Update from a newbie

[Mikeyman95]

First, u guys (and some gals too I guess) have been fantastic in answering all my goofy questions and giving great direction. It's really great to be welcomed as a newcomer to this community. I will try hard to pay it forward.

So I took a trip to the Costa Mesa, CA Rolex store in South Coast Plaza last night. They've seen me in there before, and most of the staff recognizes me. I was dressed casually, and wearing a Pam48. I mention this in case it figures in to how I was treated.

Here's what I learned:

1. They were super nice, no stress, no pressure & were quite willing for me to try on anything I wanted, even tho I told them ahead of time that I didn't plan to buy last night.
2. They had pre-owned SD, which looks great & not as common as a sub.
3. The SD when compared to a 14060 that they had looked nearly identical from a foot & a half.
4. The 14060 bnib was $6,300 & change out the door.
5. The SD (I think it was an M) was $5,500 plus tax.
6. The DS would have looked fantastic on my wrist if my wrist was the size of an elephants foot. Good grief. And almost 10k at that.
7. The subc looked pretty killer but still "plain-ish" to me.
8. The gmtii2c just looked outrageously fantastic. From a look & feel the new cases, bezels, bracelets & clasp when I compared side by side in the store just seem like no contest - the style seemed so totally superior and substantial - it was overwhelming to me as a newcomer (and owner of other high end brands).
9. I've heard to wait till something sings & and that its different for everyone...I put on a TT gmtii2c and omg I heard the sound of music. Yes it's a little over the top, but I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go look for a bed of broken glass that I can crawl across after my next Bikram practice to get to.
10. He made it quite clear that paying at least half in cash would get a discount. I bet if I paid all cash, depending on the model, I could get close to 15% maybe more on the last day of the month.
11. There was no room for negotiating on the pre-owned stuff at all period.

More later as I move closer & thx for listening,

Mike

[TKB]

Gmt IIc is a great choice.

[horseco]

one word of advice, NEVER, EVER, buy a pre owned at an AD... its kinda like buying a used car at the new car dealer... if you have the cash & don't need financing or to buy with a credit card, look to buy from an original owner face to face or one of the trusted sellers on TRF...

[rolexsweep]

hahaha great thread.... i went with the gmtiic for my first about 1 month n abit ago!! love every bit of it.

[Paris92]

Originally Posted by rolexsweep

hahaha great thread.... i went with the gmtiic for my first about 1 month n abit ago!! love every bit of it.

Same here. GMTIIc was my first in Feb. It sang to me when I put it on.

[dddrees]

The SS GMTCII was my first one. Sounds as though you found the TT GMTCII to be the one you like the most. Awesome, wish you luck on your future purchase please keep us posted.

[mickeydainish]

I still miss my GMTIIc..... Damn that idiot who sold it!!!!

[RedwinGV]

Great story. Good to hear that you aren't conflicted. You found the "ONE."
Now maybe you'll need to wait longer for it or get your second pick- GMTIIC and flip it down the road.

The GMT IIC, even in SS is dang sweet.

[jameson]

I know that Seadweller, tried it on last week. Its not a bad deal at $5500 for an M series, but the tax thing is a deal killer for me. If you are looking for a more common watch, the Ben Bridge downstairs seems more willing to "play ball" on pricing. You can also try Traditional Jewelers in Fashion Island and they seem to be willing to work with you.

On the plus side of the Rolex store, how hot is the Polish/Russian chick that works there? Worth the price of admission.

[Puffy]

excellent

[HL65]

[Mikeyman95]

Yeah jameson that's what I was thinkin after reviewing prices on TRF. Even after tax ur talkin 6k out the door w a local 2 yr warranty. TRF prices for the same watch are mid 6. Plus I could prolly figure a way to ship it to my mom in Texas...or not.

Truth is i don't even really want a rolex, i just wanna see Inna every 2 days. And, that's prolly not even her name.

The SD is prolly gone by now tho. When were y there?

That guy Tim at BB is pretty cool, but a'course there won't be an SD in there. But if u have an 11 inch wrist because u spent 7 seasons on Lifetime's 'Lumberjack' show he would give a solid discount on a DS.

Mike

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by horseco

one word of advice, NEVER, EVER, buy a pre owned at an AD... its kinda like buying a used car at the new car dealer... if you have the cash & don't need financing or to buy with a credit card, look to buy from an original owner face to face or one of the trusted sellers on TRF...

word & truth

[mtrunner]

Very nice choice. I hope you are able to acquire this watch soon.

[Johny]

Originally Posted by jameson

I know that Seadweller, tried it on last week. Its not a bad deal at $5500 for an M series, but the tax thing is a deal killer for me. If you are looking for a more common watch, the Ben Bridge downstairs seems more willing to "play ball" on pricing. You can also try Traditional Jewelers in Fashion Island and they seem to be willing to work with you.

On the plus side of the Rolex store, how hot is the Polish/Russian chick that works there? Worth the price of admission.

chick?...pics or she never happened.

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by Mikeyman95

The gmtii2c just looked outrageously fantastic. From a look & feel the new cases, bezels, bracelets & clasp when I compared side by side in the store just seem like no contest - the style seemed so totally superior and substantial - it was overwhelming to me as a newcomer (and owner of other high end brands).

This was my initial reaction too. Good luck.

[jameson]

Originally Posted by Mikeyman95

Yeah jameson that's what I was thinkin after reviewing prices on TRF. Even after tax ur talkin 6k out the door w a local 2 yr warranty. TRF prices for the same watch are mid 6. Plus I could prolly figure a way to ship it to my mom in Texas...or not.

Truth is i don't even really want a rolex, i just wanna see Inna every 2 days. And, that's prolly not even her name.

