Ebay's Authenticity Guarentee

[yakmeister]

Has anyone had any experience with this?

[6172crew]

Originally Posted by yakmeister

Has anyone had any experience with this?

I bought a planet ocean and it came to me with a bunch of red tape all over it saying it was inspected, etc. I think the watch was sent to NJ before them sending it to me in TX.

[rick lee]

I sold a Sinn 757UTC that had to go through that. I tracked down a good phone number for the "authenticator" and they assured me they would not open the case.

[Autococker07]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=947062

FWIW, this sounds like a nightmare.

[njlam]

I have bought three expensive watches (Panerai/JLC/Rolex) from two different sellers and relied on eBay's authenticity services and I would not be happier.

My experience with Chrono24 could not have been worse.

I much prefer ebay to Chrono24 when it comes to buying high end watches.

[cflow69]

I purchased a GMT II on Ebay that went to authentication. Pretty smooth process. Recently sent same watch to RSC for an overhaul, so that ensured that the authenticator was correct in my case.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I sold two watches on eBay, a Helm and a Bell & Ross, that had to go through authentication. It was painless on my end and never heard from the buyer so I assume the same for them.

[metallic]

I purchased a Grand Seiko on Ebay that went through the authenticator. I don't know how extensive their inspection process is. I suspect if something seems amiss, they would open the case.

In any event, everything went smoothly. The only issue I had was that the FedEx shipment from the authenticator required somebody present to sign for the package. There was no option from FedEx to adjust the delivery to a FedEx office location to pick up more conveniently with an ID.

[yakmeister]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I am going to pull the trigger on a limited edition Zenith Chrono. Now the waiting game begins...

[rootbeer7]

Twice happy purchaser.

[KatGirl]

My daughter bought a Breitling Chronomat that went through the authentication process. Everything went smoothly.

Kat


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[fskywalker]

Bought an used Omega Seamaster from a private party that was sold on EBay previously and went through the EBay process. Have full Omega paperwork plus EBay authentication card: no issues with the watch.


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[forcinitijp]

If it's a good service and safe, I bought and sold some watches on Ebay they are problems... it's more I have one on the way to the authenticator that I bought yesterday.

On one occasion they called me from stoll and Co to tell me that the watch was not what they had published, that it was all scratched, in case I wanted to move on or to be returned to the seller...

It is a good service for the buyer, not for the seller because the Ebay fee for sales is high.

[GrailTime]

Originally Posted by yakmeister

Has anyone had any experience with this?

Why would you be concerned? Unless you are trying to sell a fake?

They authenticate the watch you buy, with no cost to you.

I understand it is done by Stoll and Co - https://www.americaswatchmaker.com/

eBay have to have this in place, or it would be infested with fakes.

[rick lee]

I could swear I read of a case where they authenticated a fake Rolex and it was a nightmare for the buyer to get eBay to help.

[Fourthirteen]

I purchased a Omega Planet Ocean that went to the authenticator. They contacted me and said the rubber Omega strap and the box were fake and I had the option of accepting the watch without those items (they would confiscate them) or canceling the transaction for a full refund. Those were my only choices. As the watch had the original bracelet and the price was good enough that I chose to go forward with the purchase and received it without the strap and box.

I’ve sold a couple of watches that went through the process and have no complaints. A Tudor was returned to me after going through the process because the buyer said “it didn’t fit”, so they can still be returned to the buyer for other reasons.

[Josunese1975]

One was prior to mandatory authentication and two were after. Had no problems on all occasions. Still not sure if they open the caseback or not. Movements were checked and verified by my watchmaker soon after receiving the watches. The authenticator is "supposed" to check the watch and accessories to see if it matches with the item description and photos on eBay. Well, the last purchase was full set 16234. But it was missing the red chronometer hangtag (no big deal...had an extra one) and missing two jubilee links. Description said 22 links but it arrived with only 20. I could have sent it back but it was a very good deal and I had to remove 3 links from the 20 anyway to fit my wrist. Overall it was good experience.

[TBS]

Bought four watches through them. Seamless transaction each time. Very pleased with the process.

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[PTCDAD]

I’ve purchased a Panerai and a green SMP300 that went through the eBay authentication process. It does add about a week to the shipping time, but no problems. Also, I authenticated the Omega myself by using the Master Chronometer card to check the stats on the Omega website. I find Omega Master Chronometers are the easiest to authenticate as long as they have box and papers.