Buying watches from Japan: Marutaka and eBay?

filfb22 · Aug 25, 2023

Hello everyone, I'm here tonight with a question regarding buying watches from Japan and specifically on eBay.

It happens sometimes that different sellers put on ebay the same watch with the same images. It usually appears with also the "Marutaka" name on the ad (I've attached a sample).

Does anyone knows anything about it?

Aroxx · Aug 25, 2023

Yea you've gotta watch out for this. Third parties re-list the same watch, images and all, for a higher price. If you buy it from them they just buy the watch from the original seller, send it to you, and pocket the difference. I see this all the time with Closer's stuff. Make sure you avoid these resellers and only purchase directly from the source.

filfb22 · Aug 25, 2023

Aroxx
Yea you've gotta watch out for this. Third parties re-list the same watch, images and all, for a higher price. If you buy it from them they just buy the watch from the original seller, send it to you, and pocket the difference. I see this all the time with Closer's stuff. Make sure you avoid these resellers and only purchase directly from the source.

Is Marutaka an international seller or just one on the Japanese market?
Thanks

Aroxx · Aug 25, 2023

filfb22
Is Marutaka an international seller or just one on the Japanese market?
Thanks

I have no idea. Never heard of them.

Braindrain · Aug 25, 2023

I'm guessing it's this pawnshop.

filfb22 · Aug 25, 2023

Thanks you all.

I found the watch I observed on eBay listed, I believe, at the source priced 4k USD less than on eBay…

chrisb732 · Aug 25, 2023

It’s tricky, I’ve seen a seller have something listed on eBay but the same seller had it listed for a lower price on Chrono24. I’ve heard sometimes the original seller can be found on the Yahoo Japan auctions website but maybe someone can confirm or deny that.

STANDY · Aug 25, 2023

Be mindful most watches from Japan have small bracelets also…😉

Syrte · Aug 26, 2023

« Japan Premium Shop » on Ebay also lifts pictures from other sellers, and sells, true to its name, with a 2K premium on the price. They even take pictures from famous sellers which are easily identifiable.

loniscup · Aug 26, 2023

chrisb732
It’s tricky, I’ve seen a seller have something listed on eBay but the same seller had it listed for a lower price on Chrono24. I’ve heard sometimes the original seller can be found on the Yahoo Japan auctions website but maybe someone can confirm or deny that.

Fees on ebay are 3x the fees of Ch24

NT931 · Aug 26, 2023

M mountainunder
Marutaka is a Japanese pawnshop
Please refer to the following links
https://www.marutaka777.co.jp/
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/ippin78marutaka/22-49-2/
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b1077010126
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/ippin78marutaka/22-49-2.html

The only advantage of buying watches only sold in Japan from eBay resellers is that you get eBay's buyer protection!
Normally, you would use a purchasing agent such as Buyee

+1 for Buyee. They're cheaper than the ebay resellers. I've used them many times without a hitch, and they can consolidate packages too.

singlechange · Aug 26, 2023

Ditto +1 for Yahoo Auctions Buyee. Buyee has international shipping down to an exact science, so it knows how to ship internationally, which carrier to recommend for you, and offers for a small fee extra protection packaging. This means you will have minimal or no U.S. Customs issues that delays shipping. eBay sellers in Japan are not that experienced in international shipping regulations, import forms, etc. in my experience with some of them. Downside with Buyee is the Japanese language barrier, so I have not figured out how to ask additional questions about the listed item like you can easily ask sellers on eBay items located in Japan. I have bought severeal watches on Buyee, such as vintage Tudor Big Rose, vintage Omega Seamaster 300, vintage Seiko.

gbesq · Aug 26, 2023

I buy from Japan occasionally and one thing that I do like about Japanese sellers is that many offer quite liberal return policies which does mitigate the risk of getting a lemon somewhat.

filfb22 · Aug 26, 2023

gbesq
I buy from Japan occasionally and one thing that I do like about Japanese sellers is that many offer quite liberal return policies which does mitigate the risk of getting a lemon somewhat.

