So, I have a little sideline gig selling restored, vintage timepieces. The cost-to-repair/value-when-repaired ratio has gotten pretty out of whack now that professional watch repair is almost exclusively limited to high end timepieces; it just isn't cost effective to pay a pro repairman $150 to fix a watch that would sell for $100 when running, unless it has sentimental value....
So, I scour the internet, flea markets, garage sales, etc for broken watches of certain good, collectible brands, do whatever restorations and repairs are needed, case polish, new strap, dial refinish if the cost warrants it. Once all my costs are washed out, I'm making about $30 an hour for my time and labor, all said and done, plus I love doing it.
In the last year, when the dollar was choking against other currencies, overseas buyers made up 65%-70% of my customers. In the year before that, prices were a bit less, but still very stable and reliable. This year, I'm down THIRTY FIVE PERCENT... and like, we're not talking about abstractions, either. I keep Excel DB's for all this shit and have sold multiples of the same model watches over the years.
I guess it's possible that guys have stopped collecting watches, but I'm thinking that this is just another example of the economy blowing ass. My ebay auctions this week- featuring the first wave of timepieces that I specifically held back to sell during the peak Christmas season- were a total ****ing catastrophe.
2
Yeeezus Christ... Ebay Sales Brutal. Economy Sux.
Started by AmScray, Nov 19 2008 02:54 PM
82 replies to this topic
#1
AmScray
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 02:54 PM
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#2
HollywoodAFD
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Why so serious?
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:01 PM
Link please.... you may get a sale here.
"If it wasn't for luck I'd win every one" -- Phil Hellmuth
QUOTE (Suited_Up @ Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, 9:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If Hollywood is fake though, I might know who it is. If not, then I'm scared for the world.
QUOTE (ShakeZuma @ Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, 5:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey leave hollywoodafd alone. he is a quality poster and can post any time he wants.
QUOTE (LongLiveYorke @ Friday, February 26th, 2010, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
lol, I agree with Hollywood... weeeee
#3
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:08 PM
Yeah I wouldn't mind if you posted a link.
-Danny
#4
chrozzo
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:13 PM
echo bay
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I'm kind of a big deal.
I'm kind of a big deal.
#5
LadyGrey
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:14 PM
I am also nosy and would like to scrutinise your business.
We are all so complicated, and then we die. We are a subject one day, with our vanities, our loves, our worries, and then one day, abruptly, we become nothing but an object, an absolutely disgusting pile of shit. We pass very quickly from one stage to the next. It's very bizarre. It will happen to all of us, and fairly soon too. We become an object you can handle like a stone, but a stone that was someone.
— Christian Boltanski
Religion. It's given people hope in a world torn apart by religion.
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— Christian Boltanski
Religion. It's given people hope in a world torn apart by religion.
— Jon Stewart
#6
donk4life
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:18 PM
My sister and mom run their business off ebay (Pendants, charms, pillows, etc) and they say business is better than ever. Mind you, many of these things are fairly cheap, and it is the holiday season. But even back in September/October they were still selling at a fairly high rate.
#7
speedz99
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:18 PM
QUOTE (LadyGrey @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 3:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am also nosy and would like to scrutinise your business.
Nice.
You got a date Wednesday, baby!
#8
HollywoodAFD
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Why so serious?
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:19 PM
QUOTE (LadyGrey @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 5:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I am also nosy and would like to scrutinise your business.
For you
"If it wasn't for luck I'd win every one" -- Phil Hellmuth
QUOTE (Suited_Up @ Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, 9:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If Hollywood is fake though, I might know who it is. If not, then I'm scared for the world.
QUOTE (ShakeZuma @ Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, 5:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey leave hollywoodafd alone. he is a quality poster and can post any time he wants.
QUOTE (LongLiveYorke @ Friday, February 26th, 2010, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
lol, I agree with Hollywood... weeeee
#9
chrozzo
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 03:20 PM
Echo Bay.
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I'm kind of a big deal.
I'm kind of a big deal.
#10
AmScray
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 05:53 PM
Hahaha, yeah, no way in hell I'm letting my personal info get out around here... 
But if anyone is seriously interested in vintage watches, LMK what you're in to or looking for and I can help you out with making a sound purchase... Now seems like a dandy time to be buying. I don't anticipate listing any more quality watches until this crunch is over because the prices are just so depressed.
But if anyone is seriously interested in vintage watches, LMK what you're in to or looking for and I can help you out with making a sound purchase... Now seems like a dandy time to be buying. I don't anticipate listing any more quality watches until this crunch is over because the prices are just so depressed.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVv
#11
HollywoodAFD
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 05:57 PM
QUOTE (AmScray @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 7:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hahaha, yeah, no way in hell I'm letting my personal info get out around here...
But if anyone is seriously interested in vintage watches, LMK what you're in to or looking for and I can help you out with making a sound purchase... Now seems like a dandy time to be buying. I don't anticipate listing any more quality watches until this crunch is over because the prices are just so depressed.
But if anyone is seriously interested in vintage watches, LMK what you're in to or looking for and I can help you out with making a sound purchase... Now seems like a dandy time to be buying. I don't anticipate listing any more quality watches until this crunch is over because the prices are just so depressed.
Are we talking watches only? I'd like to find one of those desk clock...like a miniature squatty grandfather clock.
"If it wasn't for luck I'd win every one" -- Phil Hellmuth
QUOTE (Suited_Up @ Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, 9:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If Hollywood is fake though, I might know who it is. If not, then I'm scared for the world.
QUOTE (ShakeZuma @ Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, 5:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey leave hollywoodafd alone. he is a quality poster and can post any time he wants.
