What happens to unsold watches on TRF?

[prefontaine]

I browse the non-Rolex sales forum on TRF a lot. (The Rolex sales forum is not interesting because of current pricing.)

I see so many BNIB pieces from Panerai, Omega, Tudor, Lange, PP, etc. that just languish in there. They are posted, the poster bumps once a week often for more than a month. And no sale.

I also notice that many asking prices are unrealistically high.

So what actually happens to these watches? Do manufacturers have a buy-back channel? Are there auctions for mass goods (a la Mannheim Auctions for cars)?

I really don't think many of these pieces sell well. So what do the sellers do with them?

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by prefontaine

So what do the sellers do with them?

Do you mean those being sold by grey markets dealers?

[prefontaine]

To be honest, most of the sellers -- the ones that post 3 - 5 watches at a time -- seem like part-time amateur brokers, not full-time professionalized greys.

[arcadelt]

Originally Posted by prefontaine

To be honest, most of the sellers -- the ones that post 3 - 5 watches at a time -- seem like part-time amateur brokers, not full-time professionalized greys.

Well, a grey market dealer is a grey market dealer whether they sell as a hobby or as a business.

I guess what happens to them depends on how they got the watch and what the arrangement is. If it was a consignment of excess stock, it might be returned after a while. I would suggest, however, that most would have been purchased and just sit in stock above a break even price until someday a buyer comes along. I have subscribed to some sales thread that come back to life several months after the last post. In the end, they might end up in an auction situation where the market is allowed to decide the value.

[77T]

Nothing happens until it is sold. Many sellers list the watch here and many other forums or eBay or even their own website. If it gets sold elsewhere you’ll notice the seller just strips bumping it. I’ve seen items go over a year at a high price because nobody could offer a price that the seller would accept.

Manufacturers have no role since the watch being listed already went through a retailer who moved it onward to the seller here. So it’s stranded inventory for the seller until it is sold.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[GoingPlaces]

Just like any business, either they hold until it sells or reduce prices to find the market.

[Tourbeon]

I think it would be nice if there was a separation of dealer (resellers) and private collector sales. Lately I have been having issues with buying from resellers/gray market etc. Most seem to get offended if you ask more than 3 questions, and almost insult if trying to negotiate.

[ChrisInCharlotte]

Originally Posted by Tourbeon

I think it would be nice if there was a separation of dealer (resellers) and private collector sales. Lately I have been having issues with buying from resellers/gray market etc. Most seem to get offended if you ask more than 3 questions, and almost insult if trying to negotiate.

I haven't had this experience with Grey dealers I've worked with, but maybe it just depends on who.

[Tourbeon]

Originally Posted by ChrisInCharlotte

I haven't had this experience with Grey dealers I've worked with, but maybe it just depends on who.

I have had this happen with 3 different sellers and 3 different pieces recently. Prices between 20-30k.
I asked one about strap length and their reply was simply "I don't know" that put me off right there. This was on a $30k Lange 1.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Tourbeon

I have had this happen with 3 different sellers and 3 different pieces recently. Prices between 20-30k.
I asked one about strap length and their reply was simply "I don't know" that put me off right there. This was on a $30k Lange 1.

It’s unfortunate you received such poor customer service. Best to vote with thy wallet.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by Tourbeon

I think it would be nice if there was a separation of dealer (resellers) and private collector sales. Lately I have been having issues with buying from resellers/gray market etc. Most seem to get offended if you ask more than 3 questions, and almost insult if trying to negotiate.

Like with just about anything in sales, including ADs, you will have some sellers who offer impeccable customer service and others who are awful. In a good economy where it often is a seller’s market, they will show their true colors. The two grays I’ve bought from have been outstanding, equal in customer service and professionalism to my outstanding AD. Were there grays/dealers selling what I purchased for a lower price? Sure, but I was happy to pay a small premium for the service and piece of mind I received.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by prefontaine

I browse the non-Rolex sales forum on TRF a lot. (The Rolex sales forum is not interesting because of current pricing.)

I see so many BNIB pieces from Panerai, Omega, Tudor, Lange, PP, etc. that just languish in there. They are posted, the poster bumps once a week often for more than a month. And no sale.

I also notice that many asking prices are unrealistically high.

So what actually happens to these watches? Do manufacturers have a buy-back channel? Are there auctions for mass goods (a la Mannheim Auctions for cars)?

I really don't think many of these pieces sell well. So what do the sellers do with them?

The seller keeps it

[AK797]

Originally Posted by GB-man

It’s unfortunate you received such poor customer service. Best to vote with thy wallet.

I say best also to leave a public comment about your dealings and tell the dealer you will be. Seller's have way too much power and money in this market and service always suffers.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by Tourbeon

I think it would be nice if there was a separation of dealer (resellers) and private collector sales. Lately I have been having issues with buying from resellers/gray market etc. Most seem to get offended if you ask more than 3 questions, and almost insult if trying to negotiate.

Really? Have had only good experiences with the few grey dealers I delt with, but at the same time they were pretty well known grey dealers and their attitude was consistent with their reputation, impeccable, but I lust say I allost didn’t bargain as the mrices were already great, so either didn’t bargain or just slightly, in all cases the transaction was at market level, you need to understand the dealers getting pissed when they put a watch at 16k, market being 15, so they can give a discount, and the buter proposing 13, happened to me when I wanted to sell some watches, ridiculous...


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

[watchtabs]

I really don't get the question.

They repost them until they sell.

David has tons of unmoved inventory on his website. They just hold until it sells.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by watchtabs

I really don't get the question.

They repost them until they sell.

David has tons of unmoved inventory on his website. They just hold until it sells.

Not david specifically but with many sellers all too commonly it sells on the website or a different forum and is never marked as sold. Like the car dealers who never take down ads for sold cars, they leave the ad behind to generate leads. "No, that sold but I have this other similar one for you"

[utc66]

I also look at these classified ads for unwanted and unloved watches and have to think to myself, why are these watches cast off, even when they are new releases? Seeing this is what keeps me from making any kind of impulse purchase. I think a lot of watches are impulse purchase that the owner regrets. Maybe they trade to a dealer for a steep loss, and it lingers in the classified.