The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Maybe someone needs to explain to the <ahem> "brains" at Breitling that "currency fluctuations" can actually mean (shock horror) that the pound goes DOWN against other currencies. I guess they either want AD's to discount wildly or perhaps they think they have too many AD's in the UK and desperately need a few to go out of business.

Maybe they should just stick to making watches and let the big boys deal with economics, because a basic understanding of currency issues has clearly passed them by if they think we can absorb a 12 to 15% increase. (And yeah I am qualified to say that as my degree was in economics).

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Driver8

Site Moderator

What gets me is how they can retrospectively apply the increase to any thing that is already made! I mean OK, maybe change the price on all stock manufactured from a specific date, but not on old stock, especially when some of the stock I've seen recently at AD's was manufactured back in 2005!!

Stef

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Hi Driver8,

I could not agree with you more on this one.

One of my local AD's now only wants to give me a 10% discount (a few months back he claimed that he could be pushed to a max of less 20% on a Bentley GMT) and off the new prices, even though his current stock is already in at the old prices, very naughty indeed.

I was now looking at a SuperOcean Heritage Chrono, Black dial on the speed bracelet, which he had in stock already.

I walked and said sorry no deal.

They even intimated that there will be a further price increase on May 1st 2009, there attitude is that all the major watch manufacturers are having price increases, so what ! ! !.

Most of the local Breitling ADs in the Midlands treat you as if you are buying a £100 cheap watch.

To me (and I am sure loads of other people as well) anywhere between £2K and £6K for a watch is a heck of a lot of money, especially in the current financial climate and as far as I am concerned I expect an AD to be competitive and to work damn hard if they want the sale and do the deal. There seems to be a fair deal of elitism and even a degree of complacency among many of the Breitling AD's, at least here in the UK.

The way I feel right now at this moment in time, is that I am going to hang fire until the exchange rate turns again and then I might very well buy in the States or Canada at that time.

In my opinion the whole of the UK Breitling dealer network (and to some extent Breitling UK themselves) need a wake up call and a check back with reality.

Regards
LightingMan

Hey LightingMan,

You make some good points. I have had the same response re: smaller discounts AND the application of new prices to old/existing stock.

I also find the Birmingham city centre ADs pretty snobby but those in the nearby towns much more interested in a deal and a relationship. If you haven't tried any ADs nearby (but not city centre), PM me and I'll put you in touch with mine.

Nick

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Avenger Seawolf
Chrono Avenger
Aerospace
SOHC LE

Agreed. I have no problem buying from non-UK AD's. I have done so in the past, and will do so again if the price is right. As I've said before, I'm not looking for mega-discounts as I feel that can devalue the brand, but I AM looking for a fair deal, and if that means shopping in the States (or Europe) once the exchange rate improves then so be it.

As we all know, "currency fluctuations" in the States translates as "The economy is not great, so we'll protect our consumer base by not increasing prices", whereas "currency fluctuations" in the UK translates as "Let's screw the UK market a little more, because those mugs will pay it".

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Driver8

Site Moderator

Thanks for the offer Swiftnick, I have just sent you a pm.

Regards
LightingMan