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25 August 2022, 11:40 AM | #1 |
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Ever had eBay authenticated watch turn out not to be genuine?
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?
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25 August 2022, 11:51 AM | #2 |
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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. |
25 August 2022, 11:52 AM | #3 |
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Never ever ever would I buy a watch from eBay!!!!
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25 August 2022, 11:55 AM | #4 |
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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. |
25 August 2022, 12:00 PM | #5 |
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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). |
25 August 2022, 12:59 PM | #6 |
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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. |
25 August 2022, 01:41 PM | #7 |
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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.
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25 August 2022, 02:22 PM | #8 |
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25 August 2022, 03:28 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
So, how do you know they were verified authentic, if you did not purchase them. |
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25 August 2022, 04:59 PM | #10 |
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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.
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25 August 2022, 06:46 PM | #11 |
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25 August 2022, 06:55 PM | #12 |
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25 August 2022, 10:26 PM | #13 |
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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.
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26 August 2022, 12:36 AM | #14 |
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This. I have done it twice both with great results.
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26 August 2022, 04:51 AM | #15 |
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I watched a 1500 sell yesterday with eBay authentication
Lots of the movement parts looked questionable including the balance |
26 August 2022, 07:08 AM | #16 |
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26 August 2022, 09:25 AM | #17 | |
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Quote:
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. |
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26 August 2022, 09:32 AM | #18 |
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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) |
26 August 2022, 09:29 PM | #19 |
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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. .
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27 August 2022, 04:18 AM | #20 |
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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.
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27 August 2022, 10:03 AM | #21 |
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27 August 2022, 11:05 AM | #22 |
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In my opinion buying a watch on eBay is like buying a watch on Craigslist.
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27 August 2022, 11:46 AM | #23 |
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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.
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27 August 2022, 12:03 PM | #24 |
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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.
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27 August 2022, 12:23 PM | #25 |
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Have you ever done either? What was your experience like?
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27 August 2022, 01:16 PM | #26 |
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28 August 2022, 03:44 PM | #27 |
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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). |
29 August 2022, 07:26 AM | #28 | |
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Quote:
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!’ |
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29 August 2022, 11:15 AM | #29 |
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29 August 2022, 03:27 PM | #30 |
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Guess what, it's called Ebay. If sellers don't like it...then they can do a no returns policy or sell elsewhere. GTFO....
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