Let me tell ya, eBay used to be kinda okay, but now? It’s crawling with these shady sellers peddling fake stuff. I mean, I even saw some chump trying to sell a “quartz” Seiko Presage with the AUTOMATIC logo plastered right on it! Like, seriously? Does he think people are *that* dumb? I even reported it, but eBay just shrugged. Talk about frustrating.
And it’s not just the obvious stuff, either. These guys are getting *good*. Like, scary good. One poor sap even got a fake Tag Heuer with fake paperwork to match! Can you believe the audacity?
So, how do you avoid getting burned? Well, lemme just ramble off some red flags I’ve picked up over the years, mostly from getting almost scammed myself a few times (don’t judge!).
First off, and this is a biggie: the price is too good to be true. I mean, come on. If a Rolex is being offered for, like, a grand, it’s probably faker than my grandma’s teeth. Remember that saying, “If it seems too good to be true…” Yeah, pay attention to that.
Then there’s the seller’s feedback. Now, a lot of good feedback *doesn’t* necessarily mean they’re legit. Some of these guys are sneaky and boost their ratings with small, legitimate sales before they start dumping the fake stuff. But *low* feedback? Or a bunch of negative comments about authenticity? Run! Just run away as fast as you can!
Another thing I’ve noticed is the pictures. Are they blurry? Stock photos? Or just, like, super weird angles that don’t show the whole watch clearly? That’s a red flag flapping like crazy in a hurricane. A legitimate seller will show you every detail, even the tiny scratches (because let’s face it, nobody selling a used watch is gonna hide the wear and tear).
Oh, and the box. Don’t underestimate the power of a crummy box. One guy got a fake watch, and the box was so obviously fake, it was comical. The logo was all wonky, and it looked like it had been dragged through a mud puddle. If the box looks like garbage, the watch probably is too.
And finally, trust your gut! If something just feels off about the listing, the seller, or the whole situation… don’t do it! There are tons of other watches out there. It’s not worth the risk of getting stuck with a piece of junk that’ll end up costing you more in the long run.
Honestly, sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth buying watches on eBay anymore. I’ve almost completely given up reporting fakes myself. It’s like, why bother? eBay doesn’t seem to care. I mean, I even sold a Gucci bag for my wife once, just to clean out the closet. The process was fine, but watches? Eh, buyer beware.
