Has anyone bought off eBay recently?

[BriansRolex]

I'm currently purchasing a Rolex off a seller on eBay and I'm trying to decide if it's worth doing the deal on eBay and using their Authenticity Guarantee service or just doing it directly with the seller and taking it somewhere to get authenticated myself once I receive it. Anyone have feedback? This is for a $45k purchase. Thanks!

[BriansRolex]

To add context the seller has a 100% rating, is a top rated eBay seller and they have a lot of references for watches they've sold.

[brandrea]

Personally at that price point, I’d only buy from one of the trusted sellers here.

Is this reference available at a similar price elsewhere?

[Chadridv]

Unless it's a rare watch that can't be found elsewhere I personally wouldn't.

It's not that I have something agains eBay in general and obviously I have no info on the watch or seller, but you're paying a premium.

Also and this is potentially the biggest issue to look into, I've been hearing people have issues with voided warranties, since eBay technically opens the watch the authenticate it. You have an issue and Rolex notices the watch has been opened they void the warranty.

Which watch are you looking to buy?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

…
Also and this is potentially the biggest issue to look into, I've been hearing people have issues with voided warranties, since eBay technically opens the watch the authenticate it. You have an issue and Rolex notices the watch has been opened they void the warranty …

That’s an interesting concern …

[beshannon]

For that amount of money there is no chance I would buy from EBay

[BriansRolex]

Curious why people are saying not to buy from eBay for that amount of money?

What is it that makes people think eBay means a watch isn't legit? Genuinely curious.

[cdmorenot]

I bought a Cartier from eBay a couple of weeks ago. Their authenticity service was actually decent and the turn around was fast.

I could have avoided that because I was sending the watch for service anyway but I wanted as much as I could on paper in the event of any claim.

This was only a $4K purchase though ... I wouldn't leave $45K up in the air until they do what they have to do.

I see a lot of cross-posting between eBay and Chrono 24

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by BriansRolex

Curious why people are saying not to buy from eBay for that amount of money?

What is it that makes people think eBay means a watch isn't legit? Genuinely curious.

It's not eBay - It is some of the sellers on there. I guess it's the perceived legitimacy of a dealer that has a website or is actively engaged in other platforms.

I've had a lot of good experiences on eBay but around $10K is where I would draw the line.

[train-time]

Sorry, I would not want some eBay appointed schmuck opening up a $45K watch to do their authentication for me. No way!

[~JJ]

I sold a Breitling a few months back on eBay using their evaluation process and went very smoothly. The middle person turned the watch around in under a day, then next day delivery. Both seller and buyer were happy with the experience.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by BriansRolex

Curious why people are saying not to buy from eBay for that amount of money?

What is it that makes people think eBay means a watch isn't legit? Genuinely curious.

What makes you think a seller on eBay is trustyworthy? Because they claim to have a guarantee? Or an "authentication" service? How many problems are listed on this very site in the watch out section for watches being sold on eBay?

[~JJ]

Originally Posted by train-time

Sorry, I would not want some eBay appointed schmuck opening up a $45K watch to do their authentication for me. No way!

Lol, it’s not. I forget their name, but it’s verifiable third party with a horological background.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by ~JJ

Lol, it’s not. I forget their name, but it’s verifiable third party with a horological background.

Yes it is Stoll &Co.

[BriansRolex]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Yes it is Stoll &Co.

Are they trash?

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by BriansRolex

Are they trash?

Not at all, Ron Stoll is a great guy and the company is fine.

I still would not spend that kind of money for a watch on eBay. You may choose to do differently.

Good luck

[skipstar]

I do a lot of buying and selling on EBay. Nothing near this kind of money, I personally would be terrified spending 45000 for a watch on EBay. For that kind of money buy a plane ticket and make the purchase in person at a grey dealer’s storefront. That is just my opinion and I hope it helped.

[Calatrava r]

No. There are too many trusted sellers everywhere to deal with an unknown quantity on Ebay.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by BriansRolex

Curious why people are saying not to buy from eBay for that amount of money?

