[foghorn]

Why are certain brands only sold on TV (snbc)???
Is it really due to the fact that the show is that popular?
Is it because if the TV media types and guests were not able to peddle in person then sales would suffer?
Where would Croton,Renato,Philip and even Invicta be if it weren't for the Popeil factor??

 

[banner]

I don't know. I can't imagine that SNBC is really that popular though. Don't know how they stay in business really. Now QVC and HSN have rabid fans because they sell inexpensive stuff. Most things on SNBC are pretty high ticket. I'll be honest, I used to thoroughly enjoy watching the watch shows on Sunday afternoons. Now I can barely stand to see or hear the hosts or guests.

 

[Time2watch]

Well they are viewed by a lot of people across the country on cable. It is easier to buy something you see on TV live than buy it from a picture on a web site. I think they have their following and they certainly made a lot of money doing it.

Ever since I purchased 2 watches a long time ago from that TV program I have been turned off by it and no longer buy from them. Both my watches came new but you can tell they were previously purchased and returned.

 

[mgiraz]

I think it is a great gig if you can get it. I would bet that the profit for the manufacturer is greater for they don't have to share it with that many people. It would be a lot tougher for these companies to make it in the real retail world. They would have to price higher which would make people REALLY think about what they are paying for.

 

[marcw]

I think shopping by tv is impulse shopping. You are flipping through the channels and see something that catches your eye. The hawkers make it sound like the greatest deal on earth, and so you buy. Never hurts if you've had a few drinks either. As far as the watch brands you mentioned, I don't think they would have a chance in a retail setting sitting next to Seikos, Hamiltons, and Citizens. TV is the perfect place to sell them, or a flea market:wink:

 

[boscoe]

Here's my take:
1) Renato was created expressly for the TV channel. That's fact. SNBC has an "exclusive" or did for the first couple years.
2) Croton has been widely available for decades. Midrange, low-end. But the TV thing I'm sure boosts the bottom line.
3) Philip does have some history in Europe, but as best I can determine it's not a popular brand. Info is spotty. I think the snbc thing is an attempt to establish the brand here.
4) Invicta owes much of its success to SNBC. However, it is slowly transcending it's TV-only roots by branching out into JC Penneys, Tourneau etc.
I think the companies use TV to layoff hard to sell product, build brand recognition and image. With the exception of Renato, which is a "house" brand.
Other offerings by SWI, which occassionally hawks Corum, Breitling, Clerc, Omega, Oris, Bedat and many other mid-to-luxury level Swiss pieces are the horological equivalent of Big Lots. Nothing wrong with that!

 

[Gearhead99]

The watch TV shows use to be fun to watch in the middle of the night. For us insomniacs.

I bought a couple of invicta's and seiko's many, many years ago. They were a good deal, I still have them and they still work.

I remember the invicta's came in a small bare wood box with a sliding top. Not even painted. Watch with a pillow inside was all. I think I still have one laying around.

Today.....I agree they are not as entertaining as they use to be. Seems they say the same sketch, over and over again. They aren't Abbott and Castello by any means. Don't watch them like I use too. Not as entertaining.

 

[Revolution]

i don't know about watches only sold on tv, but I can see the value in it these shows. Promote a particular model, sell it for a good price, and move on to the next item. Makes it easier to keep inventories low and sell what you make. Those watches that don't sell out eventually go on clearance and are dumped to make room for new product.

The negative side is that it is a non-traditional means of selling watches, so the old conservative watch companies (and their followers) tend to look down on the practice.

 

[robfrommaine]

I'd rather watch paint dry than a shopping channel - makes me want to blow up my tv. But, that's just me.:crying: