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Old 28 April 2018, 04:53 AM   #1
ChopperIW40
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Purchasing A Rolex in Aruba & Bahamas

Hi Everyone,
I’m going to be vacationing in Aruba followed by the Bahamas in the next couple
of weeks. I’ve heard that Rolex timepieces are cheaper there whether it be discount or just the fact that there is no sales tax. Has anyone heard of watches being purchased at AD in Bahamas and/or Aruba and them turning out to be fake?
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Old 28 April 2018, 04:56 AM   #2
Largoshark
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChopperIW40 View Post
Hi Everyone,
I’m going to be vacationing in Aruba followed by the Bahamas in the next couple
of weeks. I’ve heard that Rolex timepieces are cheaper there whether it be discount or just the fact that there is no sales tax. Has anyone heard of watches being purchased at AD in Bahamas and/or Aruba and them turning out to be fake?
AD = Authorized Dealer...don't think you need to be concerned with fakes from an AD no matter the location. Especially if buying new. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
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Old 28 April 2018, 04:59 AM   #3
doubleosullivan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChopperIW40 View Post
Hi Everyone,

I’m going to be vacationing in Aruba followed by the Bahamas in the next couple

of weeks. I’ve heard that Rolex timepieces are cheaper there whether it be discount or just the fact that there is no sales tax. Has anyone heard of watches being purchased at AD in Bahamas and/or Aruba and them turning out to be fake?


John Bull in Nassau. Purchased a sub there a couple years and couldn’t be happier. I actually just emailed them about getting a Tudor next time I’m there.
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Old 28 April 2018, 08:26 AM   #4
JohnLT
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John Bull in Nassau. Purchased a sub there a couple years and couldn’t be happier. I actually just emailed them about getting a Tudor next time I’m there.
JB has some great prices back in January. Not much stock, Only a few SS sports but plenty of TT and PMs.
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Old 28 April 2018, 05:05 AM   #5
Chrono_lando
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Go to Gandelmans in Aruba. Aruba is watch heaven. Their Patek inventory was unbelievable as well. Have fun!


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Old 28 April 2018, 05:10 AM   #6
Jrpontiac
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I had a friend that purchased a Rolex for his wife in Aruba. He is happy with the transaction.
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Old 28 April 2018, 05:24 AM   #7
Dan Pierce
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Go to Gandelmans in Aruba. Aruba is watch heaven. Their Patek inventory was unbelievable as well. Have fun!


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^This. I was there in 2009 and was offered 10% off Rolex and 15% off Tudor as soon as I walked in the door. Not sure that's still the case but worth a shot.
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Old 28 April 2018, 05:29 AM   #8
sgfortino
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My wife and I were in Aruba a few weeks ago and purchased a Rolex for her at Gandelmans. Great people. We were given 5% off their price for her 34OP but their starting price was almost 5% lower than US so all in was about 10% off and no tax.
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Old 28 April 2018, 05:32 AM   #9
sco
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Aruba's a really fantastic place, and as said above the AD's were very well stocked when I was there last. Enjoy the trip!
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Old 28 April 2018, 05:42 AM   #10
ChopperIW40
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Wow, ok all of your positive feedback and experiences have convinced me. Now I’m ready to go vacay and do some shopping! Thanks everyone
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Old 28 April 2018, 06:16 AM   #11
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Gandelman Aruba is great real nice people . ZERO percent chance of any funny business
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Old 28 April 2018, 06:15 AM   #12
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Like someone else said, official Rolex prices are around 5% less in the Caribbean and Bahamas. If you can negotiate an additional discount, all the better. Although you won't pay any tax at the point of sale, do expect to pay at least 2-3% duty to US customs upon your return on the portion of purchase price that exceeds your family's duty free allowance.
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Old 28 April 2018, 07:35 AM   #13
nac060
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Lots of jewelry & watches in Nassau right near the cruise ship port. I never made a purchase but lots to choose from.
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Old 28 April 2018, 07:44 AM   #14
Rjongco
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Got my hulk there about a year ago. No discount but retail was about $500 less than in the US
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Old 28 April 2018, 07:49 AM   #15
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Got my hulk there about a year ago. No discount but retail was about $500 less than in the US
awesome ! $500 savings is nice.
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Old 28 April 2018, 07:48 AM   #16
jaisonline
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I second using island ADs.

