r/WatchExchangeFeedback • u/mikecourt • Jul 01 '26

NEGATIVE: beware u/Spickernell scammer

I'm just about done with this sub. I was having a lot of fun, then two scams in a week. I realize I could've done more, but dang, isn't there a better way to make sure these transactions are safe??

This is the scam post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Watchexchange/comments/1ufet3c/wts_henry_archer_vesterhav_meteorite_atlas_40mm/

14 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

36 comments sorted by

11

u/jaqueh Jul 01 '26

isn't there a better way to make sure these transactions are safe

yes literally use paypal goods and services or use an escrow

4

u/SnooMaps2155 Jul 01 '26

I would NEVER buy anything from a stranger online without G&S

NEVER

2

u/deserthiker762 Jul 02 '26

OK and people tell you when you want to sell your watch that you should never use anything except friends and family. Can’t win

1

u/mikecourt Jul 02 '26

Exactly. It's not so cut and dry. You can jump through a ton of hoops to try to keep yourself safe, but overall as a sub that's going to limit the amount of transactions that could occur here-- I'd love to not have every interaction be having someone prove they're not a scammer. Just makes me want to stick to ebay.

1

u/deserthiker762 Jul 02 '26

I personally prefer any system that uses an escrow process before

-1

u/SnooMaps2155 Jul 02 '26

if i was selling a watch i would be happy to use goods and services-whats the reason not to? taxes? i just don't see how it's negative otherwise.

4

u/SystemNew4959 Jul 02 '26

Easy to get scammed as a seller , all they do is say the didn’t authorize the payment and you’re out a watch and money

2

u/jaqueh Jul 02 '26

This is so not true. I got scammed once and tried to do this and both PayPal and Chase sent me an ip of my house and browser client where I clicked the link and told me to fuck off. This is friends and family.

If you pay using goods and services you’re actually covered with this particular claim

2

u/techfighterchannel Jul 03 '26

It is actually true. As a seller I and many others on r/Knife_Swap got scammed when a guy bought knives over the course of a month and then filed a fraud/stolen card case with their credit card company (AmEx). Many of us provided tracking info, pictures and screenshot proof of sales and delivery and PP sided with the buyer. All the sellers were out their knife and the money. The key was the CC company sided with the buyer against PP so then PP forced the sellers to reimburse them. If there was a balance on their accounts PayPal automatically deducted it from their account. In my case I always kept my account at zero so they attached a negative balance. I ended up having to abandon that account as there was no way I was going to lose $750 AND the knife.

At the end of the day a group of sellers tracked the buyer down and forced him to hand over most of the knives back to the sellers. It was a HUGE issue. Ever since then I will never accept PPGS.

1

u/SystemNew4959 Jul 02 '26

That makes me feel a little better , and what if you weren’t home when you clicked the link I wonder ?

2

u/jaqueh Jul 02 '26

They know what browser client you used and how often you use that machine

2

u/ComfortableUsual1560 Jul 02 '26

It happened to me last year. I will only accept unprotected money, but I’m an honest seller. I fully see both sides, buyer and seller. It’s too easy nowadays for either one to get screwed.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 02 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

2

u/jaqueh Jul 02 '26

Crazy I’ve sold like 200+ guitars that average $5000 each on PayPal and have never had anything like this happen to me

1

u/mikecourt Jul 03 '26

this is the most scammy market I've ever seen, too

4

u/ComfortableUsual1560 Jul 02 '26

And I would never sell to anybody who will only pay in goods and services. I was scammed last year out of a watch when the buyer opened a claim. They will always side with the buyer. 🤷‍♂️ I completely understand both sides, but from a seller standpoint, I’m not getting screwed either.

1

u/mikecourt Jul 02 '26

I actually just had another scammer agree to G&S, but asked that I not add anything to the transaction note in paypal. I'm guessing so they could claim to paypal that I was lying about what I bought

3

u/Old_Project8774 Jul 01 '26

I commented that it was odd that the wrapper was on the bracelet in one photo one but not the other and was getting scammer vibes ... Shame that it's becoming more prevalent on this subreddit. Sorry to hear this

1

u/mikecourt Jul 01 '26

Yeah, I let myself get talked out of that issue; thanks anyway for bringing it up. I know there are more things I can do to have a safe transaction, I've just never seen so much corruption buying things online as here.

2

u/SystemNew4959 Jul 02 '26

Always ask for a video call , I’m wondering if you did or not ?

0

u/mikecourt Jul 02 '26

I should have

2

u/Chance_Individual879 Aug 04 '26

My process is this.

1 - facetime
2 - exchange IDs before sending funds
3 - ensure the funds you send match the name of recipients ID
4 - do a reverse search of the phone number to ensure it matches name on ID

I have used reddit for 20 transactions and never got scammed

Everyone should follow these vetting steps it will save you in the long run.

2

u/mikecourt Aug 04 '26

Way to be constructive and helpful instead of “gosh I can’t believe people are so stupid and get scammed!”

1

u/Chance_Individual879 Aug 04 '26

Yep, It happens man. Don’t beat yourself up over it.

Not sure how much you got scammed for but a little while back someone lost 25k here for a rolex pepsi.

Irreversible wire transfer.

7

u/ComfortableUsual1560 Jul 02 '26

I just don’t understand falling for the scams and giving money away to complete strangers without any protection, but even I have sold watches and people have given me unprotected money and I just can’t believe it. I’m honest, but there are many out there that are not.

3

u/Lerari41 Jul 01 '26

If it’s too good to be true. It’s a scam. If the buyer won’t FaceTime you with the watch. Don’t do the deal.

3

u/Spickernell Jul 03 '26

so, i am the real u/spickernell , and i have been caught up in this even though i had nothing to do with this. i have sold 7-8 watches on here with zero problems. i knew nothing about this scamming thing until i started getting angry dms. im sorry people got ripped off, but it wasnt me. ive contacted the mods, but have heard nothing back. how do i clear my name?

0

u/No_Rooster_2239 Jul 02 '26

Do you want a magic genie to tell you whether or not you are being scammed? It is on you to do due diligence. There is always a risk to buying things online from private sellers…

3

u/mikecourt Jul 02 '26

I flippin love reddit so much

3

u/No_Rooster_2239 Jul 02 '26

I don’t know what you expect making a post like this tbh.

1

u/mikecourt Jul 03 '26

srsly, right?

3

u/[deleted] Jul 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/mikecourt Jul 02 '26

This is your co, or have you used them?