Voiding warranty

[Saltzy]

So, I work in the NYC area and decided to stop by the service center in the Rolex building on 53rd just to have them take a look at a used Sub I bought to ensure it was legit, even though I was 99.9% it checked out, which is what I was told I should do by an AD as the best way to do so.

I had the warranty card with me and handed it to the customer service rep when I handed it over, which had the name of the original purchaser crossed out with a sharpie.

15 minutes later they came back and told me the watch checks out, but that any remaining warranty time (which is over 2 years) has now been voided because it had been bought from someone that was not the original owner.

As long as nothing goes wrong the next couple of years it's not a big deal, but I'm just curious if this is standard/am I a moron for showing them the warranty card with original owners name crossed out?

Thanks.

[illiguy]

What? Warranty travels with the watch.

[Nikrnic]

What's the difference in how many owners? As illiguy says the warranty follows the watch not the first owner only..I'd follow up and ask another AD or call RSC if they may answer a general question.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Saltzy]

They told me that if I had bought it directly from the original owner it was OK, but the fact that I bought it from a middle man voids out the warranty.

I'm not even gonna make it a thing unless the watch needs service the next 2 years, at which point I will lose my mind if I am charged for anything that would normally be covered.

Just not understanding why I was told what I was in a world where everyone is buying these things used and from a million different sources just like I did.

[037]

Originally Posted by Saltzy

They told me that if I had bought it directly from the original owner it was OK, but the fact that I bought it from a middle man voids out the warranty.

You might want to print out the following from Rolex's site since it makes no mention of second-hand or third-hand purchases. The card was named and dated at the time of purchase so being crossed out with Sharpie shouldn't matter but might be why they said yours was voided.

Originally Posted by Rolex.com

Rolex guarantees the proper functioning of its watches for a period of five years from the date of purchase. The Rolex guarantee excludes normal wear-and-tear (notably the wear-and-tear of non-metal bracelets and straps), loss, theft, or damage due to misuse. The substitution of components with, or the addition of, components or accessories not manufactured by Rolex will invalidate the guarantee. The guarantee is valid only if (1) the watch has been sold by an Official Rolex Retailer; (2) the guarantee card has been completed in full by the Official Rolex Retailer at the time of purchase; and (3) the guarantee card is presented with the watch, either to an Official Rolex Retailer or to an Official Rolex Service Centre. Any work carried out by third parties will render the guarantee null and void.

Source: https://www.rolex.com/services/faq.html

[blada4life]

Originally Posted by 037

You might want to print out the following from Rolex's site since it makes no mention of second-hand or third-hand purchases. The card was named and dated at the time of purchase so being crossed out with Sharpie shouldn't matter but might be why they said yours was voided.



Source: https://www.rolex.com/services/faq.html

These terms are vague at best. Term #1 makes no mention of the exchanging or reselling of watches. One can argue that at some point the watch was sold by an official retailer. It’s not only foreseeable but very easy to exclude reselling of the watch. Pure BS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pkincy]

Originally Posted by blada4life

These terms are vague at best. Term #1 makes no mention of the exchanging or reselling of watches. One can argue that at some point the watch was sold by an official retailer. It’s not only foreseeable but very easy to exclude reselling of the watch.

And you also could read this to exclude the warranty on watches that were not sold by an AD, i.e., watches sold on the secondary market. Yes they were sold by an AD once, but not the time you bought it hence terminating the warranty coverage.

Given the several different anecdotal statements by different trained SAs I suspect we have a Rolex change happening.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Saltzy

They told me that if I had bought it directly from the original owner it was OK, but the fact that I bought it from a middle man voids out the warranty.

I'm not even gonna make it a thing unless the watch needs service the next 2 years, at which point I will lose my mind if I am charged for anything that would normally be covered.

Just not understanding why I was told what I was in a world where everyone is buying these things used and from a million different sources just like I did.

That first sentence is subject to challenge IMHO. If the watch had passed between multiple intermediate owners, I see no reason to void a warranty.

Your second sentence indicates how much it would bother you if a future failure was declined for warranty coverage.

That third sentence is going to be repeated many times as you walk down the Rolex path in your collecting - welcome to the club! next time it might be something else - some arbitrary statement an AD or an REC rep may make.

If you feel strongly, then now is the best time to challenge this issue with the RSC. It may never be needed, but a reinstated warranty would preserve your standing. Sort of like administrative preventative maintenance on your warranty rights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Mystro]

The warranty goes with the watch regardless how many times it changes hand.

[Saltzy]

Originally Posted by Mystro

The warranty goes with the watch regardless how many times it changes hand.

Even if the name is crossed off on the warranty card, correct?

[cbiggs]

Just have the AD send it in. I can’t see why the warranty wouldn’t travel with the watch. I’m sure if there were some sort of fine print attached to the warranty, we would have heard about it by now...

Where can we find the details of the warranty?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nikrnic]

Even if there were no warranty card (say lost) it's still recorded at orig. purchase.... Anyway you probably wont need it..

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[Rado63]

I thought the point of the card being filled out is that it registered the in service date. I have called RSC before and asked this question I was told warranty valid through the term even if sold second hand. Rolex extended their standard warranty coverage I believe 2015, from 2 to 5 years. That in my opinion was another reason the secondary market prices increased, now more watches resold under remaining warranty, increases value.

[quakeroatmeal]

I read somewhere that the same thing happened with a Tudor GMT. Someone bought the GMT second hand with warranty to spare. Took it to RSC with the warranty card, and was told they needed to provide proof of receipt from the AD in order to be covered by the warranty for the date change issue.

Not sure if there is more to the story or not, but it’s still worrisome because I always understood the warranty follows the watch.

