Who pays for the authentication at an AD, pre-sale?

[watch watcher]

Say you found your "grail" Rolex from a so-called untrusted source (eBay, Craig's List). You, the buyer, want to meet the seller at an AD for an authentication. Seller's more than willing to comply with that proviso. Who pays the ~$100 authentication fee -- the seller, the buyer or split the fee?

If the seller states in his ad that he'd gladly meet at an AD for authentication, is it implied that he, the seller, pays the fee?

[nauticajoe]

Split the fee. Enjoy the watch.

[dddrees]

I would never consider that condition or any other condition implied. In fact you may want to call or visit prior to ensure the Ad will actually authenicate the watch for you. Some may or may not do it in the first place.

[snaggle]

I have done many kinds of authentications on items other than watches etc... Usually the way I do it is that if it comes out authentic, the person who is buying the watch pays for the fee and the watch price. If it comes out fake, the seller pays for it and keeps the watch ofcourse.

I have done this tactic mostly with buying cars. The seller claims the car has no mechanical issues for example, so I tell him okay, look, well take it to a garage for a full check-up. If it comes out AS YOU SAID, I will pay the fee, if it comes out otherwise, you pay the fee, since you told me it has no problems...

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by snaggle

I have done many kinds of authentications on items other than watches etc... Usually the way I do it is that if it comes out authentic, the person who is buying the watch pays for the fee and the watch price. If it comes out fake, the seller pays for it and keeps the watch ofcourse.

I have done this tactic mostly with buying cars. The seller claims the car has no mechanical issues for example, so I tell him okay, look, well take it to a garage for a full check-up. If it comes out AS YOU SAID, I will pay the fee, if it comes out otherwise, you pay the fee, since you told me it has no problems...

Good course of action.

I think the OP just needs to makes sure it's agreed upon prior to the authenication.

[salem65]

I would think that since you are the one questioning the authenticity, it is on you to pay for authentication regardless if it comes out fake or real.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by salem65

i would think that since you are the one questioning the authenticity, it is on you to pay for authentication regardless if it comes out fake or real.

+1

[HL65]

I would buy from sellers that were well known and highly regarded where you don't even need to thnk about doing that. If I have to authenticate a watch from soemeone I guess I bought it from the wrong guy...JMHO

[Vaxe]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

I would buy from sellers that were well known and highly regarded where you don't even need to thnk about doing that. If I have to authenticate a watch from soemeone I guess I bought it from the wrong guy...JMHO

The fact remains that volume resellers can still occasionally overlook. Even if you do trust the seller to not knowingly sell you a fake/defective piece, there is still the chance that the seller may unknowingly sell you a bad watch.

When buying used, I always recommend opening up the case to not only authenticate, but to check for mechanical problems as well.

Avoids unpleasant surprises for both party.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Vaxe

The fact remains that volume resellers can still occasionally overlook. Even if you do trust the seller to not knowingly sell you a fake/defective piece, there is still the chance that the seller may unknowingly sell you a bad watch.

When buying used, I always recommend opening up the case to not only authenticate, but to check for mechanical problems as well.

Avoids unpleasant surprises for both party.

Good thing it has never happened in my 25 years of collecting! Lucky me...

Ps. If you feel compelled to have AD authenticate then it is clearly on the buyer.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

I would buy from sellers that were well known and highly regarded where you don't even need to thnk about doing that. If I have to authenticate a watch from soemeone I guess I bought it from the wrong guy...JMHO

X2 Ken and lets be honest most any watchmaker could get the back off a Rolex its not rocket science, and there is no mistaking a genuine Rolex movement.And no disrespect to any AD most could not tell if any parts in movement were not genuine Rolex anyway.And today the average Rolex watch will run for 10 years plus without the need for any part change anyway.

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by snaggle

I have done many kinds of authentications on items other than watches etc... Usually the way I do it is that if it comes out authentic, the person who is buying the watch pays for the fee and the watch price. If it comes out fake, the seller pays for it and keeps the watch ofcourse.

I have done this tactic mostly with buying cars. The seller claims the car has no mechanical issues for example, so I tell him okay, look, well take it to a garage for a full check-up. If it comes out AS YOU SAID, I will pay the fee, if it comes out otherwise, you pay the fee, since you told me it has no problems...

