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18 January 2016, 11:56 PM | #1 |
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Anyone local to Norway?
Good morning, fellow TRFers.
As some of you may know, I am planning a trip to Norway (cheapest place to get a Rolex! -- Well, cheapest when converting to USD) and I am in the process of reserving two pieces to pick up while there. The sole AD in Oslo has proven to be very, very pleasant in email communications and, lucky for us, they actually have in stock the two pieces we want. They are willing to reserve them for us with a deposit (originally they asked for 15%, but ended up quoting me a deposit of 10,000 NOK each, for a total of 20K NOK) and everything is looking good. I have three questions for those who may be local or with more experience: - am I limiting my options for negotiating a final price by putting down a deposit now? (as we all know, ADs will not discuss or negotiate discounts via email or phone :banged:) - the price I was quoted on a 116334 (blue index dial) is about 5% higher than what was listed in the chart on this first page (76300, instead of 72500) so I was wondering if there any locals in Oslo that could verify and post the price of that piece. I am waiting for final price on the second piece (116203) since I was quoted a price with the wrong bracelet (we want oyster, they quoted jubilee). - Finally, does anyone have any feedback and/or personal experience with the local AD (Urmaker Bjerke) Thank you! |
19 January 2016, 12:13 AM | #2 |
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Putting a deposit down is like you bought it. There can be no more haggling about price imho. I would try to fix the deal before the increase on 1st febr.
(source German forum)
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Day Date 18238, Yachtmaster 16622, Deepsea 116660, Submariner 116619, SkyD 326935, DJ 178271, DJ 69158, Yachtmaster 169622, GMT 116713LN, GMT 126711. |
19 January 2016, 12:16 AM | #3 | |
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Quote:
You probably know this already, but Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in the world.....along with Zurich, Tokyo, etc.... How much will you spend just getting and staying there? I'd buy the watch in the U.S. then travel there on leisure sometime. Nice place.... |
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19 January 2016, 12:21 AM | #4 |
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Using the same source than the one where I got 72.500nok for a 116334 , a 116203 is 84.100nok on Oyster and 88.200nok on jubilé. |
19 January 2016, 12:33 AM | #5 |
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Hmm. Very interesting, Alpino. Thank you very much for this reference. I may just have to wait until I get there to pull the trigger since the prices I am being quoted are not matching up with the prices your source is providing. I wish it was easier to get MSRP (list price) information without having to play detective or having to mobilize friends around the world. The price I was quoted on the jubilee was 90200, so the difference is only 2K, which is less than 2.5%.
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19 January 2016, 12:36 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
1) things are not as expensive as they used to be (USD has appreciated 50% against the NOK in the past three years) 2) the difference in price in the watches (especially when factoring in VAT refund) is about 3K each, for a total of 6K, so that is paying for a weeklong trip throughout Scandinavia 3) air fare to Scandinavia for March (when I am going) is extremely cheap. I am paying less money to fly there r/t (non stop flights) than I would to fly to California or the Caribbean for the same date ranges (r/t to Oslo is under 600 USD) |
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19 January 2016, 12:48 AM | #7 | |
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And oh by the way.....Oslo is a great place to go.....even if you only want buy a watch and return. But once you get there, you may want to stay longer....great place! |
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19 January 2016, 02:24 AM | #8 |
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I reside in Norway.
a) NOK:USD ratio is historically favorable - for USD b) a deposit is just a deposit. Aka can be returned c) Norway has 25% VAT. That means you get 20% of the already favorable price under litera a) d) Urmaker Bjerke (the AD) is indeed trustworthy |
19 January 2016, 03:51 AM | #9 | |
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Quote:
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19 January 2016, 04:02 AM | #10 |
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Please note that Rolex prices will very likely rise 8% ultimo January in Norway. Weak NOK.
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19 January 2016, 04:03 AM | #11 | |
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Quote:
My experience with the AD so far has been great so far (all via email) but it's always great to get additional feedback and first hand stories from others. I am hoping I'll be able to secure a discount (especially given that it is two watches we are buying) but even if I don't, I'm getting a great deal compared to local prices. Heck, I may even pull the trigger on a third one (BLNR or LVc) while there if they have either in stock. |
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19 January 2016, 04:07 AM | #12 |
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That's my concern and also part of the reason why I want to complete a deal now. The AD alluded to a possible raise in our emails by asking for the deposit before February. They are willing to set aside the watches until we get there in late March, so they are being very accommodating. Very happy with the experience so far.
