Opt out of Authenticity Guarantee to ship watch internationally?

[sera2722]

Hello folks,

I am a newish seller but long-time eBay member. I've sold several low-priced, BIN items over the last couple of months and all has gone well. Now I have an expensive watch listed on auction with eBay's authenticity guarantee, with 5 days left until the auction ends. A buyer has contacted me asking if I could ship internationally if they cover the shipping costs. However, authenticity guarantee for US sellers only covers shipping within the US. I am not registered with the Global Shipping Program and prefer not to deal with international shipping in general, based on the warnings and horror stories I've read on this forum. I specifically wanted to list this watch with the authenticity guarantee, since I'm pretty new at this and wanted peace of mind for myself and my buyers. 

That being said, this watch is a niche brand and there are buyers around the world with genuine interest in purchasing it. Is it possible, or even advisable, for me to opt out of the authenticity guarantee at this point to offer the watch to international buyers? I can't find anything in the eBay help center regarding this, and I'm still concerned about fraud, although this particular buyer who contacted me has 100% positive fb (although not many ratings). I would welcome advice on this before I respond to the buyer or contact eBay with questions.

Thanks.

[caldreamer]

There are many scammers on EBAY looking for "high value" items.   They get your item and then "reverse credit cards".    EBAY will NOT help you if you are scammed.

Or they use EBAY Money Back Guarantee claiming "counterfeit, not as described, defective" and you are forced to give full refund (plus shipping BOTH ways).    Even if they return "box of rocks" you still must give full refund.   EBAY always sides with customer even if you have proof otherwise. 

[klhmdg]

I woudnt do it. 

Since the item has bids you can not make changes to the item. 

I would never sell anything I can not afford to give away but especially would not ship an expensive item to another country. 

[sera2722]

Thanks for your quick response,  @klhmdg and @caldreamer. And for confirming that I'm not being paranoid or overly cautious! I'll inform the buyer that I can't make changes to the shipping at this point. I'm not even sure why this buyer was able to message me, since my buyer requirements are set to "Block buyers whose primary shipping address is in a location I don't ship to" and "Don't allow blocked buyers to contact me." Is there some other setting I need to change so international buyers don't ask me to ship to them?

[ittybitnot]

although this particular buyer who contacted me has 100% positive fb (although not many ratings)

@sera2722 

All buyer IDs have 100% feedback.  They might be honest individuals or the biggest scam artists on the site.  They all have the same rating.   Since we basically can no longer see what the buyer purchased,  you don't know if feedback was for used children's shoes or high end jewelry.   Accounts that have been dormant for a long time,  may suggest the account may be highjacked anyway.  Since there is no more transparency here per se, it is difficult to tell. 

Here is the info on the watch authentication program.  Apparently, eBay decides who is enrolled in the program, and it appears mandatory, and not something you can remove. Interesting note is that it must be sold/shipped to the US, 

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling-tools/ebay-authenticity-guarantee?id=4644 

(expand to see watches)

I do not know if they allow international bidders with a US freight forwarder address to bid/buy.  That would be interesting to determine.  At least one would expect that if it is allowed, and the buyer tries the "empty box" nonsense,  it would be on the "authenticator" not you.  

Good luck with your sale. 

[1tuna · Accepted solution]

I have a number of watches  in the program and I can tell you they are only going to be shipped in the USA.

i have usa only shipping listed and am not worried about any  reshippers  in Deleware

ebay uses 2 day UPS to ship watches from the authenticator to the buyer.

I woud not let an interested buyer induce me to ship outside of my comfort zone

I woud take up ebay on the the free service that they  are offering...free second day UPS is btter than I ever ship

[xcowboysfanx]

YOU ONLY ship to the address on their eBay account.  If you ship anywhere else you're an idiot and gonna get scammed.... DO NOT SHIP TO ADDRESSES DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS LISTED ON EBAY. EVER!!!!!

[xcowboysfanx]

Total **bleep**, eBay has sided with me on many transactions when they tried to return something. 

[pjcdn2005]

Zombie  thread. Original post is from July 2021.

[captainmarvel1]

Hi, if an international buyer who lives in another country, but has a US shipping address, will the item still go to the Authenticity Guarantee and am I covered? 

Thanks, 

[soh.maryl]

You've tagged on to a post that's over two years old.  You probably would get better advice/information if you would start your own new thread. 

[penoriss]

Since i offer returns i should be able to sell my items without the "GIA" inspecting my auctions
and nit picking on carat weights, gold content ring size ect. After all, i am a Graduate from the GIA and as a Licensed
Gemologist and i include my appraisal, And anyone can take it free of charge to any Jeweler for inspection.
Therefore i have started to use other Platforms to market my Jewels many which are free of charge, or have much lower fees
Sincerely, "Penoriss"

I want to OPT OUT of that Authenticity Guarantee Program.
It doesn't work for either one of us. I sell second hand jewellery
that is graded by opinion, I graduated from the "GIA" and their
opinion and mine vary slightly. It kills the sale and the client still
buys the item, I think i should have the right to opt out, I have perfect
feedback, offer a money back guarantee and i have been selling for 23+ years
on e bay.Based on my sales and returns i am positive e bay is loosing
millions of dollars weekly, If you have bad sellers then require it with them.
But i am a GIA graduate gemologist with all the same gold testing and Diamond
testing equipment and my opinion should matter as id does in a court of law and with all insurance companies, My sales are down, as yours are and i am listing far less items because of this unfair policy. If my buyer
wants to get it checked let them do it on their own.It is free anywhere.
Besides, we include a Gemologist's appraisal with every purchase. Furthermore
it takes a ridiculous amount of time to get your new purchase, That makes buyers angry!
"Penoriss"

[kh-adrian]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.