Such BS info out there from bozos trying to sell Rolexes (long)

[DaveN]

I'm just about to the end of my adventure to purchase my first Rolex, a GMT Master II 116713. I visited my local AD and was offered, after a number of phone calls to the big boss 7% discount but they would not be able to ship the watch. I then spent a week or so reading every forum that I could find and I scoured the web for reviews on various gray dealers.

I was turned off by some of their corporate policies about returns if the watch was defective. Without a Rolex warranty I didn't want to deal with a hassle if the watch was missed by QC. I also got some ridiculous story about Rolex honoring the warranty with a non-AD purchase etc. from another vendor.

While I was searching last Saturday I came upon bernardwatches.com. They have some good reviews and they are very friendly. I spotted the GMT I wanted and a gorgeous all gold Cartier watch for my wife. I had bought my wife a TT Cartier Panther early in our marriage and I always wanted the gold for her that was unaffordable at the time. This was a much nicer model W1507108 Ladies Vendome. The Rolex was sold Friday pending payment. Major bummer but I went ahead and bought the watch for my wife. It was new in box and since it was a discontinued style I saved over 50%. I would wait for them to get me a GMT II in stock.

The watch arrived as promised in fine shape. The band is 1 inch too big for my wife. Yesterday on the was to the Beach we stopped at a jeweler to have it sized. He screwed up and stripped two screws. He gives us a huge explanation of why this happened and how he can fix it by drilling out the screws, etc. I got the watch and left as fast as I could.

We stopped at a more upscale store where the owner is GIA certified. He looks at the watch asks me what had happened and then where I bought the watch from. He starts in on internet dealers and tells us that the watch is a phony. According to him Cartier never made a model like this. I'm starting to panic, worried that I'd been had and that I was out a bunch of money. He then goes on to tell me that if I want a watch I should by from a store like his. We talked a little about Rolexes and he tells me that he can get me a GMT II TT. When I ask about warranty he tells me that the same RSC center in Texas services the watches for him and they provide a 1 year warranty. He pulls out a price sheet and tells me that it may take a while to get the watch but the price would be $5500 for the 116713. I looked at the sheet and the description was correct.

Now I know that this guy is full of it. He's going to get me a real Rolex at AD cost. I can't believe the grief I've suffered just getting a watch sized and the doubt introduced. We rushed out and called a Cartier boutique. They verified the model number and the original pricing. Monday we can call Cartier directly to have the serial number verified.

Yesterday my wife and I spoke to both of the sales folks at Bernards. They were very nice, sympathetic, and helpful. Cartier told us that they could get the band fixed/sized but Patrick at Bernards recommended using Bailey Banks and Biddle. He spoke highly of their competence.

I've read the advice about using an AD but when two sales people couldn't set the time on the GMT II and a third took 10 minutes to figure it out I don't see a lot of added value. If it were a few hundred dollars I would go the AD route but I'm saving a lot more.

I realize that this has been a bit off topic but I'm still upset by this episode. The good news is that I expect my GMT II from Bernard's Watches this coming week. They have been solid and delivered on their promises w/o any BS. I started another thread earlier to bolster my confidence in the authenticity of my purchases and the TRF'ers have helped.

Edited: My wife had the serial number confirmed by Cartier yesterday.

[Bama]

Please keep us posted of when you get your GMT II in from Bernard's. Because of your other thread I went and checked them out for the first time. I had never been to their site before. It looks like they have some great prices and it is good to hear of their great customer service. Let us know how it turns out and good luck.

[TNRonin]

Sadly, there is always going to be a bias. Its like asking the IRS to audit itself.

[mc1010]

sorry to hear about all your troubles. i'd be devasted if someone messed up the screws on my bracelet. home everything works out ok. some pictures would be great too!

[USMCsilver]

Originally Posted by DaveN

He pulls out a price sheet and tells me that it may take a while to get the watch but the price would be $5500 for the 116713. I looked at the sheet and the description was correct.

Now I know that this guy is full of it. He's going to get me a real Rolex at AD cost.

Dave, I'm a bit confused -- is he actually going to get you a new TT GMT for $5500 or are you saying that he's "full of it" for saying that?

[BigC208]

Hi Dave, I think we both missed out on that $7500,116713I emailed them about that watch a week ago but it had allready been sold. I wonder if they have that on the website as a lure to get folks in the "store". Let us know if you get a 116713 from them and how it works out.

[DaveN]

Originally Posted by USMCsilver

Dave, I'm a bit confused -- is he actually going to get you a new TT GMT for $5500 or are you saying that he's "full of it" for saying that?

I can't believe that he could ever sell the watch to me for $5500. How would he make any profit on the sale? He is not an AD so he must buy the watch somewhere. I think that his $5500 bargain would never arrive....

[DaveN]

Just an update,

I got my 116713 from bernardwatches.com. These guys are a great source. Excxellent communication and pricing.

My wife's watch went to Cartier in GA. The watch was authenticated. Unfortunately, they were unable to fix it so they sent the watch to Cartier NY. I can't believe the damage done by an incompetent jeweler just removing a screw. :(

I'm sending a letter to the sleaze that upset us and claims to sell new, authentic GMT II 116713 for $5,500:

8 August 2007

Diamond Shoal Jewelers
4459-6 Arendell St. Hwy 70
Morehead City, NC 28557


Dear XXX,

My wife and I visited your store the end of last month to have the bracelet adjusted on the new Cartier watch that I had purchased. Several screws had been stripped and you were unable to repair the damage.

I am writing to thank you for your suggestion that we send the watch directly to Cartier for sizing. We took your advice. Cartier has authenticated the watch and they will size it for my wife.

You had mentioned that you could obtain the new Rolex GMT Master II 116713 and that your price would be $5,500. I understand that it may take some time for you to locate one for sale. I am willing to purchase as many as you can get at that price pending Rolex Service Center authentication. Please let me know when you get one for sale.

Best regards,


If only I could get real GMT II's for that price. I could retire.....

[Lol-x]

Well Dave that is pretty bad news about the Cartier bracelet, I hope it doesn't cost to much to get fixed, even free if you can get it done under warranty.
The new GMT will put a smile on your dial

[DaveN]

It's interesting that the Cartier came with a lifetime warranty unlike all other watches that I have owned. IF they covered this under warranty I'll be their best advertisment ever. ;)

I love the new GMT TT. Make you appreciate knowing what time it is hundreds of times per day!

[sheldonsmith]

I think I have it from the following:

"When I ask about warranty he tells me that the same RSC center in Texas services the watches for him and they provide a 1 year warranty. He pulls out a price sheet and tells me that it may take a while to get the watch but the price would be $5500 for the 116713. I looked at the sheet and the description was correct."

It sounds like he is getting the watch through a Gray channel if he in fact is not an authorized AD. For Gray watches, with open or semi open papers (eg, name of dealer on paper, but no owners name, and with/without date of purchase), Rolex seems to warranty them for the Two year period without too much hesitation, although, officially, Rolex RSC's does not service Gray watches. I have had Rolex do simple service on my Gray watches without having to present paperwork.

If the 116713 is Gray, for service issues, he sends the watch to Rolex. Any Rolex repair/overhaul has a one-year warranty...

-Sheldon