Interesting experience regarding authentication at AD

[Fleetlord]

AD should not offer Rolex authentication services. Not worth the hassle.

AD should never allow a third party sales transaction to take place in their stores.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

AD should not offer Rolex authentication services. Not worth the hassle.

AD should never allow a third party sales transaction to take place in their stores.

Totally agree.

This does not happen in Singapore.

Used to be anyone wanting to have their watch authenticated would have to go to RSC and pay the S$107 fee. I'm not sure if Rolex Singapore still offer this service.

[daOnlyBG]

I like how everyone assumed the transaction would be held at the authorized dealer, as opposed to simply having the watch authenticated- something that all ADs in question had done in the past (and continue to do so today). Read the OP once again.

Originally Posted by TurboTim14

That's probably just their way of telling you they don't want to do it.

One problem with this response: it's far easier (and more honest) to just say "Sorry, we don't offer that service." Apparently other ADs (i.e., Tourneau's boutique) have no problem saying so. Apparently neither do others:

Originally Posted by train-time

The last time I called a local AD regarding authenticating a watch for sale and meeting a perspective buyer at their location, they said that they would not do any authentication of the watch and would not allow a transfer or sale to take place on their premises.

It's not as though said ADs don't have a willingness to disappoint their clientele, no?

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I like how everyone assumed the transaction would be held at the authorized dealer, as opposed to simply having the watch authenticated- something that all ADs in question had done in the past (and continue to do so today).

It seems as if they have come to their senses and stopped involving themselves in risky and unnecessary undertakings.

I would suggest calling the management of that chain and express your concerns over their policy changes.

[SLWoodster]

I shop at CD Peacock regularly. $4-500 really is their way of telling you to F off. They’ll do it for a regular for free. But there’s too many franken watches, too many joe schmos off the street asking for daytonas, batmans, pepsis as their first watch... or authenticating their recent craigslist deals... if you really care just pay it. Your value just went up. Or send it to an actual Rolex Service Center.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

I shop at CD Peacock regularly. $4-500 really is their way of telling you to F off. They’ll do it for a regular for free.

Good to know- thanks.

[iTreelex]

It's crazy how hostile AD's have been for Rolex watches. I understand their skill should not be for free but $500 for a 15 minute inspection? They are not surgeons. This is first world problems out here where you have to get on your knees and beg for some pretentious salesman to bat an eye. There have been better times. Makes me want to quit the hobby sometimes.

[wappinghigh]

Originally Posted by iTreelex

It's crazy how hostile AD's have been for Rolex watches. I understand their skill should not be for free but $500 for a 15 minute inspection? They are not surgeons. This is first world problems out here where you have to get on your knees and beg for some pretentious salesman to bat an eye. There have been better times. Makes me want to quit the hobby sometimes.

Yep. Agree.. I call BS on AD's on this as well....

[Godfather111]

RSC seems the proper forum.

$100 sounds reasonable. $500 is pure robbery.

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

So, I have a watch listed for sale elsewhere. Someone reached out and asked if we could meet at an authorized dealer to have it authenticated. I responded that I'd have no issues with that at all. If the watch is legit, buyer pays- if anything is wrong, I pay, etc.

I called up CD Peacock in the greater Chicagoland area. Last year, I had them authenticate a Rolex Day-Date for no more than $100. They even printed a receipt.

When I called on Friday to confirm their watchmaker's hours, he said "$500." I paused. $500? That swings a buyer's budget tremendously and jeopardizes a deal. I mentioned that $500 was far more than I paid last year, but he shrugged and said "company policy."


OK. I decided to call a different CD Peacock location 20 minutes away. "$400. Sorry, but that's strict company policy." Sure, very strict.

A different Rolex AD in the area told me "We cannot officially authenticate a watch, but we can give the watch to our expert Rolex-trained watchmakers who will give you a verbal opinion."

"How much?"

"Free. Takes about half hour."



Has anyone else noticed a price shock at some ADs?

You hear all kind of crazy demands...and sometimes logic prevails..

[Simon_jrees]

Sounds like it's all dependant on who you're dealing with.

[jitdc]

There is really no upside for the AD at all, its all downside potential. I wouldn't want the liability at any price that comes with being involved in the re-sale of a watch.

Their main business is selling high markup new items; not giving away their time or knowledge for a couple of hundred bucks. Particularly if the re-sale item brings profit to the seller and in no way benefits the AD. That would make zero sense for the AD.

