Can a boutique offer a price break?

3nicewatches · Mar 26, 2019

ama98
Not every boutique is owned by Omega. My local OB certainly not. They are franchise. Re the discount I have got 5%

I second this, in the same way that not every McDonalds restaurant is owned by McDonalds. Read this article (https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthon...tores-in-new-york-and-las-vegas/#2761a2937bff) and you will see that within Wynn Las Vegas hotel, Watches of Switzerland have their own branded store (an AD) but also own a physically separate Breitling boutique, and an Omega boutique, both run under franchise agreements with those two companies. The only way to tell an Omega Boutique is that it is exclusively branded “Omega” and sells only Omega products...not by whether or not Omega own it.

Also, the only way to ensure you won’t get a discount at an OB is to not ask for one. I got one at my OB (8%).

Evitzee · Mar 26, 2019

MustWatch
Thanks! Did you ever by the watch? I think it’s awesome!

No, I didn't, I bought a Blue Panda CK2998 from an AD just up the street who happened to have one still in stock even though it came out in 2016. Got that 15% off list price, net $5,525 which seemed like a good price.

MustWatch · Mar 26, 2019

Evitzee
No, I didn't, I bought a Blue Panda CK2998 from an AD just up the street. Got that 15% off list price.

Whaaaat! Classic. Good deal!

Time Bandit · Mar 26, 2019

MustWatch
Hi all: Is it tacky or stupid at an Omega boutique to ask for a slight discount when purchasing a new watch? Does a boutique ever offer a price break?

Thanks!

In the USA boutiques have very little wiggle room, new models like the new Seamaster 300 Diver master chronometer will not get any discounts but the previous model might. Try asking for a free NATO, leather good or Aqua Terra cologne...those are easier for the boutiques to comp.

watchos · Mar 26, 2019

3nicewatches
I second this, in the same way that not every McDonalds restaurant is owned by McDonalds. Read this article (https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthon...tores-in-new-york-and-las-vegas/#2761a2937bff) and you will see that within Wynn Las Vegas hotel, Watches of Switzerland have their own branded store (an AD) but also own a physically separate Breitling boutique, and an Omega boutique, both run under franchise agreements with those two companies. The only way to tell an Omega Boutique is that it is exclusively branded “Omega” and sells only Omega products...not by whether or not Omega own it.

I did not know this. I know that there are fully branded ADs that only sell Omega, but really thought all "Omega Boutiques" were owned and operated by Omega directly.

Wouldn't the others be single branded ADs?

For all the OB that I have been to, their email addresses are @swatchgroup.com. Would OBs that are franchise use that email address too?

As an example, the official OB in Las Vegas would be the one at the Bellagio, don't know about the one at the Wynn.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/store/country/united-states/state/nevada/city/las-vegas/

Anything in the website marked as "Omega Boutique" with the red font and logo, is probably company owned.

Time Bandit · Mar 26, 2019

ama98
Not every boutique is owned by Omega. My local OB certainly not. They are franchise. Re the discount I have got 5%

I can't speak for outside of the USA but all Omega Boutiques in the USA are exclusively owned by the Swatchgroup. Watches of Switzerland runs a stand alone Omega store in the Wynn and NYC but they are not "Omega Boutiques" even though some refer them generically as boutiques.

jimcarver · Mar 26, 2019

I'm not sure where you are or if its the same worldwide but I wouldn't go near an OB here in Japan (I don't understand who does). I got a 35% discount on a new Moonwatch buying from a reputable grey dealer at the weekend. Don't get me wrong I would rather buy from an AD or OB but it can't be justified.

ama98 · Mar 27, 2019

Time Bandit
I can't speak for outside of the USA but all Omega Boutiques in the USA are exclusively owned by the Swatchgroup. Watches of Switzerland runs a stand alone Omega store in the Wynn and NYC but they are not "Omega Boutiques" even though some refer them generically as boutiques.

It is easy to find out the ownership of an OB. Just check the email address on Omega's website under the contact section of the OB. If the domain of the email address is e.g @swatchgroup.com then it is a company owned OB. I did not checked all OBs but in Europe or Middle East you will find OBs with different domain of email address.
Plus the manager of the OB I am in touch explicitly told me that they are a franchise OB.

vampsv3 · Mar 27, 2019

jimcarver
I'm not sure where you are or if its the same worldwide but I wouldn't go near an OB here in Japan (I don't understand who does). I got a 35% discount on a new Moonwatch buying from a reputable grey dealer at the weekend. Don't get me wrong I would rather buy from an AD or OB but it can't be justified.