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19 January 2016, 04:17 AM | #13 | |
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Quote:
It should be possible to get a full refund deposited directly from the dealer instead of having a third party take a bite. You may get a discount, but don't count on it, as Rolex inventories are pretty much depleted around here lately due to the weak currency. |
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19 January 2016, 05:37 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
To be honest, I don't put much stock in price increase predictions (history shows that ADs only find out about increases when they are announced and official) but I also think that the NOK has lost too much value and that a price increase is inevitable. The AD (Urmaker Bjerke) has been very, very pleasant to deal with, and I much rather close the deal now and avoid surprises later. If the AD is willing to commit to a price (and that seems to be the case) then I rather pay the full price they are quoting as opposed to "rolling the dice" and waiting until March and risk a price increase. As of right now, the Norwegian prices are ridiculously low for those using USD (and also Euro, but to a lesser extend) so I am sure that a price increase will come sometime soon. As for inventory being depleted, I am slightly surprised to hear that since the AD has told me that the very two pieces I have inquired about are in stock. I am tempted to ask them to hold a third piece for me. At these prices, I am tempted to pull the trigger. |
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19 January 2016, 05:48 AM | #15 |
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You said "...I am in the process of reserving two pieces...". While you are in the process, the stock might be sold. ;)
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19 January 2016, 07:15 AM | #16 |
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20 January 2016, 06:11 AM | #17 |
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Have a nice trip to Oslo!
It is a nice place and you can trust "Urmaker Bjerke"! 8-) |
20 January 2016, 06:29 AM | #18 |
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I'm here until tomorrow, I'll go check them out tmrw afternoon and send you a msg.
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20 January 2016, 06:39 AM | #19 |
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DONT TRUST GLOBAL BLUE!!! I bought a Cartier love bracelet in Venice in May and was due back €1165 and never received it. Sent in all of the paper work and it was supposedly "lost". I emailed them and had copies of all of my forms and even a picture of the global box I put them in and a picture of the global blue teller at the airport and they still refused to refund my VAT. Don't depend on that because it is NO GUARANTEE. If the retailer can't refund you the VAT on the spot I highly recommend passing. I ended up paying more for my bracelet in Italy than I would have if I just bought the damn thing in the US. Google Global Blue and you will read many horror stories. (Sorry for the rant)
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20 January 2016, 11:55 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
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20 January 2016, 01:17 PM | #21 |
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Pics of the receipts and copies are not accepted. Global Blue has a strict policy that all the paperwork must be original with no exceptions. Complete BS and unfortunate that so many EU retailers use their services
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20 January 2016, 03:01 PM | #22 | |
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Quote:
I'm surprised there isn't a Euro BBB who can help you dispute that. Not sure how long ago that happened to you, but you might be able to contact either the credit card company and/or AD for a duplicate receipt? |
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20 January 2016, 09:03 PM | #23 |
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I live in Oslo, Norway.
1) I don't think you can get a discount on a new Rolex in Norway. 2) I bough my SS GMT IIc at Urmaker Bjerke. It was a great experience Good luck! PS: You should visit "Frognerparken" / "Vigelandsanlegget" while you are in Oslo. It's a large sculpture park near the centre of town (Urmaker Bjerke almost IS the centre of town)
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20 January 2016, 09:11 PM | #24 |
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With GB, u can always lose a little more to ask for cash instead of crediting back to your card. Cash is instant and I have never had problem with that.
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20 January 2016, 10:12 PM | #25 |
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Don't want crash your party but given 18% tax return only, travel expenses and most likely little or no discount you stand to lose substantial money compared to just buying from TRF GMD's
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20 January 2016, 10:27 PM | #26 |
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Cash can only be given if it is a small refund. That is what I was told when I requested cash first. The teller told me I had to have it go back on my card because the return was over €1100
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21 January 2016, 12:07 AM | #27 | |
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Enjoy Oslo! -JD |
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21 January 2016, 12:38 AM | #28 | |
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Quote:
I have not come across the rule stating the threshold limit for refund to go to the card vs cash. Have u ? |
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21 January 2016, 02:18 AM | #29 |
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I went there today, few comments;
For some reason I first walked past it. It is located right next to the (currently under renovation) main entrance to the Grand Hotel. They had very limited stock - bunch of Datejusts, one Platona, and a WG Pepsi. Their prices for Datejust 2's after the "discount" were; 116300, sales price 56600NOK, 10188NOK tax return, end price 46412NOK. 116334, sales price 76300NOK, 13734NOK tax return, end price 62566NOK. BUT; and this was VERY worrying to me. They only had a blue stick dial smooth bezel DJ2 in stock, and a diamond dial 116334. They said it is not a problem at all to swap the dial over from the blue to the fluted bezel watch, they said I could pick it up in 3-4 hours. That is very questionable, given that the warranty card would then state wrong dial type... Not very cheap, those prices are 10-12% more expensive in their neighboring country, where a 116300 is around 4550USD after tax return and discounts. Good service though and a nice selection of all the high end brands, including a few complicated Pateks. |
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