Trying to buy my first Rolex from a UK AD

[scott-f84]

Hi,

I have been a member here for a few years but this is my first post and unfortunately it's a bit of a moan....

I have been saving for a while and I have finally got myself into a position where I have the money for the Submariner I have been promising myself for years.

After doing some reading on here I was expecting to have to wait a few months due to the apparent shortage of SS sports models. However, when I visited one of my local AD's (they are all part of the Watches of Switzerland group in my area) and after some pretty shocking customer service, I was told it would be a 2-year wait. I then asked if it would be possible to register my interest and they took my details.

While they were taking my details I was asked about my purchase history (I don't have any as this is a first time purchase) and it was subtly suggested that "while I'm waiting" I might like to buy a model that's in less demand, for example, an Air King or an Explorer. I would have expected this if I was after a Hulk, BLNR or a Daytona but are Submariners really this difficult to get now?

I'm not sure what to do now. I have dismissed going down the grey route as I'm unwilling to pay the £2-3k premium that is being asked and with this being a first time purchase I would really like to have my name on the warranty card etc. I don't mind having to wait to buy from an AD but am I likely to ever get a call?

I'd be interested to hear if there are any UK based members who have recently had any success with WoS group AD's with first time Sub/SS sports purchases and if you were successful, how long did you have to wait?

I have also toyed with the idea of purchasing an Omega Speedmaster through them (a watch I was planning to buy in a few years after buying the Sub and saving again) to create a recent purchase history but this would obviously put me in a position where I could get the call but not have the cash after spending almost £4k on the speedy.

[P1nky_Up]

Depending on how fast it will take you to recoup the £4K I’d go with the Speedmaster since it’s something you’re actually interested in. You still might not get a call about the sub for a couple months after that... if they do call you before you recoup the £4K either tell them that you need to save a little more since the purchase of the speedmaster and to let you know when the next one comes in and that you’ll sadly need to let this one go to someone else OR take a hit on the speedy and trade it towards the sub.

[Roli84]

That group in my experience have been a total waste of time for me as a customer with no history. I was told 3-6 month wait for an explorer. That was 7 months ago. They’ll never give me the call. They also told me they only get in 1 professional piece per month and they are a busy central London store. I managed to go to another AD in London, not part of the group and I picked one up after a 4 week wait. Try another AD and build up some rapport with them.

[3sheets86]

I'd be tempted to pay the premium if I could afford it. I have refused to do so in the past and months later still no watch from an AD and the second hand prices have increased even more. I saw a £2014 Sub date sell for £7,600 on ebay this week, it was a nice one but it is 5 years old at the end of the day. If they release it with a new movement next year at Basel it won't get any cheaper or any easier to obtain at retail without purchase history. The AD's have become really adept at this dangling the carrot b******s and I can't see them stopping anytime soon.

[petay993]

Goldsmiths are a bit of a nightmare, I asked about a CHNR at the Trafford Centre and was told they were only supplying these to customers with a previous spend of at least 80k!!

I got one 2 months later from DMR.

The 116610 is becoming a Unicorn (unbelievably) in the UK. My AD is saying 2 years and I have a very good purchasing history. I don't want one as I have it's predecessor but I was just talking it through with my contact couple of weeks back

[joli160]

Just buy grey and pay market value. A combi deal or building history/ relation will be much more expensive.

Alternative is to wait for perhaps a very long time

[peterskinner]

Shop at Independents, preferably in smaller towns. The big chains have become highly manipulative. The sub may well be updated soon, and frankly, the maxi-case is a bit ugly. A new version may have a bit more grace. So why hurry.
Buy a Speedy Pro , great watch, from an independent who also sell Rolex. Make it clear you hope to buy a new Sub from them in due course. And always avoid the chains. Good luck.

[Nairn1980]

Even “black submariners” are hard to get now and you’ll be more likely to get one with some purchase history.

How about starting with something they have in stock and working up to a steel submariner?

Some people do get lucky, but it’s a sellers market. I’d recommend building some strong relationships with ADs locally, spend some cash with them on other “bits” and become a client.

[BillA]

By telling you to buy something less desirable he is bundling you and really not giving you any firm commitment for delivery of the watch you want. Does not sound a good deal to me. I would contact more AD's by stopping in on a regular basis.

[Bizcut1]

Am I doing the math wrong in relation to Grey pricing?

