Terminal 5 the best bet ?

[BlueStu]

Hi,

Newbie here (please treat with kid gloves), and i've got a few questions ..

First Question ...

I've been told that the Rolex AD at Heathrow T5 is the best place to get a good deal on a Rolex whils your feet are in the UK .. what sort of discount can you expect ? will you get the full 20% VAT discount ?

i'm sure there must be a few guys who've travelled in/out of T5 with some inside knowledge ?

Thanks :-)

[Colnago]

I travel out of T5 but internally on my way back from work (I will be there next week!!)....they have a decent selection.....if you are leaving the UK and can prove residence outside the UK you automatically get the VAT knocked off.....if you are going on holiday I am not sure....I have never bought in an airport anyway but I am sure you will always get something knocked off...let us know how you get on....and welcome to TRF

[BlueStu]

Thanks fella !

i've got a good friend who's now an ex-pat in the USA and he's coming over to UK for my birthday .. .just wondering if he can save me a few £££ - the plan would be to get o facetime whilst he's in the store !!

Sounds like it's a possibility !

[Andad]

I guess that would work for you if you are not going back.

Will they hunt you down when the big computer finds out that you are a resident?

[Colnago]

Could work....

[hunz]

I was in T1 a dew weeks back. WOS had a few Rolexes but none of the SS Sub C's, Milgauss GV (only non GV) etc.. Depends on the store I believe. Omega boutique gave the full 20% VAT off. WOS a bit less..

[BlueStu]

I guess that's the danger .. show up and what you want's out of stock !! i may have a dig around and see if i can contact them direct. looks like the best way to save a few quid !

[pp763]

It's a tricky one. If it's mappin and webb which I think it is I'm sure they could get whatever you want in for you however who knows when it would arrive and also they might want full payment before you collect it which is what happened to me at the Guernsey branch which incidentally is also supposedly VAT free but they are slightly less than 20 percent off.

[Colnago]

I visit Mappin and Webb in T5 every 8 weeks as I travel home from work, I often have an hour or so to kill so I have a good look and sometimes a chat (not on first name terms with any of the staff but they are all very nice and well informed - to a point)....I know from the experience of asking......two watches they never stock the SS Daytona or the Milgauss GV (and neither will any other AD's at Heathrow)....plenty non-GV's and TT Daytonas.....Explorer II's....DD's....DJ's (I and II)....never seen a SS Sub C but was not told they didn't get them.......suppose it depends what you want....a quick phone call would get you the info (maybe)

[denzo]

I guess they can shift the high end 18K and TT pieces in these locations and keep the customers waiting at their 'normal' stores for the desirable SS models.

[BlueStu]

A quick google of Mappin and Webb in T5 for me later - i'm going to see what they can do ... i'm guessing they'll want some £££ up front though .. i'll let you know how i get on !

[esm]

Originally Posted by BlueStu

A quick google of Mappin and Webb in T5 for me later - i'm going to see what they can do ... i'm guessing they'll want some £££ up front though .. i'll let you know how i get on !

Give them a call and see what they have.
If they have what you wanted, most likely you will have to pay upfront and collect it on the way out.

The popular SS models can bea hit and miss, but no harm in trying.

If you divide the current MSRP by 1.2, it'd give youths VAT free price.

You will get it whether you are UK resident or not.

Hope this helps.

[BlueStu]

Originally Posted by esm

If you divide the current MSRP by 1.2, it'd give youths VAT free price.

Where can i find the MSRP ? nothing obvious on Rolex's website about prices .. am i being wet behind the ears ?

[calibre1]

Originally Posted by BlueStu

Where can i find the MSRP ? nothing obvious on Rolex's website about prices .. am i being wet behind the ears ?

Here

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=175625

But they are in USD. I gather it won't be too far off if you convert it to GBP.

[DiamondJack]

Originally Posted by esm

Give them a call and see what they have.
If they have what you wanted, most likely you will have to pay upfront and collect it on the way out.

The popular SS models can bea hit and miss, but no harm in trying.

If you divide the current MSRP by 1.2, it'd give youths VAT free price.

You will get it whether you are UK resident or not.

Hope this helps.

Eric's correct, in that you can just phone up and ask what they have. They can even check other terminals and move stock around for you. You can then buy over the phone and collect on your way out. They just need your flight number and expected pick-up time.

You will save 20% on RRP. So it's a very effective way of shopping providing they have what you want. You also have no issues returning to the UK after your trip as you will have a duty free receipt.

If you are a non EU resident, then you can buy from any shop anywhere in the UK and reclaim the VAT back. So the same outcome but more choice of stores.

Hope this helps

[hunz]

Originally Posted by pp763

It's a tricky one. If it's mappin and webb which I think it is I'm sure they could get whatever you want in for you however who knows when it would arrive and also they might want full payment before you collect it which is what happened to me at the Guernsey branch which incidentally is also supposedly VAT free but they are slightly less than 20 percent off.

Probably due to reclaim 'processing' fees

Originally Posted by DiamondJack

Eric's correct, in that you can just phone up and ask what they have. They can even check other terminals and move stock around for you. You can then buy over the phone and collect on your way out. They just need your flight number and expected pick-up time.

You will save 20% on RRP. So it's a very effective way of shopping providing they have what you want. You also have no issues returning to the UK after your trip as you will have a duty free receipt.

If you are a non EU resident, then you can buy from any shop anywhere in the UK and reclaim the VAT back. So the same outcome but more choice of stores.

Hope this helps

I find you get more to full 20% amount of the VAT free at airport tax free AD's.

With AD's on UK high street you only get around 14-16% VAT claim/refund back (after processing fees). But yes more choice, flexibility and possible discount

[EchoBlueUK]

Independent AD's in the UK will do 20-25% off if you have a good relationship with them.

[BlueStu]

Originally Posted by EchoBlueUK

Independent AD's in the UK will do 20-25% off if you have a good relationship with them.

I wonder what i have to do to get that good relationship !!!!!

i've always been told showing a bit of thigh never hurt anyone :-)

[Megalobyte]

Originally Posted by BlueStu

I wonder what i have to do to get that good relationship !!!!!

i've always been told showing a bit of thigh never hurt anyone :-)

If your name is Stewart, I'm thinking, no...

[hunz]

Originally Posted by Megalobyte

If your name is Stewart, I'm thinking, no...

I think it's STUart. Still No

[esm]

Originally Posted by BlueStu

I wonder what i have to do to get that good relationship !!!!!

Buy loads from them first is one of the options

Or marry one of the owners sons/daughters would be another one

Originally Posted by BlueStu

i've always been told showing a bit of thigh never hurt anyone :-)

Pix or not worthwhile

[Tools]

This isn't a discussion of Rolex watches...

It's another discussion of how to evade taxes...

closed