Grey Market dealer and warranty?

[kgglonghorn]

Guys,
I have bought new from AD and have also bought "new" from grey market dealers. The grey market dealer did not provide original Rolex warranty, but instead provided their own. Thoughts on the impact of future marketability of the watch should I ever decide to sell or trade it without the Rolex warranty card?

[HL65]

Kevin--I think it all depends on buyer. Personally--right -wrong or indifferent-I prefer to buy with Warranty, boxes etc.--complete sets. I think it adds to the watch. That is me though--To each his own.

[PeteNYC13]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

Kevin--I think it all depends on buyer. Personally--right -wrong or indifferent-I prefer to buy with Warranty, boxes etc.--complete sets. I think it adds to the watch. That is me though--To each his own.

__________________________________________________ ______________

x2!
I haven't purchased used yet but I had an opportunity for a VERY good deal last year. I turned it down when I found out that they didn't have the papers, the hang tags etc. The friend that was "brokering" the deal told me I am insane, I told him to go to the bank, take a few thousand dollars and buy it then!
Plus, I love lining up the boxes and taking group pictures. :-)

-Pete

[jmsrolls]

My EXPII came from a gray dealer with full Rolex international warranty. In spite of what some may believe, the warranty is honored by Rolex USA without any hassle.

Fr. John†

[timeisfathaoftruth]

Originally Posted by PeteNYC13

__________________________________________________ ______________

x2!
I haven't purchased used yet but I had an opportunity for a VERY good deal last year. I turned it down when I found out that they didn't have the papers, the hang tags etc. The friend that was "brokering" the deal told me I am insane, I told him to go to the bank, take a few thousand dollars and buy it then!
Plus, I love lining up the boxes and taking group pictures. :-)

-Pete

I believe that the question is the "warranty card". I bought new from a grey dealer...Had all of the boxes, all of the tags, protective plastic, booklets, papers (albiet from the grey dealer), a two year warranty from the grey dealer, but no warranty card from Rolex. How much money will be lost in re-sale because of the fact that there is no Rolex warranty card? ...I'm no expert...but considering the money saved for an unused Rolex, I am not going to worry about it; a small fraction I would think???

[Art 1]

Yes, it would depend on the buyer. I would rather the papers come from an AD.

[mike]

Assuming all the paperwork and everything was provided, after two years it's a moot point.

[DDG]

It would be great if we could say.. "If they're as good as you say they are, I won't need a warranty anyway". But sadly this is not always the case.

[CPTL]

Makes no difference, really. Even if you bought from an AD and sold it within the warranty period, it wouldn't be transferable.

[InVision]

Originally Posted by CPTL

Makes no difference, really. Even if you bought from an AD and sold it within the warranty period, it wouldn't be transferable.

This is true, but a good seller could still get it fixed for the buyer under warranty. Mike

[HL65]

I don't think the warranty is the issue-- I think the fact that upon resale a lot of folks like myself only buy complete sets. I have only once in my life needed to use a warranty.

[NickD]

What if the watch came from an AD BNIB with your name on the warrenty card.But you
purchased here on TRF.Can it be sent back for warrenty work?

[HL65]

It worked for me the one time I needed it to. It is not supposed to but many folks
have had the same experience I did.

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by kgglonghorn

Guys,
I have bought new from AD and have also bought "new" from grey market dealers. The grey market dealer did not provide original Rolex warranty, but instead provided their own. Thoughts on the impact of future marketability of the watch should I ever decide to sell or trade it without the Rolex warranty card?

I just do not understand why "greys" provide their own warranty for a new watch..?
Only if the Rolex warranty period has expired you can (then) provide a warranty
for peace of mind.

You can buy a Rolex anywhere in the planet and...
according to the Rolex (Geneva, CH.-) warranty, is good for two years
in any Rolex service center. Some feel that the warranty is void if bought
outside America which in my opinion is wrong.

Is a watch worth less without the "paper".??...you bet it does, especially if it is fairly new.

[Evan614]

Originally Posted by TempoKing

Aren't ALL Rolex watches sold by an Official Rolex Retailers???? (now granted it may be resold in the future by a grey market dealer) BUT Rolex doesn't supply them to non ADs.... (correct me if I am wrong) It says "sold by" it doesn't say "the present owner had to have bought it from" a Official Rolex Retailer

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Evan614

Aren't ALL Rolex watches sold by an Official Rolex Retailers???? (now granted it may be resold in the future by a grey market dealer) BUT Rolex doesn't supply them to non ADs.... (correct me if I am wrong) It says "sold by" it doesn't say "the present owner had to have bought it from" a Official Rolex Retailer

No, not always... This is where most folks miss exactly what a "Grey Market" is. Grey Market is not Internet sellers, or TRF sellers... most of those watches are "used" (resellers). If the watch was originally from Rolex USA or a USA Dealer and re-sold in the USA, it cannot, by definition, be a "Grey Market" watch.

The Grey Market is where new products are imported into a country, bypassing the official distributor. In this case Rolex USA. Most of these Grey watches come from the distribution network in world markets such as Hong Kong, etc....

Some Dealers do sell out the back door.... perhaps some TRF vendors are into that network... It's still not "Grey Market", it's just a good deal.

Originally Posted by snowbird

Why do some grey dealers not include the warranty paperwork on BNIB watches? Is it to disguise the source of the watch?

Some Dealers who sell out the back door do not include the warranty since it is stamped with their store identifier... A reseller cannot include it if it didn't come.

An AD will not include the warranty card in somebody else's name on any used or LNIB watches sold over the counter such as Ben Bridges great "Time and Time Again" reconditioned/serviced watches...

