AD Experience Vs. Used (Savings)

[kilyung]

I've had satisfying transactions with both ADs and online sellers.

[floater156]

I purchased my one and only DJII from an AD. They were very friendly, it probably helped that I purchased my wife's engagement ring from them. They ended up giving me a great discount plus no sales tax, so I paid right in the same range as what I would have got the watch for on this site. I visited them about possibly adding a SS GMTIIc or SubC and they offered a decent discount again. I prefer ADs, but if I couldn't get a good discount from my AD I'd buy from TRF trusted seller (only the mega sellers like DavidSW, OCrolexguy, and a few others).

[Mickey®]

Love buying from TZ or TRF...glad I bought my LV from an AD though as it is an absolute keeper and I'd want my son to have my name on papers....

Recently bought a 14060m and it's not as special so glad it had papers but my name on it is no biggie...

Full disclosure though....no way am I buying new again from AD as Rolex prices have left me behind. Also i wouldn't have bought LV from AD if I didn't get it NIB for $5198.00 in Aug 2011! So I guess price makes a difference in my decision?

Ok I don't have anything to add to this topic!

[atila]

Well I got my Datejust here with all protective plastics still in place/mint condition and saved over $2,300 off the MSRP. I'm assuming with a little haggling at an AD I could get them to cover the tax and maybe another 2-5% max.

That kind of savings is huge for me - I would love to buy from an AD all things equal but the value is just not there in my opinion.

[Israguard]

I have a question about sellers found on trf. I read it somewhere here... But I may have misunderstood.

When I purchase a bnib from a trf seller.. Pay in full for a brand new watch.. Is my name not on all paperwork including little card?. If not.. Why?
Tks

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by Israguard

I have a question about sellers found on trf. I read it somewhere here... But I may have misunderstood.

When I purchase a bnib from a trf seller.. Pay in full for a brand new watch.. Is my name not on all paperwork including little card?. If not.. Why?
Tks

Sometimes it comes with a blank card but most of the time it comes with the original purchasers name. Your name isn't on there because you aren't the original buyer from the AD.

[Israguard]

Im anal... For 30k.. Has to be my name.

[patek.wis]

I stopped using my local AD's a while ago. I think it happened when I went to a local AD after buying only a couple pieces from them just to try on watches, etc. They made me feel a) they didn't remember me at all; b) that I should buy or get out and; c) like I wasn't 'dressed appropriately or looked' the part of a person who had money to spend on luxury items. Albeit I do dress in jeans and a t-shirt, but regardless I didn't like the environments or attitudes of the AD's (not just Rolex) around me.

So I found a decent out of town AD who I do all my new buying from. He doesn't treat me like royalty but he is kind and gives a fair price, even if sometimes he's a bit forgetful to call me when a piece is in, etc.

But nothing beats the thrill of solidifying a deal online and tracking that FEDEX package every ten minutes making sure its "on time" =)

[atila]

Originally Posted by gwalker

Sometimes it comes with a blank card but most of the time it comes with the original purchasers name. Your name isn't on there because you aren't the original buyer from the AD.

Actually, I wanted some clarity on this. If the watch is noted as brand new and has all the protective plastics still on it, does that mean someone bought it and immediately flipped it? Or...?

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Israguard

When I purchase a bnib from a trf seller.. Pay in full for a brand new watch.. Is my name not on all paperwork including little card?. If not.. Why?
Tks

It depends on the seller.

Imagine you bought a brand new Rolex and then decided to sell it.

The new owner will have bought a BNIB Rolex without their name on it.

Alternatively, a dealer/trader may have a relationship with an AD to source you a BNIB Rolex with an empty space in which to fill your details.

As long as the seller describes the watch and the warranty card correctly I see no problem.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by donas

but a moderator will chime in soon saying TRF does not encourage or support violating laws, etc, etc.

If I knew for a fact that the wholeness was on the recipient of an out of state purchase to pay sales tax in their home state at the prevailing rate I'd chime in with the blurb.

Perhaps someone with impeccable legal credentials can clarify this matter completely. It seems to be such a common practice over there in the US.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by atila

Actually, I wanted some clarity on this. If the watch is noted as brand new and has all the protective plastics still on it, does that mean someone bought it and immediately flipped it? Or...?

Many of the seller buy many watches from a dealer they have a relationship with. Rolex policy states the paperwork should be filled out. Of course this isn't the case for every seller or every new watch here but how some of these watches get in the TRF classifieds. All watches come from an AD. There isn't another way to buy a Rolex.

[sdg1871]

I bought my YG Daytona from an AD at a 15 percent discount. Great transaction. But my purchases from and interactions with some of the top trusted sellers here (OCRolexguy, bodybump, justrolexes and DavidSW) were just as good if not better. You can buy from the top trusted sellers here with absolute confidence due to their stellar and extensive feedback from TRF members and because the protection of their reputation is their business.

