Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

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VA Diver
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Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by VA Diver » Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:57 am

Hey guys, been a while since I posted up; lurked a bit at all the cool watch porn and now I can't get rid of my hard-on for a planet ocean. I popped into the Omega shop at a swanky mall and started getting a little info yesterday but unfortunately I didn't like the price ($6100) and that got me looking online.

I see better prices on sites like authenticwatches and joma but don't know if it's too risky to buy a nice piece from them. I did use the search function on here but didn't see anything all that definitive; seems like some people are ok with "grey market" sellers but others aren't. I guess I'm looking for a bit more detail. What's the real risk? Fakes? Lack of manufacturer's warranty? It never arrives? Is it worth paying up at the Omega shop? Am I getting something extra or just paying for overhead? Will they negotiate much?

I may have other PO-specific questions but I'll post those in the Omega forum. Thanks for the help!
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snootydog
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by snootydog » Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:15 am

Not sure how much exactly but your AD should be able to give a good discount that would equal grey market prices or very near. Have a chat with the AD.
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by River Rat » Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:23 am

Check out the used market check out the web site watchrecon has most sells post from the forums will save you a lot of money. Just do your home work on the seller been lucky on the watches I have bought on the forums.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by jimyritz » Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:04 am

It's important to do your homework and
read the small print. Some AD's will
give you just as good of price- and may
add to the existing warranty.

Warranty- some grey mkt dealers keep
the manufacturers warranty and then
give you theirs.Some grey mkt dealers
may charge a restocking fee on returns.

Personally, depending on price, I'd
rather go with an AD, especially on
Rolex and Panerai.

Mike

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by JBZ » Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:11 am

I've never heard anything bad about Authentic Watches or Joma, so my guess is you won't have to worry about authenticity. The big thing you give up is the warranty.

That said, I agree with the idea that if you're going to buy new, it's worth speaking with an AD to see what kind of deal you'd get. Either that, or check out pre-owned pieces on Watch Recon.
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by JP Chestnut » Sat Apr 19, 2014 6:27 am

I just bought a watch from Joma. Totally fine, and I did it more for convenience than price. With that said, omega is a terrible brand to buy grey - they have a super long factory warranty and they're easy to get discounted from an AD. I'd suggest contacting Al Armstrong if you want to buy new from an AD.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by dnslater » Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:24 am

JP Chestnut wrote:I just bought a watch from Joma. Totally fine, and I did it more for convenience than price. With that said, omega is a terrible brand to buy grey - they have a super long factory warranty and they're easy to get discounted from an AD. I'd suggest contacting Al Armstrong if you want to buy new from an AD.

I would add that if buying gray market you never know how long the watch has sat in storage. I would assume with an AD they move more product and you would have a fresher example. Not certain about this though.

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VA Diver
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by VA Diver » Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:23 am

Thanks for the input. This is helpful. Any other tips on ADs to contact are appreciated.
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by koda240 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:24 am

I just went into the omega boutique yesterday to look at the PO and the guy know I was interested in buying something and he said they aren't allowed to discount at all. Perhaps there are some that will, but this guy had every reason to offer one up. I was surprised.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by jeckyll » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:37 am

David: That is surprising. If I go spend time trying something on in a brick and mortar store, I always try to buy it there. But, they have to make an effort to get close to the online price I can get. I don't expect them to match it, given the overhead they have, but at least make an effort.

Doesn't matter if watches or motorcycle or cycling gear. All these guys have to pay for their brick and mortar, and I get a benefit of them being around so I can try stuff on. Whenever possible you have to vote with your dollar, or your local options will disappear. :cheers:
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by JP Chestnut » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:48 am

The boutiques don't discount in my experience.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by logan2z » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:50 am

JP Chestnut wrote:The boutiques don't discount in my experience.
My experience as well. Non-boutique ADs typically will, however.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by koda240 » Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:55 am

There's a number of reasons for them not to discount I suppose and I know guys like us are in the know a lot more than your regular, non-addicted watch shopper, but it blows my mind to pay over $10k for a watch that is available immediately online for $7000-ish. Sure, there's great benefits to new but for a watch I know I would end up flipping it doesn't make sense.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by logan2z » Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:00 pm

koda240 wrote:for a watch I know I would end up flipping it doesn't make sense.
If you know you're going to eventually flip it then buy used.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by jeckyll » Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:00 pm

koda240 wrote:There's a number of reasons for them not to discount I suppose and I know guys like us are in the know a lot more than your regular, non-addicted watch shopper, but it blows my mind to pay over $10k for a watch that is available immediately online for $7000-ish. Sure, there's great benefits to new but for a watch I know I would end up flipping it doesn't make sense.
Totally agree.

For the last few years I've tried to buy my 'toys' used. Whether it's motorcycles, watches or moutain / road bikes. The amount you save by letting someone else absorb the initial depreciation is huge :)
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by foodle » Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:43 pm

Grey dealer prices aren't that much better than those from an AD that discounts. So for me, I either buy from the AD or on the secondary market. Although the big grey dealers are trustworthy and won't scam you.

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by marchone » Sun Apr 20, 2014 2:42 am

Only Gentiles pay retail.

:rimshot:
only accurate watches are interesting

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by koda240 » Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:07 pm

logan2z wrote:
koda240 wrote:for a watch I know I would end up flipping it doesn't make sense.
If you know you're going to eventually flip it then buy used.
Right

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by jimyritz » Mon Apr 21, 2014 3:58 am

koda240 wrote:I just went into the omega boutique yesterday to look at the PO and the guy know I was interested in buying something and he said they aren't allowed to discount at all. Perhaps there are some that will, but this guy had every reason to offer one up. I was surprised.
----------

That's just boutique speak....Omega's discounts have come down--use to be 25-30% now 10-20%...
Even Tourneau will discount Omega....

If you want a good buying experience and service experience, I would contact places like Topper, Martin Pulli, Marty at Abouttime, etc...If you build a relationship with an AD then you will reap the benefits...

p.s...Bernard watch is a grey mkt dealer who has a pretty good rep....go check his prices---you can do just as good at an Omega AD... :shrug: A lot of grey mkt dealers buy watches that have missing paperwork and therefore will have decent discounts--see Watchuwant...

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by marchone » Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:08 am

jimyritz wrote:Even Tourneau will discount Omega....
Whaa?
only accurate watches are interesting

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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by jimyritz » Mon Apr 21, 2014 5:45 am

marchone wrote:
jimyritz wrote:Even Tourneau will discount Omega....
Whaa?
=============

Yup---guy said, he would help me out if interested...All it really does is offset the Mass Tax..
There is a new Omega boutique near me--- won't discount...

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by JP Chestnut » Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:13 am

jimyritz wrote:
koda240 wrote:I just went into the omega boutique yesterday to look at the PO and the guy know I was interested in buying something and he said they aren't allowed to discount at all. Perhaps there are some that will, but this guy had every reason to offer one up. I was surprised.
p.s...Bernard watch is a grey mkt dealer who has a pretty good rep....go check his prices---you can do just as good at an Omega AD... :shrug: A lot of grey mkt dealers buy watches that have missing paperwork and therefore will have decent discounts--see Watchuwant...
I bought from Bernard Watch and had a good experience. Their pricing is high for many models and brands, so I'd never buy a any Rolex or new Omega from them. However, they sometimes price watches below market value to it's worthwhile checking them out every so often.

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foodle
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Re: Better to buy online or pay up at the shop?

Post by foodle » Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:03 pm

Bernard watch usually has reasonable prices for being a business. Obviously not as good as a private sale, but he won't rip you off. My wife bought an Omega SMP 2231 for me from them many years ago. Easier to direct her to a actual business than to try to explain to her how to buy on the secondary market.

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