What is it that makes people think eBay means a watch isn't legit? Genuinely curious.

It's just easier to call a trusted seller up on the phone and make a deal than go through all the procedures on Ebay. Plus, Ebay and PayPal charge the seller fees which have to be factored into the seller's price. A direct deal eliminates all those fees to the seller, ergo, a lower price to you can be negotiated. Have your watch the next day with confidence.

[stormshadow]

Originally Posted by skipstar

I do a lot of buying and selling on EBay. Nothing near this kind of money, I personally would be terrified spending 45000 for a watch on EBay. For that kind of money buy a plane ticket and make the purchase in person at a grey dealer’s storefront. That is just my opinion and I hope it helped.

Basically, this. I have done a fair amount of eBay buying and selling (not just watches), but I am not on that type of spend level for the very reason quoted above. Much better call to deal with that kind of transaction via some other channel; probably, in person - not eBay.

[NCRolexguy]

A lot of fakes and partial fakes have passed through ebay's verification service.

[swaini3]

I'd start by asking the seller questions and agreeing on a deal if things don't turn out as expected. For eg, if it passes the authenticity and when you get the watch you confirm something's not right or aftermarket. Will he take it back?
Its better to clear these things up ahead before the purchase.
$45k is too much for me to do on ebay with a seller I don't know.

[wesdaniel]

The most frequent authenticator of watches for ebay is Stoll & Co / America's Watchmaker in Dayton, OH. Stoll & Co is a factory authorized service center for several brands of watches including Baume & Mercier, Bucherer, Vulcain, and others. I've bought an Hermes, Zenith, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, and Audemars Piguet from ebay that were all authenticated by Stoll & Co and have not had any issue with them.

The issue of voided warranty is an interesting one and not one that I've run into. I had the Vacheron looked at by the watchmaker at the BH boutique and he said nothing about a voided warranty.

You also have to remember that Watchbox and several large, major watch dealers sell on ebay and will accept offers there.

I wouldn't buy a $45K watch from "Joe Blow" on ebay, but, if the seller is a business or person I can track back to and the watch is authenticated by Stoll (or a similar company), I'd have no problem with it.

Really, when you think about it, you have at least three methods of recourse when buying from ebay - first, you have ebay's authentication, then you have PayPal protection, and, finally, if you use your AmEx, you have their protection. I think you're pretty well covered.

[GGGMT]

Hilarious — no. To many possibilities for problems
Easy fix/. Buy from one of the 5 key sellers here.


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[HAPConst]

Bought a president from eBay. Seller was great. Called me a number of times giving updates. Very honest and upfront. It’s luck of the drawer with the seller, same for the watch. Everyone’s interpretation is different and varied.

[amh]

We always say "Buy the seller." IMO ebay is just a middle-man who takes a cut of the proceeds. Would have no problem buying on ebay provided the seller is reputable. Some of the sellers here are on ebay as well, for example ponycar350. (Typically ebay prices run a little higher due to the relatively high overhead. I personally would never sell on ebay for this reason.)

But then again the TRF TS group is 'trusted' for good reason. You can trust them more than your local AD SA!

[Llamathurst]

Bought a Speedy with an exhibition case back a couple weeks ago. Smooth transaction, the seller had thousands of positive transactions and as I understand it Stoll can authenticate watches with exhibition case backs without opening them.

I sold a watch on eBay once. Never again. Between all the scammers and sob stories, not worth it.

[Watch Maniac]

Please be careful that's a very large amount.

[vinny84]

I just received a Panerai through eBay yesterday. Watch is legit but after winding it doesn’t work. Sending it back for a full refund. eBay makes it really easy to do so with the authenticity guarantee. Would I buy a $45k Rolex on eBay? Yes, as long as it’s from a reputable dealer, you should be fine

[Fletcher99]

I bought all of my vintage watches through eBay and they were all good deals. All required servicing but I expected that with a vintage watch. I would never wire funds to anyone for a purchase, trusted or not.