Why Would You Ever Buy New From an AD?

[bluemartinifan]

I have bought and sold many watches via TRF and another forum.
I will never buy a new Rolex from an AD and spend thousands more than buying from one of our trusted TRF sellers.

I understand if you have to have the new ceramic sub or other imposssible to find model - but here is my question...

For those of us who frequent TRF, why would you ever buy a new Rolex from an AD?

[Omega_Precision]

I would buy new because of the buying experience and new models, like the new Sub.

Other than that, I don't have a problem buying on here or other watch sites.

[HL65]

If the discount is enough to warrant it on hard to find model--otherwise--you are right! Some people have to have the security and knowledge of getting from AD directly--not me!

[Omega_Precision]

The problem with buying used....you don't know if the watch was refurbished or serviced.

It may look new but it was serviced and polished to look new.

Doesn't matter with me but I have seen people complain, especially vintage pieces.

[Gerardus]

I prefer grey.

[nauticajoe]

Unless its the new & exciting model that just came out, there is no need to buy from an AD.

[walds11]

Pre-owned is the way to go. Let someone else take the initial depreciation hit.

[Dan Pierce]

All my oysters have been purchased preloved and typically prefer the savings. Always go with what's most comfortable for you.
dP

[gmh1013]

I never buy new anything .....Rolex included
Im the king of second hand.
I wont by a used computer/electronics.....used toothbrush/underware etc.
The electronics is not correct ....all my stereo is second hand ebay stuff....I prefer analog sound.
Late 70's Kenwood tuner, Sansui turntable, nakamichi tape player, advent speakers
its all over 30 years old.

[esm]

face to face and on a personal level.
I have always prefer to deal anything in person. Its just me.

[AWATCH]

There is nothing wrong with used, I've picked up some good deals that way but there is something to be said about the experience of the new.

[fujitsupalm]

My first purchse was from an AD, probably costed me around 1k more than buying grey or second hand.

My next purchase I have set my eyes on a second hand EXP II or GMT II, it would save hell of alotta dollars.

[CPTL]

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

I will never buy a new Rolex from an AD and spend thousands more than buying from one of our trusted TRF sellers.

I've bought 1 new and 3 pre-loved.

There are two questions here:
1. Why would you buy new?
2. Why would you buy from an AD?

New v. used is a long debate, usually boiling down to the individual tastes of the purchaser. Assuming that you've decided to buy new....

AD has some obvious qualitative advantages to gray. You get the in-store buying experience, to include selecting, buying, having it sized on the spot, and walking out with it; you develop a relationship with your local AD; and you get the warranty (FWIW).

I'd go with the AD if it's within a couple of percentage points on price. Buying at an AD doesn't automatically mean you're paying "thousands more"; ADs have given discounts in the past, and will continue to do so. If you can get an AD's price to within say $200 of the BNIB price from a good gray seller, then I personally would go with the AD for the above-stated reasons.

[WatchnRoll]

If you can get a discount like some ADs who have been referred on here...

Why not buy from an AD?

It's all about the right price for me. When it comes to Rolex I prefer using an AD but only if the price is right.

[Shelby-villian]

If you frequently go into your local AD, try on the products and generally use their services to confirm your product choice, you should make the purchase from that AD.

Life isn't all about getting the best deal on everything...

[superb]

The experience buying from a retail store is different from buying off the net. i would never buy gocery off the net and have it delivery to me..

[CoopJr]

So far, I have purchased all four of the Rolexes that I have owned from an AD. Each time, it was from an AD who was knowledgeable, courteous and worked with me on the price in one way or the other. And I have always enjoyed the personal interaction with a good AD.

It took away any doubt that I would be getting a fake, a watch not as described or a Fed Ex box full of rocks!

Those are my reasons.

But now that we are scratching the surface of $8K for a SS Rolex (including tax) and with the ability to buy from trusted sellers here like David, Oscar and Greg...if I cant get a discount and/or tax free sale...I'll be contacting them.

[Volant997]

I've bought a new Rolex both through TRF and an AD. Both were completely satisfactory experiences. I primarily went through TRF for the Daytona because it was the only place I could a new one without waiting for a long time. I then wanted a ND sub and after giving TRF sellers a chance to find one for two weeks I went to an AD and bought it out of the case.
So I guess for me its a matter of supply - having on-hand the specific model I'm looking for. On the new vs used watch decision I'd want new nearly 100% of the time.

[Esexx]

After fnding TRF, I would not but from an AD. I prefer to save any money I can by purchasing from a trusted seller here or from my grey dealer. If it were a brand new model like the ceramic sub, I'd just wait to get it here. Besides, I wouldn't want to pay the markup at an AD when it was just released.

