Current discount climate (US AD)?

[dannyp]

So it's been almost five years since I purchased my last Rolex and I'm considering another. Actually two more; my wife and I want to do "his & hers". Ideally we'd go with an Explorer I for me and an AK for her (same dial, just different colors).

The last time I bought, we were at the bottom of a recession and I got an Explorer II from a dealer in the midwest for 20% off. Would that be a reasonable expectation today on the models I mentioned, purchased together? Can I do better? Despite it being somewhat irrational, we both prefer to go the AD route so I'm curious about the discount climate there. Obviously my first choice would be to go back to the same dealer, but I'd like to have an idea of what others are seeing so I know if the price they quote me is really the best. Thanks!

[Rickn]

20% is a lot off for a ss model. For most random buyers I'd say tgat would be difficult to pull off.

[tkerrmd]

from a Gray market or on here you will get a 10-20% "discount"

forget it at most big AD's unless you have a great relationship, then it would depend on the watch

I can get a SS Daytona when ever I want but will have to pay full retail. Go big gold or platinum I can get 10-20% again depending on the watch. something new and hot from Basel, no discount

YMMV

[Rolexmarc]

20% can be done at an AD (SS models included). You need to have a good relationship however. Just walking in may be tough.

[dannyp]

To clarify, I would be going back to the same AD I purchased from last time. It was my only purchase from there so far, but I was referred in by a long time customer.

[Micha]

Originally Posted by dannyp

To clarify, I would be going back to the same AD I purchased from last time. It was my only purchase from there so far, but I was referred in by a long time customer.

well, you can always give it a try...good luck

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by dannyp

To clarify, I would be going back to the same AD I purchased from last time. It was my only purchase from there so far, but I was referred in by a long time customer.

Worst case scenario is they don't give the discount you are looking for, and then you leave. You can always ask!

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by Rolexmarc

20% can be done at an AD (SS models included). You need to have a good relationship however. Just walking in may be tough.

You would be laughed at if you asked for that in Central Fla. They have no need to discount at all.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Art 1

You would be laughed at if you asked for that in Central Fla. They have no need to discount at all.

Bingo...0% discount on SS PLUS Sales Tax...take it or leave it..


I have seen 5% CASH.... with tax saved too from a smaller dealer in smaller city under the radar...

But 20% off on SS Sub? Gmt? Exp2?

C'mon guys...let's set realistic expectations for guys looking to buy from B&M AD's ok?

[kilyung]

It's getting tougher to find good AD discounts.

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's getting tougher to find good AD discounts.

My experience as well. Rolex is squeezing AD margins more than in the past, so my sense is the climate is different that what you saw 5 years ago.

[Racerdj]

Originally Posted by kilyung

It's getting tougher to find good AD discounts.

Very true.

[Wesley Crusher]

For SS models, 20% could be very difficult. With the intention of buying two watches, you have some negotiating power so it may be possible. Your best bet is to go to an independent AD and not a big name (e.g., Ben Bridge, Tourneau, etc...).

The first place to start is the AD where you bought your Explorer II.

[RollieVerde]

You don't mean an Explorer 1 and and Air-King have the same dials, do you?

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by RollieVerde

You don't mean an Explorer 1 and and Air-King have the same dials, do you?

First off, I think I was mistaken, the one she actually likes is the OP, but the logic applies to both...

They are the same in that they have the same 3/6/9 and stick layout (minus the triangle at 12:00 on non-professional models), so, to the "untrained" eye, they appear to be different colors of the same style dial. However, in order to have the white white lume, she can't get hers with a black dial; it has to be blue or salmon on the AK or silver on the OP (since the others come with colored marker inserts or black outlines).

[BGalt]

My cousin and sister were in town for a visit, and my sister surprised me when she looked at Rolexes at a Ben Bridge in a mall we were at. So I became an "enabler" and asked if she wanted to go to a local independent AD, and she said sure, if its not too much trouble.

So I took my cousin and sister to the AD, and not long after looking at a few pieces, the salesman offered 10% discount. My sis ended up with an Air King (about 4.5k otd), and my cousin bought a datejust with fluted bezel, mop dial, and diamond paved "VI" (about 8.4k otd). I suspect there could've been more discount on the latter one.

No sales tax in Oregon either, and since both of them were from California, that saved them another 9-10%. It really depends on what you're buying and what the local market is like. I went back to the AD this past weekend, and they did not have a SS Daytona, nor SS GMT Master II (neither the blue one nor the black bezel one). They had a two-tone GMT, and a Daytona on leather (WG?). I've been wanting the Milgauss, and the salesman offered to call me first when the blue dial one comes in. It seems like I was the only one who has come in looking at Milgauss, or expressed serious interest in them. I wonder if I can get 10% off on the blue one when it comes out.
He did have all three current versions that day, and I told him if the blue one was not coming out, I'd probably snag the green crystal one that day. Yes, that was an exaggeration, since my wife was with me :)

[Gaijin]

Speed. Paging Speed.


