Buy from an airport shop

[MATCH1969]

Hello,

Would like your feedback and experience regarding buying a watch from an Airport shop.

I still wonder if it's a good idea as I really like to speak with professional in a quiet place before any purchase.

What is your opinion ?

Thanks

[Chewbacca]

i would always buy where you live if a new one is on the radar. for aftersales service, relationship building and ease of transport... local is best. there's also our trusted sellers if the quiet watchtalk factor can be bypassed.

good luck

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by MATCH1969

Hello,

Would like your feedback and experience regarding buying a watch from an Airport shop.

I still wonder if it's a good idea as I really like to speak with professional in a quiet place before any purchase.

What is your opinion ?

Thanks

Are we talking about Rolex? There are AD's in some world airports but I would not buy something from a jewelry vendor as the prices are usually high(er)

[wire.paladin]

Bad idea, also dont consider cruise ship ports of call. The US virgin islands are notorius for jewelery scams. Buy from a reputed source,there are plenty.

[Speed]

Can't imagine the selection would be very good either.

[jauri]

the airport duty free shop at seoul, south korea has one of the best selections i've seen (all ADs) and their prices are amazing as well. subC's are selling for $7,300 usd for example. i am always afraid to buy more than one piece at a time, due to us customs .

[Speed]

Originally Posted by jauri

the airport duty free shop at seoul, south korea has one of the best selections i've seen (all ADs) and their prices are amazing as well. subC's are selling for $7,300 usd for example. i am always afraid to buy more than one piece at a time, due to us customs .

Ah.

So Customs is effectively the limiter on such great deals?

[Bangel]

I have never bought at an airport, but I would have thought if they are an AD and had exactly what you want, at a price you're happy with, and crucially, you're not rushed, then why not?

Just make sure you are 100% happy the particular watch doesn't have any bothersome defects through your eyes and that you have all the paraphernalia that may be important to you (tags, booklets etc) as its obviously not as convenient to return to the same shop later. Otherwise, everything is still covered by a 2 year international warranty.

[BaliBryan]

I purchased one in a duty free Rolex store at the airport in Singapore. It was just like buying in any other rolex store. Maybe a slightly smaller selection.

[jimmypark54]

any AD should be fine. right?

[humusz]

Originally Posted by jauri

the airport duty free shop at seoul, south korea has one of the best selections i've seen (all ADs) and their prices are amazing as well. subC's are selling for $7,300 usd for example. i am always afraid to buy more than one piece at a time, due to us customs .

I agree, I went to Jeju Island couple years ago and saw they had 116400GV for $6,300

[vette boy 52]

Originally Posted by jauri

the airport duty free shop at seoul, south korea has one of the best selections i've seen (all ADs) and their prices are amazing as well. subC's are selling for $7,300 usd for example. i am always afraid to buy more than one piece at a time, due to us customs .

I agree I bought my DSSD for $8,600 usd there at the duty free in Seoul

[travisb]

I prefer to stay local if buying from an AD. If not, I just buy right here.

[liminc]

as long as the deal is there

[jerseyden]

Why not? If they have the watch that you want at the right price,go for it.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by wire.paladin

Bad idea, also dont consider cruise ship ports of call. The US virgin islands are notorius for jewelery scams. Buy from a reputed source,there are plenty.

As someone who vacations in the USVI every year I will chalk this up to one bad experience, yours. Unless you can post some actual facts to back up your false statement.

[77T]

An AD is an AD is an AD...

But what you potentially lose is the future value of building a good relationship as a customer in your hometown. If future champagne showings, quick bracelet adjustment, and other perks are not desired, then airport AD is perfect if they have the item at the price you want.

Be especially careful inspecting the item in case it is very shop worn. Ask for a loupe and go over everything since you may not be back at that airport for a long time (if ever).

[procrastanova]

For a US resident, the Liklihood of getting a deal at an airport AD that would be better than the prices at a stateside AD are slim. In my experience, US AD's have some of the best prices in the world, especially when in markets where the AD gives 10% discounts off list (as my local AD does).

I see in this case the OP resides in France. I have found prices for global luxury brands in France to be amongst the highest in the world. So, I would expect that the opportunity to save by buying internationally is substantial.

Rolex has several company-owned stores in several airports, and the selection at these is incredible. These are not your typical airport duty-free watch stores. They are Rolex nirvana when it comes to selection. The Rolex store in Amsterdam's Schipol has better prices than I have seen anywhere, and Rolex factory technicians on site. They offered to swap dials within an hour (limited to the selection of dials Rolex allows to each watch model) if i didn't see the combination I wanted. Granted, a weak euro helps on the price front.

I didn't do it, but was really tempted. I had my eye on the TT RG DJ which I almost never see in a proper shop.

Anyway, I wouldn't draw blanket statements about all airports experiences. The factory shops are a cut above.

