My discount story

[kpinthebay]

I'm visiting the Portland area last week and decide to head to Washington Square Mall - home to 2 ADs, Ben Bridge and Friedlander's (never been to OR in my life). I go to BB and peruse their Rolex display. Not the greatest collection, but not the worst either. The best I've seen is the BB at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu. I look around for a DateJust with rhodium and romans on an oyster. The sales lady hands me one from the case and I like it. My wife looks for her midsize DJ silver with pink batons on oyster. We like both and proceed to talk about discounts. Without hesitation, she says that BB is not allowed to discount Rolex, that they might lose their AD status. blah, I said ok, we'll I'll think about it. For what it's worth, the lady was very nice and offered to clean the TAG I was wearing.

I leave and head over to Friedlander's. A saleslady greets us almost immediately, which I appreciated. I begin to small talk and notice she keeps looking at my wrist to see what I got on. I ask how their Labor Day sales were going and she said ok, but not as great as they hoped. I look at their collection, which was even smaller than BB. Funny but they had both watches we were looking for. So we try both on and we are jumping inside. But I told the wife she had to keep her composure if we were to get any discount. So I wheel and deal - I asked her if there would be any discounts to be had if we purchased both at the same time. She said she might be able to get $100 off each watch, plus no state taxes. Sweet. I smiled at her and asked if she could ask her manager to get something better. She agreed and went to her manager. The manager came back and said the absolute lowest discount she could give us was 5% off. I called her bluff. Then I started to talk about how the men's DJ was a Z series and that her Labor Day sales would get a nice boost if we were to buy the two and that mid sizes are not as popular. So I guess she realized I was serious and asked what kind of discount I was looking for. I asked for $1500 off, and she said "probably impossible." Then I started inspecting the watch and looking at my wife and I threw out what about 17% off? She said I doubt it, but let me check with my big boss in New York. She came back and said the boss agreed to 15% off if we were to buy the two watches. I agreed and the deal was made. Funny thing is that the discount came out to almost $1500 (impossible huh?)

The moral of the story is always ask for a discount higher than what you want and talk in % not absolute values (which seems higher I guess), the worst thing that can happen is they say no. Also, just like car shopping, go near closing about 7:30 or so and go on the last day of a holiday weekend. I was surprised at myself that I was able to get 15% off on a cold walk-in.

I'll post my experience in a separate thread.

[ashu2289]

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:ch eers:

[Hamilton Carvalho]

Thanks for sharing your story with us, please post some pics of the watches.

[shoppy]

Congrats on he discount now lets see some new wrist shot off these two babies.

[nch209]

Congrats on the pair! Nice story, too. I love hearing stories of dealing!!!

all the best

[ashe18c]

That is pretty amazing for a rolex. Ive been able to get 20% off and no tax, but wasnt a rolex. Thanks, I think i will try to bargain a discount next time now i know its possible.

[marshallr47]

Good for you and your wife. 15% is pretty good. Congrats. Looking forward to the pics.

[hbbfam]

Nicely done!!!

[thecoinopcollector]

Well done, now lets see some pictures.

Marc

[CKay]

Well done. Hopefully, I can get such a discount when I buy the YM next.

[RolexDaytona]

Great Story! Hope ADs are not reading this forum...

[casadecamporolex]

I think Rolex USA reads this forum; watch the store that offered the huge discount will lose their AD status.

[Jimbits76]

never ever ever been allowed a discount.

I'm too stupid to haggle with anyone.

J

[Wolfgang427]

Good story and congrats. This is why I always ask for the biggest discount first and work from there, if you don't ask you don't receive.

[pilfilr]

Great story. I pursue the discount from the other side... I see my AD regularly. Say once a month. And say rediculous things like..."Ya like to make $1000 bucks today?" Then I start pointing to watches where their 40% markup is sizeable and he has multiple of the same. Occasionally he calls me a thief and wraps it up for me. Occasionally, I cannot afford to play the game...so at least I can sell them fast for the great price.

[DDastady]

Sounds like a good deal for you and wife, Congrats.

[GBJIV]

Congratulations on your new watches. Always fun to read about the buying/selling experience.