buying brand new? or pre-owned?

[vduzin12]

ive bought new and used from a forum member although it was a face to face transaction

[dro57]

I've bought my first two from AD's, a used 14060M COSC & a NIB GMT IIc from a private party and a DJ midsize from a grey market dealer. On total, I'd routinely buy from internet grey market as a rule or a NIB/BNIB from a trusted private party if the deal is good.

[sea-dweller]

I normally buy new. I would consider a 'gray' market watch or a good pre-loved watch if I knew the seller, the deal was good and the watch was not obtainable elsewhere (no substitutes available).

[kelly56]

I prefer to Buy new from an AD and try to negotiate a fair price.

[GBJIV]

Originally Posted by BigHat

I prefer new, but it's mostly because I was scammed in an elaborate scheme once so I deal with ADs now. Maybe the Furman level GMs or a couple of people here, but no interest in additional risk any longer. Piece of mind has a price tag I'm willing to pay. If I can't afford it at an AD, then I can't afford it.

By the way, get burned on just one transaction and you lose more than the delta of AD vs private sales on 5-6 similar purchases.

Interesting post - thanks for sharing.

[Latrodectus]

Originally Posted by Alcan

No, all came from different sellers.

Thanks Al, I just don't have your experience.But I am learning!

[Bisquitlips]

If you want to be absolutely sure, AD only.

I have looked at GM and aftermarket Rolex's, but I am too green to pull the trigger.

[MAINEZX10]

I bought a used SS Daytona,the only used one, & a few new from the same AD. I also have a grey market jeweler that I buy from. Knew him for 15yrs or longer, but he is the only grey market I will deal with. Bought a couple of my first watches from him

[Latrodectus]

Originally Posted by Bisquitlips

If you want to be absolutely sure, AD only.

I have looked at GM and aftermarket Rolex's, but I am too green to pull the trigger.

Thats exactly me, thats why I said: "AD"

[lumatuna]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I've also bought both new and pre-owned and have had great experiences. With buying pre-owned, it's all about doing your homework and trusting the seller!

Ditto and I agree!

[harvey]

guys thanks for your answers...

[walds11]

Pre-owned all the way unless it is a super deal. Let someone else take the initial hit. I like to save some cash.

[thomaslee]

I have 2 rolex. Both pre owed. i used to think buying brand new is the way to go. If you have the money and want to have the feel of owning something brand new, go ahead. But if you intend to sell the watch for a profit or minimize your losses when you sell it, Pre owned is the way to go.

For example, you buy a brand new Rolex explorer II for S$8000. after 10 years you sell it, assuming the market rate of explorer II (pre- owed) is $5K and you sold it for $5k, you would have loss $3k.

Let's say you buy a pre-owned for $4K instead. Ten years later, the market rate of explorer II pre owned is $5K, and you sell it off. You would have made $1k. As long as your watch is in a good reasonable condition, it does not matter if it is a 10 years or a 15 years watch. Or even if the 15 years old rolex is in a slightly worse condition (compared to the 10 years old) and you sell it for $4K instead of $5K, you would have had the watch for free (minus the inflation of course). Or even if you were to sell it for $2k, (most people would have grabbed it) you would have only incurred a $2K loss. better than $3K in the first example.

Of course you have to buy the pre owned from a reputable agent and always send it in to Rolex centre for a servicing quotation. They will tell you how much to service the watch plus they will tell you they cannot service it- if it is a Fake. Rolex Singapore will charge customers $75 (for non gold watches) and $150 for gold watches to verify if they are genuine Rolex. But NO charges for a servicing code. Great way to safe some money.

Just my opinion. Pre owned or Brand new, its up to you.

[356 speedster]

I got my first Rolex yesterday,and YES is pre-owened or pre loved and it is in exellent condition. It was from AD.

[ugg]

Only buy lightly used Let some other sap take the 'hit'

[ShawnK]

I have purchased all three of my Rolexes pre-owned. One from a local jeweler who is well known and two from frequent sellers and members of another well-known watch forum.

When buying from the individuals I checked references and asked plenty of questions. I saved considerable money on watches that were almost brand new. I would not buy anything without the matching boxes and paperwork though.

I believe there are good deals to be had in the pre-owned market, but remember you are buying the seller.

[Hamilton Carvalho]

Well, I like to be the first to touch and wear so, I like them virgin, period.

Originally Posted by harvey.eu

all the rolexes ive bought so far have been brand new from an AD... with their respective boxes and papers etc...

i have never considered buying pre-owned... so my question... how many of you are like me to buying brand new only?

in my defence of not buying pre-owned... its probably due to my naivety of such matters, whereby i lack the experience; the judgement and more so, deep pockets...


also please feel free to share your experiences of buying pre-owned... both good and bad... thanks for participating...

[harvey]

Originally Posted by Hamilton Carvalho

Well, I like to be the first to touch and wear so, I like them virgin, period.

whoa... a virgin in new york?? go n figure lol

[eric23]

I purchased both my Rolexes new from listed AD's (I made sure they where listed AD’s on the Rolex website).

I am not sure if I would buy any pre-owned watch or any kind of jewellery, it is a little too personal for me. But that is just me.

I am sure I would have saved a lot of money if I got them used, but that’s life.

[dcash0615]

I have purchased 3 rolex watches (2 BNIB from an AD and 1 from a grey dealer, but the watch was BNIB). I am all for buying from who ever will give you the best price at the time, as long as it is a reputable source.

