Looking to buy my first pre-owned Rolex. I know what kind I want, but where to find i

[bluesteve1]

posted this on another watch forum, then I discovered this forum and thought this one could be more helpful:

"I just finished college, have very little debt as far as student loans and just got a job promotion because of my degree. I thought I would celebrate by buying myself a pre-owned Rolex.

I know I want a DateJust but I don't know where to get one and what a good price is to pay on one. Is MelroseJewelers.com a good place? They have datejust for around $3200($2400 if you buy with their eBay store). Are these good prices to pay? Has anyone bought from them? Also are Rolex's with diamond where the numbers go custom? Because on that website the Rolex's with diamonds are the same price as ones without diamonds.
Thanx in advane for the help."


when I posted about MelroseJeweler on the other board, one of the members(I believe they are a member he too) call them "Frakenwatches" meaning they are pieced together I assume. Is this true?

So if melrose isn't a good online place to find a pre-owned watch then where is? I'm from a small city of 100K and only have one AD in town.

thanx in advance for the help,
Steve

[padi56]

Originally Posted by bluesteve1

posted this on another watch forum, then I discovered this forum and thought this one could be more helpful:

"I just finished college, have very little debt as far as student loans and just got a job promotion because of my degree. I thought I would celebrate by buying myself a pre-owned Rolex.

I know I want a DateJust but I don't know where to get one and what a good price is to pay on one. Is MelroseJewelers.com a good place? They have datejust for around $3200($2400 if you buy with their eBay store). Are these good prices to pay? Has anyone bought from them? Also are Rolex's with diamond where the numbers go custom? Because on that website the Rolex's with diamonds are the same price as ones without diamonds.
Thanx in advane for the help."


when I posted about MelroseJeweler on the other board, one of the members(I believe they are a member he too) call them "Frakenwatches" meaning they are pieced together I assume. Is this true?

So if melrose isn't a good online place to find a pre-owned watch then where is? I'm from a small city of 100K and only have one AD in town.

thanx in advance for the help,
Steve

Please read below thread then make up your mind.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...hlight=melrose

[rosspanics]

The sale forum here is a good place to look... reach out to one of the trusted sellers (bodybump, lawrenceb, david sw), they'll be able to find you what you're looking for at a good price.

[bluesteve1]

Originally Posted by padi56

Please read below thread then make up your mind.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...hlight=melrose

after reading that I would never buy from them now. But my question is, if they are so bad then why does thier ebay store have 100% feedback? If they have 100% positive and they aren't good to deal with, than it makes me very sceptical of the second hand buying market and who to trust.


what's a "good" price to pay for a preowned Datejust?

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Originally Posted by rosspanics

The sale forum here is a good place to look... reach out to one of the trusted sellers (bodybump, lawrenceb, david sw), they'll be able to find you what you're looking for at a good price.

Don't foret Moscow!

[chicfarmer1]

Originally Posted by bluesteve1

But my question is, if they are so bad then why does thier ebay store have 100% feedback? If they have 100% positive and they aren't good to deal with, than it makes me very sceptical of the second hand buying market and who to trust.

The answer is that many, if not most, buyers aren't savvy enough to even realize that they may be getting aftermarket parts, or else savvy enough to realize that this impacts the authenticity and value. They glide right by that word "custom" in descriptions.

You should be skeptical in the secondary market. Be very, very cautious, and take your time to do the research.

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by chicfarmer1

The answer is that many, if not most, buyers aren't savvy enough to even realize that they may be getting aftermarket parts, or else savvy enough to realize that this impacts the authenticity and value. They glide right by that word "custom" in descriptions.

You should be skeptical in the secondary market. Be very, very cautious, and take your time to do the research.

X2

Then there are also those who don't mind aftermarket parts. I for one would not want a Rolex with aftermarket parts.

[Watch Professor]

Contact one of our great sellers (DavidSW, Mosco, Bodybump, JustRolexes), and others and let them know what you want.

