The Pros and Cons of Buying Your Jewelry In-Store or Online

In 2019, many reputable jewelry stores offer an online storefront for the sake of their customers' convenience. But you may also notice that there are very few jewelry and timepiece retailers who forego a brick-and-mortar showroom. This speaks to a unique trait of the industry relative to others: Customers still express trust in a jewelry store's physical location. Still, it begs the question: Which option is best for you? At BARONS Jewelers, we get asked plenty of questions from our customers about whether they ought to shop online or in-store.

Unfortunately, there's no "perfect answer." Whether you're in the market for an engagement ring, fashion jewelry, or timepiece, the question of which venue to use depends largely on the factors of your life and needs.

SHOPPING FOR JEWELRY ONLINE

Shopping online, as mentioned, is most useful when you're looking for speed and convenience. It's a form of shopping you can do as easily at home as you can while out at lunch with friends, at work, or on the go! There are times when it's important to browse jewelry, watches, and education on your own time.

For example, if you're visiting with your family, and you want to discuss wedding bands with Mom and Grandma—knowing they're too far away to go jewelry shopping with you—it can be a great thing to sit on the couch and discuss which TACORI ring would look best on you. Or if you live in a rural or isolated area, online shopping can be a godsend.

However, that benefit can also be something of a weakness in a different context: In a purely online environment, all of the information you get about jewelry and timepieces is mediated by someone other than you. That means you're always looking at data and images under lighting conditions and angles not under your control.

SHOPPING FOR JEWELRY IN-STORE

This is one reason why you'll want to go to a brick-and-mortar showroom: Visiting a showroom gives you the ability to look at jewelry in person. Rather than a static image on a screen or a set of abstract data, being able to hold a solitaire ring in your hand allows you to examine its heft, its color in reality, its size, and most importantly—the way it looks on your hand!

This is true for any piece of jewelry or timepiece, and it's the reason why people prefer going to jewelry stores in person. They'll know that they're getting exactly what they want without a lingering question mark. If you're someone who demands perfection, the digital sphere can't outcompete the subjective power of slipping a Raymond Weil watch on your wrist in natural light and seeing how it looks against your skin and clothing choices.

The downside of in-store shopping is the inverse of what we mentioned about shopping online: If you're not in a convenient location, or you don't have the ability to bring trusted co-shoppers with you, in-store shopping can be difficult. Still, here at BARONS Jewelers, we recommend shopping in-store before turning to online shopping. For example, if you're looking at a Carl F. Bucherer watch, you're looking at a purchase of at least $2,500. If you can help it, why not visit a showroom in person to ensure your total happiness with such a big-ticket purchase’

LEARN MORE AT BARONS JEWELERS

If you have any questions about the benefits of buying in store or online, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at BARONS Jewelers today! Contact us at (925) 239 4214 or visit us at our Dublin, California showroom.