Trusted seller vs AD question

[kepr]

Hiya

If you buy from a TRF trusted seller, what can you expect differently to buying from an AD? I don't mean the buying experience with nice carpets and jeweller-branded chocolates, I mean once you've got home with your new watch - what's different about it then?

Specifically, how will the warranty differ? Will you get a warranty card with the name of the AD that it came from, and when will it be dated, and will it be honoured by Rolex? Or do trusted sellers somehow hide the grey market origin so you're stuffed from a warranty perspective?

Cheers!

[Submariner2015]

Slightly less piece of mind with warranty but the trade off will be in discount offered and perhaps taxes...the only two reasons people usually go to a gray market dealer--no risk no reward type of philosophy.

Statistically, better chance of receiving the same type of watch you would get at the AD if you buy from TRF trusted sellers but the saying still holds: Caveat Emptor.

P.S. Box and papers included--warranty card, dated perhaps earlier or later than receipt of watch, all other things should be in order. Technically, buying from gray dealer should "void" the warranty...

[tkerrmd]

you do it to have a no worry hassle free experience with complete satisfaction and no gee I wonder questions left

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by kepr

Hiya

If you buy from a TRF trusted seller, what can you expect differently to buying from an AD? I don't mean the buying experience with nice carpets and jeweller-branded chocolates, I mean once you've got home with your new watch - what's different about it then?

Specifically, how will the warranty differ? Will you get a warranty card with the name of the AD that it came from, and when will it be dated, and will it be honoured by Rolex? Or do trusted sellers somehow hide the grey market origin so you're stuffed from a warranty perspective?

Cheers!

Being in the UK, the vast majority of TRF trusted sellers are no use to you as they are in the States and you will have to pay VAT and customs duty. Better to go to Italy for the weekend and get an AD discount there.

[kepr]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Better to go to Italy for the weekend and get an AD discount there.

Thanks for the advice. I bought my new DD from an AD in mainland Europe but it wasn't Italy. What sort of discount do you think Italian ADs can offer on gold and platinum models? Do they discount legitimately, or via some VAT dodge, or a combo?

[ec51]

Originally Posted by Submariner2015

Slightly less piece of mind with warranty but the trade off will be in discount offered and perhaps taxes...the only two reasons people usually go to a gray market dealer--no risk no reward type of philosophy.

Statistically, better chance of receiving the same type of watch you would get at the AD if you buy from TRF trusted sellers but the saying still holds: Caveat Emptor.

P.S. Box and papers included--warranty card, dated perhaps earlier or later than receipt of watch, all other things should be in order. Technically, buying from gray dealer should "void" the warranty...

Incorrect.

If the watch is first purchased from an AD and the warranty card is properly filled out and dated, but then re-sold by the grey -- the warranty is 100% valid.

[hchj]

Probably AD is a better choice amidst the strong rumours that Rolex will extend its warranty to 5 yrs from 1 July

[WatchMeRun]

Just bought one Friday from Evanisrushin, a TRF seller. Great transaction, huge savings on watch that was worn a handful of times a arrived to me in perfect condition nearly $4k less than retail. I was nervous, but after this I'll never go to an AD again, especially an in-state one where I'll have to pay taxes.


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[ec51]

Originally Posted by hchj

Probably AD is a better choice amidst the strong rumours that Rolex will extend its warranty to 5 yrs from 1 July

Again, if the watch is purchased new at an AD and the warranty card is properly filled out and dated --- and then the watch is re-sold by the original purchaser (grey dealer), why wouldn't the new 5 year warranty apply?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by kepr

Thanks for the advice. I bought my new DD from an AD in mainland Europe but it wasn't Italy. What sort of discount do you think Italian ADs can offer on gold and platinum models? Do they discount legitimately, or via some VAT dodge, or a combo?

A combination of the weak euro, discounting, and an AD willing to absorb the sales tax got me a very good deal in a small town Tuscany last year. Better than I could have found here.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

A combination of the weak euro, discounting, and an AD willing to absorb the sales tax got me a very good deal in a small town Tuscany last year. Better than I could have found here.

Funny. Many of the trusted sellers watches sold here that are not U.S. AD ones are sourced from the country of Italy. Is the Rolex market in that country that bad?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ec51

Again, if the watch is purchased new at an AD and the warranty card is properly filled out and dated --- and then the watch is re-sold by the original purchaser (grey dealer), why wouldn't the new 5 year warranty apply?

Wrong.. If you are buying from a re-seller you are buying a used watch even if it has never been worn.

It is not a Grey Dealer or Grey Market watch, different animals. If the re-seller is selling Grey Market watches and claims it is valid and fills in your name he is committing fraud.

[cdmorenot]

I've yet to buy my first Rolex as there are some internal issues I must get over before I pull the plug. However, I have visited many ADs recently and have spoken to several trusted sellers and I've come to the conclusion that for me, the only difference is price. I do not need the royal treatment, or a warranty card under my name. I think that with due diligence (and help from TRF) I can obtain the same satisfaction and 100% peace of mind that I would get if I bought directly from an AD.

[GB-man]

You can expect to pay less and get the same rolex provided you do your homework on the seller. Unless you have a very good relationship with an AD, in which case that makes more sense.

[ec51]

Originally Posted by Tools

Wrong.. If you are buying from a re-seller you are buying a used watch even if it has never been worn.

It is not a Grey Dealer or Grey Market watch, different animals. If the re-seller is selling Grey Market watches and claims it is valid and fills in your name he is committing fraud.

Larry, I think you might be reading too far into my statement.

