AD discounts - how and how much???

Don't expect much but sometimes you can be surprised. I have always asked and if no discount offered at all I simply thank them and move on. Never wanted a watch so bad I'd pay full retail.

I think it really depends on what your preferences are and what's important to you!

1. I've purchased watches through official one-brand boutiques - there, I am never offered, nor do I ever receive any discount. But, I buy through them if I'm after a particularly hard-to-get piece and I need to have it RIGHT NOW because I'm being childish and impatient

2. I've purchased watches through multi-brand ADs in another state, and typically I'll get offered a) 10% off MSRP, and b) "out of state" tax treatment, meaning... well, they don't collect any sales tax from me, because I'm from another state, and it's my job as a responsible citizen to follow up with my own state tax authorities

3. I buy most of my watches from my broker. He effectively has a stable of ADs that he works with, as well as inventory of his own. If he's got a watch in his inventory, I typically get ~15-30% off MSRP, plus "out of state" tax treatment. If he doesn't have a watch in his inventory, he just reaches out to one of the ADs in his stable, and sources the watch for me

This is the watch I most recently procured via channel #3...

Broker got it for me for 20% off MSRP, plus "out of state" tax treatment, plus overnight shipping. He even sized the bracelet for me!

I got a 10% discount for my PRX at Macy's, I was a little embarassed but figured "what the hell, nothing wrong with asking" 😂

(just for reference it's my second most expensive watch)

There’s no shame in asking the AD for a discount, I do that all the time, if they want to sell it to you they will give you. You can get up to 30% discount for certain brands.

So far, when shopping around I have been able to get discounts ranging from 10-20% from ADs on Seikos. I got 20% off this beauty recently!

Go in with a price in mind, whatever that number is you can make the offer. Be prepared to walk away if they say no and pay if they say yes. That's the only rule for me.

It genuinely depends on the brand and th AD. The last time I saw discounts on Rolexes was maybe 10 years ago, so that's obviously stale as experiences go.

Breitling - 15% is a reasonable expectation.

Seiko - 10-20%

Omega - used to be 15%, but they've really pumped the brakes on this.

I'm fairly certain you can get lower demand Tudors (like Rangers or BB36s) at discounts of 5-10%.

Sometimes, you get lucky. I was recently offered a pretty hypey watch at a 10% discount. I think it's just a play it by ear thing.

It all depends on the watch and brand. Few tips, do with them what you may:

• Know what you want going in and do your research. Yes, Rolex and hot Tudors, forget it. You will not get a discount. The same goes for any allocation-based model.

• Location. Expect a great deal in Manhattan while there on vacation? Move on, they have heard it all. Not saying you cannot negotiate, but they get countless people who just want a watch and do not know better every day.

• Avoid buying the watch right after release.

• Always check grey dealer prices; That means Jomashop, WatchMaxx, etc. They acquire their inventory from dealers who could not move the pieces and needed to free up capital. That means ADs sold to those shops for about 20% less than what you are seeing. That is your indication of starting price. My AD has never had an issue matching or beating their prices.

• Be nice and show that you are serious about the watch. Explain your offer and why you feel it is fair. They will accept, counter, or tell you to go home. Your approach is the most important.

• If they give you the price you are looking for, buy the watch. Do not all of a sudden decide you need to think about it, talk to your partner, or wait until payday. Once you entered into a negotiation you should commit to your word. Backing out is a surefire way to never get service from that dealer again and if it is a chain, you could be doubly screwed.

• Lastly, if they are not going to budge, or are not willing to get to your number, walk away. You have done the homework and know you can get it for a better price elsewhere, politely thank them and move on.

I couldn’t have said it better, perfect 👍

It depends not only on the brand and the AD, but also the specific model in question. Some models are definitely more in demand than others. I would never expect to receive any type of discount on watches that trade above list in the secondary market, but for anything else I'll try to negotiate a discount. The last two watches that I bought brand new were an Omega Speedmaster 3861 and a Santos De Cartier, which I picked up for 8% and 12% discounts.

