Buying a Rolex in Atlanta?

[trega]

Hi folks,

I'm preparing to buy my first Rolex here in Atlanta. Has anyone had any particularly positive or negative experiences with local sellers?

-Trega

[jmsrolls]

Jim at Brown & Co. is knowledgeable.

And Tara Fine Jewelers in Buford is a small, friendly store with a good selection. If you drive out to Tara, please tell them that "Father John" says hello.

Fr. John†

[ParisDakarBmw]

Tourneau is expensive! They offered a good price on my trade, but I'd try Brown & co first. "Father John" has good relations with them.

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

Tourneau is expensive! They offered a good price on my trade, but I'd try Brown & co first. "Father John" has good relations with them.

Actually, I have never dealt with B&Co. but I know quite a few who have and all have been pleased.

Tara became a Rolex dealer in the summer of 2008 just after I had purchased my EXPII but should I ever desire another Rolex (doubtful), Tara would be my first stop. Buddy, Tim, Scott, and Denise are "good folks" as we say in Georgia.

Fr. John†

[iSellJerseyShore]

I have had pleasant dealings with a sales rep at Mayors over in Buckhead...

PM me for the contact information.



-Frankie

[00pumpkin]

I second the above. Tara Fine Jewelry in Buford or Mayors in Buckhead are both great places with large selections. If you go to Mayors in Buckhead, speak with Cheryl Hayduk. She is the Store Manager there and helped me out a great amount when I purchased my Omega PO a few months ago.

[bandityo]

what about Capetown Jewelers? They have new and preowned Rolexes by the load

David

[bandityo]

Fr. John..why are you never wanting another Rolex?

David

[Atl]

Originally Posted by jmsrolls

Jim at Brown & Co. is knowledgeable.

And Tara Fine Jewelers in Buford is a small, friendly store with a good selection. If you drive out to Tara, please tell them that "Father John" says hello.

Fr. John†

Mr. Allen Brill, President of Rolex USA had to personally call Frank Brown for me, after Brown and Co. damaged my Subbie that I bought from them, and then refused to pay for the repairs. You have been warned. They have the largest selection of Rolexes in Atlanta, but God help you if you have a problem. Also be warned, that if you have them send your Rolex in for service, they will take it out of it's protective foam brick from the Rolex Service Center, and put it in a plactic ziplock baggie so it can get scratched. Further, if you have them send in your Rolex for it's 5 year service, they will tack on a $150.00 surcharge and not tell you. Your $600.00 service becomes a $750.00 bill from Brown and Co., plus the plastic baggie.

Just so you know,
David

If you don't believe me, I would be happy to PM you supporting documents.

[Atl]

Originally Posted by bandityo

what about Capetown Jewelers? They have new and preowned Rolexes by the load

David

I've been there too, went to buy a GMT-II. Both had chipped crystals, and their prices were high. Not impressed.

David

[Atl]

Originally Posted by 00pumpkin

I second the above. Tara Fine Jewelry in Buford or Mayors in Buckhead are both great places with large selections. If you go to Mayors in Buckhead, speak with Cheryl Hayduk. She is the Store Manager there and helped me out a great amount when I purchased my Omega PO a few months ago.

If you mean the Mayors on Peachtree Rd., the stand alone store, it's now Brown and Co.'s new store. Mayors is no longer there. They are at Lenox however, but the best Mayors is at Mall of Ga. up 85 North in Duluth. They offer drinks, Rolex magazines, and truly offer GREAT service. They ALWAYS offer to clean my Rolex while I am there, and I did even not buy it from them. Top notch service. Lee Brant in Sandy Springs offers good service as well, and they DISCOUNT! Maybe give them a try.

Tara sounds interesting, never been there.

David

[slcbbrown]

At least, look at Capetown's website for new and used. It's an easy way to compare some prices-- I've not bought from them but haven't heard anything derogatory.

[Atl]

Originally Posted by ParisDakarBmw

Tourneau is expensive! They offered a good price on my trade, but I'd try Brown & co first. "Father John" has good relations with them.

Tourneau is NOT an authorized Rolex Dealer in Atlanta, because of Mayors being in the same mall, Lenox. Rolex did not want two dealers in the same mall.

[jmsrolls]

My missus and I visited Capetown and were not impressed. We've been treated better by used car dealers.

I did have a nice visit with Lee at Lee Brant when I stopped in to see the new store. I have never bought or priced anything there however.

Fr. John†

[behardt]

I've been buying from them for many years. They have everything from beaters to brand new. They are definitely not touchy/feely dealers and aren't really geared toward "looky loos", but if your serious about buying a watch and know what you want, their deals are great (new or used). They literally saved me about $5K over the ADs "best price" on a new gold GMT Anniversary.

[RFXMM]

TARA is the best by far.

[donas]

I bought my YM from Mayors in Mall of Georgia, they were very pleasant and offered to mail it to SC to save me the sales tax.... unlike the other store mentioned , they shipped it 2nd day mail on their dime. They also gave me a fare trade on my Sub and still discounted.

[omg]

Jim at Brown & Co is a nice guy!
I bought my SD there.

[buz-lh]

Lee Eskridge at LeeBrant is a super guy plus they have a Rolex certified watchmaker on site. The whole staff is super friendly. I would highly recommend them.

[kc8290]

I purchased my first pre-owned Rolex from Capetown several years ago. They had an excellent selection and very good prices. Captetown is family owned and have been in business over 30 years. They are not an AD. There is also a Brown & Company east of Capatetown on Holcomb Bridge that has a decent selection.

[bandityo]

but...who gives the biggest discount!

