Appropriate discount to ask for

[SVH]

know the range and let them know it - if it's a slower moving piece they might not know the current prices, do some research on more than one retail site and know the low end of the range for the type - naked, papers, full set etc.

[omar10213245]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I spent forty years in sales and when someone predictably defaulted to asking me for a discount I would answer, “Why? Based on what?” Often people couldn’t articulate a reason why they felt a discount was appropriate other than stammering that they simply wanted to pay less for what I had. Those that could articulate a logical reason for me giving up margin had a better chance of getting it. So be prepared to answer the question if it comes.

lol oh man, you'd have hated my guts. of course, I never ask "hey, can i get a discount on this?". I'm going to ask for a specific number, as in, "can you do $8500 for this $10k-priced watch?" and if you say "no", depending on HOW you say no, I'm either going to walk and disregard your wares altogether, or I MIGHT say something like "I'll give you *insert number slightly higher than my original ask here* to buy this watch today, it's a guaranteed sale for you. Yes? No?" And if not, no worries, there will certainly be other opportunities from other sellers to get the same timepiece at a good value.

Keep in mind, I will be fully cognizant of the market for that particular timepiece and know the proper range to work within; I detest egregious low-ballers and I try my best never to become one.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Emotion was never part of the equation.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

If your starting offer doesn't insult them, it's not low enough.

And don't start with an offer: start with listing every ding, scuff, abrasion, poorly polished edge, "funny winding feel", hands that don't hit the indexes perfectly, un-centered crown at 12 o'clock, bracelet-stretch, clasp-looseness, and case-back scratches. Hold it to your ear to listen to it, stare him straight in the eye, shake your head and say, "Needs a service. Badly." Count the links: any missing, just tut-tut-tut. Is that a scratch on the crystal? Oh, dear, oh, dear.

Offer him 50% of his asking price and whatever - whatever - he answers, say immediately, "What??? For THIS??!?!"

THAT: is your starting point.

Then the real negotiation begins.

You're concerning about insulting him? Your job is to absolutely crucify him, to put him and all his children out of business and on the bread-line. And if you get a watch of it out, all the better!

Brilliant !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Gearjockey]

Originally Posted by omar10213245

lol oh man, you'd have hated my guts. of course, I never ask "hey, can i get a discount on this?". I'm going to ask for a specific number, as in, "can you do $8500 for this $10k-priced watch?" and if you say "no", depending on HOW you say no, I'm either going to walk and disregard your wares altogether, or I MIGHT say something like "I'll give you *insert number slightly higher than my original ask here* to buy this watch today, it's a guaranteed sale for you. Yes? No?" And if not, no worries, there will certainly be other opportunities from other sellers to get the same timepiece at a good value.

Keep in mind, I will be fully cognizant of the market for that particular timepiece and know the proper range to work within; I detest egregious low-ballers and I try my best never to become one.

This is common.

It’s has just become easier when you’re not in the sales office with a SA who is trained to extract maximum dollar amounts from an inexperienced buyer who takes things personally.

With the internet, we can now mitigate the emotion and adequately prepare an offer and subsequent counter offer.

It may take a 2 or 3 deals before a buyer gains the necessary experience to evaluate their own offers and subjugate the emotions.

Buying experience costs money. It’s the price of doing business.