And it's my understanding that eBay pays for the authentication, at least according to what I read on Google. Correct?
EBay is the last place I'd buy a watch from these days even though I bought both my Speedmasters and a donor Geneve off the site years ago. Actually, I'll never purchase a watch listed there which is unfortunate because there are many good sellers and a lot of nice watches. The problem I have is I don't know the person or exactly what they do or might not do and I can't opt out of the service. It's purely a move to make more money - which eBay is rightful in doing - and I can rightfully choose to buy direct or from private sellers. Clearly, I'm not the watch buyer eBay has in mind which was made obvious when they stopped sending me surveys after I became critical of their product.
Fair. I was reluctant of this purchase, but could sense that the seller didn't fully know what they had and would accept a price that no private seller (or dealer for that matter) would ever accept. I do feel like eBay is usually the riskier proposition versus private or dealer, but then again, I have purchased watches from dealers that I were told were serviced and found them not to be. It's always a gamble. I hope to be on the favorable side of the authentication process, but I fully agree with you, knowing that someone else is going to open the watch and touch it does instill a sense of anxiety.
EBay is the last place I'd buy a watch from these days even though I bought both my Speedmasters and a donor Geneve off the site years ago. Actually, I'll never purchase a watch listed there which is unfortunate because there are many good sellers and a lot of nice watches. The problem I have is I don't know the person who is finger fυcking my watch or exactly what they do or might not do and I can't opt out of the service. It's purely a move to make more money - which eBay is rightful in doing - and I can rightfully choose to buy direct or from private sellers. Clearly, I'm not the watch buyer eBay has in mind which was made obvious when they stopped sending me surveys after I became critical of their product.
I wish it were that easy to break the eBay addiction. Then again this is not the forum to complain about an eBay addition on. Could be that at the moment I do not really have the funds to play the big game. So I like sweeping the crumbs (used watch parts) off the floor. Risking lunch money on shiny things. Nothing seems to quicken me more than another project watch, or parts for one of the existing project watches.
More recently I have attempted to sell off a few scraps, that I have no interest in. EBay does make it convenient to list an item, then forget about it till it sells. They have sure figured out how to nickel and dime. But what are the alternatives? Especially when playing the low ball game. I want service parts. Since the official makers no longer support independent watch makers with parts, Where else can one go to for finding such items.
On the other hand I am probably the buyer greBay has in mind. Especially with the targeted marketing. I try and opt out of email alerts when I can, but did get suckered in last night on a BIN offer https://tagheuerforums.com/threads/the-universe-is-weird.153337/#post-2094647
At least with scrap watches and parts I do not have to deal with authentication/escrow.
Somehow I am feeling neutral about eBay (greedBay.) The whole process feels like reprocessed mushy oatmeal. Flavorless and hopefully odorless as well when it comes out the other side.
Too bad I never opened a brokerage account. eBay might be a good investment.
