Is buying from an AD an integral part of the Rolex/Tudor experience?

[LA_LEC]

When I bought my first Rolex at an AD I got 2 things out of it.

1. I got a cup of coffee.
2. I got charged the full retail price (plus sales tax).

Was it worth it? Yes, at the time this forum did not exist. I knew nothing about grey markets or where to find a grey dealer.

So yes, I bought a new, genuine fully warrantied Rolex Submariner and wore it for 13 happy years!

[Angrypuppy]

Originally Posted by LA_LEC

When I bought my first Rolex at an AD I got 2 things out of it.

1. I got a cup of coffee.
2. I got charged the full retail price (plus sales tax).

Was it worth it? Yes, at the time this forum did not exist. I knew nothing about grey markets or where to find a grey dealer.

So yes, I bought a new, genuine fully warrantied Rolex Submariner and wore it for 13 happy years!

+1, but I'm pretty sure I didn't even get the coffee.

[rolio]

Bought mine from an AD. But, now, I don't think it is necessary for the experience.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by btinl

I've purchased all of my Rolex watches from an AD. They have been cheaper than any grey dealer so far.

I agree with this .... so far I've purchased my rolex from AD's and found their prices to be very competitive with grey market. If its within a few hundred dollars why would I go grey?

[Dan Pierce]

Never been a required part my watch buying/ owning enjoyment.
dP

[Vipes]

I've bought almost all of my pieces from ADs. If I can get the price close to what the grey market dealers offer then I'm happy. Plus, I get the warranty. I try to buy from ADs to build a relationship so I can get discounts on other brands that I'm interested in.

[aeon888]

want my first brand new purchase from an AD and...

1. I got a better price than the TRF sellers here
2. I have it resize for free
3. I got a box of Rolex chocolates
4. I paid no sales tax
5. I got free insured shipping-Fedex
6. I got 2years Rolex warranty plus another 1 year free extended AD warranty
7. I got a watch right from the safe- untouched
8. I got a couple of signed watch appraisal papers from the AD for free
9. I have cards named and dated with my name
10. The AD let me charged it with my credit card without any CC charges so I also earned cashback rebate and at the same time help my credit score. I did pay it in full after I received my monthly statement. So now the cost is way below what the TRF sellers are offering with the same brand new model.

So yeah, That was my AD experience

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by aeon888

want my first brand new purchase from an AD and...

1. I got a better price than the TRF sellers here
2. I have it resize for free
3. I got a box of Rolex chocolates
4. I paid no sales tax
5. I got free insured shipping-Fedex
6. I got 2years Rolex warranty plus another 1 year free extended AD warranty
7. I got a watch right from the safe- untouched
8. I got a couple of signed watch appraisal papers from the AD for free
9. I have cards named and dated with my name
10. The AD let me charged it with my credit card without any CC charges so I also earned cashback rebate and at the same time help my credit score. I did pay it in full after I received my monthly statement. So now the cost is way below what the TRF sellers are offering with the same brand new model.

So yeah, That was my AD experience

Thanks for the well thought out response!

[Talebi]

Some ad you got there. I just don't understand how you didn't end to paying sales tax.

[aeon888]

Originally Posted by Cc1966

Thanks for the well thought out response!

You are welcome!

To Talebi: If you buy from out of state, you don't have to pay sales taxes although some states also have the "use tax" that you have to pay when you file your tax return but not all states have "use tax".

[UFGatorRolex]

How much room do the ADs have to work?? I can get a couple month old YM, mint, on here for $9,300. That same watch is $12,300 in the AD after tax based on MSRP. BNIB Sub on here for $7k vs over $9k out the door at the AD. Do they have room (and are any willing) to discount almost 25%? Or even 20% to be "close"?

[aeon888]

Originally Posted by UFGatorRolex

How much room do the ADs have to work?? I can get a couple month old YM, mint, on here for $9,300. That same watch is $12,300 in the AD after tax based on MSRP. BNIB Sub on here for $7k vs over $9k out the door at the AD. Do they have room (and are any willing) to discount almost 25%? Or even 20% to be "close"?

It depends on the location of the AD and the model of the watch you are buying. From searching herein the forum, I found that Canadian AD's can give discounts from 15% to 25% or even more in some occassions but US AD's can be a little stingy.

[HDHNTER]

The AD experience is so overrated it's not even funny. Made the mistake of going that route for my first few... lesson learned.

[frequentflyer]

Bought from an AD twice SS Sub and TT Sub but that was years ago.

Bought twice off here in the last year and got exactly what I wanted at a price I felt comfortable with.

I now just use the AD to try watches on to make sure I like them before I buy on here!

[Switters]

Originally Posted by aeon888

It depends on the location of the AD and the model of the watch you are buying.

This is definitely true here in Kuwait. Not only is there no real "experience", but a majority of their sales seem to be full price. I was told I could get 20% off then was quoted at MSRP. Perhaps the conversion was incorrect, but more likely they charge a premium due to the location and being the only AD in the country.

However, I have heard that Bahrain has the best prices in the Gulf.

[Cc1966]

Originally Posted by Switters

This is definitely true here in Kuwait. Not only is there no real "experience", but a majority of their sales seem to be full price. I was told I could get 20% off then was quoted at MSRP. Perhaps the conversion was incorrect, but more likely they charge a premium due to the location and being the only AD in the country.

However, I have heard that Bahrain has the best prices in the Gulf.

I've had Military friends that bought in Bahrain for that very reason.

[SRQ]

I keep reading that some forum members have gotten "substantial" discounts from AD's. There were two AD's in my community, and one lost their franchise after being a Rolex AD for 27 years. The other won't budge on price. Their only concession is to give an additional year on the warranty. I have a used ceramic sub that I bought locally (not from AD) at a good discount. I would like to buy a new day-date but not for $9,100. Maybe I live in the wrong community!?

[ninotcs]

Originally Posted by aeon888

want my first brand new purchase from an AD and...

1. I got a better price than the TRF sellers here
2. I have it resize for free
3. I got a box of Rolex chocolates
4. I paid no sales tax
5. I got free insured shipping-Fedex
6. I got 2years Rolex warranty plus another 1 year free extended AD warranty
7. I got a watch right from the safe- untouched
8. I got a couple of signed watch appraisal papers from the AD for free
9. I have cards named and dated with my name
10. The AD let me charged it with my credit card without any CC charges so I also earned cashback rebate and at the same time help my credit score. I did pay it in full after I received my monthly statement. So now the cost is way below what the TRF sellers are offering with the same brand new model.

So yeah, That was my AD experience

Amen.

I agree 100%. That was my experience 2x.
On a watch like Exp 1, i got 20% off from AD and was treated well w alll perks mentioned above


I never understand why ppl go w grey dealers on BNIB watches

[ninotcs]

Originally Posted by Talebi

Some ad you got there. I just don't understand how you didn't end to paying sales tax.

ship it out of state

[UFGatorRolex]

Originally Posted by ninotcs

Amen.

I agree 100%. That was my experience 2x.
On a watch like Exp 1, i got 20% off from AD and was treated well w alll perks mentioned above


I never understand why ppl go w grey dealers on BNIB watches

You guys must have some very different ADs than we do in my area. I went to two different ADs and both have the attitude that "we don't have to sell these watches, they sell themselves. Buy now at list because they are going up another 3-7% next month". I took my business elsewhere.

[ninotcs]

Originally Posted by UFGatorRolex

You guys must have some very different ADs than we do in my area. I went to two different ADs and both have the attitude that "we don't have to sell these watches, they sell themselves. Buy now at list because they are going up another 3-7% next month". I took my business elsewhere.

We have three in Pittsburgh like that. Fourth is where i buy.
But i also bought my wifes ring there so we had a relationship prior to me buying my first Rolex
On my sub C date i got 12,5%, sub C,17% and Exp i got 20% off
In addition to benefits described sbove w AD exp.
I will NEVER buy new from grey dealer.

[HDHNTER]

Originally Posted by ninotcs

On my sub C date i got 12,5%, sub C,17% and Exp i got 20% off

That's a brave AD....

[gas_electric]

Originally Posted by Orangejoe

So, survey says: there are lots of good reasons to buy locally.

• Support a local business
• Ability to handle the exact watch you would be buying
• Establish a relationship with the AD (further discounts, info, swag, access)
• Fresh "First Wrist" watch

What about my other original post question, if you value the AD experience, is that one of many? Are you also an Hermes, Channel, LV, Mont Blanc customer and equally choose the AD experiences of those brands or is Rolex your primary window into 'luxury' goods?

Buying from an AD also means being able to have it right then and there. A few thousand (or even tens of thousands) of dollars means different things to different people. Depending on the person, it might not make sense to go through the trouble of patiently waiting for the right piece to come along on Rolex Forums, etc. Have you ever been into a store and just bought something without doing research because you wanted it? A lot of people do that with luxury watches. To others, a few thousand dollars could be the entirety of a one's pay check. Different strokes for different folks.

I don't view shopping at boutiques as an experience but a convenient way to find things without having to run around to multiples stores. I do think there is value to having a good relationship at some ADs, especially if they can help you source hard-to-find pieces and give you a "fair" price without hassle.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Orangejoe

I keep hearing "buy your first from an AD, then you can go grey"; so what exactly is this AD deal bringing to the table?

I have heard some actually give you a bottle of filtered water ($0.45) and at least one thread had the AD popping a bottle of champagne ($55!) I would be celebrating too if I worked retail and just sold a DSSD at full 'suggested' price.

I guess it comes down to a handful questions:

1. Did you haggle when you got your watch from the AD, or do you think paying full price(aka splurging) is part of "the experience"?
   
2. What do you think the AD 'added' to the transaction to make you pay high 3 figures, 4 figures more for a watch vs. grey?
   
3. If you did not haggle/negotiate, hard, how many other luxury products/services are you a customer of?

Your unique personal experiences and opinions are gladly welcomed.

I have bought 75% from the AD, and always with a nice discount. I prefer the AD but not the cheapest

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by ninotcs

Amen.

I agree 100%. That was my experience 2x.
On a watch like Exp 1, i got 20% off from AD and was treated well w alll perks mentioned above


I never understand why ppl go w grey dealers on BNIB watches

Here are my reasons:

1) I lament talking to sales people who know less about the product than me.
2) I do not even have to "know someone" or be a prior customer to get 20% off a new watch.
3) I do not have to unnecessarily ship my watch out of state after buying it (instant gratification down the drain)
4) Paying off a rolex on my cc is not going to do shit for my credit score
5) Good grey dealers will have the watch at your doorstep in 24hrs
6) My name is on the warranty and it is fresh, just like one that is "from the safe" lol BNIB is BNIB
7) It is more discreet.

Maybe if you are trying to get in the good with a PP dealer or AP dealer to source hard to find pieces, but rolex? These watches are ubiquitous.

[AbqRolexFan]

Originally Posted by cc1966

hmmm...i just i'm going to buck the trend here somewhat. I've bought both ways and enjoyed the ad experience. I still enjoy the rapport i have with my local dealer and look forward to trying on the new models. I buy local and support my local business, watch sellers included.

+1

[springer]

If a dealer is giving a substantial discount, it might be a good place to buy. Most dealers do not though, unless you a very good customer with a purchase history from the dealer.