Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
- Morethan1
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Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Hey guys,
I've put in a lot of work ever since the last time I posted about Find A Watchmaker. I was able to gather some pretty cool watchmakers on the website. I also did a facelift to the home page.
What do you think?
http://www.findawatchmaker.com
I've put in a lot of work ever since the last time I posted about Find A Watchmaker. I was able to gather some pretty cool watchmakers on the website. I also did a facelift to the home page.
What do you think?
http://www.findawatchmaker.com
- JP Chestnut
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
It's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
- Morethan1
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
And how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Chicken and egg type scenario
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:43 amAnd how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
You need to discount heavily early on to get people to see the risk as worthwhile (while offering a strong warranty). You can gradually switch over to more favorable terms as you get the reputation up.
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Morethan1 wrote:And how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Maybe compile a dossier? ;-)
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
It's not really a chicken and egg scenario. It's very clear you need to invest first.
- JP Chestnut
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Now that's the kind of thinking that's going to lead to success!Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:43 amAnd how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Chicken and egg type scenario
Offer a huge discount and then put your own skin in the game. If you trust these guys, offer to pay out of pocket to compensate for their fuck ups. These guys are offering prices which are almost 1/3 the people I would trust and the turn around is half as long. That's going to raise eyebrows.
- Morethan1
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Sounds like a plan!JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:56 amNow that's the kind of thinking that's going to lead to success!Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:43 amAnd how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Chicken and egg type scenario
Offer a huge discount and then put your own skin in the game. If you trust these guys, offer to pay out of pocket to compensate for their fuck ups.
1. Convince the watchmakers to lower their prices.
2. Offer insurance
3. Offer cash incentives IF they fuck something up.
Any other Gold ideas guys
- streetracer101
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
It is your pet project. You want me to assume all the risk of sending a $10k plus watch to an un-vetted watchmaker who's charging less than the standard market price?Morethan1 wrote:Sounds like a plan!JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:56 amNow that's the kind of thinking that's going to lead to success!Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:43 amAnd how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Chicken and egg type scenario
Offer a huge discount and then put your own skin in the game. If you trust these guys, offer to pay out of pocket to compensate for their fuck ups.
1. Convince the watchmakers to lower their prices.
2. Offer insurance
3. Offer cash incentives IF they fuck something up.
Any other Gold ideas guys
As the saying goes, if it sounds to good to be true...
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
You asked for feedback.....There is the feedback....Valid concerns as far as i see.Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:59 amSounds like a plan!JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:56 amNow that's the kind of thinking that's going to lead to success!Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:43 amAnd how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Chicken and egg type scenario
Offer a huge discount and then put your own skin in the game. If you trust these guys, offer to pay out of pocket to compensate for their fuck ups.
1. Convince the watchmakers to lower their prices.
2. Offer insurance
3. Offer cash incentives IF they fuck something up.
Any other Gold ideas guys
- Morethan1
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
I'll add references manually so vetting can be easier.streetracer101 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 10:07 amIt is your pet project. You want me to assume all the risk of sending a $10k plus watch to an un-vetted watchmaker who's charging less than the standard market price?Morethan1 wrote:Sounds like a plan!JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:56 amNow that's the kind of thinking that's going to lead to success!Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:43 amAnd how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Chicken and egg type scenario
Offer a huge discount and then put your own skin in the game. If you trust these guys, offer to pay out of pocket to compensate for their fuck ups.
1. Convince the watchmakers to lower their prices.
2. Offer insurance
3. Offer cash incentives IF they fuck something up.
Any other Gold ideas guys
As the saying goes, if it sounds to good to be true...
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Insured shipping is a given.
- JP Chestnut
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- streetracer101
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Serious question - how'd you vet these watchmakers? What stops me from signing up as a watchmaker and keeping all the watches that are sent to me and disappearing?
Have you actually used the services of any of these guys?
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Have you actually used the services of any of these guys?
Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
it seems like the same few guys regardless of what Geography you pick.
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
I just clicked on CW21, Rolex, and automatic movement service and it brings up 1 result $600 for Watchmaker's International. That's Bob Ridley who's got a bad rep a few years ago. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=366706 Not sure what the current reputation is on Bob though, it may have just been a rough patch in an otherwise good career.
Also no specifics on what's included. Does it include case /bracelet refinishing; new tube, stem, mainspring; pressure testing (to what depth - DSSD requires special equipment); warranty, etc.? WAY TOO little information provided and at that price, I'd just go to RUSA and get their warranty.
Also no specifics on what's included. Does it include case /bracelet refinishing; new tube, stem, mainspring; pressure testing (to what depth - DSSD requires special equipment); warranty, etc.? WAY TOO little information provided and at that price, I'd just go to RUSA and get their warranty.
Last edited by BacoNoir on Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
- james80
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Couple of things
Once you leave the home page and get into the sharetribe section of the site you can't go back, whilst there may not be much reason to go back I think clicking the home link on the top left should reopen the home page.
Do I, the watch owner, pay you or the watch maker?
Do you make per transaction or do watchmakers pay to be on the site?
You had stated "our watchmakers" I think you need to be careful with that language (did you change that)?
