I always try to buy second hand in the sales section as generally they're tried and tested or the faults and issues with a watch are (usually) clearly mentioned. I have had a couple arrive DOA from dealers that put me off.
Yeah until one of our members screws you. Seems like some folks are pawning off their used cast offs and not being entirely truthful. I've received two watches that were not as advertised, but I've been toying in this hobby long enough to write things off from the get-go.
One watch was a modded PAM, which I should have known would stink because the seller copied the mod/builder on the email that he sold it to me, so as to transfer the warranty. It was listed as "new" worn once. When it arrived there was a gash in the case and the big chrono second hand didn't reset to zero. And the watch was packed perfectly so there was no chance it happened in shipping. So I was out $500, plus now I needed to ship it off for service. Seller played dumb, but karma will get him in this hobby as I'm certain the watch gods will punish him with a DOA or two... LOL....
The second watch was a DSSD which had major bracelet issues. Not mentioned, not commented on, not replied to post or pre-sale. I changed to a leather strap so it's not a huge deal, but it annoyed me because I bought it to fill a slot in the stainless steel bracelet part of my collection.
Often times it's not worth getting into it, or bringing the mods into it, because the issues were not big enough to cause a scene, but even the for sale section needs to be a buyer beware zone.
Now I review everything very closely, even to the point of passing on something I really want because of some issue with the listing.
I believe BMW760 was ranting about this very issue just prior to his ban, oops I mean "gardening leave".... He's back so I'm hoping he'll chime in if it's an issue worthy of discussion or worth of it's own thread!