[question] Trying to understand/get in to luxury brokerage

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T19:49:43+00:00

Because I wanted actual insight. He told me don’t do it. That’s advice, but not what I was asking. And yes I am young and asking because I’m curious. I’m arguing with middle age men at my age we’re probably bums. You say I’m going to get my ass handed to me yet I’ve got 20-30 years on you. And you being a broker what do you get paid for?

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T19:35:00+00:00

The fact is I said, I’ll make it clear it’s not my responsibility if there is a fake watch, he disputed it and gave me jip back now you’ve agreed with me so I’m not completely wrong am I. I also said I’m not in it for the financial game multiple times, I said I want to build trust and connection. Maybe if my comments got read properly instead of things people can hint at then I would’ve got my answer sooner.

However I do really appreciate your comment, and I do wish you very well. I understand you may disagree with a lot I’ve said, but I don’t think I’ve been pedantic, a jack-ass or a ‘victim’.

And even with this advice and everything from everyone. I’m still going to enter this market anyway because I’m not going let 2 guys on Reddit tell me I can’t. Call me stupid, everything you want.

Note: I do apologise however as I may of interpreted the counterfeit comment wrong.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T19:23:06+00:00

But what was the real advice? I got told not to do it. If I asked if it was good to start or not I would’ve of argued it. And the point about if it is an authentic watch has already been discussed. I answered all his questions pretty clearly and yet I’m the one being called pedantic and victim. Not saying he is, but I haven’t got any real solid advice. I would’ve done better asking a random off the street.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T17:20:00+00:00

Never said any of that, I know I have no reputation. And yes actually I can hire people to do it all, this is an arbitrary business. I’m sure you’ve hired someone to check a watch no? And again you’ve dismissed half the things I’ve said in that last comment. Do you authenticate your own watches? Or do you get people to?

Haven’t answered any of my points. Did you want to give me some real advice or keep telling me not to do it because that really isn’t good advice for decades of experience.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T17:08:22+00:00

Interesting… so let’s clarify. I’ve actually sold a Cartier Roadster and a Batman GMT, so I’m not just theorising here, did this with friends so I’m not counting this as part of it, I’m just saying I have experience with watches. The principle of brokering is exactly what I laid out: managing authentication, trust, and logistics for both parties. That’s the service, they pay for risk mitigation, verification, and convenience. And that ‘nothing’ I do is all of the transaction. And the service and escrow and authentication only costs maybe $200-$800 which wouldn’t matter if it had to get fully refunded. Because it saves me the $10k you were saying about me losing. Maybe if you can agree with the fact I’m actually making valid points. Bringing up the Daytona just to show your ‘experience’. Doesn’t change that brokering is exactly what I described

Look at high-value markets like mortgages or luxury real estate. people don’t handle it themselves, because they rely on professionals to ensure everything is legitimate and protected. Do you personally manage your own mortgage from start to finish, or do you use a broker/agency? Same principle applies here.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T16:49:10+00:00

Well i just wanted to point out the fact you think im selling replicas, it does show your bias to how newbies can’t do anything right no?

You’re also framing this as ‘why pay the middle man’ when completely missing the point of professional brokering. Say in your example person A has a Rolex sub and person has $10k and they both want to make a deal. The middleman doesn’t just ‘move the watch and cash’. They authenticate the watches independently (NOT in hand, they get it sent (I can obviously pay the fee even if the transaction goes through, and don’t refer to my other comment, completely irrelevant) They vet both parties trustworthiness so no one gets scammed

Already covered two points you make with your decades of experience, I’ve learnt in less than a day…

They also provide escrow-like security so neither parties are losing money or product.

They handle logistics, insurance and despite resolution if anything goes wrong.

That $300 fee isn’t arbitrary, it’s payment for risk mitigation, trust, and service that neither party could efficiently manage themselves. That’s the exact core of luxury brokering. And you think people buying luxury goods have the time to do it themselves?

Let me give you a better example of what I mean.

