01 — Buying safely
Buying safely
How to avoid scams when buying a used watch from another person: payment, inspection, serial numbers and shipping.
Talk first
Use the chat to ask for extra photos: the serial and reference between the lugs or on the case back, the movement if possible, and a video of the second hand running.
Check numbers
Make sure the serial on the watch matches the papers and the box. For Seiko, our free serial decoder tells you the production month.
Pay safely
Meet in person in a public place, ideally at a watch service centre, or use a payment method with buyer protection. Avoid sending money to an account in a different name, crypto or gift cards.
Shipping
Use insured, tracked shipping and film the unboxing. Agree in writing who pays and who carries the risk.
If something feels wrong
Stop and report the listing or message. Admins can remove listings and suspend accounts.