What has happened to Watchfinder ?
Discussion
You live, and you learn eh ?
I used this firm maybe seven years ago. I had a ND Sub, which I traded in for an SD.
All good.
They had a great business model.
Offer every pawnbroker in the uk guaranteed money for Rolex.
Corner the market.
I believe they have nearly a hundred Daytonas ojn their website now, each at 10k ish, that a million is stock, in one watch.
Fantastic.
However its all going a little bit the wrong way. TV ads etc, have upped their prices.
They just seem a little bit toppy now.
Plus, my experience of them on Monday.
In Bluewater, I visited their "shop"
Well I call it a shop. Seems to have the same substance as a nail bar.
No door, just an opening.
They demanded photo id before they would take a watch out?
Then it seems its policy that if you have a hat on, these be taken off.
Ive never been to a jewellers, and asked for those pre-requisites before.
"Oh, someone's ruined it for the few, and it okay you're insulted, that's fine." said their Ryland look-a-like.
They've just gone a little bit too chavvy.
A little bit up themselves.
They used to be really good.
They now seem to have a touch of toot candy, and Essex about them.
I used this firm maybe seven years ago. I had a ND Sub, which I traded in for an SD.
All good.
They had a great business model.
Offer every pawnbroker in the uk guaranteed money for Rolex.
Corner the market.
I believe they have nearly a hundred Daytonas ojn their website now, each at 10k ish, that a million is stock, in one watch.
Fantastic.
However its all going a little bit the wrong way. TV ads etc, have upped their prices.
They just seem a little bit toppy now.
Plus, my experience of them on Monday.
In Bluewater, I visited their "shop"
Well I call it a shop. Seems to have the same substance as a nail bar.
No door, just an opening.
They demanded photo id before they would take a watch out?
Then it seems its policy that if you have a hat on, these be taken off.
Ive never been to a jewellers, and asked for those pre-requisites before.
"Oh, someone's ruined it for the few, and it okay you're insulted, that's fine." said their Ryland look-a-like.
They've just gone a little bit too chavvy.
A little bit up themselves.
They used to be really good.
They now seem to have a touch of toot candy, and Essex about them.
They were bought by Richemont a few years back.
https://www.ft.com/content/55dafc62-65c1-11e8-a39d...
I've pointed out to friends and work colleagues that they can get better deals on new watches than what watchfinder often sell second hand models for. I don't know if you can haggle or negotiate with them but if you have the cash or a 0% credit card you can do better. That said, they must be doing something right.
https://www.ft.com/content/55dafc62-65c1-11e8-a39d...
I've pointed out to friends and work colleagues that they can get better deals on new watches than what watchfinder often sell second hand models for. I don't know if you can haggle or negotiate with them but if you have the cash or a 0% credit card you can do better. That said, they must be doing something right.
Had 2 brief dealings with them last year which sadly reflect the OP's experience.
My Father in Law wanted to sell his AP Royal Oak. The watch was an anniversary present from his now ex-wife which he wanted shot of for obvious reasons - he's not a watch person and knew little about the watch or its value and called Watchfinder as he'd seen the adverts. They clearly saw him coming and offered him a ridiculous price which he was about to accept until I told him he was being had. I introduced him to Blowers who dealt with him fairly and bought the watch for twice what WF offered.
I went into the WF store in Royal Exchange to look at a Speedmaster last summer. It's hardly a niche watch and I'm no watch expert - but I clearly knew much more than the Salesperson who seemed to have very little interest in or knowledge of watches.
It's the car supermarket of watch dealers IMO.
My Father in Law wanted to sell his AP Royal Oak. The watch was an anniversary present from his now ex-wife which he wanted shot of for obvious reasons - he's not a watch person and knew little about the watch or its value and called Watchfinder as he'd seen the adverts. They clearly saw him coming and offered him a ridiculous price which he was about to accept until I told him he was being had. I introduced him to Blowers who dealt with him fairly and bought the watch for twice what WF offered.
I went into the WF store in Royal Exchange to look at a Speedmaster last summer. It's hardly a niche watch and I'm no watch expert - but I clearly knew much more than the Salesperson who seemed to have very little interest in or knowledge of watches.
It's the car supermarket of watch dealers IMO.
Never heard of that brand , so Googled , !!!!!
Second hand up to £100k .WOW
webuyanywatch.con ( not a typo)
"I've pointed out to friends and work colleagues that they can get better deals on new watches than what watchfinder often sell second hand models for. I don't know if you can haggle or negotiate with them but if you have the cash or a 0% credit card you can do better. That said, they must be doing something right. "
I have just bought a Tag F1 new for less than WF were selling s/h
Second hand up to £100k .WOW
webuyanywatch.con ( not a typo)
"I've pointed out to friends and work colleagues that they can get better deals on new watches than what watchfinder often sell second hand models for. I don't know if you can haggle or negotiate with them but if you have the cash or a 0% credit card you can do better. That said, they must be doing something right. "
I have just bought a Tag F1 new for less than WF were selling s/h
Edited by MXRod on Tuesday 23 April 15:33
stuttgartmetal said:
You live, and you learn eh ?
In Bluewater, I visited their "shop"
Well I call it a shop. Seems to have the same substance as a nail bar.
No door, just an opening.
They demanded photo id before they would take a watch out?
Then it seems its policy that if you have a hat on, these be taken off.
