Regret buying a pre owned Rolex

[jayd77]

Next time without a doubt I'm going to the AD. For piece of mind more than anything. I'm very pleased with my 16613 and it is my grail watch. I've been a member on the forums here a year and a half and recently read a thread regarding stolen Rolex's being confiscated from the RSC. This never crossed my mind when I purchased my watch and now has me second guessing ever sending it in to the RSC for service. I did buy from a Jewelry/gold & silver coin shop, basically a higher end pawn shop that sells many*pre owned Rolex's. It did come with all paperwork, box etc. I did get an appraisal and everything authentic. The shop has a good reputation in the area but who knows who they bought it from and how diligent they were in determining it not to be stolen. I bought about a year and a half ago and have my receipt with the serial on it. Chances are it is fine but a very big gamble on my part sending it in for service and being told I'm not getting it back. Any other members here question or regret buying their Rolex's pre owned? Thanks in advance everyone. Not a day goes buy on this forum that I do not learn something new.

[skywag]

First, you don't need to send it in till it breaks. That could be 30 years.

Second, you don't have to get ripped off by RSC. You can send it a hundred other places.

[Danand]

Originally Posted by skywag

First, you don't need to send it in till it breaks. That could be 30 years.

Second, you don't have to get ripped off by RSC. You can send it a hundred other places.

Wow -you really think it is worth spending thousands of dollars and then not servicing your watch? Do you feel this way about cars too?

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by skywag

First, you don't need to send it in till it breaks. That could be 30 years.

Second, you don't have to get ripped off by RSC. You can send it a hundred other places.

This is the worst advice possible.

It's up to you, but maintaining your watch is as important as maintaining any kind of machinery.

Rolex does not rip off its customers for service, although there are many reputable, qualified, less expensive alternatives.

There's been a very noticeable spike in unwarranted negativity toward Rolex and their products on this board of late and it wears a bit thin.

[kareemthedream33]

It's not really a "big gamble" sending it in as you say. The chances of it coming up as stolen are slim, especially if the place you bought from it is reputable, as you have indicated. Nothing has even gone wrong yet so I'm a bit confused by your negativity towards pre owned. It seems like misplaced hypothetical paranoia.

[DCgator]

All opinions expressed have merits, some more than others, however.

[Chris in Melbourne]

If I was in your shoes I wouldn't be concerned at all!

Kind regards

Chris in Melbourne

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by Chris in Melbourne

If I was in your shoes I wouldn't be concerned at all!

Kind regards

Chris in Melbourne

I agree, both of mine were bought from second hand dealers. They do the due diligence. If its found to be stolen, they could loose their license. Therefore your worrying I think is been over the top, however, it is warranted if you do not trust the seller.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Chris in Melbourne

If I was in your shoes I wouldn't be concerned at all!

Kind regards

Chris in Melbourne

Have to agree the amount of stolen Rolex is very very small in proportion to those sold each year.When bought from a bricks and mortar store I would say you have about as much chance of buying a stolen Rolex, as buying a stolen TV from a retail store.

[ingoodtime]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree the amount of stolen Rolex is very very small in proportion to those sold each year.When bought from a bricks and mortar store I would say you have about as much chance of buying a stolen Rolex, as buying a stolen TV from a retail store.

I suppose you are correct Padi. But let's say you buy from a mom and pop brick and mortar and with this economy, they close in a few years. Now a few more years go by and you send your pride and joy into an RSC for service and they say, stolen, buh bye watch! U are just plain out of luck and money.

I guess I understand Rolex not posting a db as that would help the counter fitter community produce knock offs that have valid serial numbers which may further confuse things. In time, with the proliferation of watches sold with random serial numbers, maybe they will open the database up to all retail establishments? Just my thoughts.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by chris in melbourne

if i was in your shoes i wouldn't be concerned at all!

Kind regards

chris in melbourne

x2

[duckdown]

After reading that other guys thread where the RSC took the watch from him and now he's out thousands, I'd be nervous too

[~dadam02~]

Originally Posted by duckdown

After reading that other guys thread where the RSC took the watch from him and now he's out thousands, I'd be nervous too

Have you got a link to the thread?

[CBR900RR]

So can a reputable shop or reputable seller over here on rolexforums, can verify that the rolex is not stolen? No offence, just want to know the facts.

To the OP, back in 1988, I have 3 rolex watches stolen from my house, together with receipt, boxes and everything that comes with the watches, so receipt doesn't proof that the watch is clean.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by CBR900RR

So can a reputable shop or reputable seller over here on rolexforums, can verify that the rolex is not stolen? No offence, just want to know the facts.

To the OP, back in 1988, I have 3 rolex watches stolen from my house, together with receipt, boxes and everything that comes with the watches, so receipt doesn't proof that the watch is clean.

Why would you keep the watch and B&P's together?

[Wildwing]

No regrets whatsoever for buying two pre-owned Rolex's. I bought from reputable sources, and the watches are good as new. Also, plenty of reputable watch repairmen to take care of any needs. No need to worry.

