Buying from a trusted seller questions

[Jello]

I am in the market and wanted to get some info firsthand from buyers who have purchased before from the trusted sellers i.e. davdisw, takuya, etc.

It seems a lot of these watches, even though from the AD, are not from US. I touched base with a couple of trusted sellers and the watches were sourced from European ADs. Is this a problem in any way?

Most trusted sellers say they will put your name on the warranty card. Would this nullify the warranty card as they are now tampering with it by adding my name or altering with it in any way?

I have read some horror stories about watches getting dinged up when going to resize the bracelet esp if they take the watch in the "back". I am around NYC area - is there a place where I can take the watch to get resized proper without having to worry about it getting jacked up?

Has anyone received a fake from one of these guys? I doubt it, but I have to ask. How does one confirm if the watch is authentic anyway?

Very excited and can't wait to jump. Just debating if I should save a couple of thousand with an online reputable seller or just go with an AD.

BTW, debating between a SD4K vs DSSD - still not sure if DSSD can be rocked everyday as it is a big sucker...

[tritium8]

Got mine from a trusted seller who sourced the watch from outside the US - brand new. Rolex in Dallas completed warranty work with no questions asked. These guys can't risk one bad review so trust the trusted sellers.

It wasn't easy for me either but I'm glad I did. It saved me about $1000.

[sickened1]

Originally Posted by Jello

I have read some horror stories about watches getting dinged up when going to resize the bracelet esp if they take the watch in the "back". I am around NYC area - is there a place where I can take the watch to get resized proper without having to worry about it getting jacked up?

If you're worried just take it to a RSC in NY so they can resize it for you.

Originally Posted by Jello

Has anyone received a fake from one of these guys? I doubt it, but I have to ask.

Nope, none that I know of.

Originally Posted by Jello

BTW, debating between a SD4K vs DSSD - still not sure if DSSD can be rocked everyday as it is a big sucker...

Personally I'd go with a SD4K since I have small wrists. You'll just have to decide for yourself on this one.

[Stealthmode29]

I personally would never go trusted seller vs AD. I will always go AD....and I know many of you will probably disagree but that is MY opinion and MINE alone. For me, part of ownership is the experience I get when I sit down with my AD knowing that I deserve and paid for this watch as it was meant to be purchased. From fitting to adjusting to wearing it out of the store- shopping bag in hand, that for me, is the beginning of the watch's life with me. The experience becomes part of the watch's story when I hand it down to my descendants. For those that like to start the story off by " I bought it off the internet, but it was from a trusted seller.." then by all means. For me, when I pass this down, I take comfort in knowing it's origin every possible step of the way as a consumer. In a world where everything can be faked, I take comfort in knowing that I purchased from an AD - because that's the best you can do to avoid the heartache and nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe I paid x amount for a really good fake...

[the_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Stealthmode29

For those that like to start the story off by " I bought it off the internet, but it was from a trusted seller.."

I start my story off with "I have a good watch guy"

to the OP I wouldn't have any issue buying from any of our trusted sellers here on TRF but I have dealt with DavidSW twice and both have been great experiences

[locutus49]

I dealt with OCROlexguy and watch was from Canada. Warrantee card was blank. And still is. Great experience.

[RACER_X]

I bought from Takuya

Drop shipped from a US AD even, brand new, no name on tag

They even included a receipt

sent from the batcloset in the batcave on the batphone

[Lordofrolex]

Bought from DavidSW a 2003 Day-date. Not sure about the experience of shopping on a new watch from them. But there prices do beat most ADs. The saving really is worth it in my own opinion.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Stealthmode29

I personally would never go trusted seller vs AD. I will always go AD....and I know many of you will probably disagree but that is MY opinion and MINE alone. For me, part of ownership is the experience I get when I sit down with my AD knowing that I deserve and paid for this watch as it was meant to be purchased. From fitting to adjusting to wearing it out of the store- shopping bag in hand, that for me, is the beginning of the watch's life with me. The experience becomes part of the watch's story when I hand it down to my descendants. For those that like to start the story off by " I bought it off the internet, but it was from a trusted seller.." then by all means. For me, when I pass this down, I take comfort in knowing it's origin every possible step of the way as a consumer. In a world where everything can be faked, I take comfort in knowing that I purchased from an AD - because that's the best you can do to avoid the heartache and nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe I paid x amount for a really good fake...

An AD is just a store, and we get plenty of dissatisfied AD customers here. How about "I took your mother on vacation with the money I saved by not buying from an AD" as a story to hand down with the watch?

[Stealthmode29]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

An AD is just a store, and we get plenty of dissatisfied AD customers here. How about "I took your mother on vacation with the money I saved by not buying from an AD" as a story to hand down with the watch?

