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Old 21 June 2017, 07:32 AM   #1
h777
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Advice on selling Rolex watch locally

Hi all,

First post here. Been on this forum for a few years and have gained a lot of knowledge and love for Rolex watches. Just have a question about selling my watch locally. I know I could sell it to a Trusted seller, but was hoping to get a little extra by selling it myself.

My question is for those of you who have sold it locally, have you had somebody request for the caseback to be opened by an independent watchmaker to verify authenticity? If so, is this something you would entertain as long as the independent watchmaker has enough experience and tools?

The person requesting this said they will pay for the service and any additional testing to ensure the seals are good. However, NO guarantee of a sale. I mean how many of you are comfortable having an independent watchmaker open the factory seal? I have always been of the mindset that only Rolex service center should service this watch. Not sure if I am overthinking this or not, but was hoping some of you might advise if you allowed your caseback to be opened when selling your watch.

Last edited by sleddog; 21 June 2017 at 11:49 AM..
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Old 21 June 2017, 11:07 AM   #2
Thatguy
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Does this independent have a Rolex parts account? If you go this route I would do it with the understanding that if it passes it will be a sale.
This is one of the many hassles of selling yourself. I would ask myself if it is really worth it.


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Old 21 June 2017, 11:11 AM   #3
locutus49
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I would sell it to a trusted seller. And save the hassle. As for me, I figure every time someone opens a watch up there is a chance of a problem occurring. Why take the chance?
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Old 21 June 2017, 11:14 AM   #4
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Trusted seller unless you have a good reputation for selling watches. Once you have sold a few on here (for example) it becomes easier because you build up some feedback.
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Old 21 June 2017, 11:15 AM   #5
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If there's a RSC nearby, why don't you offer to have it pressure tested there? That should remove any doubts from the potential buyer and you'll still have a fresh pressure test done.
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Old 21 June 2017, 11:30 AM   #6
sensui
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I think you'd be surprised what some trusted sellers buy watches back at...they're only looking to make a couple hundred dollars usually on a common fast mover like this...and you'd be discounting at least that much with no feedback. So the money factor is a wash and you're left dealing with all the awesome customer service experience with internet buyers/tirekickers....I think trusted sellers on the forums is the clear choice here.
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Old 21 June 2017, 11:33 AM   #7
Stillwater702
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Try posting it in the classifieds here. If no offer, sell to a trusted seller. I posted it here but left a reasonable margin for a trusted seller. Got a PM from a TS and the rest was history. I tried Craigslist before, too many scammers and low ballers who will waste your time.
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Old 21 June 2017, 11:35 AM   #8
Fleetlord
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Trusted Seller. Not worth the hassle of dealing with the general public on a sale like this.

The ND Sub is a no "meh" or "but" piece. Very liquid and in demand so TD will purchase for HARD CASH, no problem whatsoever...

Expect the CASH BID to be approx $5100 from a TD...maybe a bit more.

The ASK price for this Reference is approx $5900 - $6000 on a crisp preowned piece, so you might sell for a few more $$$...but then you have to be willing to EARN that extra $$$ by putting up with all the BS from Johnny Public.
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Old 21 June 2017, 11:38 AM   #9
AK797
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I wouldn't go to that much trouble, you should be able to find a buyer otherwise, meet at your bank or an AD first if he prefers, and then have them pay the cash into your account.
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Old 21 June 2017, 12:51 PM   #10
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If there is no RSC nearby and the independent watchmaker is highly regarded, I would be ok with having them open the watch up to authenticate it, as long as the prospective buyer covers all costs plus a pressure test. I've bought used before so I can understand their concern. However, I'm assuming that we've already agreed on a price and the buyer agrees to purchase it if everything checks out.

If, as you say, there is no guarantee of sale, I wouldn't waste my time. Too many tire kickers out there. I would list it on here/wait for another interested buyer, especially if it is a piece in high demand and good condition. If a buyer is willing to pay for the authentication they should be ready to purchase, so if they are unwilling to commit that tells me that they are probably very picky and hard to please. Not worth dealing with these people IMO.
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Old 21 June 2017, 01:04 PM   #11
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Is that what it takes now to 'verify' authenticity is to open the watch up look at the movement etc?

I would stay away from 'local' sales. Throw it up on the forum or go through a trusted seller / dealer on these boards.
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Old 21 June 2017, 01:25 PM   #12
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The question is whether the extra $500-$1000 is worth it. I agree that the condition for opening is only to authenticate and buyer must buy it. I would actually even take a $250 deposit before opening that the seller loses if he/she doesn't buy the watch. Forget the seal tsting - buyer can pay for new seals himself if needed.

