Authenticity verified program is letting in fakes

[peter-green]

this is the second time I have recently come across some fake watches listed as verified.I called ebay this morning  to ask about the item I had just looked at and the program used to authenticate theml

ebay members are the ones who do the checking,items are shipped to them,examined and shipped back,when the item is sold they get to keep 20 percent.

I am an expert in lecoultre and vacheron watches.I had to laugh when I saw the converted alarm clock being sold as a genuine lecoultre alarm watch,what a fraud

I have reported the sellers in Ukraine many times,they are the worst abusers of selling put togethers,

many many examples on ebay of faked up fantasy dials being sold as new customs made dials on many watches,it is against the law to make a fantasy dial with the name lecoultre on it and slap it on a watch,the sellers admit to this in the descriptions yet ebay does nothing

[7606dennis]

Assuming that you have the credentials to qualify as an expert you make a very good point.  Frankly, it would seem to be a conflict of interest if the authentication was dependent on the one doing the authentication receiving a percentage of the sale.

[mudshark61369]

@peter-green,

Based on your sales history, I'll concede you know what you are talking about when it comes to LeCoultre & Vacheron, and other high end watch makers, watches.  That could be part of the reason why nothing has been done about the items you have reported.  eBay rarely acts on items reported by one or two different members. Especially, if they sell in the same category as the reported items sellers.  If you have a relationship with either of the two companies, you might want to urge them to join eBay's VErified Rights Owner (VeRO) program. They can put a stop to those misrepresenting their products.

As for the Authentication Program, I wondered how much of an expert any of those compensated volunteer experts could be.  I know what it takes to be certified for camera repairs by the various Mfrs. In this case, those with the experience to authenticate high end watches would have to do more than just look at the outer case.  Those with the expertise to do that, in my opinion wouldn't have the time to authenticate watches, unless they were semi or fully retired. Most don't really quit until our hands and/or eyes go on us.