What are gray market watches, pros and cons?

[amer_qureshi]

What is a gray market watch and are there any advantages/disadvantages in buying it? I am thinking that you would probably get more discount on them compared to buying from an AD?? Does warranty still hold if they come with an open card?

[stil]

Originally Posted by amer_qureshi

What is a gray market watch and are there any advantages/disadvantages in buying it? I am thinking that you would probably get more discount on them compared to buying from an AD?? Does warranty still hold if they come with an open card?

Gray market watches are authentic watches sold as new by non-ADs. Places like Jomashop, Authentic Watches, etc. often do this.

I prefer to do business with an AD (for new and used) or someone with a reputation on this forum (although I have not purchased anything through this forum...yet).

[Tools]

Originally Posted by stil

Gray market watches are authentic watches sold as new by non-ADs. Places like Jomashop, Authentic Watches, etc. often do this.

. .

Close.

the Gray Market is always imported from outside a country, bypassing the authorized Distributor. They do not come with a valid warranty and the companies you mention tell you so, (Alan Furman too) but generally offer their own in-house warranties.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Tools

Close.

the Gray Market is always imported from outside a country, bypassing the authorized Distributor.

How is this accomplished?

[stil]

As for pros and cons...clearly you can buy new pieces at a reduced cost from MSRP at an AD. Con...well, you just never know what you're going to get.

As I mentioned...nothing wrong with buying something pre-owned from a reputable seller here.

[GradyPhilpott]

You typically pay less, but not always.

You have to know your seller, because the sale is between the two of you and no one else. If you don't trust the seller, don't do the deal. Whom will you trust with the price of a Rolex?

You will give up the warranty in almost all cases, but the good part of that is that Rolex watches hardly ever need warranty service. If it does need service, though, you pay the bill, regardless of the circumstances.

TRF has a number of "trusted sellers" on the site, but none are officially recommended by TRF. "Word of mouth" and the "Buyers/Sellers "Who's Who" ?!?!" forum are the methods used to learn who's honest and who's not.

Good luck.

[tfly212]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

You typically pay less, but not always.

You will give up the warranty in almost all cases

Not true if the original warranty is still valid...I believe the warranty follows the watch.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by tfly212

Not true if the original warranty is still valid...I believe the warranty follows the watch.

If the warranty card is filled out by an AD and the card is signed, then I believe you are correct. Otherwise you are on your own.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[stil]

Originally Posted by gradyphilpott

if the warranty card is filled out by an ad and the card is signed, then i believe you are correct. Otherwise you are on your own.

Sent from my sm-g900v using tapatalk

+1

[Chelseafan]

Do your home work and verify the seller and its the way to go imo. Unlike a lot of ADs they have very good service and know what they are talking about. Its all about checking they are trusted and you are good to go.

[azguy]

Pro: price, no white glove BS, sales tax

Con: paperwork and chocolates, pretty bag, VIP treatment

[thomaspp]

Originally Posted by azguy

Pro: price, no white glove BS, sales tax

Con: paperwork and chocolates, pretty bag, VIP treatment

Haha! True!

[Jayshan]

Originally Posted by azguy

pro: Price, no white glove bs, sales tax

con: Paperwork and chocolates, pretty bag, vip treatment

x2

[threemonkeys]

I went with one of our sellers, DavidSW. With no tax, I saved almost a couple thousand dollars for a BNIB watch with my name on the warranty card. The cons? I didn't get a bottle of water with the sellers logo and I didn't receive an AD monogrammed hat in the mail. Still bummed about the free water.

[Case61]

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

I went with one of our sellers, DavidSW. With no tax, I saved almost a couple thousand dollars for a BNIB watch with my name on the warranty card. The cons? I didn't get a bottle of water with the sellers logo and I didn't receive an AD monogrammed hat in the mail. Still bummed about the free water.

I've bought two through DavidSW, both with warranty cards in my name. Saved bunches of money over an AD. I bought my own water.

[Nycturbovr6]

Originally Posted by Case61

I've bought two through DavidSW, both with warranty cards in my name. Saved bunches of money over an AD. I bought my own water.

