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(Ebay Scam) Unusual Speedmaster Reduced 18k full bracelet panda 3112.50.00 from a Very Dodgy Source

ErichPryde
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
Thats actually not that crazy these days, 'small' garage businesses that grow to have a storefront will often just use the original owner's cell number as their business phone number, and having an 'out of town' cell number is really popular these days. I've seen more than a handful of businesses that were legitimate where the phone area code wasn't local for this reason.

My area code is Tucson but I've lived in TX, OR, and WA since then... but given the number of flags here...
 
ErichKeane
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
My area code is Tucson but I've lived in TX, OR, and WA since then... but given the number of flags here...
Oh, absolutely this is undoubtedly a scammer/fake. But the phone number isn't sufficient evidence to decide it is a scam.

Because we're sharing, I'm a North NJ area code In Oregon.
 
wagudc
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Maybe @pdxleaf wants to take a trip downtown to see if this place is legit. They seem to have a nice inventory, if you believe their website.
 
pdxleaf
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wagudc wagudc
Maybe @pdxleaf wants to take a trip downtown to see if this place is legit. They seem to have a nice inventory, if you believe their website.

Did somebody say pdxleaf 3 times?

This address is close by and I would be happy to visit. The address is in a mall-like building and I haven't heard of the company, which doesn't mean much in itself.

So I haven't read through the thread, which I will do next. Is this more a curiosity or is someone really interested in buying the watch?

Seriously, as long as they are open, I can easily check it out. It helps to know if I am only kicking tires or if this might be a serious buy. Your best bargaining is on the first contact as you say you're about to walk away
Edited:
 
ErichKeane
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
Did somebody say pdxleaf 3 times?

This address is close by and I would be happy to visit. The address is in a mall-like building and I haven't heard of the company, which doesn't mean much in itself.

So I haven't read through the thread, which I will do next? Is this more a curiosity or is someone really interested in buying the watch?

Seriously, as long as they are open, I can easily check it out. It helps to know if I am only kicking tires or if this be a serious buy. Your best bargaining is on the first contact as you say you're about to walk away


The address is Pioneer Place mall, but I think we're all about 98% convinced it doesn't exist/is a scam. I think folks are wanting to prove out the other 2% my having someone 'look' through the mall for their obviously photoshopped storefont.
 
pdxleaf
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
The address is Pioneer Place mall, but I think we're all about 98% convinced it doesn't exist/is a scam. I think folks are wanting to prove out the other 2% my having someone 'look' through the mall for their obviously photoshopped storefont.


I'm on it!
Sellers_pinkpanther7.jpg



Edit: Their FAQ says they are online only, but also that they've been in business 20 years. I know people who have been in business over 30 years in town. If this company had a store front in the last 20 years, they'll know if it was true.

"We have been in business for 20 years and operating solely online since 2015. We are among the largest online retailers of watches."
Edited:
 
BlackTalon
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I like that. Not "We are one of the largest...", but "We are AMONG the largest." Yeah, on a place called the internet. They are AMONG them (ie, there are a few of the largest just a couple web sites over), but they are not one of them. So at least in their scamming they are not totally lying 😁
 
Faz
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
435 area code is for Utah, which is the location given in the eBay listing.

Whole thing smells funny to me.
gatorcpa
IMG_0920.jpeg
 
Foo2rama
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This might be the only reduced I’d even consider.

this thing is a true freakshow. Why would they do a display back except to lower the the cost lol.

ref 31125000

not sure if it had a display back though.

edit- full disclosure I’ve been drinking.
Edited:
 
JimInOz
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
The address is Pioneer Place mall, but I think we're all about 98% convinced it doesn't exist/is a scam. I think folks are wanting to prove out the other 2% my having someone 'look' through the mall for their obviously photoshopped storefont.

Oh gosh, you are such a suspicious lot.

It's just that it was designed by the same architect that designed a pharmaceutical company in Hungary. They even planted the same genus of tree for Mr Wales.

Wales in Portland.

Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 13.47.53.png


Pharma in Budapest.
https://www.w-pharma.hu/
bejárati ajtó good size.png
 
ErichPryde
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
Oh, absolutely this is undoubtedly a scammer/fake. But the phone number isn't sufficient evidence to decide it is a scam.

Because we're sharing, I'm a North NJ area code In Oregon.
JimInOz JimInOz
Oh gosh, you are such a suspicious lot.

It's just that it was designed by the same architect that designed a pharmaceutical company in Hungary. They even planted the same genus of tree for Mr Wales.

Wales in Portland.

Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 13.47.53.png


Pharma in Budapest.
https://www.w-pharma.hu/
bejárati ajtó good size.png


Lmao.... how many copies of this store front...
 
JimInOz
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
Lmao.... how many copies of this store front...

Well, that storefront looks a lot more impressive than the actual one.

This is from their website showing their address.

Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 15.50.46.png


This is what it really looks like.

Screenshot 2023-08-28 at 15.52.14.png
 
Perrier
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Lots of bids happening on ebay. I've reported it twice. I really hope ebay do something and don't allow people to be scammed.
 
StephenContreras
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Hey, that's a really unique find! The gold combo with the panda dial sounds awesome. Shame about the sketchy seller though. Love how watch combos can surprise us sometimes. ️
 
TimeODanaos
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dsio dsio
Yea there’s a reason why it’s here in its own thread and not in the recommended thread, the eBay account website and everything is a massive red flag but the watch photos are interesting, I’ve not actually seen the reference before or a gold bracelet on a panda dial previously in a reduced.
I’ll edit the title to reflect the dodgy account.
Respectfully, could we get this thread moved to the Member Support sub-forum as a an education resource about the pitfalls? It's really useful, but it's not really about an Omega watch any more. Just 2c.
 
pdxleaf
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Inspector Clouseau reporting in. No surprises here.

1. I checked the company name first, and it is not a registered business in Oregon. I kind of admired their choice of names, as we have several "Whale Watching" companies.

2. The phone number is the same number used for a former watch web site, now defunct. Euro Watch and Jewelry.
Screenshot_20230827_163313_Samsung Internet.jpg


3. I checked the shop directory of the mall and called the mall manager, who said she had received several calls about Wales Watches and the store is not there. Big surprise.

4. I called the phone number, intending to ask about the watch, such as service history, etc, and if I could come into see it. Just to hear the responses. No surprise, the phone rang and rang, not even going to voice mail. I wouldn't be surprised if I get a call tomorrow or outside the normal business hours, which happens when the scammer is in a different time zone.

Summary
As much as I am game for an adventure, I didn't think driving over to the address would add any value. I'd rather take the dog to the park. I'm sorry to disappoint anyone, but we all pretty much knew the results already.

There was an article in today's NYTimes about scammers in Cambodia. They are supposedly enticing people with promises of good paying jobs and then forcing them to work in scam factories. As annoying as this Wales Watch guy is, the scam is not going to be easily shut down.

As they say, "Got to have your wits about yah!"

wits_about_yah_1.gif
 
airansun
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pdxleaf pdxleaf
As much as I am game for an adventure, I didn't think driving over to the address would add any value. I'd rather take the dog to the park. I'm sorry to disappoint anyone, but we all pretty much knew the results already.

Oh, for shame! I was so looking forward to seeing photos of the ‘establishment’, or its absence.

Otherwise, great sleuthing. Thank you!
 
pdxleaf
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airansun airansun
Oh, for shame! I was so looking forward to seeing photos of the ‘establishment’, or its absence.

Otherwise, great sleuthing. Thank you!

Okay, you shamed me into it.

Here we are standing outside the boutique
20230828_131304.jpg
 
airansun
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But the dog hasn’t pooped yet. It’s obviously hiding the fine watch establishment in the last stage of its digestive tract. I think I can hear their phone ringing from here.

(We knew it wasn’t a BIG store, right?)
 
wagudc
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Inspector Clouseau (@pdxleaf) did not disappoint. That is some good sleuthing. I think we can call this case closed. However, I have to ask if you stopped at the echo spot in Pioneer Square when you were checking out the location?
 
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