Dilemma AD vs. Grey Market

[hadi125]

After months of deliberation and research i have decided to pull the trigger and buy an IWC Pilots Watch. Now the only decision do i buy from my AD where i have previously bought three-four watches including Tudors and Tag Heuer, or do i go to a well know Grey Market stockist which has a brand new one for £900 cheaper?

Please Advise

[kauffee]

You go to your AD and give them a chance to match or come close to the gray dealer price. If they don’t, then you shouldn’t feel bad buying from the gray and saving a fair bit of money.

[RDS48R]

Absolutely agree. Keep your relationship AND your wallet intact.

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[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by RDS48R

Absolutely agree. Keep your relationship AND your wallet intact.

That’s what I did. However, even with discount I’m sure it would have been cheaper from a grey.


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[JR16]

Originally Posted by kauffee

You go to your AD and give them a chance to match or come close to the gray dealer price. If they don’t, then you shouldn’t feel bad buying from the gray and saving a fair bit of money.

This makes the most sense to me. If the gap narrows significantly, then it’s up to you how much money is worth it to keep a good AD relationship going.


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[joli160]

If you are not married to the AD no need to keep a good relationship. How many BLRO's or Daytona's he offered you ?
Pocket the 900

[rlrobson08]

Originally Posted by hadi125

After months of deliberation and research i have decided to pull the trigger and buy an IWC Pilots Watch. Now the only decision do i buy from my AD where i have previously bought three-four watches including Tudors and Tag Heuer, or do i go to a well know Grey Market stockist which has a brand new one for £900 cheaper?

Please Advise

I have never bought a luxury watch through an AD. Rolex Day/Date purchased through a Dallas pawn shop. Vacheron through an estate sale. Breitling chronomat 44 GMT 2-tone through a grey dealer in NY. All were 100% authentic and I mean 100%. The last purchase I wired a brick and mortar with an on-line presence store thousands of dollars without ever meeting them in the flesh as I live in Omaha. If you like and I'm not breaking any rules I can tell you the name of the company. This last purchase was June 2018.

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[brandrea]

Your AD should be very competitive on pricing with Grays for IWC IMO.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by kauffee

You go to your AD and give them a chance to match or come close to the gray dealer price. If they don’t, then you shouldn’t feel bad buying from the gray and saving a fair bit of money.

This

[Justindo]

Originally Posted by kauffee

You go to your AD and give them a chance to match or come close to the gray dealer price. If they don’t, then you shouldn’t feel bad buying from the gray and saving a fair bit of money.

This. I've found that dealers will usually come close or even beat gray market prices.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Your AD should be very competitive on pricing with Grays for IWC IMO.

Yeah I would not be surprised if they can and will come within a few hundred pounds of grey pricing. If I can buy new from an AD that’s worth about $500 to me give or take.

[Gert]

On a +\- $ 10.000 new IWC you should at least be able to knock off 1,5 - 2 grand at an AD IMO.
Do let us know how you went along, .. with pics
Good luck!

[Burlington]

If it’s a substantial percentage saving of the total cost and you aren’t getting any other perks from the AD which make it worth the extra to you (relationship, guaranteed authenticity, access to other pieces at MSRP, extended warranty etc.) then buying at the lowest possible cost makes financial sense.

[rlrobson08]

Originally Posted by Burlington

If it’s a substantial percentage saving of the total cost and you aren’t getting any other perks from the AD which make it worth the extra to you (relationship, guaranteed authenticity, access to other pieces at MSRP, extended warranty etc.) then buying at the lowest possible cost makes financial sense.

Wow. You fellow watch enthusiasts must really receive some of the best from your AD's. Here across the pond my savings was $550.00 short of exactly half price off retail. Best I could do with a stateside AD was 20% off and then I was accountabe for sales tax. By the way the $550.00 price includes a $50.00 wire fee.

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[Judah]

Originally Posted by joli160

If you are not married to the AD no need to keep a good relationship. How many BLRO's or Daytona's he offered you ?
Pocket the 900

hahahaha

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by kauffee

You go to your AD and give them a chance to match or come close to the gray dealer price. If they don’t, then you shouldn’t feel bad buying from the gray and saving a fair bit of money.

Agree with this.. after buying a few pieces already, your current AD should be pretty competitive, good luck!