Grey Dealers, NON AD - IS IT SAFE?

[The Golden Crown]

Hello forum again.

Before I begin my post I would like to thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experience. This has been such knowledgeable experience for me.

I am currently a high school senior going to college next year. I have a stock account that treats me well.

I have always wanted to own a two-tone. At a non AD, specifically on Stein Diamonds, I saw pre owned Rolexes at very cheap prices. A lot of them are mint showroom condition and comes pre polished.

Will parts be expected to be OEM?

I know there are threads about Stein Diamonds and other non AD online stores. But I wanted to hear any RECENT experience with them. Many of the threads are couple years back.

Though I might end up wearing in college, I might give it as a gift to my father. He has been working very hard to pay off my prep school tuition and has not had anything for himself. My parents have no idea about my stock account and I wanted to "surprise" him in a way in a "thank you for putting me through college" gesture.

So please share with me your experiences and feel free to be explicit with your awful experience should you have any.

Thank you all!

[petesjag]

A good grey dealer is fine..I buy exclusively from grey dealers. You could also buy from a trusted seller here on the forum.
Good luck..

[Like To Watch]

Originally Posted by petesjag

A good grey dealer is fine..I buy exclusively from grey dealers. You could also buy from a trusted seller here on the forum.
Good luck..

X2

[Keeperoftime]

Originally Posted by petesjag

a good grey dealer is fine..i buy exclusively from grey dealers. You could also buy from a trusted seller here on the forum.
Good luck..

+1

[mike]

You know,...it's time to take a step back and remember a few things.

This forum allows topics and comments that are not allowed elsewhere. Some would be deleted before they hit the light of day, some would just get you banned outright.

This forum also allows some of the silliest avatars I've ever seen. We even have an open discussion forum and a joke forum (though some don't realize they are there).

What I'm saying is if the OP asks a question, answer the question or move on. Getting into a pixxing contest with others seems to be happening more and more and to be honest it's getting old.

Keep on track or move on.

Closed

[Lion]

It can be fine to buy from a trusted seller here or any other Gray Market dealer who has a very good reputation. Do your homework and never assume...ask them if you have had the watch serviced or worked on and if they have were original Rolex parts used. Ask what the history of the watch is...how old, how many times has it been serviced(if it's older)? Once you have a watch in mind find out how much it's worth and negotiate from there. There are many great deals out there just be armed with knowledge and you should do fine!!!

[Oyster Junkie]

Props to you for wanting to do something nice for your father. Too many of the youth are "entitled" these days, but buying you dad a Rolex for the things he did for you is very commendable.

Personally, I can care less about the "AD Experience." I'd contact DavidSW, Mosco, BodyBump, GeorgeAB, or any of our trusted sellers here for an awesome deal.

[The Golden Crown]

Ok great. I will call them and ask them about condition, internal parts and etc.

I guess they might have done a little swapping inside, but perhaps nothing major.. hopefully..

I would like to buy from forumers, but there is a very very specific one that I want. :)

[Oyster Junkie]

Originally Posted by The Golden Crown

Ok great. I will call them and ask them about condition, internal parts and etc.

I guess they might have done a little swapping inside, but perhaps nothing major.. hopefully..

I would like to buy from forumers, but there is a very very specific one that I want. :)

Trust me, whatever you want, will be found. You are limited y the depth of your finances.

[troyus]

The first thing written about this is
'Buy the dealer'

Find a reputable dealer from here. Read history, ask his deals etc.

Then worry about the watch. Ask them to get you it even.

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by The Golden Crown

\
Though I might end up wearing in college, I might give it as a gift to my father. He has been working very hard to pay off my prep school tuition and has not had anything for himself. My parents have no idea about my stock account and I wanted to "surprise" him in a way in a "thank you for putting me through college" gesture.

