Out-of-State Sales

[BuffaloRolex]

Have any of you ever called out-of-the-area or out-of-state ADs to find watches that you couldn't get locally? Are ADs typically receptive to out-of-state buyers? I guess this would mostly pertain to our U.S. members.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

My AD does has made deals with other European customers, but I don't think he has dealt with anyone from abroad, yet.

[Texsubmariner]

I called several out of state AD's and they were not receptive to me buying a Rolex (and save taxes). Several stated that I have to be a prior customer for them to sell me over the phone. I found that it is easier for me to find a local mom and pop AD and get pretty discounts from them.

[Gaijin]

and Rolex does not allow an AD to ship a watch unless the buyer is present at the time of sale.

Some ADs will fudge on it, but if they are caught they will get spanked by Rolex.

[clbcpa]

I do this often and I can make a recommendation is you PM me

[Hamilton Carvalho]

I did and I was lucky to find the best in NJ.

Originally Posted by BuffaloRolex

Have any of you ever called out-of-the-area or out-of-state ADs to find watches that you couldn't get locally? Are ADs typically receptive to out-of-state buyers? I guess this would mostly pertain to our U.S. members.

[JBat]

I purchased my GMT II this way. I live in WA and the AD is CA. I was referred to him by a guy I know here, and the entire deal went down very smoothly. Needless to say, I saved a ton of money. I'm not sure why Rolex would care if an AD shipped the watch or not, but in my case both parties (he and I) were legitimate, and the sale was made.

I will do business with him again.

[Triple Black 88]

Bought my DD out of state and avoided paying sales tax

[vegasvince]

My AD in NJ has no problem doing business inter-state...I received a Rhodium Roman DJ for my dad today from my AD and they gave me a good discount too. PM me if you want the AD info.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by JBat

I purchased my GMT II this way. I live in WA and the AD is CA. I was referred to him by a guy I know here, and the entire deal went down very smoothly. Needless to say, I saved a ton of money. I'm not sure why Rolex would care if an AD shipped the watch or not, but in my case both parties (he and I) were legitimate, and the sale was made.

I will do business with him again.

Rolex does not allow it because it would create worlwide if not nationwide price competition between ADs. ADs can keep thier prices up and discounts down if they don't have to compete with every other AD in the country/world.

If Rolex allow ADs to sell over the phone and ship to customers unseen and it pits every AD against every other AD. People will be phoning all over playing one AD against the other all over the place.

[Texsubmariner]

pm sent.

[BuffaloRolex]

Wow, looks like this is a major gray area. I'll try calling around to see what I can drub up.

[CPCC]

Saving on the tax and getting a discount would be the best. Hearing about all the various Rolex policies are very interesting.

[Reckel]

Well I took a flight from Germany to Montreal to pick up a Rolex there...



And in German language this picture would be a movie-quiz...
Let's see if somone get's it.

Bye

Marko

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Das Gelbe vom Ei??

[etp095]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Das Gelbe vom Ei??

the yellow of the egg?

[Reckel]

Golden Ei (eye)


The story for picking up the watch in a weekends fly to Montreal was rated one of the best stories of 2007 in www.r-l-x.de and was also published in the watchlounge forum (www.watchlounge.com) and the corresponding print magazin.

Bye

Marko

[mborkow]

Originally Posted by KansaiVet

and Rolex does not allow an AD to ship a watch unless the buyer is present at the time of sale.

Some ADs will fudge on it, but if they are caught they will get spanked by Rolex.

i think that is just an urban myth perpetuated by some ADs. there is only one entity that has the authority to regulate interstate commerce --and it ain't rolex.

[DoxaDavid]

It's not a myth. My AD has said It's a NO NO. They can however do as been mentioned and mail it back to you. They have said Rolex monitors the Warranty cards to see where they were purchased and where the customer lives. If too many are out of the area, they could loose their line.

[DocD]

I don't believe that it's an urban legend. I have personally spoken with the owner's of two different AD's in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Both of these AD's have excellent reputations and told me the exact same thing. They both told me that making a sale over the phone is strictly against Rolex policy, since it in essence infringes upon another AD's territory, and that can jeopardize their status as an AD, a risk neither one is willing to take.

However, each one was quick to point out that if you are from out of state, they will be happy to make an IN STORE transaction, and then send the watch to your home to save you tax. Whether you report the tax to your home state is then your responsibility.

There are ALWAYS opportunists and AD's willing to break the rules to make a sale. I'm confident that the owners of these stores, who both told me the same thing are accurate in their knowledge of Rolex's policy on this issue. As one of them stated to me, if Rolex didn't have this policy, he'd be happy to sell Rolex on the phone all day long, since he's in business to make money and sell watches. But he won't do anything to risk his AD status.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by Reckel

Golden Ei (eye)


The story for picking up the watch in a weekends fly to Montreal was rated one of the best stories of 2007 in www.r-l-x.de and was also published in the watchlounge forum (www.watchlounge.com) and the corresponding print magazin.

Bye

Marko

Well, I was pretty close, Marko!

Anyway, I remember reading that fascinating story of yours in the WL. Pics were great, too! You have a superb timepiece there!

[clbcpa]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

It's not a myth. My AD has said It's a NO NO. They can however do as been mentioned and mail it back to you. They have said Rolex monitors the Warranty cards to see where they were purchased and where the customer lives. If too many are out of the area, they could loose their line.

