Retail wristwatch shopping

[Pandamonium]

I recall reading on some deal forum about how one individual bought a watch at retail/authorized dealer at a price very close to that offered by online dealers. Is this practice expected? Has anyone done this? How were the results?

I'm on the verge of an impulse purchase. Well I suppose that's oxymoronic, but I still think I'll be purchasing a watch in the near future.

 

[jadinolf]

Since no one is responding to your post, here goes.

If the store is individually owned and the owner is there give haggling a shot. Be reasonable in your offer and wait for his/her response. The worse answer you can get is NO.

 

[spherrod]

haggle away

 

[Rightwinger]

I haggled like hell at the store.

Then again, I was at Mayors....

 

[CrackaLackaZe]

try haggling at neiman marcus, post results

 

[montanafan]

As has been said, it depends on the type of store and who you talk to. Expensive wristwatches are one of my indulgences, but I won't buy one unless I'm sure I'm getting a good deal. Stores that have a lot of different weekly sales, discounts, and clearances are the best. If the watch you want isn't on sale, speak with the manager and ask if they can offer you any kind of a discount. If they won't or can't negotiate they'll tell you up front, but if you get a, "I don't know", when you ask then you'll know they are capable of negotiating the price. Then ask what sort of percentage discount they can offer. 20% is usually the norm, but it's not unusual to get more. The end of the month is the best time to negotiate with big chain jewelry stores because of they have sales numbers they have to meet, just like car dealerships. Don't take an attitude with them like you're going to buy somewhere else. Just let them know that you're ready to buy the watch right now if they quote you a price you can afford. Good luck.

 

[compuwiz1]

Is it acceptable to haggle or

Well, reasonbly, I think is ok.

Years ago, we had this guy who would walk onto car showrooms, tell a salesman he was interested, etc. Then they'd waste hours going over tech specs, colors, option availability, and finaly go test drive a few cars, to find just that perfect one. Once a car was found, the haggling began and the guy would always be unreasonable, never making a deal.
He did this kind of crap for years, to the point where he had a reputation in the auto mall where I used to work. Last time I checked, the guy has still not bought a car and is still driving the 70's Pontiac he always comes in driving.

The problem now, is that anywhere he goes, nobody will wait on him. He calls and tells the GM that nobody would help him last time he was in. The GM (General Manager) says, well can you really blame them for not helping you, afterall, when was the last time you actually bought a car? Have a nice day...click. So now the General manager is not even interested in this guy anymore. LOL

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Is it acceptable to haggle or

Well, reasonbly, I think is ok.

Years ago, we had this guy who would walk onto car showrooms, tell a salesman he was interested, etc. Then they'd waste hours going over tech specs, colors, option availability, and finaly go test drive a few cars, to find just that perfect one. Once a car was found, the haggling began and the guy would always be unreasonable, never making a deal.
He did this kind of crap for years, to the point where he had a reputation in the auto mall where I used to work. Last time I checked, the guy has still not bought a car and is still driving the 70's Pontiac he always comes in driving.

The problem now, is that anywhere he goes, nobody will wait on him. He calls and tells the GM that nobody would help him last time he was in. The GM (General Manager) says, well can you really blame them for not helping you, afterall, when was the last time you actually bought a car? Have a nice day...click. So now the General manager is not even interested in this guy anymore. LOL

Customer profiling is key if you want to run a successful sales force.

Even smaller chains like Best Buy do it. Would you rather have your sales staff help a guy comparison shop for some PDA accessories, or help the family buying their first PC?

Of course if you have enough personnel for both, then nobody gets shorted.

 

[Pepsei]

Yeah, I got a Movado for only $10 from a vendor in NYC on Canal street.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
Yeah, I got a Movado for only $10 from a vendor in NYC on Canal street.

 

[stonecold3169]

Originally posted by: Pandamonium
I recall reading on some deal forum about how one individual bought a watch at retail/authorized dealer at a price very close to that offered by online dealers. Is this practice expected? Has anyone done this? How were the results?

I'm on the verge of an impulse purchase. Well I suppose that's oxymoronic, but I still think I'll be purchasing a watch in the near future.

Definitely haggle, but keep in mind some stuff won't realy have a possible drop. who you are matters a LOT on jewlery store purchases.

Some watch brands, like Omega, allow for price changes on their products, and you can generally get 20-30% off retail. Rolexes, however, generally the owner won't budge on... unless you know him.

Good luck!

 

[Kelemvor]

If it's a jewelry store or something like that, then definitely. If it's a chain (KMart, WalMart, Boston Store, etc) then the employees have no authority to do any haggling.

Smaller the store, bigger the possibility of haggling.