Anyone have experience buying on ebay?

[opzxkl]

I have never made a big purchase on ebay before (10k USD and above) for a watch.

Is there anything to lookout for? Such as hidden fees, which method of payment to use, etc?

Would appreciate any input whatsoever!

[joli160]

The general consensus is don't go there.
Filled with crooks and beautiful grandfather stories.
Have a look at the "watch out" section.

If you look for a vintage go to respectable dealers. You pay top dollar and for that you get piece of mind and a honest watch

[VintageVagabound]

Originally Posted by opzxkl

I have never made a big purchase on ebay before (10k USD and above) for a watch.

Is there anything to lookout for? Such as hidden fees, which method of payment to use, etc?

Would appreciate any input whatsoever!

In general eBay and PayPal will protect you if you don't receive the item as promised but it can take time and could be a frustrating experience. I would look at the seller's reviews. Are they 100% Are they all recent and as a buyer (you want to see history and not a newbie that has 25 reviews from buying $5 items)? Vintage watches are tough too because if it is a service dial or later year bracelet you can't really make a claim unless they say "all original". Deals can be found but usually not on Rolex. You're much more apt to find a good deal on a vintage lesser name diver or Seiko, Bulova, Eterna, Yema, LeJour, etc.

[Dan S]

Yes, I have bought a number of fairly expensive watches on eBay. Many of the people selling there also sell on watch forums and on their own websites. In other cases, you may come across a drawer-find watch from someone who is not accustomed to selling. And yes, you will find watches that are made to deceive. In many ways you are better protected on eBay than sales forums and independent websites. Like anywhere, do as much due diligence as you can (as you would on a sales forum), and make sure you are knowledgeable about what you are buying.

[armypilot]

I have purchased and sold many high end wristwatches and antique pocket watches on eBay for the last 15 years and have never been burned. The possibility always exists that you could get burned but as stated before, there are various buyer protection policies in place. As with anything it is imperative that you know what you are doing. You need to be very knowledgeable about the watches you are dealing with, know what to look for, and know the right questions to ask. You also have to "buy" the seller. Review their feedback. Do they normally deal in high end watches and parts or is this a one off sale for them? I have struck up many conversations with buyers and sellers through the eBay messaging system which has in turn morphed into direct emails and ultimately phone conversations. One of the benefits of eBay is that you have access to a global market. Most of all be careful and don't be impulsive. I believe if you follow these tips there is a high probability of you experiencing a positive transaction.

[Beej]

I’ve bought both of my Rolex on eBay. However, I wasn’t looking for a rare collectible that I would stick in a safe. I was looking for slightly tougher condition gold ones to be daily wear watches. Both times I’ve used PayPal, and one time, I actually met the seller and saw the watch. In that case, PayPal held the funds in limbo because she didn’t ship, and we both had to log into PayPal to confirm I received the watch before they would allow her to access the funds


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[exador]

Just follow the old adage “If it sounds too good...” and you’ll be OK.

Make sure you also use PayPal for payment.

[landroverking]

I have bought many watches on eBay. Closest to a Rolex, Tudor Tiger Chonograph.
I have thus far avoided Rolex for many reasons among the Rolex eBay prices always seem high to me. And I worry about the two Fs.

[Toronto Soup King]

I've never paid over $10K for an eBay item, but pretty close. Frankly it's just like anywhere else, but there's a lot of junk and many scammers. And the occasional great deal, two out of my three PM Rolex were found on eBay!

[77T]

eBay is no longer the best channel to make a purchase of high ticket items of any sort due to the fees the seller must build into their price to get their profit margin. But if you find a watch from a reputable seller on eBay, you can usually get a better price from that person buying through their direct channel (either website or brick & mortar).

As for scams, yes - they are rife with individual sellers running bogus listings (many with low or no feedback). If you are an experienced “doubting Thomas” those scams should stand out to you.

I previously sold a lot on eBay but fees and increases in scam buyers drove me to other channels.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Franks07]

Lots of sage advice here. Check seller’s EBay rating score and content and volume, make sure returns are accepted, pay with PayPal and seek opinions on potential purchases here before buying.
I have purchased several extremely nice watches on EBay but you really need to know what you’re doing and take all appropriate precautions.
Good luck...the “hunt” can be exhilarating.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mikel212]

Also, I've never purchased a Rolex from an overseas seller. Customs is another thing to consider. You may find a great seller, but if the watch gets stuck in US customs, you may find yourself at a loss.

[enginerd]

I've purchased about two dozen watches on eBay and several around the $10k mark. I had a scammer issue exactly once, and eBay solved it in a couple days. eBay, Paypal, and credit card protection are quite a few layers of security IMO.

Be diligent and ask lots of questions. The BS sellers are pretty easy to identify.

[btinl]

I have purchased several watches from ebay. Several reputable watch shops and even trusted vintage sellers sell on ebay.

[Mdanab]

Agreed! Thought I found my stolen watch on eBay and re purchased it. I was desperate to find my watch. Wishful thinking. $2200
Down the drain. We’ll see if eBay and PayPal assist. I just asked for refund today. So I’m
Still 50/50 on whether eBay is good or not. I’m more optimistic than most.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Mdanab

Agreed! Thought I found my stolen watch on eBay and re purchased it. I was desperate to find my watch. Wishful thinking. $2200
Down the drain. We’ll see if eBay and PayPal assist. I just asked for refund today. So I’m
Still 50/50 on whether eBay is good or not. I’m more optimistic than most.

