Issues with watch sellers on eBay
Though I feel like ranting out of frustration, this is more of a question to see if this is a common thing others have run into as well. Several weeks ago I purchased the Seiko Cocktail Time "Kir Royal" for my wife as a surprise. Since it was a gift, I wanted it new. I found a seller in Hong Kong with hundreds of feedback and 99% rating. Bought it, paid right away. Then a week later I get an email saying he inspected the watch before shipping and found an issue with the crown. So he cancelled the purchase and refunded my money. Ok, stuff happens, I get it.
So I go back and find another seller with great feedback, this time in Japan. Again, buy it now and pay right away. And AGAIN, nearly a week goes by and then I get an email that when they went to ship my watch, they found it was the wrong model. Again, cancelled my order and refunded my money.
I guess I should be glad I got my money back each time, but it's really frustrating that I had to order this watch 3 times! Finally the third seller (also in Japan) has sent me a tracking number so at least it's finally on its way. But what's the deal?!? Does this happen alot? Are sellers just cancelling and then relisting them later for more?
Traveler. Collector. Enthusiast. Passion for music, art, sports and other random things.
Recently I had a seller contact me to say he was actually out of stock on the item I bought, but would have more arriving that week. I waited for the stock to arrive and everything was ok. Otherwise I’ve had pretty good luck on eBay.
I had this happen once with an Oris that I bought, but I've bought a lot of watches on eBay and normally don't have problems. It's not typically as common as it was for you, but it's very disappointing when it does happen.
Recently I had a seller contact me to say he was actually out of stock on the item I bought, but would have more arriving that week. I waited for the stock to arrive and everything was ok. Otherwise I’ve had pretty good luck on eBay.
That's a good seller, he gave you options. I was not given that option. Its really frustrating as I've been using ebay for over 20 years and I can count the number of bad transactions on my hands. Then to go and have have two sellers go and cancel purchases back to back... its very weird.
I had this happen once with an Oris that I bought, but I've bought a lot of watches on eBay and normally don't have problems. It's not typically as common as it was for you, but it's very disappointing when it does happen.
Thanks for your input, I was getting suspect to have two cancellations like that. I'm hoping its a fluke, but its really frustrating as this was supposed to be a gift. And these models are older so its not like any Seiko dealer has them on hand. Fingers crossed
Sounds like just a short run of bad luck. Hope it works out.
I've never experienced that, but as a rule of thumb my advice would be to only make business with sellers with at least 99.6% average rate and above. Under that you risk too much in my humble opinion. 99% is not a good rating.
I can count any bad experiences I have had on one hand over a period of 12 years. You are covered via PayPal, so I have always got my money back when things go south, and eBay support is pretty helpful if you document everything.
I've never experienced that, but as a rule of thumb my advice would be to only make business with sellers with at least 99.6% average rate and above. Under that you risk too much in my humble opinion. 99% is not a good rating.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm surprised that 99% feeback isnt enough, but I guess I'm seeing why now. Thanks
I can count any bad experiences I have had on one hand over a period of 12 years. You are covered via PayPal, so I have always got my money back when things go south, and eBay support is pretty helpful if you document everything.
You're right, I'm thankful that its covered and I got my money back. I just wanted to see if any others were running into this as well.
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm surprised that 99% feeback isnt enough, but I guess I'm seeing why now. Thanks
Of course this also depends on the negative feedback and how recent it might be. This is a general rule and there might be some exceptions :)
So a quick update - I checked one of the seller's listed items and yup... one week later they relisted the item for 20% more. I wish it wasnt the case, but it seems like just unethical/greedy practices. Sigh...
Never had any problems like this but had a bad purchases in my years. Mostly watches not being as pictured or described. But never any cancellations like this.
Never had any problems like this but had a bad purchases in my years. Mostly watches not being as pictured or described. But never any cancellations like this.
Thanks for sharing. I'm really hoping its just an isolated case or two. I've been buying on ebay forever, but my recent effort to collect several of the Seiko Cocktail Time watches from overseas has been very frustrating. Fingers crossed the two I just purchased will be arriving soon without more drama.
Thanks for sharing. I'm really hoping its just an isolated case or two. I've been buying on ebay forever, but my recent effort to collect several of the Seiko Cocktail Time watches from overseas has been very frustrating. Fingers crossed the two I just purchased will be arriving soon without more drama.
Fingers crossed. Had one purchase from Japan (sary057) and it went okay, bit more damage than pictured but the seller was great. The other seiko from Japan went so smooth, no issues at all. Sometimes it's a bit of a gamble even with sellers that have 100% feedback
I live in the U.K.
obtaining JDM Seiko’s is really difficult but normally there’s no problem, however in the last few months I’ve noticed several watches posted for sale by different sellers, ie the same pictures of the watch same serial numbers etc.
I have queried this with some and they don’t reply they are 90%+ feedback sellers too.
I live in the U.K.
obtaining JDM Seiko’s is really difficult but normally there’s no problem, however in the last few months I’ve noticed several watches posted for sale by different sellers, ie the same pictures of the watch same serial numbers etc.
I have queried this with some and they don’t reply they are 90%+ feedback sellers too.
Thanks for the input. I've seen that too, with several sellers only posting stock photos and not any of the actual watch. Its definitely been alot to navigate when trying to acquire these older models. With the newer/current lines I will definitely be buying from US based AD's. Even if they dont have the J1 model number, not worth all this drama.
Take feedback with a grain of salt. Every time I've had a seller cancel I have been given no option to leave feedback. Ebay seems to discourage negative feedback so the bad sellers aren't as apparent as they should be.
You're right. I found that the item disappeared from my purchase history when they cancelled. But I was able to still leave feedback by navigating from the email link to the transaction.
But this set of watch purchases from Japanese sellers has been very frustrating. I just received another JDM Seiko Presagea couple days ago. Item sold as Brand New in Box, but came with no tag or warranty card. Seller made some excuse, but I did inspect it closely and it is authentic and had no scratches or wear of any type. In the end I was just happy to get this watch, but will be very wary of gray market purchases now.