Can we get a groan please.

[Fleetlord]

20% on SS??



Maybe in Iowa?

This is more realistic for the listeners at home...




0% - 5% on SS if paid in CASH

5% - 7% on TT if Paid in CASH

10% on GOLD or PLAT paid in CASH



Good Luck

[Rolexmarc]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

20% on SS??



Maybe in Iowa?

This is more realistic for the listeners at home...




0% - 5% on SS if paid in CASH

5% - 7% on TT if Paid in CASH

10% on GOLD or PLAT paid in CASH



Good Luck

I work hard for my money. Although I can now afford the watches I buy, I do shop till I am comfortable with the sale. Don't want to get anyone upset, but the discount t you quote anyone , and I do mean anyone can get on most first visits.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Rolexmarc

I work hard for my money. Although I can now afford the watches I buy, I do shop till I am comfortable with the sale. Don't want to get anyone upset, but the discount t you quote anyone , and I do mean anyone can get on most first visits.

Nah...

Best deal I've seen in my parts was 5% off a Hulk with no sales tax...so 11% savings. Didn't need to ship the watch. Just pay in CASH.

This was in a smaller, independent dealer in a smaller city..

To get discounts like you speak of, you must be that AD's only customer..

I mean why on earth would they need to discount ROLEX to that degree? They are simply leaving money on the table....never a good move for a business...

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Nah...



I mean why on earth would they need to discount ROLEX to that degree? They are simply leaving money on the table....never a good move for a business...

One word answer--Volume

[Keith1]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

20% on SS??



Maybe in Iowa?

This is more realistic for the listeners at home...




0% - 5% on SS if paid in CASH

5% - 7% on TT if Paid in CASH

10% on GOLD or PLAT paid in CASH



Good Luck

There are much better deals out there on most models, and just not in Iowa!

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Keith1

There are much better deals out there, and just not in Iowa!

Sure, from TRF!!!

Surely not a B&M AD....Why would they need to?

[MortgageGuy]

Perhaps with the models you mentioned you could receive a sizable discount as the popularity isn't there but I still don't see 20%. 5 years ago all day long. Today on precious metal all day long but not SS

[psv]

Just go back to that AD, but I think you can forget about 20% on a ss model these days. 10% and no sales tax should be doable though, but you might have to ship it out of state.

[dstopsie]

Originally Posted by psv

Just go back to that AD, but I think you can forget about 20% on a ss model these days. 10% and no sales tax should be doable though, but you might have to ship it out of state.

I went to the AD that I bought my last two watches from and the most I could get on a TT date just was 12%. I then purchased my watch through DavdSW and obtained substantial savings on the new one.

[Rolexmarc]

Originally Posted by dstopsie

I went to the AD that I bought my last two watches from and the most I could get on a TT date just was 12%. I then purchased my watch through DavdSW and obtained substantial savings on the new one.

If your AD won't budge, use the sellers on TRF. Actually most of the AD watch associates should be familiar with this site (that's who told me a out it). Use the prices to your advantage. Only difference is the warranty, if that's important to you. For me it was, in the future who knows.

[dstopsie]

Originally Posted by Rolexmarc

If your AD won't budge, use the sellers on TRF. Actually most of the AD watch associates should be familiar with this site (that's who told me a out it). Use the prices to your advantage. Only difference is the warranty, if that's important to you. For me it was, in the future who knows.

Hi, i did use a trusted seller on the forum and have the warranty card in my name and its dated from a US authorized dealer. I went to the Rolex Service Center to add a link and they registered my watch and my warranty starts on 5-13-2014. I will have no issue obtaining warranty work if i need it, as I all have to do is present my warranty card.

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by psv

Just go back to that AD, but I think you can forget about 20% on a ss model these days. 10% and no sales tax should be doable though, but you might have to ship it out of state.

This is doable. I'm hoping I can get this on a sub-c... as a repeat customer at the AD.

The other thing to do is just try. Shop around and get quotes. When I got my watch I got 0-10% off and the ADs had varying attitudes from down right rude and insulting to nice. Maybe if you shop around enough somebody might give you something extra in the deal since you're buying two at the same time.

Good luck and wherever you buy, don't forget to post pics here!

[airchitect]

Geez..... i don't know what nutty ADs you guys live around but other than a BLNR, I can get any ss Rolex for 12-15% off. If it is something discontinued such as the prev gen exp II or turnograph than 30% can be found.....if the AD likes you......and you know the status of their inventory. You will get a better deal on something that has not only been in the case a while, but one that has a backup in the safe.....now we are talking my kinda deal.....