How many of you went grey to purchase a Rolex since hype started?

[Mabak]

I recently got Explorer II from gray, That's my recent collection from the gray.

[Zack1978]

No way! After all it's just a watch. If I ultimately get a GMT great, if not that's fine too. Why should I line the pocket of some gray dealer? I don't need it that badly and i have no FOMO!

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Perfect example of how some AD's operate (which they have every right to do). And a logical reason to go grey. Cannot find fault with this approach.

Would be nice if members realized that not everyone's experience is the same. And despite best efforts, some cannot play the AD game without paying in the form of buying stuff they do not want or cannot afford.

Telling someone to consider other brands when they have no desire for an Omega is not helpful. Telling someone they should go to another AD, when it is not geographically feasible is not helpful. Telling someone to have patience under these circumstances is also not helpful. The AD has already said, no other purchases, no MSRP.

Precisely!

I can't fault AD's for maximizing their return on their merchandise, nor can I fault secondary dealers for doing the same. I appreciate the AD for being upfront (several other ADs were not nearly as forthcoming) and I appreciate the secondary dealer I bought from for being upfront as well.

I knew what I wanted, I know what my time is worth, I could afford it, and I got it.

Your point about differing experiences is so, so true.

[fishingbear]

I never did.

[gyang333]

Yeah, but I bought a discontinued DD36, so AD wasn't an option.

[shaunylw]

I’ve been buying from grey dealers prior to the hype, during the hype, and probably again when it dies. If my ADs come through with what i want, i buy from them too


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[BuddaLun]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

I had the same approach as Brian with my AD and it worked. How odd?

Quite odd, actually. You must have the special sauce.

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Nicer tone would be nice.

LMAO

[Santiago32]

Half of my Rolex collection is from the gray market.

I got offered a black sub and exp 1 39mm. Two diff ADs.

I went gray for a Pepsi and Kermit because I knew for sure I would either 1.) never get the watches by waiting or 2.) have to spend well over market price in other watches and/or jewelry to even get on a list.

Having said that, I’m waiting patiently for a 116518 because I think I have a decent chance especially with the market cooling

[PBJ1925]

About 50/50 for me, comes down to what I feel is more advantageous in price/service.

[ArtNouveau]

I bought a DSSD when they first came out in 2008 from a reseller. This was when they were cheaper than an AD and for a new reference quicker. The next four Rolex I bought starting in late 2017 were all from AD at retail. I would not have bought them otherwise.

[Moondoggy]

I think anyone who went grey would be going grey.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

AD's come in many stripes and types.

Same with buyers. Some people just don't click. It's not a blame thing, it's just human nature.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by okplayer

Money comes back, time doesn't.

True.

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

I had the same approach as Brian with my AD and it worked. How odd?

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

That is truly great Brian. And you are indeed fortunate. Sadly, for many this approach does not result in being offered a watch.

I have had the exact same experience and I'm not a big spender by ANY stretch. I have bought quite a few pieces, both Tudor and Rolex from my AD but NEVER had a thing I didn't genuinely desire shoved down my gullet.

Originally Posted by okplayer

Money comes back, time doesn't.

I am in the unfortunate position to have to work for my money which translates in a lot of my time spent into making it.
As such, I wouldn't dump it on something "officially" available at half the scalper price.
Someone laughing all the way to the bank with my hard earned (and time into it) doesn't sit well with me. Especially for middle-man "services" rendered. I need none of that.
Besides, having or not having said watch makes zero difference in my life goals.

[Devildog]

My Rolex purchase history over the years

16610 - Bought NIB fully stickered from a Grey - below retail in 2000
16600 - Bought from AD - with small discount in 2006
116515 - Bought from AD - with significant discount in 2013
116613 - Bought NIB grey - significantly below retail in 2017
126600 - Bought from AD - at retail 2017
16600 - Bought NIB fully stickered from a Grey above retail in 2022
126715 - Bought unworn from a Grey in 2022

If I deduct the discounts/uplifts on sale from the premiums over the years I'm approximately £5k worse off than I would have been had I bought them all at retail from an AD.

If you exclude the 16600 bought in 2022 as it is a long discontinued reference (2010) and therefore not relevant to the direct Grey VS AD wait comparison I'm circa £3k better off than had I bought all from a Rolex AD

(Had I sold my Daytona after 2020 I'd be miles ahead, in fairness, but I sold it in 2017 when they were trading well below retail used)

So I've got zero issues going Grey for my CHNR. On the contrary, I'm delighted I did. And for all those saying its fine to wait, sometimes life really is too short

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Miker86

No, that’s unacceptable. You should have tried at least 50 ADs until one liked you enough, even if that meant spending more time and money than just buying grey.

