Rolex Sale Gone Bad

[Pboned]

I don’t understand why some people do these things.


https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/loca...wrong/5080910/

[padi56]

Sorry never click on links I don't know.

[raycover]

How could you even let yourself get into a situation like this? Police stations have an online trading area so to speak where it’s right next to the police station, cameras and all. Maybe they didn’t have this option or think of it but come on.

[2loaded]

Facebook "marketplace" what could go wrong?

[Pboned]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Facebook "marketplace" what could go wrong?

Exactly.

[Rolex1982]

Hmm, normally I don’t like victim blaming but in this case I must agree with the others. This is not the best way to do a valuable transaction.

[WatchGuy1966]

On a recent sale, the buyer recommended City Hall in San Francisco.

He was a legit buyer whom I had vetted in the online market places.

But I loved his recommendation.

Most city halls or courthouses have police security on par with TSA (probably better).

If the other party balks at a safe environment like that, it's a sign.

Of course, nothing is 100% safe - but there are methods to mitigate risk.

[ninjin]

In life, everything has it's place. You go to McD's to get a cheap burger... You don't got to McD's to get a 36day dry aged Wagu patty with Brioche bun.

Facebook market place is for stuff that is not worth paying listing and final value fees on eBay.

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Facebook "marketplace" what could go wrong?

Not only did he steal his watch, but now he knows exactly where he lives.

[thatswhatshesaid]

Originally Posted by Al1969

And now he/they know exactly where he lives.

How did the cop driving by not catch the guy??

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by thatswhatshesaid

How did the cop driving by not catch the guy??

yeah, that's my question....was this the cop who happened to be driving by?

[Patekfinder]

I’ve sold watches before in face to face transactions and would always meet inside my bank and I’d make the buyer provide his ID prior to being able to inspect the watch in the bank.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[thesharkfactor]

In the UK there is no such service at a bank or police station you would be told to take your business elsewhere. The culture in the UK for a F2F private sale like that would be at the sellers home.
Therefore I don't see what the guy did wrong. If he was dealing with a thief, then he was targeted by the thief. He should have read the red flags if there were any, though there is not always a clear red flag(s), these scammers are sickening.

[Patekfinder]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

In the UK there is no such service at a bank or police station you would be told to take your business elsewhere. The culture in the UK for a F2F private sale like that would be at the sellers home.
Therefore I don't see what the guy did wrong. If he was dealing with a thief, then he was targeted by the thief. He should have read the red flags if there were any, though there is not always a clear red flag(s), these scammers are sickening.

You never invite someone from the internet to your home. Doesn’t matter what country you are in. And especially in the UK where watch thefts are through the roof, yeah no way.

[Henrimontgomery]

Originally Posted by padi56

Sorry never click on links I don't know.

What drives your fear of links?

[ltmgeller]

Never do it at your home and always get ID before dealing with someone you don't know. I recommend doing at a bank or if your local police station allows it, do it there.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

You never invite someone from the internet to your home. Doesn’t matter what country you are in. And especially in the UK where watch thefts are through the roof, yeah no way.

That's where UK culture is quite different. Here, you never do a deal like that in a public space. If someone was to suggest doing a deal like that in a public space then that would be the red flag (for ambush or robbery etc.)!

[Calatrava r]

I think face to face watch sales are too dangerous between strangers no matter where they are conducted.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

I think face to face watch sales are too dangerous between strangers no matter where they are conducted.

Today, yes.. but only recently getting this way. I'd agree.

It's much too dangerous to recommend selling a Rolex online now whether you are posting it or metting a stranger, using escrow or cash.

The only safe way to sell a used Rolex is to take it to your local grey dealer and sell it over the counter. This is the only way you are not going to get stung, and that's worth the little extra cash.

[Bxtek]

I would never have a buyer meet at my home! Even for small things that I sell, I will always at least meet in a public place. Also, not sure why he let the guy hold onto the watch and get into the car. I would at least say...Okay, I'll get into your car, but give me the watch back and I'll get in the passenger side. Even with that, it's super risky! The guy could drive you around the corner where his friends are waiting, and they all rob you.

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

That's where UK culture is quite different. Here, you never do a deal like that in a public space. If someone was to suggest doing a deal like that in a public space then that would be the red flag (for ambush or robbery etc.)!

Exactly and very interesting to see that selling from home here in the UK is cultural unusual versus the rest of the World.

For high value purchases, I’ve always asked for and shared ID before meeting in person and then done additional research (LinkedIn, google search name etc…).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Roger Lococco]

I can’t believe he jumped in the hood of a moving car for an $8k watch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Enezdez]

Very sad, I am not from the area but I have driven through, it's a very nice quiet residential neighborhood - proves no place is safe anymore!

And now the thief knows where the victim lives, that's even scarier than losing the watch...horrible!!!


Hopefully, they catch the guy!!!

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Pboned

I don’t understand why some people do these things.


https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/loca...wrong/5080910/

Sorry, OP, but if this happened to me, I’d be too embarrassed to let the forum know of my poor decision making. You let a stranger come to your home, whom you obviously did not thoroughly vet. Then you handed him the watch, and let him get in his car with it. Finalky, you jumped on the hood of his car, knowing he was about to drive away. Did you at least get his plate number?

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[thatswhatshesaid]

Originally Posted by Roger Lococco

I can’t believe he jumped in the hood of a moving car for an $8k watch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This.

[Patekfinder]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Sorry, OP, but if this happened to me, I’d be too embarrassed to let the forum know of my poor decision making. You let a stranger come to your home, whom you obviously did not thoroughly vet. Then you handed him the watch, and let him get in his car with it. Finalky, you jumped on the hood of his car, knowing he was about to drive away. Did you at least get his plate number?

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This was not the OP.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[77T]

Originally Posted by Pboned

I don’t understand why some people do these things.


https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/loca...wrong/5080910/

Thanks for sharing this wild ride.

First and foremost - this was not you in the video nor being scammed.

Don’t know how that got confused a few hours ago.

New members coming across this will now know not to buy or sell on FB Marketplace. Or any platform that creates a face-to-face risk - best advice for meet-ups is the local police department.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[cdmorenot]

Sucks. Whenever I list and the option to pick up locally arises, I ask for wire first. No cash, no random meetup in a public place, no exceptions.

[kopi-c]

Perhaps, if doing an in person buy/sell transaction, meet at a watchmaker or dealer place of business but ask them first if they want to assume that risk.

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

I would never have a buyer meet at my home! Even for small things that I sell, I will always at least meet in a public place. Also, not sure why he let the guy hold onto the watch and get into the car. I would at least say...Okay, I'll get into your car, but give me the watch back and I'll get in the passenger side. Even with that, it's super risky! The guy could drive you around the corner where his friends are waiting, and they all rob you.

Hopefully that guy had watch insurance added to his homeowner policy.