A word of caution - eBay authenticator shady practices

[juwhang]

Greetings all - just wanted to share my experience with Stoll and Co. - eBay watch authenticator

I was on the waitlist for nearly 3.5 years for a 126610LN submariner date. I purchased one through the grey market while waiting bc I thought I’d never get the call. I got a call in March of 2024 to purchase the submariner and I honestly forgot I was on the list. Went ahead and purchased the watch to be on good terms with the AD. Ultimately decided to sell the new sub on eBay. I found a buyer very quickly and sent the watch to the authenticator, Stoll & Co. I’ve heard of horror stories so I recorded myself packing up the watch before shipping. The authentication process was taking an oddly long time. About a week in the authentication, I received a notice that the watch was SNAD (Significantly not as described). I was quite surprised bc I got this brand new and looked over the watch carefully. The authenticators sent a picture to the buyer with a scratch on the case. I 1000% would have seen this scratch before buying it. I only put on the watch at the AD and never wore it before parting with it. Something was off and I recorded myself opening the package back from the authenticator. My Rolex box had a big dent on the side and the dent was not there when I shipped out the item to Stoll & Company. They clearly dropped my box. My suspicion is that they dropped the box, but damaged my watch trying to inspect it. I’m appalled Stoll & Co would try and get away with this for damage they did on the watch. My evidence was very, very clear and eBay luckily sided with me to reimburse repair damages…

Lesson learned overall is to be careful buying or selling anything that goes to this authenticator. They have corrupt and inept practices :(

And now.. I have 2 submariners lol. Luckily my significant other was on the waitlist for a datejust, but the sub grew on her and she’s gonna just keep it. I won’t ever sell a watch on eBay that has to go through Stoll and Company.

[luk4s83]

It sucks, but only because someone else could have gotten this Sub brand new from your AD at MSRP and truly enjoy it. Sadly they sold it to a flipper.

[dnd2984]

I too had a horrible experience when I bought a watch. The authenticator messed up a UN watch. Luckily the seller was a grey dealer and we got it resolved outside of ebay.

[Guppydriver]

You wanted to be on good terms with your AD so you immediately flipped one of the hottest watches made for profit right after you bought it?

Hmm.

That's a strategy I hadn't thought of.

[herefortheattachment]

I bought a brand new SMP 300m on eBay (awesome deal), and the most agonizing part of the purchase for me was it going to Stoll & Company. My watch was still in the shrink wrap with stickers and tags - I wanted to authenticate it myself and unseal it, but knew it was going to go to Stoll & Co first.

Turned out Stoll & Co didn’t take off the stickers or tags to inspect my watch. I was glad they didn’t, but it begged the question of how they even authenticated it… guess they decided the matching serial on the stickers and papers was good enough for them, but I’ve heard of fake papers that match a fake serial. Many watchmakers look up the serial and call it authentic as long as it’s in Omega’s database, but counterfeiters can use a real serial on a counterfeit watch to fool this layer of authentication.

To be frank, Stoll & Co are damned either way in a situation like mine - remove stickers to do a more thorough authentication and ruin my buying experience on a NWT watch, or do too little and mess up the authentication.

OP, I’m curious if your watch had any stickers or tags on?

[Saoirse32]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

You wanted to be on good terms with your AD so you immediately flipped one of the hottest watches made for profit right after you bought it?

Hmm.

That's a strategy I hadn't thought of.

Exactly right. And he got lucky in the end, but frankly didn’t deserve it lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WS9D]

Interesting first post by the OP

[996marty]

My question would be why did you buy it if you already had one you could have said you weren’t interested? Or was it just a case of making a quick dollar?

[luk4s83]

Originally Posted by 996marty

My question would be why did you buy it if you already had one you could have said you weren’t interested? Or was it just a case of making a quick dollar?

Of course not, he just wanted to "maintain the relationship". It was not about making easy ~$3-4k. Not at all.

[Moondoggy]

ePrey is a cesspit.