I am just a regular working guy and will never be in the market for a watch that is more then 10k. If I ever were looking for a watch that were that expensive, I probably goto an AD for the piece of mind.

[WatchnRoll]

If you can get 20% off and no tax from an AD but they are out of state...is there even a question who to buy from?

[timmis1127]

I use to buy from an AD than i joined TRF and saw the discounts there is on here i felt suck to my stomach and said ill never go to another AD again!!

[Esexx]

Originally Posted by WatchnRoll

If you can get 20% off and no tax from an AD but they are out of state...is there even a question who to buy from?

Good point! I better goto Maui stat.

[Johny]

it was my first so i went to the ad. 1st rolex...new rolex...rolex shop...nice staff...the big save...big pile of cash...lunch...memories. next one...who knows probably back to being second hand johny. king for a day.

[everose]

AD's are not all devoid of discounting and giving great deals!!!!!

Relevant points have already been highlighted.......

"Face to Face" is VERY important for some people and if its a good deal then i am sticking with my local AD.......mine are always there to help and advise and do a great job....i know they usually get a bad wrap on TRF but that has not been my experience.

Sometimes i feel ADs are the TRF members favourite "whipping boy" and occasionally not always with justification,IMHO.

I know there are some great resellers here with cast iron reputations.....yet another great resource available here on TRF!!!!!

Just my 2c.

[Johny]

telling the ad it is a cash sale is helpfull.

[Sgt. Henry]

Originally Posted by timmis1127

I use to buy from an AD than i joined TRF and saw the discounts there is on here i felt suck to my stomach and said ill never go to another AD again!!

+1 But Oscar keeps selling what I want before I can jump on it!

[no03330]

Having bought from both, It is all about the hunt and experiance. For the most part it is finding a good AD.

However Rolex survives because of AD's. Although buying used can offer a way to find something no longer made. It does not provide our beloved company any income.

"Support Your Local Gunfighter"

[Bisquitlips]

My wife purchased my first Rolex for me from an AD. Other than that, the others were all purchased here on TRF or from my watchmaker in Santa Fe.

All have been good experiences.

To speak to whether a timepiece needs servicing, I did purchase my Black TT Sub here and it ran perfectly for about 6 months. Afterward it began to run slow so I invested in a full service which cost about $630.00. Still worth the overall investment.

With the money you save purchasing pre-loved, the service is no big deal. And after all, Rolex is made so well that it is surely a timepiece that will last through many generations if serviced every 5 to 7 years.

[nyyankees]

I can't get myself to buy from an AD. Whenever I go to the local AD and talk price they think they're doing me a favor with a 5% discount. Their knowledge of Rolex is so so. Here and on TZ I have done all my deals and the sellers, not all but most, go out of their way to take pics, time it, etc...and the price is so much lower. There is just no way I can buy from an AD, I would just spend all my time thinking about how much money I could save going grey. Just my preference. Not right or wrong!

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by WatchnRoll

If you can get 20% off and no tax from an AD but they are out of state...is there even a question who to buy from?

Yes, there is. Clearly, my view is skewed, as I prefer to have equity in my collection. So this translates to - 1) don't buy BNIB, let some other guy take the initial hit for taking it from 'new' to 'used' and 2) don't go to a new AD and try to get a decent discount, because it just isn't realistic. Not unless you spend $100k with them per year. And still, they have to pay for their ridiculously high overhead and under-informed employees.

Perfect example, I went to Jared's here in Cincinnati this last week, and they had a GV in stock. Just for 's and giggles, I asked for their designated 'watch person', and one of the managers came out to help me. According to him:
1) GV's are absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to find, even at retail.
2) I was lucky to see one in the flesh, because it won't be there tomorrow
3) The guy who ordered it backed out of the deal because of financial hardship, but he had to wait 2 years for it to come in
4) The GV's are no longer being produced and are selling at twice the list on the secondary market.

At this point I had enough. I told him it was not for me but for a friend, and I probably won't buy it today. Then I told him he was wrong on several accounts (actually, 1 through 4 was all BS). His whole attitude changed and he insisted that I didn't know what I was talking about. At which point I raised my sleeve, showing him a minty GV and told him what I paid for it. He ventured to tell me that it was probably 'fake or stolen'. Even when I took it off my wrist and handed it to him, he told me that something was off and he couldn't put his finger on it.

At this point, I stated (calmly) that he knows as much about the product he sells as I do about basket-weaving, and bid farewell.

2nd clear example why I'll never buy from an AD before can be found in the 'Beware' sticky in the 'watchout'. Several fake DSSD's (that I personally know of) were taken in by AD's on trade, and they had no idea, passing them on to unsuspecting customers. How's that for a face-to-face?