Sub date AD discounts

[SubmarinerSA]

No discount in South Africa. Was told in January by various AD's that they would not discount the price on a SS Sub date. Paid full price - happily as I wanted it and the price in SA was still about the same as I could have bought the watch for in the Caribbean in December with no taxes and the discounts they offered and a fair bit less than the price in Vegas (Ceasars Forum) which would not discount.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by Quailhunter

I am a long term customer of an AD and have spent significant sums there. Recently bought a BLNR at list. The manager would have given me a discount if possible. I did get a next day delivery. I looked at a Sub Date and, again, no discount. These watches sell quickly and the ADs just don't have to budge on price. I'm not saying no AD discounts sports watches, just not in my experience. I looked at trading a DayDate in on a newer model. I was offered a discount in the form of a very generous trade value.

LTR w AD and no discount on SS? In my experience, there have been many who get SMALL discounts on SS sport models. I was offered a discount equivalent to the tax on a Sub date at a popular AD without even asking. Maybe you are not offered a discount because your AD knows that you will pay retail if he tells you he would like to give you a discount but can't? I'd be surprised if there aren't other Rolex buyers in Georgia who are getting small discounts from ADs on SS sport models.

[Xerxes77]

For Sub SS it's hard to get a big discount!

[Esoteric]

I'm new to watch collecting and would consider myself a poor negotiator. I have purchased 6 Rolex watches between 2013 and 2017 in Europe from several different AD's and been offered a discount every time.

The list includes not only popular models but some hard to source ones too, e.g.: Sub-C Date, Sea-Dweller 4000, Datejust, Daytona 116500, GMT II BLRO, DSSD D-Blue.

The minimum I received was about 10% off of a SubC-Date and more for precious metal.

Perhaps the UK is a special case at the moment, given the shortages (and particularly in the larger cities) but I find it hard to believe that you can't generally get a discount on a sub.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

If CC fees are 3%, why would an AD not discount 3% for cash? Principle?

Maybe an AD figures taking a stack of large bills (not knowing if there is a sophisticated counterfeit in the lot) from an unknown individual is more risky than a CC / ID with Visa / MC authorization?

[phil40000]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

Well then you gave awful advice. What, are you special? You're entitled to a discount but bye isn't? Weird

Are you hard of thinking? The OP asked what kind of discount he could reasonably expect from a Rolex AD.

I did not get mine directly from an AD, one of the reasons being they were not prepared to chip when approached.


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[phil40000]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Don't trust, sorry. Unless your in relations with AD. No point for any AD to throw away money to sell the watch which they can't keep in stock!

'Dont trust'? Like I care what you think.

My watch came new, fully sealed and I saved 10%. Yes the warranty is in my name and I had some minor warranty work done soon after arrival so I know it's genuine.

Surely people don't hate because someone was more resourceful than them?


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[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Why would any dealer, anywhere....need to discount the SS Rolex Submariner?

Just leaving money on the table...

The full price, is the fair price on this model.

Because not all dealers are in major markets and believe it or not, there are AD's in the US where SS Subs sit in the case for months and months. Not many, but they are out there. Gotta pay the bills and you have an interested customer who's asking for a lower price, you give them something.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by phil40000

Are you hard of thinking? The OP asked what kind of discount he could reasonably expect from a Rolex AD.

I did not get mine directly from an AD, one of the reasons being they were not prepared to chip when approached.


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Wow...I'm done exchanging with you because you make ZERO valuable sense!
First you tell a guy to expect zero discount, which in my part of the world is nonsense. Then when I remind you that he is not n the UK, as everything seems to overpriced and hard to find there, you state that you in fact received 10 percent discount.
Now you state that you didn't buy from an AD!! Then what value in the world does that have to the OP who s clearly asking about discounts from an AD in North America????

[AMCK87]

To flat out say that getting a sub date from and AD at 20 off is impossible is pretty foolish and plainly incorrect. ADs require a ton of working capital and not all of their lines (watxhes and jewelry) are constantly selling. For every sub or GMT they are sitting on date just and OPs for months on end that are all paid for and money is tied up. At any given time, an AD might need cash flow and can consider discounting a Sub if it helps their liquidity needs. Does it happen all the time? No. Is it a super rare occurrence? No.


