Grey market has become a necessary evil for luxury watchmakers

[SeaDweller50]

Interesting read.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-swi...-idUKKBN17E2EA

[Chewbacca]

ya, saw that.

worst kept secret but ya gotta move the metal before the lawyers demand to settle.

[emersm]

I'm curious how much Rolex is affected, if at all. It would be nice if Rolex published their sales records.

[drfaulkner]

I purchased my latest watch from a grey market dealer. Even if their warranty/service turn out to be no good (IF I was to need it), I saved more than enough to afford a couple of full factory services.

[ejvette]

I just can't imagine walking into an AD and paying retail plus sales tax ... I think the only watch I would gladly pay retail for is a daytonaC and that's because I could make 2K on it the next day on TRF

[JSolano305]

Originally Posted by ejvette

I just can't imagine walking into an AD and paying retail plus sales tax ... I think the only watch I would gladly pay retail for is a daytonaC and that's because I could make 2K on it the next day on TRF

Exactly. Both of my watches I've bought pre owned mint conditions from SoHAIS. Between less than retail and taxes I've saved a lot. 114060 warranty card dated 06/2016 and BLNR warranty card dated 02/2017. Both watches paid in full via wire. I just can't contemplate paying full retail here in Miami and tax. The BLNR easy goes for $9500 with tax at AD here. I paid way less. Daytona C I'll gladly pay retail of course to flip the next day.


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[Speed]

Originally Posted by ejvette

I just can't imagine walking into an AD and paying retail plus sales tax ... I think the only watch I would gladly pay retail for is a daytonaC and that's because I could make 2K on it the next day on TRF

This!

But I wouldn't say "Gladly" I'd rather let my investments make $2k +

I'd rather buy a watch to wear / enjoy.

Still, excellent point!

[kid4life]

In my limited buying experience of 2 SS pieces from an AD - I have not paid close to MSRP. These second hand dealers are not any cheaper

[Bigsykedaddy]

Are people like David and Thanh technically even Grey Market? Since their watches come with a valid warranty? I know Jomashop and the likes are grey market because they don't come with warranties.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by kid4life

In my limited buying experience of 2 SS pieces from an AD - I have not paid close to MSRP. These second hand dealers are not any cheaper

Have to agree

I suppose it depends on the specific reference and "where" you're located. I've found dealing at my AD to be just as cost effective as the gray market on the pieces I've bought

[AK797]

I think Rolex watches are generally overpriced so I was glad when in the old days here resellers had these for decent discounts.

[gav329]

What's quite annoying about this is that they complain about the grey market and their lower prices yet a stainless Daytona sells for horrific money!


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[Lrlx]

Personally I'd rather not lose hundreds to thousands of dollars by paying MSRP. Greymarket only for me.

[jazznpool]

Originally Posted by emersm

I'm curious how much Rolex is affected, if at all. It would be nice if Rolex published their sales records.

You gotta be dreaming! Lol.

[Hard_Six]

I honestly just can't understand buying at full price from an AD (or worse yet, jumping on a waiting list) when trusted sellers like DavidSW, Takuya, SohAIS, etc. can get you the exact same, BNIB, fully warrantied pieces for less $$$ and no sales tax

[JSolano305]

Originally Posted by Hard_Six

I honestly just can't understand buying at full price from an AD (or worse yet, jumping on a waiting list) when trusted sellers like DavidSW, Takuya, SohAIS, etc. can get you the exact same, BNIB, fully warrantied pieces for less $$$ and no sales tax

Exactly. Pay more for what? For the AD experience. No thanx.


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[Hard_Six]

Originally Posted by JSolano305

Exactly. Pay more for what? For the AD experience. No thanx.


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Exactly... I feel like I'm missing something

[JSolano305]

Originally Posted by Hard_Six

Exactly... I feel like I'm missing something

AD's here in Miami of full of douche bags. Don't expect any discounts. 3 times I've gone and been treated bad and ignored. Ohhh and the used market here is horrendous. Pre owned watches that look heavily used with some box and papers. Ridiculous prices as well. And store owners that look shady. No thanx. 2 watches in this year for me bought via SoHAIS. Never did I imagine I would fine a seller on this forum and wire thousands of dollars. Both 114060 and BLNR in mint like new conditions with everything included.


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[WatchAffinity]

Originally Posted by JSolano305

AD's here in Miami of full of douche bags. Don't expect any discounts. 3 times I've gone and been treated bad and ignored. Ohhh and the used market here is horrendous. Pre owned watches that look heavily used with some box and papers. Ridiculous prices as well. And store owners that look shady. No thanx. 2 watches in this year for me bought via SoHAIS. Never did I imagine I would fine a seller on this forum and wire thousands of dollars. Both 114060 and BLNR in mint like new conditions with everything included.


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Can confirm, I've showed up to two separate AD's here in South Florida plus numerous other stores (while wearing a Rolex) and been treated rudely by employees. Went to DavidSW for my most recent purchase and had a wonderful experience plus I saved about 25% compared to what I would have spent at an AD :)


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[GreenLantern]

Originally Posted by Bigsykedaddy

Are people like David and Thanh technically even Grey Market? Since their watches come with a valid warranty? I know Jomashop and the likes are grey market because they don't come with warranties.

According to the definition noted in the article, yes.

Grey market typically refers to any market other than the official / authorized market by the manufacturer.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

According to the definition noted in the article, yes.

Grey market typically refers to any market other than the official / authorized market by the manufacturer.

Charging over the list price in times of scarcity, such as the new SS Daytona, I suppose could be called Black Market?

[KarlS]

I love the word retail price. Everyone loves a bargain so increase the base and give a larger discount and the AD clears the same. On. Rolex in my AD it's bulk standard 10% and I guess that's for everyone. So yes o get 10% of retail!

[emersm]

Originally Posted by jazznpool

You gotta be dreaming! Lol.

Just a tad.

[Tebow15]

Originally Posted by ejvette

I just can't imagine walking into an AD and paying retail plus sales tax ... I think the only watch I would gladly pay retail for is a daytonaC and that's because I could make 2K on it the next day on TRF

For high demand watches like DaytonaC and Deep Blue, going grey is effectively the same price as an AD.

I live in FL and just bought a Deep Blue from an Iowa AD wo sales tax. There was no benefit going grey, so I just went AD.

[ivanos]

"Rolex" is only mentioned once in the article and I'm wondering how all that is mentioned applies to Rolex.

[bdex75]

It seems like if you live in/near a major city the AD's are much less likely to work with you on discounts. Especially on sport SS pieces.

My AD has always been more than fair on discounts and when compared to a David or other well known seller there had never been much difference. I live out of state so the sales tax issue is a non issue. And I won't deal anywhere that I feel there is a risk I can get duped.

But to the original OP point the grey market is a necessary evil for all luxury watch companies. The ones that are part of a conglomerate need to report sales numbers to the parent organization that show promise. The worst I have seen of the big brands is Omega. Outside of some LE pieces of course. Rolex is not immune. They want to move more metal this year than last year. And there is a lot of BNIB Rolex pieces in the classifieds just on this forum. It seems a lot of the gray Rolex pieces come from outside the US, not sure if that is accurate. Just my limited observations.


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