Agreed

[Runnin' Rebel]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Agreed

[azguy]

It's always going to be the buyer that pays, I'm pretty sure the seller is going to say "I know the watch is real, you want the inspection, you pay"

On a side note, I called around the other day and the two AD's in town here would not even do a pre-purchase inspection, at any price

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by azguy

It's always going to be the buyer that pays, I'm pretty sure the seller is going to say "I know the watch is real, you want the inspection, you pay"

On a side note, I called around the other day and the two AD's in town here would not even do a pre-purchase inspection, at any price

I think this will become the norm. For the AD it's not worth the potential liability. This is the sue happy USA. No need for a plausible reason - just sue. Most times it is more cost effective to settle - even if you are right.

[FeelingTheBlues]

Originally Posted by azguy

It's always going to be the buyer that pays, I'm pretty sure the seller is going to say "I know the watch is real, you want the inspection, you pay"

I kind of agree with that. I had my SMP authenticated at an Omega AD in Montreal prior to the purchase because I didn't know the seller. It turned out the jeweler didn't charge me anything for it but had he decided to do so I would have paid for it since it was my choice. To me it's a bit like paying for shipping.

[larryccf]

Originally Posted by azguy

It's always going to be the buyer that pays, I'm pretty sure the seller is going to say "I know the watch is real, you want the inspection, you pay"

On a side note, I called around the other day and the two AD's in town here would not even do a pre-purchase inspection, at any price

X2 -had similiar experience. it seems they're afraid of missing something and then being held responsible, and to be frank, i don't blame them. But even after i suggested i only wanted an opinion and they could state on the inspection report/invoice it was only an opinion (same as house inspection reports), they didn't care for the work.

[train-time]

Originally Posted by azguy

It's always going to be the buyer that pays, I'm pretty sure the seller is going to say "I know the watch is real, you want the inspection, you pay"

On a side note, I called around the other day and the two AD's in town here would not even do a pre-purchase inspection, at any price

I had a similar experience when selling a bnib 16610LV. The potential buyer was located in a neighboring state wanted to meet at an AD to have the watch authenticated. I called 5 AD's between our locations that I knew and only 1 said they would do it and they charged $150 and would have to send it to their other location where their certified watch repair department was located. They said the whole process would take a week. I passed on the sale as the watch was still wrapped in factory plastics and I wasn't going to allow anybody to mess with it.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by watch watcher

Say you found your "grail" Rolex from a so-called untrusted source (eBay, Craig's List). You, the buyer, want to meet the seller at an AD for an authentication. Seller's more than willing to comply with that proviso. Who pays the ~$100 authentication fee -- the seller, the buyer or split the fee?

If the seller states in his ad that he'd gladly meet at an AD for authentication, is it implied that he, the seller, pays the fee?

I would not even begin to look for my grail - or anything close - on eBay or Craigslist.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Speed

I would not even begin to look for my grail - or anything close - on eBay or Craigslist.

i think you limit yourself significantly. you can find super deals all over and it makes sense to keep an open mind.

as long as you practice common sense in your dealings, this save you tons of time and money. just my $.02

[azguy]

as a follow-up...both AD's told me they were in the watch selling business and not their to facilitate private sales

[liuk3]

I would say buyer pays unless you can negotiate otherwise, just like pre-purchase inspections some people do when buying used cars.

[F&Iguy]

2X buy the seller then the watch. good luck I hope you find the right one

[Scott95]

It's like any detail in a business transaction - you negotiate it. Just make sure you do that before you meet.

[Htab]

I would say the buyer pays. The seller already knows the watch is real.

[Lion]

I believe as has been stated, the buyer would pay the fee unless prior arrangements have been made!!!

[sub2004]

I dont think an AD should do authentication. The AD is just that, an "authorised dealer" and not an authorised authenticator ....

Only a Rolex Service Centre should touch authentication. An AD could get it wrong and has no authority to authenticate a watch in most cases.

I would rather RSC receive the watch, authenticate and give a formal letter/note confirming and pointing out if service or other matters are required etc

[general]

The buyer pays for a piece of mind. I don't see the sellers paying for it since they claim the item is as described. Although you may try to negotiate it in the price.

[train-time]

IMHO, the buyer would be the one to pay for authentication. Personally I wouldn't trust the average AD's competance to authenticate a Rolex unless they had their own Rolex Certified watch repair person on site, which most don't. It would require the watch to be opened up also and as a seller I would be very reluctant to allow anybody to open and reseal the watch.

[77T]

In general I agree with others who said you might be better off by looking at a trusted source - like sellers who specialize in high-end watches and who focus on the brand you're seeking (in this case Rolex).

But, that said, if you have a trusted watchmaker at an AD and meet the seller there, then I believe the cost is yours once it's done.

But my one suggestion is to quickly do your own visual inspection of the piece + "size up" the seller's validity before handing it over to the watchmaker and incurring costs. A real Rolex at a very good price could also mean it was stolen.