[Sublover2166]

I also went with one of the trusted sellers here Jizeal. My watch was BNIB with a US warranty card filled out with my name and date of purchase. I saved about 1500 dollars on watch versus buying at my local A.D. The cons- for me personally...none. Will never go the A.D route again. I personally enjoyed peeling the stickers off and sizing the bracelet myself.

[ExplorerChris]

My local Costco sells Rolex drastically reduced from MSRP
However you're not getting a Waranty from Rolex
If something goes wrong the guys that put the tires you just purchased on your car also do your Costco Waranty repairs on your watch.

[amer_qureshi]

Excellent information. Thank you folks.

[roklee]

Gray market,

Pros: price

Con: ? watch history

[curleypubes]

the first nice watch I bought was a rolex Daytona from a gray dealer here in Dallas. He got it from a local AD. It had an issue running slow a few months after I bought it. Walked into the Rolex center here in Dallas with a blank warranty card and they fixed it for free asking no questions at all. Couldn't have been any nicer to me.

[singe89]

I've purchased 6 watches and did 2 trades with DavidSW over the last year or so. I saved a good amount of $$$, got the paperwork in my name with full warranty and also got his 1st rate customer service. I actually perfer the anticipation of getting my fedex shipping number and tracking the package to my door rather than going to the local AD and waiting to take my watch home. I also like that my watches have come in the original sealed package so I'm the first person to touch the watch since it left the factory. Added plus that my watch wasnt a floor model that many people tried on. That being said my AD does want my business back and they said they can beat any price on my next purchase. Still dont know if thats enough to go back because of the great customer service I've gotten from DavidSW.

Edit: he was also able to track down a hard to find piece in 2 days that my AD said would take 4 to 6 months to get.

[tfly212]

Assuming you choose your seller wisely (and if you are on TRF I can't imagine using anyone other than one of the many trusted sellers here) to me the only con with a gray dealer is lack of instant gratification of walking out with the watch on. I bought one from and AD and two pieces from DavidSW...walking out of the AD with the watch on was nice, but waiting 48 hours and saving a significant amount thru David was much nicer.

[Mystro]

I like Gray market dealers if the price makes sense to buy that way. I am buying the watch and the idea that it has enough quality not to "need" a manufacturers warranty. After all, why would I buy a watch that might be unreliable and needs a warranty?? The majority of the ownership of a watch in its life never has a warranty.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I like Gray market dealers if the price makes sense to buy that way. I am buying the watch and the idea that it has enough quality not to "need" a manufacturers warranty. After all, why would I buy a watch that might be unreliable and needs a warranty?? The majority of the ownership of a watch in its life never has a warranty.

That is what I thought. I bought a BNIB GMT II C from a gray dealer here in Japan. % days later it was not working. At all. I was pissed. They would not replace it but fixed it in their own watchmaker's shop. I know it did not go to the nearby RSC.

That watch was a lemon. I sold it shortly after and took a beating on it.

[gerrya]

I went with trusted seller off of this site for Exp II Polar-I dealt with Elitetime, brand new, warranty card in my name. Went to a couple of AD's and they wouldnt budge off of the MSRP. Gagan was a pleasure to deal with, watch was waiting for me when I got home from work.

[milgauss2232]

Anyway , the grey dealer has to get the watch from some AD to begin with, right? (Assuming the watch is authentic)

[locutus49]

Can't you save taxes in the US by buying out of state and having it mailed to you, assuming the AD is not a chain with a branch in your state? Whether that is enough savings to beat a trusted seller I don't know. Depends on if the AD also offers a discount.

I'm leaning towards a trusted seller for my next, but my wife is a bit nervous about that.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Can't you save taxes in the US by buying out of state and having it mailed to you, assuming the AD is not a chain with a branch in your state? Whether that is enough savings to beat a trusted seller I don't know. Depends on if the AD also offers a discount.

I'm leaning towards a trusted seller for my next, but my wife is a bit nervous about that.

If you are leaning toward a Platona, please don't pay full 75K from an A.D. When I visited my hometown last week I visited the local AD there and the guy I was chatting with told me they just sold a Platona to a customer. 75 thousand plus 8 percent NY sales tax. Boy did the guy get the shaft. They can be had here for under 60K BNIB.

[drhr]

Pro/con already laid out, quite subjective and personal, always grey for me if the discount is acceptable, so far so good . . . .