Saying Hello and AD Question

[FeelMyVibes]

Hey All,

I have been lurking this forum for a bit, and am trying to take the plunge by getting my first Rolex. Just wanted to say hello and get a perspective on something I heard from an AD today. I live in the DC area and have been trying to locate the exact watch I want while also trying to price it out from various AD. There is a grey market dealer in my area that has the watch at $1,500 under MSRP. I know, I know, I should just buy from trusted seller on here, but was hoping for the peace of mind of a piece coming from an AD. When emailing the AD's in my area, they responded that they did not have my configuration in stock but could order it for full MSRP. I replied that I already could get it under MSRP, but wanted it from an AD, could they match the price. Probably a bad idea over email, but I don't have time to visit every AD in the area to view inventory and price out pieces. This was the response from one AD, and I wondered the validity of his statement on grey market dealers.

"I would highly recommend going with an Authorized Rolex Dealer. Not only do you get the 5 year Rolex Warranty, it is also the only way to ensure that you are getting a completely authentic Rolex watch. Often times, grey market dealers purchase watches for Authorized Dealers overseas or from dealers who have had them in stock for a long time and need to get rid of them. If we order you a timepiece, it will come directly from Rolex and will never have been handled without gloves.

We do not quote prices over the phone or email but if you can stop in, we can discuss our price on this piece. If it is solely about price, I can tell you that we will not be able to match that price."

Thoughts?

Looking forward to being a member here, thanks in advance

[sensui]

My thoughts are the AD is trying to make a sale.

But here is the bottom line...some people can't buy from "trusted sellers" here and no matter how much verification/confirmation they get from watchmakers etc....they will have something gnawing @ the back of their mind about their purchase just because it went through a grey channel. If this is you, buy from an AD and be happy with your watch.

But the reality is, trusted sellers here live and die by their reputation and there's a reason why problems arise extremely rarely....and almost never about authenticity. It's all legit and their career in this world would be over the moment it gets out they handled/sold anything less than authentic.

[ras47]

A lot of the most prolific traders/sellers here are also AD's themselves. I get where the AD you spoke to was coming from. New is new, and full warranties are always nice to have. What you have to ask yourself is how much you can save with a pre-owned watch vs new, and what you lose. It's a mental calculous that only you can make.

[blue16613]

Originally Posted by sensui

My thoughts are the AD is trying to make a sale.

But here is the bottom line...some people can't buy from "trusted sellers" here and no matter how much verification/confirmation they get from watchmakers etc....they will have something gnawing @ the back of their mind about their purchase just because it went through a grey channel. If this is you, buy from an AD and be happy with your watch.

But the reality is, trusted sellers here live and die by their reputation and there's a reason why problems arise extremely rarely....and almost never about authenticity. It's all legit and their career in this world would be over the moment it gets out they handled/sold anything less than authentic.

First of all, you will never encounter a nicer, more fairly balanced person on this Forum than @sensui. His posts are great, informative and well worth reading.

Including this one.........

My take is that you ought to go visit this AD. He took the time to send you a nice, thoughtful reply. There is no way, ever, never he would offer you a discount in writing via e-mail. I read his note to you differently. I think he is saying "come visit and we will talk." Why not do so?

I disagree with some of @sensui's comments about trusted sellers but your question is about the ADs e-mail so, we'll leave it at that............

[Al1969]

What reference are you looking at ?

[FeelMyVibes]

Thanks very much for everyone's thoughts so far. I think I will go visit the AD shop, and see what they have to say, can't hurt.

I was looking to purchase a 116234 with what I would think is an uncommon configuration.

[ITony]

Go ahead and visit the AD. It sounds as though they would like to have a chance to earn your business. Sometimes it is not always about price.

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by FeelMyVibes

Thanks very much for everyone's thoughts so far. I think I will go visit the AD shop, and see what they have to say, can't hurt.

I was looking to purchase a 116234 with what I would think is an uncommon configuration.

Makes sense. The AD's email may have been an invitation to come in and discuss pricing or a ploy to get you into their store and hope they can sell you at full MSRP or sell you something they have in stock.

