For many the idea of buying a watch online can be a bit unnerving. I am sure you have heard all kinds of horror stories, about people getting ripped off trying to buy a Rolex. What is important to understand is, scams did not originate on the internet. The same rules that apply to buying watches in person, apply to buying a watch online. Most of these rules are pretty much common sense, but like they say, "A sucker is born everyday".

The vast majority of the time, customers who claimed they were "ripped off", were actually exercising extremely poor judgment, or plain being greedy. If someone offers you a gold Rolex for $1,500, and you buy it from someone you cannot return it to, you are simply a fool. I obviously do not condone fraudulent sales of fake watches; but the market exists for a simple fact, people are swayed by greed. The truth is, scams would not be so prevalent, if it were not for so many willing to be scammed.

It seems that people are missing the point entirely, of buying an exceptional timepiece such as a Rolex, Omega, or a Bulova. These timepieces represent where you are in life, and the level of wealth you have accumulated. Buying a watch online for 90% less than it is worth, kind of defeats the purpose. Have you ever heard of someone buying a brand new Mercedes S-Class for $7,000? The reason you have not heard of this, is because it does not happen. It is the same reason why your rent is not $100 a month, and your house didn't cost $15,000. The reason is because these things have a much higher value in today's society. Why people seem to believe that they can get watches and jewelry, for a small fraction of their value, is beyond me.

If you just exercise a little bit of common sense, and inform yourself on the watch you are buying, you can avoid ever being ripped off. These three tips will help you avoid being taken advantage of, and allow you a pleasurable online experience. It is important to note that although you should not be looking to save 90%, the main reason why people buy a watch online is price. Online sellers can offer 25-30% off physical store sellers, as their overhead is considerably less. So with that said just adhere to these tips, and follow your instincts if all else fails. If you feel uncomfortable with the situation, move onto another watch seller.

1. Ask Questions - Make sure you can communicate with your online watch seller. That way you can ask any question you may have concerning authenticity, condition, etc.

2. Do Some Research - Check out the company's reputation if possible, or checkout their feedback on a site like eBay.

3.Return Policy/Guarantee - You want to take special notice of the company's return policy. If you cannot return the product, do not buy it! The longer you have to examine the product, the better. That way you can bring your timepiece to a watch store, or call the company direct, to check out the serial numbers.

This may seem like pretty basic info, but buying a watch online is really no different than anything else, and common sense goes a long way. There are hundreds of thousands of people who have bought luxury brands online, and would recommend it. Find a reliable online watch seller, and take advantage of the savings.