Buying grey market

[cc75]

Zero

[SDR581]

The MSRP is just that.... a "suggested" retail price. Shouldn't ADs be able to set their own prices based on the market? That way they all compete fairly for customers and sales.

I would happily pay above MSRP at an AD....It would just be based on a combination of price and customer service they provide. Not to mentioned it would reduce hoarding my flippers and greys.

Look at William Sonoma for example.... Their suggested retail price is way higher than the MSRP.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

Sorry to be blunt, but your question is stupid.

You are less than 2 months old on TRF - you need to settle down and take it easy! You might not understand the question for its context but for this forum, its not a stupid question!

[dwjez14]

5k over retail but I saved the tax haha

[007timer]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

$0.01

Not even the sales tax? I would do MSRP + my local sales tax and not $0.01


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[007timer]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

Sorry to be blunt, but your question is stupid.

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[Geckobros]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

Sorry to be blunt, but your question is stupid.

Show some class...


My threshold would be MSRP+Local sales tax.

[MTdweller]

Originally Posted by EEpro

$9,999

Because there's no damn way I'm getting it from an AD and I don't have time to kiss ass and pretend to be friends with a retail worker.

I love the honesty! Bravo!

If you want this watch any time soon, you gotta play the game. You either pay big $$$ to the greys or become a VIP at the ADs. It doesn’t seem “fair” to some but that is how it is.

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

Sorry to be blunt, but your question is stupid.

Whatever happened to no such thing as a stupid question ? I guess I applaud you for your honesty but take it easy on fellow members. That way they will give you the same respect back ??

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by MTdweller

I love the honesty! Bravo!

If you want this watch any time soon, you gotta play the game. You either pay big $$$ to the greys or become a VIP at the ADs. It doesn’t seem “fair” to some but that is how it is.

Hit the nail on the head. My time and money was no longer worth the AD calls and stress. Once I bought my blnr over retail I chose that day to buy gray no more games and no more stress if I really want it

[danyvw]

Zero over MSRP so no grey for me.

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[dane75]

Originally Posted by dwjez14

Hit the nail on the head. My time and money was no longer worth the AD calls and stress. Once I bought my blnr over retail I chose that day to buy gray no more games and no more stress if I really want it

This and another person, I think, have given the objectively correct answer. The truth is that, for some models in this market, buying from an AD means the MSRP plus multiple visits, calls, and other time spent nurturing the relationship to get further up the list. That being the case, if you're bought one of those models in this market, you haven't really accurately answered when saying you won't pay one cent above MSRP. You've spent time, gas, attention/worry/anticipation (choose one/+) and effort, all of which are assets used.

In other words, for those models in this market, you're either saving your time/effort/etc. by substituting additional cash over MSRP with a gray or you're saving your money by paying MSRP and substituting time/effort/etc. with an AD. Neither side should really be kidding themselves that they've done better than the other; they've merely chosen which asset they would rather spent vs. conserve.

[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by dane75

This and another person, I think, have given the objectively correct answer. The truth is that, for some models in this market, buying from an AD means the MSRP plus multiple visits, calls, and other time spent nurturing the relationship to get further up the list. That being the case, if you're bought one of those models in this market, you haven't really accurately answered when saying you won't pay one cent above MSRP. You've spent time, gas, attention/worry/anticipation (choose one/+) and effort, all of which are assets used.



In other words, for those models in this market, you're either saving your time/effort/etc. by substituting additional cash over MSRP with a gray or you're saving your money by paying MSRP and substituting time/effort/etc. with an AD. Neither side should really be kidding themselves that they've done better than the other; they've merely chosen which asset they would rather spent vs. conserve.

+1

And usually you have to spend big money at your AD’s store for other stuff to get you on the top of this mythical list. In many cases it will cost you more money to buy from the AD when comparing buying from grey.
With the AD you’ll get nowadays usually rude&nervous behaviour and comments like: ”You must promise not to sell this watch once you’ll get it... Rolex is monitoring....” This kind of poor customer service destroys the joy of buying the watch.
Go grey, enjoy life!


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[Santiago32]

I’m about to pay 30% over MSRP for a BLNR. Because they don’t make them on Oyster anymore. =\


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[Yess]

What a scam.
Rolex is loving this.

[Anton911]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

+1

And usually you have to spend big money at your AD’s store for other stuff to get you on the top of this mythical list. In many cases it will cost you more money to buy from the AD when comparing buying from grey.
With the AD you’ll get nowadays usually rude&nervous behaviour and comments like: ”You must promise not to sell this watch once you’ll get it... Rolex is monitoring....” This kind of poor customer service destroys the joy of buying the watch.
Go grey, enjoy life!


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This,spot on!

[Littletommy]

If I decide I want a particular watch, I'll pay what DavidSW is asking and have it the next day. Don't even need to leave the house!

[MTdweller]

Originally Posted by dane75

This and another person, I think, have given the objectively correct answer. The truth is that, for some models in this market, buying from an AD means the MSRP plus multiple visits, calls, and other time spent nurturing the relationship to get further up the list. That being the case, if you're bought one of those models in this market, you haven't really accurately answered when saying you won't pay one cent above MSRP. You've spent time, gas, attention/worry/anticipation (choose one/+) and effort, all of which are assets used.

In other words, for those models in this market, you're either saving your time/effort/etc. by substituting additional cash over MSRP with a gray or you're saving your money by paying MSRP and substituting time/effort/etc. with an AD. Neither side should really be kidding themselves that they've done better than the other; they've merely chosen which asset they would rather spent vs. conserve.