So you thought you saw your stolen watch ... you purchased it ... you determined that it wasn't your stolen watch ... and now you want a refund? I'm not sure I understand how it is eBay's fault, or why the seller should give you a refund just because it's not your stolen watch. This sounds like a seller's nightmare, not a buyer's nightmare.

If you see stolen property on eBay, you're supposed to report it to the police ... not purchase it. What were you expecting to happen?

[onthedial]

Originally Posted by Mdanab

Agreed! Thought I found my stolen watch on eBay and re purchased it. I was desperate to find my watch. Wishful thinking. $2200
Down the drain. We’ll see if eBay and PayPal assist. I just asked for refund today. So I’m
Still 50/50 on whether eBay is good or not. I’m more optimistic than most.

@Mdanab
Sorry to hear about your experience. Could you elaborate on the details (i.e. fake watch? watch was different from the one pictured? fraudulent description? etc.)?
Ebay, like many other mass-sales auctions/outlets, is a mixed bag of the very good and the very bad. This sentiment also applies to buyers too. Be careful out there!
________
Instagram: @onthedial

[Richard Carver]

Very good advice in this thread. I've bought many from ebay with no problems. The last watch I've bought was on ebay and probably the sketchiest deal I've ever done.

It was a 1984 16030 with very few bids and no reserve. The seller had I think 3-4 feedback and was in Columbia so bidders were staying away in droves. A perfect storm of potential disaster. He was only asking 3.50US for shipping and that bothered me so on the last day I called the guy to ask if he would ship fedex if I would pay for it. We had a good conversation and he agreed to the shipping so I bid 1800 which was low for that watch and ended up getting it for 1756US shipped.

It arrived two days later, just nice old DJ. I have a nice dark gray tapestry dial I'll put on there someday. :)

[J!m]

I’ll add to this with an experience I had.

There are those who hijack the accounts of long established sellers, and run their scam through that. Usually a one to three day auction, but not always. In my case the photos were recycled photos, which is what tipped off a buddy when I told him about the sale.

In my case, I was burned on a rare and difficult to get rifle scope for a build I was doing. I checked the seller feedback- long established with over 1000 transactions. I was protected by my CC, and PayPal both, but it was a stressful week.

Be careful!

On the bright side I paid very little for my first 9411 Tudor through eBay. It delayed my 1680 purchase in fact because I couldn’t pass up the deal. But I knew exactly what I was looking at, and bid appropriately assuming the parts I could not verify were fake. But, it was 100% genuine so turned out to be a huge score. NOS crystal and crown, new gaskets and it’s perfect.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Mdanab

Agreed! Thought I found my stolen watch on eBay and re purchased it. I was desperate to find my watch. Wishful thinking. $2200
Down the drain. We’ll see if eBay and PayPal assist. I just asked for refund today. So I’m
Still 50/50 on whether eBay is good or not. I’m more optimistic than most.

EBay: Why are you requesting a refund?

Mdanab: Because the watch hadn’t been stolen.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by Mdanab

Agreed! Thought I found my stolen watch on eBay and re purchased it. I was desperate to find my watch. Wishful thinking. $2200
Down the drain. We’ll see if eBay and PayPal assist. I just asked for refund today. So I’m
Still 50/50 on whether eBay is good or not. I’m more optimistic than most.

Wow. Please let me know your eBay name...

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by J!m

I’ll add to this with an experience I had.

There are those who hijack the accounts of long established sellers, and run their scam through that. Usually a one to three day auction, but not always. In my case the photos were recycled photos, which is what tipped off a buddy when I told him about the sale.

In my case, I was burned on a rare and difficult to get rifle scope for a build I was doing. I checked the seller feedback- long established with over 1000 transactions. I was protected by my CC, and PayPal both, but it was a stressful week.

Be careful!

You really have to watch out for these. There are a couple of tip-offs.

- The first tip-off is that the deal is usually too good to be true.

- Often the seller whose account has been hijacked is an established seller with lots of feedback, but they primarily sell other types of items.

- The listing often tries to redirect you to a website.

[77T]

Originally Posted by directioneng

EBay: Why are you requesting a refund?



Mdanab: Because the watch hadn’t been stolen.

Yeah - this is what sellers love to hear.

In 10 years selling there - racecars and Rolexes - I had 2 scams tried. First one a seller selling race car parts and never shipped - PayPal got most of my money back. Second was a guy’s ex-wife hijacked the PayPal payment for a racecar. Again PayPal came to the rescue.

Had one Explorer II returned once for no good reason - but no biggie - just the cost of shipping.

There are trusted sellers there but the pricing is higher than should be (for the most part).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[J!m]

Originally Posted by Dan S

You really have to watch out for these. There are a couple of tip-offs.

- The first tip-off is that the deal is usually too good to be true.

- Often the seller whose account has been hijacked is an established seller with lots of feedback, but they primarily sell other types of items.

- The listing often tries to redirect you to a website.

This one was slick- no redirect “contact me for buy it now price” or anything. This is what held up my case being resolved as well...

[214270Explorer]

I have purchased hundreds of items over the years off ebay.

The one item I will NEVER attempt to get from ebay is a luxury watch. (Especially as I am far from being ANY sort of "watch expert").

Refer to all the horror stories of ripoffs.

[Tonyfsu21]

I’ve made a few purchases from Top Notch Watch which has an eBay presence. Scott Levin is a good guy and he delivered on high quality Rolex watches. Scott also has brick & mortar in the Buffalo area. I have purchased an explorer 2, hulk and a PM sub all from Top Notch.

[SVNSF]

all depends