ebay Rolex watches

[Tri-National-Man]

I never said that "ebay was clear of fakes" There are some members on this forum that make it sound as if ebay is one huge market of knock off and fake watches..Yes, there are many less than honest sellers out there so be aware..If anyone is considering buying a Rolex from ebay do your homework...Buy from a reputable seller with lots of feedback from happy customers...Many of these sellers offer full refunds if you are not entirely satisfied etc...There are crooks everywhere in this world unfortunately, but there are also decent folk even on ebay

[HL65]

Agree with you--including some of our best sellers from TRF who use Ebay to sell.
Like anything else--buy the seller!!

[tattooedfagin]

i bought my first Rolex using eBay back in 2006, i'd been after a 16610 for ages asking local watch stores if they could get me one & at what price. i'd seen plenty on eBay but fear of getting stung halted any progress, decided to take my time & just search locally where i could check out both the watch & seller in person & ended up buying from a guy less than 10 miles away, complete with all paperwork & original receipts etc, i still had to get it verified by a local watchmaker before i was 100% but eventually did a private cash deal, he saved his eBay fees & i got myself an 18 month old Sub Date for a great price. as with most things, eBay's not so scary if you have patience & do your homework.

[Rolex116520]

Originally Posted by Tri-National-Man

I never said that "ebay was clear of fakes"

True you said this :
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tri-National-Man
Like on this forum, there are moderators that look out for fakes..I've seen very, very few and those were removed pronto. I've been buying and selling on ebay for 10 years and have come across very few..

[Tri-National-Man]

I must also point out that ebay sellers with say 100 feedbacks have most probably sold at least twice that figure...I personally have a 100% rating on 350 feedbacks but have sold over 1000 items over the last 3 years...It seems that many buyers cannot be bothered to write these up despite them being an important part of the ebay deal. It is highly important to me to keep my 100% rating - and it is a lengthy process to acquire this...Thank you Chad and Connor for the support!

[Rolex116520]

Originally Posted by Tri-National-Man

I must also point out that ebay sellers with say 100 feedbacks have most probably sold at least twice that figure...I personally have a 100% rating on 350 feedbacks but have sold over 1000 items over the last 3 years...It seems that many buyers cannot be bothered to write these up despite them being an important part of the ebay deal. It is highly important to me to keep my 100% rating - and it is a lengthy process to acquire this...Thank you Chad and Connor for the support!

Don't get me completely wrong : I have done some fantastic deals on Ebay myself ( I used to collect vintage Louis Vuitton luggage ) between 2000-2005 . Feedback is important , but we also see many abusing their high feedback . They know they can get away with murder . Ask any prominent "reporter" on the watch out section : 0 feedback listings get removed nearly instantly on 1 single report where high FB sellers can list " WIENERS " and it will take a lot more then a simple report to get those removed .
The copies , frankenwatches and professionally elaborated vintage pieces are getting harder to detect (based on a couple of pictures ) by the day .
Ebay is an enormous marketplace and is growing . You and I may not spot the fakes , but believe me they are there and many more than you may think .
Just count the ones that get reported on watch out .. then try and imagine the amount that doesn't get spotted , reported and removed in time .

[HL65]

Very true: which again is why you must always buy the seller! There are well known sellers on EBay who are trusted sellers right here on our own TRF! Always do homework and know what you are buying!!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Agree with you--including some of our best sellers from TRF who use Ebay to sell.
Like anything else--buy the seller!!

X2. Myself have several good deals via ebay,always buy the seller every time
thats one simply rule to follow.

[tattooedfagin]

must also add that my Red Sub came from eBay too thanks to Mark Lerman, a solid seller for sure as many others will vouch for.

[Jason71]

It does seem that some of "less desirable" watches end-up on Ebay. I have bought several good watches on Ebay and a couple that were not so great. These were authentic, but were not as pristine as the ones bought off the forums. The problem was that things were not disclosed in the sale. These were sellers with >98% feedback rating and MANY transactions.

[HL65]

Jason- the most desirable watches never make it to post for sale anywhere and almost always change hands privately between collectors- trust me on that unless it is a more common watch that is not as desirable and rare. Every vintage watch I have bought were never posted or listed anywhere and were found for me by an expert hunter/collector- with one exception.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Jason- the most desirable watches never make it to post for sale anywhere and almost always change hands privately between collectors- trust me on that unless it is a more common watch that is not as desirable and rare. Every vintage watch I have bought were never posted or listed anywhere and were found for me by an expert hunter/collector- with one exception.

I guess what I mean be "less desirable" is in a totally different league for the watches that you are looking to purchase

Some of the watches that I see on Ebay are overpolished, hodge/podge thrown together watches with tritium dials and luminova hands that might have had a redial. The seller plays dumb and says he/she doesn't know if the hands were replaced at service, and have no idea about the insert either. I realize that this is a generalization, and not all watches are this way on Ebay, but like I said..........I have had very mixed luck on Ebay......I have always gotten authentic, but sometimes the condition is lacking. (This is not only with Rolex, but other brands)

[The Collector]

I have always had good results on Ebay, from 100% original Rolexes, and one Patek Philippe, etc. I do my research before bidding and ask the seller questions, and have gotten all my watches at 50% savings or better. I make sure they're not polished down, but rather have been well taken care of. I have only lost out once with a delivery of scrap 14K gold which turned out to be fake, and got a refund, thankfully. But as in any market, it is "buyer beware."