A new Sub C is $8550 MSRP - add the 8% tax (here in Arizona) and a new one is going to be $9300 out the door. I have seen them ranging on the Forum, new, from $10,500 - $11,500.

I make that a 12-20% mark up for a new Rolex with warranty. And you get it tomorrow via Fed Ex, with all the goodies.

Doesn't seem so outrageous to me when you take into account the value of the watch and the difficulty in getting one at retail.

My .02. Ben.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Bizcut1

Am I doing the math wrong in relation to Grey pricing?

A new Sub C is $8550 MSRP - add the 8% tax (here in Arizona) and a new one is going to be $9300 out the door. I have seen them ranging on the Forum, new, from $10,500 - $11,500.

I make that a 12-20% mark up for a new Rolex with warranty. And you get it tomorrow via Fed Ex, with all the goodies.

Doesn't seem so outrageous to me when you take into account the value of the watch and the difficulty in getting one at retail.

My .02. Ben.

OP is in the UK
20% VAT and import fees, plus the pound is weak so buying in dollars isn't good. Customs will intercept it and charge you. They once disagreed with the value of a toy car my mom sent to London for my son and i had to pay VAT and fees for it. Almost like buying it a second time

[meatman]

I went that route for a SD43. I paid about a 16% premium.

[Rado63]

Originally Posted by Bizcut1

Am I doing the math wrong in relation to Grey pricing?

A new Sub C is $8550 MSRP - add the 8% tax (here in Arizona) and a new one is going to be $9300 out the door. I have seen them ranging on the Forum, new, from $10,500 - $11,500.

I make that a 12-20% mark up for a new Rolex with warranty. And you get it tomorrow via Fed Ex, with all the goodies.

Doesn't seem so outrageous to me when you take into account the value of the watch and the difficulty in getting one at retail.

My .02. Ben.

I agree with Ben, but it seems waiting months to get your name on the card is a new way to experience Rolex.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Rado63

I agree with Ben, but it seems waiting months to get your name on the card is a new way to experience Rolex.

$11500 makes it $13800 once it arrives in the UK... in GBP OP would pay £11k GBP vs a retail of £6550. Thats almost double

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by scott-f84

I have also toyed with the idea of purchasing an Omega Speedmaster through them (a watch I was planning to buy in a few years after buying the Sub and saving again) to create a recent purchase history but this would obviously put me in a position where I could get the call but not have the cash after spending almost £4k on the speedy.

dont do it.... IMO "purchase history" in the UK means tens of thousands of pounds, six figures is better.

WOS offered me a SS watch immediately after buying a pt daytona. I didn't want one, but the offer was there. Lots of people buy far more than that every day

[Maiden]

It sucks but you either should pay the going market rate (grey premium) or wait it out. Bundling is a mugs game in this case as you cannot trust the AD. If they would hand you a sub immediately upon purchasing others pieces that would be different. Good luck.

[fett1972]

Last October I bought a SS Sub Date from Goldsmiths Newcastle. No prior history and was there at the right time. 3 months later after buying a 116519 I obtained a white dial SS Daytona.

Don't give up

Regards

[Lifeisarolliecoaster]

If purchasing the Speedmaster leaves you short when you get the call, you unwittingly leave the door open to the other person who will be able to pay for it. By following the game set by the AD you have to pay to play it. When (if) I get the call for a Submariner I will be ready to purchase. Don’t see my wait (since March for a ND) as normal some UK posters on this forum have recently purchased with no prior history. Good luck

[DTap]

Clown at Wempe pulled that crap with me.


From my perspective, paying ransom buying a watch you don’t want so you can get one you do spoils the whole experience.

[Tavira Lancer]

Have used the Birmingham WoS for the purchase of an Exp1 and a Subc in the last 18 months and found them to be great, the Goldsmiths in brum leaves a lot to be desired

Sent from my Vodafone Smart ultra 6 using Tapatalk

[James Nye 1982]

WoS are terrible. I would wait it out for the sub and not bother getting the speedy. You will end up regretting it.

[locutus49]

Go grey if you can afford it. In a month or two you will forget your cost and be enjoying it immediately.

[Bizcut1]

What a ridiculous situation.

[greengold]

Originally Posted by scott-f84

Hi,

I have been a member here for a few years but this is my first post and unfortunately it's a bit of a moan....

