Hey guys, Grundig needs some help!

[grundig]

Well, I've recently decided that I'd like a Submariner 14060 and there is one for sale around the corner from me in Toronto. In Canada here, we pay more for our watches, although the exchange rate between the Canadian/Amercan dollar would imply that we're paying too much. This kind of watch here retails for $6320 + 13% tax = $7,140. (kind of a rip-off since our dollar is about 96 cents US). This fellow is asking $4,800 for a new, never worn watch. I emailed him and he agreed that if we could arrange a price he would meet me at an authorized dealer for verification and then we could conclude the transaction. He said he won the watch in a Casino promotion and he never used it because he has a similiar watch already. Sure, could be. What do guys think?

This transaction aside, the two things I'm concerned about when buying a resale watch is authenticity and avoiding the purchase of a stolen watch. It'd be nice if people had their purchase receipt - but sometimes they won't. Can the AD verify that it's not stolen?

The link is http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ176480368

[Nicko]

Don't pay those prices, too much if you ask me. Why don't you look around here and after you can, post a WTB on the forum and see if anyone has a nice pre-loved one for sale. Welcome to the forum and good luck my friend.

[CBG1]

I am not too familiar with the Kijiji site, but everytime when I've been searching for things, whether it be a Rolex, a Specialized S-Works, or other stuff of my pleasures and passions, the Kijiji site always turns up deals that seem slightly too good to be true. But it may be that that site is bigger/more used in CA then US, where it's predominantly craigslist and ebay.
You're smart to meet at an AD. But I agree with the above, these are posted near the $3k USD mark here and other watch sites.
good luck!

[grundig]

Well, initially it does sound like a higher price compared to US.

But, buying an American watch when in Canada poses it's own problems. You start by getting gouged simply in the exchange and it's premium fee by making payment in US dollars. You currently pay about $1.08 Cdn per US dollar. Secondly shipping is more expensive, and you've got to make sure not to fall into the trap of paying additional agency fees at the border. Also, when it crosses the border there is the 13% tax plus some additional duty fees. Add it all up and the comparable watch that I might buy in the US for, say, $3700 US isn't the buy that it would at first appear to be. And this way I can still have a face to face transaction and confirmation at the AD. Of course it all depends if I can negotiate a "reasonable" price with the vendor . . .