AD or not

[Laila]

Hello Guys

I am about to order my watch and have been to a few shops.
The first which is a AD has said i can have 12% the other shop which sells high end watches Patecks etc and is in the City has offered 22% but is not a AD.
It is a reputable shop i saw a footballer there today
Is it ok to buy it from here,what is the downside of not buying it of a AD?

Can you please advice?

[blama215]

Whether you purchase from AD or not the number one thing to do is always buy the seller first not the watch. I have personally purchased most of my watches from an AD, however there are some very well trusted sellers right here on this forum if you decide to go non AD.

[slvrbulletv6]

One thing is that you don't get the 2 year warranty on the new Rolex watch if you purchased it from a non-AD.

[77T]

Originally Posted by slvrbulletv6

One thing is that you don't get the 2 year warranty on the new Rolex watch if you purchased it from a non-AD.

This is not true - as long as the warranty card was not Pre-dated, the warranty follows the watch.

[AK797]

Who was the footballer and watch?

[SLS]

The warranty is a non issue outside the US...unless things have changed. Buy the seller, not the watch. If it's a high end brick & mortar retail jewelry store, you should be good to go!
Scott

[slvrbulletv6]

Originally Posted by 77T

This is not true - as long as the warranty card was not Pre-dated, the warranty follows the watch.

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know that.

But what if it was pre-dated but still within the 2 years (you still get the warranty for what's in the remaining 2 years right)? I thought a non-AD can't stamp the warranty card, so in order for the warranty to work, I'm assuming the non-AD would have to have obtained the watch from an AD who stamped the card but not date it?

Is this what is called a "grey dealer?" I thought if I bought a new watch from a grey dealer it won't be warrantied? (Sorry for my ignorance, all the different situations, e.g. AD/Non-AD vs. warranty and non-warranty are confusing...)

[Richmond1958]

In the U.S., the warranty will follow the watch, so it would be good for two years from the date of "purchase" from the AD. The tricky part is proving "two years from date of original purchase from an AD." If the watch comes with the US warranty card filled out by the AD, you should be in good shape. Otherwise, you would need some sort of dated receipt from the AD.

If you have a blank warranty card ... well ... you could have a problem if you choose a "convenient" date as that is likely to be misrepresenting when the watch left the AD's hands.

[77T]

Originally Posted by slvrbulletv6

Thanks for the clarification. I didn't know that.

But what if it was pre-dated but still within the 2 years (you still get the warranty for what's in the remaining 2 years right)? I thought a non-AD can't stamp the warranty card, so in order for the warranty to work, I'm assuming the non-AD would have to have obtained the watch from an AD who stamped the card but not date it?

Is this what is called a "grey dealer?" I thought if I bought a new watch from a grey dealer it won't be warrantied? (Sorry for my ignorance, all the different situations, e.g. AD/Non-AD vs. warranty and non-warranty are confusing...)

Originally Posted by Richmond1958

In the U.S., the warranty will follow the watch, so it would be good for two years from the date of "purchase" from the AD. The tricky part is proving "two years from date of original purchase from an AD." If the watch comes with the US warranty card filled out by the AD, you should be in good shape. Otherwise, you would need some sort of dated receipt from the AD.

If you have a blank warranty card ... well ... you could have a problem if you choose a "convenient" date as that is likely to be misrepresenting when the watch left the AD's hands.

The OP is in the UK so Rolex USA protocol doesn't apply.

The short story is that a non-AD has a new (or like new) Rolex to sell the OP.

If the name/date on the card is blank, but stamped by some AD then a full 2 years exists. If the date has been filled out then the remaining portion of the 2 years exists.

[Laila]

Thank you
Its a small boutique type shop in the city centre.
I called and he said its a 2 year warranty which seems right according to what the posters here are saying.
I will go in today and see if i can get it down to more discount than the 22% !

The footballer was Robbie i cant remember his surname but he was on Strictly come dancing last year.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Laila

Hello Guys

I am about to order my watch and have been to a few shops.
The first which is a AD has said i can have 12% the other shop which sells high end watches Patecks etc and is in the City has offered 22% but is not a AD.
It is a reputable shop i saw a footballer there today
Is it ok to buy it from here,what is the downside of not buying it of a AD?

Can you please advice?

First they are Pateks and just because you seen a footballer in there that means the shop is ok ??.The most important part like others have said buy the seller, and the warranty is very seldom needed for any warranty work in most any watch you buy today.

[George Ab]

Just above the line where the Name of Official Rolex Jeweler is on the warranty card is written, "This warranty is valid only if filled out and dated by the official Rolex jeweler". In the warranty it states, "Any intervention by a third party voids this warranty." My understanding is if the watch is purchased at an official Rolex Jeweler and is properly completed then the warranty follows the watch.

