Omega discount - Not?

StudebakerHawk · Nov 7, 2022

SPO
Well to be honest, I bet that watch was sitting in the display case for awhile. They were glad to move it.

Funny story....

So, I had the phone conversation with the AD in the morning.... I had told him I would get back....

A few hours later, I sent the email to confirm the deal.

I called the AD later in the day, he said that "that unit was already sold and that they were getting another due in on the following day."

I called the on the following day, salesman was out.....

I talked to the manager, he said that the new one was being checked in to inventory and would be shipping out by close of day.

I can't imagine an elaborate ruse just to unload a dog of a piece.

But, thank you for your enthusiasm.

SPO · Nov 8, 2022

StudebakerHawk
Funny story....
So, I had the phone conversation with the AD in the morning.... I had told him I would get back....
A few hours later, I sent the email to confirm the deal.
I called the AD later in the day, he said that "that unit was already sold and that they were getting another due in on the following day."
I called the on the following day, salesman was out.....
I talked to the manager, he said that the new one was being checked in to inventory and would be shipping out by close of day.
I can't imagine an elaborate ruse just to unload a dog of a piece.
But, thank you for your enthusiasm.

Congrats on the new watch!

guppydriver · Nov 10, 2022

D Dhucke
I was in an Omega AD today shopping a Speedmaster. I asked her how much of a discount she could offer me and she said none. She said Omega does not allow them to do that any more.

Is that true? Have you all heard that?

She's lying. They can't advertise a lower price than retail, but "Omega" has no say in the final price. I was even offered a discount at a boutique about a month ago.

scapa · Nov 10, 2022

guppydriver
She's lying. They can't advertise a lower price than retail, but "Omega" has no say in the final price. I was even offered a discount at a boutique about a month ago.

Agree, but that has been the story for a while at the one OB here in Canada, and across various ADs. You'll hear exactly the same thing from Tudor ADs.

My local AD, who is excellent, told me last year that Swatch was slashing dealer margins from Omega on down, meaning that they were much more constrained over the discounts they were able to offer, especially on Omega and Longines and popular models like the PRX series from Tissot. They have also began selling Tudor and Omega online, which has allowed them to make extra $$$ and reduce their in-store workforce, and also tends to mean that longstanding customers who actually visit the shop find the shelves mostly empty.

So, few deals and many fewer watches available. but the doors stay open.

SPO · Nov 10, 2022

"My AD said..."

Bwahaha.

ScDevon · Nov 10, 2022

Boutique - No
AD - Yes

I bought two Aqua Terras in the fall of 2021 and managed a 15% discount on both. One was in stock and one was a special order.
(Colorado, USA). I bought them separately during two visits, so it isn't as if I got a package deal on two watches at once.

PandaSPUR · Nov 11, 2022

Boutique will still offer discounts, depending on the model and its popularity.
The discount will always be smaller than what you could get at an AD for the exact same model though.

teome · Nov 13, 2022

OmegaOwner2019
I haven't met an AD that does not offer some discount.

The key I found is the approach.

If you just go in and browse, then ask offhand if there is a discount, the answer is always NO.
In my experience, the discussion regarding discount always comes out when the associate is convinced that you are almost certainly going to make the purchase.

They don't want to show their cards too early.

I tend to agree with this. I went to an AD in NJ this month, and after a long discussion where the dealer was convinced that I was on the fence of making a decision and leaning close to a purchase, he offered a discount on the watch and added a bracelet on top of it, in attempt to close to sale. I never asked specifically for any discounts.

josiahg52 · Nov 13, 2022

15% at AD in-person without asking or discussion about it. I didn't even haggle or ask for more. They were very kind and professional and the entire staff at the various display cases were patient with my friend's seven-year-old who tagged along. A credit to the Omega network.

The AD also supplied two pins for the 1610/930 bracelet on my 2254.50 Seamaster. Not going to get that at an online dealer.

gbesq · Nov 13, 2022

Although more difficult than it used to be, I would still go to the grey market for some Omega models that are not in high demand. Discounts of 30% are still possible.

