Watch scams are common these days, with more and more people using the internet to purchase items. The industry is riddled with vendors and organisations set on scamming individuals, leaving them with no watch or no money.
From unethical practices to illegal operations, fraudsters will use every imaginable trick to earn extra money from unsuspecting watch collectors and buyers looking to get a great deal on the net.
According to The Luxury Hut, here are some of the best ways in which you can avoid falling prey to such online scams.
- Buy ONLY from a reputable source
There’s a common saying, “Buy the seller, not the watch,” which pretty much sums it up. It’s important to know the seller inside and out. To avoid getting scammed, buy watches from reputable and authorised sources only. It’s advisable to buy your watch from a seller with plenty of experience and an established reputation.
If the seller is a business, look up their reviews and business credentials. Legitimate sellers invest time and resources to build a strong online presence, including a fully functional website and social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Check the kind of content they post and what others have to say about them. Zero online activity should be treated as a red flag, and you should definitely move on to the next.
- Know the watch you’re buying
It’s important to know the watch you’re buying thoroughly. Research the model and find out its key specifications and characteristics, including its model number, case, dial details, bracelet style, etc. You can find plenty of images of the watch model online or read reviews to learn about the watch in and out.
The seller must provide clear and accurate product descriptions. A wrong model, reference number, or year of production signals that the seller does not understand or care. Either way, it’s best to move on.
Another thing is to see clear videos and images of the watch you’re eyeing. See images of every possible angle of the watch, including the dial, case back, case side, lugs, bracelet, clasp, and everything feasible. Additionally, ask for videos of the watch while it is running to check if it actually works. You know what to do if the seller hesitates to share details about the watch.
- Ask for the box, papers & purchase receipt
As a principle, buy watches in a full set. This means the ones with their original box, papers, and purchase receipts. Although a full set isn’t essential when buying a watch, in many cases, a stolen or replica model doesn’t have the box and papers or the serial numbers on the watch, and the papers do not match. It is important to ask the seller about the documents to avoid such discrepancies.
Also, in many cases, fraudulent sellers set up fake listings on the internet and use images, along with descriptions and specifications, on their listings, pretending that the watch is in stock. Once they find trusting buyers, the scammers take the payment for the watch that doesn’t actually exist, and the buyer never receives the watch.
- Pay using trusted platforms
Scammers employ smart tactics to convince buyers to pay for the watches in advance, only to disappear with the money. Just as you pay when you visit a brick-and-mortar store, pay for the watch only when you receive it. Additionally, choose to pay with the right payment method to avoid potential scams. Pay using a reputable and secure payment method with trusted platforms as untraceable payment getaways is a recipe for disaster, leaving you vulnerable to scams.
- Check the seller’s return policy
This is a big lookout. Most scamming sites offering fake products won’t give you the option to return the watch. On the other hand, a reputable seller allows a return of the item if you aren’t 100% happy with the item. Suppose the seller offers a zero-return or no-return policy; in that case, the likelihood is that they probably don’t want you to visit a professional evaluator to verify the watch’s authenticity, find out its fake, and return it for a refund. Therefore, check with the seller’s return policy before purchasing online.
- Don’t ignore the RED FLAGS
A buyer often tends to ignore the potential red flags only to get hold of their dream watch. This is enough to trap you into getting scammed. Once you initiate a conversation with the seller, note everything that seems out of the ordinary. If someone asks for a deposit, asks for personal details or sells a watch at a too-good-to-be-true price – those are all red flags. Moreover, any seller who suggests you can get the watch cheaper or faster if you pay for it outside the website or app will likely scam you, too. Therefore, find another seller if you see or read anything that sounds dicey.
FINAL WORDS
There are some fantastic watches out there waiting to be added to your collection. Just remember to play it smart when buying watches online. With a little awareness and following the tips mentioned above by The Luxury Hut, you can easily purchase your favourite watch online.
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