Question on buying privately

[noshame]

Hi members, quick question please. My good friend wants to buy his first Rolex, a DJ41. He found one on Facebook Marketplace, local, and new.

I have no experience buying outside of an AD, but I want to help my friend out so my question is:

if the watch passes the "eye" test, AND the serial number on the rehaut matches both the warranty card and invoice, would that satisfy your doubts about authenticity ... or would you still get the watch checked at a watchmaker. I'm asking because he would prefer not to have the watch opened up if not needed. Thank you!

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by noshame

Hi members, quick question please. My good friend wants to buy his first Rolex, a DJ41. He found one on Facebook Marketplace, local, and new.

I have no experience buying outside of an AD, but I want to help my friend out so my question is:

if the watch passes the "eye" test, AND the serial number on the rehaut matches both the warranty card and invoice, would that satisfy your doubts about authenticity ... or would you still get the watch checked at a watchmaker. I'm asking because he would prefer not to have the watch opened up if not needed. Thank you!

I would not buy based on this scenario

Good luck

[huncho]

i personally wouldn't be comfortable buying off of facebook ever unless it's some kind of dealer group. spend a few hundred more and go with a seller here for the peace of mind

[Chris]

Originally Posted by huncho

i personally wouldn't be comfortable buying off of facebook ever unless it's some kind of dealer group. spend a few hundred more and go with a seller here for the peace of mind

I've sold 3 rolex on fb market place the latest yesterday.

For security i met the buyer at my bank he checked the watch and was happy. The cashier put the money through the counter, so no chance of forgeries, or buyer switching envelopes for cut up pieces of yesterdays newspaper. Facebook is no different to anyother market, as long as you use common sense and take necessary precautions.

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[huncho]

Originally Posted by Chris

I've sold 3 rolex on fb market place the latest yesterday.

For security i met the buyer at my bank he checked the watch and was happy. The cashier put the money through the counter, so no chance of forgeries, or buyer switching envelopes for cut up pieces of yesterdays newspaper. Facebook is no different to anyother market, as long as you use common sense and take necessary precautions.

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i get it but selling is different than buying, you just expect money back and in your case you made sure it was real by being at a bank. with buying off a random person you'll never have the peace of mind unless you go through the added effort of opening it up

[rmwill]

I have sold on FB in the same manner as you, except inside a police station, but would never buy. Too much work to validate a deal in public.

Originally Posted by Chris

I've sold 3 rolex on fb market place the latest yesterday.

For security i met the buyer at my bank he checked the watch and was happy. The cashier put the money through the counter, so no chance of forgeries, or buyer switching envelopes for cut up pieces of yesterdays newspaper. Facebook is no different to anyother market, as long as you use common sense and take necessary precautions.

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[AlbionJackal]

Originally Posted by Chris

I've sold 3 rolex on fb market place the latest yesterday.

For security i met the buyer at my bank he checked the watch and was happy. The cashier put the money through the counter, so no chance of forgeries, or buyer switching envelopes for cut up pieces of yesterdays newspaper. Facebook is no different to anyother market, as long as you use common sense and take necessary precautions.

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+1

• Buy the seller.
• Do your research.
• Buy with as much supporting evidence as possible, box, papers, service history, original receipt.
• Ask for ID or to meet up at an RSC, even if you don't go though with getting the authentification done by Rolex.
• Don't assume Dealers aren't immune from selling on "dodgy" stock. They are just as bad as private sellers, if not worse, in my experience, sometimes the mistake is genuine, sometimes not.
• If in doubt check it out.

[joli160]

I never do business with private persons. Gladly pay more to buy from well known sellers for a head ache and worry free transaction.

[RUSH2689]

Buy the seller, not the watch

[burnthesehills]

Soooooo many scams out there. He would be lucky to get just a counterfeit Rolex in this scenario, versus being mugged.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by RUSH2689

Buy the seller, not the watch

+1 buy the seller FIRST


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[Flintstone]

Originally Posted by RUSH2689

Buy the seller, not the watch

This.

[mikelprz]

Unless you have already vetted the seller. ie references, prior purchases, etc.

If possible, i would start by trying to take it to a reputable watchmaker who is very knowledgeable on Rolex. This way, you also get to know the condition of the watch.

[alphadweller]

The only way to know if the watch has a genuine movement inside is to have a watchmaker open it up. If the seller is not happy with that, it's a red flag.