It's trustworthy to buy timepieces from such dealer like Jackroad or Kamekichi in Japan. In Hongkong, I'd prefer AD rather than OB for a better price, and I do not trust any grey dealer.

jimcarver · Mar 27, 2019

vampsv3
It's trustworthy to buy timepieces from such dealer like Jackroad or Kamekichi in Japan. In Hongkong, I'd prefer AD rather than OB for a better price, and I do not trust any grey dealer.

Agreed, its only worth it if you are 100% confident in the seller. Jack Road is where I bought mine (JPY 385,000 compared to JPY 594,000 at an AD/OB).

3nicewatches · Mar 27, 2019

Time Bandit
I can't speak for outside of the USA but all Omega Boutiques in the USA are exclusively owned by the Swatchgroup. Watches of Switzerland runs a stand alone Omega store in the Wynn and NYC but they are not "Omega Boutiques" even though some refer them generically as boutiques.

Not true on two counts. I have been in that OB in the Wynn and talked with the staff there about this. Though not owned by Omega, they run as a franchise and as such must agree to operate under the same rules and practices (including pricing) as all OBs.

WoS do not own either of the two OBs in NYC. WoS have their own stand alone store in Soho, which sells many different brands.

3nicewatches · Mar 27, 2019

watchos
I did not know this. I know that there are fully branded ADs that only sell Omega, but really thought all "Omega Boutiques" were owned and operated by Omega directly.

Wouldn't the others be single branded ADs?

For all the OB that I have been to, their email addresses are @swatchgroup.com. Would OBs that are franchise use that email address too?

As an example, the official OB in Las Vegas would be the one at the Bellagio, don't know about the one at the Wynn.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/store/country/united-states/state/nevada/city/las-vegas/

Anything in the website marked as "Omega Boutique" with the red font and logo, is probably company owned.

Yes, that’s correct. Your last point is how to identify Omega owned boutiques. But whether Omega own them, or someone else runs them as a franchise, they all look the same and must operate under the same rules, sales practices and so on that are dictated by Omega.

johncatlas · Mar 27, 2019

I've never had luck getting discounts at the OB, they are much more inflexible since the watches are made available to them by Omega via a consignment like model. They have no incentive to work with you as they have no cost vs sale pricing to consider. I know what dealer pricing is on Omega's watches and many times you'll have significant wiggle room. PM me if you'd like to know what kinda pricing dealers get from Omega.

deanathan12 · Mar 27, 2019

Even when a jeweler or dealer offers or"gives" you a discount, it's not a discount. They're still making a few thousand off of you as soon as you walk out that door. What's worse is that if you walk back in there a week later for a trade in or to sell it back, they offer you usually less than half of what you paid.

Don't buy from jewelers, dealers, or grey market authorities(ex. jomashop). Buy from people with good reps in the second hand community. You get way better deals, build a solid relationship for future transactions, and it gets shipped right to you instead of you having to go to the brick and mortar store just to get taken advantage of. That's just my two cents haha

MustWatch · Mar 27, 2019

Not sure if you all will see this, but I really appreciate everyone's comments and advice!

Shankified · Mar 27, 2019

watchos
Would OBs that are franchise use that email address too?.

No.

I got my first Omega from OB in Glasgow, Scotland. Their email address was @goldsmiths.co.uk (same group that owns Watches of Switzerland).

Whereas the OBs owned by Swatch Group have their email addresses as @uk.swatchgroup.com - of course, this is only for UK OBs.

fskywalker · Mar 28, 2019

Yes, the one in Puerto Rico gives 10% discount, think they are allowed to compete on the Caribbean where some islands offer tax free purchases

AJwala · Mar 28, 2019

I think asking discount if always important, sometimes the boutiques want to sell of the old models and are ready to offer very good discounts. I found really good discounts in HK. they have 5-6 Omega boutiques/retailers in a span of less than 300 meters. the competetion between them helps us customers get better discounts 😀

Can a boutique offer a price break?

3nicewatches

Evitzee

MustWatch

Time Bandit

watchos

Time Bandit

jimcarver

ama98

vampsv3

jimcarver

3nicewatches

3nicewatches

johncatlas

deanathan12

MustWatch

Shankified

fskywalker

AJwala

Similar threads

I just bought the newer quartz Seamaster Regatta. It's fantastic, but Omega has done a terrible job advertising it! Mini review...

NA! Buying a the real Mitsukoshi: a crazy hunt! 🤯

I'm involved in a transaction dispute with a dealer

Need help with a price estimation, please & thankyou

Christmas self-gift: Rescuing a 1956 Seamaster

Poor service from a boutique or am I expecting too much?