On sales: Should pics of the back be mandatory?

**Guanaco** · 05-28-2009, 10:46 AM

I see sale threads containing about 10 pictures of the front on the watch and ZERO of the back which is important specially for PAMS and HBB to check the type of movement or version and if it has stickers/engravings on it.

There's a sale going on right now and I asked if any pics of the back were available and all I got was "It's a see-through with a [insert brand name] rotor"... er... ok... that's WHY I asked to see pics to see how good/bad it is before buying it. Ok, I admit it, I was not looking to buy that cheap-o 'thing' that was put on for sale, but it always makes me wonder why they leave it out [besides the fact that the caseback is totally fugly]... lol

I believe it's pretty important to have pics of the caseback as you can see, So, thoughts?

As an added note, should at least one pic with the chronos reset be mandatory too? I see so many chronos being offered for sale with the chronos left running and zero with them reset that makes me think the seller is trying to hide that one of them does not reset properly.

**louisruby** · 05-28-2009, 10:55 AM

I dont know about mandatory, but anyone offering a watch for sale would be smart to put one in.
To supply a pic of the back on request would be good manners and would be an indicator of the sincerity of the seller.
Some people might not realise that the details on the back can be nearly as important as the dial for some buyers.

**Guanaco** · 05-28-2009, 11:02 AM

Exactly!

**Quick Brick** · 05-28-2009, 12:40 PM

It IS mandatory if they think I'm gonna buy it. I have had a few disappointments along the way and it is almost always directly attributable to crappy / missing pix.

**jibuti** · 05-28-2009, 01:45 PM

Well, seethru caseback is a part of watch and I usually want to see it b4 I buy it. Simple as that. Motor also makes most of difference at price.

**Dave123** · 05-28-2009, 02:04 PM

Too bad we all can't do them videos like Novesh has done,then you can really show off the watch,chronos running etc...that would be cool.

But a caseback pic is a must,expecially with Pams...

**AustinTech** · 05-28-2009, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Quick Brick

It IS mandatory if they think I'm gonna buy it. I have had a few disappointments along the way and it is almost always directly attributable to crappy / missing pix.

+1

I've also noticed under "movement" people are just putting "Asian" or "A7750."

High beat 7750? Old 7750 (low beat)? "Asian" doesn't really tell me anything.

**rAc** · 05-28-2009, 05:03 PM

Its just good selling practices, under repgeek selling guidelines only picture which is needed is the item with a hand-written handle and date...that's all, everything else is gravy...

**Guanaco** · 05-28-2009, 08:11 PM

Good to see everyone feels the same way.

**OmegaPOFL** · 05-29-2009, 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by Guanaco

it's pretty important to have pics of the caseback as you can see

+2+4 = 6

It would be also really cool if the seller (OR if someone got a cool new watch) to upload a small 30 sec. vid on youtube or something (if you had the means to do it...). Someone posted here with a little clip of the watch he received and i thought that was pretty cool.

**Guanaco** · 05-29-2009, 04:08 AM

That would be great, a nice, detailed pic is fine by me too.

**F.Bueller** · 05-29-2009, 04:12 AM

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS. How hard is it to flip the watch over - a watch that is already being photographed - and take a couple pics of the back?! No excuse not to.

**norituck** · 05-29-2009, 05:29 AM

I agree I like to see the back also, but it shouldn't be mandatory. If the seller can't take decent pics then let them keep it or lower the the price. Everyone knows better pics and or vids has the potential to make your product look better, therefor bringing in more $$$. So let the seller pick what they want. Don't make it mandatory. We have to follow enough rules in this society leave the seller make a choice.

**Guanaco** · 05-29-2009, 06:45 AM

Originally Posted by norituck

I agree I like to see the back also, but it shouldn't be mandatory. If the seller can't take decent pics then let them keep it or lower the the price. Everyone knows better pics and or vids has the potential to make your product look better, therefor bringing in more $$$. So let the seller pick what they want. Don't make it mandatory. We have to follow enough rules in this society leave the seller make a choice.

I will have to disagree with you there, there is no excuse not to take pics of the back other than pure laziness or you want to hide something, how can someone take 15 pictures of the front but not of the back? Plus, they're important sometimes, specially when dealing with PAMS and HBB... furthermore, on cheaper watches, the back of the watch could be one ugly mess, something most people want to avoid. It's not that we're concerned about the seller selling it or not, it's the person who BUYS it that we want to protect.

**If you see Kay** · 05-29-2009, 06:57 AM

i agree that caseback pics should be provided, and sometimes in the feeding frenzy of taking pics and uploading one forgets the caseback.

I think that if it is going to be an ETA movement, either Swiss or clone, the caseback should be opened and the movement shown in a pic as well.

For simple a21j movements, that shouldn't be necessary.

**gazumi** · 05-29-2009, 06:59 AM

If there aren't enough pictures or I don't like or don't see certain things in the listing, or if there's any doubt, I just pass on the watch.

If the seller wants to move it quickly, then he should have posted enough pictures and price it at market value.

