Rolex- inspection pre purchase

[ds666]

I'm looking to buy a Rolex via ebay . Seller is happy to have the watch inspected at a Rolex dealer prior to purchase - has anyone had a similar experience and got any pointers ?

[ds666]

bump , looking to do the deal tomorrow . Goldsmiths won't check the watch for me and are suggesting that if it was bought on interest free credit there may be an issue - are watch loans secured against watches ??

Advise gratefully received , thanks

[Miguel Alvarez]

I doubt your average Goldsmiths employee would know what to look for.

I also doubt it being on finance would be an issue for you. If it's still got money on it he's still got to pay the loan off.

[michael gould]

Miguel Alvarez said:

I doubt your average Goldsmiths employee would know what to look for.

I also doubt it being on finance would be an issue for you. If it's still got money on it he's still got to pay the loan off.

agree with above......finance is not your problem.........any competent watch repairer who are members of the British Watch and Clock Makers Guild can whip the back off and tell you if its genuine in about 30seconds

[Nigel_O]

michael gould said:

agree with above......finance is not your problem.........

Is it not the same as with a car? - the original owner cannot sell the goods until title has passed to him (ie when the finance is settled)

Or is it the case that the finance on a watch is simply a personal loan, with no relevance to the goods?

[ds666]

Goldsmiths told me the finance was tied to the watch " like a car is ( which isn't always the case anyway ) " . I have phoned Hitachi finance and they say the loan is personal and they don't care what happens to the watch . Have agreed on an inspection at a ( used to be ) Rolex dealer tomorrow who will inspect the watch prior to transaction .

[mikeveal]

Could be either, but I've never heard of the former being used with jewellery. That said, I don't use credit.

[michael gould]

its not like a car where you have a legal requirement to register the car in your name.......so what is the lender going to do if you deny you ever bought it or you sold it to a Russian via the internet......the point I'm making is its not enforceable like a car loan ....However I agree, why have the hassle of buying a watch that has finance on.........I can't understand people financing a depreciating asset like a watch anyway.

[stuttgartmetal]

location ?

[Miguel Alvarez]

michael gould said:

its not like a car where you have a legal requirement to register the car in your name.......so what is the lender going to do if you deny you ever bought it or you sold it to a Russian via the internet......the point I'm making is its not enforceable like a car loan ....However I agree, why have the hassle of buying a watch that has finance on.........I can't understand people financing a depreciating asset like a watch anyway.

Exactly and why bother chasing you anyway when they can just chase up the guy who took the finance out. They have his bank details and address. The only issue would be if he said you mugged him. But we're talking extreme situations now.

As for the finance thing I have but only because it was "0%" and they would not budge on any discount. It was a second hand watch from Goldsmiths as it goes. I don't believe they do 0% on second hand stuff now. The way I saw it the money was better sitting in my ISA if I wasn't obtaining any discount.

[ds666]

I clarified the point ref watch finance above ( via the fact holders ) . It was a bit disingenuous of Goldsmiths to suggest that their finance was tied to what they sell .

[toohuge]

ds666 said:

It was a bit disingenuous of Goldsmiths to suggest that their finance was tied to what they sell .

You should not be too surprised with an inaccurate response from a Goldsmith sales rep - I would take that as a sign that perhaps they are not the best person to verify the authenticity of a Rolex.

As mentioned above, there are plenty of reputable watchmakers that could verify that there is a Rolex movement inside.

If you post where you are, I am sure someone can give you an recommendation.

[ds666]

toohuge said:

You should not be too surprised with an inaccurate response from a Goldsmith sales rep - I would take that as a sign that perhaps they are not the best person to verify the authenticity of a Rolex.

As mentioned above, there are plenty of reputable watchmakers that could verify that there is a Rolex movement inside.

If you post where you are, I am sure someone can give you an recommendation.

Thanks - have arranged to go to Peplows in Worcester

[gvij]

I bought a Rolex off ebay a year ago and of course was suspicious. Box , papers help to verify the watch although these could be forged. The type of seller helps ie feedback .
Down to the watch removing the bracelet shows the serial number stamped into the side and Rolex original design or words to that effect. You can crack it open safely using a Childs sticky toy ball do a check on youtube for video. I cracked mine open this morning to triple check its genuine and sure enough it is.

[GC8]

toohuge said:

You should not be too surprised with an inaccurate response from a Goldsmith sales rep - I would take that as a sign that perhaps they are not the best person to verify the authenticity of a Rolex.

My thoughts too. Why ever do people assume that a sales assistant will be able to establish a watch's provenance?

[ds666]

Deal done this am .Very pleasant experience - I am now the proud owner of a gmt 2 , 2 months old .

[maxest]

ds666 said:

Deal done this am .Very pleasant experience - I am now the proud owner of a gmt 2 , 2 months old .

Very nice, what sort of discount of new?

[ds666]

1200gbp.