan
@ItsSilvio
@Bennnnnn
@Chronos14
@robwei
@cornfedksboy
@anvil5
@Nuclear1711
@Fieldwalker
@JapanExclusive
@casio_tonneau
@nartlambaz
@stafford
@TonyXXX
@SurferJohn
@bevelwerks
@nester
@DigitalDivider
@Valhalla
@hakki501
@Droptuned83
@JoshKosh08
@Escapement_4Hz
@ChrisInEdmonton
@seikosan
@Robcollects
@Kimble
@biglove
@Hoots1
@Stricko
@Fiatjeepdriver
@Sinnguy
@street.credor
@BigIona
@tempus
@rorodrigos
@zartschmelzend
@Outlaw_203
@MegaBob
@marioap
@chronoslice
@valleykilmers
@Shbamn50
@64spoons
@mjosamannen
@qwertyway
@Uncle_Tall
@PastorMac
@Johndobbs
@TheZaniestJogar
@Deeperblue
@KristianG
@Jpawleyp22
@Froggle
@witcher.watcher
@TheSharperTheBetter
@ChronoGuy
@lmchew
@tonmed
@MinnKonaMike
@KG_168
@righthandwatches
@WatchSpiritsTokyo
@AnalogExplorer
@WatchesRock
@FabriceVSM
@Trophyhusband
@twostitchstraps
@DariusII
@UnholiestJedi
@TimeJunkie
@HotWatchChick69
@nytime
@TalkingDugong
@TimexBadger
@Jericho
@celinesimon
@Aurelian
@JaeBust
@Max
Ok can I send you my Seiko to sell 😂
Never been into the whole auction thing.
When I do use Ebay it's Buy It Now and UK sellers only .
Ok can I send you my Seiko to sell 😂
For my wingman, anything!
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one of my favorite books ever. Your opening pic is awesome!
Thanks for the reminder about the misspellings!
Few items will I sit there and snipe; I have my max bid, that's what I'm spending and if someone wants it more, then so be it!
Great advice! 🍻
Excellent primer for the uninitiated @whitesalmon! Very informative. Thank you for sharing, my friend. 🍻
Excellent primer for the uninitiated @whitesalmon! Very informative. Thank you for sharing, my friend. 🍻
Team WatchCrunch!
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is one of my favorite books ever. Your opening pic is awesome!
Thanks for the reminder about the misspellings!
Few items will I sit there and snipe; I have my max bid, that's what I'm spending and if someone wants it more, then so be it!
Great advice! 🍻
Hunter would wear 2 watches at a time. Usually a Rolex GMT and Submariner. His writing style speaks to me
Cheers, oh I love/hate the ebay thing,the pounding heart,sweaty palms,the last seconds holding of your breathe, then the YESSSS or the 😭😭😢. And I do it manually, I reckon an app takes away some of the fun, but every other bugger is using it so might give it a go.
Mind you it can be great fun as a spectator, 1 trying to guess the final price and 2 watching all those last few second bids come rolling in. As me and another cruncher were doing over the weekend (Sunday evening auctions/prime time).
Nothing like the hunt,the days stalking, scoping out the opposition, picking your spot, settling down well hidden, slowly nestling your PayPal account into your shoulder, timing your breathing till the last seconds, then BANG with your max bid. He shoots he scores or not.
Anything else just ain't cricket, might as well use a drone or app. Oh go on then why not.. Thanks for this, looks like I'm going digital bidding😱😆👍👍👍
Just showed up yesterday from eBay, less than $100 shipped and runs ‘acceptably’ in that the 12 hours it’s ran it’s fast by 2 minutes. I’ll take it by a local shop for regulating but I don’t intend on needing supreme accuracy from a 70 year old watch. I’ve had good success with eBay. My Timex Q was under $100, my Longines was under $600, Hamilton mechanical khaki was under $400 on a bracelet annd brand new and they all function great. My first eBay piece was my Seiko TV which came from Bangladesh and needed service but even after the cost of service it was not too bad.
Two thoughts:
Misspellings also work for Soviet vintage watches. You can find good deals on "Crapo" watches (Slava) for example.
Dealers who sell primarily watches get more traffic. The person who mostly sells garage sale finds may have a nice watch with few people looking at it.
and,
Thompson's story on the Kentucky Derby is a classic in the genre, and not to be missed.
(I also did not make the Who's Who list.)
Thanks for this insight into eBay. Something I have never used. To be honest I'm unlikely to use it. I just don't trust it and am a little too analogue for all the software and apps to ensure a good outcome.
No it's either new purchase on line or second hand in person at a fair or a shop for me.
Oh and my new years resolutions are toast as of early this week with two incoming, though One is a present for my Dad so perhaps that doesn't count?
Anyway thanks for convincing me I'm right about eBay and similar sites.👍
Hunter would wear 2 watches at a time. Usually a Rolex GMT and Submariner. His writing style speaks to me
I didn't know that! Interesting!
Just searched for Rolax. No luck! 😂
Your awesome! Thank you for some great advice and info. Always apprehensive buying vintage. What's your ebay store name?
Cheers!
If they have a "make offer" option. I always just contact the buyer and ask what their best price is.
Preaching to the choir, I’ve rarely paid the listed price. I always find the ones that list at say £100, have no bids and 1 watcher after 7 days, have a make offer button, and then say lowest they will go is £150 the most amusing sellers. That’s not how it works, bye bye.