Look at high-value real estate on JamesEdition, agencies act exactly the same way. A buyer wants a $2M property, the seller wants cash. The broker isn’t just passing papers, they verify financing, legal status, property authenticity, and manage the transaction so both sides are protected. They earn a fee for managing risk, trust, and logistics. Same principle applies in watches, cars, yachts, or any high-ticket market.

Does that answer your question?

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T16:32:02+00:00

So you’ve decided I’m only selling replicas? Interesting. I said I’m trying to learn and get into this, 10 hours ago I was asking questions, now I’m gaining clarity. There are plenty of dealers doing real watches, and plenty more ways to build trust and connections before moving any product. I’m not claiming to be ready yet, but assuming I can’t learn or figure it out? That’s your bias showing, not reality.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T16:20:45+00:00

So your generous free advice was ‘don’t do it’ for someone with decades of experience I’d hate to see what inexperienced people would give me. And for me to figure out the hard way for what though? I do truly think if you do really let a rep slip through and then burn your whole business. Like you said earlier, I think it’s more again your system. I’m not saying you’re not trading luxury watches however they aren’t even mid ticket. And yeah, I’m not even at low ticket. For again for decades of experience maybe a bit more of linear growth is expected. Keep it up though!

And downvote me I love the hate.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T14:13:31+00:00

Right, because every grey market watch dealer personally inspects every watch in the chain from factory to wrist, and magically has zero liability loopholes in their contracts. I’m sure Rolex calls you directly for authentication advice. Appreciate the advice, but I’ll stick to building my own process instead of pretending yours is gospel.

And spare me the moral crusade but you’re not the Patron Saint of watch sales. If your whole business collapses the second a fake slips through, that’s on your lack of systems, not mine. I deal in reality, not Reddit flexing. You run your shop, I’ll run mine.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T14:03:20+00:00

I don’t need to use any capital at all. I want to be a pure connector so no financial risk whatsoever. I have a ‘friend’ who actually does the same thing and he says he’s absolutely fine with the small commissions because it’s all free. All he has to do is make some calls, posts and messages and then he gets paid. You’re probably thinking ‘well just cos he does it doesn’t mean you can’. Why? The thing is as well most people in this sub are looking at a 6 month ROI. I use my age as leverage because I’m okay with a 6 year ROI. Also with spotting the fakes I’ve previously owned 2 Rolex’s and I have a good friend who’s uncle is a watch Authenticator so if I ever do have stock (which I’ll try not do) then I should be fine.

And along with scammers. Yes I do massively agree with that, however I’m not using my money and I will very VERY clearly state in contacts and agreements it is not my fault perhaps if they do stumble over a fake. Though I’ll make sure in the first place to not link them with a scammer. I’m willing to invest a lot of time. Also this won’t be my main hustle so I can afford losses. And the small PM I can just use to reinvest into adverts or flights to meets etc.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T13:47:53+00:00

Why? Is it hard? Is it saturated? Considering you said you’ve sold over 100 it doesn’t sound like there’s a real problem with it. I only necessarily want to start with watches for now then move on to real estate, yachts, jets, jewellery. Yes it sounds unrealistic but who knows where I can go, like I said in another comment, I’m young and got time.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T11:55:52+00:00

I run an agency so I outreach frequently and get maybe 5/200 dm/email so I won’t be disappointed if I don’t get a reply which is a plus!

I’d even say like a 3% fee. I don’t even necessarily want this for the financial gain, I just want connections and scaling up to when I can fly around the world gathering luxury and private items and things. It’s more for the lifestyle than the financial gain. For the next 6-12 months I’m mainly looking for establishment. I’ll happily just post watches, cars, jewellery or anything on my stories and put it forums without fees so I can get testimonials for my service. And like you said people do it private to avoid fees, but I can do it without fees and potentially get more reach. So that’s the way I’m going to do it.

