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@Anonymous wrote:

If one is not checking out the competition, planning to buy an item or

planning to repurchase an item then why have it on a watch list ?

For a bet or just coz and that's my secret business.

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I have items on my watch list for a number of reasons. (I'm not going to post some of those reasons, but it's nothing to do with checking out the competition. I do not sell on eBay. I'm not a retailer. I'm a buyer.)

One of the reasons that I will divulge is that my watched items include items I may buy at some point. As a collector, there is no way in the world that I can buy every piece of Georgian silver that catches my eye. If sellers fling offers at me, I still won't be able to afford all of the items that I'd like. Good lord, we'd be talking millions! And bear in mind that eBay is not even my main hunting ground for antiques.

So... I buy gradually and judiciously, juggling decisions, making choices, using my watch list as a sort of catalogue, I suppose. Some pieces I may never buy as I can't justify their cost, but I'm still keeping them in my "catalogue" while they're still available. Who knows? Some complete stranger may thrust ten million dollars in used bills into my hands one of these days.

I don't want sellers to interfere with my rational buying decisions which I make with due regard for living expenses, bills, other purchases, saving strategy, etc. It's intrusive and unwanted.

Another of the reasons that I will divulge is that my watched items also include items that are problematic, upon which I may feel I need to act. I don't want sellers contacting me about such items.

Other reasons are private and ... I'm not trying to be a smart aleck or offensive, but eBay does allow buyers to watch items without marking a reason for watching it, so I will have to gracefully bow out of explaining any further reasons.