eBay Authentication - Review
Just wanted to share my experience with the watch authentication process on eBay. I used the process a total of four times (twice as a seller and twice as a buyer) and had a great experience each time. It goes very quickly and gives a layer of protection from buying a fake watch. Please note, I am not suggesting this is the greatest process in history and that it's 100% perfect every single time, but for me, it has been flawless. If you have never used their service here is a quick recap:
Watches $2,000 and up automatically go through the process
eBay covers the cost of the process
For watches under $2,000 it's an $80 option
After you sell your watch, eBay provides you a shipping address where you send your watch to
Once the authenticator receives your watch the turn around is usually the same day and it will ship to the buyer very quickly. The buyer must sign for it upon receipt.
They not only review the watch but also the bracelet and straps
A secure paper red tag is attached to the watch. If the buyer rips it off, it's no longer returnable
If the watch is authentic but the strap is aftermarket, they might call the buyer and ask if that's ok 'do you still want it?". (that happened to me, and I accepted it anyway)
Smart Watches are not eligible for the program
If you offered the 'returns allowed' option and if the buyer decides to return the watch, the process is reversed. It goes back to the authenticator, (the security tag must be in place), it's reviewed again, and sent back to the seller.
If the watch is a fake, eBay will work with the authorities to sort it out.
The service authenticates the watch for 'authenticity' not 'functionality'. So if you buy a watch and a week later it's not working- that is a different matter all together.
Your watch will arrive from eBay is a nice blue box as well as an authentication card with a QR code that links to your watches authentication page.
Hope this little bit of info helps somebody out.
eBay Authentication - Review
Yes
No
- Quick turnaround
- Extra layer of protection
- Free for watches over $2K
- Adds a little waiting time
Artist with a passion for watches and Mini Coopers!
I have used the process twice when buying a watch. Once I paid the $80. Glad I did too. While the watch was real the warranty card serial number did not match the serial number on the case. The authentication service called me on how to proceed. Further investigation showed that the watch was not the model they claimed it to be and most likely replaced the dial and case back to make it look like something else. I rejected and got my money reimbursed quickly. Service is well worth if is you use EBAY.
I have used the process twice when buying a watch. Once I paid the $80. Glad I did too. While the watch was real the warranty card serial number did not match the serial number on the case. The authentication service called me on how to proceed. Further investigation showed that the watch was not the model they claimed it to be and most likely replaced the dial and case back to make it look like something else. I rejected and got my money reimbursed quickly. Service is well worth if is you use EBAY.
That's great feedback. Thank you for sharing your experience.
That under $2k answers a lot of questions. I've been seeing a lot of watches that should be costing $10k listing for $1800 with no authentication options. Most of them coming from Kazakhstan. I've already reported a Planet Ocean and a two-toned Super Chronomat that were listed for under $2k.
Ahhhh, wow, im impressed. Will use in future,
That under $2k answers a lot of questions. I've been seeing a lot of watches that should be costing $10k listing for $1800 with no authentication options. Most of them coming from Kazakhstan. I've already reported a Planet Ocean and a two-toned Super Chronomat that were listed for under $2k.
The "from Kazakhstan" should really have been enough, no need for authentication 🙄
Use eBay for nearly all my watch purchases, 3 verified. Good service, recommended. 👍👍
I imagine the one-star negative reviews on Google for Stoll & Co (the authenticator) mainly serve as confirmation bias. I've used their services before and had no issues.
Question about eBay's process. If you are the seller and have the original box and papers, what does eBay do with those? You mentioned a blue box and eBay authentication card but about the others? Original papers and box is always mentioned on Chrono24 if they have them.
Super smart move by eBay to do this as it preserves the trustworthiness of their platform for the huge amount of watches on there
Used it many times, and it's been flawless.
Question about eBay's process. If you are the seller and have the original box and papers, what does eBay do with those? You mentioned a blue box and eBay authentication card but about the others? Original papers and box is always mentioned on Chrono24 if they have them.
Good question. I suspect eBay will simply place the original watch box and papers into a big eBay box along with the smaller eBay blue watch box and ship it all together to the buyer.
you may be happy with this system, but I place zero value on the opinion of an Ebay watch expert employee.
I also don't like the idea of a person totally unknown to me getting his hands on the watch in question, whether I buy or sell.
For me, this Ebay Authenticity certificate has zero value.
Question about eBay's process. If you are the seller and have the original box and papers, what does eBay do with those? You mentioned a blue box and eBay authentication card but about the others? Original papers and box is always mentioned on Chrono24 if they have them.
If original box and papers they stay in that. They do put a blue plastic band on the watch to show that it was looked at and you get their authentication info.
The "from Kazakhstan" should really have been enough, no need for authentication 🙄
But they told me it was "the number four watch in all of Kazakhstan." 😢
The "from Kazakhstan" should really have been enough, no need for authentication 🙄
Yes, I know. It just held my that allow these, the "Mumba special" and other fakes to list. I know better but there are others who don't.
But they told me it was "the number four watch in all of Kazakhstan." 😢
🤣🤣🤣
you may be happy with this system, but I place zero value on the opinion of an Ebay watch expert employee.
I also don't like the idea of a person totally unknown to me getting his hands on the watch in question, whether I buy or sell.
For me, this Ebay Authenticity certificate has zero value.
It's not an opinion of eBay watch employee, instead it goes to an independent company that has been around since 1982 Stoll & Co. They are also an authorized service center to Bucherer, Ball, Baume & Mercier and many other big names. They also do service and repairs. I have used them in the past and they are top notch.
When I purchase a $2,000+ watch I definitely want it to pass through their hands and get authenticated. I already went through the terrible experience of receiving a fake watch in the past and arguing for three months with the seller trying to get my money back.
This eliminates all of that hassle. What is the alternative method?
Thanks for this post. I’m finding the eBay process more fruitful than my Chrono24 transactions.