Watchfinder Buyback
Watchfinder Buyback
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Original Poster:

814 posts

245 months

Saturday 22nd February 2014
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Has anyone used this service? How was the experience? Is there any 'small print' to be aware of?

I have seen a nice Rolex Datejust 40mm, steel case. It's c20% below list currently, 2013 model.

Putting aside the buy back, should this watch hold its value reasonably well?

michael gould

5,698 posts

271 months

Sunday 23rd February 2014
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Most SS Rolex's hold their value well......but don't buy it for that reason, buy it because you love it

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Original Poster:

814 posts

245 months

Sunday 23rd February 2014
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Agree completely but none of us know what the future might hold so it's good to know where we stand if the worst happens.

Rgee

249 posts

277 months

Sunday 23rd February 2014
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They only do it on certain watches namely the sought after sports range. Can't see them offering it on the Datejust.

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Original Poster:

814 posts

245 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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They do.

Anyone any direct experience of the scheme? Or considered it but decided against it?

alanm_3

370 posts

269 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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I guess if you buy one that has no papers, it gives a certain amount of comfort that this won't hinder you when you come to sell it.

Some have papers, and some don't.

I guess if you think WF will still be here in 2 years, it's money in the bank.

The only thing might be that if a watch actually appreciates in value (rather unlikely in a 2 year timeframe), you might lose out by "only" taking the purchase price back.

Miguel Alvarez

5,183 posts

200 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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alanm_3 said:
I guess if you buy one that has no papers, it gives a certain amount of comfort that this won't hinder you when you come to sell it.

Some have papers, and some don't.

I guess if you think WF will still be here in 2 years, it's money in the bank.

The only thing might be that if a watch actually appreciates in value (rather unlikely in a 2 year timeframe), you might lose out by "only" taking the purchase price back.
But then you'd just sell it on elsewhere for more.

I'd not looked at it but being as it's only on selected watches which are likely to appreciate/stay stable it's probably not as attractive as it sounds.


alanm_3

370 posts

269 months

Monday 24th February 2014
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Yeah, fair point.

BobTurner

405 posts

240 months

Thursday 21st January 2016
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I thought it might be helpful to follow-up on this thread as someone who has used the buyback guarantee.

I bought a stainless steel sports Rolex from Watchfinder a couple of years ago, which came with the guarantee and very recently decided to sell it - almost exactly 2 years since I had bought it. It wasn’t a watch that I wore every day, it was rotated with a few others and its condition was commensurate with that. I was sceptical of the buyback guarantee when I bought but thought that I’d give it a go now, anyway. I was expecting to be hit with small print, servicing, polishing – all manner of excuses, as I was conscious that used retail now was (arguably, a little below) what I paid.

Anyway, it turned out that it was all very straightforward. They were obviously very keen for me to do a part exchange deal, which I eventually declined – notwithstanding their generosity. The buy back amount was offered, and confirmed when they received the watch after a short inspection.

It wasn’t a good deal for them, but it does mean that in due course I will certainly buy from them again.

I hope this is helpful.

Adrian W

15,569 posts

258 months

Thursday 21st January 2016
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BobTurner said:
I hope this is helpful.
Not Really, without you telling the actual numbers it is very difficult to make a judgement, what is acceptable to you may not be to me

BobTurner

405 posts

240 months

Thursday 21st January 2016
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A seemingly identical watch is on their website for £200 less than what they have just paid for mine - given prep., tax and overheads I was impressed they stood behind their guarantee without trying to wriggle out one way or another.

Adrian W

15,569 posts

258 months

Thursday 21st January 2016
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Nope still not helpful , you may have paid well over the odds in the first place, some details of the watch and the numbers would be helpful.

BobTurner

405 posts

240 months

Thursday 21st January 2016
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Eh? They're selling for less than they're buying at under the guarantee - doesn't matter what the values are, does it? My point has been they're standing behind a guarantee other businesses would perhaps try and dodge, that's all. smile

Edit to add: it was a free put-option; I paid no more, perhaps less than equivalent watches were for sale at with other dealers in 2014.

Edited by BobTurner on Friday 22 January 10:35

KungFuPanda

4,645 posts

200 months

Thursday 21st January 2016
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The buyback figure only kicks in after two years though doesn't it. Surely you'd be able to sell it privately for more after two year's time if you bought at the right price.

BobTurner

405 posts

240 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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KungFuPanda said:
The buyback figure only kicks in after two years though doesn't it. Surely you'd be able to sell it privately for more after two year's time if you bought at the right price.
Essentially correct regarding timing, 23 months.

Adrian W

15,569 posts

258 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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BobTurner said:
Eh? They're selling for less than they're buying at under the guarantee - doesn't matter what the values are, does it? My point has been they're standing behind a guarantee other businesses would perhaps try and dodge, that's all. smile

Edit to add: it was a free put-option; I paid no more, perhaps less than equivalent watches were for sale at with other dealers in 2014.

Edited by BobTurner on Friday 22 January 10:35
And my point is that they made their margin when they punted out the thing in the first place, why won't you give us the actual details with the numbers?

BobTurner

405 posts

240 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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Adrian W said:
BobTurner said:
Eh? They're selling for less than they're buying at under the guarantee - doesn't matter what the values are, does it? My point has been they're standing behind a guarantee other businesses would perhaps try and dodge, that's all. smile

Edit to add: it was a free put-option; I paid no more, perhaps less than equivalent watches were for sale at with other dealers in 2014.

Edited by BobTurner on Friday 22 January 10:35
And my point is that they made their margin when they punted out the thing in the first place, why won't you give us the actual details with the numbers?
The edit to my post above, which you quoted, deals with that. smile

stuttgartmetal

8,164 posts

246 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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Dealt with watchfinder several times.

They are quality.

kazste

6,127 posts

228 months

Friday 22nd January 2016
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Same here bought quite a bit from them, the other thing that they seem to do is almost run a loyalty scheme. I have had conversations with them where i have managed to get a watch for a very good price seemingly because i have been a good customer. I won't mention specifics as this would be unfair to them but have managed to secure watches for what i believe to be a very good price looking at the market.

Have had a problem with one watch which i sent back they repaired it and returned in about a week so happy with the aftersales side too.

With regards to the buyback guarantee they state they accept regular wear on the watch without penalty and as stated at least means that ignoring inflation you wont lose money should you need to sell.