[Solo118]

I prefer the savings of going through a trusted seller on TRF. I do not care for BNIB watches as I am always over obsessive of scratches etc. If I buy "preloved" I feel better about wearing it daily and desk diving.

[theken]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

If I knew for a fact that the wholeness was on the recipient of an out of state purchase to pay sales tax in their home state at the prevailing rate I'd chime in with the blurb.

Perhaps someone with impeccable legal credentials can clarify this matter completely. It seems to be such a common practice over there in the US.

I reside in the USA, in Ohio.
When we file our annual state income tax return, we are required to declare all out of state purchases, ie. "mail order", and add the prevailing Ohio sales tax for all items purchased where sales tax was not collected.
If you paid for merchandise with a credit card, you could be required by a state income tax auditor to provide your credit card records.
Out of state purchases that are not reported on your state income tax return can be assessed the total amount of the unpaid sales tax and interest as well as a penalty for not reporting the out of state purchases.

[gregdolley]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

If I knew for a fact that the wholeness was on the recipient of an out of state purchase to pay sales tax in their home state at the prevailing rate I'd chime in with the blurb.

Perhaps someone with impeccable legal credentials can clarify this matter completely. It seems to be such a common practice over there in the US.

Idk about other states, but I reside in CA, and when I fill out my state tax return, there is a line item for tax owed for out-of-state purchases ("use" tax I believe it's called). They started to do this a few years ago I think.

[RVD]

this is obviously a somewhat personal issue as well as a YMMV type of issue but for me, i am fairly new to this and am buying my first rolex. i will be buying from an AD because i have been quoted some pretty good deals in my area and the savings from a trusted seller here isn't really worth the savings (to me).

specifically i am looking at the 116610LN which has a list price of $8550. with sales tax it runs about $9300. i went to 2 ADs so far and bargained with them both and my best deal so far is $8200 out the door.

i checked with a few of the respected sellers here and they generally quoted cheaper prices but it was less than $500 difference. if you look at the forsale board, it's usually only about $100-$200 cheaper. in addition, the $8200 was for credit card while the other prices here were for cash/bank wire.

i will likely head back to the AD and offer then a little less in cash and see if they bite. for me, i like the peace of mind that an AD gives me as well as knowing that i can comfortable walk back in there in the future to talk about my watch, make some minor adjustments, buy future watches for perhaps better deals, etc.

for used watches, i think i will definitely explore our local trusted sellers here.

so overall, i think it depends. for many,the savings will be worth it. for me, the savings are not worth it at this point. my wife is also buying me this watch and she is definitely going to be a lot more comfortable going to an AD than me saying "well, it's a guy that's well respected in this internet forum that i found online..."

[Speed]

Yup.

Buying online is NOT for everyone....same for buying at an AD.

[gregdolley]

I like both AD and trusted sellers here on TRF. The AD gives me piece of mind that I know I'm not getting a fake. But, since I'm into all-gold watches, the price difference between a TRF seller and an AD is huge. Sure, I like getting royalty treatment from an AD, but when I can save like $10k on a watch, it's hard to pass up.

That being said, I wouldn't buy from just anybody online. No way. Especially an all-gold rolex, I'd be too scared of getting a fake. I'd only buy from someone I could trust and meet face to face. And I'm one of those people that HAS to inspect a watch by hand before I buy it.

Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2

[Mr. K]

I typically buy from an AD when I buy Rolex. Omega, Cartier, UN.... I typically buy used.

With Rolex I like to know the history of the watch and that I am the first owner. I have bought used rolex watches before too, OQ and a couple DJs because the price was right. But there is nothing like having a Rolex that is and will only be yours.

There is a tipping point though, if a trusted seller here can save me over 30% on a like new Rolex watch, I'd consider it.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by theken

I reside in the USA, in Ohio.
When we file our annual state income tax return, we are required to declare all out of state purchases, ie. "mail order", and add the prevailing Ohio sales tax for all items purchased where sales tax was not collected.
If you paid for merchandise with a credit card, you could be required by a state income tax auditor to provide your credit card records.
Out of state purchases that are not reported on your state income tax return can be assessed the total amount of the unpaid sales tax and interest as well as a penalty for not reporting the out of state purchases.

Originally Posted by gregdolley

Idk about other states, but I reside in CA, and when I fill out my state tax return, there is a line item for tax owed for out-of-state purchases ("use" tax I believe it's called). They started to do this a few years ago I think.

Then we recommend that members should fill in this line on their tax return or suffer the wrath of the tax gods.

[doubleinfive]

I recently bought from an AD because he made me an offer I couldn't refuse...not only did I pay the sales tax but I was able to establish a cordial relationship and goodwill that may come in handy in the future...