Best to buy in the USA or England?

[al_bongo]

Originally Posted by tattooedfagin

myself & many others have without any issues. patience & doing your homework first always pays dividends & most non UK TRF sellers are a dream to deal with & very accommodating

Just wouldn't be comfortable going this route.

[Woody]

Originally Posted by jay1988

Am I wrong in saying that if you bought from USA you could technically claim the VAT back at the airport ?
Also you don't have to declare it when you come back. Nobody at customs is gonna ask about a watch on your wrist are they ? Not to mention the fact I've never been stopped at customs. You just walk right on through and then there's the slim chance you get stopped and the slimmer chance that they work out the Rolex on your wrist was bought abroad...
Assuming the Rolex was for personal use you wouldn't technically be breaking the law by not declaring it.

Customs may very well ask you to provide proof of purchase/payment of duty & VAT and if you can't they can seize the watch. You might be surprised about how much many Customs Officers know about watches and their value etc. As far as personal use is concerned then it makes no difference....you are still smuggling and are required to declare any goods purchased in excess of your personal allowance (£390).

[sub2004]

Hi mate

One thing you should consider is after sales service. Buying from your local would mean that you do get personal assitance and after sales service.

Yes all Rolex do come with a world wide warranty, but its so much easier when you buy from your local dealer.

Dont stress too much about the posts about "smuggling" etc. The UK Govt and Her Majesty's justice system have more important things to worry about then a watch on a persons wrist. I think the UK common law would provide an exclusion for "personal effects" even if they were over 350 pounds.

[Bushbaby]

Thanks to so much good advice here, I've made up my mind.

The Florida route strikes me as something most people could probably "get away with". The trouble is that phrase. It makes me feel like I'm doing something I shouldn't. And knowing my luck, at the airport, I'd be stopped, embarrassed and penalised. I'm a lousy liar too.

So with the help and advice from some people who PM'd me, I found a good deal in the UK. I bought a BNIB TT Sub C with a black bezel and dial. I hesitate to say how much I paid, but I think it's a bargain. The dealer also features in the Good Guys threads I have read too. Just waiting on the postal service.

I'd like to thank everyone for their interest and help especially Luke (Rolexplorer2). He's spent so much time calming my nerves.

Hey I'm part of the club.

[Alan G]

Hi Andre welome to the TRF

You have some good feedback to ponder through,

I have bought both abroad and in the UK, in my opinion with a mega deal you can wear it on the way back and post the box before you leave, but to be honest I have found new prices very similar and as mentioned if customs do stop you you can be in for 25% import duty plus 20%vat making it a very expensive purchase.

I have also looke in the Caribbean a few times and found Rolex to be not much cheaper e ither (although I have seen Tags and Breitlings with good savings ex tax)and was once told that Rolex adust their prices along side exchange rates to keep a good world wide balance, I believe most peoples savings are via tax free options depending on their country of origin.

My advice would be the same as Chris buy in the UK , haggle for a bit of discount in worst case consider a reputable grey dealer.

Buy now and put it away if its too early for you.

I would expect a price increase before the end of the year as we hav'nt had one for a while and remember dealer numbers are being reduced with a strong push away from discounts in the future which is good for owners but not buyers.
Lets be honest they are unlikley to go down and I also read dealer margins are being reduced.

Good Luck

enjoy it

Alan

[MoBe]

Originally Posted by Bushbaby

Thanks to so much good advice here, I've made up my mind.

The Florida route strikes me as something most people could probably "get away with". The trouble is that phrase. It makes me feel like I'm doing something I shouldn't. And knowing my luck, at the airport, I'd be stopped, embarrassed and penalised. I'm a lousy liar too.

So with the help and advice from some people who PM'd me, I found a good deal in the UK. I bought a BNIB TT Sub C with a black bezel and dial. I hesitate to say how much I paid, but I think it's a bargain. The dealer also features in the Good Guys threads I have read too. Just waiting on the postal service.

I'd like to thank everyone for their interest and help especially Luke (Rolexplorer2). He's spent so much time calming my nerves.

Hey I'm part of the club.

A wise decision.

[Chris B]

Watches have current import duty rate of 4.5% & then (almost criminal) VAT at 20%,



A handy link to bookmark http://www.dutycalculator.com/

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by Woody

Customs may very well ask you to provide proof of purchase/payment of duty & VAT and if you can't they can seize the watch. You might be surprised about how much many Customs Officers know about watches and their value etc. As far as personal use is concerned then it makes no difference....you are still smuggling and are required to declare any goods purchased in excess of your personal allowance (£390).

So whenever people go abroad with their Rolex they need to take proof of purchase with them ? I never carry proof of purchase for any of my watches and don't know anyone who does. I've never heard of anyone having a watch seized either and my boss carries nine watches worth around £200k between them.

I'm not saying you're wrong but what I'm saying is I'm sure this seizing thing is more of a something they can do opposed to something they actually do. If buying in America was such a bad idea then I'm sure there would be some stories of people that got taxed.

[Lanfor]

Congrats, enjoy it

[A.I.]

Originally Posted by Bushbaby

Thanks to so much good advice here, I've made up my mind.

The Florida route strikes me as something most people could probably "get away with". The trouble is that phrase. It makes me feel like I'm doing something I shouldn't. And knowing my luck, at the airport, I'd be stopped, embarrassed and penalised. I'm a lousy liar too.

So with the help and advice from some people who PM'd me, I found a good deal in the UK. I bought a BNIB TT Sub C with a black bezel and dial. I hesitate to say how much I paid, but I think it's a bargain. The dealer also features in the Good Guys threads I have read too. Just waiting on the postal service.

I'd like to thank everyone for their interest and help especially Luke (Rolexplorer2). He's spent so much time calming my nerves.

Hey I'm part of the club.

Smart move

[Bushbaby]

Originally Posted by Alan G

My advice would be the same as Chris buy in the UK , haggle for a bit of discount in worst case consider a reputable grey dealer.

I would expect a price increase before the end of the year as we hav'nt had one for a while and remember dealer numbers are being reduced with a strong push away from discounts in the future which is good for owners but not buyers.

enjoy it

Alan

This is the route I have gone for. I'm assuming that a "Grey Dealer" is someone who is not an AD but still trades in BNIB watches?

I've bought from a guy who has a solid reputation and who I believe was offering an absolute bargain. Our contact with each other has been flawless and has reinforced my belief and confidence in him. I already have a proof of purchase showing the watch model number, serial number and how much VAT I've paid. The document also shows his VAT registration and company address. He's even phoned me to confirm I will be at home to receive the delivery tomorrow. It's all very efficient.

Another factor in buying before I go to Florida was the possible price increase. I'm not thinking too much about the resale value of my watch as I intend to keep it, but I just don't want to pay extra now.

Anyway, I'll post a picture of my new purchase when I get it. So exciting.

Is it my imagination or are there quite a few new threads on here from people talking about their first purchase? That makes me feel good too.

[wantonebad]

No brainer for me, find a UK trusted seller and buy from them, you don't have to deal with tax or import issues.