Jomashop vs Ashford. The two go head-to-head in this comparison guide, revealing which company comes out on top for choice and price.
So, you’ve set your heart on your grail watch. You’ve worked hard for it. You’ve saved for it. You can almost smell it. But wait, you must overcome one last challenge. The most important of all.
The question is, where? “Where do I buy my grail watch?”.
It’s not a decision you want to cut corners on. Which online retailer can you trust before parting with all that hard-earned cash? Well, you could spend an age scouring the internet for the best place to buy a luxury watch. Or you can read this Jomashop vs Ashford guide.
Today we’re going to look at the pros and cons of both online retailers and conclude which one comes out on top. Join us as we explore which one provides the best shopping experience and why in this Jomashop vs. Ashford guide.
It’s all well and good if you live within a stone’s throw of a luxury watch boutique. You can try it for size, swipe your card, and (if you’re lucky) even walk out with a complimentary gift. But what if you can’t stroll into a local luxury watch boutique?
Or, what if you can but they don’t stock what you want? What if they do, but it’s not the right price? Well, then, you look for an online retailer like Jomashop or Ashford.
Both services offer new and used watches, available to buy with the click of a button. Indeed, buying watches online has been the way forward for many a social recluse or country bumpkin for two decades now.
Why Buy Watches Online?
Buying luxury watches online has never been bigger. There is now more choice than ever before. A wide selection of purchasing options also makes investing in a luxury watch super easy.
Options such as PayPal, Amazon, Amex, digital wallets, and online finance options promise the flexibility many consumers need today.
One of the advantages of buying a watch online is the convenience it offers. It’s a platform for which you can compare like-for-like prices and models all in one place.
After all, the decision to purchase a luxury watch is rarely a split-second decision. It takes time to debate which watch to buy and where to buy it from. Your budget is often an important driving factor in this decision-making process, and online retailers tend to be cheaper than brick-and-mortar shops.
Ordering online can be more affordable than walking into a boutique since companies like Jomashop and Ashford operate differently. In addition to pricing their watches competitively, both of them buy leftover stock from retailers for cheap. It means they can offer a great price for brand-new watches.
Lastly, shopping for a luxury watch online gives you access to the global marketplace. You stand a much greater chance of finding rare and unique timepieces this way, but you also need to be vigilant.
This brings us back to sourcing new and used watches from reputable online dealers. Who can you really trust?
It’s so important you choose wisely and trust in the right company when buying watches online. To help with that, I’ve created this comparison guide on Ashford vs Jomashop and how the two differ.
Let’s take a look at it in a little more detail.
Jomashop vs Ashford — Which Is Best?
Both Jomashop and Ashford sell their watches at competitive prices, but are they legitimate? Well, the good news is that both companies are trustworthy. They don’t sell fake watches, and they buy from authorized dealers.
When retailers find themselves tying up too much cash in their inventory, companies like Jomashop and Ashford step in. They buy the stock from them at a near-cost price. It means that retailers like Ashford and Jomashop can sell watches to their consumers at near-on wholesale prices.
Is Jomashop Legit?
Jomashop is not an authorized dealer for its watches, but it does buy its watches from authorized dealers. That means the watches you buy from Jomashop are genuine and authentic.
So, to answer the question, “Is Jomashop legit?”. Yes, it is.
However, because you’re buying through Jomashop and not an authorized dealer, standard warranties are hard to come by. Granted, the watches are cheaper, but as is always the case, there are drawbacks to carefully consider before plunging in.
Jomashop prides itself on an easy-to-navigate online platform. You can search by brand, price, and style to whittle your search down. A Wishlist option also helps you keep your favorite timepieces under one convenient and concise tab.
One drawback of buying from Jomashop is that it cannot offer an extended original manufacturer’s warranty.
To navigate around this, Jomashop offers a replacement watch instead. It’s not ideal if you choose a rare timepiece, I know! Still, you get a 30-day refund option on your purchase should you get cold feet.
One thing Jomashop succeeds in is its selection of high-end brands. If you’re looking for your next grail watch, visit Jomashop. It has an awesome selection of luxury timepieces from all over the world. IWC, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe are but a few examples.