Stomping their feet and saying "You guys don't know what a deal you're getting here" or "If this doesn't sell, it's going back in the watch box" is kind of pointless. Where else would it go if it doesn't sell?

**norituck** · 05-29-2009, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by Guanaco

I will have to disagree with you there, there is no excuse not to take pics of the back other than pure laziness or you want to hide something, how can someone take 15 pictures of the front but not of the back? Plus, they're important sometimes, specially when dealing with PAMS and HBB... furthermore, on cheaper watches, the back of the watch could be one ugly mess, something most people want to avoid. It's not that we're concerned about the seller selling it or not, it's the person who BUYS it that we want to protect.

I see your point. But people are lazy and will try to hide something. But I guess I disagree with the mandatory part. A mandatory pic of the case back will not provide us protection from a torn up strap or messed up movement. I think the buyer has to take on the responsibility of protecting themselves. Buy the seller first and the watch second. I pay attention to the sellers feedback, post quality and quantity, pics and how they respond to my PM's. If everything checks then I buy. We as buyers have the upper hand. If the seller doesn't want to accommodate me then they can keep their POS. Their will always be a better deal tomorrow.
Carpe Diem

**MrZoSo** · 05-29-2009, 07:54 AM

Never mind the pics...How about these listings not specifying the movement. Listing it as "Asian"...Well duh...
I find this most annoying. Tell people exactly what you have. Stop the BS trying to sell a 80 dollar watch for 150 by not saying it's a quartz. If you can't be forthcoming the listing should be removed IMO. It's deception.

**umngmc** · 05-29-2009, 08:24 AM

would it be nice to see a picture of the back, sure. but should it be mandatory? no.

next, you're gonna make it mandatory to take a movement picture for a closed case-back watch.

there are plenty of members that will provide extra photos of the watch upon request. if you think someone is trying to hide something, than move along to another watch from a more trusted member.

more details and better pics = faster sale for more money

**Guanaco** · 05-29-2009, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by MrZoSo

Never mind the pics...How about these listings not specifying the movement. Listing it as "Asian"...Well duh...
I find this most annoying. Tell people exactly what you have. Stop the BS trying to sell a 80 dollar watch for 150 by not saying it's a quartz. If you can't be forthcoming the listing should be removed IMO. It's deception.

You're absolutely right! I hate it when they do that -

Movement: Asian O'RLY!?!?

Where did you get this watch from: Dealer (or just 'member') We already know that, they're asking you to specify WHO you DOLT

---

Originally Posted by umngmc

would it be nice to see a picture of the back, sure. but should it be mandatory? no.

next, you're gonna make it mandatory to take a movement picture for a closed case-back watch.

there are plenty of members that will provide extra photos of the watch upon request. if you think someone is trying to hide something, than move along to another watch from a more trusted member.

more details and better pics = faster sale for more money

Making the picture of the movement mandatory would be too much of a hassle, specially for people without proper tools to open the back, hence why they're asking you what type of movement does your watch have [refer to Mr.Sozo's post regarding that and the daft people who love to just say Asian without specifying further] taking pics of the back just requires you to flip the darn watch and snap a shot, that would take about 10 seconds, is that really sooooo hard to do?

**moleng1** · 05-29-2009, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by umngmc

would it be nice to see a picture of the back, sure. but should it be mandatory? no.

next, you're gonna make it mandatory to take a movement picture for a closed case-back watch.

there are plenty of members that will provide extra photos of the watch upon request. if you think someone is trying to hide something, than move along to another watch from a more trusted member.

more details and better pics = faster sale for more money

It is mandatory to include pictures, so why not say front and back, what you are saying is that as long as the watch is pictured, what view would matter then?? Can I put up 5 chrono pusher shots and say "buy my watch"?? I don't think so, so why, if we all think a dial shot is a must (I was going to say "face shot" but I just knew what would come after that!!

), do we balk at a back shot?? I agree with the OP, I think back case shots should be required same as dial shots.

**Numonewhiteboy** · 05-29-2009, 08:50 PM

I agree with pictures of the back being mandatory.

My first deal on here involved a trade in which I received a Bentley that says "Made in Switchinternet" on the back.

Of course it's my fault for being trusting and naive, but I'll never trade for / purchase another watch without pics of the back.

**Guanaco** · 05-29-2009, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Numonewhiteboy

I agree with pictures of the back being mandatory.

My first deal on here involved a trade in which I received a Bentley that says "Made in Switchinternet" on the back.

Of course it's my fault for being trusting and naive, but I'll never trade for / purchase another watch without pics of the back.

THANK YOU! See umngmc? THIS is exactly what we want to avoid.

**moleng1** · 05-29-2009, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Numonewhiteboy

I agree with pictures of the back being mandatory.

My first deal on here involved a trade in which I received a Bentley that says "Made in Switchinternet" on the back.

Of course it's my fault for being trusting and naive, but I'll never trade for / purchase another watch without pics of the back.

That's NOT where Breitling Bentleys are made??..............

And I was going to visit there this summer.............. Now what am I going to do???...................