Watchfinder.co.uk

[rickybouy]

Hi i had ordered a IWC from the above a couple of weeks back and paid a deposit of 400 odd pound, and told the watch would take 4-5 weeks to source, received a call today saying the price had increased by 180 pound and that i could get it next week, this is due to IWC new pricing policy, is anyone else aware of this? as i spoke to two boutiques here in Dubai who said prices haven't increased since last june, I also did i quick search and came across a few posts which have discussed the same issue, what to do pay the extra or walk away on principal?

Cheers Rick

[5pen]

Only yesterday I noticed a Portugeuse Chrono in the window of Mappin & Webb for £4,500 - it was £4250 last week, so it does look as if IWC have increased their prices recently. I believe IWC's last increase was just before Christmas.

Not sure where you stand with dealer. Like you, I would feel aggrieved that the price quoted at the time you ordered has now increased.

[ross-456]

I'm afraid I don't know about any IWC price increases, but IMO the dealer should honour the price qouted when the deposit was paid. Have you asked them to do this yet?

[fergus]

ross-456 said:

I'm afraid I don't know about any IWC price increases, but IMO the dealer should honour the price qouted when the deposit was paid. Have you asked them to do this yet?

Agreed. Subject to any small print, I would have imagined that by paying a deposit, you've entered into a contract to buy the watch at a pre agreed amount. Check your receipt/T&Cs!

[ShadownINja]

The only industry that isn't aware of a recession?

[rickybouy]

Thanks chaps,

this is from there website

"Pricing.

Our pricing system is based on the manufacturer's recommended retail price. As manufacturers reserve the right to alter the RRP products without notice so we must also reserve that right. If the price of a watch changes the customer will be informed and will not be obliged to proceed with the order."

if you see the




this is my original order still showing the amount i thought i was paying, now they want another 180 pound, i emailed a contact at IWC to see about price increase to see if there has been one in the last few months

Thinking of pulling out of deal, out of principal, although this was a wedding gift to myself

Edited by rickybouy on Tuesday 9th June 13:52

[slk 32]

Blame Gordon Brown....

I ordered a Deep Sea about 10 months ago - was originally £4860- then went up to £5350 now £5850

If it goes up any more then I will seriously have to consider something else

[rickybouy]

Hi there slk, are you saying it's tax related? i spoke to IWC boutique here in Dubai they said no price increse since last year, but they will have different pricing structures for different regions i guess

[RobCh]

I'd suggest a quick chat with your local trading standards office or citizens advice bureau to check your rights here. Obviously RRPs can change, but not once a deal has been fully entered into I would have thought. There's a lot of potential for abuse otherwise. If they hadn't taken your deposit, it would be one thing, but money has changed hands against an agreed price, and your money has been earning interest for them, not you. Heads we win, tails you lose. Worth a check anyway.

[RobCh]

Okay, "your local" may mean getting in touch with someone in the UK! Even on-line they will be subject to UK law.

[ascayman]

i was told last week that both iwc and brietling have put there prices up by 15% whilst jlc put thiers up by 10%

[mel]

rickybouy said:

Hi there slk, are you saying it's tax related? i spoke to IWC boutique here in Dubai they said no price increse since last year, but they will have different pricing structures for different regions i guess

No, it's not tax related more exchange rate related, all the big watch houses operate a global pricing system to try and cut down on grey imports, obviously as the value of the pound has bombed (all be it several months ago) manufacturers tend to allow currency fluctuations to stabilise and then adjust regional pricing to suit (some quicker than others as Rolex have been on it even while the value of the pound was still falling), otherwise everyone in Dubai would be ordering their watches from the UK and your man who hasn't seen any price increase out there would be really hacked off.

As for your rights legally IMO I don't think you can make them honour the original deal, sure you paid a deposit and formed a contract but contained within that contract was the clause you quoted earlier saying that if the manufacturer increased prices without notice then they reserved the right to pass that on or allow you to pull out of the deal, which to me seems fair enough.

Personally I've bought a couple of watches off of them and on the first purchase visited their offices for my own peace of mind to feel happy and confident that they were a legit' company, I can say catagorically that they are and have always given me very good personal and competant service, at the end of the day the choice is yours and I'd guess that ultimately it depends on if you still think you're getting a good deal at the new price.

[mel]

RobCh said:

I'd suggest a quick chat with your local trading standards office or citizens advice bureau to check your rights here. Obviously RRPs can change, but not once a deal has been fully entered into I would have thought. There's a lot of potential for abuse otherwise. If they hadn't taken your deposit, it would be one thing, but money has changed hands against an agreed price, and your money has been earning interest for them, not you. Heads we win, tails you lose. Worth a check anyway.

Sorry but that bit has made me chuckle, lets think if they put it in a high interest 30 day access account (ooooooops sorry they haven't had his £400 for 30 days yet so thats a no no) so they've put it in their standard business account at a guess earning 0.25% if they're lucky, so in 4 weeks I'd say they've made oooooh just under 8 pence out of the O/P, please, get realistic, it'll cost more than that to refund him his money so they'll actually lose out if he doesn't go through with the deal.

[rickybouy]

Thanks mel I am very aware of currency fluctuations as I seem to spend half my life converting cash from one country to another and mainly losing I agree that I haven't got a leg to stand on just seems harsh. I have not and will not bad mouth them but I won't be using them again as I have heard similar stories. As it turns out one of my clients is a supplier of iwc in abu dhabi so I am working on a discount and with the pound getting strong again may be cheaper here. Fingers crossed. Gotta get the watch for my wedding. Anyone know anywhere else that sells with full warranty. Cheers rick

[Lightningman]

ascayman said:

i was told last week that both iwc and brietling have put there prices up by 15% whilst jlc put thiers up by 10%

IWC definitely has a price increase as of June 1st (however, dealers with standing stock will have paid old prices - it is only new stock that is effected).

Can't speak about Breitling.

For reference, Patek have had two increases this year.