[seasubmariner]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

So, I have a watch listed for sale elsewhere. Someone reached out and asked if we could meet at an authorized dealer to have it authenticated. I responded that I'd have no issues with that at all. If the watch is legit, buyer pays- if anything is wrong, I pay, etc.

I called up CD Peacock in the greater Chicagoland area. Last year, I had them authenticate a Rolex Day-Date for no more than $100. They even printed a receipt.

When I called on Friday to confirm their watchmaker's hours, he said "$500." I paused. $500? That swings a buyer's budget tremendously and jeopardizes a deal. I mentioned that $500 was far more than I paid last year, but he shrugged and said "company policy."

OK. I decided to call a different CD Peacock location 20 minutes away. "$400. Sorry, but that's strict company policy." Sure, very strict.

A different Rolex AD in the area told me "We cannot officially authenticate a watch, but we can give the watch to our expert Rolex-trained watchmakers who will give you a verbal opinion."

"How much?"

"Free. Takes about half hour."



Has anyone else noticed a price shock at some ADs?

It should be free ofcourse. They are selling expensive watches and should not try to suck huge amount of money from inspection which is just opening up the caseback and looking to the watch with a loop. 5 minute job. My friend sold a Rolex to a very reputable jeweller who sells excellent rolexes. all work done was just to open and close the case back which didnt even take few minutes. Asking money for this is incredible.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by seasubmariner

It should be free ofcourse. They are selling expensive watches and should not try to suck huge amount of money from inspection which is just opening up the caseback and looking to the watch with a loop. 5 minute job. My friend sold a Rolex to a very reputable jeweller who sells excellent rolexes. all work done was just to open and close the case back which didnt even take few minutes. Asking money for this is incredible.

We are not discussing whether they should charge to verify a watch you are selling to them (the dealer).

We are discussing a charge to verify the authenticity of a watch you have either purchased elsewhere, or are in the process of buying/selling with a third party and you want peace of mind. In this scenario the AD/Watchmaker is neither the buyer or the seller, they are an entirely independent agent who have every right to charge.

[smym18]

Originally Posted by seasubmariner

It should be free ofcourse. They are selling expensive watches and should not try to suck huge amount of money from inspection which is just opening up the caseback and looking to the watch with a loop. 5 minute job. My friend sold a Rolex to a very reputable jeweller who sells excellent rolexes. all work done was just to open and close the case back which didnt even take few minutes. Asking money for this is incredible.

Another top notch post from seasubmariner

Originally Posted by watchmaker

We are not discussing whether they should charge to verify a watch you are selling to them (the dealer).

We are discussing a charge to verify the authenticity of a watch you have either purchased elsewhere, or are in the process of buying/selling with a third party and you want peace of mind. In this scenario the AD/Watchmaker is neither the buyer or the seller, they are an entirely independent agent who have every right to charge.

Hilarious that there's such a discrepancy in this thread with people thinking there shouldn't be a charge. An AD gets nothing out of authenticating a watch so a stranger can get paid. It's a waste of their time and they owe you nothing, especially since the watch didn't come from them.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by smym18

Another top notch post from seasubmariner



Hilarious that there's such a discrepancy in this thread with people thinking there shouldn't be a charge. An AD gets nothing out of authenticating a watch so a stranger can get paid. It's a waste of their time and they owe you nothing, especially since the watch didn't come from them.

I don’t know where people got the notion that a watchmaker’s labor should be free, but it wasn’t from me (the author of the original post). I merely reported about the varying experiences I had calling competing dealers in the same area.

It would have been nice to stay “on topic,” but a number of people on both sides of whatever argument developed here decided to bring up irrelevant issues by incorrectly assuming them (like how one guy early on suggested I shouldn’t do the deal on the ADs premise- something that I never brought up anyway)



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[smym18]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I don’t know where people got the notion that a watchmaker’s labor should be free, but it wasn’t from me (the author of the original post). I merely reported about the varying experiences I had calling competing dealers in the same area.

It would have been nice to stay “on topic,” but a number of people on both sides of whatever argument developed here decided to bring up irrelevant issues by incorrectly assuming them (like how one guy early on suggested I shouldn’t do the deal on the ADs premise- something that I never brought up anyway)



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I didn't mean you. Your topic of $500 being too high is fair and I agree.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by smym18

An AD gets nothing out of authenticating a watch so a stranger can get paid. It's a waste of their time and they owe you nothing, especially since the watch didn't come from them.

Very short sighted view. Every “stranger” who walks through the door of an AD is a potential future customer...

