And this, ladies & gentlemen, is how you purchase a Rolex!!

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

Just my thoughts and ideas on how to go about the REAL way to buy a new Rolex.

1. Call up your favourite AD and tell him/her about the model you're interested in.

2. If you're relationship with your AD is really good, you can negotiate a fair price over the phone.

3. Dress up casual, but dress up smart, and drive over to your AD.

4. Find a convenient parking spot which will allow for at least ONE hour uninterrupted parking.

5. Step up to the security glass door and push the buzzer.

6. Sexy lady behind the counter will take one look at you and open the door for you.

7. You walk in with a big smile on your face!!

8. Young lady invites you take a seat and then brings out the Rolex of your choice.

9. You take a deep breath and smell all that Rolex air about you!!

10. The watch of your choice is laid out on the Rolex felt pad in front of you on the glass counter.

11. Ask the lady for the watch-maker's loupe and spend the next FIVE minutes giving the watch a thorough going-over. Check specially the DIAL and BEZEL for any QC flaws.

12. Make sure all the paper work and doo-dads are complete.

13. Pay for the watch and make sure the lady fills in the plastic warranty card with your name and current date.

14. Get the watch resized (if necessary) and ensure that the clasp sits dead centre of your wrist. AD will help you in this respect.

15. Thank the lady for her excellent service and walk out of the dealer's showroom one happy chappy!!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is IMHO the BEST and ONLY way to buy a new Rolex.

Any comments?

Cheers all - JJ

[frostie]

Nicely said JJ.

[nko51]

Okay! which Rolex did you buy this time?

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by nko51

Okay! which Rolex did you buy this time?

If and when I buy my next Rolex, you won't get a thread like the one above. All you'll get is a very large flurry of over-sized pictures!!

[USMCsilver]

Originally Posted by nko51

Okay! which Rolex did you buy this time?

None! Didn't you notice, he still has his EXP II.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by USMCsilver

None! Didn't you notice, he still has his EXP II.

[Paulie]

I walked into my local AD, in shorts and t-shirt, uncombed hair, almost homeless in appearance, but I did have my GMTII on. No locked door here, went straight over to the Rolex cases and peered longingly at an white EXPYII and Plat Day-Date. Was greeted within 15 seconds of parking in front of the cases, as she had to finish up with another customer. Within a couple minutes, the sales person came over, and I asked to see the following:

ExpyII, TT Blue Sub, Explorer original, Plat Day-Date, then we walked over and looked at ladies watches, and a couple of Datejusts and no date Precisions. A very nice older model Ladies precision, SS, smooth bezel, no date, white face with romans caught my eye. We discussed it a bit, by brief time in these fourms making it seem like I was a collector.

She said they will be having a customer appreciation sale later this month, and would put me on the list (I was a customer of this store back in 03 for our wedding bands, this was not the same sales person). Said I could put a deposit down to make sure the Ladies watch is held till the sale, but I declined for the time being, as I wanted to make sure on the sly what the spouse thinks of different styles (she likes clean, no bling, and oyster bracelets)

Do you think this AD is going to get my business (even if the watch I was looking at is sold???) :D

[RONeb]

Very nice

[Atl]

Don't the sheep get bored sitting out in the parking lot while you look at watches for an hour?

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

Just my thoughts and ideas on how to go about the REAL way to buy a new Rolex.

1. Call up your favourite AD and tell him/her about the model you're interested in.

2. If you're relationship with your AD is really good, you can negotiate a fair price over the phone.

3. Dress up casual, but dress up smart, and drive over to your AD.

4. Find a convenient parking spot which will allow for at least ONE hour uninterrupted parking.

5. Step up to the security glass door and push the buzzer.

6. Sexy lady behind the counter will take one look at you and open the door for you.

7. You walk in with a big smile on your face!!

8. Young lady invites you take a seat and then brings out the Rolex of your choice.

9. You take a deep breath and smell all that Rolex air about you!!

10. The watch of your choice is laid out on the Rolex felt pad in front of you on the glass counter.

11. Ask the lady for the watch-maker's loupe and spend the next FIVE minutes giving the watch a thorough going-over. Check specially the DIAL and BEZEL for any QC flaws.

12. Make sure all the paper work and doo-dads are complete.

13. Pay for the watch and make sure the lady fills in the plastic warranty card with your name and current date.

14. Get the watch resized (if necessary) and ensure that the clasp sits dead centre of your wrist. AD will help you in this respect.

15. Thank the lady for her excellent service and walk out of the dealer's showroom one happy chappy!!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is IMHO the BEST and ONLY way to buy a new Rolex.

Any comments?

Cheers all - JJ

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Hi guys,

Just my thoughts and ideas on how to go about the REAL way to buy a new Rolex.