[joli160]

Trying to make money out of watches is not that easy

[Harry-57]

Your watch your choice, although staying on good terms with your AD doesn't equate with buying and flipping. It makes you a part of the problem.

[Airkingchnr]

Should have sold your old one .......
If the new buyer had taken your watch into am AD
You would have been blacklisted as a flipper

[Ali1009]

Why all the hate, the OP said to maintain the relationship he purchased it to avoid future disappointment. I would probably have done the same if I already had one.

Also, the submariner is almost at rrp on the grey market. Most greys are offering rrp or below when purchasing, so doubt the OP was making £1000s.

Those, hating would have done the same. Don't kidd yourself.

[1William]

Unfortunate situation and sorry your watch was damaged. As for people getting worked up about someone buying a watch and then selling it, you are off base in my opinion. The OP can do anything he wants with his property, just like anyone else.

[Nads786]

E-bay and Chrono24 make me very nervous. I posted on my sub on e-bay and after 5 emails from scammers I said forget it and sold it to a grey dealer.

So much easier to deal with and there is some actual trust you'll get the money.

[Calatrava r]

Regrettably this thread shows what is still so wrong with the current Rolex retail market. People buying new watches from ADs they do not want and then selling them.

[watchwatcher]

Well, that is good to know. Thanks for the heads up.

[~JJ]

Lots of assumptions being made here. Personally, have had great experience with the process… they quickly reviewed the watch and next day to the buyer. Everyone was happy. Hope you are able to get this sorted with insurance. As an aside, you flipped a watch to be in good graces with your AD??

[juwhang]

So to clarify a couple items… I know I’ll get hate.

Not a “flipper”. The time and effort/risk required to do this is insane. I wanted to stay on good terms with the AD bc we were on the waitlist under my name for a datejust for my wife. I thought if I said no to the sub… I’d lose my chance or be delayed on the datejust. To be very honest, it seemed optimal to just purchase the sub and sell it based on my status with the AD (I’ll take any hate here).

I could have parted with my grey market sub and keep the new one, but it’s the non ceramic and I’ve been wearing it for over a year. I actually prefer and grew into the older model. I decided to purchase a sub 2.5 years into the waitlist thinking I’d not get a call or opportunity to purchase one. In retrospect, I should’ve asked to come off the list… but honestly forgot I was on it bc life got in the way.

So based on my situation with the AD, yes, it was a self imposed and decided to make a buck, but I don’t flip watches and was my 1st and last time. I don’t mind being hated for my choices, but I still want to stress the eBay authenticator and shady practices.. that doesn’t change. If you ever go the eBay route, new or used, take video packing the watch.

[BETRNSX]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

You wanted to be on good terms with your AD so you immediately flipped one of the hottest watches made for profit right after you bought it?

Hmm.

That's a strategy I hadn't thought of.

I feel like this always happens. All the sellers on here, where are they getting their APR/MAY2024 watches? It is what it is.

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Regrettably this thread shows what is still so wrong with the current Rolex retail market. People buying new watches from ADs they do not want and then selling them.

This happens with everything, not just watches... Everything is seemingly sold out, but you never see them worn/used or out in the wild. Frustrating.

[BETRNSX]

duplicate post.

[Duke10]

Originally Posted by luk4s83

It sucks, but only because someone else could have gotten this Sub brand new from your AD at MSRP and truly enjoy it. Sadly they sold it to a flipper.

This right here.......

[juwhang]

Originally Posted by 996marty

My question would be why did you buy it if you already had one you could have said you weren’t interested? Or was it just a case of making a quick dollar?

I was waiting a while. Was 2 years in the waitlist and thought I was scratched off the list for whatever reason. I decided to purchase a sub in the interim and honestly forgot I was on the list until they called almost 2 years later. It was a very awkward phone call.. they said and mentioned that I was still on the list for the datejust as well and didn’t want to lose out on that for my sig other. Being transparent my thought was don’t lose the spot for the datejust, and why not make a flip on this sub.

