How to get a discount from an AD

[champion5]

Originally Posted by dotcomakazee

I could be wrong, but there is a greater than zero chance that it ends with "endorf's" ans there is also a greater than zero chance that a very hot, single, go-getter named Collette works there. She is the one to talk to.

ahha you got me...

[jhelms]

Originally Posted by nylawbiz

Sales Tax in the United States varies state by state. I have no idea about Georgia sales tax laws. I Googled "Georgia Use Tax" and found this link:

http://www.etax.dor.ga.gov/salestax/...orm_ST3USE.pdf

This link explains how out of state purchases are subject to Georgia Use Tax. The website also mentions that all 46 states which charge a sales tax, has an accompanying use tax. Sorry for the less than cheery news :)

Interesting reading for sure! I need a pic of Collette to cheer me up!

I asked several people about it and they have never heard of it, surely they are mission millions of dollars a year in lost tax revenue by not following up on this?

[nylawbiz]

We all know that billions of dollars worth of tax revenue is never paid or reported. People get away with stuff, and keep on doing things until their luck runs out, and they get popped. Just like any illegal act.

I'm not a cop or a revenue agent, so I am not trying to enforce any laws. I just wanted it clear on the board what is legit and what isn't. People will decide for themselves what they will do.

As I said before, I am all for getting the best deal one can when buying an expensive item like a Rolex. I have learned from this board that the mark-up is at least 40% on these watches. So there is plenty of room for an AD to discount, if an AD is so motivated.

So, does anyone think the day is coming when SS Daytonas will be discounted? Sure seems like a lot are being released recently. Do you think that is a trend? I know about the argument that Rolex keeps the supply tight, to keep the demand up, and that the US is competing with other world markets. But it isn't like Rolex can't increase production on SS Daytonas. If they doubled the production of SS Daytonas, don't you think they would sell them all? In the end, the market for a $30K Platty Daytona meteorite dial watch is different that a $9,200 SS watch, so I don't think they would be cannibalizing their higher end market. I am sure they would prefer to sell SS Daytonas over SS Submariners (almost three times the price). There's got to be more to the story then we know.

[jhelms]

Originally Posted by nylawbiz

We all know that billions of dollars worth of tax revenue is never paid or reported. People get away with stuff, and keep on doing things until their luck runs out, and they get popped. Just like any illegal act.

I'm not a cop or a revenue agent, so I am not trying to enforce any laws. I just wanted it clear on the board what is legit and what isn't. People will decide for themselves what they will do.

That's cool, I was just surprised about the use tax even being on the books, I guess that's one of those things that if it was collected, might save us some money in some other areas of taxation - but they'll get it one way or another, right?

So, does anyone think the day is coming when SS Daytonas will be discounted? Sure seems like a lot are being released recently. Do you think that is a trend? I know about the argument that Rolex keeps the supply tight, to keep the demand up, and that the US is competing with other world markets. But it isn't like Rolex can't increase production on SS Daytonas. If they doubled the production of SS Daytonas, don't you think they would sell them all? In the end, the market for a $30K Platty Daytona meteorite dial watch is different that a $9,200 SS watch, so I don't think they would be cannibalizing their higher end market. I am sure they would prefer to sell SS Daytonas over SS Submariners (almost three times the price). There's got to be more to the story then we know.

Not saying this because I just got one, but I really think the trend for SS Daytonas being rare is more long term than short. IMHO the Daytona has a look to it that people love and are drawn to - myself and others have said that we wanted them before we even knew much about Rolexes.

Also, the difference in price of an SS Daytona is closer to 1.5x-1.6x of an SS sub(date), right? ($~5800 or $5875 compared to $9200).

Definitely appreciate you posting the link to the GA use tax though, I found it interesting and did not know about it before now.

[RandyGMT]

I get 20% off from my Rolex AD. The first one I bouht he gave me 18%. Then everyone since has been 20%. They were all new watches. I bought three so far from him. I bought one in Italy two years ago and got 20% also.

[nylawbiz]

Randy, where is your dealer located?

