Ebay - the fakes, the fraud and the doubts

T
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Aquagraph Aquagraph
That's what I mean, some prices good, some prices not so good
I have noticed this as well. I can’t work out why their prices can vary so much. However, there are some real bargains to be had.
 
dtf
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Aquagraph Aquagraph
But I'd rather buy new from Bicester for an extra £500
Aquagraph Aquagraph
upload_2024-8-8_14-24-13.png


I still think this looks great

Agree. I’m very tempted at the Bicester price. If I didn’t already have the 500m Full Black chrono, I’d have bought it by now. Still very tempted.
 
R
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The tag price point makes it too easy of a target for this scam. I just joined today asking for buying advice for Autavia - looking to buy used if possible. Because of tags price point, a lot of the dealers just dont want to buy (and sell) tags, or just discourage owners by lowballing ridiculously.

So people have to buy their used tags from ebay and it's a minefield.
 
imagwai
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Pitfitter446 Pitfitter446
eBay, fine for articles under a tenner, anything else?
As long as you understand there are fakes on the platform and do your due diligence, then it can still be a good place to buy and sell. And the authentication service, although having its own risks, also provides a certain level of confidence for both buyers and sellers.
 
Davidt
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EBay is a great place to buy if you ignore most of the description and make your decision based on the pictures and your own knowledge. If the aren’t able to spot fakes yourself it’s a complete lottery as eBay aren’t great at identifying and removing fake listings.
I would say my experience hasn’t been quite as bad as others. I’ve managed to get lots of fake watch listings removed but I do think eBay have some algorithm which is at least in part fuelled by the amount of people reporting a listing as fake and perhaps the history of the reporter.
 
BillC3
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YG_Rulz YG_Rulz
Apparently this lovely piece is not a fake according to our experts
1000074270.webp
Please excuse my ignorance, but what things did you see that tipped you off that it's fake? I still have a lot of learning to do....
 
Mspeedster
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BillC3 BillC3
Please excuse my ignorance, but what things did you see that tipped you off that it's fake? I still have a lot of learning to do....
For any Monaco enthusiast, well versed on the various Monacos, there are just so many things wrong with it. The list is long.
:fakecat::fakecat::fakecat::fakecat::fakecat:
Some of the things are subtle, unless one has a trained eye, such as the grain on the case. But others are just glaringly wrong. The box and papers are not the ones used for the current H02 Monaco. They're a much older style, so old that they have the original old TAG Heuer logo with the arrow style "G". Not only are they period incorrect, but they also look like imitations.
1000074274-webp.3044091
The caseback on the watch itself is totally wrong. The H02 Monaco has a see through caseback. This fake has the special 'One of 169' solid caseback that can only be found on the five Calibre11 Monaco 50th Anniversary models, each limited to 169 pieces.
1000074272.webp

^This particular fake uses the caseback of the '90s decade LE (1989-1999) Monaco 50th Anniversary, which would be the one that I own (below).
20241009_101335-webp.3043611 ^:realcat:
 
YG_Rulz
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T Tagredracer
Anyone used https://www.thewatchregister.com/search/ to check a watch?
Yes, but the Watch Register is not an authenticity check but rather a check to see if the watch has been reported stolen/lost/missing. Although its a good database, it is completely reliant on someone reporting a watch's details and serial numbers to carry out a check
 
Aquagraph
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And we know how useful serial numbers are. So if someone steals a watch then every clone using that serial number will also be 'stolen'.
Ehhhhh.....
 
T
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Thanks, makes sense, serial numbers are not worth a lot, so really when buying youre on your own. Paperwork easily faked, so you are left looking at the watch for clues, or send it off to an "authenticator" and get their guarantee for 12 months whilst you look at it enough and show it to enough people to be satisfied? .....
 
YG_Rulz
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EBay authentication actually picked an issue that the watch case had scratches which were not declared in the sales post. And you as the buyer have the power to accept/reject the item bases on the feedback.

Screenshot_20250415_160853_eBay.webp
 
YG_Rulz
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Anthony. Anthony.
I got this card with the Kith Hawaii recently.
20250409_130508.webp 20250409_130542.webp
Yup, that's eBay's authenticity card. I'd say it only holds value if the original TAG card is not available. They also put a red band on the strap + watch back saying "no returns if removed" - but I found that quite confusing as I couldn't find any option on eBay to challenge the authenticity of the watch even if I had to.
 
Anthony.
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YG_Rulz YG_Rulz
Yup, that's eBay's authenticity card. I'd say it only holds value if the original TAG card is not available. They also put a red band on the strap + watch back saying "no returns if removed" - but I found that quite confusing as I couldn't find any option on eBay to challenge the authenticity of the watch even if I had to.
This was the first time buying from Ebay since the Authentication system. Luckily all was good.
20250409_130102.webp
 
Aquagraph
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YG_Rulz YG_Rulz
Yup, that's eBay's authenticity card. I'd say it only holds value if the original TAG card is not available. They also put a red band on the strap + watch back saying "no returns if removed" - but I found that quite confusing as I couldn't find any option on eBay to challenge the authenticity of the watch even if I had to.
I guess that's if the seller offers returns? They want to make sure you're sending back the same watch...
 
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