I'd like to understand who liable for what? Your terms of service aren't very clear, yes they are sharetribes terms of service but where do you fit in?
On the IG page I think you should remove the AirBNB reference, it's cheesy and unless offering added services and protection like they do it's not a fitting reference.
All in all I think it's a good idea but I think you need to be very clear from the outset what you are. An advertising medium, a community, a trusted source of repairs?
And unfortunately building a web based service isn't free, if on the other hand you're thinking it's a community and hope to build on happy users and actual reviews it's going to take a while.
In a nut shell yes, why should users trust your watchmaker? Why should they trust you? Whats the vetting process? What guarantees do I have if using a vetted (approved) service provider? If you want to be AirBNB or Uber you have to be prepared to take some risk. No one wants to hear that you're an uninterested third party.
If on the other hand you are strictly administrating a community where everyone is responsible for their own content and peoples decisions are based on feedback from other members your responsibility is very different. I'll say it one last time I think you have to be very clear about what you are and how you communicate that to the general public so as to manage expectations. Once you decide what you are you can plan to grow whatever that is. All I know is it's won't be quick and it won't be free.
- Morethan1
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
If there is this much discussion and confusion, then I’ve clearly failed at conveying all the info. I really appreciate all the input guys.
Noted
I will make sure to make that more visible and evident.
My goal was to be a marketplace where trusted watchmakers could offer their services to others.
The only free thing has been the great feedback from you guys
Sharetribe doesn’t like it when you play with it’s code, so I can’t really change anything from their side. I might have to switch services as it’s becoming an expensive proposition to keep paying for their service with no sales.
I make 5% per transaction.
I will change “our watchmakers”.
Noted
The watchmakers are liable.
I will make sure to make that more visible and evident.
Gotcha
Ya. I realize that.james80 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:22 am
All in all I think it's a good idea but I think you need to be very clear from the outset what you are. An advertising medium, a community, a trusted source of repairs?
And unfortunately building a web based service isn't free, if on the other hand you're thinking it's a community and hope to build on happy users and actual reviews it's going to take a while.
My goal was to be a marketplace where trusted watchmakers could offer their services to others.
Yes, building trust is key. How that’s done will take a while.james80 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:22 am
In a nut shell yes, why should users trust your watchmaker? Why should they trust you? Whats the vetting process? What guarantees do I have if using a vetted (approved) service provider? If you want to be AirBNB or Uber you have to be prepared to take some risk. No one wants to hear that you're an uninterested third party.
Pretty much what you outlined there. But I won’t be just administrating. I will be providing some sort of value in terms of content etc.
Hasn’t been free so far my friend.james80 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:22 am
I'll say it one last time I think you have to be very clear about what you are and how you communicate that to the general public so as to manage expectations. Once you decide what you are you can plan to grow whatever that is. All I know is it's won't be quick and it won't be free.
The only free thing has been the great feedback from you guys
- Morethan1
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Agreed, I have to create a standard template of the watchmakers need to include in their listings to make it absolutely clear what is and what isn't included.BacoNoir wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 11:08 amI just clicked on CW21, Rolex, and automatic movement service and it brings up 1 result $600 for Watchmaker's International. That's Bob Ridley who's got a bad rep a few years ago. https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=366706 Not sure what the current reputation is on Bob though, it may have just been a rough patch in an otherwise good career.
Also no specifics on what's included. Does it include case /bracelet refinishing; new tube, stem, mainspring; pressure testing (to what depth - DSSD requires special equipment); warranty, etc.? WAY TOO little information provided and at that price, I'd just go to RUSA and get their warranty.
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
If you're not willing to invest in the business up front, you have no business taking the cut you want here. You can't pass all the risk onto the customers and just reap rewards.
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Have you considered either using 2 screwdrivers, or scotch tape to ensure smooth transactions?
- logan2z
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
Presumably these watchmakers didn't just open their doors yesterday and sign up for your service. They likely already have reviews on Yelp, Google Reviews, etc. that you can link to in order to bootstrap your reviews section. Don't make your customers do all of the leg work to vet your watchmakers, any existing web reviews should be readily accessible via your web site.Morethan1 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:43 amAnd how would you go about getting reviews for a service no one has used before because there's no reviews...JP Chestnut wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:37 amIt's a nice looking website. I am, however, dubious of the quality of a Rolex Daytona movement service that costs $550 with a three-week turn around time. I wouldn't consider sending my Daytona without a massive number of positive reviews. I wouldn't "go live" without a critical mass of reviews.
Chicken and egg type scenario
Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
So the prices look decent. But who are they ?. Montoya showed an example which is I assume, purported to be their case refinishing.
It is however a picture of a Brit watchmakers work, lifted from a UK watch forum thread. That's pretty concerning.
https://findawatchmaker.sharetribe.com/ ... estoration
http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.ph ... ke/&page=3
It is however a picture of a Brit watchmakers work, lifted from a UK watch forum thread. That's pretty concerning.
https://findawatchmaker.sharetribe.com/ ... estoration
http://www.thewatchforum.co.uk/index.ph ... ke/&page=3
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Re: Find A Watchmaker: Finally got some traction!
This really is the "two screwdrivers" of start ups.
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