[Green Sub]

Originally Posted by nylawbiz

Sales Tax in the United States varies state by state. I have no idea about Georgia sales tax laws. I Googled "Georgia Use Tax" and found this link:

http://www.etax.dor.ga.gov/salestax/...orm_ST3USE.pdf

This link explains how out of state purchases are subject to Georgia Use Tax. The website also mentions that all 46 states which charge a sales tax, has an accompanying use tax. Sorry for the less than cheery news :)

Yes, my little business files a GA ST-3 every month and I have to pay Use Tax on all those good deals I get on the Internet the previous month. It's a bummer.

[Watch2007]

I offered to pay cash and had it shipped to my friends house out of state.

[Thorne]

I have 2 somewhat related questions:

Will an AD give me a better discount if I am buying 2 timepieces at once (one for me and one for my wife)? I am looking for an LV for me and an Omega Constellation for my wife.

Further, I could get up to $2k in gift cards to Tourneau with my Visa points, but the woman I spoke with from Tourneau in NY said they offer no discounts if you are using a gift card. Does anyone know if this is true? If so, any thoughts on whether I could use gift cards on 1 timepiece and cash on the other?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Brcmpbl]

Personally I would expect to get 10% on most sport models with the exception of ones in extremely high demand such as SS Daytonas. If an AD wouldn't offer me 10% (I always ask for it even if I am not ready to buy on the spot at that time) on a high production model like an SS Sub, I'd walk and be patient.

[Timber Loftis]

The biggest AD (or so they claim) in the midwest is the one where I just purchased a pre-owned Rolex. They were not only hip to the rumors going around that Rolex is refusing to re-authorize some of its AD's, but they were willing to name names and state that the practice of discounting is the main reason that AD's are getting their authorizations yanked.

So, they of course wouldn't give me a penny discount, as they felt that any AD out there needs to be on their best behavior these days.

So if your AD discounts to you, congratulations. But they may not be your AD for much longer, either.

[champion5]

you should never buy for less than a 15% discount, I have not got over 20%,they will discount them, I know of several people over the years that have bought from the same AD I have and they have been in business for over 100 years.

[superdelsol]

Originally Posted by meloncap78

I paid cash in 3 separate installements. I had it all payed off within a 2 week period. They did not once use the word discount though. There are 2 Henry Wilson jewelers by me. Both are in malls. The first one I went to I spoke with a gentleman about getting a pre owned Sub, actually I was just feeling out prices and it was more like a dream. He asked me if I would be interested in a green bezel and I said why sure, thinking this was going to be waaay out of my price range. He said he thought he could get me one for $4850.00 plus tax pre owned and asked if I would like to see it. I said sure why not. He said that he would go pick it up that day and bring it back there for me to take a look at so I told him that I would stop back. In the meantime I decided to take a trip to the other Henry Wilson after I got out of work. When I stopped in there I was looking at a brand new LV in the case marked $5600.00 plus tax. I started talking with the woman behind the counter who happened to manage the place about the LV that the other gentleman was going to show me at their other location and what kind of price he had quoted me. She replied by saying "Oh we have a pre owned LV here in pristine condition! Would you like to see it?" I said sure. Well she went to the safe to get it and it was gone. She was pretty frantic about it until I told her that the other gentleman had said he had to go pick it up. Her frantic mood soon turned to livid. She called them right up and asked for the other gentleman and they started talking back and forth and the next thing you know she is saying "well you had no right to come and take something that is inventory at this location and not mention it to anyone" and demanded that he return it. We then started talking and I was telling her what I could afford realistically. She started working some numbers down on a calculator and the next thing you know she is saying "tell you what, how does $3750.00 plus tax sound?" I got pretty happy inside and said sure before I had even seen the watch. I ended up being able to hold it and try it on after my second payment. It was pristine as pristine could be. Bezel guard, sticker on the back, COSC tag still on the bracelet, the whole nine. I was astounded and even more impatient to get that last payment in to them. A week after that it was mine and hasn't come off since. I still don't know if this is considered a great discount or not and if it is I sure don't know where the actual discounting came into play or (what truck did this thing fall off the back of)

That is probably the best deal I have ever heard of on a Submariner, let alone an LV. Sure it was pre-loved, but that's still a great price. Is Henry Wilson Jewelers an AD? They don't advertise Rolex on their web site, not that it matters. Congratulations on a great watch at a great price.

