Ever had eBay authenticated watch turn out not to be genuine?

[Josunese1975]

Anyone purchased a luxury watch through eBay authentication process that turned out to be not so authentic when the watch was sent to an AD or a reputable watchmaker for service or verification? If so, what's the recourse?

[Guybrush]

Can’t say I’ve had this particular experience—have you, or are you just worried about the possibility?

If you research the Authenticity Guarantee program, I think you’ll find that a lot of people have had issues with it. Just my opinion, but I would avoid buying a Rolex on eBay at all costs.

[TheHulk]

Never ever ever would I buy a watch from eBay!!!!

[burnthesehills]

I recently went through this process. Both me as the buyer and the seller tried to avoid to no avail. It all ended well and the watch arrived as the seller described. It was authenticated by a watchmaker out of Ohio IIRC and they seemed to be legit and well established. But I did not find this out until after the authentication process.

So in my situation it worked out nicely. I can’t say the authentication process did a whole lot for me and honestly I have no idea exactly what they did. I was also in a unique situation where I got to know the seller and had a ton of communication with him prior to purchase. He was a watch collector not a dealer. So I “bought the seller” and felt comfortable even without the authentication. What it an extra layer of security and peace of mind? I suppose.

But to answer your question, I would take the issue up with ebay with proof. You would have a valid claim against them if an ebay authenticated watch turned out to be counterfeit (along with the seller).

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Never ever ever would I buy a watch from eBay!!!!

+1

Never ever, ever.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Never ever ever would I buy a watch from eBay!!!!

Nothing more to add except this verbatim. If you already bought the watch then this is exactly why I have the point of view of the quoted post.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Never ever ever would I buy a watch from eBay!!!!

Or anything else that has a value of more than $500. That’s when the dipshits start showing up.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Never ever ever would I buy a watch from eBay!!!!

I've bought a few used watches on ebay with out any problems.

This was before the authentication thing.

They were not big money watches though and I would rather buy watches locally.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Never ever ever would I buy a watch from eBay!!!!

You should try it. It’s as good if not better than Chrono24. I’ve sold a lot of watches via Authenticity Guarantee without any issues at all, including some purchases. It’s a very good experience.

The good stuff I still buy through Trusted Sellers.

[Incroyable12]

A lot of the big secondhand dealers actually sell on eBay.

People like Gray & Sons, Andrew Shear, and Matthew Bain. However their usernames might be different.

[EndlessEight]

I can tell you right now that eBay authentication is bogus.


I was looking at a pair of high end shoes and I could tell they were counterfeit from a glaring mistake in the production and they were eBay verified.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

I can tell you right now that eBay authentication is bogus.

I was looking at a pair of high end shoes and I could tell they were counterfeit from a glaring mistake in the production and they were eBay verified.

Items are not verified authentic until after they are purchased and are sent to a third party.
So, how do you know they were verified authentic, if you did not purchase them.

[michaelodonnell123]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

Items are not verified authentic until after they are purchased and are sent to a third party.
So, how do you know they were verified authentic, if you did not purchase them.

Crickets, Crickets....he has no answer.

[favre12rodgers]

To echo what was previously said, I sold my Navitimer on there a few months ago and it was an easy process….sent watch to the authenticator and they sent it to the buyer after authentication. Buyer was happy with the watch. I feel you are probably safer buying on Ebay than Chrono because at least someone is authenticating it by examining it.

I actually think EBay has done a good job of trying to make it the place to buy watches. The cost to sell was really reasonable, too. I think I paid around 5 percent to sell the Breitling.

A lot of sellers have return policies on EBay. I’ve bought a watch or two and returned it after trying it on because I didn’t love it (because where else can you find any of these watches to actually try on). I didn’t pay a restock fee, either (these were pre-owned watches, not new).

[Nickn]

Originally Posted by favre12rodgers

To echo what was previously said, I sold my Navitimer on there a few months ago and it was an easy process….sent watch to the authenticator and they sent it to the buyer after authentication. Buyer was happy with the watch. I feel you are probably safer buying on Ebay than Chrono because at least someone is authenticating it by examining it.

I actually think EBay has done a good job of trying to
make it the place to buy watches. The cost to sell was really reasonable, too. I think I paid around 5 percent to sell the Breitling.

A lot of sellers have return policies on EBay. I’ve bought a watch or two and returned it after trying it on because I didn’t love it (because where else can you find any of these watches to actually try on). I didn’t pay a restock fee, either (these were pre-owned watches, not new).

The Bain of sellers on eBay
And the poor seller has to pay the return postage
I’ve sold watches for spares or repair returned because they don’t work
“It looks smaller in person “
“I bought this for my dads birthday and he doesn’t like it!’

[anodyne13]

I got an older watch in the $3k range that went through the eBay authentication process. It was quick and extra peace of mind, however I was pretty sure it was authentic before I purchased. Not sure how I would feel about a newer Rolex on eBay, the fakes are so good now.

[stockae92]

eBay authentication adds zero value in my book. I just delay the shipping. :p

I still only buy the seller and pick-n-choose on the watches.

[JRedford]

I bought a Tudor Pellagos that was eBay authenticated. The extra step was really simple…it was sent to a watchmaker who looked at it with a loupe and opened the caseback to examine the movement.

This is not rocket science folks.

[Booth9999]

Originally Posted by JRedford

I bought a Tudor Pellagos that was eBay authenticated. The extra step was really simple…it was sent to a watchmaker who looked at it with a loupe and opened the caseback to examine the movement.

This is not rocket science folks.

This. I have done it twice both with great results.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by JRedford

This is not rocket science folks.

Apparently it is.
People can't seem to wrap their head around that it is authenticated after purchase not before.

And that the biggest watch dealers in the world are on eBay, so it is no different than buying from anyone else.
(Except now there is an intermediary that authenticates wristwatches over $2'000)

[Nickn]

I watched a 1500 sell yesterday with eBay authentication
Lots of the movement parts looked questionable including the balance

[Mifune]

Originally Posted by Nickn

I watched a 1500 sell yesterday with eBay authentication
Lots of the movement parts looked questionable including the balance

I dont understand a single thing you just said...

[Nickn]

Originally Posted by Mifune

I dont understand a single thing you just said...

My point is when it does go for ebays authentication the bad parts will be picked up and the watch returned to the seller
You would hope

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Nickn

I watched a 1500 sell yesterday with eBay authentication
Lots of the movement parts looked questionable including the balance

Again the item does not get authenticated until after the item is sold.
It is first shipped to the authenticator, who looks at it and rejects or sends it on to the buyer.

It is not authenticated before the listing.

[m j b]

I've bought several watches on eBay, some inexpensive beaters, a quartz Omega (back in the old days) and a fake Breitling, which I sent back. That last one had me sweating for a while. You can buy the seller all day long, but this guy claimed that he had no idea it was fake.

It's just another tool to use. Hopefully it discourages the really bad fake sellers.

The only place to buy a used Rolex is here, where everyone is trustworthy.

.

[Trailboss516]

In my opinion buying a watch on eBay is like buying a watch on Craigslist.

[JRedford]

Originally Posted by Trailboss516

In my opinion buying a watch on eBay is like buying a watch on Craigslist.

Have you ever done either? What was your experience like?

[Trailboss516]

Originally Posted by JRedford

Have you ever done either? What was your experience like?

Definitely not, and not planning on it.

[Spartacus]

Yes. Look up HorologyHouse for more details. It happens and I’m sure there are people wearing fakes right now thinking they have an authentic watch.