QUOTE (LongLiveYorke @ Friday, February 26th, 2010, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
lol, I agree with Hollywood... weeeee
#12
AmScray
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:09 PM
Watches are my thing, but next time you see a pic of the kind of clock you want, post a pic of it and I can ask the clock guys at NAWCC meeting what it is, what's the best kind, etc.
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#13
HollywoodAFD
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:14 PM
QUOTE (AmScray @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 9:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Watches are my thing, but next time you see a pic of the kind of clock you want, post a pic of it and I can ask the clock guys at NAWCC meeting what it is, what's the best kind, etc.
"If it wasn't for luck I'd win every one" -- Phil Hellmuth
QUOTE (Suited_Up @ Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, 9:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If Hollywood is fake though, I might know who it is. If not, then I'm scared for the world.
QUOTE (ShakeZuma @ Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, 5:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey leave hollywoodafd alone. he is a quality poster and can post any time he wants.
QUOTE (LongLiveYorke @ Friday, February 26th, 2010, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
lol, I agree with Hollywood... weeeee
#14
AmScray
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:18 PM
So, do you just want nice looking upright mantle clock?
And can I assume that you're looking for a nice 19th/early 20thc mechanical and not some piece of shit "reproduction" that can be had for $29.95 out of the fingerhut catalog, right?
And can I assume that you're looking for a nice 19th/early 20thc mechanical and not some piece of shit "reproduction" that can be had for $29.95 out of the fingerhut catalog, right?
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#15
HollywoodAFD
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:22 PM
QUOTE (AmScray @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 9:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So, do you just want nice looking upright mantle clock?
And can I assume that you're looking for a nice 19th/early 20thc mechanical and not some piece of shit "reproduction" that can be had for $29.95 out of the fingerhut catalog, right?
And can I assume that you're looking for a nice 19th/early 20thc mechanical and not some piece of shit "reproduction" that can be had for $29.95 out of the fingerhut catalog, right?
Exactly...I want a "real" one...made of wood. I've seen replicas that look nice until you look close and/or touch them.
The older...the better
"If it wasn't for luck I'd win every one" -- Phil Hellmuth
QUOTE (Suited_Up @ Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, 9:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If Hollywood is fake though, I might know who it is. If not, then I'm scared for the world.
QUOTE (ShakeZuma @ Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, 5:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey leave hollywoodafd alone. he is a quality poster and can post any time he wants.
QUOTE (LongLiveYorke @ Friday, February 26th, 2010, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
lol, I agree with Hollywood... weeeee
#16
savagerebel
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:23 PM
I have an old clock that hung in my grandparents house. It was there long before I was even thought about. It was given to me after they passed. I know nothing about it and the few places I have taken it to only seem interested in buying it but not telling me anything about it. I am not interested in selling it. I want to keep it and possibly restore it. Could you help me find out some more about it if I post some pics?
#17
AmScray
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:25 PM
QUOTE (savagerebel @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 7:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have an old clock that hung in my grandparents house. It was there long before I was even thought about. It was given to me after they passed. I know nothing about it and the few places I have taken it to only seem interested in buying it but not telling me anything about it. I am not interested in selling it. I want to keep it and possibly restore it. Could you help me find out some more about it if I post some pics?
Yes, absolutely. When they want to buy it but not help you learn about it, that probably means it's desirable on one way or the other.
Keep in mind, old clocks are one of those things where people tend to assume that they're a lot more valuable than they usually wind up being. Still, post pics and I can help. If nothing else, I can repost the pics on a forum full of guys who do nothing but clocks and they will know every thing about it down to the mainspring tension.
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#18
AmScray
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:26 PM
QUOTE (HollywoodAFD @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 7:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Exactly...I want a "real" one...made of wood. I've seen replicas that look nice until you look close and/or touch them.
The older...the better
The older...the better
The one you posted was pretty ornate. Do you want something with a lot of embellishment?
Anything in any particular style or theme?
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#19
savagerebel
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:28 PM
QUOTE (AmScray @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 9:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yes, absolutely. When they want to buy it but not help you learn about it, that probably means it's desirable on one way or the other.
Keep in mind, old clocks are one of those things where people tend to assume that they're a lot more valuable than they usually wind up being. Still, post pics and I can help. If nothing else, I can repost the pics on a forum full of guys who do nothing but clocks and they will know every thing about it down to the mainspring tension.
Keep in mind, old clocks are one of those things where people tend to assume that they're a lot more valuable than they usually wind up being. Still, post pics and I can help. If nothing else, I can repost the pics on a forum full of guys who do nothing but clocks and they will know every thing about it down to the mainspring tension.
Thanks. I'll start snapping some pics now.
#20
HollywoodAFD
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Posted 19 November 2008 - 07:34 PM
QUOTE (AmScray @ Wednesday, November 19th, 2008, 9:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The one you posted was pretty ornate. Do you want something with a lot of embellishment?
Anything in any particular style or theme?
Anything in any particular style or theme?
I really want one a bit more asian ... intricate carvings. I know these are generally more European ... anything with nice wood carvings.
"If it wasn't for luck I'd win every one" -- Phil Hellmuth
QUOTE (Suited_Up @ Tuesday, July 1st, 2008, 9:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
If Hollywood is fake though, I might know who it is. If not, then I'm scared for the world.
QUOTE (ShakeZuma @ Tuesday, March 18th, 2008, 5:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
hey leave hollywoodafd alone. he is a quality poster and can post any time he wants.
QUOTE (LongLiveYorke @ Friday, February 26th, 2010, 10:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
lol, I agree with Hollywood... weeeee
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