The local buyer is probably going to only pay $5k to $5.5k, and I think you can get $4.5k to $4.75k for it from a dealer.
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Old 21 June 2017, 03:58 PM   #13
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No way I would allow that. Tell them no thanks amd move on to the next buyer who will show up eventually. Don't get sucked in just to make a sale. I sell mine sometimes on Craigslist. Good thing is you can choose who you want to sell it to so if they want things you are not comfortable with you can just say no. I'd give it a two week try on your own then move it to trusted seller if no one bites
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Old 21 June 2017, 04:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
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I wouldn't go to that much trouble, you should be able to find a buyer otherwise, meet at your bank or an AD first if he prefers, and then have them pay the cash into your account.

Completely agree. Have sold many watches over the years this way without a single problem.
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Old 22 June 2017, 12:00 AM   #15
h777
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Thanks soo much for the advice. Greatly appreciate the help here.
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Old 22 June 2017, 12:18 AM   #16
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Thanks soo much for the advice. Greatly appreciate the help here.
If you have to go that route, make him prepay you beforehand refund him only if watch is not authentic.
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Old 22 June 2017, 12:46 AM   #17
chows99
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Which Trusted Seller is the most popular here? There aren't many with plenty of reviews in the classifieds. Usually the review has 0 comments.
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Old 22 June 2017, 03:03 AM   #18
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Which Trusted Seller is the most popular here? There aren't many with plenty of reviews in the classifieds. Usually the review has 0 comments.
Keep looking, guys like Davidsw have many reviews. Also search for a few watches for sale and see who is selling, you'll see the same names and then go see their reviews.
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Old 22 June 2017, 03:07 AM   #19
lopez784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by h777 View Post
Hi all,

First post here. Been on this forum for a few years and have gained a lot of knowledge and love for Rolex watches. Just have a question about selling my watch locally. I know I could sell it to a Trusted seller, but was hoping to get a little extra by selling it myself.

My question is for those of you who have sold it locally, have you had somebody request for the caseback to be opened by an independent watchmaker to verify authenticity? If so, is this something you would entertain as long as the independent watchmaker has enough experience and tools?

The person requesting this said they will pay for the service and any additional testing to ensure the seals are good. However, NO guarantee of a sale. I mean how many of you are comfortable having an independent watchmaker open the factory seal? I have always been of the mindset that only Rolex service center should service this watch. Not sure if I am overthinking this or not, but was hoping some of you might advise if you allowed your caseback to be opened when selling your watch.


This is ridiculous. Do not be desperate, I am sure another person more reasonable will come around.
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Old 22 June 2017, 03:42 AM   #20
kilyung
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I would only agree to opening the caseback on a sale. Essentially you'd be giving a purchase guarantee of authenticity. Any damage to the watch voids any refund.
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Old 22 June 2017, 06:14 AM   #21
Crazy88
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I would not agree to do that at all. Sell to a different buyer
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Old 22 June 2017, 06:24 AM   #22
cataby
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always amazes me how unimportant money is to so many people on here.

I do face to face sales all year long as a secondary business, be damned if I am so lazy as to throw $1000 away just so I didn't have to bother selling something myself.

wow
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Old 22 June 2017, 06:30 AM   #23
strass.arnold
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always amazes me how unimportant money is to so many people on here.

I do face to face sales all year long as a secondary business, be damned if I am so lazy as to throw $1000 away just so I didn't have to bother selling something myself.

wow
I agree with you a $1000 is a $1000 after all.
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Old 22 June 2017, 06:37 AM   #24
brandrea
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I would only agree to opening the caseback on a sale. Essentially you'd be giving a purchase guarantee of authenticity. Any damage to the watch voids any refund.
right on the money
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Old 22 June 2017, 07:15 AM   #25
haven_seeker
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always amazes me how unimportant money is to so many people on here.

I do face to face sales all year long as a secondary business, be damned if I am so lazy as to throw $1000 away just so I didn't have to bother selling something myself.

wow
Cataby, let me step in here if you don't mind. Most of the people out there that own Rolexes are not hurting for money. This is, by design, a more affluent part of the population, just because of the high cost of entry. Don't be offended by this, Rolex wouldn't have it any other way. So when you see people on here who seem to care a little less about pinching pennies, and their advice reflects that, it doesn't necessarily mean their advice is bad. Just a different view point is all!
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Old 22 June 2017, 07:16 AM   #26
Calatrava r
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I would never let anyone open one of my watches. There no guarantee they will even buy after they have it opened. I have always sold to dealers but may check out TS here. No hassle, they generally provide an insured label and wire the funds on receipt. Most of these dealers touch up the watches so they are not crazy over some hairline you can only in certain lighting as a private person might be.
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Old 22 June 2017, 07:54 AM   #27
joli160
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I would not offer my Rolex this way. Too many nutcases outside looking to scam.
As a private seller with no feedback you have to go below normal market price otherwise nobody will buy, apart from the people in the previous sentence.
Where is the extra profit ?
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Old 22 June 2017, 09:45 AM   #28
Wcdhtwn
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Which Trusted Seller is the most popular here? There aren't many with plenty of reviews in the classifieds. Usually the review has 0 comments.
Reviews are here: https://www.rolexforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

Only the person posting the classified can make comments in the listing. So you won't find reviews or any other commentary in the ads.
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