[Evan614]

Originally Posted by Tools

No, not always... This is where most folks miss exactly what a "Grey Market" is. Grey Market is not Internet sellers, or TRF sellers... most of those watches are "used" (resellers). If the watch was originally from Rolex USA or a USA Dealer and re-sold in the USA, it cannot, by definition, be a "Grey Market" watch.

The Grey Market is where new products are imported into a country, bypassing the official distributor. In this case Rolex USA. Most of these Grey watches come from the distribution network in world markets such as Hong Kong, etc....

Some Dealers do sell out the back door.... perhaps some TRF vendors are into that network... It's still not "Grey Market", it's just a good deal.

Some Dealers who sell out the back door do not include the warranty since it is stamped with their store identifier... A reseller cannot include it if it didn't come.

An AD will not include the warranty card in somebody else's name on any used or LNIB watches sold over the counter such as Ben Bridges great "Time and Time Again" reconditioned/serviced watches...

Tools,
I was ignorant when I wrote my original post in this thread (and probably other posts, too)--- replace the word "grey market" with "someone that sells watches as NIB and are not an AD".

but my original point was I found it strange that is says: "1) the watch is sold by an Official Rolex Retailer" and I was pointing out the fact it was my understanding that Rolex only supplies it's watches to "Official Rolex Retailer" Soooooo why write that in since no matter who is selling a Rolex watch--- it originally was sold by an Official Rolex Retailer.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Evan614

Tools,
I was ignorant when I wrote my original post in this thread (and probably other posts, too)--- replace the word "grey market" with "someone that sells watches as NIB and are not an AD".

but my original point was I found it strange that is says: "1) the watch is sold by an Official Rolex Retailer" and I was pointing out the fact it was my understanding that Rolex only supplies it's watches to "Official Rolex Retailer" Soooooo why write that in since no matter who is selling a Rolex watch--- it originally was sold by an Official Rolex Retailer.

Well, I wan't really trying to correct anybody, just put out information..

But, since you mention it......... Here is what the Original US warranty says, and it's quite clear that all of the conditions must be met for the warranty to be valid.... something that cannot happen except on the original purchase from an AD:

[HL65]

One problem with the resale factor is you lose a lot of potential buyers like myself who will not buy any watch that is not a complete set with warranty, box, books etc. I know there are a lot others out there like me that won't even look if no papers.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by kgglonghorn

Guys,
I have bought new from AD and have also bought "new" from grey market dealers. The grey market dealer did not provide original Rolex warranty, but instead provided their own. Thoughts on the impact of future marketability of the watch should I ever decide to sell or trade it without the Rolex warranty card?

It will not affect future marketability at all..

There are a few who insist on what they call a "full package", but having a worthless warranty card is simply not on everybodies list of must-haves..

I wouldn't pay somebody an extra nickel because they included their warranty card...they can keep it..

[HL65]

I think given the fact that many people I know including myself not touching-- makes your resale market less--as in less potential buyers--as you are ruling out a group---a large group-- based on many watch collectors I know. To each his own though....

[sea-dweller]

I prefer original AD papers and it would be a "deal breaker" for me if AD papers were not included with a watch.

[Clogger]

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

I prefer original AD papers and it would be a "deal breaker" for me if AD papers were not included with a watch.

Ditto.

[snowbird]

Why do some grey dealers not include the warranty paperwork on BNIB watches? Is it to disguise the source of the watch?

[JMIND]

Originally Posted by Clogger

Ditto.

I feel the same way. I want to see the original warranty card/paper even though it might not mean anything to someone else. However, based on the responses, I am not alone!

[timeisfathaoftruth]

Originally Posted by JMIND

I feel the same way. I want to see the original warranty card/paper even though it might not mean anything to someone else. However, based on the responses, I am not alone!

OK...I accept your opinion and I understand that there are many who share your position.

Now, considering the original question (which is how much is it worth); if all other variables were equal (model, condition, box, tags, etc.) how much more more would those who share the above opinion pay (in $$ or as a percentage of the buying price) just to have an expired warranty card (understanding the intrinsic value of having an actual warranty)?? Please don't just respond by saying that you would not purchase a legitimate genuine rolex in mint condition (that you really wanted to own) at any price if it did not have the original warranty card; as one may find that a bit difficult to accept.

[CPTL]

Originally Posted by timeisfathaoftruth

OK...I accept your opinion and I understand that there are many who share your position.

Now, considering the original question (which is how much is it worth); if all other variables were equal (model, condition, box, tags, etc.) how much more more would those who share the above opinion pay (in $$ or as a percentage of the buying price) just to have an expired warrenty card (understanding the intrinsic value of having an actual warenty)?? Please don't just respond by saying that you would not purchase a legitimate genuine rolex in mint condition (that you really wanted to own) at any price if it did not have the original warranty card; as one may find that a bit difficult to accept.

Trying to inject logic into this???

[dr_bypass]

Depends on the deal!
After a complete inspection and series-manufacture date-determination a very reputable So.Fla. Jeweler, did recieve my NON-Papers NON-Boxed 16610 in the mid 3K's. I did apply this towards the purchase of a ROLEX USA sold , F series 16613LN WITH PAPERS, No Box tho! and the difference was well within expected acording to some advice i got from fellow TRF's . So as you see this deal wasn't gonna get de-railed by the fact I didnt get the Box included.... Should I have gonne to AD. Sure but, retail + Tax! for a watch I dont like as much (116613) .

[dr_bypass]

OK How bout this:
Watch 1: 100% Genuine AD bought . 731 days old.Box & Papers at your name>>>>OK
Watch 2: 100% Genuine bought from a friend . 731 day old Box & papers >>>OK at your friends name.
Watch 3: 100% Genuine bought from GRAY MARKET. 731 day old Box & papers >>>OK at previous owner's name.

Rank in order of resale value!

[Old Expat Beast]

5 1/2 year old thread.