Here at eBay, everything we do is centred around the trust that our users have in the buying and selling process that we provide on our platform.
This is why the launch of our Authenticity Guarantee was such an important next step for us in the world of luxury watch sales.
When it comes to purchasing luxury goods such as watches, confidence and trust are paramount for our customers.
Last year, a watch was sold on eBay every 28 seconds and we saw a 31% increase in searches for luxury watches on eBay UK
Our number one goal is to bring more trust to our marketplace for our entire eBay community, which is why we are investing in Authenticity Guarantee for watches £1,500 and over, at no extra cost to the buyer or seller, so customers can buy or sell luxury watches with complete confidence.
Last year, a watch was sold on eBay every 28 seconds and we saw a 31% increase in searches for luxury watches on eBay UK.
We know that the demand is out there and that collectors are looking to us to lead the market in authentication and security.
We’ve partnered with Stoll & Co in the UK, which is the watch repair service company that has been doing such a stellar job for us in the States. To see the work of Stoll & Co’s head watchmaker Graham Foster and his team up close is truly eye-opening.
Their attention to detail and eye for even the slightest inconsistency or blemish gives me enormous confidence that we’re providing a market leading service for our sellers and buyers.
The fact that our sellers get additional peace of mind if the watch is returned by the buyer has also proven to be a big hit for the eBay community. The verification process takes place again to the same meticulous standards to ensure that the watch is returned in exactly the same condition that it was sold in.
At eBay we’re passionate about beautiful timepieces but we’re even more passionate about the watch enthusiasts out there that want to buy and sell their dream watches with complete confidence.
I feel that the rollout of our Authenticity Guarantee gives UK watch collectors and sellers the absolute confidence that they rightly demand in a market as huge as this one.
Kirsty Keoghan,
Director of Luxury Goods, eBay UK
A good idea and can only bring confidence to the market place which in turn can only help drive sales .
My only slight concern would be if a watch were opened as part of the authentication process. This would be a third party intervention with the potential to invalidate the guarantee.
On balance a positive development though .