eBay to verify Rolex watches and packaging

[telesquire]

Verified as genuine....but just seen a 2007 Explorer that has been so over polished such that all the brushed finish had gone from case and bracelet, yet described as exquisite and an appreciating asset.

[MAINEZX10]

eBay does this with multiple different items

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by mikhaelj

Money is not issued to seller until the watch is authenticated and matches the listing description


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I meant under the current/old system without an authentication intermediary.

[TimeAZ]

I think it's a good move so that you have a little bit of a safety net as a buyer... you are unlikely receive a very obviously-counterfeited piece. But the authentication process is not perfect. They don't open casebacks and they don't check the movement. A franken could slip through, or very high-quality replica, some of those can fool even the experts on the surface. The authentication process just examine the dial, case, crown, bracelet, box/papers... fairly rudimentary stuff. "Physical examination". You also still run a risk of buying something stolen or damaged. They don't check time-keeping accuracy, so no time-grapher involved.

At least it's a step in the right direction and still offers some protection.

In short, don't take it as a fool-proof verification process. Only way to do that when buying used is to send to RSC.

[mikhaelj]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

I think it's a good move so that you have a little bit of a safety net as a buyer... you are unlikely receive a very obviously-counterfeited piece. But the authentication process is not perfect. They don't open casebacks and they don't check the movement. A franken could slip through, or very high-quality replica, some of those can fool even the experts on the surface. The authentication process just examine the dial, case, crown, bracelet, box/papers... fairly rudimentary stuff. "Physical examination". You also still run a risk of buying something stolen or damaged. They don't check time-keeping accuracy, so no time-grapher involved.

At least it's a step in the right direction and still offers some protection.

In short, don't take it as a fool-proof verification process. Only way to do that when buying used is to send to RSC.

Not true. The caseback is opened and the movement is checked to match the model name and number. There are always room for error and this could happen anywhere. Are all movement parts taken out to say they’re 100% genuine? no. No one does that unless just as you said it’s taken to RSC later. I’ve had a wonderful experience and recommend it. Please don’t false advertise what’s done and educate yourself:

Authentic without a doubt:

Multi-point inspection
Professional authenticators verify dozens of inspection points, including the movement, crown, bezel, dial, case, clasp/buckle, hands, end links, and serial number.

Authenticity Guarantee card
Once verified as authentic, each timepiece receives a unique authentication card with detailed information about the watch.

https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-guarantee-watches/


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[dannyp]

Originally Posted by mikhaelj

Not true. The caseback is opened and the movement is checked to match the model name and number. There are always room for error and this could happen anywhere. Are all parts taken out to say they’re 100% genuine no? No one does that unless just as you said it’s taken to RSC later. I’ve had a wonderful experience and recommend it. Please don’t false advertise what’s done and educate yourself:

https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-guarantee-watches/


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This may discourage some, though… I am very particular as far as who opens the case backs of my watches. This would also void any remaining warranty.

[mikhaelj]

Originally Posted by dannyp

This may discourage some, though… I am very particular as far as who opens the case backs of my watches. This would also void any remaining warranty.

correct, then in your case eBay would not be an option. I wanted to know I was not getting a lemon and then sent it for full RSC service.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by mikhaelj

correct, then in your case eBay would not be an option. I wanted to know I was not getting a lemon and then sent it for full RSC service.

My personal preferences aside, I think eBay needs to disclose to anyone involved that their opening the watch to authenticate could potentially void remaining warranty. I don't think that's particularly obvious to the end customer (that a non-Rolex watchmaker merely opening the watch, without touching anything, has that effect).

[norcalgt3]

As others have indicated, new watches might incur scratches after the inspection process and can't be claimed as new if pressure tested. Sellers are more hesitant to go this route.

[1665fan]

They still know nothing about vintage and wouldn’t know real from fake……

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Who eats the cost if the buyer determines a watch to be fake but seller has already disappeared with the money? If it's eBay, then this setup probably saves substantial money, or at the very least spreads those incidents across all watch sales.

ESCROW means the money is held in trust and the seller can't access it.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

ESCROW means the money is held in trust and the seller can't access it.

I know exactly what escrow means (even w/o all caps), but when is it released? The buyer may confirm receipt, then discover it's fake a week later when going to a watchmaker to verify. I'm not an eBay user, so don't know exactly how far its protections extend.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

They still know nothing about vintage and wouldn’t know real from fake……

But the good news is that vintage fakes (as in: fakes of watches now old enough to be vintage) weren't nearly as good as today's. Probably a lot easier to tell at a glance what does/doesn't look like genuine Rolex innards. Now, if you're going back many decades, it's anyone's guess, but the bigger concern then is probably generic parts being slotted in over the years at various non-RSC services.

[GolfJunkie]

This “authenticator” is a joke IMO. I recently sold a vintage Tissot Chronograph. Watch was pretty cool and it had the original strap, box and papers from the early 70’s. When i packaged it, i left the watch on the aftermarket strap and put it in the box. Then i wrapped the original strap and deployant in bubble wrap and then packaged everything together and sent it off. The authenticator contacted the buyer and told them the original strap was not included. The buyer was super cool and wasn’t concerned at all. I offered a full refund and he said he liked the watch and didn’t mind that the original strap wasn’t included and he wanted to keep the watch. I contacted eBay and the authenticator and they denied everything. I think they either threw away the strap that was wrapped up or they cut it when opening the package and won’t admit to it.