I’m In dispute with eBay, they charge me when they shouldn’t have and then when the dust settled I needed to make a one off payment however the system will not let me pay so I’m banned! For their shortcomings.
Good man, thank you for this! I snagged an older 9F Grand Seiko once due to a spelling issue like the one you mentioned. Never thought about the sniping software but I suppose there is nothing wrong with that!
I didn’t think I had any photos of my SBGT003 but here it is. The highlights for me were the thin 36mm case and the textured dial.
Sniping software does not sound fair. Anymore so than bots buying up tickets for resale vendors.
It ought to be like at first; you had to log on, keep track of the time and place your bid at the last second.
If they have a "make offer" option. I always just contact the buyer and ask what their best price is.
Thank you for the great guide! 👏
I love the rush of doing the sniping myself too much to leave all that fun to a piece of software 😁
Another thing I do if an item I want is only on as a BIN, with no offer option, I will stick it on my watch list. Very often I will get an offer come through with a discount, sometimes within a few hours.
Too much work.
Good man, thank you for this! I snagged an older 9F Grand Seiko once due to a spelling issue like the one you mentioned. Never thought about the sniping software but I suppose there is nothing wrong with that!
I didn’t think I had any photos of my SBGT003 but here it is. The highlights for me were the thin 36mm case and the textured dial.
You got a great one there! and it's got the Kanji day wheel! beautiful dial!
Sniping software does not sound fair. Anymore so than bots buying up tickets for resale vendors.
It ought to be like at first; you had to log on, keep track of the time and place your bid at the last second.
What you don't realize is this software has been in place for 20 years now. I use to to sit with my finger on the trigger waiting as the seconds ticked off. Then I realized I was being out bid over and over. So you have to decide for yourself. I personally like saving money and having the options that snipping software provides.
I also buy a lot of buy it nows but I always contact the seller for the best price possible and 70% of the time. the seller will just end the auction and sell directly to you.
Thank you for the great guide! 👏
I love the rush of doing the sniping myself too much to leave all that fun to a piece of software 😁
Another thing I do if an item I want is only on as a BIN, with no offer option, I will stick it on my watch list. Very often I will get an offer come through with a discount, sometimes within a few hours.
Smart! The offer ability for sellers to track buyers interest is a new thing. pretty cool! I always contact the buyer if they have an accept best offer. I always just ask what their best price is. If the auctions been there a bit they usually want to make a sale.
Too much work.
Got to put the work in if you want to get the job done son. I'm a hawk at heart
What you don't realize is this software has been in place for 20 years now. I use to to sit with my finger on the trigger waiting as the seconds ticked off. Then I realized I was being out bid over and over. So you have to decide for yourself. I personally like saving money and having the options that snipping software provides.
I also buy a lot of buy it nows but I always contact the seller for the best price possible and 70% of the time. the seller will just end the auction and sell directly to you.
Thanks for the info. Maybe that had some influence on me abandoning eBay in the mid 2000’s. Now I rarely get involved in bidding and but occasionally look for “Buy It Now” on eBay.
Thanks for the info. Maybe that had some influence on me abandoning eBay in the mid 2000’s. Now I rarely get involved in bidding and but occasionally look for “Buy It Now” on eBay.
When I see a buy it now option I just contact the seller and ask what their best price is. 70% time the seller is willing to sell for less then the listed price
Thank you for this @Whitesalmon! I can definitely vouch for the sniping advantage back when I was bidding more frequently. Not needing to hover over an auction ending in the middle of the night was worth it to me all by itself.
I've thought about listing some of my easier to ship collectibles but many YouTube Ebay seller videos make it sound ever harder to be a seller and many knowledgeable sellers like The Professor (?) are recommending alternate platforms.
I'm sure you already know this but in the spirit of sharing tips with WC I would include enabling the "search description" feature. If for example I'm searching for "Seiko 5 Superior" it will still populate all the listings with "Seiko 5 Superior" in the description even when the title only states "Seiko". Same thing with NOS, ceramic bezel, etc.
Thank you for this @Whitesalmon! I can definitely vouch for the sniping advantage back when I was bidding more frequently. Not needing to hover over an auction ending in the middle of the night was worth it to me all by itself.
I've thought about listing some of my easier to ship collectibles but many YouTube Ebay seller videos make it sound ever harder to be a seller and many knowledgeable sellers like The Professor (?) are recommending alternate platforms.
I'm sure you already know this but in the spirit of sharing tips with WC I would include enabling the "search description" feature. If for example I'm searching for "Seiko 5 Superior" it will still populate all the listings with "Seiko 5 Superior" in the description even when the title only states "Seiko". Same thing with NOS, ceramic bezel, etc.
Enabling the search description is great advice!
Thank you for this @Whitesalmon! I can definitely vouch for the sniping advantage back when I was bidding more frequently. Not needing to hover over an auction ending in the middle of the night was worth it to me all by itself.
I've thought about listing some of my easier to ship collectibles but many YouTube Ebay seller videos make it sound ever harder to be a seller and many knowledgeable sellers like The Professor (?) are recommending alternate platforms.
I'm sure you already know this but in the spirit of sharing tips with WC I would include enabling the "search description" feature. If for example I'm searching for "Seiko 5 Superior" it will still populate all the listings with "Seiko 5 Superior" in the description even when the title only states "Seiko". Same thing with NOS, ceramic bezel, etc.
I sent you a message with a link to a great seller I buy from a lot. 🍻