Buying watches online - pros and cons?
Discussion
Morning all!
You may have seen a thread of mine a couple of weeks ago looking at Tag and Heuer Carreras.
I had a specific one in mind that I liked, so wandered around bluewater last night looking to see if I could see the exact one, and get a firm price from the people there.
Long story short, I LOVE the watch (though didn't get to see the exact colour combination I fancy, but same everything else), which retails at £1250. Now, even a very quick glance online reveals a company called Watch33 that will do it for £875 (!!!). Too much of a saving to be sniffed at. The best I could get from a retailer last night was £1075 - from a very nice guy in a good shop that I would be very happy to buy from.
He mentioned to me that Breitling, for example, are very stuffy about people buying from the internet and only honour guarantees from shop bought watches (i.e. their approved traders). Is it a similar thing with Tag?
What I'm asking is - does anybody know of the Watch33 company online, bought from them etc, and also what are Tag like specifically about internet bought watches when it comes to problems or servicing?
Apologies if this is a common topic in watch world, but thanks for your opinions. I'm rather excited now, and rather enjoyed trying some watches on last night
This is the one I have in mind, but there were also a couple of Grand Carreras which I was thinking about too....
http://www.watch33.com/acatalog/pop_T2441101.html
You may have seen a thread of mine a couple of weeks ago looking at Tag and Heuer Carreras.
I had a specific one in mind that I liked, so wandered around bluewater last night looking to see if I could see the exact one, and get a firm price from the people there.
Long story short, I LOVE the watch (though didn't get to see the exact colour combination I fancy, but same everything else), which retails at £1250. Now, even a very quick glance online reveals a company called Watch33 that will do it for £875 (!!!). Too much of a saving to be sniffed at. The best I could get from a retailer last night was £1075 - from a very nice guy in a good shop that I would be very happy to buy from.
He mentioned to me that Breitling, for example, are very stuffy about people buying from the internet and only honour guarantees from shop bought watches (i.e. their approved traders). Is it a similar thing with Tag?
What I'm asking is - does anybody know of the Watch33 company online, bought from them etc, and also what are Tag like specifically about internet bought watches when it comes to problems or servicing?
Apologies if this is a common topic in watch world, but thanks for your opinions. I'm rather excited now, and rather enjoyed trying some watches on last night
This is the one I have in mind, but there were also a couple of Grand Carreras which I was thinking about too....
http://www.watch33.com/acatalog/pop_T2441101.html
i bought a seamaster on the internet ,sale went perfect http://www.klockgiganten.com/
its a swedish company,registered post knock on my door 2 days later very impressed then............
i got knocked to the floor in a big disturbance outside a pub in town,my seamaster came of worse :-( the minute finger came off the middle axel,i contacted the company as omega said my service card was not stamped!!!the guy said send the service card out to us and we will stamp it as omega dont like their products being sold via the internet!but all went fine watch came back like a brand new one,polished and repaired i,d buy another via the internet without a doubt
its a swedish company,registered post knock on my door 2 days later very impressed then............
i got knocked to the floor in a big disturbance outside a pub in town,my seamaster came of worse :-( the minute finger came off the middle axel,i contacted the company as omega said my service card was not stamped!!!the guy said send the service card out to us and we will stamp it as omega dont like their products being sold via the internet!but all went fine watch came back like a brand new one,polished and repaired i,d buy another via the internet without a doubt
I prefer to buy from a shop personally, but that is a significant saving. I don't know anything about Watch33, but as online retailers go there are a few on here who've used http://www.watchfinder.co.uk without any problem. I believe they have a showroom in Maidstone too which may give you a bit more comfort.
As for high street shops you may do a bit better than £1075 - I've used Burrells in Tunbridge Wells in the past and they have always been happy to negotiate a bit, but I doubt it'd be much cheaper than the quote you already have.
As for high street shops you may do a bit better than £1075 - I've used Burrells in Tunbridge Wells in the past and they have always been happy to negotiate a bit, but I doubt it'd be much cheaper than the quote you already have.
g@ry said:
axel,i contacted the company as omega said my service card was not stamped!!!the guy said send the service card out to us and we will stamp it as omega dont like their products being sold via the internet!but all went fine watch came back like a brand new one,polished and repaired i,d buy another via the internet without a doubt
This is the problem with web purchases, usually through grey channels and the service/warranty card will not be stamped (no point in the seller stamping it as they are not an AD).If you buy the watch on line and the card is not stamped not only will you have no TH warranty but in years to come an AD (if working strictly to the rules) will not even take your watch in for a service!
You pays your money and takes your choice.
PS I actually have a Monaco sourced through a grey supplier - never missed a beat and five years on still keeps decent time.
I've seen watchfinder pop up quite a bit, and they do specifically refer to the accusation of guarantee invalidity in their T&Cs, whereas watch33 do not.
Rather brilliantly, I'm in north Kent so Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells is fine for me - I will certainly go and have a look!
As an aside, I just found the official Tag shop in Westfield shopping centre in London, rang them up and they have the exact model I'm looking for - so with even better luck we're up in Covent Garden on Saturday evening for dinner so I will go to the shop prior to double check
Rather brilliantly, I'm in north Kent so Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells is fine for me - I will certainly go and have a look!
