Hey all,
Any ideas on where to get Omega watches in Brisbane/Gold Coast for the biggest discount? Thinking of getting the Seamaster Planet Ocean.
I've heard that the Boutique doesn't give any discounts but keen to get the cheapest price possible.
Thanks in advance.
General question - does this also apply to the lesser priced luxury watches like Longines?
Damn, few typo's in my reply above, but think you get what I was putting down. Sorry!
Generally, yes. The boutique will not offer discounts. They will offer 'free merch' and the likes. It's about the 'vaule' of their products and holding that perception in the market.
AD's on the other hand…
Depends on the brand, the model, stock availability etc. generally, you can find a discount.
Pieces between $1500 - $20,000 are generally similar 0% - 15% +/-. Limited Ed models generally won't be discounted.
Hyped up pieces like Rolex won't be discounted. Stock is short (in AU) and.. actually, I'll pause there, it's a long story.
Over the $20k mark, you're talking to your AD because you have a relationship.
If you buy and sell (flip) and the AD finds out, you no longer have a relationship. So don't bother.
Keep buying and if you're lucky, the AD will give you their mobile number and you become friends, the problem is, if they know your taste well enough, it's like being single and your best mates always trying to set you up with them new girls best friends! You will get random photos of pretty pieces on your phone! ha!
Buying coffees and going for a walk to see what they have and saying "Hi", goes a long way for your 2nd piece, 3rd, 6th, 10th and so on. By that time, you prob understand you need help!!!
(yep… ok… this is one of my many addictions!!!)
Lesser priced than Omega, yes but I've bought 3 Tag Heuer from the boutique in Sydney. Always got around 20% off. Went in prepared to walk out.
Excellent post. I am not a big spender (relative to most of my ADs clients) but I have bought a few watches off him. I drop in occasionally just to talk watches and always wear a watch I've bought from that AD to show I'm not a flipper. Over time you build a relationship and the AD has given me his number and I can text him about any new release or what I am looking to buy and he will let me know what is possible straight away. He also texts me when new models come in that I haven't directly mentioned but that he thinks I would be interested in.
Most ADs usually have some extra goodies out the back in the safe as well and if you are just some rando walking in off the street or come across as purely interested in buying the latest hype watch to flip you will never even hear about these watches let alone have the chance to see them. My AD has brought out stuff I could never afford but he lets me see them anyway as he knows I am interested in horology not just flexing on my Instagram. Don't be afraid that you don't look like a typical luxury watch buyer either. I rock up in Adidas slides, tshirt and shorts all the time and he still lets me in to the store lol.
I am actually considering to get the new Moonwatch. Can you assist me mickyb80? I am based in Sydney.
Ha!
Not while there is lockdown!
But PM me and i'll point you in the right direction…
Got my partner a moonphase watch from Shum's in Chinatown and was pretty happy - not the warmest people I've met but we got a pretty good price!
That's the issue with Shums!
Prefer Swiss Concepts same price, with an amazing level of service!
Thanks for your comments - all makes sense. Was originally planning to travel and buy interstate but these restrictions have made that impossible
If you have a good mate in Sydney, get them to pick the piece up for you and ship it. Just make sure its insure.
PM me if you want contact details on who to speak with at the store. Keep in mind, normally an AD wont neg over the phone and you need to appear in person. Give it a crack, but its unlikely to work too well.
Same as buying a car. The dealer wants you to chat f2f.
Hey Micky, saw your name pop up in a few threads and tried to PM you but couldn't due to an error. I'm in the market for a Speedmaster currently, do you know what's the discount range I can expect off RRP from an AD?
Not sure why you couldn't PM me… But, i've been busy spending my (what was) watch money on motorbikes mostly of late.
Only picked up one watch in the last 12-18months, so a little out of it now…
But, in general, it all depends on the models, availability in AU and how your AD is feeling on the day/or how well you know them.
I always say, any discount is a bonus. Don't go watch shopping to 'buy at a discounted price'. Luxury goods such as watches, bags, etc should be consider an experience and reward/joyful purchase. Focus on the discount too much, and you might miss the element of self reward etc.
Having said that - generally you can get anyways from 0-15% for general run of the mill or usual stock pieces. Anything over that, is a bonus.
Don't spend all your time shopping around, if you need to do that, best wait a little extra time and save a little more. Again, that way you will enjoy the experience. :)
If you are searching for shopping tickets, AD's know, and can pick those type of clients from a mile away. They also know each other in most cases, as they all go to the same trade events, awards dinners and product launch's. The community is quiet small and most people know each other (or of each other). So again, try not to waste your time and most of all theirs with shopping tickets.
Limited ed pieces etc. Don't even ask for a discount. Pure and simple.
Go and enjoy the reward and self gifting! :)
Hope this helps…
Hold out, wait until borders open then travel to NSW, take mickyb's offer and fly out to NZ. Claim TRS You'll get at least 10% off.
Sell the box and the manual. Keep the warranty card for an extra $200.
Bring back in.
No comment on the GST discussion…
That's up to the traveller. Public forum… cough
Tax fraud. Nice. The penalty isn't worth the risk.