If the original purchaser buys a watch new at an AD and the warranty card is properly dated and filled in with buyer's name and this buyer -- whoever he or she may be --- grey dealer or not...sells the watch as used or like new....with the original warranty card filled as it originally was...

--- the warranty should still be valid, no?

[Submariner2015]

Originally Posted by ec51

Incorrect.

If the watch is first purchased from an AD and the warranty card is properly filled out and dated, but then re-sold by the grey -- the warranty is 100% valid.

This comes up frequently..

A legitimate Grey Market Dealer sells new watches, imported, bypassing the legitimate country Distributor, and they are sold WITHOUT A VALID WARRANTY. They will always tell you so if they are honest, and they frequently include their own in-house warranty.

There are re-sellers though, and they sell watches bought overseas from AD's that do come with a warranty - these are not "Grey Market". Other sellers can act as a middleman due to their relationship with an AD, to by a watch and may also come with a warranty..

You have to do your research and know what you are buying.

Above quoted from Larry （aka TOOLS)

[jon_jon]

I would say the main difference between a re-seller, whether a Trusted seller here or one of the major online re-sellers, and an AD is the price and availability. You have to think about how much you are saving and if it is worth it compared to the peace of mind you get from buying from an AD, who may also discount, depending on the watch model and inventory.

[Highland Ranger]

AD:
- Real Rolex
- Factory Warranty
- Not a franken watch or watch with surprise inside
- Not stolen or watch you get to send to Rolex for service and not have it confiscated

Anyplace else: potentially opposite of above where you risk any/all of those things for a few percentage points discount.

If you're buying a new Rolex, buy a new Rolex.

If you want to gamble, go to Las Vegas. (If you win then buy a new Rolex!)

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

I've yet to buy my first Rolex as there are some internal issues I must get over before I pull the plug. However, I have visited many ADs recently and have spoken to several trusted sellers and I've come to the conclusion that for me, the only difference is price. I do not need the royal treatment, or a warranty card under my name. I think that with due diligence (and help from TRF) I can obtain the same satisfaction and 100% peace of mind that I would get if I bought directly from an AD.

Very true! I bought my last two 5 figure watches from the same trusted seller from this forum and the last transaction saved me about $20K from the AD's selling price. I have all the things that come with the purchase meaning the warrantee card with my name, box, papers, tags, books etc.

[Mak2013]

On new watches, AD for me all the way. Its cheaper, great service, plus I support tax paying enterprise that provides jobs in my community


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[Mak2013]

Cosco is the Grey Dealer. If you buy a Rolex at Costco, you will not get Rolex warranty card


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[genauto]

I always go grey. Why pay more than necessary to get the same watch. Don't need AD experience at the cost of paying in some cases hundreds or even thousands of dollars more

[Mak2013]

Few top guys here like bodybump and takuya are world class.



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[997.2]

you can trust a handful of the guys here and also save a handful. if you want to be able to tell people who ask you 'where did you buy that Rolex?': "at San Francisco Rolex Authorized Dealer" instead of "a guy online named David" to get that reputation and make yourself look better, do it, but that's not my bag baby!

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by ec51

Larry, I think you might be reading too far into my statement.

If the original purchaser buys a watch new at an AD and the warranty card is properly dated and filled in with buyer's name and this buyer -- whoever he or she may be --- grey dealer or not...sells the watch as used or like new....with the original warranty card filled as it originally was...

--- the warranty should still be valid, no?

Virtually every Rolex watch was first sold by an AD. Other than perhaps the winner of a car race or golf tournament where Rolex was the title sponsor and a watch straight from Geneva is presented by Rolex to the winner, I can't think of any other circumstance that a watch gets into circulation other than through an authorized dealer.

Don't know about around the world but in the USA the warranty follows the watch, regardless whose name is on the original warranty card. The one potential problem (in the USA anyway) when buying from a reseller like a trusted seller here is the wording of the warranty that says something to the effect that the warranty covers "any watch originally purchased by a consumer...

This leaves an out in coverage if the watch was first sold by the AD to a reselling dealer who clearly is not a consumer. For practical purposes however, there is very little chance that the RSC could prove the watch was not purchased by a consumer if there is an individual's name on the card. Now, if the buyers name said "Alan Furman Jewelers" or "Jomashop" you would probably have a problem. Short of that though, they would have little choice but to honor the warranty. I personally haven't heard of any watch sold through a trusted seller here that was refused warranty service.

[Mr. K]

Either way is pretty safe if you do your homework

[rdragon]

If we are based in the US and buy from a trusted seller in the US...but the watch is not from the US, does that have any impact on the warranty or anything else? Thanks.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by rdragon

If we are based in the US and buy from a trusted seller in the US...but the watch is not from the US, does that have any impact on the warranty or anything else? Thanks.

No they all come from one place Switzerland although Rolex USA is a separate company from the rest of the world,as long as the warranty is signed by a official AD world wide the watch could be bought in Timbucktoo.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

AD:
- Real Rolex
- Factory Warranty
- Not a franken watch or watch with surprise inside
- Not stolen or watch you get to send to Rolex for service and not have it confiscated

Anyplace else: potentially opposite of above where you risk any/all of those things for a few percentage points discount.

If you're buying a new Rolex, buy a new Rolex.

If you want to gamble, go to Las Vegas. (If you win then buy a new Rolex!)

This is true, but odds are not as bad as Vegas. Yes you can get screwed on many fronts, but chances are slim if you play it right. But you are correct, if not an AD you are taking a chance.

[EWC]

I just purchase a Blue TT Sub from a trusted UK seller, New all seals in place dated 27/07/15 so green tag and 5 year warranty. UK AD price £8950 I paid £7900 so £1050 saving inc vat.