Buy in London or New York?

[Funlad]

I want to buy my first Rolex, either brand new or almost new 'unworn' from a trustworthy shop. I'm considering the Sub no date, Deepsea or Sea-Dweller, GMT-Master II, or Explorer II.

I live in London, but am heading to NY next week for a few days. Just wondering where I am likely to get the best deal? Any specific shop recommendations in either city?

Also if buying in NY, any tips on travelling back to the UK with a purchase? Is it best to post the box and receipt back to myself?

Thanks!

[Old Expat Beast]

UK is the most expensive place I know of for Rolex. You'll find better prices in the US. We don't encourage tax avoidance here, but it's a well known fact that people do post the box, etc home separately.

[Lgear080]

All of the trf sellers ship to both locations... don't waste your time at the stores.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

UK is the most expensive place I know of for Rolex. You'll find better prices in the US. We don't encourage tax avoidance here, but it's a well known fact that people do post the box, etc home separately.

[Urosfan]

Welcome good luck with your choice

[Funlad]

Originally Posted by Lgear080

All of the trf sellers ship to both locations... don't waste your time at the stores.

Whats the proceedure for international shipping from a TRF seller; if I bought from one in the USA wouldn't I be hit for import duty/VAT when it lands in the UK?

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

UK is the most expensive place I know of for Rolex. You'll find better prices in the US. We don't encourage tax avoidance here, but it's a well known fact that people do post the box, etc home separately.

x2. Especially if your a Brit and can't get the VAT refund. For Americans, London is cheaper, but only because of the VAT refund.

[Funlad]

Whats the situation buying from a TRF seller internationally; will there be import tax/duty to pay when it arrives in the UK?

Is there a way to search for TRF sellers in the UK; most seem to be USA based.

[Old Expat Beast]

Yes you will most likely get hit for vat/customs if importing by mail. Schiphol airport is very cheap if you fancy a weekend in Amsterdam.

[joli160]

Whenever coming back in Europe you might get stopped by customs and than you have to pay up. In Holland this means 21% VAT and an additional import duty. Totalling around 30%.
Customs do stop a lot of people and make them pay for their Ipad's and other gadgets. You can gamble and hope you never get stopped.
Best imo is to buy from a grey dealer in Europe, lots of trustworthy sellers, look at the dutch forum for some good addresses. Keep a copy of the invoice and you're fine when travelling in out of Europe.

[Funlad]

Oh I guess a UK airport Duty Free store would also be an option; there is an AD at Heathrow T5. Anyone got any experience of their prices? Also if I buy there, can I return to the UK with the watch without a problem, or could there still be duty to pay, even though it was purchased in an airport shop?

Sorry for all the questions; newbie problems :)

[Funlad]

How about buying from a AD at London Heathrow; anyone had experience of their prices? Also if they are 'duty free' is there still the issue of import duty when I return to the UK, even though I purchased in a UK airport?

[thomaspp]

UK is very expensive in my experience and in NY you have to be careful with the pushers/tourist traps...

[SMD]

Keep in mind that in NY, you pay sales tax that you cannot get back unless the entire piece is mailed out of state. Some places may not even do this for you.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Funlad

I want to buy my first Rolex, either brand new or almost new 'unworn' from a trustworthy shop. I'm considering the Sub no date, Deepsea or Sea-Dweller, GMT-Master II, or Explorer II.

I live in London, but am heading to NY next week for a few days. Just wondering where I am likely to get the best deal? Any specific shop recommendations in either city?

Also if buying in NY, any tips on travelling back to the UK with a purchase? Is it best to post the box and receipt back to myself?

Thanks!

The GBP was up to $1.70 yesterday. You might want to buy in the U.S. and wear it when you return. I've never been stopped wearing my GMT-II when entering the U.K. or the U.S.

[Mr DateJust]

Some mention of the duty free store at Heathrow. As far as I know they don't stock any of the SS Sport Models. I am in the UK and buying here is very expensive, the prices in the US are better however keep in mind sales tax has to be added and also a fee will be added by your credit card company (not an issue if you are a cash buyer). There is also the chance of getting stopped on the way back by customs where you would need to pay 20% VAT and Import Duties.

[joli160]

If you buy duty free, even in Heathrow, than you still need to pay tax if you get caught.
In Amsterdam you don't buy duty free but the prices are equivalent to duty free. Gassan gives a discount but you will still get a correct invoice with VAT and you're in the clear.
Just book your next flight via AMS and you're fine. They carry a nice stock.
(But I would go for the grey dealers in Europe)

[mschafer]

Decide which model then arrange with a trusted seller here for an overnight shipment to your hotel or hold at a fedex location. Best price, no sales tax and you can do with the packaging as you see fit.

