I've already made my own mind up on this one.
I've previously pointed out a few instances on the old forum ('outed' being the operative word) that a number of eBay sellers use Instagram to promote their forthcoming listings. Some do it rather more subtly (read sneakily) than others and aren't always so easy to spot. But their intention is always exactly the same: to stir up prior interest. The smarter ones use a different Instagram handle to their eBay user ID and make no reference to it in their Instagram profile.
This morning I made another connection: UK eBay seller terrythewhippet is Instagram poster watchbonobo (Steve).
As you can see, the 7A28-7120 RAF Gen. 1 on a sand coloured NATO (middle second row in his Instagram feed) is, by no small coincidence, nor surprise, exactly the same 7A28-7120 RAF Gen. 1 that he also listed on eBay yesterday morning.
Funnily enough, only yesterday, I'd posted about his eBay listing for an over-priced stainless 7A38-7060 in this thread.
I had also noticed the sentence he'd included in the description, claiming he's not a dealer.
Methinks he doth protest to much.
This morning, I checked Instagram and ran my usual quick searches on hashtags #7a38 and #seiko7A38 to see if anything new of interest had been posted. I spotted this post of a macro shot, that I instantly recognised as being the top part of the dial of a stainless 7A38-7060 - as included in the aforementioned eBay listing. That quickly led me to another post, a wrist shot of the same stainless 7A38-7060, made a couple of hours earlier by the same person - watchbonobo (Steve). I couldn't resist leaving a comment.
In fairness to Steve he had made a number of previous posts of this same stainless 7A38-7060, including these two:
That said, I remain unconvinced. His Instagram profile does state after all:
Steve. Serial flipper. Stick around long enough and I'll sell you a watch...
Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
Re: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
I really should stop browsing Instagram altogether - it's not good for my blood pressure / karma. The more I do, the more the constant outpourings of bullshit, fawning and utter hypocrisy I see serve to incense me. Yesterday poster watchbonobo posted this stainless 7A38-7060, with the bold claim that he'd 'Finally found another one!'.
It wasn't exactly difficult to find. It was listed by UK eBay seller and dealer Ian 'Woody' Woodland a couple of days ago:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334240201349
Matching the numerous small nicks in the bezel rim and the fact they're both May 1984, it's obviously the same watch.
I notice he's since removed that earlier self-incriminating statement from his Instagram profile (leaving just 'Steve'):
Call me cynical if you like (indeed I am), but I'm wondering how long it will be before this stainless 7A38-7060 reappears on eBay, listed by terrythewhippet.
It wasn't exactly difficult to find. It was listed by UK eBay seller and dealer Ian 'Woody' Woodland a couple of days ago:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334240201349
Matching the numerous small nicks in the bezel rim and the fact they're both May 1984, it's obviously the same watch.
I notice he's since removed that earlier self-incriminating statement from his Instagram profile (leaving just 'Steve'):
Call me cynical if you like (indeed I am), but I'm wondering how long it will be before this stainless 7A38-7060 reappears on eBay, listed by terrythewhippet.
Re: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
In hindsight, perhaps I may have been too hasty in prejudging Steve's motives, but as the old adage goes 'a leopard never changes its spots'. Almost as if to prove me wrong, he posted another wrist shot of his stainless 7A38-7060 on Instagram two days ago. He hasn't sold it yet.
Note the wording of the caption and particularly his delightful turn of phrase:
Note the wording of the caption and particularly his delightful turn of phrase:
I guess we agree on that.I'm finding Instagram a bit of a bore now I'm not buying new watches constantly. Nothing is taking my interest and there is so much spammy wank to wade through to see my pals feeds.
Re: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
Looks like terrythewhippet is making a return to the track. Earlier this morning, he listed this well-worn 7A38-706A on eBay. It's been re-lumed in dubious taste, supposedly to look 'aged'. It's shown fitted with a NATO strap, but if you read the description will be supplied as a 'head only', without one.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 4389996319
In fact, I'd previously overlooked to mention that he'd already listed it on eBay once before, earlier this month:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144372006229
Typically, he'd already given it a plug on Instagram (as watchbonobo), back in August last year, using the same photo.
Delightful turn of phrase as always.
Before I could even finish composing and editing this post, there it was gone !
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144389996319
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 4389996319
In fact, I'd previously overlooked to mention that he'd already listed it on eBay once before, earlier this month:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144372006229
Typically, he'd already given it a plug on Instagram (as watchbonobo), back in August last year, using the same photo.
Delightful turn of phrase as always.
Before I could even finish composing and editing this post, there it was gone !
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144389996319
Re: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
Or maybe not. Posted on Instagram yesterday as STILL for sale.Seiko7A38 wrote: ↑Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:54 amTypically, he'd already given it a plug on Instagram (as watchbonobo), back in August last year, using the same photo.
Before I could even finish composing and editing this post, there it was gone !
Re: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
Terrythewhippet's well-worn relumed 7A38-706A is back on eBay again, re-listed this morning, now fitted with a poorly matching blue rally strap. Unlike his two previous listings in January, when it was shown fitted with different NATO straps, this leather strap is actually included in the sale.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 4493450539
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 4493450539
Re: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
Regarding the topic title: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge .... I'd made up my mind a long time ago.Seiko7A38 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:04 pmIn hindsight, perhaps I may have been too hasty in prejudging Steve's motives, but as the old adage goes 'a leopard never changes its spots'. Almost as if to prove me wrong, he posted another wrist shot of his stainless 7A38-7060 on Instagram two days ago. He hasn't sold it yet.
Not exactly a surprise, three months later, there it is, listed on eBay earlier this morning, asking £450 as a Buy-it-Now and using the same wrist shot he'd posted on Instagram, back in January, as his primary image.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-7a38-7 ... 4542837580
Re: Serial Flipper or Dealer ? You be the judge ....
Checking my eBay watching page, I see Steve's stainless 7A38-7060 sold yesterday evening. Not sure whether it actually sold for the full Buy-it-Now price of £450. The eBay Purchase History points to a best offer having been accepted.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144542837580
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144542837580