Ive never been to a jewellers, and asked for those pre-requisites before.
"Oh, someone's ruined it for the few, and it okay you're insulted, that's fine." said their Ryland look-a-like.
To be fair to them on this part, I imagine they've had more than one instance where an "innit" wearing a baseball cap to hide his face from the cameras has tried on an expensive Rolex and promptly done a runner from the shop.In Bluewater, I visited their "shop"
Well I call it a shop. Seems to have the same substance as a nail bar.
No door, just an opening.
They demanded photo id before they would take a watch out?
Then it seems its policy that if you have a hat on, these be taken off.
Ive never been to a jewellers, and asked for those pre-requisites before.
"Oh, someone's ruined it for the few, and it okay you're insulted, that's fine." said their Ryland look-a-like.
I understand the securty that watchfinder now have in place after numerous robberies but my single experience of them at Brent Cross, soon after the shop opened was dire.
There was a SD43 in the window and I was enquring about the price. I was working at the time, so in tatty joggers and Sweat shirt. The response I got from the salesman was '£10,800' and from his tone also saying I couldn't afford it and leave me alone.
So aloof and an idiot.
There was a SD43 in the window and I was enquring about the price. I was working at the time, so in tatty joggers and Sweat shirt. The response I got from the salesman was '£10,800' and from his tone also saying I couldn't afford it and leave me alone.
So aloof and an idiot.
hole.Fipster said:
It must just be me that thinks wearing a hat in a jewellers and asking to view a watch isn’t the done thing.
Unfortunately, cap wearing is part of daily fashion and not just 'chavs'.Personally, I only ever wear a hat/cap when I need protection from the sun and take it off as soon as I don't require it.
Horrible company.
Unless of course you like over priced when buying / lowest of the lowball offers when selling, usually massively over polished, and a shedload of attitude and condescension to boot.
Didn't they sponsor this sub-forum for a short period and then vanish?
Unless of course you like over priced when buying / lowest of the lowball offers when selling, usually massively over polished, and a shedload of attitude and condescension to boot.
Fipster said:
It must just be me that thinks wearing a hat in a jewellers and asking to view a watch isn’t the done thing.
Last I checked, there wasn't a dress code......aside from shiny suits if you are staff.Didn't they sponsor this sub-forum for a short period and then vanish?
Edited by GCH on Tuesday 23 April 22:25
Fipster said:
It must just be me that thinks wearing a hat in a jewellers and asking to view a watch isn’t the done thing.
I bought an $11,000 watch whilst wearing a hat. It did not cross my mind as they were taking my money that the hat might be a problem for either them or me!And what could possibly be the issue with wishing to view a watch before heading over a large sum?
I've bought three watches from them including a Hulk. Originally recommended by a WIS mate who has used them a lot. Having just bought the Hulk (for overs obvs) I asked what they'd give for my Sub and was given some derisory figure. Their margin is HUGE. (And, if they own all the watches they offer, ditto their inventory costs.)
I'd never deal with them again - much better deals to be had from some oft-mentioned names on here.
Went into Royal Exchange the other day out of curiosity. All change and as someone said, very much like a nail bar. Next to no stock on display. Odd.
I'd never deal with them again - much better deals to be had from some oft-mentioned names on here.
Went into Royal Exchange the other day out of curiosity. All change and as someone said, very much like a nail bar. Next to no stock on display. Odd.
Cant stand them, i do use the site for browsing as they have good pictures. But they have major inflated prices and when I once enquired about discount on a watch they told me no chance so I bought elsewhere for £700 cheaper.
I’m now tempted to see what they value it at as they have one listed for over twice what I paid
I’m now tempted to see what they value it at as they have one listed for over twice what I paid
This advert is why I'd never use watchfinder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmR1WHpRYJM
Advert aimed at cycling enthusiasts yet the bike costs a fraction of what the watch costs, motoring equivalent would be showing an aspirational advert where the guy flaunts his watch then gets into a shed Peugeot 206 or similar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmR1WHpRYJM
Advert aimed at cycling enthusiasts yet the bike costs a fraction of what the watch costs, motoring equivalent would be showing an aspirational advert where the guy flaunts his watch then gets into a shed Peugeot 206 or similar.
untakenname said:
That's just terrible."You'd be so much more of a man if you were wearing a Panerai when you've knocked the back wheel of your Halfords' bike out of true miles from home...."
Seight_Returns said:
That's just terrible.
"You'd be so much more of a man if you were wearing a Panerai when you've knocked the back wheel of your Halfords' bike out of true miles from home...."
and the connection with cycling is comical ... cyclists won’t wear watches like that."You'd be so much more of a man if you were wearing a Panerai when you've knocked the back wheel of your Halfords' bike out of true miles from home...."
Do they have a scuba equivalent advert showing someone doing an easy dive while wearing a $50k diamond studded Rolex dress watch?
alfaman said:
and the connection with cycling is comical ... cyclists won’t wear watches like that.
Quite. When I ride my road bike I wear my Garmin which gives me actual, maximum and average speed, distance run, elevation climbed, heart rate and blood oxygenation data, cadence, weather forecast, time till sunset, GPS directions and route logging, text messages from my wife telling me to come home and fix the dishwasher and loads of other stuff.I'm obviously doing it wrong - I need to go straight to WF and buy some overpriced bling that's going to get trashed the first time I have an off.
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