About that yes. They are among the only ones that offer seller-paid return but I've noticed that, expecially on "cheaper than market" older watches, japanese shops tend to stock pieces in need of a service... or maybe was just an unfortunate coincidence.

NT931 · Aug 26, 2023

Two other plus points
a) condition reports are typically conservative - Japanese sellers are often scrupulous about describing the minor dings and scratches, so you often get a pleasant surprise when the watch arrives as it's in better than expected condition.
b) the Yen is currently weak vs many other currencies.

Two caveats though
a) for modern watches, the JPN dealers still tend to quote slightly higher prices than other dealers in the rest of the world. And there's no bargaining
b) With increasing awareness of the value of buying in Japan, more unscrupulous dealers have emerged on Yahoo Auctions, offering redials and frankens. The Grand Seiko Guy has a newsletter highlighting some of the more egregious ones, which is a helpful educational guide.

wrist time · Aug 27, 2023

NT931
With increasing awareness of the value of buying in Japan, more unscrupulous dealers have emerged on Yahoo Auctions, offering redials and frankens.

Yes and there is next to no buyer protection when purchasing through a proxy service like Buyee. The most they will do is contact the seller about a return. If the seller doesn't agree they won't do anything further. If the seller does agree you will have to cover the shipping back to Japan. Best to exercise caution.

sathomasga · Aug 27, 2023

Aroxx
Yea you've gotta watch out for this. Third parties re-list the same watch, images and all, for a higher price. If you buy it from them they just buy the watch from the original seller, send it to you, and pocket the difference. I see this all the time with Closer's stuff. Make sure you avoid these resellers and only purchase directly from the source.

I dunno. That assumes you can identify the ultimate source. If it's a local vintage dealer in Japan, you might need a contact there to physically visit the store. And even if the source sells online, their site may well be in Japanese (so if you don't speak the language, you'll need to find someone who does) and they may not have any experience with international shipping (so your purchase could get stuck in customs for a looong time). You'll have to establish a mutually acceptable payment method (local shops in Japan may not accept international credit cards). And if something goes wrong (e.g. the watch isn't as advertised), you have little recourse.

Buying from an established re-seller such as closer on a well-established platform with buyer protection (e.g. eBay or Chrono24) avoids those potential problems. Sure, you'll pay an additional fee for the convenience and protection, but it might be worth it to you. YMMV.

BTW, be sure to check both eBay and Chrono24. Many Japanese sellers list on both sites. The Chrono24 price is usually lower (since they charge less), but sometimes you can find special discounts and such on eBay.

edwardcarnby · Aug 27, 2023

If possible I would always try to buy from the seller directly - if it's from Japan. In all my experiences with Japanese dealers they are always trustworthy and the condition is top notch.

Aroxx · Aug 27, 2023

sathomasga
I dunno. That assumes you can identify the ultimate source. If it's a local vintage dealer in Japan, you might need a contact there to physically visit the store. And even if the source sells online, their site may well be in Japanese (so if you don't speak the language, you'll need to find someone who does) and they may not have any experience with international shipping (so your purchase could get stuck in customs for a looong time). You'll have to establish a mutually acceptable payment method (local shops in Japan may not accept international credit cards). And if something goes wrong (e.g. the watch isn't as advertised), you have little recourse.

Buying from an established re-seller such as closer on a well-established platform with buyer protection (e.g. eBay or Chrono24) avoids those potential problems. Sure, you'll pay an additional fee for the convenience and protection, but it might be worth it to you. YMMV.

BTW, be sure to check both eBay and Chrono24. Many Japanese sellers list on both sites. The Chrono24 price is usually lower (since they charge less), but sometimes you can find special discounts and such on eBay.

I was really just referring to the accounts that re-list known sellers like Closer's stuff. For every watch Closer lists on eBay there are half a dozen accounts who steal the pictures and re-list the same watch at a large markup. Absolutely nothing wrong with buying from Closer or similar sellers.