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A. Lange & Söhne

You're constantly asking for buying advice...

 

And while we're all ecstatic for you that you are getting these pieces and we're all happy for you that you're financially secure to be able to afford them, the thing that makes me wonder is this...

1.  What are your values?  What do you need/want from this purchase? 

If you're looking for a piece where you can have maximum liquidity, yes, buy one with the box.  As the transaction is slowed by pieces without boxes/papers.  If you're looking to just have a piece ASAP at the lowest possible price, one sans box is a good way to do it...  Also, can the seller even prove they own the watch?  People have bought stolen watches, only to get into trouble when they service them...  

2.  What's preventing you from buying new?

I'm sure you're a successful individual, you're probably moderately to very successful to buy these timepieces.  And if you're just from a fortunate situation, you're certainly prudent to consider buying them used.  But, you've probably heard the saying, "cheap people often have expensive lessons" and "penny wise, pound foolish."  Don't buy something used if you don't know how to do it.  Put your own eyes on the watch, meet the person yourself.  There are some people who are good at buying used.  And there are some people who would love to save the money but due to lack of certain characteristics make them much more risky to buy used and thus they should probably buy new.  

3.  And our advice on the forums from a few members is, "buy the seller" or "buy from a seller you trust completely." 

That goes without saying...  If you can't trust the person, who cares if they say the watch is in perfect, unpolished, and un-stolen condition?  

All said with the best intentions!  We all want you to be happy with your purchase.  

Buying used is one of the most difficult things one can do.  Buying something new is easy...  You're buying a commodity.  Buying something used is not a commodity, every piece is different.  Personally, I'd pay a lot more on a used piece from someone I can trust and whom I believe share the same values I do.  But then paying so much more sometimes negates the price advantage of buying used when the delta isn't that far from new.  

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