Buying Luxury Watches Online
On one hand, the Internet is the quickest way to find unique and exclusive watches that are unavailable anywhere close to where you live. But on the other hand, the Internet is just not a safe or secure place to make expensive purchases, right?
Certainly, the Internet is a great way to window shop (no pun intended, Microsoft users). And if you take a few precautions, it's just as safe as shopping anywhere.
Two general categories of concern are:
- warranties and authorized dealers
- prices
Many vending sites are not authorized dealers.
If you have a problem with your watch, provided it is genuine, the company will not honor a warranty from a non-authorized dealer. The good news in this is that the Internet is also an easy way to get contact information for authorized dealers (either from the dealers themselves or from the manufacturer's website).
Some of the very best vending sites offer you the opportunity to contact or call an expert to facilitate your purchase. This way, you may be able to authorize the sale and have all your questions answered, as well.
Watches on the Internet might be cheaper for good reason
There are legitimate vendors on the Internet who sell luxury watches at regular prices. There are also sites that sell replicas. Some of these tell consumers that the watch is a fake. Other times, they are deliberately lying (see our Spotting Fakes page).
In other cases, though, it may be that watch vending sites are simply passing on their savings to their customers. Remember, they do not have to pay
- rent, lease or mortgage
- property tax, and in some cases other taxes
- salespeople's salaries or commissions
At other times, they really are clearing houses for older models. This is a legitimate way for you to buy a fine luxury watch at a lower price.
In all cases:
- Check their company history and any other literature available.
- Check the Better Business Bureau's website to investigate.
- Check their warranty policy: Do they keep the manufacturer's warranty?
