eBay authentication process
Discussion
Hi all,
Have many of you used eBay recently and gone through the watch authentication process?
I've recently purchased a watch that is going through this and was wondering how long it takes. I ordered last week but due to the seller being away they are only in the process of sending it out for authentications this week. The seller communicated this to me so its nothing dodgy. For clarity, the authentication process is automated with any purchase over £2k and cant be skipped.
Normally I wouldn't care but I am going away myself next Tuesday and don't want it delivered when there is nobody in. eBay says its dispatched but I think its only the label that has been printed and its not with the courier yet.
I'm hoping they receive by Wednesday and get it back to me by Friday.
Is that a realistic (if the seller does their bit) timeframe for how long it takes?
Have many of you used eBay recently and gone through the watch authentication process?
I've recently purchased a watch that is going through this and was wondering how long it takes. I ordered last week but due to the seller being away they are only in the process of sending it out for authentications this week. The seller communicated this to me so its nothing dodgy. For clarity, the authentication process is automated with any purchase over £2k and cant be skipped.
Normally I wouldn't care but I am going away myself next Tuesday and don't want it delivered when there is nobody in. eBay says its dispatched but I think its only the label that has been printed and its not with the courier yet.
I'm hoping they receive by Wednesday and get it back to me by Friday.
Is that a realistic (if the seller does their bit) timeframe for how long it takes?
The EBay authentication process is not worth the paper it is written on.
I have seen plenty of watches advertised on the site which are fakes.
Look at the reviews of the system/process and it is an eye opener.
Just seen a Clerc watch with an EBay authentication certificate and it was clearly a fake.
I wouldn’t buy a watch off EBay other than the cheaper micro brands as anything that can be copied/ faked I would avoid.
Even Seiko are a huge target for the fakers on EBay.
If someone is going to buy from there then the only way I would buy something is if it was possible to have it authenticated by a reputable watch shop in my presence but this is a real logistical headache.
I have seen plenty of watches advertised on the site which are fakes.
Look at the reviews of the system/process and it is an eye opener.
Just seen a Clerc watch with an EBay authentication certificate and it was clearly a fake.
I wouldn’t buy a watch off EBay other than the cheaper micro brands as anything that can be copied/ faked I would avoid.
Even Seiko are a huge target for the fakers on EBay.
If someone is going to buy from there then the only way I would buy something is if it was possible to have it authenticated by a reputable watch shop in my presence but this is a real logistical headache.
To update, they've authenticated my watch now and fingers crossed I'll get it tomorrow.
It can't be too thorough in what they do as they received it this morning at 9am and by 12pm it had already been completed. Either that or they are twiddling their thumbs waiting for a job to come in
I think the responses above are fair, you wouldn't rely on this feature, particular if it is an older or more rare piece. Mine is a 12 month old Tudor with box/papers so might be easier for them to check.
Like buying anything used, pays your money and you take your choice so there is always a risk it might not be as it seems.
It can't be too thorough in what they do as they received it this morning at 9am and by 12pm it had already been completed. Either that or they are twiddling their thumbs waiting for a job to come in
I think the responses above are fair, you wouldn't rely on this feature, particular if it is an older or more rare piece. Mine is a 12 month old Tudor with box/papers so might be easier for them to check.
Like buying anything used, pays your money and you take your choice so there is always a risk it might not be as it seems.
Dark Star said:
The EBay authentication process is not worth the paper it is written on.
I have seen plenty of watches advertised on the site which are fakes.
Look at the reviews of the system/process and it is an eye opener.
Just seen a Clerc watch with an EBay authentication certificate and it was clearly a fake.
I wouldn’t buy a watch off EBay other than the cheaper micro brands as anything that can be copied/ faked I would avoid.
Even Seiko are a huge target for the fakers on EBay.
If someone is going to buy from there then the only way I would buy something is if it was possible to have it authenticated by a reputable watch shop in my presence but this is a real logistical headache.
Depends on your appetite for risk.I have seen plenty of watches advertised on the site which are fakes.
Look at the reviews of the system/process and it is an eye opener.
Just seen a Clerc watch with an EBay authentication certificate and it was clearly a fake.
I wouldn’t buy a watch off EBay other than the cheaper micro brands as anything that can be copied/ faked I would avoid.
Even Seiko are a huge target for the fakers on EBay.
If someone is going to buy from there then the only way I would buy something is if it was possible to have it authenticated by a reputable watch shop in my presence but this is a real logistical headache.
I bought a Datejust for my wife off Ebay last year (£5k) and I've bought a few other watches for myself (£2k, £3k etc) with no problems at all.
I just made sure the seller had decent, long standing feedback and that everything felt right when asking questions.
-crookedtail- said:
To close out my experience the watch arrived today, as described with box, papers including original receipts. It comes in a little eBay box with a 'authenticated card' that proves very little 
I'd like better communication from eBay but apart from that I am a happy bunny
By coincidence I went through the same process when I bought my BB58 at the back end of last year. Seller posted it on the Monday, was authenticated and on it's way to me by the end of Tuesday and I got it on the Thursday.I'd like better communication from eBay but apart from that I am a happy bunny
I paid £2k for mine on a bracelet and am surprised to see how much they've gone up in the last few months.
I want to sell my Speedmaster Broad Arrow to replace it with a new Seamaster, and though I know Ebay will give it the widest audience, the whole site now feels like it's geared toward making things incredibly risky as a seller as there are so many scammers these days. I used to sell a lot of stuff via the platform, but it reached the point where someone made a false claim that even though as the seller I could prove it false, they sided with the buyer and I lost about £200 (As well as the item). I think going through that with a fairly expensive watch would give me the fear!
