WF bought by Richemont

[Wills2]

Interesting move by a luxury brand holder to buy a grey market/second hand dealer.


https://www.reuters.com/article/us-watchfinder-m-a...

[rog007]

Got to be in it to win it!

[Snubs]

Would seem at a glance to make a lot of sense to me. Surely they could follow the 'approved used' model that car manufacturers have? More profit for them and less risk, albeit with presumably a higher purchase price, for us.

I was reading a copy of WatchTime India earlier and they point out in the editorial that in survey by Deloitte three years ago 63% of top watch exec's were only interested in sales through a bricks and mortar store. Last year it had dropped to 36%. So i could imagine more brands selling directly through their own website or acquisitions/associations with WF & Co and other similar sites.

[Wish]

Never been a fan of WF as a company. Employs failed used car salesman who’s ethics are something to be desired.

To me they might as well wear sheep skin coats and sell from a suit case. Delboys the lot of em.

[traffman]

Ive dealt with them a few times , they really hammer down there trade in prices. Wouldnt use them anymore . I know plenty other guys. that are better to deal with.

[russell_ram]

WF offered me £700 for a boxed 1999 Seamaster 300m that was just back from full Omega refurb and on a brand new bracelet - tw*ts. I'd rather leave it in a drawer than give them best part of a grand in profit for zero effort.

[Justayellowbadge]

I wonder..

.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/18/r...

[Wills2]

Well WF certainly seem to be trying to control pricing and push it upwards which I guess is what the major brands want they have got really expensive on some watches over the last 12-18mths.

Offering datejust 41 for list when they are just sat in the ADs windows for list.

Edited by Wills2 on Tuesday 5th June 13:20

[Dempsey1971]

Justayellowbadge said:

I wonder..

.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/18/r...

Ummm......what do they recycle? Is that melt down and re-use the raw material, or re-purpose used components into 'new' watches?

[GCH]

Wish said:

Never been a fan of WF as a company. Employs failed used car salesman who’s ethics are something to be desired.

To me they might as well wear sheep skin coats and sell from a suit case. Delboys the lot of em.

This. Hateful company and will not shed a tear if Richemont liquidate it.

[tuffer]

I have sold them several watches and they have always paid the exact price they offered over email and they bid far higher than some of the names that get bandied about on here. Payment was swift and without issue as well, pretty good company to deal with from my perspective.

[ou sont les biscuits]

tuffer said:

I have sold them several watches and they have always paid the exact price they offered over email and they bid far higher than some of the names that get bandied about on here. Payment was swift and without issue as well, pretty good company to deal with from my perspective.

This for me too.

However, the higher bid prices are offset by higher asking prices for the stuff they sell. IME the 'cost to change' works out about the same as dealing with other well known dealers. OMMV.