[juwhang]

Originally Posted by herefortheattachment

I bought a brand new SMP 300m on eBay (awesome deal), and the most agonizing part of the purchase for me was it going to Stoll & Company. My watch was still in the shrink wrap with stickers and tags - I wanted to authenticate it myself and unseal it, but knew it was going to go to Stoll & Co first.

Turned out Stoll & Co didn’t take off the stickers or tags to inspect my watch. I was glad they didn’t, but it begged the question of how they even authenticated it… guess they decided the matching serial on the stickers and papers was good enough for them, but I’ve heard of fake papers that match a fake serial. Many watchmakers look up the serial and call it authentic as long as it’s in Omega’s database, but counterfeiters can use a real serial on a counterfeit watch to fool this layer of authentication.

To be frank, Stoll & Co are damned either way in a situation like mine - remove stickers to do a more thorough authentication and ruin my buying experience on a NWT watch, or do too little and mess up the authentication.

OP, I’m curious if your watch had any stickers or tags on?

Still had a few stickers. I read into the process and they have to open the caseback, but they retain any stickers. The sub had some stickers on it. They kept em on there

[time_and_cars]

very dumb move tbh, who first you will buy the watch from your ad to flipped instantly second sell a Rolex through Ebay? no so bright my friend

[TickTockChuck]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Regrettably this thread shows what is still so wrong with the current Rolex retail market. People buying new watches from ADs they do not want and then selling them.

I don't understand why folks are so paranoid about offending their AD over declining a watch. After waiting 3.5 years, wouldn't it be realistic that the watch would be obtained elsewhere? I turned down an unsolicited offer of a Hulk several years ago as I already had one and it didn't seem to affect the subsequent AD relationship (bought 2 more afterwards). I think the kindest course of action is to let go of a watch you don't really need. As for eBay, that sounds like a real mess and the OP ended up with a mint new watch being damaged. All the same, the warning to well document a watch transaction is important. Cheers

[njlam]

As a buyer, I have only had great experiences (3x)with eBay and its authentication service. I have had only bad experiences with Chrono 24...

Good idea to video everything when opening the box.

Good advice for sellers to video everything as a watch is packed.

[luk4s83]

Originally Posted by juwhang

Not a “flipper”. The time and effort/risk required to do this is insane. I wanted to stay on good terms with the AD bc we were on the waitlist under my name for a datejust for my wife. I thought if I said no to the sub… I’d lose my chance or be delayed on the datejust. To be very honest, it seemed optimal to just purchase the sub and sell it based on my status with the AD (I’ll take any hate here).

You're right, you're not a flipper, you're a scalper.
How hard was to tell AD the truth? The wait was taking years so you decided to move on and bought pre-ceramic sub. You love and want to keep it, but you're still interested in Datejust for your wife. There was literally nothing wrong about it. If anything, AD would have appreciated you being honest and transparent. Instead you decided to make some easy money, listed and sold the watch for $4050 over MSRP (it's not that hard to find your listing at ebay). Hope your AD blacklists you and never sells you anything again. People like you are exactly the reason why Rolex market is jacked up and true watch enthusiasts can't get any watches. Ironically you are the reason why you had to wait 3.5 years for your Sub.

[Carguy87]

In a way it’s lucky that this happened because had Rolex bought your watch off eBay to see which AD sold it to someone who immediately flipped it your AD would have gotten dinged and you’d be on the blacklist.

I know you gave your reasons but I still would have sold the grey market watch and kept the one from the AD. Besides down the road if you needed service or had a warranty problem you don’t think your AD wouldn’t notice your serial number was “wrong” when they go to send your grey market sub in for repairs and the numbers don’t match your purchase record?

That or I would have done exactly what I did with my AD when I was waiting for a James Cameron and got offered one as a walk in on vacation. I went to my SA, was very straight up and told him I didn’t want to buy a duplicate watch just to flip it so could I please move my interest to another model. He was appreciative of my honesty, and got me my BLNR as my next piece from him because he knew I wouldn’t flip it and risk giving them a black eye with Rolex.