1. Call up your favourite AD and tell him/her about the model you're interested in.

2. If you're relationship with your AD is really good, you can negotiate a fair price over the phone.

3. Dress up casual, but dress up smart, and drive over to your AD.

4. Find a convenient parking spot which will allow for at least ONE hour uninterrupted parking.

5. Step up to the security glass door and push the buzzer.

6. Sexy lady behind the counter will take one look at you and open the door for you.

7. You walk in with a big smile on your face!!

8. Young lady invites you take a seat and then brings out the Rolex of your choice.

9. You take a deep breath and smell all that Rolex air about you!!

10. The watch of your choice is laid out on the Rolex felt pad in front of you on the glass counter.

11. Ask the lady for the watch-maker's loupe and spend the next FIVE minutes giving the watch a thorough going-over. Check specially the DIAL and BEZEL for any QC flaws.

12. Make sure all the paper work and doo-dads are complete.

13. Pay for the watch and make sure the lady fills in the plastic warranty card with your name and current date.

14. Get the watch resized (if necessary) and ensure that the clasp sits dead centre of your wrist. AD will help you in this respect.

15. Thank the lady for her excellent service and walk out of the dealer's showroom one happy chappy!!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is IMHO the BEST and ONLY way to buy a new Rolex.

Any comments?

Cheers all - JJ

Suggestions?

1) Take out the lollipop in your mouth before entering the AD store
2) If the blonde sales' assistant asks you if the sheep staring out of the window from the back seat of your car, just say "This in neither my car, nor my sheep.
3) When inspection the Rolex crystal, do it the CLEVER way:
Make sure - while inspecting it - that you get a reflection of the blonde's cleavage in the crystal. That way you can gaze at it without embarrassing her

[Nick Hacko]

.

[mike]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

On contrary to all of above, if you are knowledgeable collector buying a VINTAGE Rolex watch, inspection with loupe is mandatory, and by not asking for loupe you are showing arrogance and disrespect to seller and timepiece. But even in this case, make sure to remain cultivated and treat the watch like you
would treat your new girlfriend on first night out: with utmost respect, like a true gentleman.

Bravo! Well said Nick!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

If you really want to make a complete clown of yourself than this is an important step

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

practice at home first and then bring and use your own loupe to inspect a watch

how arrogant!

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Most importantly: if you can not see any flaws ON A BRAND NEW WATCH by naked eye then you are either blind or flaws are not significant enough to warrant further inspection. And let me tell you one thing: I can personally love or hate Rolex but I am yet to see AN IMPERFECT dial on a brand new Rolex watch. The Rolex's QC is impeccable.

As IF! Try do a SEARCH, Nick, and you get a FLAWED SD dial (and this is just ONE example of bad dial QC!)

Well, never mind: here you have an example: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...024#post247024

[Solar]

Interesting to see this today JJ..........a buddy of mine just sent me an e-mail saying that he got burned on an EBay deal concerning a SD. He's in the process of trying to recover his funds right now............

To me, either buying used from an impeccable source, or new from an AD is the way to go.

Your words have a lot of wisdom. With due respect to one of the other posts, there are those of us here who can use a loupe, and I would also suggest taking a close look at a new purchase before taking it, just the prudent thing to do.

If the deal seems too good to be true.................

Chris

[Nick Hacko]

.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

so if you really want to impress that AD get yourself a loupe, practice at home first and then bring and use your own loupe to inspect a watch

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

I am only speaking from my own experience formed in dealings with customers on daily basis - actually 80+ hours per week since 1983.

Ahh, okay, Nick

80 hours a week!

That explains it, I think! You must be overworked and edgy, and then this - let's say it mildly "not so diplomatic" - post with your reply to JJ came up.

My suggestion (now to use your own previous piece of advice to JJ):

"Practice some sleep at home first and then bring and use your own loupe to inspect your replies before posting them"

[Kris]

Geez, those step that were listed make the Rolex buying experience out to look like a job interview.

[bayhillrolex]

What power loupe should you use ??
I'm a numismatist and commonly use a 5x to inspect coins (This all you really should need for coins)

[USMCsilver]

Originally Posted by bayhillrolex

What power loupe should you use ??
I'm a numismatist and commonly use a 5x to inspect coins (This all you really should need for coins)

10x is common in the jewelry world. However, I, myself, would never use one. I look at diamonds with loupes, that's it.

Like Nick said, no watch is perfect. If there's something wrong with the watch, so be it. If I never see it, I'll never know it is there. Hell, as soon as I walk out of the door, it's gonna get scratched. It's a watch -- who cares?

[mailman]

I liked my experience that I had yesterday much better. Saving that kind of dough is always a plus

[LouCan]

You were spying on me, right JJ ?

[Blue Bull]

Cash in hand at the right AD,secures less 25-28% discount.Brutally simple.

[Nick Hacko]

.

