AD suggestions for a UK customer...

[Latch]

Hi all,

As some of you already know, I'm planning on getting hold of an HV very soon. I was thinking of buying from watchfinder.co.uk, but having browsed around this place and spoken to a few others about this, I think I'm going to back away from there and buy from an AD.

So I was wondering if anyone might have suggestions, or if there's an AD that is the be-all and end-all of these matters.

I'm in London, but don't really know how to get the best deals/discounts so any advice would be appreciated!

Would also like to say a big thanks for all the thoughts and comments posted in response to my previous post - you guys have made me feel welcome and much more well informed!

Cheers.

[SadikP]

I know of one UK based on-line watch retailer that has okay prices.
They are a Tag Heuer AD.

Most of the other brands they sell come from other AD's & come with full manufacturer warranties, serial numbers etc.

I purchased on Omega from them a few years back, it developed a problem within the 3 year Omega warranty period. I took it in to my local Omega AD, they asked where I had bought it & if I had the purchase receipt, I told them I don't have receipt as the watch was a gift, but I had all the paperwork that came with the watch (warranty card with serial), they very happily sent it off to Omega for repair under the Omega warranty.

You could import from overseas, the forums favorite AD has very good discounts, but import duties and VAT have to be considered.

Item value +
Import duty (4.5%) +
Shipping +
17.5% VAT (on the sum of the above)

[GavH]

I'll second the above, the Forum Favourite AD recently quoted me an unbelievable price for a Speedy Pro. However, the addition of the 22% taxes eats into that discount considerably. Its worth finding an AD that isn't a big chain (Ernest Jones, Goldsmiths etc) as you may be able to barter with the owner for a big discount. I got over 15% off my PO from a North East jeweller and have since learned that this would be considered only a reasonable discount. 30% off is not impossible.

As a point to note, had I bought the Speedy Pro from the FFAD at the huge discount, and had he posted it with the MSRP as the item value (as declared on the customs paperwork), the subsequent tax and charges (if based on that MSRP) would have meant that I'd have paid more (over £250) for the watch than if I simply went to a local AD and said 'Give me that one at £1950'.

HOWEVER, had it been posted at the discounted price I was quoted, it would still have worked out a lot cheaper. Unfortunately, the FFAD did not get back to me after I twice asked him to clarify exactly how it would be declared to customs and thus enabling me to work out how much it would ACTUALLY cost in duty and tax. As such I'm looking elsewhere.

The FFAD is not to be entirely written off by UK residents, but being blind to the import taxes and charges imposed by our Govt will take the shine off his awesome discounts considerably!

DISCLAIMER: Apologies to anyone who takes this post as a dig at the FFAD, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT INTENDED AS SUCH. No apologies however to HM Govt, who are card-carying rip off merchants. At least Dirk Turpin had the decency to wear a mask.

[SadikP]

The FFAD is a great guy, very helpful & has some of the best prices I have come across.

But as pointed out Her Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs will spoil the party.

I have just bought 2 Omegas from an East Sussex based company that source all their Omega watches from ADs. The warranty is valid at all Omega ADs.

[esm]

I'll second the above, the Forum Favourite AD recently quoted me an unbelievable price for a Speedy Pro. However, the addition of the 22% taxes eats into that discount considerably. Its worth finding an AD that isn't a big chain (Ernest Jones, Goldsmiths etc) as you may be able to barter with the owner for a big discount. I got over 15% off my PO from a North East jeweller and have since learned that this would be considered only a reasonable discount. 30% off is not impossible.

As a point to note, had I bought the Speedy Pro from the FFAD at the huge discount, and had he posted it with the MSRP as the item value (as declared on the customs paperwork), the subsequent tax and charges (if based on that MSRP) would have meant that I'd have paid more (over £250) for the watch than if I simply went to a local AD and said 'Give me that one at £1950'.

HOWEVER, had it been posted at the discounted price I was quoted, it would still have worked out a lot cheaper. Unfortunately, the FFAD did not get back to me after I twice asked him to clarify exactly how it would be declared to customs and thus enabling me to work out how much it would ACTUALLY cost in duty and tax. As such I'm looking elsewhere.

The FFAD is not to be entirely written off by UK residents, but being blind to the import taxes and charges imposed by our Govt will take the shine off his awesome discounts considerably!

DISCLAIMER: Apologies to anyone who takes this post as a dig at the FFAD, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT INTENDED AS SUCH. No apologies however to HM Govt, who are card-carying rip off merchants. At least Dirk Turpin had the decency to wear a mask.

thanks for the info.

i have been looking at a de ville HV for a while now and finally went into a dealership on bond street last week to try it on. it looked awesome!
i dont think i'd be able to get much of a discount from them, maybe not at all since the one i wanted is sort of an "up-market" model - so they told me, but i dont quite believe them.

before the HV, i was looking at an aqua terra, selfridges was offering a 5% off discount - it was before theprice increase (early april 08 i think...)

are you able to point me in the right direction of your FFAD? I'd love to get in touch with him/her and see what price i will be able to get. i'd like to get one very soon.

thanks.

ps - does he/she do Rolex also? i have a 2nd watch in mind :-!

[spogehead]

Hi all,

As some of you already know, I'm planning on getting hold of an HV very soon. I was thinking of buying from watchfinder.co.uk, but having browsed around this place and spoken to a few others about this, I think I'm going to back away from there and buy from an AD.

So I was wondering if anyone might have suggestions, or if there's an AD that is the be-all and end-all of these matters.

I'm in London, but don't really know how to get the best deals/discounts so any advice would be appreciated!

Would also like to say a big thanks for all the thoughts and comments posted in response to my previous post - you guys have made me feel welcome and much more well informed!

Cheers.

I've used watchfinder on numerous occasions and had no problems, they provide brand new watches complete with full AD stamped warranty. Give them a call?

[patmustard]

Not sure if they have a London shop but I'd recommend Berrys.. The Nottingham store were extremely helpful, very knowledgeable, a pleasure to deal with and didn't bat an eyelid when I suggested a 25% discount. FWIW my advice is check the online prices, quote them to an independent AD (ie NOT Goldsmiths) and then phone another local AD and quote the price from the first :-!

[SadikP]

You could try http://www.swisswatchesdirect.co.uk/

[Statts]

Not sure if they have a London shop but I'd recommend Berrys..

Second that, I got my Speedy Pro a couple of years ago with 20% discount from the Newcastle branch of Berrys with no real problem, just have the guts to ask!

[Latch]

Awesome stuff. Thanks for all the help. now let's see if I can work some magic!

[gtv]

Berry's have a branch in Windsor, Berkshire. I was going to buy a PO out of Gatwick duty free next month. I have hear there is no negotiation in the tax free price. I think I will head down to Berry's and, take a deep breath, suggest 25% off the PO. They can only say no. Any advice greatly received btw on the PO purchase.