With the influx of new members from general forums like Reddit and other third party channels, I've noticed a larger number of watches appearing for sale on RWI which have come from outside the rep forum sphere of 'provenance', or which have come from other slightly hazy origins.
I've also been approached by several new members purporting to be selling items I have active WTB threads for, or by new members claiming to be buying reps 'privately' and even from other RWI members, but without current or previous forum sanctioned sales threads.
On more than one occasion, I've also had newish members ask:
'But why do I even need a sales thread? Because, I know the seller and they are trustworthy' or 'Because the seller lives a block away from me' or
'Because I just want milk that tastes like real milk. Is that too much to ask?'
Sure, it's great that you trust your buyer/seller, and perhaps the most obvious reason for a sales thread is that RWI may be able to help you in the event that a transaction goes south, but there are other really good reasons for sales threads.
In the world of rare watches, cars and antiques, there's little thing called 'provenance'.
provenance
/ˈprɒv(ə)nəns/
noun
Back to the point. Even if you trust your 'private' seller, or don't think you'll have an issue with a close friend or 'private' buyer, sales threads can be a good idea. They add provenance to your valuable items and transparency to the history of the watches you are offering. They can be helpful in ascertaining the origin of a piece. They also help ensure a good deal for all involved - all quite aside from the obvious; forum support in the event of an unfavourable outcome.
These are just a few reasons why it makes sense to pop up a sales thread, but I'm sure others will have anecdotes and remarks on this topic to share.
Have a great day,
Oris
I've also been approached by several new members purporting to be selling items I have active WTB threads for, or by new members claiming to be buying reps 'privately' and even from other RWI members, but without current or previous forum sanctioned sales threads.
On more than one occasion, I've also had newish members ask:
'But why do I even need a sales thread? Because, I know the seller and they are trustworthy' or 'Because the seller lives a block away from me' or
'Because I just want milk that tastes like real milk. Is that too much to ask?'
Sure, it's great that you trust your buyer/seller, and perhaps the most obvious reason for a sales thread is that RWI may be able to help you in the event that a transaction goes south, but there are other really good reasons for sales threads.
In the world of rare watches, cars and antiques, there's little thing called 'provenance'.
provenance
/ˈprɒv(ə)nəns/
noun
- the place of origin or earliest known history of something.
"an orange rug of Iranian provenance"- the beginning of something's existence; something's origin.
"they try to understand the whole universe, its provenance and fate" - a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality.
plural noun: provenances
"the manuscript has a distinguished provenance"
- the beginning of something's existence; something's origin.
- A past sales thread can be helpful when you go to re-sell an item, because it serves as a record of what the watch is, how it was sold, and what it was sold with. It also provides a record of its monetary value.
- Sales threads are documented with descriptions and photographs of your watches. This can prove invaluable several years down the track when there may be details which even the current owner has forgotten.
- Such sales threads can also be a useful selling point for potential future buyers (and sellers) for the same reason.
- A sales thread can also be helpful for you as a buyer because it's a public (even when reserved for you) thread, which all members can see and comment on, and so if there are issues, they can be scrutinised and pointed out to you.
Back to the point. Even if you trust your 'private' seller, or don't think you'll have an issue with a close friend or 'private' buyer, sales threads can be a good idea. They add provenance to your valuable items and transparency to the history of the watches you are offering. They can be helpful in ascertaining the origin of a piece. They also help ensure a good deal for all involved - all quite aside from the obvious; forum support in the event of an unfavourable outcome.
These are just a few reasons why it makes sense to pop up a sales thread, but I'm sure others will have anecdotes and remarks on this topic to share.
Have a great day,
Oris
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