Spot on. I’ve seen many posts on TRF where posters have (on principle) declared: “I absolutely will not pay above MSRP for any watch.” Yet they spend tens of thousands of dollars or more at their AD on less-desired watches/jewelry with the “hope” they can get access to a hot piece.

[TruthBalance]

MSRP + $1k

[Pantheon]

Originally Posted by MTdweller

Spot on. I’ve seen many posts on TRF where posters have (on principle) declared: “I absolutely will not pay above MSRP for any watch.” Yet they spend tens of thousands of dollars or more at their AD on less-desired watches/jewelry with the “hope” they can get access to a hot piece.

I think that might be situational depending of course on the individual. If you wanted the other watches/jewelry pieces then its fine. If you force a purchase then that's a different story.

I'm one of those who find it unnecessary to pay more than MSRP but my strategy was pretty much to find an AD that carries many brands so that I only buy what I want. Therefore my ALS, PP, VC and other brand purchases count towards my history and lets me ask for Rolex SS models without having to buy Cellinis. Also I do have a love for PM models so the idea of bundling doesn't bother me but I will definitely make sure I get a discount fairly comparable to gray market prices on the PMs. Of course I will never play bat if they offered me a piece. I usually know what I like and only buy what I want

Also I do have family and relatives that helps me beef up my purchase history as well so maybe I'm lucky They all know im a watch geek and always consult me when they are looking for a purchase. Most of them are just the average consumer and only want 1 Rolex and usually defaults to a date just or a day date. They won't even recognize a Daytona, GMT, Milgauss, or a Sub to even be a Rolex unless they see it up close. They'll usually either send me or go with me to the AD and make the purchase for them under my name

Also I don't mind waiting for models too as I always joke with my AD the slower I get my watches the healthier my bank account is

[jcj]

The Grey (or TS) vs AD is an interesting question to me; we all pay for convenience regularly, without a second thought, yet somehow the secondary pricing on Rolex is very polarizing.

I don’t ever see placing myself on a waiting list, while making weekly (or even monthly) visits to an AD in an attempt to ingratiate myself to the management and staff;I suppose that leaves the secondary market as my only option.

Part two, is do I want the piece enough to pay the current premium; thus far, the answer has been no.

[Pantheon]

Originally Posted by jcj

I don’t ever see placing myself on a waiting list, while making weekly (or even monthly) visits to an AD in an attempt to ingratiate myself to the management and staff;I suppose that leaves the secondary market as my only option.

Im curious as do people actually visit their ADs regularly? My AD tells me to visit them but I never go unless there is a watch I want to try on or a watch im buying. Usually when I visit the AD there is a 50% chance im walking out with something. I can't imagine myself going in to just "hang out" with the staff.

[1Zach1]

Originally Posted by Pantheon

Im curious as do people actually visit their ADs regularly? My AD tells me to visit them but I never go unless there is a watch I want to try on or a watch im buying. Usually when I visit the AD there is a 50% chance im walking out with something. I can't imagine myself going in to just "hang out" with the staff.

I guess ADs are all different (no real surprise there). One of the ADs local to me where I have my name on a "list" was surprised when I stopped in because he hadn't received the watch and hadn't called. I've also never been asked/pressured to buy anything else at an AD with a wink and nudge about the watch I want magically appearing.

My personal feeling is that once a watch leaves an AD and hits the greys it's "pre-owned". I'd rather just wait and get what I want, new, from an AD. I am also not in a hurry to pick up the watch I want so it's not a problem for me to wait.

[jcj]

Originally Posted by Pantheon

Im curious as do people actually visit their ADs regularly? My AD tells me to visit them but I never go unless there is a watch I want to try on or a watch im buying. Usually when I visit the AD there is a 50% chance im walking out with something. I can't imagine myself going in to just "hang out" with the staff.

I’ve seen it mentioned regularly on the forum, so I’m assuming some do; no judgement on going that route, but it’s not a strategy I see myself employing.

[Pantheon]

Originally Posted by jcj

I’ve seen it mentioned regularly on the forum, so I’m assuming some do; no judgement on going that route, but it’s not a strategy I see myself employing.

I see. I don't think its necessarily bad to visit the AD. Personally I worked in sales for a year or so for a tech company. There was nothing I hated more than having my time wasted. So my mentality kinda stuck to me that I do not like wasting a salesperson's time. If I don't have the intent to buy something usually I make it very clear because I feel like the time I take away from the salesperson is time that could be spent with another paying customer. If I'm buying something usually I would sit down and chat for an hour or something but maybe im crazy

[HORNBLOWER]

It really depends on how much you can afford to spend and how much you want the watch, it's really a personal choice. The going rates for all models are on every site so let this be your approximate guide. Your question is quite valid. The purpose of this site is to provide a community for advice, help and discussion with fellow Rolex enthusiasts. There are no points for being rude, a trait which unfortunately is becoming commonplace of late.

[Santiago32]

Originally Posted by MTdweller

I love the honesty! Bravo!

If you want this watch any time soon, you gotta play the game. You either pay big $$$ to the greys or become a VIP at the ADs. It doesn’t seem “fair” to some but that is how it is.

Just to add... Becoming VIP at ADs is also big $$$.

[TurboTim14]

I don't mind paying a little over MSRP to get one I really want. I think the max I am willing to spend would be 2-3k over depending on what it is.

What bothers me is my name is not on the warranty card buying gray market. For whatever reason that bothers me more than paying over MSRP to get it. YMMV.

[Uhtred59]

[QUOTE=daOnlyBG;10310733]I think "blunt" and "stupid" should have been swapped.

[Steerpike999]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

$0.01

+1 but in my case I would round down.
Its a watch, no reason to pay over retail price offered by the manufacturer.