Fraud Question

[oystersauce]

Hi TRF,

I am relatively new here, been trolling these boards for information before making my first Rolex purchase.

The debate over AD vs. Grey Market has been covered in many threads over, but just thought of something that nobody has mentioned in anything that I have read.

When making a purchase (in person or online), how does one protect themselves from credit card/debit fraud purchased watches? For example, if somebody is selling a BNIB Rolex with a warranty card and all the papers. How would I know whether that serial was reported to Rolex because presumably the fraudster would have left the store with all items that indicate that the watch is legitimate? Therefore, is it also safe to assume that when it comes time for servicing, RSC will confiscate the watch?

Thanks in advance for you help.

[Thatguy]

Buy the seller.

[mmmk604]

Rolex would have nothing to do with it.

The AD/jewelry store deals with the lost money. They try to get the money back from the CC company.

[LA_LEC]

Don't buy it from anyone selling out their car trunk at 7-11!

Seriously, there are many ways to get a genuine Rolex one is directly from the source of a AD but they have to cover overhead so you pay for that. You are assured authenticity and it will be covered with a warranty and have someplace to go to if you have a band adjustment or something like that. You also get your butt kissed while you decide which one to buy! A lot of guys (myself included) make their first Rolex purchase that way.

A lot of the "trusted sellers" on this forum have been doing this for years and they have a track record of sells. You can find this information for yourself by doing searches and asking for recommendations. If there were problems with transactions they would be out in the open.

[Culley22]

Your receipt will be key. If something was "reported" as lost/stolen/whatever, when sent to RSC and an "issue" arrises you'll have a chance to show you purchased it and such.

There is risk with everything.

[cedargrove]

Risk with every purchase. I only buy from places I trust, whether brick/mortar or on-line.

Several TRF sellers are very reputable and I would trust them as much as an AD.

[LightOnAHill]

If you're doing it face to face, meet at a Rolex dealer and have them confirm the watch is real. If not in person, make sure you have contact info and drivers license and the contract for sale says you have a week to verify authenticity and if it isn't real, then he pays you the money back and shipping to give the trash back.

If he doesn't agree to those terms, think real hard why he won't.

Buy from a seller here on the forum and you won't have to worry.

[conrail]

Originally Posted by oystersauce

When making a purchase (in person or online), how does one protect themselves from credit card/debit fraud purchased watches? For example, if somebody is selling a BNIB Rolex with a warranty card and all the papers. How would I know whether that serial was reported to Rolex because presumably the fraudster would have left the store with all items that indicate that the watch is legitimate? Therefore, is it also safe to assume that when it comes time for servicing, RSC will confiscate the watch?

If the watch was reported stolen and the watch's serial # gets to Rolex, it will be confiscated the first chance Rolex gets, the earliest will probably be if you send it to Rolex for service. Otherwise if whomever is investigating the stolen watch traces it to you, you'll probably lose the watch.

Make sure you keep a good paper trail to show that you purchased the watch in good faith, in an arm's-length transaction, and paid reasonable consideration for it.

[Bangel]

The easiest way to be absolutely sure and protected is to pay the "peace of mind tax" that comes with purchasing from an AD.

Otherwise, research and research until you are comfortable with the reputation of who you are buying from.

Good luck with your future purchase.

[DJJon]

You sound guardd. Buy from an AD where no suspicion can enter your mind.

[threemonkeys]

If the guy has a trench coat and says 'Pssst...Wanna buy a watch?', I would not send it to Rolex for a service.

Just saying.

[Armyguy03]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

If the guy has a trench coat and says 'Pssst...Wanna buy a watch?', I would not send it to Rolex for a service.

Just saying.

I would

































Just kidding

[seand442]

Originally Posted by Thatguy

Buy the seller.

X 2.

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by conrail

If the watch was reported stolen and the watch's serial # gets tattendo Rolex, it will be confiscated the first chance Rolex gets, the earliest will probably be if you send it to Rolex for service. Otherwise if whomever is investigating the stolen watch traces it to you, you'll probably lose the watch.

Make sure you keep a good paper trail to show that you purchased the watch in good faith, in an arm's-length transaction, and paid reasonable consideration for it.

If I didn't see or get a copy of the original receipt on a used watch, I would not send it to Rolex for service. Sometimes I'm an optimist, sometimes I'm a realist.

[HRV]

Originally Posted by mmmk604

Rolex would have nothing to do with it.

The AD/jewelry store deals with the lost money. They try to get the money back from the CC company.

X2
The watch wasn't stolen, it was bought fraudulently in the scenario you mention.

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

If the guy has a trench coat and says 'Pssst...Wanna buy a watch?',

Sounds like that shady muppet dude that was on Sesame Street when I was little!

[oystersauce]

Thanks for all the input gentlemen. I was leaning towards the AD route anyway but was just curious about this scenario.

[AzPaul]

And try to steer clear of the rare, misprinted 'Rollex' dials.

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by oystersauce

Hi TRF,

I am relatively new here, been trolling these boards for information before making my first Rolex purchase.

The debate over AD vs. Grey Market has been covered in many threads over, but just thought of something that nobody has mentioned in anything that I have read.

When making a purchase (in person or online), how does one protect themselves from credit card/debit fraud purchased watches? For example, if somebody is selling a BNIB Rolex with a warranty card and all the papers. How would I know whether that serial was reported to Rolex because presumably the fraudster would have left the store with all items that indicate that the watch is legitimate? Therefore, is it also safe to assume that when it comes time for servicing, RSC will confiscate the watch?

Thanks in advance for you help.

Trawling is good, trolling is bad!

Buy from AD or trusted seller on TRF and sleep easy.

[unclesallie]

yes, trawlers all......no trolls, hopefully......

[Aventura]

Originally Posted by dr.brian

if i didn't see or get a copy of the original receipt on a used watch, i would not send it to rolex for service. Sometimes i'm an optimist, sometimes i'm a realist.

wise advice...

[Hooper]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

Risk with every purchase. I only buy from places I trust, whether brick/mortar or on-line.

Several TRF sellers are very reputable and I would trust them as much as an AD.

X2 and welcome to TRF