Ethics question. Trying watches that you know you wont buy

Taddyangle · Aug 15, 2016

RegF
As to beer, I wasn't aware that either America or Canada even made a liquid that could be called beer

Well, you are wrong. 😀

Seriously, back in the college days, $1.78 (late 80s). Buying real beer was not an option back then.

Canuck · Aug 15, 2016

Some people call London Pride, beer! Tried it, once! A Londoner actually recommended it! Ugh! So the recipe is hundreds of years old, so what! ::stirthepot::

😀

Fritz · Aug 15, 2016

Larry S
Really? ...back in the 70's maybe but not now. and let's not discuss whiskey.......

I drink Newcastle Brown Ale when I can find it.... German stuff when I can't

So much for being a proud Canadian.

Larry S · Aug 15, 2016

So the finest pilsner in the world is to be found on tap in the Czech Republic (in my opinion), and many countries brew excellent beer, (I have had the pleasure of sampling liberally) ...but I have to say that the good old USA has been undergoing an epic brewing revolution that is producing so many great ales and beers that one literally cannot remember when we had nothing but flavorless, watery swill to drink. (And thank god for Molson back then!)

Larry S · Aug 15, 2016

Now back to the subject. I don't have a problem with shopping for the best deal and seeing a watch in the metal is the best way to buy, especially if we are talking serious money. So don't be afraid to walk in the shops and try the watches on. Than hammer them for the best deal and ignore any attempt for them to pretend that the price doesn't matter.

dialstatic · Aug 15, 2016

I'm always upfront about my intentions, so that I can let them decide if they want to invest time in me or not.

Most recently, I went to Munich for work and my return flight was delayed. I walked into a rather nice airport watch store, and when asked, told 'em that while I'm a watch enthousiast (upon which you kinda have to show him what you're wearing 😉), I had no intention of buying and basically just had an hour to kill.

The store employee told me that was no problem at all, and as there were no other customers, we talked watches over coffee and I tried on some, including a Black Bay black.

Thing is, I travel to Munich regularly, and if I ever decide to pull the trigger on the BBB, I'm giving them my business.

Larry S · Aug 15, 2016

Long Layovers in EU airports = Trouble...especially in Germany. I do the same thing. I do also find that if you have done your homework you can do a good deal at these shops and recover the VAT as well. Good point about having some credibility on your wrist when browsing.

RegF · Aug 15, 2016

Larry S
So the finest pilsner in the world is to be found on tap in the Czech Republic (in my opinion), and many countries brew excellent beer, (I have had the pleasure of sampling liberally) ...but I have to say that the good old USA has been undergoing an epic brewing revolution that is producing so many great ales and beers that one literally cannot remember when we had nothing but flavorless, watery swill to drink. (And thank god for Molson back then!)

Glad to hear the North American beer stars has improved.

I'd hate to think that you guys were forced to resort to the stuff that we cast off - "Fosters" 🤮

But yes, German, Czech and local Australian beers are the regular guests in our fridge

As to shopping for watches,

I think it is in the same boat as a lot of retail business - a transitional state of flux as the world embraces online shopping.

For some stuff its a no-brainer, bur for personal items, some hands-on interaction is often required.

Not quite sure how this is going to evolve over the coming years, but it will!

Larry S · Aug 15, 2016

Oil Cans ... Yes tossed a few of those back in my youth.

gatorcpa · Aug 15, 2016

Larry S
Oil Cans ... Yes tossed a few of those back in my youth.

Unfortunately, the oil cans sold here aren't even Australian anymore. Made in Texas, I think.

So long as one stays away from the "big box" brands in the US, you'll do OK. Sam Adams makes some pretty decent stuff, especially their limited editions. Yuengling is very underrated IMHO, even though down here it's brewed in Tampa, with swamp water.

Also make sure you aren't getting one of those fruit flavored beers. I like orange juice and I like beer. Just not together.

Back to the subject at hand. I've gone to several events at watch boutiques. I am always very honest with the sales staff there. Whenever I go to the mall, I make sure that I wear a nice vintage Omega or JLC to show them. Some salespeople are actually interested in the history, some are not.
gatorcpa

Perseus · Aug 16, 2016

Where I live we have very few local watch shops that are not part of big national chains. I'm almost always give the local shops an opportunity to earn my business but if their prices are not competitive I'll go somewhere else.

Canuck · Aug 16, 2016

There is a difference between MARK UP and MARGIN, in any business. Mark up is a comparison between what an item costs the seller, and his selling price. Cost $10.00, sell for $20.00, the mark up is 100%. Margin takes into account bank interest, insurance, business tax, staff, rent, light, heat, shrinkage, turnover, taxes, discounts, etc., which all has to be paid out of the profit earned on an item when it sells! Maybe 5% to 8% net MARGIN if he's lucky! I can't figure how anybody can really expect the store front retailer to match the price offered by some guy in a cold water walk up location with next to no overhead! Be assured, when you buy from someone like that, he's making far and away more on your purchase than the store front retailer! Think about it! Little wonder the economy is the way it is, with all the profits from .com retailers ending up in Swiss bank accounts!