Ikobo said:
I want to sell my Speedmaster Broad Arrow to replace it with a new Seamaster, and though I know Ebay will give it the widest audience, the whole site now feels like it's geared toward making things incredibly risky as a seller as there are so many scammers these days. I used to sell a lot of stuff via the platform, but it reached the point where someone made a false claim that even though as the seller I could prove it false, they sided with the buyer and I lost about £200 (As well as the item). I think going through that with a fairly expensive watch would give me the fear!
https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/selling-tools/ebay-authenticity-guarantee?id=4644Check out the authentication t&cs
It protects you against the exact thing which you are worried about!
Can’t say I noticed any scammers during my sale. A few online watch shops making lowball offers were a bit annoying, but easy to ignore ..
I just sold a mint watch on Ebay via the authenticator
Ist message "UR PRICE???"
2nd Message, Ebay, "XXXX appears to be a compromised account, ignore"
Next, odd question about the condition of the watch, fairly local guy.
Answered politely. 2 days later guy offers £100 below what I would net after fees, hints of a meet and sale outside ebay.
I google him, convictions for violence, general social media very unsavoury, don't fancy it, ignore
Wake up one morning, watch sold, buyer paid. Despatch to the authenticator, within 4 hours of delivery watch authenticated and funds released.
Lovely message from the buyer, complimenting on the condition of the watch and really pleased with it.
Then, a message from "the buyer" asking me to send the watch to his new address in Barcelona. Email address is the original UR PRICE hacked account.
No response to my offer to have my sister deliver it when she returns to Barca where she lives with her police detective husband.
That's the second watch I've sold via the authenticator and it's been great both times. I would be quite happy to buy a 4-5k watch via ebay using the service.
Ist message "UR PRICE???"
2nd Message, Ebay, "XXXX appears to be a compromised account, ignore"
Next, odd question about the condition of the watch, fairly local guy.
Answered politely. 2 days later guy offers £100 below what I would net after fees, hints of a meet and sale outside ebay.
I google him, convictions for violence, general social media very unsavoury, don't fancy it, ignore
Wake up one morning, watch sold, buyer paid. Despatch to the authenticator, within 4 hours of delivery watch authenticated and funds released.
Lovely message from the buyer, complimenting on the condition of the watch and really pleased with it.
Then, a message from "the buyer" asking me to send the watch to his new address in Barcelona. Email address is the original UR PRICE hacked account.
No response to my offer to have my sister deliver it when she returns to Barca where she lives with her police detective husband.
That's the second watch I've sold via the authenticator and it's been great both times. I would be quite happy to buy a 4-5k watch via ebay using the service.
They will take the market, if the fees are right
Eg my £2150 sale. £55 fees & free authentication (i get 80% off fees offer most weeks)
£15 to send to authenticator via Royal Mail Special delivery (next day/2.5k cover)
“How eBay Authenticity Guarantee works
If your item is eligible for eBay Authenticity Guarantee, it will be automatically added to the program, free of charge. There is no opt in or opt out option.
Items included in the eBay Authenticity Guarantee programme display a blue tick badge. Buyers will see the badge in the search results page, the view item page, the checkout page and their Purchase history page.
When you make a sale, you have to send the item to the authenticator's address provided by eBay. Once the authenticator receives the item, the inspection is processed within 2 business days.
If the authenticator confirms the item is consistent with the listing title, description, and images, they perform a physical authentication inspection. If the inspector cannot determine that the product is authentic, or if the product is not as described in the listing, the item will be returned to you and the buyer will receive their money back. If the item passes inspection, it will be sent to the buyer with fast and free, tracked delivery. Items sold for £450 or more will have signature-required delivery.
Returns with Authenticity Guarantee
If a buyer wants to return an authenticated item, your return policy as stated in the listing will apply. Authenticated items are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee, assuming all other eligibility criteria are met. For full details, read our eBay Money Back Guarantee policy.
When returning an item, the buyer will send it back to the authenticator who will check that the item is still in the same condition and has all relevant accessories.Once the item has been re-authenticated, it will be returned to you and the buyer's refund will be processed.”
Eg my £2150 sale. £55 fees & free authentication (i get 80% off fees offer most weeks)
£15 to send to authenticator via Royal Mail Special delivery (next day/2.5k cover)
“How eBay Authenticity Guarantee works
If your item is eligible for eBay Authenticity Guarantee, it will be automatically added to the program, free of charge. There is no opt in or opt out option.
Items included in the eBay Authenticity Guarantee programme display a blue tick badge. Buyers will see the badge in the search results page, the view item page, the checkout page and their Purchase history page.
When you make a sale, you have to send the item to the authenticator's address provided by eBay. Once the authenticator receives the item, the inspection is processed within 2 business days.
If the authenticator confirms the item is consistent with the listing title, description, and images, they perform a physical authentication inspection. If the inspector cannot determine that the product is authentic, or if the product is not as described in the listing, the item will be returned to you and the buyer will receive their money back. If the item passes inspection, it will be sent to the buyer with fast and free, tracked delivery. Items sold for £450 or more will have signature-required delivery.
Returns with Authenticity Guarantee
If a buyer wants to return an authenticated item, your return policy as stated in the listing will apply. Authenticated items are covered by eBay Money Back Guarantee, assuming all other eligibility criteria are met. For full details, read our eBay Money Back Guarantee policy.
When returning an item, the buyer will send it back to the authenticator who will check that the item is still in the same condition and has all relevant accessories.Once the item has been re-authenticated, it will be returned to you and the buyer's refund will be processed.”
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