AD: Authorized Dealer - so not "just" a store. It's who Rolex wants you to purchase from. Again....not here to argue that I'm right. Also...still like the beginning of my story-

[Stealthmode29]

Originally Posted by the_Hunter

I start my story off with "I have a good watch guy"

to the OP I wouldn't have any issue buying from any of our trusted sellers here on TRF but I have dealt with DavidSW twice and both have been great experiences

How do I get in touch with him Dad ?
Well son, you go to www.......

Just teasing. Peace my friend. Again- I am NOT right...just voicing my opinion.

[Tri-Tip]

I purchased my Exp II from OCROLEXGUY and it part of the reason was that it showed a US warranty card in the photos on the listing. If it was from overseas, I would have waited for one that came through a domestic AD. I doubt the price would vary, I would just have had to wait.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Stealthmode29

AD: Authorized Dealer - so not "just" a store. It's who Rolex wants you to purchase from. Again....not here to argue that I'm right. Also...still like the beginning of my story-

All Rolex watches initial point of sale originate from an AD. Wheather it's by a customer off the street, trusted seller or grey dealer. Everyone does support an AD.

[the_Hunter]

Originally Posted by Stealthmode29

How do I get in touch with him Dad ?
Well son, you go to www.......

Just teasing. Peace my friend. Again- I am NOT right...just voicing my opinion.

Nope I pick up the phone and call him

[Hpozzuoli]

For a first purchase it is nice to go to an AD and get pampered. I am not talking the AD at the mall. I mean an actual boutique like in a casino. After the first time I just wanted the watch and not the experience so I get almost all of them from a select few online. There's nothing wrong about wanting an experience.

On a side note an Omega boutique opened close to me. The champagne was flowing the entire hour I was there. Huge store with lots of offerings. Sadly I don't know much about the brand or models, but I did see some cool stuff.

[mfer]

They all come from Switzerland btw.....

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by Hpozzuoli

For a first purchase it is nice to go to an AD and get pampered. I am not talking the AD at the mall. I mean an actual boutique like in a casino. After the first time I just wanted the watch and not the experience so I get almost all of them from a select few online. There's nothing wrong about wanting an experience.

On a side note an Omega boutique opened close to me. The champagne was flowing the entire hour I was there. Huge store with lots of offerings. Sadly I don't know much about the brand or models, but I did see some cool stuff.

Omega boutique on NYC is amazing! Brought my speedmaster in to have a little bit of lubricant removed from the dial, and I was treated like royalty. Watch wasn't in warranty either. Did all the work for free (including demagnetizing the watch), gave me espresso, water, wifi and plenty of reading material.

[chieftd]

Have bought and traded numerous watches from trusted sellers here on TRF. All have been great experiences with no problems. I bought from an AD once. The difference was being able to walk out of the store with the watch on, but it was a good deal more in price. It was an impulse buy and I flipped it a year later. So for me it's TRF sellers all the way cuz I like to trade. Man, all this trading talking has got me thinking again. I feel an itch. :) Good luck in your search. Cheers, Tim

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by tritium8

Got mine from a trusted seller who sourced the watch from outside the US - brand new. Rolex in Dallas completed warranty work with no questions asked. These guys can't risk one bad review so trust the trusted sellers.

It wasn't easy for me either but I'm glad I did. It saved me about $1000.

Thats technically a grey market watch. Not typical for the trusted sellers here who course their watches from the US

[Rags]

I've bought 5 preowned from Tony Geha-Justrolexes & loved every watch & there has never been a problem. Always buy the seller. Check the reviews, you will save a nice chunk of change.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Jello

I am in the market and wanted to get some info firsthand from buyers who have purchased before from the trusted sellers i.e. davdisw, takuya, etc.

It seems a lot of these watches, even though from the AD, are not from US. I touched base with a couple of trusted sellers and the watches were sourced from European ADs. Is this a problem in any way?

Most trusted sellers say they will put your name on the warranty card. Would this nullify the warranty card as they are now tampering with it by adding my name or altering with it in any way?

I have read some horror stories about watches getting dinged up when going to resize the bracelet esp if they take the watch in the "back". I am around NYC area - is there a place where I can take the watch to get resized proper without having to worry about it getting jacked up?

Has anyone received a fake from one of these guys? I doubt it, but I have to ask. How does one confirm if the watch is authentic anyway?

Very excited and can't wait to jump. Just debating if I should save a couple of thousand with an online reputable seller or just go with an AD.

BTW, debating between a SD4K vs DSSD - still not sure if DSSD can be rocked everyday as it is a big sucker...

