Watchfinder Experiences

A place to discuss other watch-brands
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missF
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by missF »

A great trade - must feel very satisfying :clap:
watching you fail in your quest for a “one watch” has been great entertainment
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by StrapMeister »

As long as you're happy that's the main thing.
I used them once when buying a watch and managed to negotiate a discount on an Omega Limited Edition watch which normally isn't discounted.
However, I'm a little more sceptical when looking to exchange a watch when I have found them to be somewhat low with their estimates/valuations.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by Thegreyman »

I have asked them for an offer for a couple of watches in the past, watches that I ended up keeping. The prices they offered were ridiculously low, even allowing for a decent retail profit/mark up. That was a while ago, perhaps for a part exchange you will get a better deal and I agree the process sounds pretty good.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by kiter65 »

Only ever tried to sell to them, all be it a while ago, will agree with Patrick, the prices offered were very low. Seem to offer better prices with a p/x. Nice watch by the way :thumbup:
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by what-time-is-it »

what-time-is-it wrote: Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:42 pm I'm afraid I immediately think Rolex inflated prices when I hear the name Watchfinder.
Quoting my own post before someone else does. :lol:

I sent a speculative enquiry to WF last week to see what they would bid on a Breitling Superocean and Oris Carl Brashear. Fully expecting a low ball number for both.

Initial figures for both were fair, but not ridiculously low. I did nothing, but did receive a follow up email asking if they could help any further. I replied asking for a callback.

The call was pleasant and he confirmed the initial quote probably could be improved and this was normal. Anyway higher offers were given for both watches subject to appraisal.

Watch packs sent that arrived and returned the following day - all very efficient with bags, bubble wrap, foam for box corners and all prepaid with DHL. Email updates on receipt at WF and also with a final offer.

I wasn't desperate to sell either and felt I had a reasonable idea on value for both but was surprised when they honoured the higher values for both.

Funds received by Bacs the following day and job done.

I suspect if I'd sold them on eBay they would've taken longer to sell and likely for the same or less money. I don't mind selling on eBay, but in my experience once you start selling watches in excess of £1k the risks increase with problems with buyers, chargebacks etc

Now I may have been lucky with WF, but the watches were in excellent condition, with papers and crucially my original purchase prices were very keen, making the decision to sell at break even an easy one. Had I bought these with modest discounts or at RRP then it would've been a different outcome.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by nbg »

^^^ Interesting info Chris. There was a time when they only paid good buy in prices for Rolex Professional models and a couple of other brands. Their margin also being far less on Rolex, because they knew they wouldn’t be carrying them as dead stock for long.

I asked for a price to buy one of my Submariners last week and thought it a reasonable offer.

They then followed up with a personal email a couple of days later.

What I did find strange though is that that gave a figure with a spread of only £250, only knowing:

- the age, in IIRC a 12 year age bracelet
- that it had B&P
- that I had the receipt from when I bought it
- that I hadn’t originally bought from WF.

No pictures.
No details of warranty or service history
No details of condition.

I reckon that will pay more, when they have more information.

I think I will ask them for quotes for maybe four others (different brands), to get a better idea of up to date pricing.

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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by what-time-is-it »

My take on it was the initial bid is fair, but if you have a chat with them and tell them what you are looking for they will try and do a deal if it's realistic.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by iain »

Interesting to read about an outright purchase by Watchfinder. I’ve only used them to part ex and like others assumed selling to them would result in low offers.

If you have a look around their website they also seem to offer an aftersales in house servicing arrangement as well. I expect their warranty would be one where they repair it in house rather then sending it to the manufacturer. Having said that, they state they are approved by several manufacturers and I expect they make good any watches they receive in a slightly worst for wear state at minimal expense to them. This possibly explains how they can offer a price with little info and honour it when they receive the watch.

Chris, I see your earlier comment, the one you quoted yourself in above, seemed to imply you didn’t have much info on Watchfinder or were sceptical about their business model. Was it this thread with positive comments from a few members that made you decide to try them out?
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by what-time-is-it »

iain wrote: Thu May 20, 2021 7:06 pm Chris, I see your earlier comment, the one you quoted yourself in above, seemed to imply you didn’t have much info on Watchfinder or were sceptical about their business model. Was it this thread with positive comments from a few members that made you decide to try them out?
Hi Iain, yes sceptical and mostly influenced by others negativity and WF's inflation of steel Rolexes. Not just on here but YT and other media. The WF TV ad of the Rolex in the cobwebs on a shelf in a garage and somebody buying a Patek when it was POA also irritated me. :lol:

I was interested in your transaction and genuinely pleased your transaction worked out but I had no plans to contact them myself.

In the end I contacted them following a brief chat a couple of weeks ago with a watch dealer I know, who bought a couple of watches from me but declined the 2 in question and suggested it might be worth asking the question with WF, as my estimate was realistic just not for him - as a side note the price they paid for the Oris was the price it was advertised for on here. In fairness he specialises in Rolex, Cartier, Omega & Tag and that was that.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by iain »

^^^^^ Pleased it worked out for you.

It’s always interesting to keep an eye on watchfinder to see how much they then mark your watch up by. Once you see that, you have an idea how much markup they look to make on resale. This is very useful info if you ever negotiate over a purchase, as you know how much to push it while still allowing them to make some profit.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by mibby »

I have had pretty good experiences with Watchfinder. I bought a Rolex Explorer II back when they were cheap, then traded it at a profit for a Sub when they were going for very close to RRP. Latest purchase was a Breguet, which I bargained down to £1000 less than they were asking. When it arrived it was running fast (out of spec) so I sent it back and they got it serviced by Breguet, which cost £850.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by Bomber133 »

I’ve had two watches from them. The most recent was a Bremont LE. Very good customer service. Even had the store ring me up to confirm about delivery etc. So all good
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by what-time-is-it »

Quick update on this, the Breitling that I sold to WF for £2500 appears to now be for sale @ £3650.
95% sure this is my old watch, guarantee expiry date matches and my date was slightly aligned to the right.

Just gives you an idea of margins on some models with WF.

https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Breitling ... tem/186301
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by H0rati0 »

what-time-is-it wrote: Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:29 pm Quick update on this, the Breitling that I sold to WF for £2500 appears to now be for sale @ £3650.
That sounds pretty reasonable ≈ 50% markup which I guess is now possible for an online business with reach. A guy in the retail trade once told me that in general, a straight SH watch deal will price @ ≈ 35% rrp to buy from a private seller and ≈ 65% (100% markup) for the dealer on resale - part exchange or desirable (read quick moving) piece can negotiate somewhat better.
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Re: Watchfinder Experiences

Post by what-time-is-it »

The biggest factor with WF is what you initially paid - pay full price for most Breitling, Bremont, Omegas etc and you are going to take a big hit. I bought new from a UK AD with a healthy discount, but sold at breakeven and that was fine for me, giving over 2 years use for free.
Current collection incl Citizen, G-Shock, Rolex, Seiko, Sinn & Tag.

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