Rolex Grey Market

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

The other thing to keep in mind, is that the main reason Rolex hasn't cracked down on this "warranty" issue is that someone can always claim it was a gift. Moreover there are very few service needs for a brand new Rolex whether or not it's grey. An out of the box Rolex rarely needs factory warranty service so there are rarely issues with grey vs. AD sales over service.

thats a good point

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Essentially new, but by definition, used. I know what you mean, though!



Don't let this keep you from buying online. As long as you can confirm that the watch was purchased from an AD (US based, of course) and that the warranty card is stamped with the name of the AD, you will be fine.

ok my faith has been restored

this is all Larrys fault!!

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I cannot speak for all sellers, but I purchased a brand new watch for my mom through Takuya and he had the warranty card dated for the day that it was delivered and with my mom's name on the card. If she sends in the watch for warranty work, it would appear as if she purchased the watch from the AD.

Well, that's sort of my point. It really doesn't matter whether it's your name or someone else on the card. As long as it's someone's name that appears to be an individual it is covered by warranty unless Rolex can prove it was not originally purchased by a consumer from an AD.

Originally Posted by wantonebad

The other thing to keep in mind, is that the main reason Rolex hasn't cracked down on this "warranty" issue is that someone can always claim it was a gift. Moreover there are very few service needs for a brand new Rolex whether or not it's grey. An out of the box Rolex rarely needs factory warranty service so there are rarely issues with grey vs. AD sales over service.

And because at least in the US it doesn't matter if it was a gift or the watch had been bought and flipped several times, since the warranty follows the watch.

[ExplorerChris]

In between doing tire changes at Costco the guys work on Rolex watches covered by Costco

[rmfnla]

Originally Posted by ExplorerChris

In between doing tire changes at Costco the guys work on Rolex watches covered by Costco

That's the exact image that came to me as well...

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by ExplorerChris

In between doing tire changes at Costco the guys work on Rolex watches covered by Costco

btw, Importan question is - how are the sales of Rolex at Costco? Have they been able to sell at least ONE at some center? Anyone from here got it?

[locutus49]

Wes, or anyone else:

If our trusted sellers primarily buy from US Ads, how can they offer such discounted watches and still make a profit?

If a person can get a 10 - 20% discount off a common Rolex, like a standard Sub or precious metal DJ, from a U.S. AD, can they get a better deal from a Trusted Seller?

Thanks in Advance.

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Essentially new, but by definition, used. I know what you mean, though!



Don't let this keep you from buying online. As long as you can confirm that the watch was purchased from an AD (US based, of course) and that the warranty card is stamped with the name of the AD, you will be fine.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Wes, or anyone else:

If our trusted sellers primarily buy from US Ads, how can they offer such discounted watches and still make a profit?

If a person can get a 10 - 20% discount off a common Rolex, like a standard Sub or precious metal DJ, from a U.S. AD, can they get a better deal from a Trusted Seller?

Thanks in Advance.

Well, I don't really know the business model so I'm just theorizing here. It seems to me the first thing is compared to the average consumer a reseller or TRF trusted seller is a very important customer i.e. they buy an awful lot of watches from the ADs they work with. Not just in say the course of a year, but each purchase may contain numerous watches.

A reseller is probably often willing to purchase overstock or slower moving pieces the dealer has had a hard time selling in his market but in exchange gets good pricing on the more popular stuff as well.

Over time a relationship for discreetness develops and the AD feels assured the reseller isn't a sniper from Rolex corporate and he isn't going to run afoul of the pricing restrictions put on him.

Resellers probably have a lot more opportunity to allow AD's to disguise discounts with trades as part of the deal where the AD can inflate the trade-in value of a watch or other jewelry to disguise the discount given on the watch he is selling the reseller.

Again, I know little of the actual practices but this are some of my theories developed since being here.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

ok my faith has been restored

this is all Larrys fault!!

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Well, that's sort of my point. It really doesn't matter whether it's your name or someone else on the card. As long as it's someone's name that appears to be an individual it is covered by warranty unless Rolex can prove it was not originally purchased by a consumer from an AD.

Sorry, I was just confused about your comment regarding the AD not wanting to get in trouble with Rolex.

Originally Posted by locutus49

Wes, or anyone else:

If our trusted sellers primarily buy from US Ads, how can they offer such discounted watches and still make a profit?

If a person can get a 10 - 20% discount off a common Rolex, like a standard Sub or precious metal DJ, from a U.S. AD, can they get a better deal from a Trusted Seller?

Thanks in Advance.

Discounts are getting harder and harder to come by. At a big chain like Ben Bridge or Tourneau, forget about it. You'll be lucky to get 5% off. Yes, discounts are still possible (usually at small, independent places), but unless you have a very good relationship with an AD (not the case for many of us), it will be very hard to get a good discount. A trusted seller will be able to offer a much better price because of their relationship with the AD AND they don't have to worry about other things like overhead.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Don't let this keep you from buying online. As long as you can confirm that the watch was purchased from an AD (US based, of course) and that the warranty card is stamped with the name of the AD, you will be fine.

