AP Dealer in Grand Cayman

[RyanO]

Stopped in the AP dealer in Georgetown, Grand Cayman. The dealer informed me that they would be losing their AD status in December, as AP moves towards their all-boutique sales strategy.

I asked if they had any steel Royal Oaks. To my surprise, he pulls this 15500 with black dial from the safe. But this shady dealer would only sell it to me at a premium, asking 22,000. He made sure to stress that they were selling fro 25-26k in the US, which I think is a bit of a stretch.

Too bad, because if at retail I may have pulled the trigger...




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[drtii]

I've read the Rolex dealer there is just as bad. Is it the same place? If so, that's a terrible practice and not shocking they'd lose status.

[Etschell]

Cayman is a tourist trap.

That said I would purchase for 22k if I wanted it. The dealer wasn't wrong.

[cbiggs]

I was there a couple weeks ago and they told me the same thing.

Then attempted to sell my girlfriend a watch at a premium as well. And also stated the “market price” about 5 times. Looks like they are no longer trying to please the AP gods!

Hope you enjoyed your trip!!


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[SMD]

That’s not a bad price.

[calh22a]

22k really isn’t that bad if you wanted it. It retails 19200. If you buy in the states that’s 19 plus tax...so not terribly far off from the 22k. Sure it’s shady but seems like many dealers are trying to capitalize on this hot market right now.

[JodyHighroller]

I would’ve negotiated a bit and got it as close to the $19.2k retail price. I think we’ve all seen worse price gouging on here lol

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by calh22a

22k really isn’t that bad if you wanted it. It retails 19200. If you buy in the states that’s 19 plus tax...so not terribly far off from the 22k. Sure it’s shady but seems like many dealers are trying to capitalize on this hot market right now.

You’ll still have to pay tax when returning, just at a lower percentage.

[huncho]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=674853

22k is definitely a decent price, i would've just pulled out my phone and done a quick search on here lol. never too late to go back and try to negotiate a bit seeing as you have nothing to lose

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by huncho

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=674853

22k is definitely a decent price, i would've just pulled out my phone and done a quick search on here lol. never too late to go back and try to negotiate a bit seeing as you have nothing to lose

Listed in May, reduced and still available.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

Listed in May, reduced and still available.

true, seems like they are all listed for 24-25k but not really selling, but also that one i linked only has 1 feedback

this one sold for 23.9k

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=675190

[cbiggs]

Originally Posted by drtii

I've read the Rolex dealer there is just as bad. Is it the same place? If so, that's a terrible practice and not shocking they'd lose status.

I can’t speak for all of Freeport’s locations but we had a great experience at the location we stopped at. Unfortunately, the only SS Professional model in the case was a blue Milgauss. There were a few, more difficult to find, Tudors available. All at MSRP.

Still kicking myself for not picking up the blue Pelagos...


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[RolexFan007]

Shocking

[GB-man]

I would have offerred 20880 as that is the tax in number where I live in NY.

[CoveWatch]

The price isn't terrible considering you get the watch to enjoy right now and may have even been a bit of room to negotiate more if you were serious about buying.

[mav3rick]

u should have shot him back, "and tts one other reason u are losing your AD status"

[Goldnlivin]

22k is a great deal to have it now! I just paid the premium for 15500 blue haha....id love to pay 22k....I contemplated black (23.5) but felt for some more I can get what I really want, blue. AP makes fewer blue dials (so I've heard) so despite the demand, supply is less as well. I like Blue/Black/Grey

[RyanO]

Originally Posted by drtii

I've read the Rolex dealer there is just as bad. Is it the same place? If so, that's a terrible practice and not shocking they'd lose status.

That’s interesting to hear. I may have made a purchase from the Rolex AD at the Ritz and had a very pleasant experience. With the sales associate and the manager. Maybe the one downtown is a different story? I know they’re the same owners.


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Cayman is a tourist trap.

That said I would purchase for 22k if I wanted it. The dealer wasn't wrong.

Respectfully I disagree. No AD should be charging a premium ethically. No wonder AP wants to control everything... But to your point, if this had been a 15400 I may have paid the premium.


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by cbiggs

I was there a couple weeks ago and they told me the same thing.

Then attempted to sell my girlfriend a watch at a premium as well. And also stated the “market price” about 5 times. Looks like they are no longer trying to please the AP gods!

Hope you enjoyed your trip!!


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That’s interesting. Yeah it was a great trip! Beautiful water and we had an incredible meal at Grand Old House. One of the most impressive wine lists I’ve ever seen.


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by calh22a

22k really isn’t that bad if you wanted it. It retails 19200. If you buy in the states that’s 19 plus tax...so not terribly far off from the 22k. Sure it’s shady but seems like many dealers are trying to capitalize on this hot market right now.

I’m not disagreeing that it isn’t a terrible price, it’s just the principle to me. I’ve never paid over retail for a watch, but I was tempted. Not sure I’m in love with he updated model and regret not pulling the trigger on the 15400.


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

I would’ve negotiated a bit and got it as close to the $19.2k retail price. I think we’ve all seen worse price gouging on here lol

I offered 20,500. He was quick to remind me of the “market price”


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

You’ll still have to pay tax when returning, just at a lower percentage.

Very good point, and one most don’t consider - so narrows the savings.


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

Listed in May, reduced and still available.

Interesting. I believe David SW has one for just under 24 too.


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by huncho

true, seems like they are all listed for 24-25k but not really selling, but also that one i linked only has 1 feedback

this one sold for 23.9k

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=675190

I did some looking around after his offer and I also felt like they were sitting unsold too. If at retail I would had no doubt but I had already bought a watch a few days before [In Cayman] so it was a tough call for me.


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by mav3rick

u should have shot him back, "and tts one other reason u are losing your AD status"

Haha yes I should have! But I was still seriously considering buying when I left and wasn’t quite ready to be so honest!


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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by Goldnlivin

22k is a great deal to have it now! I just paid the premium for 15500 blue haha....id love to pay 22k....I contemplated black (23.5) but felt for some more I can get what I really want, blue. AP makes fewer blue dials (so I've heard) so despite the demand, supply is less as well. I like Blue/Black/Grey

If it has been a blue at a small premium I would have been even more tempted, as that’s the most seductive dial by all means to me. But was just the issue of an AD charging over retail that left a bad taste in my mouth.


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[SMD]

Originally Posted by RyanO

Respectfully I disagree. No AD should be charging a premium ethically. No wonder AP wants to control everything... But to your point, if this had been a 15400 I may have paid the premium.


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Is it unethical for a dealer to offer a discount?

[RyanO]

Originally Posted by SMD

Is it unethical for a dealer to offer a discount?

Of course not. But from an authorized dealer I expect the price to be the advertised price from the manufacturer. I guess you condone dealers selling to grey out the back door?

I also didn’t ask for a discount from retail.


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[SMD]

Originally Posted by RyanO

Of course not. But from an authorized dealer I expect the price to be the advertised price from the manufacturer. I guess you condone dealers selling to grey out the back door?

I also didn’t ask for a discount from retail.


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It's their watch, they can charge what they want, it's just that nobody complained when it was a discount. MSRP is just that, suggested not mandatory. Happens with cars and a lot of other items as well. Reality is this guy was upfront -- he instead could do what the Rolex dealers are doing, selling at MSRP as long as you make a bunch of other purchases as well. Is that unethical as well?