The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Is it just me I know business,s have to make profits but has anyone else been insulted by a part exchange offer.The new replacement cost of my watch is in the region of £6000 with TT Bracelet,I know its not new but it did have a complete overhaul at BUK last year It has all service stamps from BUK and I have all boxes papers and receipts.I know its second hand but surely its worth more than "in the region of £1500".Opinions would be welcome or am I just being greedy and unrealistic
{bearing in mind the Bracelet from Breitling is £2300 new today }

You don't say what model, how old etc. But in general for most things, even at the best of times, trade-in deals are comparatively poor value compared to selling privately. Also the offer made reflects on how interested the dealer is in the watch - e.g they may not want to tie up cash in S/H stock, that may or may not sell quickly. Don't take it personally - it's just business. As to whether you are greedy or unrealistic, well you haven't said what you think it is worth so no one can comment on that. Scour Ebay and on-line sources to look for indicative values of your watch. Then my advice is to sell privately. Try this forum and/or Ebay etc.

Generally, values of newly purchased Breitlings take a massive hit pretty much as you walk out of the shop. Even one minty fresh still within warranty might be worth around 50% or less of RRP. So for an older model even with service, provenance etc- 25% of new price is not unrealistic. Others here undoubtedly have much more informed opinions through trading their watches - something I haven't done as yet. So just my opinion.

Ike I get your reply but it seems jewellers always seem to list replacement values when listing their second hand prices,I was looking for a straight exchange on a used Chronospace on leather which seems to be around the 2k mark which is why I mentioned the full history of my watch{Navitimer 2002}.In my opinion mine would retail from a shop in excess of that giving the jeweller a profit,when Breitling give prices they quote Head price,strap or bracelet price,and buckle or deployment and when added up is quite expensive I just thought that having the history would help, as if I were buying I am sure the jeweller would be at pains to point it out but when selling it doesnt seem to matter,very much like car sales where dealers want profit on what they buy and what they sell.I see what your saying but it seems to me the maintenance history doesnt make any difference when selling maybe its me but I like to keep my expensive items in top condition cars,watches etc looks like I will have to keep it and leave it in my will. At least it will be one of the very few genuine Breitlings left from a deceased relative on Ebay.

Well I'm no businessman, but yeah, it's usually the case a dealer wants to take a slice from both ends of the sausage! Either that or they skew the deal to either end, as in the case of car dealers, they might offer a fantastic trade-in price on which they couldn't sell it on for a profit, but of course minimal discount on the replacement. Walk in with a wad of cash and no trade-in, expect maximum discount. Either way, there's a haircut involved - thats capitalism for you! Don't know about dealers pricing in service history - I would of thought it should add something, but at the very least would help attracting private buyers, and hopefully get higher bids too.

Let me weigh in from the dealers side and maybe show how in calculate trade in on something like that.

Let's say your watch is a 3 year old chronomat evo. It was 6k list on a bracelet. That means new it could be bought for around 4500, or 25 back. What can i sell then used one for so it's worth it to people? Nobody is gonna pay 4 k fir a used one they can get new for 4500, 3k is gonna be the right price to sell it for. Usually most of them get tagged right between 40 and 60% of list depending on watch.
Now I have to service it, refinish it and warranty it, so add $500 to the cost, and I am gonna look to pay 1500-1750 for that watch so I'm in it for 2000-2250 all said to hopefully sell for 3. Have to make money on it, its not a charity.

I thought Provident was a not-for-profit???

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Fear,I just checked a few retailers and they seem to be selling my watch type on a leather with pin buckle for an average of £2400 {thats not to say they will get that }I can source a brand new Chronospace for £2890. As mine has the TT bracelet I would think a dealer could ask an extra £600 making that £3000,so if said dealer could lay his hands on a used Chronospace for approx £2000 to do an exchange with me could net him £1000 would that not be a reasonable profit bearing in mind my service history and overhaul means he wouldnt have to spend a great deal bringing it up to scratch. This is just my observation as a customer and I am in UK where prices etc are slightly different from USA.Appreciate your input on this as a dealer if you can see my point as a customer.

You're never going to get what you think you deserve on a trade in since the dealer isn't in the business to do even exchanges. What preowned watches at dealers are listed for and what they actually sell for are 2 totally different amounts. Like FEAR said, add in service, warranty coverage, overhead, and commissions, there's no way a dealer can give you what you could could sell the watch for. Take my AD for instance, Govberg, they service their preowned Breitlings and warranty them for 15 months.

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Justin
Please contact me via PM for the contact details for Govberg Jewelers
Govberg is an AD for over 50 fine Swiss and German watch brands.
Visit them on the web at http://www.govbergwatches.com or call 800-528-8463

Sell it yourself...

AD Trade-ins are not going to go down in your favor. Really no reason to do it, other than lose money..

If list is GBP6,000 then a UK AD can buy a new one from Breitling for GBP3,300, which kind of explains why they aren't going to give you much.

Thanks for that info Roff,can see the point now didnt realise the AD had so much profit in it.
I have a maybe deal for a straight swop for a Chronospace so working on your figures there is a good profit in it for the AD if not will be time to sell myself .

contact Sam at Andrew Micheals he may be able to help you out

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Sent them an email Mon after talking about it on the phone but they havent replied yet so will wait and see if they reply,like all the help and advice on here its very informative

Andrew is seemingly busy all of the time so expect a reply sometime in the next 5 days or so.

Call them, it's easier, promise

D

Andrew Michaels absolutely brilliant must be the best AD in Britain,spoke to Andrew done a deal couldnt be happier what a gentleman.