The SD is prolly gone by now tho. When were y there?

That guy Tim at BB is pretty cool, but a'course there won't be an SD in there. But if u have an 11 inch wrist because u spent 7 seasons on Lifetime's 'Lumberjack' show he would give a solid discount on a DS.

Mike

They are super douchie about the tax thing there, wont let you do the "ship it out of state" thing like most shops. TBH, if they had I probably would have that sucker on my wrist.

I was there probably 10 days ago and they claimed it "just came in" but they are full of sh*t. I have had 2 different people there tell me the same watch "just came in today", too bad it was about 1.5 weeks apart.

edit: the Tourneau (i know, eww) in south coast has a nice Zenith Daytona they want like $10 bajillion for, but they also have 2 SDs in their system that they want $5700-$5900 for (they said they could flex off that a bit) and they aren't as lame about the tax issue either.

[jameson]

Johnny, trust me if they would let me take pics I would. Hell, they wont even let me take photos of watches to send to the wife for her "stamp of approval", don't think they'll let me take bikini shots of their salesperson :p

But ya, she is smoking hot. She has been there for a few years, my guess is she is pushing 30 now and note quite as overwhelmingly good looking as she used to be. But a few years back, she was legitimately one of the hottest chicks I have ever met in person (and its not like So Cal doesn't have attractive women). She has about a 14 pound rock on her finger, but I think its fake just to keep guys from hitting on her.

But yeah...umm...seadweller...yeah.

[kareemthedream33]

Originally Posted by jameson

edit: the Tourneau (i know, eww) in south coast has a nice Zenith Daytona they want like $10 bajillion for, but they also have 2 SDs in their system that they want $5700-$5900 for (they said they could flex off that a bit) and they aren't as lame about the tax issue either.

That's a little steep for SD, no?

[Rob_b]

Hey Mike, wow, that SD sounds like a great deal.....where I'm from...I digress....and I'm bias

TT GMTC, magnificent watch

Good luck in the hunt

[jameson]

Originally Posted by kareemthedream33

That's a little steep for SD, no?

I hoestly can't say. I jsut know that DavidSW had a pre-owned M series SD on here the other day and wanted I think $6200. So $5500 with a 2 year warranty is a decent deal. Problem is in CA, if the AD won't ship it out-of-state, you add 10% sales tax to that.

[Al1988]

GMTiiC was my first too! Absolutely stunning and great wrist presence.

Wish you the best with acquiring one

[MortgageGuy]

Sounds like a great experience As everyone has mentioned the GMT c is an amazing watch, I love mine

[Tri-Tip]

Originally Posted by jameson

Johnny, trust me if they would let me take pics I would. Hell, they wont even let me take photos of watches to send to the wife for her "stamp of approval", don't think they'll let me take bikini shots of their salesperson :p

But ya, she is smoking hot. She has been there for a few years, my guess is she is pushing 30 now and note quite as overwhelmingly good looking as she used to be. But a few years back, she was legitimately one of the hottest chicks I have ever met in person (and its not like So Cal doesn't have attractive women). She has about a 14 pound rock on her finger, but I think its fake just to keep guys from hitting on her.

But yeah...umm...seadweller...yeah.

I think I need to take a drive down to Orange County.

[Mikeyman95]

Ok jameson, let me just add to the inconsistencies. The other night (this past monday night, the 8th) I saw the SD for the first time. That's the visit that prompted this thread.

I looked at it right away, and he told me the price was 5500. I said to him well that's not a bad price. He straight up immediately said well do u have someone out of state u can ship it to???

So it seems it depends on who the salesman is (or saleshotchickman) as to the douche-ness on the taxes

And btw, don't discount the 40-ish hotness of Asian decent in there.

And also btw the Tourneau in there has a 20% off deal around thanksgiving and u can get a smokin deal including the pre owned stuff - and I also get the 3 yr warranty with a new oem strap or bracelet, pay the tax & still see a 10% discount. Last yr I bought a Pam 48 & a BR at the same time, paid cash & saved a major grip load. It's a little lame yes but a good new & pre owned selection.

Ok, I need to pay attention to the speaker now.

Mike

[Mikeyman95]

Um...er...I meant descent, not decent...L

[Lion]

Okay, now I forgot what we are talking about...watches or women and who's going out of state???

[Mikeyman95]

Yeah, come on lion, get us back on track here.

Seriously, I'm dizzy from thinking about the TT GMT2C.

[jameson]

They sold the seadweller.

[jameson]

Originally Posted by Mikeyman95

Ok jameson, let me just add to the inconsistencies. The other night (this past monday night, the 8th) I saw the SD for the first time. That's the visit that prompted this thread.

I looked at it right away, and he told me the price was 5500. I said to him well that's not a bad price. He straight up immediately said well do u have someone out of state u can ship it to???

So it seems it depends on who the salesman is (or saleshotchickman) as to the douche-ness on the taxes

And btw, don't discount the 40-ish hotness of Asian decent in there.

And also btw the Tourneau in there has a 20% off deal around thanksgiving and u can get a smokin deal including the pre owned stuff - and I also get the 3 yr warranty with a new oem strap or bracelet, pay the tax & still see a 10% discount. Last yr I bought a Pam 48 & a BR at the same time, paid cash & saved a major grip load. It's a little lame yes but a good new & pre owned selection.

Ok, I need to pay attention to the speaker now.

Mike

Is that through the Angelitos card they sell for charity around that time? I think its like $40, and gets you 20% off in a bunch of stores? if so, thats a huge call, hadn't even thought of that.

not certain about the tax thing, but good to know some other folks there might help their customers out.