[rogerrabbit168]

as long as its an AD, then why not

personally I have never bought a watch yet, but wife has bought many purses etc at airport store, was just in Rome couple of months ago and wife bought a Prada purse, works out to be even cheaper than if she were to buy inside Rome (even with the VAT back) and you don't have to do all the paperwork and line up claiming back the VAT etc.

[Speed]

Nice to know about Schipol. Will have to check out that store someday.

I'd be happy to be wrong about my preconceived opinions about Airport ADs.

[imono]

Originally Posted by wire.paladin

Bad idea, also dont consider cruise ship ports of call. The US virgin islands are notorius for jewelery scams. Buy from a reputed source,there are plenty.

You are from Laos?
That is one great country to visit!
Out of curiosity any AD's out there?
Other manufacturers?

[cjlewis610]

There was a fellow who recently posted that he purchased a rolex from the AD in the Amsterdam airport and was very pleased with the price and experience.

[MATCH1969]

Originally Posted by procrastanova

For a US resident, the Liklihood of getting a deal at an airport AD that would be better than the prices at a stateside AD are slim. In my experience, US AD's have some of the best prices in the world, especially when in markets where the AD gives 10% discounts off list (as my local AD does).

I see in this case the OP resides in France. I have found prices for global luxury brands in France to be amongst the highest in the world. So, I would expect that the opportunity to save by buying internationally is substantial.

Rolex has several company-owned stores in several airports, and the selection at these is incredible. These are not your typical airport duty-free watch stores. They are Rolex nirvana when it comes to selection. The Rolex store in Amsterdam's Schipol has better prices than I have seen anywhere, and Rolex factory technicians on site. They offered to swap dials within an hour (limited to the selection of dials Rolex allows to each watch model) if i didn't see the combination I wanted. Granted, a weak euro helps on the price front.

I didn't do it, but was really tempted. I had my eye on the TT RG DJ which I almost never see in a proper shop.

Anyway, I wouldn't draw blanket statements about all airports experiences. The factory shops are a cut above.

Good to know regarding Amsterdam as I'm often there for business purpose.
I will check for sure. Any feedback on Bangkok airport ?
Thanks

[jauri]

Originally Posted by Speed

Ah.

So Customs is effectively the limiter on such great deals?

I don't think its necessarily a limiter for buying one watch, because you can just wear it. I've never been stopped by a US customs agent on my way back to the US, but if they did stop me and I had 5 brand new Rolexes in my carry-on bag... There could be a problem .

I bought my IWC Portuguese 7 Day at the dutyfree shop in Seoul, wore the watch into the US without declaring it. No problem. While this isn't technically legal (I think you have to declare anything over $1,000), US customs agents at JFK are pretty lax.

+

the prices I've seen at the Korean dutyfree Rolex AD's at the best I've seen anywhere. Just checked -- a SubC is still $7,300 usd. Additional 5% off for Walkerhill (dutyfree) Gold card holders (spend $10,000+/year to get one). Compare this to a regular Korean AD's price for a SubC at ~$10,000 usd and a 10 month wait lol.

[kikker]

Originally Posted by MATCH1969

Good to know regarding Amsterdam as I'm often there for business purpose.
I will check for sure. Any feedback on Bangkok airport ?
Thanks

Bangkok airport is a no-no..

small selection and high prices.. vat is only 7%..

for an airport ad, gassan at schiphol is not bad.. but still a bit higher than buying it through an ad with good relationship (there you'll get a discount and via gassan probably not) i compared an explorer II 116300 after tax it was E 4834 through them and a DJII 216570 after tax E5537 (so total after tax = E10371), which I picked up at an AD jeweler of a friend in Germany for E9841 instead..

[MATCH1969]

was in Amsterdam airport today and the Rolex GMT was at 5307 Euro and every Rolex was without any taxes. Compare to PARIS CDG, it's 20% off.
They have some choice as this morning I saw 1 Sub without date, I Sub with date only black version available, no Steel Daytona Chrono but seems they have good knowledge.

[RolexPete32]

I would stick to an AD close to home. I was at the mont blanc shop in some airport not sure where now it was a few years ago and I traveled a bit since then. The shop was overrun by people either in a hurry or just chating with sales reps about which pens they own back home. I don't think any serious watch lover would find this type of place good for discounts or much for personal service.

[honeybear]

I'll be flying through Brussels in January, and will be in Ghent for a few days, and was hoping to pick up a Tudor Black Bay on a bracelet for a good price. Any recommendations about where I should be shopping?

[bgmv]

Originally Posted by jauri

the airport duty free shop at seoul, south korea has one of the best selections i've seen (all ADs) and their prices are amazing as well. subC's are selling for $7,300 usd for example. i am always afraid to buy more than one piece at a time, due to us customs .

this is true, plus you get back VAT...hate ICN airport though.

[bgmv]

Originally Posted by BaliBryan

I purchased one in a duty free Rolex store at the airport in Singapore. It was just like buying in any other rolex store. Maybe a slightly smaller selection.

Changi airport is awesome, some of the best airport stores I've come across...I might be biased because I live in SG though