Fed up with a dealer "member" contacting me to buy watches I post here

[Haywood_Milton]

I wonder if others have experienced what I have.

When I post pictures of a new vintage "find" here, I often then receive a private message from someone I know to be a dealer in the USA, asking if I wish to sell the watch.

There is little courtesy in the messages (tonight's was simply "Any interest in selling this?"), but I accept that rudeness is not a crime. Perhaps he sends out so many that there isn't time for a little polish...

There are many members whose pleasure comes quite reasonably from observing rather than participating in discussion, but to be a member for five years and make fewer than 50 posts while actively, systematically, brazenly and indiscriminately targeting so many watches with direct messages does not seem to me to be in the forum spirit.

Moderators may even consider it to be an abuse of the forum.

At first I thanked the canvasser and politely declined his interest. The next time I again declined the dealer's interest, informed him that I was generally not a seller of vintage pieces and courteously suggested that he would be wasting his time if he contacted me again asking to buy other watches. Perhaps forgetting this and in such an habit of approaching the owner of any watch he fancies, he has now chased me for another, as above.

I have chosen not to give the dealer's name.

Yes, this complaint could have been posted in another of the sub-fora, but since this dealer seems to be targeting watches and posters here in the vintage forum it seemed the most appropriate place to raise the matter.

I'm a dealer in modern Rolex myself, but I am also a collector and lover of vintage Rolex. I visit this and other fora to share that pleasure --- not to be repeatedly and cynically targeted in parasitic fashion by another "member" who seems otherwise to bring nothing to the party.

Haywood Milton, UK

[Nikita70]

I wouldn't like that either.

[Tundra Trog]

Haywood,

From the FAQ

Can I block posts, emails and messages from specific users?

If there are particular members that bother you and you do not want to see their posts or receive Private Messages and Emails from them, then you can add these members to your 'Ignore List'. There are several ways to do this:

Through your User Control Panel: User CP, Settings & Options, Edit Ignore List. Then, type their name into the empty text box and click 'Okay'.

What if I see something offensive?

You will find 'Report' links in many places throughout the board. These links allow you to alert the board staff to anything which you find to be offensive, objectionable or illegal.

I hope this helps

[brandrea]

It sounds to me that you've handled it about as politely and professionally as possible.

Perhaps you may wish to consider a PM to one of the moderators if things persist.

I enjoy your posts and your vintage pieces. Please don't let this deter you and deny " us " the pleasure

[Haywood_Milton]

Thankyou gents, and especially Tundra Trog for information which I had not seen previously.

While one might individually block this dealer's approaches, I felt an "under the radar" attempt to milk the forum should be highlighted.

H

[sleddog]

PM me the members name Haywood, then by all means, block the user.

They will be given one chance to change his/her approach after an admin request, otherwise he/she can find another fora to swim in. That type of soliciting is unacceptable, and certainly goes against the TRF grain of community.

[slashd0t]

Any chance you want to sell any of the Comex pieces? I kid, I kid!!!

Yes. Parasites trying to make a buck around every corner. Ignore the bottom feeders and move on.

[Boaters]

I just hope you keep posting pics of those beautiful Comex's and your other finds there always a pleasure to look at ...

[Dr.Smellody]

I've had it a couple of times. Honestly, I was flattered. I could only imagine the kinds of interest you get with volume of quality vintage that stumble your way. I'm always super impressed by your collection.

[Sidmind]

The only problem I have with them is they never offer fair prices, I have never received a cold message from anyone other than a low baller.

I mostly get this from many of the FB groups and a wide variety of vintage watches, some near worthless but worth $50 or so, it never fails I get offers such as $5-$10, granted I may only pay a few bucks but its the point of it.

[donaker]

I simply hope the occasional rude or otherwise unwelcome PM doesn't discourage your participation. You have some amazing watches, stories and knowledge which I enjoy reading.

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Originally Posted by donaker

I simply hope the occasional rude or otherwise unwelcome PM doesn't discourage your participation. You have some amazing watches, stories and knowledge which I enjoy reading.

Exactly. You are an asset to the TRF community.

[seattleal]

Haywood, I can only speak for myself, but feel certain others would agree - posts like yours are the reason many of us are here - to be educated, to see amazing pieces we would otherwise never have the opportunity to see, and to benefit from access to expertise made freely available.

Please know that your knowledge and availability are deeply appreciated. This site would be severely diminished without your presence.

(And I'd like the other members who are similarly knowledgeable and available to know how much they are also appreciated!)

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by sleddog

PM me the members name Haywood, then by all means, block the user.

They will be given one chance to change his/her approach after an admin request, otherwise he/she can find another fora to swim in. That type of soliciting is unacceptable, and certainly goes against the TRF grain of community.

[Knappo 1307]

As others have said, you can block the person. I've had to do that a few times to people for the same reasons.

[lee fowler]

On a slightly different note I have had 2 replies to a WTB advert from new members with zero posts, asking me to use a Gmail email address and sending me pictures from watches on Ebay, which are not theirs. I did send a PM to a Mod but have had no response yet.