[RJRJRJ]

NYC RSC is known (at least here on TRF) as being very strict about things like this. Your watch will probably have no issues and warranty will be valid at any other RSC.

[Saltzy]

The thing that pisses me off is that I brought the card specifically to HELP in verifying the watch and it wound up possibly screwing me.

I am actually a fan of the whole 'we don't need your business' thumbing their noses at people Rolex attitude, but voiding a warranty for having the audacity of having them verify that a watch was actually made by them is taking that a step too far.

Again, here's to hoping it's a moot point before it organically expires in a couple of years.

[Ian Macdermott]

Originally Posted by Saltzy

I am actually a fan of the whole 'we don't need your business' thumbing their noses at people Rolex attitude

I bet that your not such a fan now of Rolexes DGAF attitude .

[Bluside]

I was told the same thing by the NY RSC when I inquired about buying a used watch. They said I would need a signed written Bill of Sale from the original owner for the warranty to be valid.

[MisterG12]

Local AD told me yesterday that that Rolex will not honor warranty if the name on the card is not the original owner. I told her the warranty followed the watch and not the owner. She told me she went to Rolex training recently, and this is what she was told. I thank her for her service and went on my way.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Saltzy]

Originally Posted by MisterG12

Local AD told me yesterday that that Rolex will not honor warranty if the name on the card is not the original owner. I told her the warranty followed the watch and not the owner. She told me she went to Rolex training recently, and this is what she was told. I thank her for her service and went on my way.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

....and there it is.

Super terrific!

[matt_Denver]

Originally Posted by MisterG12

Local AD told me yesterday that that Rolex will not honor warranty if the name on the card is not the original owner. I told her the warranty followed the watch and not the owner. She told me she went to Rolex training recently, and this is what she was told. I thank her for her service and went on my way.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I was told the same thing by my AD. He explained that if I were to resell the watch to someone else, since I am not an AD the warranty is void. I gave him the example of buying it as a gift and he said he could write their name on the warranty card at the time or purchase. Maybe AD's are getting more strict because they are frustrated with the grays, that is just my 2 cents.

[MisterG12]

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

I was told the same thing by my AD. He explained that if I were to resell the watch to someone else, since I am not an AD the warranty is void. I gave him the example of buying it as a gift and he said he could write their name on the warranty card at the time or purchase. Maybe AD's are getting more strict because they are frustrated with the grays, that is just my 2 cents.

She did mention that If buying as a gift to make sure the recipients name is on it... who knows.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[polaris72]

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

I was told the same thing by my AD. He explained that if I were to resell the watch to someone else, since I am not an AD the warranty is void. I gave him the example of buying it as a gift and he said he could write their name on the warranty card at the time or purchase. Maybe AD's are getting more strict because they are frustrated with the grays, that is just my 2 cents.

How could ADs be frustrated with grays, grays buy their watches from ADs...

[polaris72]

Originally Posted by matt_Denver

I was told the same thing by my AD. He explained that if I were to resell the watch to someone else, since I am not an AD the warranty is void. I gave him the example of buying it as a gift and he said he could write their name on the warranty card at the time or purchase. Maybe AD's are getting more strict because they are frustrated with the grays, that is just my 2 cents.

How could ADs be frustrated with grays, grays buy their watches from ADs...

[DJTOSUB]

Originally Posted by MisterG12

Local AD told me yesterday that that Rolex will not honor warranty if the name on the card is not the original owner. I told her the warranty followed the watch and not the owner. She told me she went to Rolex training recently, and this is what she was told. I thank her for her service and went on my way.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Bad news if you bought a preowned Rolex and need service.

However, I can see used prices going down as a result.

[Saltzy]

What happens if you 'lost the card' when you bring it in?

Are they really gonna punish everyone that doesn't know this policy and brings in the card with crossed off name going forward, cause that truly sucks if it's the case.

[SeikoBake]

Originally Posted by Saltzy

What happens if you 'lost the card' when you bring it in?

Are they really gonna punish everyone that doesn't know this policy and brings in the card with crossed off name going forward, cause that truly sucks if it's the case.

Yes. If you lose the card then you are to present the invoice or Proof of Purchase from the AD. This is where it’s all headed.

[Saltzy]

As long as this thing doesn't need servicing between now and 3/22 it's not a big deal.

If it does and they charge me full price when it absolutely should be covered by warranty, I am gonna lose my mind.

Does Rolex literally just change the rules on the fly with no warning or notice at all?

[037]

Originally Posted by Saltzy

Does Rolex literally just change the rules on the fly with no warning or notice at all?

Rolex.com always has the latest iteration. Terms are also laid out in the warranty booklet normally included with new watches. Check that if you have it and show it to RSC. But, if you don't need warranty service then it's probably not worth arguing. Chances of needing warranty service are immeasurably small anyway.

As suggested above, you can submit for warranty through an authorized dealer if RSC won't accept it directly.

My guess is that they pushed back because you weren't submitting a warranty claim. Had something failed and you were making a claim, I suspect they would have accepted it.

[maylebox]

Last year I bought a 2 year old 214270 from a guy on Craigslist. He had misplaced the receipt and warranty card but purchased it from a local AD. Since the AD had the info on file we met there to do the deal. I called the Dallas RSC before going and explained the situation. She said if I received a copy of the warranty card and receipt then I would be covered for the remainder of the warranty. The RSC also strongly suggested that I get a signed bill of sale from the seller as additional documentation. The AD had the receipt and warranty card copy on file so all was good. I also had the seller sign a bill of sale and the deal was done. Bonus: two days later the seller called and said he'd found the warranty card.