Buying watches from non-authorised dealers

Participant · 28 Apr 2008 at 14:34

I've found the watch I want for 25% less than RRP, but it's on an online store that is not an authorised dealer of the brand in question (Omega). I suppose it's like anything - you're ok as long as nothing goes wrong, but how do people feel about buying from somewhere that isn't an authorised dealer?

I could get 14% discount on the high street from an authorised dealer, but this is still more than two hundred pounds more than what I could get it for online.

The site in question honours the warranty itself for three years but a manufacturer claim is out of the question. The watches are all brand new with serial numbers etc.

Thoughts?

platypus · 28 Apr 2008 at 14:37

For something at that price, I wouldn't risk it.

peter_hutson · 28 Apr 2008 at 14:57

Too many good quality fakes around. I would stick with the authorised dealer. If you can afford to drop a few grand on a nice watch, a couple of hundred quid extra for peace of mind is worth it. Unless you have some sort of special relationship with the dealer that is, but as it's online, thats unlikely.

Rotty · 28 Apr 2008 at 15:34

Some brands are ok from unathorised sources, some are not

Omega do not honour the warranty on watches from grey dealers, now if the dicount was huge it would be different but 25% is only slightly more than you will get from an official dealer ( I got 20.5% discount on my Planet Ocean )

Also most grey Omegas have had their serial numbers polished off ( to protect the original dealer )

I did buy a seamaster pro from US grey dealer once but that was for a discount of around 45%

Participant · 28 Apr 2008 at 15:57

Rotty said:
( I got 20.5% discount on my Planet Ocean )

Do you mind telling me where from? I can only get a max of 14% so far in my hunt on the high street.

Regarding the serial numbers they assure in their FAQ that the serial numbers are intact in this particular case, so given an intact serial number, is the manufacturer's warranty the only thing I'd be sacrificing?

Col_M · 28 Apr 2008 at 16:08

My Seamaster is a grey import and at the time got it for for around 35% discount.
Mine still has its serial number

When I get another watch I'd consider grey market but I think I'd prefer the official warranty.

Rotty · 28 Apr 2008 at 16:31

Robbie G said:
Do you mind telling me where from? I can only get a max of 14% so far in my hunt on the high street.

Regarding the serial numbers they assure in their FAQ that the serial numbers are intact in this particular case, so given an intact serial number, is the manufacturer's warranty the only thing I'd be sacrificing?

The dealer I used is no longer an Omega dealer ( was Jollys in Mansfield ), take a web price to the dealers and say if they match it you will buy it on the spot, I didn't go to the shop myself, the missus was going into town shopping and I asked her to pick me one up while she was there, at the time retail was £1825, first dealer offered £1495 and the 2nd £1450 ( after being told of first price ) , the first still is a Omega dealer ( wilkinsons in Mansfield ) , most won't discuss discounts on phone

find the small independent dealers not ones that are part of a main chain

If the web dealer is reputable and the serial number intact then yes,in theory, all you lose is the warranty