-
Used to be able to get 25% off at GS Retailers. That changed I wanna say in 2019? Topper Jewellers and Timeless Luxury (who were acquired by WoS) had no issues offering me that discount as a first time customer. Called back a year later and they said that they no longer offer GS discounts. Period. Said that GS had cracked down on discounting. Some retailers wouldn’t even offer me a discount on Seiko Luxe references. But you can buy them for 60% of the US retail price from Sakura anyway.
JB-
How much of that 40% discount gets eaten by import duty / fees / taxes when you buy from the US? I guess you must get a much better deal than we do on that.
Cheap stuff from Japan / Singapore / HK isn't cheap to the UK anymore, once you add VAT and import duty/fees/shipping it's a waste of time. Certainly, looking at Sakura prices a GS is going to work out no better than maybe 5%-8% cheaper than just buying full price from a UK AD. And in that case you can get a discount from @ejay2.0. ;)
Regal
Was it ever? Only Rolex and PP and a small number of AP references are depreciation-proof. What about all the other brands?
I think in the US, GS prices have always been lower. Dealers give bigger discounts than in Europe and second hand prices have definitely been lower especially for quartz pieces but I think that's changed a bit. Limited edition Grand Seikos that are in demand definitely appreciate. Eg the "Whirlpool" is at least 50% over list these days, as is the "Peacock" GMT, and the Ryusendo to name a few.
Vintage prices for the best pieces have also kicked up.