Canuck · Aug 16, 2016

Reminds me of the story of the guy who gets up in the morning, puts on underwear, shirt, and socks made in China, his Italian made suit and shoes, puts on his Japanese watch, eats his breakfast of imported food, hops into his Japanese car, and sets out to search for the job which continues to elude him! He can't figure why!

cvrle1 · Aug 18, 2016

Well, walked over the the AD today during lunch time. There is OB on the way home as well, but I read crappy reviews about it. Staff is apparently crap and quite judgmental about people walking in, thinking everyone is there to try and steal a watch (whoever doesnt look like they can afford one at least) Person at AB was quite friendly, I catted to him for about 5 min as there was no one else in the store and 2 other salesman were available. Was upfront with him about just looking at watches and that would like to just try 1 or 2 different ones to see how they would fit. No issues at all. He pulled out Speedmaster moon and 2 Aqua Terra watches. Tried them on and found that Speedy fits great. Was thinking it may be to big, as my wrists are not that big. Since it is in Canada prices are high, quite a bit higher than from US even with crappy exchange rate. Newer model Aqua Terra with teak blue dial is going for a bit more than $7K Canadian, which is about $5500 US. A quick watch recon search shows sold prices for these around $3100, so quite a big difference.

Thanks again for the help, info and tips. Helped out for sure.

Matty01 · Aug 19, 2016

Larry S
So the finest pilsner in the world is to be found on tap in the Czech Republic (in my opinion), and many countries brew excellent beer, (I have had the pleasure of sampling liberally) ...but I have to say that the good old USA has been undergoing an epic brewing revolution that is producing so many great ales and beers that one literally cannot remember when we had nothing but flavorless, watery swill to drink. (And thank god for Molson back then!)

You had mee cheering ... then Molson :-(

Paedipod · Aug 19, 2016

RegF
I'd hate to think that you guys were forced to resort to the stuff that we cast off - "Fosters" 🤮

is it not like,"Angels cryin' on your tongue....."?
as an undergraduate engineer in California in the '80s we all aspired to the "oilcans", but ultimately settled for this

mathematically calculated as the most beer (by volume) per dollar.

certainly needed for some of our events

Larry S · Aug 19, 2016

Matty01
You had mee cheering ... then Molson :-(

The 70s/80's were dark and desperate times for US beer drinkers. In our quest for relief from bland watery beer we found refuge in the great white north and in often skunky EU beers and God forbid....Fosters. Don't hate us for that. Things are better now...Do they even make Molson any more?

Archer · Aug 19, 2016

Larry S
The 70s/80's were dark and desperate times for US beer drinkers. In our quest for relief from bland watery beer we found refuge in the great white north and in often skunky EU beers and God forbid....Fosters. Don't hate us for that. Things are better now...Do they even make Molson any more?

Molson what? Golden? Canadian? Export? Extra Dry? There are lots of beers made by Molson, and none of them are any good.

Yes, better than the US mass made watery piss, but still not good! But it will get you hammered if you drink enough of it. 😀

Like the US, Canada has a growing craft brew scene. Lots of good small breweries making some great beers.

If the only thing on offer was the massed produced beers, I'd go back to making my own again. Right now there are lots of good beers to choose from, and I no longer drink enough to bother making my own again...

Cheers, Al

ioaniro · Aug 20, 2016

Back on topic I am in the same position, interested in a Glycine, tried a few at the AD. Price is almost 1000 over the internet price. Will try to go back and give them a chance to at least approach a more realistic price but as much as I want to support local shops 1000 is a lot of money... I know real central etc shops have a lot of expenses but so do I... I could live with paying a premium of a few hundreds though but the ADs in my region have to catch up with the internet I think.

PS Back offtopic I agree with the previous comment, best beer on tap is in Czech republic 😀

RegF · Aug 20, 2016

ioaniro
PS Back offtopic I agree with the previous comment, best beer on tap is in Czech republic 😀

Denmark & ELephant isn't too shabby.

The odd bar in Germany, Belgium & Holland are also okay

Or pretty much any pub here, of course, goes without sayin' 😗

But yes a premium of an extra $1k for a Glycine is a bit rich.

SHow them the online listing and see if they will approach reality.

Ethics question. Trying watches that you know you wont buy

Taddyangle

Canuck

Fritz

Larry S

Larry S

dialstatic

Larry S

RegF

Larry S

gatorcpa

Perseus

Canuck

Canuck

cvrle1

Matty01

Paedipod

Larry S

Archer

ioaniro

RegF

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