FAQ Buying watches online

[116520]

Also, always ASK. Don't care whether they are duty-free, AD, non-AD, etc... just open your mouth and ask...

[116520]

Different countries different things to look out for.... we can write a book on this topic...

I think the most important thing is check with your local AD 1st, then make your own decision when you are overseas. If cheaper, see if the price difference worth or not to get overseas... if more expensive, then come back and buy loh...

hi,
if buying watches during holidays oversea, what are the things i should look out for?
VATS? warranty?
if buy at duty free shops/ airport, still can ask for discount??

[bing]

buying watches overseas

hi,
if buying watches during holidays oversea, what are the things i should look out for?
VATS? warranty?
if buy at duty free shops/ airport, still can ask for discount??

[tomcatf]

Just becareful...

Dont be a 'cheap', 'cheap', 'cheap' S'porean...

Be a 'KS'.... just an advise....

[seiko.citizen]

dishonest people like those that some of you have encountered really stuff it for those people who are honest. This goes for both seller and buyer.

[ricnas1]

a dealer and/or private seller takes a risk when buying from overseas... so the amount of risk will also be factored in when selling a watch to a potential buyer....

i know of some who actually go to the us to buy the watches... of course if they have the means... plus i reckon the cost of travel will be passed on to the buyer....

i myself had an unpleasant experience.... though not to the extent of losing a watch but abt the customs due to miscomm.... or i rather think its perfect pre purchase pitch but unpleasant after sales....

[^Lee^]

Not recommended and don't take the risk.

Better to spend your $$$ in your own country

[Darkangel]

be very careful when you buy from oversea dealer. i paid for a 16760 fat lady from a very reputable us dealer. when i received the package, there was no watch in the box. insurance claim was not sucessful as the package was not lost during the shipping.

seller claim that the watch was in there when he sent the package....

after that incident, i never buy from oversea online seller again unless they could do a face to face.

I am sure the seller was not honest. But how you paid that person in full ?

[chongj88]

be very careful when you buy from oversea dealer. i paid for a 16760 fat lady from a very reputable us dealer. when i received the package, there was no watch in the box. insurance claim was not sucessful as the package was not lost during the shipping.

seller claim that the watch was in there when he sent the package....

after that incident, i never buy from oversea online seller again unless they could do a face to face.

Oh dear... Sorry to hear that. The watch could have either been stolen by the postal/courier workers or the seller was dishonest. Care to share which dealer please? Also how was the watch shipped? The information will definitely help other brothers here.

[jarren]

be very careful when you buy from oversea dealer. i paid for a 16760 fat lady from a very reputable us dealer. when i received the package, there was no watch in the box. insurance claim was not sucessful as the package was not lost during the shipping.

seller claim that the watch was in there when he sent the package....

after that incident, i never buy from oversea online seller again unless they could do a face to face.

[Darkangel]

Ultimately, as the buyer, you need to be comfortable. After all, it is your hard earned money!

However, on a personal front, I have had absolutely no problems with my overseas transactions (> 10 to-date) so far. Here are some lessons I learnt from my years of trawling watch forums:

1. Buy the seller. There are reputable online sellers. Just make sure you do your homework. Don't save on a few hundred only to fall victim to a scam.

2. Be patient. Make sure you do not rush any transactions. Ensure proper due diligence is made (eg, checking on references, background check on seller) before parting with your money. Sellers who rush you are likely not genuine. Genuine sellers understand and respect the need for time to check things out.

3. Spend time to trawl forums. Over time, you should be able to suss out the real deal from the scammers.

4. Cardinal rule... If it is too good to be true, IT IS!

Hope this helps.

Totally agree with John!

[chongj88]

Ultimately, as the buyer, you need to be comfortable. After all, it is your hard earned money!

However, on a personal front, I have had absolutely no problems with my overseas transactions (> 10 to-date) so far. Here are some lessons I learnt from my years of trawling watch forums:

1. Buy the seller. There are reputable online sellers. Just make sure you do your homework. Don't save on a few hundred only to fall victim to a scam.

2. Be patient. Make sure you do not rush any transactions. Ensure proper due diligence is made (eg, checking on references, background check on seller) before parting with your money. Sellers who rush you are likely not genuine. Genuine sellers understand and respect the need for time to check things out.

3. Spend time to trawl forums. Over time, you should be able to suss out the real deal from the scammers.

4. Cardinal rule... If it is too good to be true, IT IS!

Hope this helps.

[Darkangel]

I would say,from online "shops" or overseas forum not recommended.

Local forums is ok if you guys meet up and check out the physical watch itself.

[triton]

IMHO, i would never recommend anyone buying a watch online the moment the watch cost 1k and above.

Reason

1) what if item gets lost along the way? no doubt there is insurance
2) u cannot examine the watch physically.
3) pictures can be 'doctored'
4) for that 200-300 savings, i rather visit a brick-and-motor shop and have a peace of mind

[seadweller]

what you're saying is, if the watch cost an equivalent of SGD6,000; the 7% GST will apply for S$5.6k minus the first $400? which means, you pay $392 of GST? Can clarify?

nope.
anything that costs above 400 (iirc)
so if the watch is declared as 7K, then 7% of 7K = $490 in tax