In respond to one Venice quotes on pre-owned dealers....
I have decided to start a new thread here....
There are currently many preowned / second hand watch dealers in our local scene. Only 5 years back, you can count the selected few in the Klang Valley.
In the early days, you can only find them in the 2nd hand goods section in the local Star paper. Then suddenly, these shops mushroom around in the shopping complex, especially in the Bukti Bintang area. Only a few survived though.
I remembered a few pioneer ones are at the Central market / Kota Raya complexs / Subang Jaya SS15 and the one at USJ. However, those days, they operates by conventional methods and never goes on line. I have deal with the earlier generation and now the sons took over....
If my memory doesn't failed me, the few pioneer ones are the coxxectors Times and after came the Paxxion Sg....to name a few.
IMHO, there are 2 types of second hand dealers. One who is passionate dealer and the other a business minded dealer who is out to make a quick profits..
The passionate ones (only a handful) loves their wares so much that the watches traded in are up to par and in precision condition. Anything below their expectation, will be rejected or be quoted lowly and will be deposited elsewhere in the market. The acceptable (trade in) ones are refurbished with original parts and resell at reasonable profits. The consumers have peace of mind buying from these dealers, even though its merchandises are quoted much higher.
On the other hand, a.business minded dealer will accept trade in when he thinks that piece is a moving stock, a minor touch up here and there and resell at his counter to make a quick profits. Worse some are just sold without prechecking to the next customer. Their motto; waits until the customer complains.....after all, these shops usually have their in house warranty.
So, as is I liked to deal with the passionate ones, I usually asked for the best quotes (and he knows I will never counter bargain his offer). It up to me to accept or decline the offer.
On the other hand, we sometimes find after market parts in watches (not straps / bracelets). And usually the business minded dealers themselves are not aware of this.
In these scenarios, I would rather pay a little bit more for a precision and a 100% authentic 2nd hand watches over a heavy bargained ones in the same bracket.
What say you?...
My 2 cts.
dc
