But where do they get them from???

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B

barcreperie

O.G.
Aug 20, 2006
1,658
4
#1
I've been looking at watches recently, both in-store and online. I'm finding a few discounters online, so the reduced price, plus not having to pay sales tax, is very appealing. However, some of these discounters are not authorized dealers and are selling watches that are not supposed to be sold online. One site I've been looking at is jomashop. Has anyone done business with them, and if so, are you satisfied that the watch and inner workings are authentic? How is the customer service?

Also, does anyone know where these discount etailers get their stock from? If they're not authorized dealers, are they still buying the merchandise from legitimate wholesalers?

Thanks so much for any info you can give me!
 
#2
I would go through an authorized dealer.

A couple *very trustworthy* PFers recommended Jomasshop to me. I don't believe they're authorized dealers, however -- and frankly, I find them somewhat fishy. I've read a couple PF posts which doubted the authenticity of handbags purchased from Jomasshop (luckily, they were able to be returned) -- that's enough for me to be turned off by their watches.

I went through Tourneau.com. I like that they have actual stores -- less of a chance to fly by night! Their customer services leaves something be desired, however, from my experience when my Cartier broke shortly after I got it. I did get 15% off of Cartier Tank, however, when I called and simply asked if the listed retail price was really "the best they could do." I spoke with a lovely woman named Carol. I asked her to keep my information on file, and my SO called later and purchased it for me with his credit card. In this case, they were accomodating.

I can't say I would recommend or not recommend Tourneau. I'm feeling somewhat neutral about them.
 
#3
Oh, I would also like to add in Tourneau's favor, although I've been incredibly pissed off by them lately, that they were super accomodating in terms of shipping.

They paid for overnight SATURDAY shipping because my SO is practically never at home during the work week. That was nice of them.
 
#6
BagsRmyLife said:
I don't know about Jomashop...I wouldn't purchase it from them. What time of watch are you looking for?
Click to expand...

I've been looking at Cartier watches - nothing real expensive. I have the Santos Demoiselle on layaway at a local jeweler's, but then saw a Tank Francaise with rose gold accents and a mother-of-pearl face that's gorgeous (though I've never seen it in real life). They didn't have it at the store I was at, but apparently jomashop has it. I didn't see it at the Tourneau site. Here's a picture:
jomashop_1989_301429174
 
#7
I think the general sense I get is TPF members who used them had a great experience. But for 100% chance of safety...I would stick with tourneau:

New York BBB Reliability Report for
JOMASHOP.COM

This is NOT a BBB Accredited business



  • This business has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB
http://search.newyork.bbb.org/reports.aspx?id=57765&pid=44&page=0&FindStr=jomashop&SearchBy=company&Address=&City=&Phone1=&Phone2=&Phone3=&MembersOnly=False

To read about gray market watches (authentic watches which jomashop sells), go here:
http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/graymarket.shtml
 
#8
^^^
Interesting read, thanks for the link cola262. I just had a bad feeling about Jomas Shop.

I realize aesthetics are not everything, but there is something to be sad for how professional a website looks, the copywriting on the site, etc. Something just seemed off to be about Jomas Shop (I hate to sound like Malcolm Gladwell's book Blink here but anyway, it was one of those instances in which I really just felt uncomfortable ordering anything from them).

If you're going to throw down $5,000 from a watch, save yourself some peace of mind and just pay a little more for an authorized dealer. I don't find the savings from Jomas Shop to be worth the lack of security.
 
#9
I've never shopped online with Tourneau, but I do know their stores are HUGE and their inventory is HUGE. If they don't have the watch you're looking for online, I'd give them a call. You might also call one of their stores and maybe get a nice SA - there's one in the Forum Shops at Caesars in Las Vegas. I've always found their sales people to be quite knowledgeable, though not always extremely cordial.
 
#10
^^^
Yes, Tourneau, for some bizarre reason, hires the least polished, polite people of any luxury store I've ever encountered. I'm very surprised.

illinirdhard is right, give them a call and I'll bet they can track down the rose gold and stainless steel watch for you.
 
#11
cola262 said:
I think the general sense I get is TPF members who used them had a great experience. But for 100% chance of safety...I would stick with tourneau:

New York BBB Reliability Report for
JOMASHOP.COM

This is NOT a BBB Accredited business



  • This business has an unsatisfactory record with the BBB
http://search.newyork.bbb.org/reports.aspx?id=57765&pid=44&page=0&FindStr=jomashop&SearchBy=company&Address=&City=&Phone1=&Phone2=&Phone3=&MembersOnly=False

To read about gray market watches (authentic watches which jomashop sells), go here:
http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/graymarket.shtml
Click to expand...


Thank you so much Cola - this is good information to have from the BBB and the article you provided the link to was very interesting! Yes, it does sound like these grey market watches are best left at the shop.

One thing that seems out of line to me is that the manuracturer can confiscate a grey market watch if it's sent in for servicing. If this happened to me I'd consider it theft.

But I think I'll just stay away from the discount sites. The local jewler is an authorized dealer and they give a 10-15% discount. It'd be nice to be able to not pay the tax, but so be it.
 
#12
Thanks Illinirdhd and IntlSet - with the discount I mentioned at my local jewelers I may just see if they can order it in. Their little discount would more than cover the tax I'd save by ordering online out-of-state. And it's always good to give locals as much business as we can, right?
 
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