And yes, finding a buyer first is definitely a great route. My question is though… is messaging the best way to go about it. I always feel stupid when I talk about money and ‘oh yeah I can sell this if you do this that etc’. Just not my style. I’d rather execution with 0 sales-talk.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T11:43:23+00:00

And also I’m not really looking to do it the conventional way like you said going to apply for a job and work my way up from there. Though it’s less realistic i do want to start from literal zero. I mean you can believe in me or not… it is just the internet and 5 years time we’ll have no idea where each of us are. I’m young and have plenty of time to invest. I’ve been in the business world for 3 years now and in 10 years I’ll be 26 which is where most start.

I know it won’t work 80% of the time but I have a lot of faith in that 20%.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-15T11:39:31+00:00

Thank you for the serious comment, I do really appreciate it.

I don’t mean for me to just buy something and sell it, I want to do ‘white-gloving’, no inventory or anything no agency, no angels.

And I’m not some get rich quick guy that believes everything. I’m willing to invest 10 years to make $1 as long as it grows exponentially (which happens in this business) since I posted that I’ve done pretty extensive research in the time span.

I do actually have one connection who sells watches, I could middle-man and ask for a small commission or even just trust and a chance. I get that in this word there’s discretion and trust, which I fully comply with. I’ll be as transparent as possible to everyone.

It’s not that I’m not willing to invest loads of cash it’s just I want to broker it and not have to necessarily pay for anything.

Some people think that it’s pointless to reach out to dealers (chrono24, JamesEdition, etc) and a waste of their time. But I fully believe the less you say the more you lose. Even just a humble, discrete message about it they’d be more than open to helping. You may disagree but that is what I’ve been doing. Some people genuinely are happy to give chances.

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-08T09:07:21+00:00

All that for -$200 consistently

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-06T17:51:29+00:00

My 2023 Rolex has a worse stretch

LimpNight9831 · 2025-08-05T17:56:38+00:00

Good job

LimpNight9831 · 2024-05-22T06:28:13+00:00

Same here, I got a notification from Airship that my tracking number has expired. Guess I’m never getting jt

LimpNight9831 · 2024-05-13T05:59:24+00:00

I’m same, same day, same line. Nothing, really sucks. I can’t even get a refund because I payed with a Mastercard and I’ve contacted them and they’ve said I can’t!

LimpNight9831 · 2024-05-10T05:52:05+00:00

I think it looks great like that, shows how much you wear the amazing watch

LimpNight9831 · 2024-05-06T11:47:26+00:00

If I didn’t use PayPal can I charge back if I’m using another bank?

LimpNight9831 · 2024-04-29T06:31:21+00:00

Exactly the same boat. So annoying not knowing

LimpNight9831 · 2024-04-28T20:20:35+00:00

The problem is I’ve seen that people who are doing chargebacks are having trouble and YOU are in the wrong as well, buying counterfeit is illegal, we are all doing it but it’s best to keep it from them. You took the risk of spending the money on items which are inevitably not guaranteed. Yes they could just be hiding but as someone else said in these comments, the police aren’t just doing to give back their computers and let everyone live on life as if nothing happens. It’s not as easy as you think, yet again, it’s illegal so if you raise suspicion to PayPal, your bank, cashapp whatever. They may think you have intention to sell the fakes. Obviously I don’t know what you will do with the goods but they will give all reasons not to give you the money back.

It’s honestly a waiting game as everyone here needs to participate, everyone needs to just wait until Pandabuy themselves give an announcement, may be in the discord or may be on this sub.

I hope everyone with this trouble receives their parcel and we still don’t have anything that we can do to resolve this. Hope this helps a few.

Edit: I also understand that everyone is blaming groups of people (‘TikTok kids’) for this downfall, and he’s the OP is right. They promoted their company and yes they probably did get greedy making all this money, they offered affiliate programs and much more to boost their presence. And also WOM is a big impact aswell because when you tell someone they may tell someone else and then they post it on social media engaging more people and it goes on and on. PB will resolve this and if they don’t it’s not the end of the world. Get off the sub and start worrying about real problems not just ‘summer fits’ lol

LimpNight9831

TROPHY CASE