Given the state of the economy, I think you are going to see more people buying from grey dealers that get BNIB watches from AD's that can not sell them in their store. I also think that AD's will start discounting more then before across the board on all models. I even think we may see discounts on SS Daytona's, GV's, and DSSD's in the next 12 months or so. This is just my prediction. We will see what happens.

Originally Posted by harvey.eu

all the rolexes ive bought so far have been brand new from an AD... with their respective boxes and papers etc...

i have never considered buying pre-owned... so my question... how many of you are like me to buying brand new only?

in my defence of not buying pre-owned... its probably due to my naivety of such matters, whereby i lack the experience; the judgement and more so, deep pockets...


also please feel free to share your experiences of buying pre-owned... both good and bad... thanks for participating...

[Moto]

Would anyone here consider demesy.com a reputable dealer?

If not, what AD could someone recommend that sells pre-loved Rolexs?

[Milgauss-Green]

Once the watch has come out of the store is considered pre own even when is Brand New,I think that many people buy form AD because they buy by credit card or store credit.For instance I prefer to pay 9000.00 out od taxes and brand new 16613 serti dial than pay 11700 plus 819.00 in taxes here in Miami,I am saving 3519.00 and I have bought watches brand new in trading in Palm Beach County,Broward County and Miami-Dade County all in Fl and they accept the warranty under another name,I am talking about what has happened to me.Thank you

[harvey]

you guys are definately swaying me to looking at pre-owned...

[gmh1013]

Originally Posted by harvey.eu

all the rolexes ive bought so far have been brand new from an AD... with their respective boxes and papers etc...

i have never considered buying pre-owned... so my question... how many of you are like me to buying brand new only?

in my defence of not buying pre-owned... its probably due to my naivety of such matters, whereby i lack the experience; the judgement and more so, deep pockets...


also please feel free to share your experiences of buying pre-owned... both good and bad... thanks for participating...

With all the good deals out now and watches one of the first items to sell off to raise cash. It would be a good time to buy used IMHO
My Rolex DJ I bought used and saved almost 50% off new.
I buy used cars and trucks but the last SUV I bought new. it had been 25 years since I bought a new car. I have had only 2 new in my 51 years.
I bought a used BMW 325 1990 in 2000 for from a old lady who lived next door and could not drive and she got it from her sister who died, I drove it to 158k
with no problems....maybe I have been lucky...
I will not buy used computers or appliances or T.V.s over 200 bucks.
80 percent of our furniture was bought at estate sales etc...
be carefull and good luck.....but the seller on a rolex....many
good ones on this board...

[zalorrero75]

Here is an idea. I bought a Tudor over the internet and got burned. The machine was real but the dial was a fake. About two week ago I bought a brand new one 116201 concentric black dial with papers and everything from a great jewler (store has 30 years of business in Chicago) for about $3000 dollars less than the retail value. I was about to buy a 116200 for the same price from the Lima, Peru AD, but glad I found this guy. Best, and really trustworthy dealer I have ever met. If you wire him, or paypal the money he ships it to you next day. I had it shipped to my friend and picked it up in the US last weekend. The watch is amazing!!! and brand new. So my lesson learned is to buy new at great prices. I even got a better deal than I would have found on ebay. Amazing. If anyone wants this dealers contact info, just message me and I will be glad to give you his contact detail. With shipping and everything I paid $5540 for this beauty and brand new!!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/gonza1975

[C6Racing]

I would make the desicion based on the model of the watch ...

My Daytona was picked up in France by a buddy of mine from an AD , buts its in his name , so I guess you could call that pre-owned .

My Day-Date I got from HighlineTime ( a great Ebay seller ) two years used for about 40% less then list in MINT condition . I would not buy a DD new as they drop off in value immeadiatly .

My Datejust I bought new , I think I paid about $8500 for it - And I doubt I could get more then 5K for it now . Lesson learned .I would not do that again .

On my ( sold ) Sea-Dweller and Sub-Date , I got them both from AD's as the retail at the time was only about 1-1.5K more then what I would have paid to go Grey . At that dollar amount it was worth it to me to just buy it new , but I wouldnt pay much more than that to have a "new" watch in my name .

[DARK_KNIGHT]

I've had great experiences so far buying BNIB AD , BNIB GM and pre-loved. Everything I have bought so far comes with its box and paper(s).

Price pushes it sometimes, availability other times. With that said, I've seen plenty of watches (pre-loved and others) on the internet I WOULD buy, but didn't. Why don't I? I get fired up to buy then I cool off because I get scared of sending my money to someone and they not send me the watch.

My positive GREY MARKET WATCH EXPERIENCE was doing days of research and even then crossing my fingers.

But I don't always find the watch I'm looking for within the GREY MARKET, but then there is another catagory and I do see it with ------> private sellers, sometimes right here on this forum, but then I just get cold feet and don't go through because I get scared. An AD on the other hand takes the fear away. Unless you've got guts ,can afford to lose the greenbacks, and you know what the hell you're doing, AD is the safest way to buy.


ANECDOTE:

One of the most incredible deals I've seen anywhere, happened here - on TRF:

GMT IIc TT , sold for little over $6.000.00, I saw the deal, was about to contact the seller, but I chickened out. Later another member was re-selling it for a nice mark up. Just shows you had I done the deal, I would have gotten a SWEET WATCH at a crazy price! But hey, I chickened out and got nothing!

ROLL THE DICE

[Hookie]

Personally i prefer to buy brand new, but if i really wanted a watch which was only avalible second hand then i wouldnt hesitate.