And ADs will also tell you that Rolex does not allow them to discount. We all know this is not true. MSRP stand for SUGGESTED. Interstate commerce is not regulated by any entity. However, state laws vary. Ads also vary in how the submit warranty info ie. one may give you the warranty card at purchase while another may have mailed to you 30 days later. All these things vary for one reason in the US.. business practice. Its capitalism..

[DocD]

You can basically think whatever you'd like. However you seem to forget that regardless of the laws of the land, Rolex has the ability to basically dictate to it's dealers whatever it likes. A dealer telling someone that Rolex doesn't allow discounts, is simply not a valid analogy. A dealer can sell a watch for any price he/she wants, though Rolex certainly discourages discounts. However a dealer is going to attempt to make as much money as possible.

The reason that analogy isn't valid is because why wouldn't one of the AD's sell over the phone if it was "OK" with Rolex. Why would these guys NOT want an easy sale? By NOT selling over the phone they are taking food out of their own mouths!! They are giving up business!!! Why would they possibly "make up" a policy that would hurt their business??

Once again, regardless of the laws of the land, Rolex can certainly dictate their own set of rules to dealers and they DO, that's simply a fact. There are thousands of jewelers hungry to obtain a dealership and no AD wants to lose their status, so they bend over backwards to play the game the way Rolex dictates.

[clbcpa]

I think you misunderstand what I was saying. State laws and business policies dictate how ADs operate. They "take food out of their own mouths" because the state law or company policy dictates they do. I dont just believe. I do. I have purchased 5 from different ADs across the US this year with no sales tax. These ADs didnt shy away from a phone call sale, they promoted the no sales tax as a selling point. That doesnt sound worried or scared of Rolex. Only issue I have ever had was where State law dictates that a chain AD also had store in a state to which I was shipping. Thats a domicile by state law and is a sales tax law violation in various selling states. Sales tax is an add on in the US just like the VAT is in England. Rolex does not benefit. They do benefit the same from ALL AD sales regardless of location.

[DoxaDavid]

Originally Posted by clbcpa

And ADs will also tell you that Rolex does not allow them to discount. We all know this is not true. MSRP stand for SUGGESTED. Interstate commerce is not regulated by any entity. However, state laws vary. Ads also vary in how the submit warranty info ie. one may give you the warranty card at purchase while another may have mailed to you 30 days later. All these things vary for one reason in the US.. business practice. Its capitalism..

Rolex controls all tht happens with an Ad. One of the largest Rolex dealers in town got caught offing discounts a few years ago and they sh*t canned them. Some dealers may decide to risk braking Rolex's rules and others don't but Role' does lay down the law. Some just doen't follow it.

[Arturo]

I agree with DocD here. That is what I see in Oregon. There may be some room in discounting, but AD's shipping watches out of territory are risking their franchise and it is a stupid risk to take. LIke he said, you go to the state and AD and buy it there, and then have it shipped out. If you are lucky enough to come from a no tax state, I think you to the tax state, buy the watch and they ship it to your no tax state and there are no taxes. For example, When I buy suits out of state, I get fitted and have them sent back home to Oregon where we have no sales tax, and then there is no tax on the transaction.

[crimscrem]

Originally Posted by DoxaDavid

Rolex controls all tht happens with an Ad. One of the largest Rolex dealers in town got caught offing discounts a few years ago and they sh*t canned them. Some dealers may decide to risk braking Rolex's rules and others don't but Role' does lay down the law. Some just doen't follow it.

I'm going to side with clbcpa on this one with respect to pricing and discounts. It is my understanding that state laws regularly prohibit a manufacturer from dictating/requiring retailers from selling products at a specific price.

I don't think it's as simple as being able to say that if Rolex catches an AD selling below MSRP they can yank the dealership. I'm guessing Rolex has to come up with additional reasons.

[DoxaDavid]

I am not trying to argue with anyone but if you ask any AD they will tell you that Rolex is the most difficult company to deal with. They are absolute dictators where their watches are concerned. They don't need any reason too can a dealer or decide to let another open across the street. They do what they want and you can go along with their program or not. I have heard this from numerous dealers. I believe they allow their dealers to give if I remember up to 10% discount. If the dealer doesn't want to they don't have to but I think if they offer more, they can get into trouble as well as selling out of their zip code. If I am wrong I will retract but I am 99% certain of these points.

[bmackinlay]

So much for FREE ENTERPRISE!!! Not to say anything about PRICE FIXING!!! Bill

[Golf11]

Originally Posted by clbcpa

And ADs will also tell you that Rolex does not allow them to discount. We all know this is not true. MSRP stand for SUGGESTED. Interstate commerce is not regulated by any entity. However, state laws vary. ..

Hate to be a stickler but I don't think that's true...Congress has sole authority to regulate interstate commerce, which technically makes it illegal for individual states to try and impose their tax on out of state sales. The only exception is if a proprietor has locations in other states and then the sale regardless of where it comes from is considered to be made in the state for which it's destined should there be a sister store in that location even if that store is no where near your home. Unlike NYC where they think they can tax me for buying something in NJ, like clothing that isn't taxed in NJ and once I bring it in the city I should pay NY sales tax for it, yeah, right...that is illegal.

"Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the United States Constitution, known as the Commerce Clause, states that Congress has the exclusive authority to manage trade activities between the states and with foreign nations and Indian tribes."