Evitzee · Nov 13, 2022

It was traditional in the Caribbean ports to get an automatic 15% discount on all Omegas without even asking, but I haven't been back since 2019 so don't know if that is still the norm. Unless you positively need hand holding from an AD or OB there are plenty of honest gray market dealers where you can get a decent discount. I just got a BNIB with full documentation 3861 Speedmaster at a 27% discount from an overseas dealer that lists his watches here on OF. It's a big world, shop around..

josiahg52 · Nov 13, 2022

Evitzee
It was traditional in the Caribbean ports to get an automatic 15% discount on all Omegas without even asking, but I haven't been back since 2019 so don't know if that is still the norm. Unless you positively need hand holding from an AD or OB there are plenty of honest gray market dealers where you can get a decent discount. I just got a BNIB with full documentation 3861 Speedmaster at a 27% discount from an overseas dealer that lists his watches here on OF. It's a big world, shop around..

I'm wondering, what constitutes 'hand holding in this case? I'm not against ordering from grey dealers. Sometimes that's the only option to get the new watch you want with the least amount of hassle. Sometimes the watch you want is only available at an OB or AD, however. To me, sometimes a percentage is worth interacting with new people, seeing the watch you want in person, fitting it on your wrist, and going home with the watch I want that day. It might reduce the chances of me having buyer's remorse, too.

scapa · Nov 15, 2022

Plenty of evidence to suggest that the luxury markets, including watches, are alive and well:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/nov/15/wealthy-drinking-dry-lvmh-champagne-luxury

"....soaring sales of champagne in City of London wine bars as bankers celebrated the biggest bonus season since before the 2008 global financial crisis. It’s not just champagne that’s flying off shelves. Luxury goods companies across the world have recently reported booming sales in everything from designer label clothing and handbags to expensive watches and supercars as the ranks of the ultra wealthy hit record highs.

There are now record 218,200 people classed as ultra-high net worth (UHNW), with assets of more than $50m (£43.7m), according to research by the investment bank Credit Suisse. It said there had been “almost an explosion of wealth” during the recovery from the pandemic.

[...]

Analysts predict that the boom in luxury goods is likely to continue as rich people spend the £2.52tn saved up during the pandemic.

The global luxury goods industry is expected to achieve total sales of £1.22tn this year, an increase of 21% on 2021, according to a report by analysts at Bain & Company and Italian luxury goods manufacturers’ industry association Altagamma. The report, published on Tuesday, said the sector “remains poised to see further expansion next year, and for the rest of the decade to 2030, even in the face of present economic turbulence”.

It said the boom is expected to be driven by young people’s “more precocious attitude towards luxury”.

“In coming years, the spending of Gen Z and Gen Alpha is set to grow some three times faster than for other generations until 2030, making up a third of the market. “This is, in part, driven by a more precocious attitude towards luxury, with Gen Z consumers starting to buy luxury items some three to five years earlier than millennials (at 15 years old, versus at 18 to 20), and Gen Alpha expected to behave in a similar way.”

dennyh · Nov 16, 2022

I usually think I am doing pretty good to atleast get enough of a discount to offset the taxes... I know a few AD's that will discount deeper but I like to stay local with my store.

Leviathan · Nov 16, 2022

For OBs, no discounts worldwide. For ADs, I think it depends on the country.

When buying from an AD, negotiate hard. Show you’re serious and give them a reasonable offer. If there’s wiggle room, they’ll help you out.

Marine1932 · Nov 17, 2022

Hi, just joined and first post.

I've bought two Omegas this year, both in Scotland both from different ADs.

First one (Seamaster Diver 300, black dial 210.30.42.20.01.001) I paid RRP for as it just didn't occur to me to ask for a discount. Probably because it was my first 'proper' watch and a bit of an impulse buy so all reason left me....

Second one (Speedmaster Moonwatch hesalite 310.30.42.50.01.001) I took my time over and had got a 10% discount quote from an online dealer with Interest Free but a 15% discount if all paid upfront. Ended up getting offered the same 10% discount IF deal from a local AD and went with that because I always end up messing around with bracelet sizing. The AD I got the Seamaster from also offered a 10% discount but not combined with IF.

Very happy with both watches BTW. I'm currently treating the Speedmaster as more of a dress watch as it is better suited to that role and is a bit less robust than the Seamaster (especially that hesalite crystal).

Omega discount - Not?

StudebakerHawk

SPO

guppydriver

scapa

SPO

ScDevon

PandaSPUR

teome

josiahg52

gbesq

Evitzee

josiahg52

scapa

dennyh

Leviathan

Marine1932

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