Haggle when buying new?

[Stussy]

I see it mentioned a lot, and am considering buying an Oris Aquis soon so wanted to get my head around it.
You wouldn’t haggle when buying most other things in shops, so why does it happen with watches? As much as I’d love a discount, I’d feel embarrassed to ask for one, and wouldn’t begin to know how to approach the subject!
Is it literally a case of simply asking?

[blue_haddock]

Either just ask what is the best deal you can do if I buy today or find the best online price and ask if they can match or beat it.

[ReaperCushions]

Stussy said:

I see it mentioned a lot, and am considering buying an Oris Aquis soon so wanted to get my head around it.
You wouldn’t haggle when buying most other things in shops, so why does it happen with watches? As much as I’d love a discount, I’d feel embarrassed to ask for one, and wouldn’t begin to know how to approach the subject!
Is it literally a case of simply asking?

No idea why you'd feel embarrassed, what's the worst they can say?

I would say 'I am very interested in the watch, but not really at this price, what can you do on the price to get me to say 'yes' today'.

If they ask you what you are willing to pay, go low (ask for at least 30% off). My tip here is to do the math before hand and know your numbers rather than work in percentages.

For example.

'I am willing to do the deal today if you can do this watch for $2300'

is much better than:

'Can you give me 30% off please'

Some more ideas:

- Do your homework on the numbers. Know the RRP and your target amount to pay. Work in monetary numbers, not percentages.
- They are salespeople who are commissioned, they will be willing to work hard to get a deal
- Be willing to buy that day and let them know that. They are unlikely to negotiate hard if you need to still go away and think about it.
- Ask for extras as part of the deal. Another strap for example.
- Be willing to walk away. For an Aquis, there are plenty of retailers out there, no need to feel silly if you can't agree on a price together.
- Ignore all of this advice if you ever want a sports model Rolex, none of the above advice will work.

[Brads67]

I haggle for everything from shoes to TVs. Why wouldn't you haggle over a watch.

Picked up a new RW Freelancer for 1k after a haggle, which was , at the time, a 300 quid discount.

[the_engineer]

I was able to get a 15% discount on my Oris on Christmas Eve last year without trying very hard. I guess in some part it was being happy to walk away on that particular day if the discount wasn't where I wanted it to be (and the salesperson knew this).

With Oris being quite a 'volume brand' I'd hope you can replicate the above discount quite easily.

Good luck

[stevensdrs]

Bought my daughters watch, a present, which had a £1200 ticket price. I just said I can only go to £1000 and I have it here in cash. They did the deal. If you don't ask you don't get.

[Stussy]

Thanks everyone, everything posted does make sense, I guess I just don’t have the confidence! I’m shy and not outgoing, for example, I’d rather pay full price for something just to avoid having to ask!
I guess I need to man up
The RRP for the Aquis is £1570, I guess a hundred quid or two off would be successful?

Edited by Stussy on Tuesday 30th July 23:15

[WhisperingWasp]

Stussy said:

Thanks everyone, everything posted does make sense, I guess I just don’t have the confidence! I’m shy and not outgoing, for example, I’d rather pay full price for something just to avoid having to ask!
I guess I need to man up

Just go for it. Like others have said; what is the worst that can happen?

I bought a GMT Master II at the weekend (second hand one but from an AD). Being a stainless steel sports Rolex I thought the price would be the price but I just went with a “how fixed is the price?” (Or something like that) and got a “what price were you thinking?”. I didn’t want to push my luck but offered £500 less and got an immediate OK. Felt like a right result as I was expecting them to stand firm. Being a second hand model with no RRP I suppose makes things a bit woolier though.

Then today - with my new found haggling confidence - I bought an iPad at Cex which was £260 and I asked if they could do it for £250. Got a firm no from the teenager! Easy come easy go!

[SULAND]

You know what mate,at least your man enough to admit it! Dont put your self down! I haggle on everything,when my other half drags me out shopping she walks of when we get to the till as she knows whats going to happen!! Lol. At the end of the day your the customer spending your money. There not going to throw you out of the shop for asking!

[SULAND]

But be warned it can back fire on you! I just remembered about the time the wife and i were in barbados and she was looking at a diamond bangle that was priced up at about £12,000,the wife liked so i said to the guy thats to much,to which he said how much do you want to pay? Jack big bks says £7000! And fk me he said ok!! Lol Note dont get clever in barbados!!

[Stussy]

Does it only really work if you’re a cash or card buyer rather than finance?
This will be a big purchase for me, and my first decent watch after a lifetime of G shocks and junk like Addidas and Ellesse!
I’ve wanted an Omega for as long as I can remember, but that will have to wait a while yet, plus most of them look far too small for my large (9”) wrist.
The Aquis really caught my eye as it’s nice and chunky.
I love the 2019 Seiko sumo in green too, but they’re out of stock everywhere

[tuffer]

I was in WoS in Canary Wharf about 3 years ago and just browsing some watches at lunchtime, looking at some Blancpains and the assistant mentioned they had 20% off. My wife had been looking at one a few weeks earlier in Harrods but they would not budge on price at all. It was 12K at list and the discount took it down to about 9.5K, I said I will give you 7K for it now. He laughed, I said I was serious so he went off and made a call, came back and said OK. Paid with card, job done. No harm in asking, always a massive markup on jewelry.