Basically true, but Rolex warranties themselves are international, and they'll perform warranty work regardless of where the warranty card is from. It's perfectly kosher for a used Rolex to be brought on someone's wrist into the US, and serviced at RSC NY with a Slovakian warranty card, etc. The only theoretical issue is if Rolex somehow proves the watch was sold outside AD channels while new thus voiding the warranty.

Just clarifying that there's nothing inherently wrong with used Rolexes with foreign papers.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

Basically true, but Rolex warranties themselves are international, and they'll perform warranty work regardless of where the warranty card is from. It's perfectly kosher for a used Rolex to be brought on someone's wrist into the US, and serviced at RSC NY with a Slovakian warranty card, etc. The only theoretical issue is if Rolex somehow proves the watch was sold outside AD channels while new thus voiding the warranty.

Just clarifying that there's nothing inherently wrong with used Rolexes with foreign papers.

I didn't know that. Can anybody else confirm this?

If so, that's great!

[Kobayashi]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I didn't know that. Can anybody else confirm this?



If so, that's great!

Confirmed. The warranties are honored internationally.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Kobayashi

Confirmed. The warranties are honored internationally.

Good to know. Thanks!

[briboxer]

Great subject.
It has been my understanding that "grey market" means that an item is for sale in a marketplace where it was not originally intended. "Trans-shipping" is another tricky one. You're not "supposed" to sell out of your region. With so many travelers now, if I buy a watch while on vacation in NYC, and take it to Italy, it's not under warranty? I think that if you buy a watch, and your name is on the warranty, you have a warranty. If you bought a watch from someone else, after they had it a month, that if you took the watch to an authorized dealer, that Rolex wouldn't cover the flaw?

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by briboxer

Great subject.
It has been my understanding that "grey market" means that an item is for sale in a marketplace where it was not originally intended. "Trans-shipping" is another tricky one. You're not "supposed" to sell out of your region. With so many travelers now, if I buy a watch while on vacation in NYC, and take it to Italy, it's not under warranty? I think that if you buy a watch, and your name is on the warranty, you have a warranty. If you bought a watch from someone else, after they had it a month, that if you took the watch to an authorized dealer, that Rolex wouldn't cover the flaw?

Rolex warranty is good worldwide. A watch purchased in the US can be repaired anywhere and vice versa. It doesn't matter where the watch originated.

As far as your 2nd question goes, in the USA the Rolex warranty follows the watch. It doesn't matter if you are the original owner or not. As long as you have the valid warranty card (valid meaning AD stamp) then the RSC will provide you with warranty service for any covered defect. It does not have to be in your name, but you must have the card to get warranty service. Don't know if this applies worldwide but in the USA the warranty follows the watch whoever owns it, as long as you have the card.

[Mosco]

guys, come on. Grey market watches are delivered by a fairy. You don't need any warranty cards - with the presence of the fairy dust on them, these watches never break. Should you, accidentally, wander with your rolex into an enchanted forest and the fairy dust evaporates, all you have to do is solve a riddle presented by the dyslexic pirate troll (which is a pretty easy one, the answer is "hairy microwaved orange-flavored shoe-polish") and your warranty is restored. Easy-peasy. Didn't realize this was not common knowledge, this should be made into a sticky.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Mosco

guys, come on. Grey market watches are delivered by a fairy. You don't need any warranty cards - with the presence of the fairy dust on them, these watches never break. Should you, accidentally, wander with your rolex into an enchanted forest and the fairy dust evaporates, all you have to do is solve a riddle presented by the dyslexic pirate troll (which is a pretty easy one, the answer is "hairy microwaved orange-flavored shoe-polish") and your warranty is restored. Easy-peasy. Didn't realize this was not common knowledge, this should be made into a sticky.

Damn...I told the troll it was vanilla flavored shoe polish

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by mailman

Damn...I told the troll it was vanilla flavored shoe polish

oh no.... if you mix up the flavors, that leads to impotence. You may have to visit the Viagra Goblin now.

[mboverst]

Greg, you forgot to mention the one chink in the fairy dust armor...if you, god forbid, wear your Rolex in the shower. I've heard rumors it'll just explode on the spot.

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by mboverst

Greg, you forgot to mention the one chink in the fairy dust armor...if you, god forbid, wear your Rolex in the shower. I've heard rumors it'll just explode on the spot.

shit, I always forget that one.

[Survivor]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I didn't know that. Can anybody else confirm this?

If so, that's great!

Of course

[Deep-House]

I think that it is very important, whether buying grey market or otherwise, that you make sure you are buying a watch. You might go into a store to buy a watch and when you get home realize that you actually bought a pair of shoes. So pay attention and make sure that what you buy is in fact a watch and not shoes.