As an aside, I just found the official Tag shop in Westfield shopping centre in London, rang them up and they have the exact model I'm looking for - so with even better luck we're up in Covent Garden on Saturday evening for dinner so I will go to the shop prior to double check
Stitch said:
If you buy the watch on line and the card is not stamped not only will you have no TH warranty but in years to come an AD (if working strictly to the rules) will not even take your watch in for a service!
Watchfinder say that they buy their watches from an authorised dealer, and therefore it's fully stamped up so servicing etc. is ok. Does that still create a problem somewhere?For such a purchase I'm happy to spend a little more and get it done right - for peace of mind if nothing more, however when there are (appropriate) savings to be had it's silly not to consider them
whitechief said:
Yikes! From their FAQs though;EmpireWatches said:
Are your watches genuine and brand new?
All watches sold by Empire Watches are guaranteed to be 100% genuine brand new in the original box with the serial numbers intact. We check all merchandise for any defects, scratches, or blemishes before it leaves our warehouse. Of course, we want you to feel completely secure ordering from us, so all of this is backed by our money back guarantee.
Why are your prices so low?
This is due to the fact that we buy from our supplier in large quantities and, as an online business we can operate with a low overhead cost, compared to your local high street shop.
Are you an authorized dealer?
No. Authorized dealers are not allowed to sell their watches below RRP or sell them on the internet. All our watches still come from authorized dealers and are 100% genuine. We have chosen not to be an authorized dealer so that we can offer such great prices.
No mention of TH warranty or that they buy from an authorised dealer. Interestingly, I was in an AD last night and got them to agree to £1075 - only 175 below RRP but nevertheless it's certainly possible.All watches sold by Empire Watches are guaranteed to be 100% genuine brand new in the original box with the serial numbers intact. We check all merchandise for any defects, scratches, or blemishes before it leaves our warehouse. Of course, we want you to feel completely secure ordering from us, so all of this is backed by our money back guarantee.
Why are your prices so low?
This is due to the fact that we buy from our supplier in large quantities and, as an online business we can operate with a low overhead cost, compared to your local high street shop.
Are you an authorized dealer?
No. Authorized dealers are not allowed to sell their watches below RRP or sell them on the internet. All our watches still come from authorized dealers and are 100% genuine. We have chosen not to be an authorized dealer so that we can offer such great prices.
TonyHetherington said:
I've seen watchfinder pop up quite a bit, and they do specifically refer to the accusation of guarantee invalidity in their T&Cs, whereas watch33 do not.
Rather brilliantly, I'm in north Kent so Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells is fine for me - I will certainly go and have a look!
As an aside, I just found the official Tag shop in Westfield shopping centre in London, rang them up and they have the exact model I'm looking for - so with even better luck we're up in Covent Garden on Saturday evening for dinner so I will go to the shop prior to double check
The Westfield stores will not budge on prices. I spent an hour in the Omega store recently and was told no discussion on discount unless it's over £5k.Rather brilliantly, I'm in north Kent so Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells is fine for me - I will certainly go and have a look!
As an aside, I just found the official Tag shop in Westfield shopping centre in London, rang them up and they have the exact model I'm looking for - so with even better luck we're up in Covent Garden on Saturday evening for dinner so I will go to the shop prior to double check
Interesting, thanks.
I'm inclined to go with 1075 at the Bluewater store (forget which one it was now, actually) - hopefully will be able to get him down to £1k which I'll be happy with!
Happy looking though - I enjoy the looking and learning stage of stuff like this, so I'm happy to wait for the right place
I'm inclined to go with 1075 at the Bluewater store (forget which one it was now, actually) - hopefully will be able to get him down to £1k which I'll be happy with!
Happy looking though - I enjoy the looking and learning stage of stuff like this, so I'm happy to wait for the right place
Tony
I've bought 5 watches over the last year on the internet and not had any problems at all. 3 of them were from www.watches.co.uk who I would particularly recommend.
I've bought 5 watches over the last year on the internet and not had any problems at all. 3 of them were from www.watches.co.uk who I would particularly recommend.
Burrells did me two good deals, one on the engagement ring for my wife, and then a stonking deal on a Monaco after the original, bought in Goldsmiths, was a complete dog and returned. Burrells gave me a better deal and then ordered me a brand new watch that had never seen another customer. It also went back via them for a service after a slight beer related dropping incident...
Top guys though.
Top guys though.
TonyHetherington said:
Interesting, thanks.
I'm inclined to go with 1075 at the Bluewater store (forget which one it was now, actually) - hopefully will be able to get him down to £1k which I'll be happy with!
Happy looking though - I enjoy the looking and learning stage of stuff like this, so I'm happy to wait for the right place
Tony,I'm inclined to go with 1075 at the Bluewater store (forget which one it was now, actually) - hopefully will be able to get him down to £1k which I'll be happy with!
Happy looking though - I enjoy the looking and learning stage of stuff like this, so I'm happy to wait for the right place
You have mail....
Dom H
TonyHetherington said:
Stitch said:
If you buy the watch on line and the card is not stamped not only will you have no TH warranty but in years to come an AD (if working strictly to the rules) will not even take your watch in for a service!
Watchfinder say that they buy their watches from an authorised dealer, and therefore it's fully stamped up so servicing etc. is ok. Does that still create a problem somewhere?For such a purchase I'm happy to spend a little more and get it done right - for peace of mind if nothing more, however when there are (appropriate) savings to be had it's silly not to consider them
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