Why You Should Always Buy a Luxury Watch From an Authorized Retailer
Feldmar Watch Company is an authorized retailer for over 50 luxury watch brands and it’s something we’re extremely proud of. What this means is that we’re validated by the brands we represent, and follow the standards and guidelines set forth by them. It also means that you can feel confident knowing that any watch you buy from us is authentic and comes directly from the factory.
The alternative to shopping at an authorized retailer is buying a watch on the “gray market,” usually a website (but can be a brick and mortar store) that isn’t necessarily operating illegally but isn’t backed by the brands they carry or held to the regulatory standards they require. You may be able to recognize these gray market retailers due to their discounting of luxury timepieces.
However, if something seems too good to be true, it usually is. When you shop on the gray market, you’re losing out on so many of the hidden areas of value that come with purchasing from an authorized retailer.
When working with an authorized retailer . . .
You’ll receive a comprehensive warranty
When you purchase a watch from an authorized retailer, it comes with the manufacturer’s warranty. Gray market watches do not come with the manufacturer’s warranty. The gray market retailer may offer their own “warranty,” but it certainly won’t be as comprehensive or as long lasting as the manufacturer’s warranty and you can easily find yourself out hundreds or thousands of dollars if your watch malfunctions.
You can form a relationship
Authorized retailers strive to form valuable, lifelong relationships with their customers. At a minimum, forming a relationship with your retailer means you can trust them both when purchasing a timepiece and for after sale service however, there are additional perks as well. Oftentimes, authorized retailers host exclusive store events and may offer special programs to VIP customers.
You’ll be able to get more unique timepieces
If you’re in the market for a newly released or limited edition watch with only a certain number of pieces available, an authorized retailer will most likely be able to help you obtain it. Authorized retailers can make special requests to their brand partners and oftentimes get notified of releases before anyone else.
You’ll enjoy a top-of-the-line experience
Authorized retailers take pride in the fact that their employees are highly skilled and extremely knowledgeable in the brands they carry. If you have a question about a specific brand, collection or model, an authorized retailer will have the answer. Furthermore, authorized retailers offer impeccable customer service before, during and after each and every sale. When you shop with an authorized retailer whether it be in store, over the phone or online, you’ll receive the one-on-one attention and luxury service you deserve.
You know exactly what you are getting
When you go into an authorized retailer’s store, you’ll walk out with exactly what you came for (or maybe something even better!). When you purchase a watch on the gray market, you have no way of knowing where that watch was manufactured, how it was obtained, if it’s truly genuine or if any repairs have been made to it. Furthermore, when it comes to after sale service or repair, you can feel confident that an authorized retailer is using legitimate parts. In fact, many have experienced watchmakers on-site.
Your resale value will be higher
Because authorized retailers are backed by the brands they carry, a watch purchased through one is always going to have a higher resale value than a watch purchased on the gray market, especially if it is still covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Always shop with an authorized retailer such as Feldmar Watch Company. We’ve been serving our customers for over 100 years and proudly stand behind each and every luxury watch we sell. Give us a call or stop into one of our stores to experience the difference!
About The Author: Scott Meller
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Scott joined Feldmar Watch Company, Inc. under the tutelage of his father, Sol. As a fourth generation family member, Scott’s forward-thinking business acumen has placed Feldmar on the cutting edge of the luxury timepiece market. Scott’s favorite part about working at Feldmar is being a part of his family’s multi-generational business and having worked alongside his father. His accomplishments are many, including the expansion and remodel of the Feldmar flagship store, as well as a second location inside The Beverly Hilton.
Since attending Santa Monica College, Scott has become an expert in the technical aspects of the timepieces sold at Feldmar. Each year, he travels to Switzerland—the watchmaking capital of the world—to attend the Baselword Watch & Jewelry Fair and build upon his extensive knowledge of this quickly-evolving industry.
Scott is very proud of the way Feldmar customers are put first: “We regularly go out of our way to meet the needs of our clients. A client once purchased a rather significant watch as a birthday gift for his brother who lived in New York. Our client asked how we were going to deliver the gift and we responded with the typical answer, we would ship it by FedEx. After we answered his question, we could tell that he wanted a more personalized experience for the delivery and offered to have it hand-delivered by one of our associates. He lit up at the thought, and so off went one of our associates to New York City for the day to hand-deliver the gift.”
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