Since I've been browsing this forum, I have been wondering, "How many of the members here have been to asia and bought watches there?."
With so much purchasing power, one would imagine that the forum commands low prices, but this is not the case. I think the problem is that enthusiasts always overvalue things that are important to them. Last summer I spent about 300 usd in malaysia, and I ended up with a collection that this forum would probably value at $1200-$1500.
If someone wants to spend $120 or $150 on a $30 watch and by doing so avoid hassles and ensure to some degree that the product is QC'd then, by all means, go ahead. What I find astonishing is that many memebers here spend thousands on their respective collections when, with the same money, they could have had a vacation in asia AND come back with the same watches.
WTF!!!?!?!?!
I run a profitable business on a 30-50% margin. The "collectors" that are at the source can sell retail in asia for 30% of what they charge you guys. I have no problem with business, but I'm a fair business man, a 500% margin is a scalping, especially with customers that do so much repeat business.
So, my question is this; Why aren't members banding together to reduce prices?