This is why a platform like C24 for example operates with an escrow account, to give the buyer the time to have the watch checked.

[rmwill]

Third option. I would not buy a Rolex off Facebook Marketplace.

[ROLEXster]

Meet the seller at Otto Friedl or German Watchmaker if you are in Vancouver.
Be safe and get it checked out before buying.

[Woody]

Sounds to me that you/your friend do not have sufficient experience/knowledge to buy in the way proposed. Go to an AD or a respected dealer......it will likely initial cost more but will give your friend peace of mind.

[ltmgeller]

There are so many good fakes out there, I'd have it authenticated.

[JoseR]

Eye test.. Now a days the fakes that are being made could fool a lot of watch people even some jewelers and especially people new to watches. Do your research and buy from a safe site like C24 which holds your money until you approve the purchase. Better safe, than sorry.

[comanndr]

authenticate for sure
if your not a expert
"rush 2689" is right
buy the seller
when it was my first I went to davis sw
many years ago
never looked back
have many happy watches
and enjoy this hobby
peace of mind is critical

[Cigars&Watches]

In my mind matching serial numbers would be the first thing a scammer would get right to fool you. Too many really good fakes out there to not have it checked by a professional watch maker. Even then I would send it to Rolex to make 100% sure and I’m sure the seller won’t go for that either…

Wait for it at the AD.. build a history, repeat.

[TimeAZ]

My personal take: never buy or sell high-value items on FB

[noshame]

Thank you for all your responses. Pretty much what I expected. Personally, I wouldn't buy from FB or CL. I put in a good word to my SA for my friend but he wouldn't give me a timeline and my friend wants to secure a watch sooner rather than later.

I know the only 100% way to verify is to open the watch up at an experienced watchmaker (Otto or German Watchmaker in Vancouver) but I was seeing if that would be necessary if all the other boxes get ticked.

I will suggest to my friend to not buy this watch, but if he does, he should get it authenticated, otherwise, walk away. Thank you.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by noshame

. . .

I know the only 100% way to verify is to open the watch up at an experienced watchmaker (Otto or German Watchmaker in Vancouver) but I was seeing if that would be necessary if all the other boxes get ticked.

I will suggest to my friend to not buy this watch, but if he does, he should get it authenticated, otherwise, walk away. Thank you.

Correct.

Paperwork doesn't verify or authenticate anything unless it is paper that you have personally commissioned for that purpose.

"Papers" need to be authenticated right along with the watch if it comes with both.

[77T]

Originally Posted by noshame

Thank you for all your responses. Pretty much what I expected. Personally, I wouldn't buy from FB or CL. I put in a good word to my SA for my friend but he wouldn't give me a timeline and my friend wants to secure a watch sooner rather than later.

I know the only 100% way to verify is to open the watch up at an experienced watchmaker (Otto or German Watchmaker in Vancouver) but I was seeing if that would be necessary if all the other boxes get ticked.

I will suggest to my friend to not buy this watch, but if he does, he should get it authenticated, otherwise, walk away. Thank you.

I’d swap that advice around - not to buy any watch from FB or CL.


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[samson66]

So many trustworthy sellers here on TRF, why chance it on FB?

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[KY..]

Originally Posted by noshame

I have no experience buying outside of an AD, but I want to help my friend out so my question is:

if the watch passes the "eye" test, AND the serial number on the rehaut matches both the warranty card and invoice, would that satisfy your doubts about authenticity ... or would you still get the watch checked at a watchmaker.

Facebook, Ebay, C24, IG, walk in jeweler, car parking lot, etc, etc are all the same.
If you don’t know exactly 95% or better what you are getting then you need to do your extra homework to make sure not only is it not fake or a scam, but also that it is not a bunch of aftermarket parts.
The only reason to deviate from this is if it is so cheep that no matter what happens the original Rolex parts that you can immediately authenticate will be of more value than what you pay.
My 2 cents…

[mountainjogger]

I agree with many of the above. Would not choose option a or b. Trusted seller for me only.

Many years ago I would vet watches at my friends' shop who had a Rolex parts account and knew what he was doing. But he has retired and those days are gone for me.

And just FYI, I would never have anyone pop the back without also making sure the seals were good and pressure testing it before I purchased.

[JadeRaven]

Omg a facebook marketplace rolex.

[Lamontsanders]

Do not do this. Spend a little extra and buy from a TS.