Rolex AD- worth the premium?

[Mr. K]

Buy new from and Authorized Dealer or buy used? I have done both but with Rolex I like to try to buy new. Other brands, typically used.

However Rolex pricing is getting up there. Discounts are better these days but still not all that great.

So what is the value of an AD? I thought I would start a list and see what others have to add. ADs do have some value (especially to newbes) but is it still justified for the premium? I guess it depends on the final price, but here are a few reasons why I prefer buying new.

1. Original owner, I know the history, no watcher damage or drops.
2. Know it is 100% real, no franken-watch aftermarket parts
3. Not stolen and reported to Rolex. No fear of losing the watch and the next service.
4. My name on the papers/card
5. Only on my wrist- EVER (if not a display)


Anything else to add?

Do you think this is enough to pay a premium? (of course it depends on the discount)

[johnbeth]

I do not feel paying the premium for an AD experience when I can buy good quality watches here from a trusted seller..

ADs here in Australia most would discount if lucky 5 to 10%...... thats not worth it!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

I do not feel paying the premium for an AD experience when I can buy good quality watches here from a trusted seller..

ADs here in Australia most would discount if lucky 5 to 10%...... thats not worth it!

X2. Only ever bought one Rolex from a AD and that was a insurance replacement.

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by padi56

X2. Only ever bought one Rolex from a AD and that was a insurance replacement.

ADs are only good for trying watches to see what u like.. Even then they usually dont have what u want to buy and they try to talk to u into buying what they have in stock.

[sea-dweller]

I just feel better when buying from an AD. I know the history of the watch.

[snowbird]

Sometimes the premium is not that much and sometimes you can even get the watch cheaper from an AD than BNIB from resellers . . . depending on the watch and how inclined ADs are to deal in your area at the time you're buying.

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by snowbird

Sometimes the premium is not that much and sometimes you can even get the watch cheaper from an AD than BNIB from resellers . . . depending on the watch and how inclined ADs are to deal in your area at the time you're buying.

In the USA you guys are lucky as u have lots of ADs who are willing to discount. Here in Australia only 2ADs in the city of Perth and the same for Sydney that I know off. They have been told not to discount heavily. So to receive 5 to 10% is rare. Last month as AD here would discount 20% only gold models and what they have in stock. If you order anything else, 5% discount. Now thats rogering your customers!

So for Australians, the AD experience is not pleasant to your bank balance.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

In the USA you guys are lucky as u have lots of ADs who are willing to discount. Here in Australia only 2ADs in the city of Perth and the same for Sydney that I know off. They have been told not to discount heavily. So to receive 5 to 10% is rare. Last month as AD here would discount 20% only gold models and what they have in stock. If you order anything else, 5% discount. Now thats rogering your customers!

So for Australians, the AD experience is not pleasant to your bank balance.

I feel for you. This must be tough. I can see where pre-owned or grey may be best for you. Maybe you need a shopping vacation to the US?

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by Mr. K

I feel for you. This must be tough. I can see where pre-owned or grey may be best for you. Maybe you need a shopping vacation to the US?

Email / phone conversations and couriers can do the job!

[dalip]

Originally Posted by Mr. K

I feel for you. This must be tough. I can see where pre-owned or grey may be best for you. Maybe you need a shopping vacation to the US?

Now that is asking for trouble

[snowbird]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

In the USA you guys are lucky as u have lots of ADs who are willing to discount. Here in Australia only 2ADs in the city of Perth and the same for Sydney that I know off. They have been told not to discount heavily. So to receive 5 to 10% is rare. Last month as AD here would discount 20% only gold models and what they have in stock. If you order anything else, 5% discount. Now thats rogering your customers!

So for Australians, the AD experience is not pleasant to your bank balance.

Good point, it does sound like it's a different equation in Australia.

[mitchy]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

In the USA you guys are lucky as u have lots of ADs who are willing to discount. Here in Australia only 2ADs in the city of Perth and the same for Sydney that I know off. They have been told not to discount heavily. So to receive 5 to 10% is rare. Last month as AD here would discount 20% only gold models and what they have in stock. If you order anything else, 5% discount. Now thats rogering your customers!

So for Australians, the AD experience is not pleasant to your bank balance.

yes Johnathan, but i believe everyone should experience the AD, just once!
the AD might be more expensive but it can sometimes out weigh what you would save when you think you get 'freebies' you get as well as free insurance evaluation, all the after sales support, plus if i walk into my AD with my rolex they will polish/regulate all for free, plus if i had a pepsi or coke i could get a free bezal change.
also AD event invitations only go out (ie bazel releases) to people who buy from AD's which is a great opportunity to be the first with that particular model
but each to there own

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by x06verdm

yes Johnathan, but i believe everyone should experience the AD, just once!
the AD might be more expensive but it can sometimes out weigh what you would save when you think you get 'freebies' you get as well as free insurance evaluation, all the after sales support, plus if i walk into my AD with my rolex they will polish/regulate all for free, plus if i had a pepsi or coke i could get a free bezal change.
also AD event invitations only go out (ie bazel releases) to people who buy from AD's which is a great opportunity to be the first with that particular model
but each to there own

For the money saved by buying grey and not from an AD in Australia, I can pay for all these services the AD so called provides and still saved thousands... I will never do the AD experience here in Australia.