It's worth checking in and see how it goes. Part of the fun of buying is the chase.

[SodiumMonkey]

I would definitely go visit the AD. He is asking for a chance to earn your business. I think that's the best possible response to an e-mail inquiry you can get personally. I don't know what you were expecting to receive back via e-mail, but if it were me, that is the kind of response I would have been hoping for. Worst case scenario you "waste" a little time visiting an AD and looking at watches... which is always enjoyable. Good luck!

What configuration are you looking for? I'm just curious.

[77T]

First off, welcome to TRF.
And you are right, a "cold call" via email to check inventory and price from an unknown person isn't going to generate much interest among savvy AD salestrons.

Was that the only AD to reply?

It was pretty much the "company line" with a fair comment about price matching. If they actually have what you want, then maybe worth a visit to see it first-hand.

[RichM]

Welcome to TRF. Is the grey dealer you speak of Alan Furman? If so, you do not get a Rolex Warranty.

Stop in the nearest AD and see if they are willing to come down in price. I guess it depends on what you're buying, but some do discount first time buyers. It just happened to me. If the AD won't, try another.

If your local AD's are not willing to negotiate then you owe it to yourself to contact one of the sellers here on the RF. If you stick with any of the top five here, you'll have nothing to worry about.

Good luck and happy hunting. We await your incoming.

[Xerxes77]

[1William]

Why not go ahead and contact several Trusted Sellers here and ask them what they can get the watch for. That way when you go into the AD you will know what is on the other side of the table and make an informed decision about what is offered at the AD. For less than $500.00 in difference I would go with an AD. If more than that then I would take pause and decide.

[Hodog16]

If my math is correct 1500 off is about 19 percent off MSRP assuming you aren't doing something extra like diamonds. That's pretty aggressive for a first time buyer. I would expect you to be able to get 10-15 percent off if you find the right AD and even more likely if the watch is in the case.

I agree the chase is part of the fun!

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[bdex75]

Contact DavidSW and a couple other big sellers on the forum about obtaining and pricing in what you want. Make sure they are aware that t you are looking for a watch with the warranty card. Then. Go to the AD that responded and have a discussion with them. If the price is close and it will help you sleep at night (and the Diet Coke is cold and in a glass), go thru the AD. If not, go back to the TS.

Not sure if the local gray dealer you were discussing but if Rich's statement above is accurate I assume you can get better terms elsewhere.


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[taxico]

Originally Posted by FeelMyVibes

...If we order you a timepiece, it will come directly from Rolex and will never have been handled without gloves.

this isn't always the case depending on the AD and the popularity of the watch. i

've been shown rolex watches reserved/on hold for others at ADs and i don't wear gloves when i handled those watches.

sure, if you've paid a deposit for the DJ, and are willing to wait for a fresh watch to arrive from the factory during the next supply run... you may just get a factory fresh watch.

if it's important to you, make sure you specify that they keep it within the "coffin" for you and only you until you show up (i think it's fair to do so if you've paid a deposit).

shop around. a TD may or may not get you a super deal (some people prefer paying a little more to buy at an AD... i think that's fair, up to a certain amount).

[Carrera997]

Why would any AD want to match the price of a gray market dealer?

[Jcy90]

What's so uncommon about the configuration.

[FeelMyVibes]

It's a 36mm datejust with WG Bezel, Black Dial, Diamond Hour Markers, and Jubilee band. Have emailed every AD in the area and none have it in stock, thus I noted it as uncommon.

Really appreciate all these responses. My real question was whether the AD's notion of "you never know what you are getting" applies to all grey market sellers, including the trusted members here as well.

I would rather pay $500-$1,000 more to special order the watch from the AD knowing that I am getting factory fresh rather than realize that in savings and purchase a watch that has sat out for a year and has been tried on 100 times.

Just a noob wanting to know noob stuff, haha

[NoVaSubowner]

Should be a number of small AD's in the area that should come reasonably close to matching a grey price. Go that route.

[watchwatcher]

Won't hurt anything to take a look and see what they've got...and what they'll sell it you for.