All watches come from the same factory in Switzerland no matter who or the country that sells them.And I would say that no trusted seller would knowingly sell any fake they have too much to lose in there reputation.And to re-size any oyster bracelet is a very very simple task.All you need is a 1.6mm screwdriver to unscrew a screw its not rocket science.And as long as the warranty is stamped by any official AD no matter what part of the world the warranty is covered world wide and that includes the US.

[rouxeny]

First watch purchased new from AD. It was fun, and amazingly they recognize me still when I walk in, despite it being 2 years ago.

2nd watch purchased lightly used from perpetualman88. I had 100% confidence, but it took me 2 years of actively following this forum to have that confidence. Watching people buy $$$ watches from these guys helped.

I have never seen an authenticity issue here from any of the trusted sellers, their entire reputation depends on that being a never event. It's a pretty hard earned reputation too.

I might go back to an AD to buy my wife's watch, I think she would enjoy the process, and does not have the same confidence in the trusted sellers that I do. However, any future watches for myself will go through that route.

The money saved is just too compelling.

[THC]

Originally Posted by mfer

They all come from Switzerland btw.....

This x 10000000 ... Well done

[UNLVino]

Well I bought my first from an AD - then when I took it there for service, I wasn't treated special actually I was treated like more of a nuisance - "oh you just want service". Then guess what? They stopped being an AD, so now the only AD's are on the Las Vegas strip - which I avoid at all costs or one small store 40 min from my house.

The thing with the small store - When I got my DD, which needed a link to fit I called them and specifically asked if they had a link and how much - they quoted a price I was happy with, so I schlepped across town, go in give them the watch then they quote a price almost $200 higher - when I say I just called they said oh that's just an estimate. Really? It was a specific model, specific part and specific work and they are off by almost $200?

So my next story will start with I went to WWW - actually by the time I do hand down - will there really be brick and mortar stores anymore?

I did enjoy the purchase experience, but not worth the premium v
Based on after sale experience

[Dr.Brian]

Originally Posted by Stealthmode29

I personally would never go trusted seller vs AD. I will always go AD....and I know many of you will probably disagree but that is MY opinion and MINE alone. For me, part of ownership is the experience I get when I sit down with my AD knowing that I deserve and paid for this watch as it was meant to be purchased. From fitting to adjusting to wearing it out of the store- shopping bag in hand, that for me, is the beginning of the watch's life with me. The experience becomes part of the watch's story when I hand it down to my descendants. For those that like to start the story off by " I bought it off the internet, but it was from a trusted seller.." then by all means. For me, when I pass this down, I take comfort in knowing it's origin every possible step of the way as a consumer. In a world where everything can be faked, I take comfort in knowing that I purchased from an AD - because that's the best you can do to avoid the heartache and nagging feeling that maybe, just maybe I paid x amount for a really good fake...

I'd rather pass down the money I saved.
But whatever makes you feel good about the sale. 👍
I don't value the experience at all.

[Bluside]

All good questions from the OP.

There has to be a level of comfort that you are good with. I have not bought from a Trusted seller yet. I like my AD and they treat me well every time I walk in. But, I may in the future.

[sdelliott58]

I purchased from one of the trusted sellers here (David SW) and have nothing but praise. I combed the reviews in TRF for sometime, and found several trusted sellers I would have no issue doing business with. But it took some time before I was comfortable.

For me, it came down to a significant saving on the watch, both on the price as well as sales tax, and incredibly solid service and communication were a value add.

I live in an area where there are more than ample AD's where one can get an espresso and a butt smooching while purchasing a watch. Not a thing in the world wrong with that, however I'd rather have a Nespresso and save a couple of grande.

That said...to each their own. :)

[Ruud Van Driver]

I prefer the AD experience. I have two trusted ADs; one here in Singapore and one home in Cardiff (supervisor is a personal friend of 30 years).

Between ADs and TRF trusted sellers, I don't think there's a wrong answer. It really is down to personal preference. I personally wouldn't use a TRF trusted seller and have the watch shipped to me purely because they're mostly US based and the thought of getting hit by Customs and taxes gives me the horrors.

That said, one day I intend to do a face-to-face with DavidSW as I've heard some very good things about him from two mates/fellow TRFers who have dealt with him personally.

[123Blueface]

My last purchase earlier last year was from an AD,mbefore joining this forum.
My next purchase hopefully this year will be from one of three trusted sellers I have identified here.

[fusionstorm]

All of my watches were sourced from folks who post/sell regularly on TRF (though a number of them were from cross posts on other forums). All transactions have been problem-free, with very solid communication. While vintage isn't as easy to find deals on (unless you're quick on the trigger), I've obtained some great deals on modern that no AD could get anywhere close to.