It’s such BS and it’s my word vs. theirs. And of course eBay is siding with the 3rd part authenticator. It’s the worst process to sell a watch I’ve ever seen. Will never do it again as a buyer or seller.

[joli160]

I would never sell nor buy a watch on that platform, never mind the authenticator whoever that might be. Too many loopholes

[emtee]

I guess eBay must have decided that them bearing the cost of this service is less than the cost of them sorting out all of the complaints they receive from people getting scammed.

[mozchron]

Originally Posted by emtee

I guess eBay must have decided that them bearing the cost of this service is less than the cost of them sorting out all of the complaints they receive from people getting scammed.

eBay seller fees are higher on watches/jewelry than many other categories, my guess is the authentication program is why. Need to pay for that somehow so it get's pulled from the sellers in aggregate.

[Couchpotato]

This is the right move, but what about eBay shipping insurance? Looks like their insurance still only cover up to $1,000 though. https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center...insurance.html.

[emtee]

Originally Posted by mozchron

eBay seller fees are higher on watches/jewelry than many other categories, my guess is the authentication program is why. Need to pay for that somehow so it get's pulled from the sellers in aggregate.

I didn’t know that but were they increased when the authentication program was introduced or were they higher previously?

As if the latter then eBay clearly felt they were better off paying for this service than sorting out what I can only imagine to be a nightmare of scamming accusations from both buyers and sellers. Money aside it should also do their reputation as a buying/selling platform of luxury goods a much needed boost.

[Avs Fan]

Originally Posted by doboy007

Who verifies the authenticator didn’t scratch up the watch :)

Exactly. Aiso,the verifying agency opens the watch to validate the movement. I'm sure they are very professional, but verifying a DSSD has been properly reassembled and is good to go 3,900 meters will likely be problematic.

[Boopie]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

I guess you still run the risk of the watch being stolen. I don’t see any mention of them checking for that. So it could become a hot spot for stolen watches.


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Agreed. Presumably “authenticity” doesn’t check for stolen items; does anyone know if it does?

There was an interesting article on Hodinkee a few months ago about a young man who started wearing his late father’s Rolex, which was stolen off of his wrist in NYC. Heartbroken, he assiduously checked online sales, and found it for sale online (I don’t think the platform was mentioned, but it may or may not have been eBay). Indeed, one of our TRF members recently recounted how he was able to recover his stolen Platona.

[Webster2281]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Yacht...-127632-2357-0


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[Webster2281]

Originally Posted by Webster2281

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolex-Yacht...-127632-2357-0


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Obvious fake


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[HHIslander]

The authenticators record the opening, inspection and re-packaging process. This is what a grey dealer told me, I haven't used it myself.

[wclowe]

My recommendation: Don’t waste your time selling a watch on eBay. I “sold” a watch three times and each time it was a scammer.

Instead of helping me, eBay froze my account and asked for more info on the watch before ultimately determining the obvious and closing the scam accounts.

eBay is not the platform for serious watch buyers or sellers…

Cheers!


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[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

This “authenticator” is a joke IMO. I recently sold a vintage Tissot Chronograph. Watch was pretty cool and it had the original strap, box and papers from the early 70’s. When i packaged it, i left the watch on the aftermarket strap and put it in the box. Then i wrapped the original strap and deployant in bubble wrap and then packaged everything together and sent it off. The authenticator contacted the buyer and told them the original strap was not included. The buyer was super cool and wasn’t concerned at all. I offered a full refund and he said he liked the watch and didn’t mind that the original strap wasn’t included and he wanted to keep the watch. I contacted eBay and the authenticator and they denied everything. I think they either threw away the strap that was wrapped up or they cut it when opening the package and won’t admit to it.

It’s such BS and it’s my word vs. theirs. And of course eBay is siding with the 3rd part authenticator. It’s the worst process to sell a watch I’ve ever seen. Will never do it again as a buyer or seller.

Sorry to hear that! I’ve been done with fleaBay for quite some time. At some point, they felt like they had to report sales over a certain dollar total. I’m a hobbiest don’t do this for profit, and I don’t want to be on the radar with another form that reports gross sales totals that could be misconstrued as income. That reporting is just a load of crap.

And when the Authenticator came into it, I was done forever selling a premium piece on their platform. How do I know the Authenticator won’t mess up my watch? Who covers the loss if the item is lost is transit from the authenticator to buyer? I’ve already read horror stories about eBay not covering that loss in that situation. Maybe the stories are true, maybe not. Not worth me finding out, personally.

I always felt they had my back as a seller, but not anymore. It’s fine for those who believe in it and I hope those sales go smoothly. I’ll just be trading around on here for fun.

Thank you TRF!

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Avs Fan

Exactly. Aiso,the verifying agency opens the watch to validate the movement. I'm sure they are very professional, but verifying a DSSD has been properly reassembled and is good to go 3,900 meters will likely be problematic.

Yep! LOL . They won’t have tools to open the DBlue!