I thought it was a workaround. Wasn't aware it was tax fraud until today!
You're right, penalty is not worth the risk.
Its not even a workaround. Its normal practice. Why the hell do you think they sell swatch watches and tax free alcohol at the cleared international departures???
Its been normal practice that you buy a watch overseas and wear it back and no one cares.
If you bring back 5 rolexes then that's a seperate issue….
Shums in Sydney will give you a way better price than the boutique ever could. Cheaper to fly to Sydney and buy.
Would definitely have done this if I could travel. I assume this wouldn't be possible over the phone ?
Naar could be done.
If you’re on Facebook do a search for Australian Watch Forum and ask on there someone can probably get you in contact with a sales assistant. There is someone on there who works for them and is always happy to help out.
Thank you - I will do this!
You're not talking about Vincent, are you? Know him well. Yes, he is a member, but not from Shums. Who's from Shums on the FB group?
He's from Wamada, across the road from Shums.
Shums are ok, just don't expect any customer service or after-sales care.
If you think you want to build a relationship with the AD and will be buying in future - then talk to Swiss Concepts.
@mickyb80: Ahh no I wasn’t but you just reminded me haha! Wamada/Vincent can probably do an even better deal!
@Pelicannn: Vincent doesn't sell Omega though.
GS, Oris, Bell, Raymond, 7days, and a few others, but I can't remember.
Diamonds are his sister's bag, but great for those too…
Vincent will often mention Swiss Concepts usually for the brands they stock too.
If the OP was chasing GS or Oris or the likes, I'd have pinged Vincent straight away for them.
(BTW - how is the group ticking along? Give a shout out for me - I'm having a bit of a break from FB at the moment…) :(
@mickyb80: Well, scratch that haha!
I’m never shopped there but have heard Vincent is able to do excellent prices but I didn’t know they didn’t stock Omega which is a shame.
It’s going well, growing larger every day!
Also for the record, if you walk in and ask for a discount on a Speedmaster Planet Ocean, they will laugh at you…
It’s a Speedmaster OR a Planet Ocean (part of the Seamaster range)
Thanks - that was my bad, I did mean the Seamaster
Monards is great, got 25% of Omega (but i did buy 2), i reckon you could get pretty close to 20% with them with one watch
If you can snag a NZ trip you may be able to claim the tax back as the tourist refund scheme which, on a swiss watch, can be fairly significant.
I've heard stories of people travelling to the EU to buy a Submariner and claiming the tax back effectively paying for their flights as they dodge the GST + Aus inflated prices.
As someone else mentioned, Monards in Surfers Paradise are great. They do decent discounts on Omega without much pushing. Speak to the manager, Wing, and you should be able to get 15%-20% off the RRP even as a first time buyer. They also have a pretty good range of models in stock so you can try different stuff on.
Hardy Brothers at Pacific Fair do Omega as well but I've never bought off them.
Omega boutique in Brisbane has great service but they won't discount much at all. They do have a good range in stock though.
Thank you - will reach out to Monards and see how I go
Did you end up getting it from Monards neshy12? If so, how did you go? I’m thinking of buying an Omega AT.
Hi Neshy12 - did you end buying an Omega? If you did - can you share your experience please because I am keen on buying but don’t know where to start from please.
Head into the Brisbane AD . I have dealt with them many times and the experience has always been very good.
@heyimsu: Thanks. Can u specify which AD and any particular person to meet? Any gut feel if any discount is possible?
@asehgal: The Omega boutique in Brisbane CBD. Scott has been good, but also Lewis and Linda. I would visit and try out what you like. There's no obligation to buy and they won't pressure you. Depending on the model there could be a discount.
I would also recommend checking out the new Tudor store that opened up recently (opposite Hour Glass). Some very nice watches there, especially the Black Bay and Pelagos.
Got any referral fellas? Since my salesperson has left J Farren-Price, I haven't been allocated anything for a while. Flicked them an email couple of weeks ago and Julian responded, gone into some email argy-bargy with him so I reckon he's probably permabanned me from all the stainless steel sports model across all brands.
I was suggested to start supporting the store by buying other non-watch items…you get the gist.
Nothing Omega makes besides the Silver Snoopy and Ed White speedy require any special connection. For the hard to get brands' steel sports the universal advice is either spend a fortune on stuff in the case, particularly fat margin jewelery, chuffing your AD's bits or just pay the piper and go grey. Even if you have a great relationship with your AD you aren't getting steel sports without opening your wallet.
I bit the bullet last week and coughed up for a 114060. Yes, it was dearer, but it is still cheaper than buying tens of thousands of garbage I don't want and losing even more money along the way trying to flog it off.
Ha! You need to go to an AD for a discount.
But… don't want in 'looking' for a discount.
Buying watches is about building a relationship with the AD, but just walking in and expecting a discount.
The guys at Swiss Concepts in Sydney are the go for Omega, but not in GC.
You can essentially take one of two tacts as the best approach.
Depending on the model, availability, and the likes, you may get 15% +/- or 0% off. If you were in Sydney I'd be able to assist. Sadly not the case.
Hope this helps.