Haggling at Goldsmiths and Beaverbrooks.

djhannan

Elitist wrote: »

In answer to your original question that doesn't appear to have been answered yet... It is definately possible to haggle in these stores. I also purchased a very expensive watch from Beaverbrooks and managed to get almost £800! off the price. This far exceeded any price that I was offered in several other stores, including jewellery arcades that purely specialize in expensive goods.
Before you go to the store work out the ideal price you would like to pay for the watch. In my case I went through the motions of trying on several other models by the same maker before 'falling in love' with the one I bought. Then I began negotiations in the hope of achieving my ideal price. Don't be ashamed to ask outright what sort of discount the would be prepared to offer on such an expensive product. Often they will begin with an offer between 10-15%, but I know for a fact they can offer more than 20% so if you are prepared to keep haggling then go for it. Obviously if you are prepared to walk away all the better, I mean how likely is it that they'll sell out while you're gone? If they think they might lose the sale they will more than likely give you their best offer. After this point there isn't really any point in haggling any more because it's unlikely you'll get any more off it. But make sure they throw in some extras like a polishing cloth and what ever else they have.. (think the cloth was supposed to be £12! and if you're spending £3000+ with them it's the least they can do!)
Hth, hope I didn't waffle on too much either, lol.
Good luck!

Also, don't go in when it's busy! If at all possible go in during the week when the staff aren't being hassled by a shop full of customers and then you come in wanting the deal of the day, lol. It also means that if you are driving a hard bargain and they want to confer with the manager then there's no waiting around if the manager is dealing with someone else. All the better if you can get the manager in on the negotiations from the start because it can often cut the negotiation time down. Most importantly, be nice! If you are nice to them, be chatty and friendly they are more likely to want to do you a good deal than if you go in expecting/demanding it. Make out that it's for a special occasion or something - it could be anything, getting a bonus from work, treating yourself after a divorce (lol, which will probably encourage some chat from the SA, just make something up).

Ill take this advice thanks mate, im not really sure for my target price but i am going to use the fact both stores are selling it (maybe lie one has knocked money off hehe) and also use the fact that i know its a 2000 model and its 8 years old.

Any tips on what price i should aim for? Also i wont be using credit card or anything like that, ill pay with cash from my debit card.

nomoneytoday

Goldsmiths gave me 10% off a ring, just for asking

maemaesmummy

djhannan wrote: »

Ive been looking at a watch on Beaverbrooks website http://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/index.cfm?event=catalogue.showProduct&productID=4226

I was wondering is it possible to haggle at these shops. I know for a fact that the watch was first put on sale in 2000 so its a old model now, and the price at beaverbrooks and goldsmiths is £3750.

Any tips on how to haggle at these shops would be fantasic. Thanks in advance.

We got 20% off a Breitling at Goldsmiths without much haggling.. more a case of "whats your best price" ?

Woby_Tide

just find £1k of Tesco vouchers, then you've got 75% off!

djhannan

Woby_Tide wrote: »

just find £1k of Tesco vouchers, then you've got 75% off!

Think it would be easier for me to just haggle lol.
Thanks for all the advice guys im going to try it out next week, ill make sure i let you all know what happened lol

djhannan

I went into beaverbrooks today, they didnt have the watches in but they have ordered them in, i had to pay £100 deposit but i get that back if i dont want them

Maisie

Anyone haggled/ Got a discount/ and paid with Tesco vouchers at Goldsmith.??????

Maisie

Maisie wrote: »

Anyone haggled/ Got a discount/ and paid with Tesco vouchers at Goldsmith.??????

Anyone ???

under-the-thumb

My sister works for a jewellers, not one of those 2. She can get a 30% staff discount anytime she likes, and once a year 40%. She tells me this is generally an industry standard. The shop still makes a nice profit even with such a big discount. She also says that if you are really serious, tell them your price and if they say no, just say thank you but no thank you really politley and start walking off out the shop. If they really want the sale, they will call you back. You really want to speak to the manager, and at a time when nobody else is in the shop, usually just before they close, as they want to get as much money as they can in the till. If you can go with cash, and make it be known you are paying cash. Cash buyers always get better discounts.

I have never paid full price for anything. As an example I went into the Apple shop today and bought the mrs an ipod nano. I mentioned it was £17 cheaper at Dixons online plus I could get cashback through quidco. They matched the price and gave me an additional £3 off. £128 ipod for £108.

Always haggle, if you dont get what you want just go somewhere else.

redrabbit29

Maisie wrote: »

Anyone haggled/ Got a discount/ and paid with Tesco vouchers at Goldsmith.??????

Goldsmiths (and I guess other jewellers) will not discount ANY item that is being purchased using vouchers. Similarly if it is the sale it is not going to be discounted any further.

In response to the OP question:

You will get 10% easily. Very easily. It will be much more of a challenge to get more than that off, although you may negotiate 10% + free insurance for 3 years which is actually worth it as it covers it against accidental damage and other bits and bobs. I'd say 15% discount at a push.

As another poster said, be nice. I worked in Goldsmiths for about 2 years and any customer that was arrogant or a complete rude idiot I would not want to give any good deals to - working with watches of over £10'000 it was very often this would happen.

Don't go in on a weekday. I'd recomend going in about 11am, on a Monday or something when it's nice and quiet. Take your time looking at it, trying it on, etc...

Good luck.