[Walton]

If you're going to be in NY take the train to Delaware and save on the sales tax...

Ship the box home and avoid the VAT and you'll save close to $1000 depending on what model you're buying.

[Funlad]

Originally Posted by joli160

If you buy duty free, even in Heathrow, than you still need to pay tax if you get caught.
In Amsterdam you don't buy duty free but the prices are equivalent to duty free. Gassan gives a discount but you will still get a correct invoice with VAT and you're in the clear.
Just book your next flight via AMS and you're fine. They carry a nice stock.
(But I would go for the grey dealers in Europe)

Thanks for the Amsterdam tip. Any idea what kinda of saving can be had from the UK RRP?

[Funlad]

Originally Posted by mschafer

Decide which model then arrange with a trusted seller here for an overnight shipment to your hotel or hold at a fedex location. Best price, no sales tax and you can do with the packaging as you see fit.

I did wonder about that, but thought that shipping to a hotel could be a little risky. Shipping to a FedEx location could work though!

[REDiesel]

Depending on how long you are in NYC you can always cross over to NJ or CT, buy a watch and have it shipped to your hotel or business associate in NYC and avoid state sales tax. Wear it home and you should be OK on the customs front (shipping the empty box and papers might be worth it should your luggage get inspected.)

[Funlad]

Originally Posted by REDiesel

Depending on how long you are in NYC you can always cross over to NJ or CT, buy a watch and have it shipped to your hotel or business associate in NYC and avoid state sales tax. Wear it home and you should be OK on the customs front (shipping the empty box and papers might be worth it should your luggage get inspected.)

If I travelled to NJ or CT, why would I need to have the watch shipped back to my hotel; couldn't I just bring it back to NY with me?

[Funlad]

Ok I just called Mappin & Webb at Heathrow Terminal 5; they do stock sport models now. They had no Submariners in, but quoted me £4666 for the GMT-Master II, and £4608 for the Explorer II. Both prices correspond exactly to the UK rrp less 20% VAT, so seem to be fair.

What happens if I buy one just before my flight to NY? If I arrive with my new Rolex, box, and receipt, will there be any tax issue carrying it into the USA?

[REDiesel]

If you buy in NJ or CT you will pay their sales tax unless you ship it out of state - hence shipping it to your NY hotel or as someone suggested a Fedex hold at a specific location. I think buying off a trusted seller and having it shipped to a Fedex location is your best bet.

I have bought from 2 different Rolex AD's and both were willing to ship out of state to avoid sales tax. Neither were willing to let me take the watch and ship just the box and papers.

[SW3Rolex]

Originally Posted by Funlad

Ok I just called Mappin & Webb at Heathrow Terminal 5; they do stock sport models now. They had no Submariners in, but quoted me £4666 for the GMT-Master II, and £4608 for the Explorer II. Both prices correspond exactly to the UK rrp less 20% VAT, so seem to be fair.

What happens if I buy one just before my flight to NY? If I arrive with my new Rolex, box, and receipt, will there be any tax issue carrying it into the USA?

I'd buy at Heathrow. I'm after an Exp II and the price here in California is $8100 plus sales tax brings it to $8800. Watches of Switzerland in T3 stock the Exp II and the cost to me would be about $7700 depending on where the fx rate is that day.

You could always buy it at LHR and ask them to mail the box to your UK home address. You just keep it on your wrist to enjoy for your NYC visit!

[Funlad]

Originally Posted by REDiesel

If you buy in NJ or CT you will pay their sales tax unless you ship it out of state - hence shipping it to your NY hotel or as someone suggested a Fedex hold at a specific location. I think buying off a trusted seller and having it shipped to a Fedex location is your best bet.

I have bought from 2 different Rolex AD's and both were willing to ship out of state to avoid sales tax. Neither were willing to let me take the watch and ship just the box and papers.

Ok great, thanks for the clarification!

[Soly20]

Originally Posted by mschafer

Decide which model then arrange with a trusted seller here for an overnight shipment to your hotel or hold at a fedex location. Best price, no sales tax and you can do with the packaging as you see fit.

This! Best price, no sales tax, wear it on the way back and mail the empty box separately.

I travel all over Europe and US with 2 or 3 watches, wearing one and the others in a travel case, no one ever says anything!

[goog53]

Do what Soly20 said

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by Soly20

This! Best price, no sales tax, wear it on the way back and mail the empty box separately.

I travel all over Europe and US with 2 or 3 watches, wearing one and the others in a travel case, no one ever says anything!

This!!