225 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 18, 2012
Hi
I just read an interesting anouncement by another brand who is going one step further in customer relations with the launch of an “Atelier watch”, a watch provided to any customer who leaves his watch for a check-up, service or repair.
Up to now, I have never been offered an "Atelier watch" when I had to wait several months for a watch being serviced by IWC. What do you think - wouldn't that be a good initiative at IWC too?
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
Of course, a free loaner is always welcome to any consumer. Some other brands, usually at higher price point for their least expensive watches, have done this with mixed results.
The usual issues are:
1. Cost. There is really no free lunch, and the cost of the loaner is built in, at least indirectly, to either the initial cost or the cost of service, not only for the loaner itself but relative to potential damage to the loaner.
2. Returns. It's easy enough for someone who pops into a "local" boutique for service, but a much more complicated situation when done via post especially for those not near a dealer.
Some companies have done loaners and discontinued them due to issues. But from the consumer's perspective, especially if there's no apparent charge, of course --why not?
225 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 18, 2012
Michael Friedberg Wrote:Of course, a free loaner is always welcome to any consumer. Some other brands, usually at higher price point for their least expensive watches, have done this with mixed results.
The usual issues are:
1. Cost. There is really no free lunch, and the cost of the loaner is built in, at least indirectly, to either the initial cost or the cost of service, not only for the loaner itself but relative to potential damage to the loaner.
This sounds like if the price of a luxury watch had a relation to real costs.
Michael Friedberg Wrote: 2. Returns. It's easy enough for someone who pops into a "local" boutique for service, but a much more complicated situation when done via post especially for those not near a dealer.
Well, the brand that I mean will do it in their own boutiques only, which makes sense.
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
5,024 Discussions and CommentsMember since May 29, 2003Sarasota, FL,
United States
This is an interesting concept. I had not considered the possibility since I have enough watches to back up during service. But I could see a loaner BP for example, for use during the service of an equal or more expensive brand. Whether this is financially sound or desirable is another question. Perhaps an added cost if the loaner was elected?
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
well, interesting idea. but I guess all depends on the watch we get on 'loan' - especially if I am sending say 2 watches for servicing, which I am very likely to do in a few months.
Another brand's boutique offered to loan me one of their pieces which I was contemplating for a 24 hour trial, to see if I still liked in after -- I was quite impressed when they made that invitation. I didn't take it up though.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
225 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 18, 2012
Interesting fact: The "Atelier watch" is a special model that you can't purchase. It is specially designed with all typical design elements of the brand, so the emotional relation to the customer remains during the time the owner's watch is in for service.
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
regulateur Wrote:Interesting fact: The "Atelier watch" is a special model that you can't purchase. It is specially designed with all typical design elements of the brand, so the emotional relation to the customer remains during the time the owner's watch is in for service.
If I recall well, about 15 years ago Lange had 5 steel Lange Ones as service loaners. They became more valuable in the secondary market than the gold models, since Lange didn't and doesn't do steel. That created an "attrition" issue.
Bulgari had a cheap plastic watch as a service loaner also around then. Attrition wasn't an issue, but company image became an image. Many years ago, I asked Georges Kern if he'd ever consider a 1000 or 2000 CHF watch, perhaps in plastic, to explore a new market (just asking -I wasn't in favor). The only way I can characterize his response is to say I might have done better insulting his family ;)
225 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 18, 2012
Michael Friedberg Wrote: Many years ago, I asked Georges Kern if he'd ever consider a 1000 or 2000 CHF watch, perhaps in plastic, to explore a new market (just asking -I wasn't in favor). The only way I can characterize his response is to say I might have done better insulting his family ;)
Funny story, Michael :-)
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
I just read an interesting anouncement by another brand who is going one step further in customer relations with the launch of an “Atelier watch”, a watch provided to any customer who leaves his watch for a check-up, service or repair.
Up to now, I have never been offered an "Atelier watch" when I had to wait several months for a watch being serviced by IWC. What do you think - wouldn't that be a good initiative at IWC too?
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
Last edited: 31 January, 2013 - 15:22
The usual issues are:
1. Cost. There is really no free lunch, and the cost of the loaner is built in, at least indirectly, to either the initial cost or the cost of service, not only for the loaner itself but relative to potential damage to the loaner.
2. Returns. It's easy enough for someone who pops into a "local" boutique for service, but a much more complicated situation when done via post especially for those not near a dealer.
Some companies have done loaners and discontinued them due to issues. But from the consumer's perspective, especially if there's no apparent charge, of course --why not?
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
You are lucky if you can afford that.
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
Last edited: 31 January, 2013 - 15:22
This sounds like if the price of a luxury watch had a relation to real costs.
Well, the brand that I mean will do it in their own boutiques only, which makes sense.
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
Last edited: 31 January, 2013 - 15:22
But I could see a loaner BP for example, for use during the service of an equal or more expensive brand.
Whether this is financially sound or desirable is another question. Perhaps an added cost if the loaner was elected?
Last edited: 8 November, 2012 - 12:49
Another brand's boutique offered to loan me one of their pieces which I was contemplating for a 24 hour trial, to see if I still liked in after -- I was quite impressed when they made that invitation. I didn't take it up though.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
Last edited: 31 January, 2013 - 15:22
If I recall well, about 15 years ago Lange had 5 steel Lange Ones as service loaners. They became more valuable in the secondary market than the gold models, since Lange didn't and doesn't do steel. That created an "attrition" issue.
Bulgari had a cheap plastic watch as a service loaner also around then. Attrition wasn't an issue, but company image became an image. Many years ago, I asked Georges Kern if he'd ever consider a 1000 or 2000 CHF watch, perhaps in plastic, to explore a new market (just asking -I wasn't in favor). The only way I can characterize his response is to say I might have done better insulting his family ;)
Regards, Michael
mfriedberg@iwcforum.com
Last edited: 9 September, 2012 - 12:56
Funny story, Michael :-)
You come from nothing, you go back to nothing. What have you lost? Nothing!
Last edited: 31 January, 2013 - 15:22