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[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by AMehta87

To flat out say that getting a sub date from and AD at 20 off is impossible is pretty foolish and plainly incorrect. ADs require a ton of working capital and not all of their lines (watxhes and jewelry) are constantly selling. For every sub or GMT they are sitting on date just and OPs for months on end that are all paid for and money is tied up. At any given time, an AD might need cash flow and can consider discounting a Sub if it helps their liquidity needs. Does it happen all the time? No. Is it a super rare occurrence? No.




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Exactly correct. There are some people on here who say that no AD anywhere in the US discounts, which is flat out wrong. Between my friends and I, I can name at least 10 states where one of us has gotten a discount of 5 or more on any SS you can think of and many of us have gotten 10,15 and even 20. Maybe not in NYC, Vegas, or Miami(though I know someone who has gotten 10 off in Miami) but plenty of other places out there where business is not as guaranteed as it is in a heavily touristed area.

[watchwatcher]

For you, your majesty, I would think pretty good.

[CDNWatchNut]

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

Exactly correct. There are some people on here who say that no AD anywhere in the US discounts, which is flat out wrong. Between my friends and I, I can name at least 10 states where one of us has gotten a discount of 5 or more on any SS you can think of and many of us have gotten 10,15 and even 20. Maybe not in NYC, Vegas, or Miami(though I know someone who has gotten 10 off in Miami) but plenty of other places out there where business is not as guaranteed as it is in a heavily touristed area.

While 20% may be a stretch, some kind of discount in many markets is not out of the question. Even at 20% there is still decent gross margin left which for some AD's maybe enough to cover the overheads and still make a nice profit. A sale at a small profit is better than no sale.

[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

While 20% may be a stretch, some kind of discount in many markets is not out of the question. Even at 20% there is still decent gross margin left which for some AD's maybe enough to cover the overheads and still make a nice profit. A sale at a small profit is better than no sale.

Yup. I would guess that there are way more Ad's in the US that discount than those who don't. The reality is these are businesses with bills to pay and people to pay. They all have slow months etc. Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter, they do it. I had this conversation with one of the AD's I do business with a couple years ago. He is part owner in a small AD. Not a big fish in Rolex eyes. He treats me very well. Business is not always consistent, whether its wedding bands, Rolexes, or one of their other lines. He said depending on the day of the month, he is just as likely to give a guy off the street 15 off on anything in the store as he is not. All depends on whatever variables are affecting their business at that time. And heres the thing, their variables will be different than the AD in the next town over.

[KingRichard]

Originally Posted by AMehta87

To flat out say that getting a sub date from and AD at 20 off is impossible is pretty foolish and plainly incorrect. ADs require a ton of working capital and not all of their lines (watxhes and jewelry) are constantly selling. For every sub or GMT they are sitting on date just and OPs for months on end that are all paid for and money is tied up. At any given time, an AD might need cash flow and can consider discounting a Sub if it helps their liquidity needs. Does it happen all the time? No. Is it a super rare occurrence? No.


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Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

Exactly correct. There are some people on here who say that no AD anywhere in the US discounts, which is flat out wrong. Between my friends and I, I can name at least 10 states where one of us has gotten a discount of 5 or more on any SS you can think of and many of us have gotten 10,15 and even 20. Maybe not in NYC, Vegas, or Miami(though I know someone who has gotten 10 off in Miami) but plenty of other places out there where business is not as guaranteed as it is in a heavily touristed area.

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

While 20% may be a stretch, some kind of discount in many markets is not out of the question. Even at 20% there is still decent gross margin left which for some AD's maybe enough to cover the overheads and still make a nice profit. A sale at a small profit is better than no sale.

So maybe my initial offer of 20% won't be that unreasonable then. I'm happy to hear this. I just don't want to walk in their and make them an offer that will offend them. Now I'm leaning toward pushing hard for 20 and taking no less than 15

[j.mo]

I've been to 3 ad's now with cash. Ironically the first one I went to was the only offered discount. $7700, no tax for cash and shipped out of state. I have a FL address also and that would suffice. I'm in California.
2nd ad had no stock, 3rd was in a ritzy area and I KNEW there would be no negotiation but it was worth a try.
I'll most likely be ordering through Takuya, ocrolexguy, or davidsw

[Jim P]

Originally Posted by phil40000

If you haggle hard and really know what you are doing you can expect to get up to 0% discount.