I have been saving for a while and I have finally got myself into a position where I have the money for the Submariner I have been promising myself for years.

After doing some reading on here I was expecting to have to wait a few months due to the apparent shortage of SS sports models. However, when I visited one of my local AD's (they are all part of the Watches of Switzerland group in my area) and after some pretty shocking customer service, I was told it would be a 2-year wait. I then asked if it would be possible to register my interest and they took my details.

While they were taking my details I was asked about my purchase history (I don't have any as this is a first time purchase) and it was subtly suggested that "while I'm waiting" I might like to buy a model that's in less demand, for example, an Air King or an Explorer. I would have expected this if I was after a Hulk, BLNR or a Daytona but are Submariners really this difficult to get now?

I'm not sure what to do now. I have dismissed going down the grey route as I'm unwilling to pay the £2-3k premium that is being asked and with this being a first time purchase I would really like to have my name on the warranty card etc. I don't mind having to wait to buy from an AD but am I likely to ever get a call?

I'd be interested to hear if there are any UK based members who have recently had any success with WoS group AD's with first time Sub/SS sports purchases and if you were successful, how long did you have to wait?

I have also toyed with the idea of purchasing an Omega Speedmaster through them (a watch I was planning to buy in a few years after buying the Sub and saving again) to create a recent purchase history but this would obviously put me in a position where I could get the call but not have the cash after spending almost £4k on the speedy.

Dont go to a big name AD go to a small family run one localish to you and charm the pants off them, keep popping in thats how to get what you want

[bp1000]

Go to your nearest independent. Walk in and explain what you want.

Also say you want to start a relationship with your nearest independent instead of going worth a chain so you’ve come here even though it’s further.

Tell them what you want. Just be honest and open and genuine.

Hope you have better luck.

Unfortunately you will be told the same. It is generally a 2 year wait I’m afraid. In some respects 2 years is fairly decent.

CS should always be good but sadly these days ADs are sick and tired of having to explain the current hyper over demand situation. But that’s not our fault.

I hope you have luck locally. I have 2 independents near. 1 is shocking and 1 is the best watch buying experience I’ve ever had. Amazing bunch of guys and girls

[scott-f84]

Thank you for all the replies, it's much appreciated.

I have only registered my interest at 1 of the 3 AD's in my area. The only thing putting me off getting my name on the waiting list at the other 2 is that all 3 AD's are Goldsmiths and I read on here a little while ago that if you register with more than one Goldsmiths you get blacklisted.

My 2 nearest independents are each 100 miles away from me. Could always go for a couple of days out to see how the land lies with them? Just figured that the fact I wasn't local might count against me.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by scott-f84

Thank you for all the replies, it's much appreciated.

I have only registered my interest at 1 of the 3 AD's in my area. The only thing putting me off getting my name on the waiting list at the other 2 is that all 3 AD's are Goldsmiths and I read on here a little while ago that if you register with more than one Goldsmiths you get blacklisted.

My 2 nearest independents are each 100 miles away from me. Could always go for a couple of days out to see how the land lies with them? Just figured that the fact I wasn't local might count against me.

they do check how many lists you are on, for sure. I know they won't sell you one if you are on multiple WL. I also think they see what you are on lists for IE populars only

[AK797]

Originally Posted by scott-f84

Thank you for all the replies, it's much appreciated.

I have only registered my interest at 1 of the 3 AD's in my area. The only thing putting me off getting my name on the waiting list at the other 2 is that all 3 AD's are Goldsmiths and I read on here a little while ago that if you register with more than one Goldsmiths you get blacklisted.

My 2 nearest independents are each 100 miles away from me. Could always go for a couple of days out to see how the land lies with them? Just figured that the fact I wasn't local might count against me.

Go to the Indies and see but make sure you look like a WIS and not a flipper so you have to sell yourself, meanwhile keep saving for a grey and after a set period of waiting if they will even give you a timeline, then go grey.

[jonathon555]

With purchase history you can pretty much get what you want , when you want within reason

However I struggled to get a milgauss z blue from my ad

But blnr jubilee no problem

I could get a sub date tomorrow as my ad says they always have 3 in the safe

[peterskinner]

I think the Speedy Pro is a brilliant watch, every bit as good....if different...to a Sub. So why shouldn’t he buy and enjoy one. Without all the silly angst. They’re just watches, two among many.