Many times I've seen sellers block out the serial number of watches they're selling. What possible good does that do?

I can't think of any...

Example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ebel-chrono...id=100034&rk=1&rkt=8&mehot=pp&sd=121593560642Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Asked the same question on the RLX forums, they said someone could file a claim on a stolen watch for that serial number, then when it goes to SERVICE, basically if you don't papers, you could lose the watch...

 

I'm going with paranoia.

 

Or someone can place that serial on a fake...

 

I'll second that motion. Anything of value can be counterfeited or stolen, and the thing about paranoia is you only have to be right once.

 

I think that's the main reason. Sellers usually share once a sale has been made and could be part of disclosure for purchase, for assurity reasons.

 

I block out serial numbers partly on watches I sell for two reasons:

1. In discretion towards my buyer
2. To prevent scammers to steal my pictures, and using them in a fraudulent sale

I'm not paranoid, just careful and cautious

 

I see no reason why anyone should see the serial numbers of my watches.

 

Exactly.

I do reveal the serial once a buyer has adelantado direct contact and I have email or phone #

I'm.not paranoid, after all I'm selling the watch so whatever consequences are going to affect the buyer more than me, but I do know scammers love to steal pictures and serials so I don't see why I should make it easy for them.

 

Leaves something to the imagination, sorta like panties?

 

I've seen real serial numbers from same type watch put on stolen or aftermarket cases. Many watches are re engraved. I see these several times a year at small watch shows etc. It's a way to move a stolen or damaged watch. The Military Forums are full of these with false engravings as well. More ways to profit unscrupulously.

 

It is just a matter of privacy. Some buyers don't want the serial plastered all over the internet whether for paranoia or just personal wishes. I only try and cover the secod half so any buyer can see that the serial matches for the most part. Any legitimate seller will only deal in goods that are authentic and in their best knowledge from a good source.

 

1. As a matter of discretion or "just because I don't like people knowing my serial numbers", I have little respect. Vintage watches basically all have physical imperfections that are as useful an identifier as any serial number. And if you don't want people to know "just because", I have even less respect.

2. As a matter of opening yourself up to fraudsters claiming you've stolen their vintage Ebel chronograph - I see the chances as less than the lottery.

3. As a matter of protecting the integrity of online sale photographs - there are hundreds of thousands of other photos out there that can be used for that purpose. Your efforts are without any real power.

4. As a matter of preserving the sanctity of a serial number - fraudsters don't need to see a physical serial number to know that a watch line should fall between, say 30,000 and 35,000. They can just pick a number. And if they really need a real confirmed number, look at the answer to number 3.

People can do whatever they feel it right - but I still can't see any tangible, realistic justification.

 

why does it bother you?

 

It's hard to say. It's just silly to me.

It's not like I care too much, but it does seem to me to be an unnecessary pseudo-requirement of a luxury good. It's a kind of seller pretentiousness, when ones gives a watch or any item a presumed need for such security.

If one feel his or her vintage watch deserves that care, then I could very well be wrong. But it's how I feel, from my experience.

 

Never covered them up and can't say I would ever be worried about it myself.

 

I'm speechless. You are not by any chance a lawyer defending criminals in court, are you?

 

Wha?

 

I've never really seen the point of hiding them myself. I think most people do it because they see others do it, so it becomes an expected thing...

 

Bingo! At least that's why I did it! I'm new to selling so I imitate the pros. Baaaa Baaaa.