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Reality in New York, too.

[Jim P]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

I love that 7 people have said 20%....
hilarious!!!

Yes, 20% off a SubC date is NOT happening anywhere.

[RaceDoc]

I hate the game the US ADs play. It is possible with some work to get 5 to 10% off depending on the model.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by phil40000

'Dont trust'? Like I care what you think.

My watch came new, fully sealed and I saved 10%. Yes the warranty is in my name and I had some minor warranty work done soon after arrival so I know it's genuine.

Surely people don't hate because someone was more resourceful than them?

Originally Posted by AMehta87

To flat out say that getting a sub date from and AD at 20 off is impossible is pretty foolish and plainly incorrect.

Well, there's another thread running parallel where they discuss how difficult is to get SS Rolex in UK.. and we are talking about 20% of the best seller SubC Date in UK!! That surely will be a hard sell!!

Nothing more to say!!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=529663

[AMCK87]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Well, there's another thread running parallel where they discuss how difficult is to get SS Rolex in UK.. and we are talking about 20% of the best seller SubC Date in UK!! That surely will be a hard sell!!



Nothing more to say!!



https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=529663

Yes, there are certain markets such as the UK or major metropolitan cities around the world where discounts are not likely. But fortunately there are ADs in every nook and cranny, particularly in the US, and most don't have the same demand situation. In the end, as long as you are happy with the deal you get, that is all that matters


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[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Jim P

Yes, 20% off a SubC date is NOT happening anywhere.

Why is it so hard for you to believe? Yes, it happens, rare but it happens. 5, 10 etc probably happen almost daily somewhere in the US. You're probably 100% correct it does not happen near you, going by your avatar location.

[patgilm]

I am looking for my first Rolex, a BLNR. I went to several ADs in my area (DC, VA, MD) and some had wait lists (not many, like 3-4 people) and none would give discounts. I forgot about one place that I bought a diamond from for my wife a couple years ago and dealt with the owner directly and figured I would see if he remembered me and whether I could get a discount. He is going to give me a discount and I should have it this week when it comes in and will post the discount but it will be better than 6% (which is our sales tax).

Another friend of mine just bought a SS Sub Date from an AD and he got 6% off which basically covers our tax.

I would buy from a seller on these forums but it doesn't seem like the discounts are all that much on the BLNR that are NITB, some are only a few hundred which IMO isn't enough to justify buying from them.

[nick800]

Rolex at HKIA usually offers 5% as soon as you look at a watch. They offered that to me on a Sub Date a couple months ago. But they wouldn't discount a BLNR.

My local AD offered $500 off a BLNR recently (USA).

[mikebike]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Save yourself the time and trouble and buy from one of our sellers.

Where can one find more information about "our sellers"? You mean the watches in the "For sale" area of the forum?

[Jim P]

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

Why is it so hard for you to believe? Yes, it happens, rare but it happens. 5, 10 etc probably happen almost daily somewhere in the US. You're probably 100% correct it does not happen near you, going by your avatar location.

Then you should provide the original poster of an exact AD and location where he/she can get 20% off a SubC.

[jonnyz1245]

As mentioned there are variables that go into obtaining discounts. Surely you don't think there is a sign flashing 20% off SubCs today? In your reply you said it never happens. There are multiple forum members, including me, who have had a different experience. Pretty hard to argue facts. Sorry if you're unable due to your local market or negotiating skills to obtain a discount. Good luck


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[Bfd70]

Walked in and got 10% off first purchase. In this town that about covers tax.

[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Jim P

Then you should provide the original poster of an exact AD and location where he/she can get 20% off a SubC.

OP didn't ask for that. He asked for peoples recent experience. I answered his question with recent and relevant facts. I then responded to your reply which said it will never happen anywhere. That is false. It happens and way more than you think.