Agree with everyone above…adding Cartier to the “zero exception” list at any brick and mortar. Discount at a single brand boutique is a no go but there’s definitely “wiggle” at multi-brand AD’s (Tourneau/Bucherer being the exception), depending on the brand and model. As a general rule, it never hurts to politely ask 🤙❤️🤙

Your "broker"??

Well excuuusseee me!!

I feel like I gotta meet your broker

Cartier is one of those brands I think you should buy in the brand specific boutiques. Service levels are consistently high and they tend to throw in nice give aways with your full price purchases.

Ha! Well, what do you call a middle man who connects sellers and buyers?

Here’s what google says:

noun

a person who buys and sells goods or assets for others

“the centralized lenders operate through brokers"

See???

Personal experience is depends on timing. Avoid buying from them when their business is good. Buy from them when they have a quiet month

My recent trips to Vancouver ADs - Tissot, Hamilton and Seiko 10-20%. Grand Seiko, omega, tudor, Rolex no discount on watches but they could give discount on extra bracelets and/or straps you purchase if you purchase at the same time as the watch or might give you a nice watch box depending on the watch you buy.

As others have said it all depends on what you're buying and who you're buying it from, I use a local multi brand AD and jewellers and I've got to know the manager quite well through various purchases so they'll usually stick a 10% on some things without me really asking, customer loyalty and all that.

I never got a discount from an AD (outside of sales and online codes) but I have always been after hot pieces. Had some good freebies at least - B&O speaker, wolf watch boxes etc.

With some preparation/blef play of maybe buying, choice of AD location ( stock level and how long they had it in display ) and end of month timig I got 12% off on Hydroconquest. That was some years ago but would assume same logic would work today, especially for non-hyped/brand new models which both of your prefered watches are. I would go with Spirit, class of a watch

My AD gave me 23% discount on Breitling in 2013 and he offered me also any Omega watch with 25% discount. In 2018 another AD gave me 100€ discount on a Lady Datejust. But it was right before the market went crazy.

Last year my AD told me they had watches and brands on waiting list, which they never thought about. As people couldn’t get Rolex last, they asked for almost everything. I think in such a situation the AD wouldn’t give you a big discount. But of you have a good relationship and don’t seem to be a reseller, a little discount (3 to 5%) should be possible.

All is negotiable, all the time. It can never hurt to ask and you can develop your own negotiation mojo. I have mine, and it usually produces results.

One more sad part of the recent madness around Rolex wait lists is that I paid full retail for the last 2 less affordable watches I purchased from my AD without asking for a discount with the hope that it would improve my place on the "list" (it didn't).

Don't get me wrong, I wanted both of these watches but I negotiate for discounts on almost everything. Believe me, I am not doing that again because I don't care about that Rolex or the list anymore. Thankfully, there are plenty of other more available watches I am interested in.

Discounts depend on the watch and dealer. If the watch is readily available at many ADs, I try to at least get "tax" (which here is around 10%) but start asking for more. I got around 24% off the last watch I bought without really any effort at all (Bulova Lunar Pilot Panda) which made me wonder if I didn't get enough. As others have said, it doesn't hurt to try.

Well, at least you didn't pay over retail. Not even hype would justify that

I always ask too , no harm in reminding them you can afford to spend more elsewhere if their competition can offer me a discount on a higher end watch . I always say what can you do for me to get my business?

When I got my Ranger at the Boutique in Siam BKK ( next door to the Rolex boutique ) . It was tge only one in the store so I grabbed it . No discount ( I asked ) but coffee , much sucking up to me and the wife while the jeweller fitted my bracelet to my skinny wrist. Apparently the so called unpopular Rangers were walking out the door !

Curious! You can still get them at a discount on the grey market here and it's easy to walk into an AD and grab them. Maybe regional variation in demand?

I would say that definitely plays into things , Rolex & Tudor boutiques in BKK seem very popular in general it appears..

Last summer is Geneva for a couple days. Stopped into an AD and walked out with a BB GMT. the math worked out even without a discount. De-tax save ~$300 no Calif. sales tax saved another ~$350 so net savings was ~$650. Lesson for me. Same price no tax, save money.

Got a great discount on my bell and ross from a shop selling many brands,tracked it on their website and noticed it was reduced so visited the shop and got it ,this was August 22