Was I scammed?

[rhart]

I have a vintage 1680 Sub for sale on this site and am not an experienced trader of Rolex. A would be buyer had me remove the bracelet and send photos of the serial number along with a lot of other questions. I'm assuming the questions were normal but I noticed that everyone blocks out serial numbers in photos. Was it a bad idea to sent photo of serial number? At what point in a transaction do you do this. Thanks in advance

[andrewjb88]

Hes probably gathering info to obtain if all matches up etc.

[swatty]

Sounds like a buyer doing due diligence

[Vincent65]

Giving a serial number for an old watch isn't being scammed.

[suligeo]

But why all number?!

First 2 digits is enough for buyer.


https://www.instagram.com/vintage_georgex/

[Kingface66]

Here’s one reason/possibility why sending the full serial number could be a problem:
Say the guy who’s shown interest in your watch copies all your photos, including the one with the full serial number. Then he posts an ad for the watch somewhere else with all the photos BUT the serial number one. Then a prospective buyer writes him and says, “I’m interested in your watch, but I’ll need a shot of the full serial number.” The guys takes the serial number photo you sent him and uses that to send to the prospective buyer.

[Dan S]

There is little harm in sending a potential buyer a photo of the serial number and IMO you should do it if requested. People like to see that it is visible and to inspect the quality of the engraving for authenticity. Even people who black out serial numbers in public listings will usually send the full number upon request. In principle, it makes it slightly easier for someone to create a fraudulent listing, but people do this even without the full serial number. And in that case, sending a photo of the full serial number is one of the ways you can prove to the seller that you actually have the watch.

I think that blocking out serial numbers is mainly a self-perpetuating habit, where people do it because other people do it. They don't even know why they're doing it.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by suligeo

But why all number?!

First 2 digits is enough for buyer.


https://www.instagram.com/vintage_georgex/

First 2 digits alone don’t tell me if the watch for sale is recorded as stolen.

And the buyer decides what is enough for the buyer. Seller can agree or disagree but doesn’t get to dictate what is enough for the other party.

[athom]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

First 2 digits alone don’t tell me if the watch for sale is recorded as stolen.

And the buyer decides what is enough for the buyer. Seller can agree or disagree but doesn’t get to dictate what is enough for the other party.

+1 First 2 digits alone don’t tell me if the watch for sale is recorded as stolen. Plus it is also nice to check the space between digits and how the serial is aligned with stainless steel...

[suligeo]

Where you check if is stolen?


https://www.instagram.com/vintage_georgex/

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by suligeo

Where you check if is stolen?


https://www.instagram.com/vintage_georgex/

Email or call RSC

[interestedwatcher]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Email or call RSC

Will they tell you? I was under the impression it's only if you out it in for service they will let you know

[swaini3]

It's one of these things you cant do much about. Either due diligence by an interested buyer or a potential scammer doing his thing (possibly advertising that watch somewhere else as his). You are not being scammed though ;)

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by interestedwatcher

Will they tell you? I was under the impression it's only if you out it in for service they will let you know

I’ve had positive experiences.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Email or call RSC

I've tried this in years past and it didn't work, not in NYC anyway. They don't allow the public access to all serial numbers of stolen watches, and wouldn't do it over the phone. The only way to know for sure, as far as my experiences go, is to take a watch to the RSC. If it's stolen, you'll know, because you won't get the watch back, just a letter.

If Rolex allowed full public access to the records of stolen watches, it could help the bad guys. Maybe it's different in London.