[Mystro]

Why all the negative attitudes about grey market dealers?? Little history but grey market dealers were here for decades offering great discounts and superior service. These selected grey market dealers which we call “Trusted Sellers” here on TRF have supported this forum from the beginning.

[Chadridv]

The Rate ADs are losing Rolex partnerships, a lot of these “never have and never will” commenters might have to reconsider.

[Miker86]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

The Rate ADs are losing Rolex partnerships, a lot of these “never have and never will” commenters might have to reconsider.

This. I got the call for my EXPII three months before the AD lost it’s Rolex partnership.

[joa]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Why all the negative attitudes about grey market dealers??

some here seem to believe that the dealers are the reason for the price explosion - as opposed to the supply/demand imbalance..

[joa]

Originally Posted by minute_man

As such, I wouldn't dump it on something "officially" available at half the scalper price.

the prices that Rolex set have no connection to any tangible value.

when buying Rolex you are essentially buying a stake into an intangible idea.

therefore, money spent on a Rolex at MRSP is not "more save" than money spent on the free market.
Just like buying a painting from the artist is not safer than buying it at auction.

[dwaine99]

16710- GMT II Coke-2007- AD @ 10% discount
691178 Wife's 18kt Datejust President- 2019- Grey, saved thousands, very pleased.
126610LV- Starbucks Sub- 2022- AD @ MSRP.
124060- Sub- 2022- AD @ MSRP

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Why all the negative attitudes about grey market dealers?? Little history but grey market dealers were here for decades offering great discounts and superior service. These selected grey market dealers which we call “Trusted Sellers” here on TRF have supported this forum from the beginning.

[Tomas Eriksson]

I used greys both before and after the hype. If Im bored with a piece I go to a grey to offload. I don't have the patience to play waiting games and greys is always well stocked.

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by joa

the prices that Rolex set have no connection to any tangible value.

when buying Rolex you are essentially buying a stake into an intangible idea.

therefore, money spent on a Rolex at MRSP is not "more save" than money spent on the free market.
Just like buying a painting from the artist is not safer than buying it at auction.

When I'm buying a Rolex, I'm buying a mass produced watch. A nice one at that but just a watch, to wear, enjoy and dispose as I please. Not a unique piece of art.

I care not whether my money is safe or not with my purchase.

My Rolex is not a necessity. It is a discretionary purchase so if it lost 100% of its value out the AD's door, similar to a pair of shoes, so be it.
I do have a problem cutting a middle man into my funds though, discretionary or otherwise.

Oh, by the way, should Rolex believe that the inflated grey prices are representative of that intangible idea, they should have adjusted accordingly

And the OP question was SINCE the hype started.

Not before.

That's all I have to say to all those pushing the hype / gray agenda (no offense to anyone/quoted) which has reached a point of defying common sense, quite frankly. It would be amusing if it wasn't so blatant.
I get it, but I'm just not buying into it. If only more of us did that.

[HogwldFLTR]

My grey market activity is restricted to trades. All my purchases have been from ADs. I don't consider trades purchases as such. Even some of my AD purchases have been trades.

[joa]

Originally Posted by minute_man

I care not whether my money is safe or not with my purchase.

My Rolex is not a necessity. It is a discretionary purchase so if it lost 100% of its value out the AD's door, similar to a pair of shoes, so be it.

hear hear... so no "it's my hard earned money" etc. etc. in that case

[Osmin]

Next Rolex will bei grey or second hand.

Was today at three big German retailers. It’s insane.

W: allows only one watch per customer. Regardless of model. they are a big chain and can see what I have registered at another location

B: Only one Model allowed per customer regardless of store location

M: waiting lists closed. „We have 7,000 people waiting for a watch“

Watch shopping is no fun anymore.

[101031-28]

Not once. Then again, I was very fortunate to build my collection pre-hype and honestly none of the post 2018 releases have been a must have for me.

[Pop Art Suzy]

I'm brand new to Rolex and I hate to sound like a noob, but what's considered a grey dealer? I bought mine pre-owned on eBay. Is that considered a grey dealer, or brand new from a non-Rolex AD? How do you find a grey dealer?