IWC from watchfinder.co.uk

[whitechief]

I made an enquiry regarding an IWC Portofino from watchfinder.co.uk and got a reply with the following quote

Model
IWC Portofino IW356305

Case
Steel

Braclet
Black Crocodile

Dial
Black

Movement
Automatic

Includes
Box , IWC International Warranty

Retail Price
£ 1,700.00

Our Price £ 1,360.00

Generally avaliable in 2-3 weeks


Has anyone had experience of this company and is a 20% discount to be expected from a lot of dealers?

[andy tims]

No personal experience, but I've heard plenty of positive comments & nothing negative.

As to discount from dealers, depends on the model your buying, but you can usually get 10% at least without even haggling hard, especially if you pay by debit card. Why not ask around, using the price you've been quoted as a starting point?

[whitechief]

andy tims said:

No personal experience, but I've heard plenty of positive comments & nothing negative.

As to discount from dealers, depends on the model your buying, but you can usually get 10% at least without even haggling hard, especially if you pay by debit card. Why not ask around, using the price you've been quoted as a starting point?

Thanks. I think that price is going to be hard to beat. It's encouraging that you've heard positive things about them, as it isn't hard for dodgy outfits to have impressive looking websites.

[filaborg]

whitechief said:

andy tims said:

No personal experience, but I've heard plenty of positive comments & nothing negative.

As to discount from dealers, depends on the model your buying, but you can usually get 10% at least without even haggling hard, especially if you pay by debit card. Why not ask around, using the price you've been quoted as a starting point?

Thanks. I think that price is going to be hard to beat. It's encouraging that you've heard positive things about them, as it isn't hard for dodgy outfits to have impressive looking websites.

i used them couple of years ago no problem at all, would recommend.

[Hunttheshunt]

Yes bought two watches from them thus far...including a Pilot Chrono...very pleased and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

[whitechief]

Thanks for the feedback. I went to an IWC dealer in Norwich yesterday, who informed me that the model is now obsolete, and the new updated version(sligtly bigger) is out but there is no availability until the end of May.

[Gompo]

andy tims said:

you can usually get 10% at least without even haggling hard, especially if you pay by debit card.

Why is this?

Is it the case that shops dont like cash anymore? I have been thinking about trying to do a deal on a watch and was going to take cash - is it not worth the bother?

Cheers, Greg.

[andy tims]

Gompo said:

andy tims said:

you can usually get 10% at least without even haggling hard, especially if you pay by debit card.

Why is this?

Is it the case that shops dont like cash anymore? I have been thinking about trying to do a deal on a watch and was going to take cash - is it not worth the bother?

Cheers, Greg.

I could have said debit card or cash I suppose. The point was not using a credit card, against which the dealer would have to pay a fee.
However, to be honest handling large amounts of cash is a bit of a hassle for retailers these days as well - they get charged just to deposit it.

Then there's the Arthur Daley factor of dropping a big old wedge on the counter - so 1988 and of course the (albeit small) risk of some tea leaf picking your pocket or mugging you.

[andy tims]

whitechief said:

Thanks for the feedback. I went to an IWC dealer in Norwich yesterday, who informed me that the model is now obsolete, and the new updated version(sligtly bigger) is out but there is no availability until the end of May.

Try the TZ-UK website. To be honest I strongly expect that buying pre-owned from the forum members on there will be how I get most of my watches from now on.
Alternatively you've got watches.co.uk, chronomaster, blowers etc. who deal in quality pre-owned pieces.

Edited by andy tims on Thursday 13th March 17:05