Is Ashford Legit?
Very similar to Jomashop, Ashford ticks all the boxes you need in an online retailer. But you may be wondering, “Is Ashford legit?”. It sells watches at great prices, promises a broad inventory, and offers versatile payment methods.
Ashford is a master in selling watches online, and the good news is it’s legit. Its inventory comprises some very respectable names in the industry. It’s also a great place to shop for affordable brands like Invicta.
Specialists at Ashford pay close attention to watch trends. It has its finger firmly on the pulse, waiting to snap up the most attractive models on the market. When it does, its markup is minor, making it an appealing option for many watch enthusiasts.
Image: Rado Captain Cook Automatic
Ashford’s selection of watches is solid in the lower-end price range. It stocks names like Rado and Zenith and isn’t quite as pricey as Jomashop.
Like its competitor, though, Ashford’s warranty is confusing. Since you’re not buying from an authorized dealer, you may as well presume you have no warranty. Ashford does offer a 30-day returns service, though.
If you’re not hard into luxury watch collecting and brand names aren’t everything to you, consider buying a watch from Ashford.
Customer Service
Are you wondering how both of these online retailers compare to face-to-face purchasing? Whether you’re buying from Jomashop or Ashford, you shouldn’t expect the same service as you’d get in a walk-in boutique.
Buying a watch online never quite beats the personalized customer service you’d expect with a face-to-face appointment.
What you get with a bricks-and-mortar store is the chance to strike up a rapport with the sales team. It makes for an all-around more luxurious affair, plus the chance to try the watch on for size.
Walking out of a store with a shiny new timepiece strapped to your wrist is the ultimate watch-buying experience. But if that’s not doable, the online shopping experience should be a close second with reputable dealers like Jomashop and Ashford.
Don’t expect quick shipping with either of these companies either. The reviews for both Jomashop and Ashford are mixed in terms of speediness.
Expect to wait three to four days before confirmation that your order is shipping. Remember, both of these companies run their own deliveries and warehouse operations.
Image: Rolex Submariner Date
If you’re pretty laid-back about ordering watches online, Jomashop or Ashford are great options. When your timepiece arrives, you can rest assured it will be legit, but don’t expect it to be overnight.
It’s also worth noting that when returning an item, both Jomashop and Ashford expect you to pay for return shipping. There are plenty of online luxury watch stockists out there that waver these return costs.
That said, you’re probably saving money by shopping with Jomashop or Ashford in the first place. To avoid these costs, however, make sure you’re 100% sure about what you want before purchasing.
Buying Online is a Safe Option (If You Choose the Right Retailer)
We’re living in the golden era of luxury watch buying online. It means that retailers have to offer competitive prices and a memorable, trusted buying experience. Both Jomashop and Ashford do that. They operate in the grey market, keeping prices down.
Both Jomashop and Ashford are genuine watch dealers, but they’re not authorized dealers of luxury brands. Both companies offer cheaper watches than going through an official stockist.
Warranties are also a bit of a touchy subject. Neither Jomashop nor Ashford offer much of a warranty with their watches.
Image: Hamilton Khaki Field Bronze
If warranties are not so much of a concern to you, buying from an online watch retailer like Jomashop or Ashford is well worth it.
Maybe you look after your watches well or work in environments where the risk of damaging your watch is low. If so, either of these online retailers is worth some consideration.
Overall, Jomashop offers a wider selection of bigger brand names. Comparatively, it stocks a wider range of iconic brands than Ashford.
While Ashford stocks a great selection of sub-$1000 brands, Jomashop focuses on higher-end timepieces.
If Invicta or Timex watches are your thing, Ashford is a site worth browsing.
If, however, you’re an Omega or Rolex connoisseur, check out Jomashop.
So, Jomashop vs Ashford — which one is for you? Let me know about your experiences with these two online watch retailers in the comments!
Matt says
Ashford states they are an authorized dealer for many brands. Check out their warranty page for the list. So what you state above isn’t entirely correct.