[seadragon]

I got my new Omega Speedmaster 57 for 30% off list price :-)

[andyman_2006]

Stussy said:

I see it mentioned a lot, and am considering buying an Oris Aquis soon so wanted to get my head around it.
You wouldn’t haggle when buying most other things in shops, so why does it happen with watches? As much as I’d love a discount, I’d feel embarrassed to ask for one, and wouldn’t begin to know how to approach the subject!
Is it literally a case of simply asking?

Maybe i'm in the minority - but i do ask for discount in other shops, its a case of dont ask then you dont get.

I've successfully achieved discount on new and pre-owned watches in the past, its no different to wanting a deal on a new/used car? surly you'd ask for free mats, detail extras or a dealer £ contribution on a new car on PCP? or discount for a cash sale of a used car? these watches are not high volume selling items, and mark up is generally very high.

Its possible to negotiate up-to 25% in my experience but it will depend on a few factors: 1) The dealer 2) supply and demand of the watch 3) stock levels or is a new model on it way and as such the old model can be bought cheaper for current stock they need to shift 4) if you can find it cheaper online - many retailers price match online now 5) be prepared to walk away, and if its a more common model with good supply, and numerous dealers you can shop around, dont be afraid to walk and go to the next shop/Dealer and ask for the same.

Please note: Non of the above applies to New Steel Rolex! or some Tudor models where stock is seemingly low or models are in big demand.

I have had discounts on Omega, and Breitling, and was offered discount on some Tudor models, Chopard, Bremont etc

Just ask them, if they say no, just walk, visit the next dealer. nothing to lose have you?

All the best
Andy

[anonymous-user]

tuffer said:

I was in WoS in Canary Wharf about 3 years ago and just browsing some watches at lunchtime, looking at some Blancpains and the assistant mentioned they had 20% off. My wife had been looking at one a few weeks earlier in Harrods but they would not budge on price at all. It was 12K at list and the discount took it down to about 9.5K, I said I will give you 7K for it now. He laughed, I said I was serious so he went off and made a call, came back and said OK. Paid with card, job done. No harm in asking, always a massive markup on jewelry.

Love it.

I wouldn’t dream of not negotiating on a watch. I wouldn’t try it on shoes or a jacket etc.

When I bought my first house I had no furniture or appliances or anything I simply couldn’t afford all the stuff so would haggle and barter for everything. It’s like asking someone out. If you don’t ask you’ll never know.

Salespeople have seen everything, many couldn’t care less about what stuff goes for and will give whatever discount they can.

I’ve often said I can pay x right now and heard salespeople say ‘I’m only authorised to give x% discount but I’ll check with my boss” and then another bigger discount appears meeting my offer after a phonecall.

It all depends on where you are though.

[andyman_2006]

Stussy said:

Does it only really work if you’re a cash or card buyer rather than finance?
This will be a big purchase for me, and my first decent watch after a lifetime of G shocks and junk like Addidas and Ellesse!
I’ve wanted an Omega for as long as I can remember, but that will have to wait a while yet, plus most of them look far too small for my large (9”) wrist.
The Aquis really caught my eye as it’s nice and chunky.
I love the 2019 Seiko sumo in green too, but they’re out of stock everywhere

I'm afraid It does mean cash or card, debit or credit, no finance that usually results in a reply of 'sorry sir list price' just get a 0% CC and job done :-) i would use CC anyway due to the added protection, and some cards offer points (Tesco club card) or cash back options (Virgin) so its really win win.

BTW - Omega does 44/45/46mm watches think the planet ocean is 45.5mm. I have a 44mm sea-master regatta its same size as a Rolex deep-sea there are not that many watches much bigger than 46mm (Uboat's and some 48mm Breitling Bentley's excluded!)

[bonerp]

I got 27% off a £8k breitling (and had a couple of extra straps included and a load of freebies) and its easy to get 10% off an omega with pressing.
Watches with a list dont generally get discounts.

[CAPP0]

Even the more "well-known" sellers on here will have a chat with you about the price

[Dan_1981]

andyman_2006 said:

Stussy said:

Does it only really work if you’re a cash or card buyer rather than finance?
This will be a big purchase for me, and my first decent watch after a lifetime of G shocks and junk like Addidas and Ellesse!
I’ve wanted an Omega for as long as I can remember, but that will have to wait a while yet, plus most of them look far too small for my large (9”) wrist.
The Aquis really caught my eye as it’s nice and chunky.
I love the 2019 Seiko sumo in green too, but they’re out of stock everywhere

I'm afraid It does mean cash or card, debit or credit, no finance that usually results in a reply of 'sorry sir list price' just get a 0% CC and job done :-) i would use CC anyway due to the added protection, and some cards offer points (Tesco club card) or cash back options (Virgin) so its really win win.

BTW - Omega does 44/45/46mm watches think the planet ocean is 45.5mm. I have a 44mm sea-master regatta its same size as a Rolex deep-sea there are not that many watches much bigger than 46mm (Uboat's and some 48mm Breitling Bentley's excluded!)

However legally they can not offer a discount that can't be covered with finance.

Obviously might be better to agree the discount before asking for the finance

[ellroy]

It’s pure embarrassment as to why we don’t ask.

Worst case? The dealer says no!

Got £200 off my lad’s 18th birthday present Tudor, which paid for most of lunch!

Just ask!