Why are AP's from TRF sellers SO much cheaper than retail?

[skeen]

Hi guys,

I tend to research mostly Rolex, Patek and AP here for future purchases, and the stand out to me is just how much less AP here is from trusted sellers. It's totally disproportionate to the discounts on Rolex and Patek.

I guess I'm just wondering how or why this is?

[Sir Larry Wildman]

I've found that it you really press the AD and can haggle you can get 25% off AP, which is roughly commensurate with TRF sellers.

[AK797]

PPs and Rolexes hold their value the best, one of the things they are most desired and famed for.

[singe89]

A a whole I would say that Rolex and Patek hold their value better than AP so the discounts are lower. That being said I think it really depends on the model.

SS Rolex watches and the Nautilus Pateks dont really get discounted much because the demand is high in the first and secondary market. Same is true for the many LE APs (schumi, RBII,etc) as well as the new 42mm, the 15202 and RG 44mm.

Take the discounts on a rose gold chrono on strap.

Rolex RG Daytona - 22%
Patek 5980r - 17%
AP 44mm RG ROO - 7%
AP RG RO 41mm - 16%

Or Stainless Steel on bracelet

Rolex Datejust - 11%
Patek 5111 - 0-5%
AP 15400 - 15%
AP 15202 - 8%

Now that AP has changed is pricing structure and is going with less ADs and more boutiques I think we will see less discounting and better resale. All in all if you should try and buy smart.

[wisguy]

AP AD margins have been reduced, less room to haggle in the future.

Hopefully resale value will increase (hasn't happened for Omega though).

[diver2012]

It's just the way it is - I wouldn't read too much in to it.

It's nothing to do with their ability to hold value.

[texex91]

Originally Posted by singe89

A a whole I would say that Rolex and Patek hold their value better than AP so the discounts are lower. That being said I think it really depends on the model.

SS Rolex watches and the Nautilus Pateks dont really get discounted much because the demand is high in the first and secondary market. Same is true for the many LE APs (schumi, RBII,etc) as well as the new 42mm, the 15202 and RG 44mm.

Take the discounts on a rose gold chrono on strap.

Rolex RG Daytona - 22%
Patek 5980r - 17%
AP 44mm RG ROO - 7%
AP RG RO 41mm - 16%

Or Stainless Steel on bracelet

Rolex Datejust - 11%
Patek 5111 - 0-5%
AP 15400 - 15%
AP 15202 - 8%

Now that AP has changed is pricing structure and is going with less ADs and more boutiques I think we will see less discounting and better resale. All in all if you should try and buy smart.

Great examples Jim. And yes, AP cut dealer margins to 35%, so less discounting in the future for sure. The other thing AP has done to increase value, is to limit the amount of certain watches that AP AD's get over Boutique. Thereby driving higher margin business to boutiques. Try finding a 44mm RG I series just hanging around at an AD--not going to happen.

[111forza]

I'm sure you will not get 25% discount on any AP these days seems they have tightened up on discounts in UK recently. I think 8-10% is about tops if you are lucky

[Deep-House]

We make the watches in our basements actually.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Deep-House

We make the watches in our basements actually.

In that case, based on your items typically for sale, you sir are one of the finest watchmakers on the planet.