For the difference in price of 10% you would be able to buy an overhaul in the unlikely event of a problem. Additionally, the shop itself will likely warrant the watch.

[Laila]

Hi Guys
I called in with all the questions with the warranty,its all good.
He gets the watch off a authorised Rolex dealer so you do get the warranty.
I got 22.5% off it and i went for the Rose gold diamond with pink face and bezel,he will also put a free battery on my Patek and any other watches.
I paid a 10% deposit and will get it in 5 days.
Im super excited.
Will post photos.

Thank you all for the advice,really helped me in making this purchase.

Super happy with my first

[thran]

Originally Posted by blama215

Whether you purchase from AD or not the number one thing to do is always buy the seller first not the watch. I have personally purchased most of my watches from an AD, however there are some very well trusted sellers right here on this forum if you decide to go non AD.

Very wise words

[floater156]

Originally Posted by Laila

Hello Guys

I am about to order my watch and have been to a few shops.
The first which is a AD has said i can have 12% the other shop which sells high end watches Patecks etc and is in the City has offered 22% but is not a AD.
It is a reputable shop i saw a footballer there today
Is it ok to buy it from here,what is the downside of not buying it of a AD?

Can you please advice?

There are many horror stories of people buying fake Rolex or Rolex with fake parts from non ADs, keep that in mind. I'd rather pay a premium for a brand new 100% Rolex watch than save a little coin.

[jay1988]

Originally Posted by floater156

There are many horror stories of people buying fake Rolex or Rolex with fake parts from non ADs, keep that in mind. I'd rather pay a premium for a brand new 100% Rolex watch than save a little coin.

So come on here and post some close up shots. People will tell you within a few hours if your watch is good or not.

A bricks and mortar shop is going to have a lot of overheads. It's not worth the potential cost to their business for them to sell a fake watch.

Although they have guaranteed it for 2 years, if in 5 years you send it to Rolex and it gets confiscated for whatever reason. Do you really think you wont get your money back ? In the UK selling fake goods is illegal and so is selling stolen goods. So if Rolex confiscate your watch you walk into the store and explain the situation to them. Then they will probably offer you a refund/new watch. If not you report them to the relevant authorities and write an online review with pictures and the letter from Rolex which destroys their reputation. Do you really think they're going to let you do the latter for the sake of one watch ?

If you buy your watch BNIB, post detailed pictures on here and people say it's real. After that the worst case scenario is you wear it for 7 years and then it gets confiscated by Rolex when you send it for servicing. The shop has then shut down and you don't get your money back. What are the chances of that ?

[Deep-House]

I personally would never buy from an AD, and would almost never get a watch serviced by them. I would rather put my money in a blender. However I agree with everyone that you should trust your dealer or servicer 100%. So if you don't have any other options I guess the AD is the best choice for you.

[Laila]

Its a small high end boutique shop in the upmarket part of Manchester city centre.He has a website no bad reviews.It is a brand new watch
This guy has reassured me it has a 2 year warranty from Rolex.
Its not a backstreet shop.

I told my dentist who has a huge collection of Rolexs and is in the know and he appeared to know of him and was impressed with the discount and i felt reassured.
But the same could be said with going to an AD,how do you know you are getting genuine parts.

Thank you Jay for your reassurance,i will post photos when i get it for sure.

[Laila]

And i forgot to mention it was an AD,Watches of Switzerland that told me to go there to check out the metriote dial.
If they sold "funny" watches surely they would know about it.

[datejusting]

Buy from the Rolex AD for the two year warranty. Even if AD goes out of business, Rolex still honors the warranty.

[Rags]

Forget the AD. Buy your watch right here from one of the forums trusted sellers & save lots of $$$$$$. But then again some people like that whole AD experience. I'll always buy preloved & get a great rolex at a great price..

[Bangel]

Originally Posted by padi56

First they are Pateks and just because you seen a footballer in there that means the shop is ok ??.The most important part like others have said buy the seller, and the warranty is very seldom needed for any warranty work in most any watch you buy today.

I'm with Padi on this.

Having seen a footballer in a shop doesn't add much to the credentials of the shop in my opinion. In some circumstances, it may even have the opposite effect!

[caryyee]

Originally Posted by Deep-House

I personally would never buy from an AD, and would almost never get a watch serviced by them. I would rather put my money in a blender. However I agree with everyone that you should trust your dealer or servicer 100%. So if you don't have any other options I guess the AD is the best choice for you.

Why would you not buy from an AD? 2 out of my last 3 purchases have been from an AD where I negotiated prices within 1-2% of what can be had from the best TRF sellers. The AD is within a 5 min walk of where I work, very convenient, very friendly, very knowledgeable, great service, so there's nothing to not like about my AD.

[Mickey®]

Go w/ the discount!