Watch Authentication Program

[buzwards]

I sold a watch on eBay.  It was marked Rolex, but I stated clearly that I didn't know if it was authentic.  I started the listing at $9.99.  As soon as the price hit $2000, eBay kicked in the authentication program.  My watch sold at less than 1/2 the price of an authentic watch of that model.  Now, my money is in limbo, the watch is going to authentication, and I have no recourse.  How is this fair?

[luckythewinner]

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It was marked Rolex, but I stated clearly that I didn't know if it was authentic.

If you did not know whether it was authentic, you should not have listed it. Selling a counterfeit watch is illegal. 

The watch is going to authentication, and I have no recourse.  How is this fair.

IMHO it is absolutely fair to the buyer. 

[eclipsejs]

You should have had a jeweler authenticate it before listing.  You would have probably made more money this way.

[buyselljack2016]

@buzwards 

Your title says "marked as Rolex"

You can not sell items that are not authentic just by having a "disclaimer".

eBay is doing exactly as they should to protect "you".

[darmurr-92]

How is it fair that you sold something that you admit might be fake for $4000?

[mtgraves7984]

Before more sales go sideways... all of your Felix the Cat items aren't  Felix the Cat. Just sayin'...

[releasethekraken_1]

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@buzwards wrote:

I sold a watch on eBay.  It was marked Rolex, but I stated clearly that I didn't know if it was authentic.  I started the listing at $9.99.  As soon as the price hit $2000, eBay kicked in the authentication program.  My watch sold at less than 1/2 the price of an authentic watch of that model.  Now, my money is in limbo, the watch is going to authentication, and I have no recourse.  How is this fair?

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They could have just taken the listing down and kicked you off the site. Selling "possibly authentic" Rolexes isn't allowed. If you're not sure, don't list; take it to a local authenticator first. The authentication program is a buyer protection function; it's not there to do your work for you.

[coolections]

How fair is that ?  Never sell a Rolex that could be fake. Making buyers guess it may be real is not fair at all.

[m60driver]

Yea, sounds very fair to me.  Buyer paid a price that was for a real Rolex yet you state that you don't know whether it is real or a good fake that you can buy off the streets in Southeast Asia for well under $100.  Now it will get opened up and authenticated and if it is real you will get your money and if it is fake then buyer will get their money back.  What is unfair in this scenario?

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

Perfect responses, agree with all. Please OP, do not spend that money just yet.

[darmurr-92]

Yeah those are dogs, NOT cats

[buzwards]

But it wouldn't have mattered.  eBay's policy clearly states that it doesn't accept the jeweler's authentication, and the second the value of the auction exceeds $2000, it goes to their authenticator who can counter the jeweler and the seller has no recourse.

[buzwards]

That's ridiculous.  They don't kick you off the site for that.  They would message and explain or call directly.  

[buzwards]

Thanks for your Felix expertise.  Very helpful.  And, nothing went sideways.  This would have happened whether or not the watch was authenticated by a jeweler.  Read the policy before you give "advice".

[buzwards]

Thanks for your quick response, but I guess you didn't read my statement.  The buyer didn't pay the price for a "real Rolex".  What is unfair is that, even if I had a jeweler's authentication, eBay takes possession of the watch regardless, and could counter it with one of their "authenticators", and, they don't inform the buyer that they are not receiving their watch directly, so that sets in a panic.  Also, there is no reconciliation process if you have a certified watch and their authenticator disagrees.  If the shoe were on the other foot, you wouldn't like it.  They are putting the merchandise in jeopardy by circumventing the delivery process.