[Blue Bull]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Chris - I need 10 Daytonas 116520, five black and five white dial I am willing to pay RRP less 5%. According to your offer, the balance of 20-23% (AD's discount) is yours to keep. Let me know when you are ready - I am ready now.

Hmmm,thinking business BUT..... Read carefully,the Daytona I got was at MSRP,with only a week waiting list.No discount.At todays exchange in Aus$ that would be Aus $11070.50.There is no way they will give me 10 ss Daytonas anyway...
I waited a week because the AD said he likes to sell them to watch enthusiasts.not guys that buy them just to flip them for profit.I was lucky too.
I think its only worthwhile for a foreigner,buying a watch for him/herself,to shop here.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

If you really want to make a complete clown of yourself than this is an important step. Watchmakers loupes come with various power rating and dioptres and should never be held by hand so if you really want to impress that AD get yourself a loupe, practice at home first and then bring and use your own loupe to inspect a watch.

A loupe is tool of trade, if you don't have one and don't know how to use it then don't ask for it. 98% of watch buyers have no clue how to use it properly and there is noting funnier than to watch them how they fake an "inspection". Can you see the coronet down there? Yes, I can clearly see it (and he is holding the loupe upside down, 15 cm too far away from focus).

Asking a watchmaker to lend you his loupe is like asking your barrister to borrow his pen or asking doctor to play with stethoscope.

Most importantly: if you can not see any flaws ON A BRAND NEW WATCH by naked eye then you are either blind or flaws are not significant enough to warrant further inspection. And let me tell you one thing: I can personally love or hate Rolex but I am yet to see AN IMPERFECT dial on a brand new Rolex watch. The Rolex's QC is impeccable.

On contrary to all of above, if you are knowledgeable collector buying a VINTAGE Rolex watch, inspection with loupe is mandatory, and by not asking for loupe you are showing arrogance and disrespect to seller and timepiece. But even in this case, make sure to remain cultivated and treat the watch like you
would treat your new girlfriend on first night out: with utmost respect, like a true gentleman.

Sorry, Nick, but I find your reply to be rather obnoxious, pompous and demeaning.

I don't think I'm making a fool of myself by asking the AD for a loupe. Yes, I jolly well know how to use one.....been using one for almost 30 bloody years.

And as much as I love Rolex (you'd be hard pressed to find a greater die hard fan then me)....I think Rolex QC sucks at times.

I myself made the fatal mistake of going home with a white Exp-II three years ago and then found a large gash running through the black coronet on the dial.

Naturally, the papers had already been stamped and signed so I couldn't return the watch. Took it back to the AD for a dial change and all that took almost a month.

So I just try to be careful and examine the dial very carefully before the final payment.

What's so difficult to use in a loupe? A long as you get the correct magnification, I see no problem. I know how to use one so how the hell can you be so pompous in assuming that I don't know how to use one??

My ADs respect me and also respect my knowledge on the subject; so I don't need you or any other smartass watchmaker to teach me about the basics of Rolex.

And while on the subject, wasn't it you who only a few days ago was asking us laymen about some non-functional jewels in a Rolex?

Thank you - JJ

[Blue Bull]

Well,I have a loupe,bought at a fleamarket,made in China,for the atronomical fee of US$0.673 ....accurate at todays exchange rate at the time of writing this ... It even has three different strength plastic magnifying lenses.

Yes,I have used it to inspect my Rollies.

I respect JJs knowledge and Nick's watchmaker skills.Both proven in the archives of this great forum.

[Andad]

The best way is to buy one of JJ's FLIPPERS.

[leopardprey]

NIck,

I would have to disagree with you. For the Rolex watches I have bought in person, I have asked for a loupe and the ADs always provided one. Very easy to use as a magnifiying glass to observe.

Yes, Rolex does have QC issues at times. For example, the Exp II that JJ bought that had the gash on the dial, the Exp II that Chris bought that had the red paint on the 24 hour hand applied crooked and not to the end, and recently the GMT II, I purchased that had a very noticiable peice of lint/scrath on the dial that I had to return to get fixed. Then there was Flyjet's GMT II that had a defective cyclops that had to be fixed, etc. etc.

When paying over $5000 for a watch it is important to inspect and make sure dial is perfect and if it is not, to have the AD or RSC replace or fix.

[grm35]

Originally Posted by Nick Hacko

Chris - I need 10 Daytonas 116520, five black and five white dial I am willing to pay RRP less 5%. According to your offer, the balance of 20-23% (AD's discount) is yours to keep. Let me know when you are ready - I am ready now.

You sound like the "comic book guy" of watches in this thread...

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by USMCsilver

None! Didn't you notice, he still has his EXP II.

I really hope that your Expy is a keeper JJ. I will never tell you which watch to keep or not but the Expy has such a special place here in TRF I think. It is probably the most photographed Expy on here.