Ebay authentication services OPENS watches!!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

How would anyone ever know the watch has been opened before. Their is no seal on the caseback. You simply unscrew the caseback and and screwback on.

I thought that there was something inside that would let a RSC watchmaker know if the case back had been opened before. Is that not the case?

[planemad]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

How would anyone ever know the watch has been opened before. Their is no seal on the caseback. You simply unscrew the caseback and and screwback on.

On Omegas there is a little red dot seal on some models.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I still think that there should be an option to decline it (agreed upon by buyer and seller) for watches still under warranty.

There is. Buy from another seller. There is overwhelming support for this service. If you don't like it, stop looking there. There are many other options.

[Austerlitz7]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I still think that there should be an option to decline it (agreed upon by buyer and seller) for watches still under warranty.

Just a heads up
If you buy and your address is a PO Box, the watch can’t be sent in for authentication. I had this issue not to long ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PMDAY]

Do they test for the watches rated depth rating after authentication?

[drrd]

Originally Posted by PMDAY

Do they test for the watches rated depth rating after authentication?

Clearly not in this instance.

If you’re not competent at opening and closing a case back then at least always pressure test.

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by drrd

Clearly not in this instance.

If you’re not competent at opening and closing a case back then at least always pressure test.

No this isn’t clear from the OP. Maybe the gasket was old and upon inspection degraded and needed to be replaced anyway. OP didn’t give us all the details as to what happened

[77T]

Originally Posted by Bensrolex

I recently discovered that the eBay authentication process involves opening each watch. Obviously this is problematic since it may affect manufacturer warranties, and also can introduce problems that did not exist when the watch left the seller's hands.

This isn’t news - been known since eBay began authentication.

How did you think they validated genuine Rolex movements?

If you don’t want authentication, don’t buy on eBay.

A mistake may have happened but eBay stood behind its correction.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by 77T

This isn’t news - been known since eBay began authentication.

How did you think they validated genuine Rolex movements?

If you don’t want authentication, don’t buy on eBay.

A mistake may have happened but eBay stood behind its correction.

This covers it.

There's nothing more to see here.

[Laszlo]

The process is sound and eBay is doing well in this space. The stepped up and the process works. The fees are also very reasonable.

[Forty6nTwo]

I wonder if Stock x does the same thing?

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by Bensrolex

I recently discovered that the eBay authentication process involves opening each watch. Obviously this is problematic since it may affect manufacturer warranties, and also can introduce problems that did not exist when the watch left the seller's hands.

In my case, this resulted in the the need to do a full service of the watch due to an improperly replaced gasket. Fortunately, eBay agreed to pay for the entire cost of the repair.

Buyer beware. However, I have got some fantastic deals on eBay, so....

how did you know they open the watch for authentication?

[joli160]

For me reason enough never to go this route

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by joli160

For me reason enough never to go this route

Exactly.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by joli160

for me reason enough never to go this route

+1.

[77T]

Originally Posted by rambo99

how did you know they open the watch for authentication?

Everyone who reads the eBay authentication process knows they open a watch.

For example, it is disclosed in several places including the summary shown below (my red underline added for emphasis)




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by Bensrolex

I recently discovered that the eBay authentication process involves opening each watch. Obviously this is problematic since it may affect manufacturer warranties, and also can introduce problems that did not exist when the watch left the seller's hands.

In my case, this resulted in the the need to do a full service of the watch due to an improperly replaced gasket. Fortunately, eBay agreed to pay for the entire cost of the repair.

Buyer beware. However, I have got some fantastic deals on eBay, so....

I'd be concerned about ANYONE providing an authenticity didn't inspect the movement. You sound surprised?

[TimeAZ]

100% excellent service. Worth it to have the added layer of protection. Also the authenticators are true professionals with the correct tools and correct technique to examine the movement.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

100% excellent service. Worth it to have the added layer of protection. Also the authenticators are true professionals with the correct tools and correct technique to examine the movement.

looks promising but does ebay charge buyer premium to cover the cost of hiring watchmakers to authenticate watches?

[JRedford]

Originally Posted by rambo99

looks promising but does ebay charge buyer premium to cover the cost of hiring watchmakers to authenticate watches?

When I bought my Tudor Pelagos there was no charge to me for the service.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

There is. Buy from another seller. There is overwhelming support for this service. If you don't like it, stop looking there. There are many other options.

I don't disagree, nor do I have a dog in this fight (not an eBay shopper myself). However, I don't know that all buyers put together the fact that a watch advertised as still under warranty may have that warranty voided due to the opening of the case back. I agree it's just a simple tradeoff, but all parties should understand that tradeoff. I also think that one should be able to waive inspection, but understanding that certain aspects of buyer protection will be forfeited.

Originally Posted by rambo99

looks promising but does ebay charge buyer premium to cover the cost of hiring watchmakers to authenticate watches?

I think that eBay has realized it's much cheaper to do this than to cover all of the authenticity guarantee claims it had to pay when counterfeit watches were sold.

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by rambo99

looks promising but does ebay charge buyer premium to cover the cost of hiring watchmakers to authenticate watches?

Seller cost

[drrd]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

100% excellent service. Worth it to have the added layer of protection. Also the authenticators are true professionals with the correct tools and correct technique to examine the movement.

Yeah apart from what happened to the OP.

Opening and then not-quite-closing a guaranteed waterproof watch and failing to pressure test it is not 100% excellent.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by drrd

Yeah apart from what happened to the OP.

Opening and then not-quite-closing a guaranteed waterproof watch and failing to pressure test it is not 100% excellent.

How long have you been into watches or on the forums? There are outlier stories in EVERY buying format, including AD'S.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by watchmavan

How long have you been into watches or on the forums? There are outlier stories in EVERY buying format, including AD'S.

I’m simply questioning all the commendations.

If RSC open a Rolex I understood they replace the gasket and pressure test it afterwards.

If someone’s Rolex leaks after being eBay authenticated then that strongly implies that these steps are not normal practice for the authenticators.

The ‘outlier’ is it’s only a fraction of the time that the waterproof rating is actually tested, or that the seal is so completely ineffective that the watch fails in normal daily use.

[garyk]

eBay = Scary….

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by garyk

eBay = Scary….

ebay and c24 are not trustworthy for sure. build relationship, be patient and buy from an AD/boutique is the only way you can get a rolex and bring you the peace of mind.

[watchmavan]

Originally Posted by rambo99

ebay and c24 are not trustworthy for sure. build relationship, be patient and buy from an AD/boutique is the only way you can get a rolex and bring you the peace of mind.

This concept is not however about Rolex. It's any watch and in reality, most of the watches in question would not in fact be Rolex current models, or even Rolex! The other aspect here is that accountability for the authenticity is taken on by eBay. It is a service that is offered as part of their sales which answers the single biggest fear of buyers.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by rambo99

ebay and c24 are not trustworthy for sure. build relationship, be patient and buy from an AD/boutique is the only way you can get a rolex and bring you the peace of mind.

Amen brother…

[EEpro]

Good info.

What surprised me about this infographic is that people buy Tag Heuer. Kidding. Sort of.