[Intruder99]

Originally Posted by x06verdm

the AD might be more expensive but it can sometimes out weigh what you would save when you think you get 'freebies' you get as well as free insurance evaluation, all the after sales support, plus if i walk into my AD with my rolex they will polish/regulate all for free, plus if i had a pepsi or coke i could get a free bezal change.
also AD event invitations only go out (ie bazel releases) to people who buy from AD's which is a great opportunity to be the first with that particular model
but each to there own

I have bought from the Australian AD. If you don't support your AD then better not to go there at all.
each to their own

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by snowbird

Sometimes the premium is not that much and sometimes you can even get the watch cheaper from an AD than BNIB from resellers . . . depending on the watch and how inclined ADs are to deal in your area at the time you're buying.

This used to be VERY true 4-5 years ago. I could buy new for less than resellers. But I also bought a lot from my AD so had a good relationship.

But these days, not sure if I could price match, but depending on the model, the premium for going through the AD may not be all that much. Again, depending on the model.

[ayecarumba]

I'd be open to a purchase from either an AD or Gray depending on my circumstances. I have purchased from both in the past and been satisfied with both.

Personally, my only 2 Rolex purchases were via a local AD. In addition to the advantages listed above I would add:

• competitive discounts (10-30%)
• ability to pay 12 months no interest if desired, which is a further discount!
• they add +1 year to the original warranty
• no sales tax if shipped out of state
• building ftf relationship for future purchases/referrals
• Invites to special watch events/viewings
• WIS goodies (ball caps, pens, lighters, books, etc....!)

With my last Rolex purchase, I received a Sea Dweller anchor keepsake of which they had a few left and which are no longer being produced.

This is a big enough market for all sellers to profit and for all buyers to get deals. I do wonder what the trends are...if I buy all my future purchases from gray will there be any ADs left to try on watches?


--Paul

[Dr. Robert]

The point is moot........I have the fabulous trusted TRF sellers!

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

I just feel better when buying from an AD. I know the history of the watch.

Yes I agree.

[casadecamporolex]

I love dealing with my AD. I get to order every watch so that it is untouched from it's box at a Swiss Luxury price. Plus, they are a well-known local family business who bend over backwards.
In this day and age, I believe every non-chain US AD is very flexible with pricing.

[TheDude]

I know of an AD that has good inventory and gives ~15% on anything except SS Daytonas.

What could be better than that? Sure you might save a few percent if you bought from Internet brokers, but seriously - with an AD discount in the range listed above, it's a small premium.

[dalip]

I get great service...fantastic professionalism...awesome (and often unbeatable prices)..my name on the card when BNIB...

& all from a TRF Trusted seller: DavidSW..

Now why would I go to an Australian AD other than to try them on.

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by dalip

I get great service...fantastic professionalism...awesome (and often unbeatable prices)..my name on the card when BNIB...

& all from a TRF Trusted seller: DavidSW..

Now why would I go to an Australian AD other than to try them on.

Well said my friend!!

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by dalip

I get great service...fantastic professionalism...awesome (and often unbeatable prices)..my name on the card when BNIB...

Your name on the card and full warrantee, now that is too cool.

In that case it seems like it is just the same as buying from an AD.

All the benefits of going to an AD with better discounts!

[Art 1]

Buying from an AD has allowed me to buy 3 watches at MSRP that grey dealers would not be able to do.

[Speed]

So Mark...it is worth it to you to pay $1K more in some cases for the AD experience? That's what it comes down to in my view.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by Speed

So Mark...it is worth it to you to pay $1K more in some cases for the AD experience? That's what it comes down to in my view.

$1,000, no not worth it, I will go to the used market. (Well depending on the watch.)

A few hundred bucks, maybe a little bit more, I will try to get new from an AD.

My DD is intended to be a life long keeper. I could have saved quite a bit more going used on an all gold model for sure. But I paid the premium and it was worth it.

The tipping point may be different for each person. yes I'll pay a premium to go through my AD, but to a point only. That is no fault of the AD either as resale of some Rolex watches like DJs just are not strong.

[EchoBlueUK]

I've never found there to be much of a premium. I have a good relationship with an independent AD who offers me reasonable discounts so i would never consider going anywhere else.

The idea of wiring money to strangers scares the hell outta me.

[WatchTimes]

I buy one or two watches a year from my AD.
I buy tons of jewelry for my wife from them.

As a result I get a GREAT gift of chocolates and all from them
at the holidays (seriously this gift costs them a couple hundred alone)
I am invited to 2 or 3 nice private watch dinners a year (Ruths Chris, Capital Grille, Mortons) etc.

My AD calls me when people bring them in watches to trade to see if Id buy it as my
AD does not sell used.

So I do buy from my AD on occasion as it helps me.

I also have one of the first DSSD's in the states because of my AD

[HL65]

I truly love the experience of saving thousands of dollars!! Nothing an AD can do for me that would overtake the wallet save!! For me--no place like right here on TRF-Tony G, Greg G, DavidSW, Oscar etc.. Save the money for your next Rolex!!

[gettocard]

I've used a lot of trusted sellers on the grey market but in my area nowdays discounts with grey market and official AD's are pretty much de same depending on the model. If the grey market guy can make me save up until 200 Euro I would still go with the AD.