[omg]

Originally Posted by bandityo

but...who gives the biggest discount!

I bought form TARA and B&C around the end of 2008. Both give a fair discount around 10%
I think it should be more now due to the climate.
But back then TARA refuse to ship out of GA for tax purpose.
I bought anyway b/c I want the last Pepsi in GA AD!

How is the AD in Chattanooga?

(thinkin out loud)Man..we should get together and plan out some group buy

[Atl]

Originally Posted by omg

Jim at Brown & Co is a nice guy!
I bought my SD there.

Jim IS a nice guy it's the store, after sales service, and Owner that are the problem. It took the President of Rolex USA to FINALLY have them pay me for the damage they caused.

Brown and Co. is never going to get my business again. Ever.

[Atl]

Originally Posted by bandityo

but...who gives the biggest discount!

In Atlanta, I would say Lee Brant, as they are REALLY hurting. They built their new, giant, beautiful store exactly at the absolute wrong time, right before the economy crash. Cape Town only sells grey market used stuff, and the three watches they showed me were beaters, I was totally unimpressed.

New watch from an AD, that is REALLY interested in discounting, I think it has to be Lee Brant, but you have to talk to one of the two owners, not the sales staff. I have no idea about Tara, too far from my home in Sandy Springs.

[Atl]

Originally Posted by slcbbrown

At least, look at Capetown's website for new and used. It's an easy way to compare some prices-- I've not bought from them but haven't heard anything derogatory.

They are NOT an AD, so even if you buy a un-used watch from them, it's still used. I never saw any un-used Rolexes there, but they might have some now.

[Atl]

Originally Posted by donas

I bought my YM from Mayors in Mall of Georgia, they were very pleasant and offered to mail it to SC to save me the sales tax.... unlike the other store mentioned , they shipped it 2nd day mail on their dime. They also gave me a fare trade on my Sub and still discounted.

I told you! They are tops in service!

[behardt]

Originally Posted by Atl

In Atlanta, I would say Lee Brant, as they are REALLY hurting. They built their new, giant, beautiful store exactly at the absolute wrong time, right before the economy crash. Cape Town only sells grey market used stuff, and the three watches they showed me were beaters, I was totally unimpressed.

New watch from an AD, that is REALLY interested in discounting, I think it has to be Lee Brant, but you have to talk to one of the two owners, not the sales staff. I have no idea about Tara, too far from my home in Sandy Springs.

Have to respectfully disagree with you on "grey market". Grey market is not used. Generally, an AD sold the watch out the back door because he wanted to sell a watch for the price he (not Rolex) determined was reasonable. I've purchased from ADs and grey market - some of the watches from ADs were case worn, most of the new grey market watches I purchase are still wrapped and sealed. You loose the warranty, but after 30 years, I have yet to use a Rolex warranty. On a gold watch, I save a few thousand dollars, and sacrifice a warranty I'll never use. Works for me. Different strokes for different strokes. Some people want a watch buying experience - I'm just after the watch.

BTW - Jim @ B&C is AWEsome (Frank Brown is a butt munch...)
Brandt was a Meier & Berkeleys store manager and Lee was their top salesman. They know the business and are both great. Had good experiences with Linda @ Mayors Lennox as well.

Bottom line: I buy wherever they have the watch I want at the best price. Usually that's Capetown.

[bandityo]

OMG..the AD here in Chattanooga is Rone Jewelers..went there two days ago... really good Rolex and Breitling selection..they had tags and swiss army also.

Drooled over my first sight of the GMT2C...was better than pics on here! They offered me 10% right there on the spot for it.

David

[jmsrolls]

Originally Posted by bandityo

Fr. John..why are you never wanting another Rolex?

David

I owned an 18K President for 20 years as a daily wearer. I eventually tired of "knock-offs" and the "Is that a reeel Rolex?" questions.

In 2003, I sold the President and used the funds to look around at other watch brands. I initially purchase a collection of 17 Omegas, all of which I sold for a substantial profit. With those funds, I purchased a RG Patek Phillipe 5015 and so it went until I ultimately decided that Omega provided the best value.

Two years ago, I did pick up an Explorer II to fill the GMT niche in my collection. It is a classic and "flies under the radar" especially since I removed the Cyclops.

Don't get me wrong, Rolex makes a good watch but there are others out there that are as good or better for considerably less money. The only other Rolex that has tempted me in the current lineup is the Explorer but I went with a 36mm Omega Aqua Terra with date, display back, superb bracelet, and co-axial movement for half the price.

But note that I did not say "never" but rather "doubtful".

Fr. John†

[Atl]

Originally Posted by behardt

Have to respectfully disagree with you on "grey market". Grey market is not used. Generally, an AD sold the watch out the back door because he wanted to sell a watch for the price he (not Rolex) determined was reasonable. I've purchased from ADs and grey market - some of the watches from ADs were case worn, most of the new grey market watches I purchase are still wrapped and sealed. You loose the warranty, but after 30 years, I have yet to use a Rolex warranty. On a gold watch, I save a few thousand dollars, and sacrifice a warranty I'll never use. Works for me. Different strokes for different strokes. Some people want a watch buying experience - I'm just after the watch.

BTW - Jim @ B&C is AWEsome (Frank Brown is a butt munch...)
Brandt was a Meier & Berkeleys store manager and Lee was their top salesman. They know the business and are both great. Had good experiences with Linda @ Mayors Lennox as well.

Bottom line: I buy wherever they have the watch I want at the best price. Usually that's Capetown.

"Butt Munch" I LOVE IT!!!

Brown and Co. = Nuff said.

David