A savvy AD would be glad to have a Rolex owner come in and look at their available stock while the watchmaker takes a quick look at the watch. It could end up in a sale.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Very short sighted view. Every “stranger” who walks through the door of an AD is a potential future customer...

A savvy AD would be glad to have a Rolex owner come in and look at their available stock while the watchmaker takes a quick look at the watch. It could end up in a sale.

As much as I'd like to agree with you, in reality, this simply isn't the case. There are more people walking into ADs reading a list of allocation pieces they'd like (no, literally, they take a list out of their pocket and begin reading a list of hot stainless steel models) than actual customers who end up making purchases. Most of the customers are, by and large, there to waste an AD's time.

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Very short sighted view. Every “stranger” who walks through the door of an AD is a potential future customer...

A savvy AD would be glad to have a Rolex owner come in and look at their available stock while the watchmaker takes a quick look at the watch. It could end up in a sale.

In this case the people who walked in were NOT customers of the AD, they already had a watch transaction that the AD would get no business from without charging for something.

I suppose it's an opportunity for an AD to undercut the seller with a pre-owned piece and take the sale for itself. Think about it, the buyer would rather buy from an AD, and the AD actually has already authenticated its own inventory.

Be careful what you wish for.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by seasubmariner

It should be free ofcourse. They are selling expensive watches a

In this case they are not selling anything except their expertise and time.

There is no reason to ever expect an authorized dealer to help someone sell their watch for them. This is the height of entitlement and arrogance.

[Gdoc26]

My first thought is what could an AD possibly have to gain by authenticating a watch they didn't sell? If they charge for the service and it somehow turns out to be less than authentic they would be liable. I could see charging a "go somewhere else" fee that would generate enough revenue to be worth the effort. My feeling is that few "jewelry stores" have competent staff these days. I would venture to bet that I could take a high quality fake to a number of AD's and probably get it authenticated. "watchmaker" at the AD near me can barely remove a link without screwing it up.

[joli160]

Entitled people expecting somebody to work for free

[PhilLynott]

I quote jobs of all different kinds in the home contracting field. There are always jobs that you just flat out don't want to do (opportunity cost of them, trouble customer, pain in the rear factor and your employees will hate you for it, can of worms potential once you start, etc.) so for those I throw out gigantic "please don't hire us" quotes and if they still hire us well at least it's profitable. If it's one my employees will be miserable doing I'll toss them some cash beforehand for the annoyance they're about to deal with.

Anyways could be something like that, they just don't like to do it and price it accordingly.

edit: I'm shocked there are "should be free" comments. How can anyone think that?

[WatchLurv]

They literally pop open the back case and inspect a few parts of the watch. They aren't going to dissect the whole thing. $500 for a 10 minute job seems like they're taking anyone and everyone for a fool.

[Likestheshiny]

The fact that AD's ask any amount of money to authenticate is preposterous.

The fact that some Rolex owners think a completely separate business that they've never bought anything from has an obligation to provide them with free expert service is preposterous.

[Docaw007]

That’s why I don’t do any business with this chain in the Chicago area.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by Docaw007

That’s why I don’t do any business with this chain in the Chicago area.

This guy knows.

[Calatrava r]

I clearly agree that no AD should authenticate a watch nor should they allow any third party sales to occur on their premises. Loads of liability and potential problems with zero upside to the AD.

[ByronB]

I just sold my trusty old 16622 to a local buyer after upgrading to the 116680 last month. I offered to meet at any Rolex AD or qualified jeweler to authenticate. The buyer called the local AD and they agreed to inspect it for $125, $200 with a quick polish. We were told it would take 20-25 minutes.

When they came out from the back with the watch, a nice lady in a green Rolex embroidered dress explained that the watch had passed all tests, was keeping time within specs, and it passed the pressure test so the gaskets are still good. I had told the buyer that I had it serviced at the Dallas RSC around 5 years ago or so, but I was not exactly sure when, so he should plan on having it serviced before long. The AD entered the serial number into Rolex's computer and confirmed that it was serviced at RSC Dallas in late 2014, which verified what I had told the buyer. He said that was all he needed to know, and handed me a roll of hundreds to count while the AD sized the watch for him. The AD offered to send it in for service for him, and the buyer said that he plans to do that almost immediately.

The AD did not make much money for the risk I would agree, but the fact that this watch showed up in the Rolex system had to help. Hopefully they can make a few bucks on the service, and maybe they have earned the business of this client for future jewelry and/or watch purchases.