Tudor BB RRP / Discounts

[smithyithy]

Hi All,

Just wanted to gauge whether discounts are typically possible on Tudors, specifically the Black Bay watches?

I'd love one of the new Pepsi GMTs but they seem to be pretty hard to come by, so I'd definitely settle for one of the other Black Bay variants.

Reason I ask is that I have an expiring offer through my employer's discount system, which is 20% off at Ernest Jones who I believe are a Tudor stockist..

So I'm wondering if RRP / listed price is generally the 'price paid' for these models, therefore making the offer worthwhile, or whether there's wriggle-room or more affordable avenues to pick them up..

Any info welcome!

[dai1983]

I’d guess that since your using a discount scheme it’d be a discount on RRP?

[smithyithy]

dai1983 said:

I’d guess that since your using a discount scheme it’d be a discount on RRP?

It's a discount on any price, essentially..

We basically buy a voucher / card for £X, through our employer's portal, but we pay £X - 20%..

So to buy a BB at RRP, I'd buy a £2630 voucher for £2104.

The retailer wouldn't know what discount I'd got beforehand, they'd just see a voucher / card worth £2630.

So ideally I'd need to know what kind of discount the retailer would give me off the RRP, before buying the actual voucher, otherwise I'd be stuck with money on it that I can't reclaim.

So if they offer me 10% off, that's £2367 - so I'd buy a voucher of that value for a cost to me of £1894.

The trouble, as I see it, might be that I'd have to negotiate the discount in store, then return later to actually buy it, because it could take a few days to actually get the voucher..

I need to know really if discounts are common place with retailers, so I can gauge what kind of position I'd be in when walking in.

[UnclePat]

Tudor, being owned by Rolex, don’t tend to typically be available at heavy discount.

I’d say 5% discount would be achievable easily enough, maybe a little more (no chance on the new Pepsi GMT though, even if they have one in stock).

You’re best checking at a few EJ branches beforehand (if possible) to see what is the best deal they can offer, and then ensuring they will honour it if you pay with a voucher purchased via your work (given the hefty discount already built-in to the work scheme, they might only allow use at full RRP – I have no idea).

[LordGrover]

Don't know about black bay models, but I got 25% off Tudor North Flag at Fraser Hart. Was from the window though.

Edited by LordGrover on Thursday 4th October 16:38

[andyman_2006]

Was offered 10% straight away on a BB SG, i didn't haggle further as i decided not to buy, i suspect i'd have got 15% without much pushing.

BB GMT doubtful given supply smaller than demand, but any other BB id say easy.

Andy

[harveys]

Old trick I did many years ago when EJ stocked Rolex.

Buy shares in Signet group which owns EJ.

Then you're entitled to a 10% off discount card.

Got 10% off a submariner no date, sea dweller and the new explorer II. The 10% worked out to be about £1000.

Think 10 years ago each share was about 60p.

[alfaman]

LordGrover said:

Don't know about black bay models, but I got 25% off Tudor North Bay at Fraser Hart. Was from the window though.

North Flag?

[LordGrover]

Yarp. Edited above.

[AJB88]

I asked about discount the other day when I picked up my Tudor BB GMT was told no. They (Goldsmiths) also didn't offer any kind of finance where as other stores do.

You should be able to sort a discount on "normal" black bay models but stuff like BB 58,GMT & Harrods I would imagine is a no go.

If your doing it by buying a voucher at a reduced rate though... they will never know.

For example if you get 20% off a voucher then surely the 20% off is a decent discount already? rather than faffing around trying to get more off and then having money stuck on a voucher, just accept the 20%?

Edited by AJB88 on Thursday 4th October 18:16

[smithyithy]

Cheers for the replies guys, will have to get in touch with EJ and see if I can go view what they have in stock. I'm leaning towards the blue BB but will have to see them in person before thinking about actually buying.

AJB88 said:

For example if you get 20% off a voucher then surely the 20% off is a decent discount already? rather than faffing around trying to get more off and then having money stuck on a voucher, just accept the 20%?

Oh absolutely, 20% is a great discount regardless. I was just enquiring because if they were to offer something (eg. they seem to do 10% off by just signing up to their email list, though that probably has restrictions and whatnot), then I'd have to make sure to get the correct amount on the voucher that I buy, like you say as I'd end up with money stuck on it otherwise.

Just thought I'd be cheeky and try to stack some discounts - every little helps

[ReaperCushions]

I got 15% off a BB S&G a while back. Very easily, hardly pushed at all. As per other poster, I suspect more was available if I'd have gone all 'powerfully built' on them.

[AJB88]

smithyithy said:

Oh absolutely, 20% is a great discount regardless. I was just enquiring because if they were to offer something (eg. they seem to do 10% off by just signing up to their email list, though that probably has restrictions and whatnot), then I'd have to make sure to get the correct amount on the voucher that I buy, like you say as I'd end up with money stuck on it otherwise.

Just thought I'd be cheeky and try to stack some discounts - every little helps

I'd probably try to do the same! 20% off is a bargain though wish I had access to that would of made my Seamaster a lot cheaper.

[squareflops]

Could also consider Dom @ Hackett

[AlasdairMc]

Have you done this yet? My employer does reloadable shopping cards (gift cards by any other name) for Goldsmiths and they specifically call out the following as being excluded:
Rolex, Tudor, Zenith, Breitling, Omega, Cartier, IWC, TAG Connect, Mappin & Webb Jewellery

Could be an expensive voucher purchase...

[smithyithy]

AlasdairMc said:

Have you done this yet? My employer does reloadable shopping cards (gift cards by any other name) for Goldsmiths and they specifically call out the following as being excluded:
Rolex, Tudor, Zenith, Breitling, Omega, Cartier, IWC, TAG Connect, Mappin & Webb Jewellery

Could be an expensive voucher purchase...

I'd triple-check before pulling the trigger but I can't see anything on the T's & C's within our online portal that states that. I have one of the reloadable cards 'Love 2 Shop' or something like that, used it a year or so ago to get about 15% off an iPad at Curry's as a Christmas gift.

Haven't made a decision on a watch yet anyway, I'm on a list with Ernest Jones - I really want the Tudor GMT so I'm considering waiting and seeing what happens if / when the time comes. Their Portsmouth branch had the shortest list (15 people) and they reckon they're receiving 2 per month, so realistically 8 months to wait, their London branches apparently have 40-50 on the list and wouldn't take my name down lol..

Will see when the opportunity arises. Our year-round discount is 8.5% which is still decent, especially on something like the GMT that I guess I normally wouldn't get a penny on in-store.

Thanks for the recommendation for Dom though, aware of him already via this forum, would definitely be my first port of call if I decide to pick up a more 'available' model, or a Moonwatch which my alternative option. Need to weigh up options and see what money is floating around.

[rigster2]

Yep, my employer does a similar scheme. All ok for Tudor.

Only thing I experienced is when I tried for discount is the manager said no when I tried to pay with the card.

He seemed very aware of the schemes.

Was fine for the GMT though at RRP, made it a very good deal.