Did my Rolex get stolen?

[Nissanzx1]

Short version:

Sent a newly acquired (pre-owned) K serial 16220 off to be serviced/dial swap. Found the watchmaker on ebay. 1267 (100% positive) transactions. Many of the transactions were for service work on Rolex pieces. Paid via paypal for service work. This happened 11/30/13.

Sent the watch via fedex. Watchmaker emailed me via ebay and explains he did receive the watch and will email me when he opens it. No further contact with watchmaker to date. That was 12/6/13.

Wednesday Dec 11, I notice a negative posts to his feedback. Buyer claims no longer answering email and he fears his watch is gone. I email the watchmaker that day asking why that buyer left a negative. No response to date.

Today Saturday Dec 14th: I notice Watchmaker's ebay listings have all been pulled off ebay. I call watchmaker direct via phone. No Answer, left message. I call ebay. 2 other recent compliants alleging fraud. Ebay employee takes my report and suggests I contact law enforcement and open a conflict resolution case in the ebay system. Ebay employee states watchmaker pulled down his listings on his own today.

Ebay's system will not let me open a case as the seller stated that the item is to ship by Dec 27th. I can't open a case until after that date.

What do you guys think? Am I jumping the gun?

GH

[Lucky777]

Better to be safe and file ASAP. Things like this make me sick. Got ripped off in a different way last year and it was awful.

[Chainring]

I'd be nervous.

[Cc1966]

...this sounds bad. I would contact LE ASAP and get the ball rolling. Good luck and please keep us posted.

[bungcarlo]

Per your description.. yes! Hope everything gets sorted out!

[Oryx]

sounds very dodgy unfortunately - all things point in the same direction.

Im sorry to say it with the benefit of hindsight - but I would never send a watch to a watchmaker on ebay.

I do hope everything works out for you - keep us posted.

[HL65]

Ouch sounds like you got taken....Sorry! Never heard of looking for a watchmaker on Ebay. Next time try Rikki or ABC. Many good ones out there with known reputations within watch community. Anyway hope you get it back somehow or he gets caught! Best,

[kilyung]

Ouch!

[MonBK]

I do not like the sound of this, hope it gets sorted.

[bayerische]

Get a watchmaker on Ebay....? I honestly thought I had heard it all....

I'm sorry, but something is up. Either the guy is ill/been in an accident or worse, or you are getting ripped off.

I don't want to give you a hard time, but there's so many watchmakers, not to mention Rolex AD's, RSC, independents, that can service your watch... Why would you need ebay to source a watchmaker?

Edit, I don't know if paypal will even be able to help you, as you can probably get your service fee back, but they aren't backing the value of your watch.

Man, I'm sorry to read this.

[Cessnadriver]

Sorry to hear about this...
File with your local police department and the local department of which you sent the watch to.

After you have a copy of the report, take it to state police and give them a copy

[Laszlo]

I'm really sorry. I hope it works out. Bummed to read this.

[SLS]

I think start the process ASAP, the sooner the better. Sorry to hear this

[FeelingTheBlues]

That sounds very strange and fishy, I can only recommend you to act quickly and wish you the best of luck.

[Baselman]

Guy walks up to a man on street wearing a Rolex - Hi there fella nice Rolex I know I'm a stranger dude but if you give me your Rolex and some money on top too I swear ill make it sing like new and send it back to you next week. I'm cheaper than an AD too you can't go wrong with me fella ask my friends, here's my email address if you want to contact me and ill give u a mobile number too.
As stranger walks away wearing mans Rolex n counting his cash he shouts back oh I'm not a trusted TRF member nor am I an AD but don't worry you have my email n mobile your Rolex is safe in my hands.
Now if you were the Rolex wearer what would you say to this total stranger!! Common sense has to prevail sometimes.
I sympathize get it reported and next time go to AD/ trusted respected source for service and piece of mind! Cover yourself first always - in this case better report it asap email requesting immediate return of watch and money document this do not wait till dec27 first priority get your watch back !!!
There's people like this all over eBay steer clear of strangers!!

[TAKUYA]

I'm really sorry to hear that. But you need to do something asap…… in this case ebay or Paypal can not do anything until after that day……..

[Nissanzx1]

Thanks guys. I was lured in by the low price of $220 for a complete service. I know, stupid stupid stupid me. He sent me pages of emails discussing how he is retired and worked at a Rolex dealer for years, etc. He just wanted something on the side to keep him busy, etc.

I carefully sifted through his feedback of many happy customers who received Rolex service.

He discussed via email some old Mercedes' he has and was working on. Something I am also interested in, etc. Really wined and dined me on email. Very responsive until Dec 6th.

I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, however ebay told me today that he pulled his listings off ebay today himself. That leads me to believe he's alive somewhere. If you'll log on and delete your listings, why not answer a couple emails, etc. I will feel terrible if he's in the hospital or something... That's why I'm not posting his info at this stage.

GH

[paverman]

Hopefully things will turn out, but it's not sounding good at this point.
I hope you're able to report a positive outcome in a few weeks. Good Luck.

[Frosty]

Sorry, you are going through this!

[Jocke]

Sorry for the mess Grant. I really hope it will end nicely.

I guess it's maybe too late but never send a watch to a stranger for service, you know guys in US that will help you
out to find a good watchmaker. You knows where the guys is, if you lost the contact info just mail me.

Good luck with the watch my friend.

[jjnd08]

Good luck. I feel bad for you; terrible situation.

[Baselman]

No don't give any benefit of doubt number one he's been online and deleted listings and is obviously not to be trusted - other reports etc not answering you either says it all - number one priority get your watch back !!! Feel sorry for you. The litmus test is always Would you send a £50k watch to him - if no then why would you send a £8k watch to him ?

[salty_snack]

I hope your watch was insured...

[DCgator]

Sorry to hear. I hope this does not become a costly mistake. Good luck!

[Touring]

Does not look good. Hope it gets resolved favourably for you.

[cop414]

This doesn't sound good. I'd file a police report with your local PD as well as the PD where you sent the watch, not sure how jurisdiction works in your state. Also check with your homeowners insurance to see if your watch is included on your policy. It looks to me like you're the victim of a crime, check with your local DA's office to see if they have any kind of witness/victim program to help you with this process. Please keep us posted, not that anyone has to tell you this at this point but if it seems too good to be true...
I would also email the person on ebay and let them know what you're doing, not in a threatening manner but just letting him know what you are doing since he's not responding to you. Make sure when you file the police reports that you have your serial number handy. Also wouldn't hurt to call any pawn shops in the area where you sent the watch, you never know what might turn up.
So sorry to hear that you are going through this, please keep us posted.

[joe100]

Wow, sorry to hear this.

Next time, use one of our watchmakers here like Rik.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by salty_snack

I hope your watch was insured...

I wonder if insurance would cover this....?

[donateloss]

To my friend happened the same story about 1 year ago.
But the watch was insured , don't trust anyone friend.

[Nissanzx1]

I have a jewelery rider on my home owners policy for any watch up to $2500. Not sure if it will pay out because I stupidly didn't write down the Serial number.

I bought it on this forum Nov 15th from a trusted seller. I can get a wire receipt from my bank Monday but I had no time to have an appraisal done. So, not sure what info insurance will need to proceed with a claim. I would really like to avoid an insurance claim, if possible...

GH