[superdelsol]

Originally Posted by BigHat

And try to avoid wearing a Rolex that you bought elsewhere, even though you tried them first and they couldn't get you one.

I was at a chain store AD recently wearing my GMT II, and looking at Submariners and Sea-Dwellers. The saleslady noticed my Rolex and wanted to know where did I buy the GMT II? How long have I had the GMT II? I felt as though between the saleslady and her manager, they were attempting to "qualify" me as buyer. Maybe it was because I was driving a Suzuki. Maybe it was because I was in shorts and a Polo shirt, I don't know. What I do know is that I won't buy anything there because of the way I was treated.

[Art161]

California has had the requirement for residents to pay use tax if you didn't pay sales tax since about forever.

It's only in the past few years, though, that they added a line on the California Individual Income Tax Return so that you can pay it when you file your income tax return. You sign that return under penalties of perjury, and there is no statute of limitations for filing a fraudulent income tax return.

Before that, you were supposed to file a separate return for the use tax with the State Board of Equalization. My guess is that approximately no individuals filed that return for the purchase of personal items.

With state budgets running deficits, with computer programs available to match purchases and purchasers, and probably with little public outrage if a state were to go after someone who tried to avoid use tax on a Rolex, you need to ask yourself, "Do I feel lucky?"

[nylawbiz]

Originally Posted by Art161

California has had the requirement for residents to pay use tax if you didn't pay sales tax since about forever.

It's only in the past few years, though, that they added a line on the California Individual Income Tax Return so that you can pay it when you file your income tax return. You sign that return under penalties of perjury, and there is no statute of limitations for filing a fraudulent income tax return.

Before that, you were supposed to file a separate return for the use tax with the State Board of Equalization. My guess is that approximately no individuals filed that return for the purchase of personal items.

With state budgets running deficits, with computer programs available to match purchases and purchasers, and probably with little public outrage if a state were to go after someone who tried to avoid use tax on a Rolex, you need to ask yourself, "Do I feel lucky?"

My point exactly.

[Tombstone]

I always go in a $10.00 T-shirt and Levis jeans. I usually am wearing my SD, YM, or my LV. I never say a word about the Rolex on my wrist. It sends the message I own Rolex, and I could be serious. It has worked well for me.

As far as the discount I agree with the majority. I have said very nice I want to spend "X" amount on this watch. If you will agree lets do some business. If not I travel alot and I do have other ADs but I would rather do business here where I live. It has worked well. The norm for discounts would seem to be 10% to 15% off, shipping out of state saves more.

I have a crazy friend who bought a Sub and had it shipped out of state to a casino. That's way to trusting for me. He checked in and the box was waiting for him at the front desk.

I don't know about Tourneau each time I have gone into one of their stores there is no customer service, they sell too many other brand watches to know anything about Rolex. I have never tried to buy anything in Tourneau because I was so turned off by the PIM_s behind the counters I always find myself going to better ADs. IMHO

[Atlanta]

No discounts in Atlanta unless you buy TT or gold or possibly a 'slow seller'. Watches seem to turnover at MSRP down here. I think it is a demand issue. I am planning to buy a SSDJ for my wife soon and will be asking again - we'll see if my GMTIIC purchase at the same AD helps.

[sombunya]

Avoiding sales tax is not only not unethical it is smart in my opinion.

I don't want to get into a brou ha ha about taxes (the mods may not like it) but California punishes its citizens harshly, I feel. Start a thread on taxes in the OPEN DISCUSSION FORUM and I'll jump right in on that one.

And FWIW, I was looking at a pamphlet from the I.R.S. and it stated (paraphrasing)
"If you steal something from a neighbor you must declare it as income. If you give it back, then you do not need to declare it."

Amazing.

[Milgauss-Green]

Good answer,I am quite with you