The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Another example:

Don't how big the January sales thing is in the States, but over here people hit the shops in force after Christmas and its a big event in the retail calender.

Last year my local AD had the grand total of 2 Breitlings in the sale in what I would consider undesirable strap/face colour combos, with about 5% off

I realise this year will be different for obvious reasons......... perhaps they might have 3

US discounts easily pay for a return flight to NY

If you know exactly what you are looking for, any number of us can help you get a good deal, regardless of what time of the year it is

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I'm not sure I completely buy that argument. I'll freely admit that I buy more watches than most, and that certainly helps me. However there are other factors at play. The idea that I spend enough money to move the price point is sure as heck not the truth - and my AD is part of a large chain that controls the market in much of Canada so while each store has its own targets I have only limited leverage by threatening to take my business to another store.

There is certainly an aspect of knowing that I am reasonably well known on here and I do get people asking me for recommendations, but that's limited too - BUSA are on the warpath and my AD will not sell to US buyers anymore unless they pick up in person. You are unaware, because it was before you joined, but there were also some unfortunate incidents earlier in the year when my AD did try and help members more broadly. There certainly is no expectation that I get a better deal because I will provide referrals.

There are specific circumstances at times - the Flying B offer is around misinterpreting the market when buying inventory for example, but in a lot of cases it's simply about respect (if that doesn't sound too egotistical). I know the cost of the pieces, I know the commission structure, and I can make a fair estimate of overheads and I'm prepared to make an allowance for a fair profit margin. That leaves me with a number that I'm prepared to pay, and if the AD is prepared to sell for that price then we have a deal, if not I'll walk away - I didn't like the pricing structure on the Zenith that I was looking at, so I'm not buying it for now, and the piece I will be buying isn't from the AD.

In terms of UK / European pricing, I'm still not completely sure whether it's Breitling or the distributors - probably a bit of both, but discounts are certainly much harder to come by, and I'm really not completely sure why - it may be as simple as the way distributor sales targets are set.

You and I are not actually disagreeing about anything, you just communicate the points more precisely.
1. I never meant to suggest that you are the Warren Buffett of the watch world. At least not in a national or international sense. But rather, that if a local AD (and his/her sales manager) thinks that they can boost their total bottom line by cutting a little deeper for you than they can/should/will do it. That is just good business.


2. I believe you completely in this statement, but even if it were the opposite, I think that is totally fine and expected for the same reason: more inventroy moved that increases the bottom line. That is, after all, what the group buy is doing to a certain extent. "We" get better prices, he gets to fill his next few bedrooms.



3. This is just the description of the thought process that any educated and descriminating buyer should go through. That is how you arive at the best price for you and a workable price for the dealer.
In the end it boils down to your buying power (real and perceived), your understanding of the business of watch sales and the way those two factors play together to get the best price.

I also have no idea what the significant difference is in Europe. Perhaps a bit more cultural aloofness about luxury items that does not fly here? As has been said many imes if you have to ask for a discount than you have no business shopping for that item. Perhaps, as Mario said, it is just the North American mindset that "I am getting a great deal" that does not need to exist elsewhere. Don't know. Just glad I live here.

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Chronomat, Steel/Gold, MOP Dial, 2-tone band (2008)
Super Avenger Black Baton Dial (2009)
Bentley B04 GMT Silver Dial (2013)
Avenger Blacksteel Baton Dial (2014)

I may be getting onto dangerous ground here, so let me preface it by saying, I have no problem with what Mario is getting from the Group Buy - he struck a deal, he's getting something out of it and as long as everyone is aware then that's fine. I'll also say this is Roff the individual speaking, not Roff the moderator.

(I do wish that he would take the ad out of his signature as the rules require and as I asked, but that's a different story.....)

But, to me the more people who need to get 'paid' the harder it is to get the best deal - Breitling, the distributor, the AD and the salesperson all need to get paid on any sale, if we then add in a 'facilitator' it's one more hand in the pot - no matter how small.

One of the ADs I deal with actually asked me how much I wanted for each referral and I told him that I was actually offended by the question - if I introduce someone then I expect that person to be treated the same way that I expect to be treated - give them the best deal possible as if it were me (although I recognise that the % may be slightly less) - don't charge them more than you otherwise would in order to give me something back.

Maybe I'm just stupid - probably.

I don't use that AD as much now, but the one that does get most of my business and referrals will still try and do a deal that's good for her and the customer. I don't set people's expectations that they can get 35 - 40% on first purchases, but ultimately they do the negotiation and get what they are comfortable with. There are a number of people here who couldn't get a deal, there are a number who could. I'm confortable either way knowing that they dealt with someone who wouldn't screw them and that the overheads of the transaction were as small as was realistically possible.

But hey, I'm a capitalist - each to their own.

Goldsmiths UK are advertising a blue dial Skyracer on a blue croco at 50% off the RRP on their website, although it says sold out (they are not allowed to sell over the web) this offer should be able to be had in store, a bargain at £1,500 if you can get one! Sales start Boxing Day in the store, I'm very tempted...................................

Stef

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Hi, I was just at an AD yesterday. They immediately offered a 19% discount on any Breitling watch. After coming across this website and your post about 30% discounts, I called the store today and offered them $6000 on a Cockpit Lady with a retail price of $8500. The store declined my offer.

Whereabouts are you?

Chicago. I'm new to the forum so I don't know if it's proper to list the store name. I was a little surprised the manager said he wouldn't consider that discount and ended the conversation. I'm not a watch aficionado but have bought from this store before.

If I were you I would send jnelson3097 a PM and ask for his contact.

Thank you very much, I appreciate it

...intersting stuff there guys

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Breitling Super Avenger White, Steel
Breitling Superocean Heritage 46 Black, Ocean Racer
Rolex Submariner Bi-Metal, Yellow Gold/Blue
Panerai 112, Black Leather (Soon Hopefully!)

Not true... These particular AD's may have been trying to justify an additional or greater discount than normal because of slow sales and needing cash flow. However, I can guarantee you Breitling has not authorized discounts that steep. While I think it's awesome that some folks might get that steep of a deal, the dealers that sell at that price are treading on thin ice...

As N2Deep has stated, keep the names of these dealers off the open forums!

Merry Christmas!

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BC

Hi guys newbie here. I have been talking to the two ADs in my area and both are sticking to the stories of "Breitling does not allow us to give discounts.If we are caught discounting a watch they can pull the franchise" Please PM me any AD that is giving the 30% discount. Looking for SA with blue face.

Talking about the discounts....I purchase today a SA Black on steel with Batons for my father for Christmas, sticker 4550.00. Paid 3000.00 Cash, I though was a great deal.... I am in the USA east coast....