Buying a Rolex to give to Dad is not the gesture you need to be making to show your appreciation. If it's something of a stretch on the family finances ("working very hard to pay...not had anything for himself"), consider using your secret stash to step up and reduce the burden and pay some of your own expenses. I feel the same if you intend to keep the watch: treating yourself to a Rolex with a secret fund while your parents are (evidently) knocking themselves out to underwrite you seems less than, let's say, a testimony to growing maturity.

Stein Diamonds: why shop where it's a dicey proposition. I wouldn't.

[Oyster Junkie]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

Buying a Rolex to give to Dad is not the gesture you need to be making to show your appreciation. If it's something of a stretch on the family finances ("working very hard to pay...not had anything for himself"), consider using your secret stash to step up and reduce the burden and pay some of your own expenses. I feel the same if you intend to keep the watch: treating yourself to a Rolex with a secret fund while your parents are (evidently) knocking themselves out to underwrite you seems less than, let's say, a testimony to growing maturity.

Stein Diamonds: why shop where it's a dicey proposition. I wouldn't.

Sounds like a personal attack/unwanted opinion to me. This is a watch forum. If you want to preach morality I suggest going to church and preaching. Just saying.

[chicfarmer1]

Sorry, but he asked for opinions by posting on an open board. That is my opinion. It wasn't rudely expressed in the least, but a point of view. My assumption is that a young person can judge the fit of a credible adult opinion for his/her own situation.

One way to become a Rolex owner is to understand how money works in the real world. I'm far from alone in offering caveats about financial responsibility/lack of it in watch threads.

[Oyster Junkie]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

Sorry, but he asked for opinions by posting on an open board. That is my opinion. It wasn't rudely expressed in the least, but a point of view. My assumption is that a young person can judge the fit of a credible adult opinion for his/her own situation.

One way to become a Rolex owner is to understand how money works in the real world. I'm far from alone in offering caveats about financial responsibility/lack of it in watch threads.

So you are saying that you are now who determines who is fit to buy a watch or whatnot? Please......... (in the most nice way I can say), go mother your own children.

OP: Do what you want with your money and don't let anyone make your judgement for you. What you do with your money is YOUR business.

[kkwn98]

Originally Posted by Oyster Junkie

So you are saying that you are now who determines who is fit to buy a watch or whatnot? Please......... (in the most nice way I can say), go mother your own children.

OP: Do what you want with your money and don't let anyone make your judgement for you. What you do with your money is YOUR business.

I think you need to relax and read chicfarmer1's post again. She simply said she assumes "that a young person can judge the fit of a credible adult opinion for his/her own situation."

It's still the OP's decision as to whether the opinion offered fits (or doesn't fit) his/her situation. No one's trying to take that away and chicfarmer1 did not say she was the one who determines whether someone is fit to purchase a watch or not, or that her opinion had to be followed.

To the OP: it can be safe buying from the grey market, but you must buy the seller. Plenty of trustworthy grey dealers out there, just as there are plenty of con artists and charlatans. As for Stein Diamonds; no idea about them.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

Sorry, but he asked for opinions by posting on an open board. That is my opinion. It wasn't rudely expressed in the least, but a point of view. My assumption is that a young person can judge the fit of a credible adult opinion for his/her own situation.

One way to become a Rolex owner is to understand how money works in the real world. I'm far from alone in offering caveats about financial responsibility/lack of it in watch threads.

No, if you will take the time to read the OP, he was asking for opinions on where to purchase the Rolex, not whether or not he should give it as a gift to his father. I might say to the OP I believe it is that is an incredible gesture, and I hope you will base your decision on your feelings, not heartless comments from strangers.

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I hope you will base your decision on your feelings, not heartless comments from strangers.

If you're implying my comments were heartless, that is both wrong and kind of stunning to me as a parent myself and a mentor in a lot of ways to high school/college age people.

OP sounds quite able to think things through, and I wish only the best.

PS: I'm surprised that there's controversy on this thread, for such a little tiny deviation as allowing for another idea beyond "absolutely buy a luxury item."