[beowulf566]

I wish there was a way to check the serials first. Like a database you could check online to make sure it isnt stolen before you buy. Also with the whole "random serial" deal thats going on. How do you know in the future how old your pre-owned watch is? How do you know when to send it in for servce?

[Poohsan]

Originally Posted by beowulf566

I wish there was a way to check the serials first. Like a database you could check online to make sure it isnt stolen before you buy. Also with the whole "random serial" deal thats going on. How do you know in the future how old your pre-owned watch is? How do you know when to send it in for servce?

I don’t know how large this sites data base is but I have used www.watchsearcher.com to check out watches.

[Grissom]

I can understand folks developing a concern over this.......what I don't understand is why Rolex will not allow public inquiries......

[spuds]

Originally Posted by Grissom

I can understand folks developing a concern over this.......what I don't understand is why Rolex will not allow public inquiries......

Rolex UK do allow public enquiries.

I've checked out two watches before & they'll even send you confirmation in writing without charge.

[ingoodtime]

Originally Posted by Grissom

I can understand folks developing a concern over this.......what I don't understand is why Rolex will not allow public inquiries......

That is a good question. They probably love to hear horror stories like this spread around because it would discourage people from buying preowned at non AD's. Maybe that is why they only make the database available to their AD stores.

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by Grissom

I can understand folks developing a concern over this.......what I don't understand is why Rolex will not allow public inquiries......

Simple - Rolex wants you to purchase a new watch from an AD. That's how they make money.

[myh]

Well, I bought the Prowned Rolex with all the rolex authenticate paper and box from reputable seller. Good I brought it to RSC for appraisal and found out that the crystal is fake and the bezel is from other models. RSC spoke person also mentioned to me that they never sell any parts to other company. So if your watch need a parts, the only way to fix it to bring it to AD Rolex and they will forward to RSC.
From my understanding in this is if you fix your watch from other non AD Rolex or RSC. You will likely get the not-authentic parts or the parts are cannibal from other Rolex models (which likely also are parts from a stolen rolex)

[onryo]

I don't think you have much to worry about, especially if you have all the paperwork and boxes. Most thieves would see a Rolex, grab it, run, and pawn it. They aren't going stick around to look for boxes and paperwork, at least the ones who don't know you personally.

In most localities, the pawn stores run the serial numbers against the PD pawn database for 30 days before paying the seller. I'd say you're fairly safe. I'd say that recent post about the guy buying an eBay watch and RSC confiscating the watch was an unusual case. Remember that Rolexes command a high fee for eBay and they don't want to lose that business. Just a thought...

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by onryo

I don't think you have much to worry about, especially if you have all the paperwork and boxes. Most thieves would see a Rolex, grab it, run, and pawn it. They aren't going stick around to look for boxes and paperwork, at least the ones who don't know you personally.

In most localities, the pawn stores run the serial numbers against the PD pawn database for 30 days before paying the seller. I'd say you're fairly safe. I'd say that recent post about the guy buying an eBay watch and RSC confiscating the watch was an unusual case. Remember that Rolexes command a high fee for eBay and they don't want to lose that business. Just a thought...

Surely the reason that people pawn things is to get immediate cash, i cannot believe any one would wait for 30 days, legit, or otherwise.

[Clay]

With the exception of my very first Rolex some 25 plus years ago, I have never bought new and never will......

I've gotten some FABULOUS deals over the years....

But thanks goodness for those people who like to buy new....I love them......

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by Clay

With the exception of my very first Rolex some 25 plus years ago, I have never bought new and never will......

I've gotten some FABULOUS deals over the years....

But thanks goodness for those people who like to buy new....I love them......

x2

[xjeeunitx]

Originally Posted by Clay

With the exception of my very first Rolex some 25 plus years ago, I have never bought new and never will......

I've gotten some FABULOUS deals over the years....

But thanks goodness for those people who like to buy new....I love them......

X2

[bayerische]

Isn't a pawn shop in the US required to store the item for 30 days before putting them up for sale?

This so that the police can contact pawn shops to recover stolen items...?

Learned this from the TV show "Pawn Stars", they say they have cooperation with the police.

And having bought a stolen item from a pawn shop, I'm sure you would be the winner if it was confiscated by rolex, as long as you have a receipt from where you bought it.

[Boadicea]

I'm with the OP on this one, I doubt I will ever buy from anywhere other than new from an AD. There are many reasons:

1: Peace of mind - You can't put a price on it
2: Guaranteed brand new - There is nothing like a new watch!
3: 100% Original - No internal parts swapped out before you get it
4: You get to walk out with it - no waiting for postage that may never come
5: Proper 2 year guarantee - your name is on the paperwork

6: This one is only for those superstitious freaks out there - You're not buying into someone else's misfortune. Second hand watches can sometimes tell great stories, but some are not as pleasant as they may seem. Perhaps there was a financial misfortune or medical reasons behind the sale? Do you really want to benefit from someone else's bad luck and potentially have it passed over to you? (I'm not superstitious btw - but my wife is and she takes this sort of thing really seriously!)

The only positive I see for buying used from a potential thief is that you'll get a good deal. The problem is that if you slip just for one second, you have not only got a bad deal, you've also lost money. Not worth it IMO.