[RolexWatcher]

Originally Posted by bluesteve1

after reading that I would never buy from them now. But my question is, if they are so bad then why does thier ebay store have 100% feedback? If they have 100% positive and they aren't good to deal with, than it makes me very sceptical of the second hand buying market and who to trust.


what's a "good" price to pay for a preowned Datejust?

You should do your research like what you are doing now. Just like in real life, there are the good guys and there are the bad guys and some in between.

Find the good guys for your first piece so you have 100% trust in the seller.

Remember to buy the seller. Very important.

[Speed]

Have you tried an authentic authorized dealer? That's where you can try on --- and even buy a DateJust.

[bluesteve1]

thanx everyone for the great advice and thanks for sharing with me some names of some trusted sellers on here

Originally Posted by dddrees

Then there are also those who don't mind aftermarket parts. I for one would not want a Rolex with aftermarket parts.

what do aftermarket parts do to the value or even resell value of the Rolex. Not that I have plain on selling my Rolex once I get it, but you never know.

for instance on this Rolex what is original and what is aftermarket?:

http://www.melrosejewelers.com/eshop...urce=appraisal

DESCRIPTION OF ARTICLE(S)

MOVEMENT: ORIGINAL, MECHANICAL WITH AUTOMATIC WINDING
Producer: ROLEX, SA
Model: 16000 SERIES
Caliber: 3035
Certification: C.O.S.C. CERTIFIED CHRONOMETER

FUNCTIONS: HOURS, MINUTES, SECONDS AND DATE

CRYSTAL:
Type: SAPPHIRE CONVERSION CRYSTAL
Lens: CYCLOPS LENS ON DATE APERTURE

CASE: ORIGINAL, IN STAINLESS STEEL; THREE PARTS
Dimensions: 36.00 MM, THICKNESS 12.50 MM
Bezel: WHITE GOLD FLUTED
Crown: SCREWED-DOWN

DIAL: ORIGINAL (REFINISHED)
Color: SILVER
Hour Markers: CUSTOM SET WITH NATURAL DIAMONDS
Hands: BATON HANDS, TRITIUM COATED
Indications: DATE AT 3:00

BRACELET: ITALIAN-MADE "JUBILEE" BAND
Description: BRUSHED STEEL, CENTER LINKS IN POLISHED STAINLESS STEEL
Clasp: STEEL FOLDING CLASP WITH EMBOSSED CROWN
Measurements: 20.00 MM WIDE, FITS UP TO A 7.75 INCH LENGTH

CONDITION EXCELLENT WORKING ORDER AND EXCELLENT CONDITION

DIAMOND(S) 10 NATURAL DIAMONDS
Cut / Set: ROUND / PRONG
Color / Clarity: G-H / VS2-SI1
Total Weight: 0.10 CARATS


so to me on this watch it seems the bracelet is aftermarket and so is the cyrstal. Am I missing anything else that is aftermarket? I know that the diamonds were set by someone else but the face(sorry don't know the technical terms yet) itself is original Rolex right?

[bluesteve1]

how much does having an aftermarket bracelet hurt your watch as far as being a real rolex and value? is it a common thing to put an after market bracelet on once a rolex original band gets old looking?

[AJMarcus]

I recommend the trusted sellers on TRF!

[bluesteve1]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

I recommend the trusted sellers on TRF!

I just contacted 3 of them. Do yall(sorry from texas and everyone says Yall here lol) have a list of trusted sellers?

[watchdaddy1]

Here on the forum..I've purchased 2 here

[Timber Loftis]

I was just in a store today that had taken in a pre-owned TT DJ, gold dial, stick markers with lume pips, jubilee band, dated circa 2000-2001 (prior to the hidden clasp). No papers. Priced at $3900, but I bet you could knock that down some. I tried it on, great look to it. 1 yr. warranty. PM me if you want contact info for the jeweler.

[Timber Loftis]

Oh, the owner of the store was kind enough to send me a picture of the model. I don't know precisely what you're looking for, but here it is.