[Haywood_Milton]

Good morning Gentlemen,

Thankyou for all your comments, but I would never have left because of the actions of one member.

There are many smarter people here than I, many more with nicer watches; we are all learning and I've made some good friends.

I have thanked moderator Sleddog and given him the information he needs. With luck that can be an end to this with no more said.

Haywood

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Haywood_Milton

Thankyou gents, and especially Tundra Trog for information which I had not seen previously.

While one might individually block this dealer's approaches, I felt an "under the radar" attempt to milk the forum should be highlighted.

H

Hey Hay,

Please don't block me as I love your posts.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

On a slightly different note I have had 2 replies to a WTB advert from new members with zero posts, asking me to use a Gmail email address and sending me pictures from watches on Ebay, which are not theirs. I did send a PM to a Mod but have had no response yet.

Yes, the WTB seems to have become a den of thieves. I won't post on there anymore. Got bombarded with people with low post count new members that had "exactly what I was looking for." Beware all.

Haywood sorry for your troubles. Enjoy your knowledgeable posts.

[crowncollection]

Haywood I think you handled the situation well and with class I always enjoy your posts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[madonofrio]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Yes, the WTB seems to have become a den of thieves. I won't post on there anymore. Got bombarded with people with low post count new members that had "exactly what I was looking for." Beware all.

Haywood sorry for your troubles. Enjoy your knowledgeable posts.

This was my experience as well. WTB was a complete waste of time.

[Richard Carver]

Humph, no one ever asks to buy my stuff. My stuff is nice wtf!

[vaulter1]

Originally Posted by Sidmind

The only problem I have with them is they never offer fair prices, I have never received a cold message from anyone other than a low baller.

I mostly get this from many of the FB groups and a wide variety of vintage watches, some near worthless but worth $50 or so, it never fails I get offers such as $5-$10, granted I may only pay a few bucks but its the point of it.

Well if you ever want to get rid of that '66 1675 from your signature then I could probably go as high as $3.50 and throw in a bag of M&M's to make it a fair price

[motoikkyu]

I'm sorry for your experience and agree with comments others have posted: why, on this green earth, if you are writing to me and wanting to buy my watch, would you possibly consider offering me a lower-than-market price? Can that possibly work? Maybe, if a member was posting a "What be this?" photo and was made an offer immediately, but how often does that actually happen?

[Tools]

An unwanted or unsolicited pm can be reported as easily as an offending post.

It is the only way that we have direct access to both the post (pm) and the posters data all in one place to make an informed evaluation.

[FrmrHoss]

Just co-signed to say that, while more of a lurker than an active participant myself, really value your contributions to the forum. And I also have an appreciation for your respect of the "collectors" aspect of the forum/community.



Thank you.

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by Tools

An unwanted or unsolicited pm can be reported as easily as an offending post.

It is the only way that we have direct access to both the post (pm) and the posters data all in one place to make an informed evaluation.

My thanks to you and Sleddog. With luck the problem will now disappear. I will certainly report any more that I receive as you suggest, but I also hope that others will similarly speak up if they are targeted by a dealer-member when they post their watches.

Moderating must be a very difficult balancing act - thankyou.

H

[Motomike]

Thank you Haywood for raising the issue in such a respectful manner.

[harry in montreal]

Really? I have been approached my MANY reputable members on here in such a fashion. It never bothered me. I really don't follow what the big inconvenience is. Even low offers, which can be stupid, don't bug me. It is part of this funny game, and I don't really mind. Maybe I am just more easygoing than others.

[Haywood_Milton]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

Really? I have been approached my MANY reputable members on here in such a fashion. It never bothered me. I really don't follow what the big inconvenience is. Even low offers, which can be stupid, don't bug me. It is part of this funny game, and I don't really mind. Maybe I am just more easygoing than others.

As I have said privately to the moderators, an occasional approach from a member who has been looking for a very specific watch does not offend at all. My complaint here is that a dealer who otherwise barely participates in the forum is clearly targeting any nice watch which is posted here and spewing out email "come-ons" trying to buy them. That strikes me as hardly following the forum spirit and I believe that the moderators are inclined to think similarly.

I am really only a buyer and collector of vintage pieces. I am on a different continent from the subject of my complaint and do not entertain mail order business even for modern pieces within the UK, so I have no personal axe to grind with him. However, as you will have read earlier in the thread I have politely declined his interest twice previously and suggested that he is wasting his time with me, but still he persists with further enquiries after my watches.

My inbox often sees requests for help from members. Generally I try to assist on open forum, but if it is a more specific matter which cannot be served there I will try to give what help I can by pm. I see that as a reasonable quid pro quo if I wish to be a part of this. This also means that I face a constant struggle with a full inbox. It is time perhaps that I paid for membership (though I don't buy or sell here) which would bring a bigger mailbox capacity, but it would also be reasonable to expect that it won't be filled by a chancer's spam WTB messages.

Allowing raptors to feed directly on the forum will put off more knowledgeable posters with great watches from posting them here --- and expose more vulnerable newcomers who may not know what they have.

H