I got 20% off a then new 116234 DJ 36mm ($7,950 MSRP) in Dec 2014 with no sales tax. The retail price was lowered by the AD for the sales tax part.

The AD was Kirk Freeport AD. Great experience. Grand Cayman Islands.


BTW, here are the Rolex AD links for the Aruba and Bahamas ADs.

https://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers/...cation=bahamas

https://www.rolex.com/rolex-dealers/...location=aruba



Quote:
Originally Posted by ChopperIW40 View Post
Hi Everyone,
I’m going to be vacationing in Aruba followed by the Bahamas in the next couple
of weeks. I’ve heard that Rolex timepieces are cheaper there whether it be discount or just the fact that there is no sales tax. Has anyone heard of watches being purchased at AD in Bahamas and/or Aruba and them turning out to be fake?
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Old 28 April 2018, 09:21 AM   #17
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This was the display at Gandelmans when I went to Aruba 2 yrs ago.


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Old 28 April 2018, 09:21 AM   #18
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One more


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Old 28 April 2018, 09:34 AM   #19
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What a difference 2 years make ^^
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Old 28 April 2018, 09:37 AM   #20
77T
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The thing I’ve learned from island shopping is that cash deals have no surprises later. AMEX exchange rates vary sometimes with them getting a slight cut. Nothing that the AD does can alter that.

The best price is one that doesn’t change after you walk out the door. And an AD usually doesn’t mind splitting the saved fees with you.


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Old 6 July 2018, 07:40 AM   #21
smym18
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Chopper - assuming you already went on the trip, any restaurant recommendations? What was the stock like at the ADs?
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Old 6 July 2018, 09:51 AM   #22
Hiflyin20
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I was just at the Rolex boutique in Orenjestad near the cruise port and they were cleaned out of SS models.
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Old 6 July 2018, 10:03 AM   #23
davidrcpo
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As of last Friday, Gandelman in Aruba had some stainless steel stock. No SS Daytona or SS skydweller. They did have two tone sub, ss black dial sub date, sub no date, Milgaus and ss and two tone yachtmaster. They had yellow gold sub date and smurf. They had 2 Daytona OF in yellow and ever rose gold but no platona. No gmts. Tons of DJs and several DDs no platinum. According to the friendly sales associate, the owner himself decides who gets a ss skydweller or ss Daytona, when they are in stock. The sales associate refers customers interested in those high demand watches to the owner.

John Bull in the Bahamas is awesome. As of 30 May, they also did not have ss skydweller or ss Daytona in stock. They will add u on their wait list. I purchased a hulk from them in 2012 and they provided several Rolex promotional items and we drank a bottle of champagne in the store to celebrate.

Can’t go wrong with either AD.
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Old 6 July 2018, 10:04 AM   #24
davidrcpo
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As of last Friday, Gandelman in Aruba had some stainless steel stock. No SS Daytona or SS skydweller. They did have two tone sub, ss black dial sub date, sub no date, Milgaus and ss and two tone yachtmaster. They had yellow gold sub date and smurf. They had 2 Daytona OF in yellow and ever rose gold but no platona. No gmts. Tons of DJs and several DDs no platinum. According to the friendly sales associate, the owner himself decides who gets a ss skydweller or ss Daytona, when they are in stock. The sales associate refers customers interested in those high demand watches to the owner.

John Bull in the Bahamas is awesome. As of 30 May, they also did not have ss skydweller or ss Daytona in stock. They will add u on their wait list. I purchased a hulk from them in 2012 and they provided several Rolex promotional items and we drank a bottle of champagne in the store to celebrate.

Can’t go wrong with either AD.
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