What Happens to Warranty Cards?

[NYC2023]

Apologies for the basic question- somewhat new to this.

When a grey market dealer sells a recent (last couple
of years) watch with no warranty card/papers, what happens to that card? I totally get this happening on a 15 or 20+ year old watch, but it seems highly unlikely that someone wouldn’t have kept the papers on a brand new Rolex, particularly when they still have the box (“box no papers” watches).

Is there something shady that goes on here like reselling or altering the cards?

[EEpro]

Big greys like jomashop hang onto them in case your watch needs a repair under "their" warranty period.

The main reason for a seller keeping a card is to hide flipping it from AD.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by NYC2023

Apologies for the basic question- somewhat new to this.

When a grey market dealer sells a recent (last couple
of years) watch with no warranty card/papers, what happens to that card? I totally get this happening on a 15 or 20+ year old watch, but it seems highly unlikely that someone wouldn’t have kept the papers on a brand new Rolex, particularly when they still have the box (“box no papers” watches).

Is there something shady that goes on here like reselling or altering the cards?

Its more likely that the original owner has lost or misplaced the card. Simply because they don't see the importance of keeping them or they seperate them from the boxes.

Believe it or not, some people get home, put the watch on and throw away the rest. There are occasions where some leave the AD with just the watch and card.

Box/no papers watches may not come with the box the watch was originally sold with, with resellers sourcing (or having) spare boxes as they know that enhances value.

[MRBolton]

I’ve wondered this too. There are a lot of new unworn watches out there of current models that don’t have them.

[Harry-57]

People put them away somewhere and forget about them, or just throw them away.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Its more likely that the original owner has lost or misplaced the card. Simply because they don't see the importance of keeping them or they seperate them from the boxes.

Believe it or not, some people get home, put the watch on and throw away the rest. There are occasions where some leave the AD with just the watch and card.

Box/no papers watches may not come with the box the watch was originally sold with, with resellers sourcing (or having) spare boxes as they know that enhances value.

+1


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[Roger Lococco]

For brand new watches in this situation, I always assumed that the watch was sold in bulk from the AD to the Grey Dealer and that the agreement was to hold back the warranty card so as to not disclose their “arrangement”.

For relatively new watches, the watch could be stolen.




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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Its more likely that the original owner has lost or misplaced the card. Simply because they don't see the importance of keeping them or they seperate them from the boxes.

Believe it or not, some people get home, put the watch on and throw away the rest. There are occasions where some leave the AD with just the watch and card.

Box/no papers watches may not come with the box the watch was originally sold with, with resellers sourcing (or having) spare boxes as they know that enhances value.

The horror

[1AP]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Big greys like jomashop hang onto them in case your watch needs a repair under "their" warranty period.

The main reason for a seller keeping a card is to hide flipping it from AD.

Joma will actually give you the rolex card now. But you need to request it. Rolex only.

Not tudor, learned the hard way

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by 1AP

Joma will actually give you the rolex card now. But you need to request it. Rolex only.

Not tudor, learned the hard way

That's great news! I've been buying from them for 20 years. Usually not Rolex though for this reason. Can't beat their omega pricing.

[ArtNouveau]

I have mixed feelings about selling a watch with a card that has my name on it. Most Rolex I have sold over the years were direct sales to other individuals I had met with or spoken to. The last one I sold was to a Trusted Seller here with the card so someone out there has “my” old BLNR.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I have mixed feelings about selling a watch with a card that has my name on it. Most Rolex I have sold over the years were direct sales to other individuals I had met with or spoken to. The last one I sold was to a Trusted Seller here with the card so someone out there has “my” old BLNR.

I can sort of relate in a different way …

The only watch I ever bought through a gray dealer is my Pam690 and that was because they sold out in a matter of days/weeks.

When I received it, the warranty card had the old owners name on it and as it turns out he reviewed the watch and it was published by Panerai Central. Sort of a neat little bit of provenance

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Big greys like jomashop hang onto them in case your watch needs a repair under "their" warranty period.

The main reason for a seller keeping a card is to hide flipping it from AD.

I doubt any used watch dealer holds back the papers to then have to sell the watches for less money. True "gray market" inventory, which is that merchandise which is dumped in bulk by the normal distribution channel somewhere, i.e., by the manufacturers, distributors or retailors, may have the paperwork intentionally withheld so as not to undermine their sales through authorized markets.

[Calatrava r]

What is the benefit to a re-seller of holding back the warranty cards which now only have a serial# where that same serial number appears on the watch. I would want a huge discount if I were buying a new Rolex without any warranty.
Plus, if the watch has issues right out of the box, I am only sending it to RSC, I guess on my dime, so Rolex will know, anyway, the watch was immediately flipped and who the selling dealer was. If the watch never needs warranty service no one is the wiser. Rolex can buy their rare high demand stuff, as they are known to do, and trace out the errant dealer from the serial number anytime they want. I do not believe there are bulk sales occurring by ADs to used watch dealers at the moment and for quite some time. ADs are being shuttered everywhere. There is way too much to lose from this shady practice for ADs to engage in it.

[jb335]

I always assume any modern watch that is currently in production that doesn’t have its warranty card is a stolen watch.

I know that can’t be true for all, but I assume anyway. Would never buy an in-production watch without the card.


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