The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Hey guys, I just recently shipped out my Breitling through international shipping and thought I would tell my story since a lot of us including me have heard about horror stories trying to sell a watch online.

I was contacted by a brand new user on BS with 0 posts so the usual investigative skills of checking their history kinda went out the window as this avenue was a deadend. Of course if you have a well known buyer on here or at least someone with any activity you are already better off than I was.

Second I turned to google and this user was on other boards but still no history. I thought "screw this" no chance I'm shipping my watch away to someone I can't even verify after all I just kept hearing bad stories. The glimmer of hope was the buyer kept great communication with me the whole time I contemplated the sale. I asked the right questions and everything started adding up. Truth be told he just wasn't a huge online shopper so only recently started looking online cause he was not having a lot luck finding the right watch ( can't fault him not everyone these days is online like so many of us).

I told the buyer my reservations and explained that if I did this I would only accept a direct wire into my bank account, to which he accepted as no big deal. The next I explained to him that there was no returns and any damage would have to be claimed through the shipping insurance, again no problem. I made everything very clear anti was open and honest about everything. The shipping was 250.00 through UPS which he covered and he received enough insurance to cover the item. I told him I would not fudge the deceleration I put exactly what it was and the value ( I didn't list it as. Repair warranty return or anything weird).

Next I took detailed pictures of exactly how I packed it what materials I used and even placed UPS receipt showing they recipient address next to watch on UPS scale.

Some may think that this was overkill but I'm happy to say the watch showed up on time, in great condition and the buyer is very happy.

It can be done. You just need to do your homework. Remember keep detailed correspondence between buyer and seller and be clear about everything.

Chad.

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Rolex Two Tone Sub
B1 Vulcan LE
G Shock in every colour

I am glad this worked out for you and it goes to the centre of being thorough in your dealings with the buyer. In most cases, dealing with honest buyers should be a pleasant experience and you should not have any issues with the sale. It’s the minority who are out to cheat and deceive that cause the majority of sellers (and buyers) many, many headaches. Better to sell here on this forum than in some selling sites.

My only concern is the lack of certification through an honest broker at each end that holds me back from doing the same in any sales site. I am not naturally pessimistic about trust, and especially over the internet, as I have had good experiences in the main. But I do worry that successful on-line sales can be sullied, and in ways that face to face sales are unlikely to be, and by less than honest people. Not that I am about to sell anything soon, but I can’t get round the experiences of some here on this forum who have been badly treated and deigned a ‘fair go’ when stating their case on a sale or purchase. Add to this the distance between seller and buyer in a lot of cases and the rules of intermediaries, means it can add up to a disaster waiting to happen if it’s not handled correctly. There is risk in everything, but it takes my breath away when you hear stories of some transactions that went very, very wrong.

If there was a way to verify the claims at each end (in case of problems) that could be recognised across the world and taken as written as conclusive, and that there is no evasiveness or exaggeration on either part, then I would be far more comfortable. Then all we have to concern ourselves with is shipping and insurances.......

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Jim

"You have Control".