[Oyster Junkie]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

No, if you will take the time to read the OP, he was asking for opinions on where to purchase the Rolex, not whether or not he should give it as a gift to his father. I might say to the OP I believe it is that is an incredible gesture, and I hope you will base your decision on your feelings, not heartless comments from strangers.

[Lion]

Okay everyone, take a step back and breathe in and breathe out...okay are you all better now? Opinions have been asked for and given...that's all...plain and simple. but a good point has been made. Maybe it would be prudent to assist your parents in paying for your education and then at a later point in time when your schooling is done and payed for buy your Dad a gift to show your appreciation for the sacrifices he has made in your behalf!!!

[azguy]

I guess they might have done a little swapping inside, but perhaps nothing major.. hopefully..

A little swapping is like a little pregnant

You'll pay way to much at Stein, simply because of the high quality pictures and the "perceived" safety of buying from this L.A. Dealer-

Whatever watch you want will be avalible from one of the trusted sellers already highlighted in this thread. Call a couple of them and tell them what you are looking for and I'm sure they'll deliver in days or few weeks.

Plus, at Stein, no box, no papers, maybe over polished, certainly over priced and not in the business of making sure you are 1,000% happy like our trusted sellers.

Good Luck

[mtrunner]

As others have said non-AD dealers are fine if you know who yo uare buying from. Look at the great dealers on here. I have bought all my watches from DavidSW and could not be happier.

[joe100]

Yeah, I think that maybe a nice check to your dad would be better. It sounds like he's sacrificed a lot for you so give back where it helps.

Do what you feel is appropriate.

[floater156]

I would recommend purchasing from an AD. It will give you the peace of mind that everything is 100% Rolex. I'd rather pay extra for this comfort, especially given the fact that I'll treasure the watch for a lifetime.

[Annan]

Kudos to you for wanting to repay your dad. It's your decision on how to do that. I'm just very impressed that you want to. I have no personal experience with Stein Diamonds but have read some bad things about them. I think the best advice is to work with one of the TRF sellers. And.....you might talk to an AD. Many have pre-owned Rolexes. I know of one AD, now retired, who would actually take orders and then find what you wanted if he didn't have it.

[The Golden Crown]

I appreciate all of your comments.

I pretty much use my earning to take care of my expenses. My parents have very high sense of responsibility so I could help the out couple thousand for the tuition, but they really really do not want me to. They think that because I am their child they will do what it takes to take care me.

My goal was that because they are having a good economic hard time, I wanted to assure them that I will take care of them for their latter life. Also the reason why I am going to attend an undergrad business school.. Different story. anyways

With that in mind, I will be researching other trusted sellers inside and outside of the forum. I am not 100% set with getting a Rolex but am definitely serious about it. I mentioned Stein because I like it without scratches and they have refund policy that I can file claim with the bank should they not honor.

I will appreciate any other opinion. And trust me I do not take any comments offensively and it is great that we can talk things like this online!

[Jetjock]

Nicely said!

[SS Oyster]

There are terrific TRFers in your neck of the woods. I sent you a PM with my personal recommendations locally.

Best of luck in your noble quest!

Mark

[TheVTCGuy]

First! IBTL

Second: To the OP. I am one that chooses to purchase only from an AD. I won't go in to the reasons why here but suffice it to say I enjoy the experience. HAVING SAID THAT...

I completely understand that you can save quite a bit of money from buying from a gray, but as most have pointed out, you have to trust them. With that, I strongly suggest that if you consider buying from a gray, contact one of the phenominal sellers here on TRF. Tony(JustRolexes), Greg(Mosco), David(DavidSW) and the others are above and beyond honesty and professionalism. I know Tony personally, and will vouche for his transactions.

Whichever path you choose, best of luck!

[Brenngun]

If the likely added expense of an AD is not the way you want to go then consider first using the TRF trusted sellers mentioned earlier. You can be very sure that what you expect to get is what you'll actually get. I can't say the same for Stein. It's possible, but I'd be more sure of authenticity working with the identified TRF sellers. Hope this helps.

p.s. can we get a group hug here .......