Difference between purchase from AD and reputed seller from TRF?

[ragna93]

Hello,

I was curious what would be the downside for purchasing from a reputed seller from TRF (like DavidSW, takuya, and others).

I am not talking about buying pre-owned, but simply purchasing new ones from AD or sellers from TRF. I am pretty sure the reputed sellers from here will provide the warranty card as well, so what would be the pros/cons in this decision?

Thanks.

[Snow-Dweller]

About 20%!

[Flywheel]

No free Coke.

[ragna93]

Haha, so literally there isn't any difference between the two?

Originally Posted by Flywheel

No free Coke.

[ragna93]

Not sure what you meant by the 20% haha. Are you saying that ADs tend to give 10% discount while TRF sellers give 30%? I was more curious about the warranty issue, whether I will be getting the exact same thing that an AD would offer.

Originally Posted by Snow-Dweller

About 20%!

[themast]

Sellers on the forums are not affiliated with TRF. Every seller has its own independent business or is simply a fellow watch enthusiast.

Generally speaking, I have done a deal with a grey dealer (not on TRF) and I received all box and papers with my name on the warranty and stamped by an AD (not Rolex).
You should inquire with your seller what exactly you are going to receive.

Did you decide what to buy? I think I have seen at least 5-6 threads inquiring about several different watches...

[locutus49]

Ask from the TRF dealer exactly what your warrantee card will say, thus eliminating potential misunderstanding. Some are from outside the US, some within.

[Abdullah71601]

The trusted sellers are gray market dealers selling you what amounts to a pre-owned watch. Only an AD can sell you a new watch. You'll pay less to the trusted seller, but you won't be the original purchaser of the watch.

The NY RSC may cause you some problems with a gray market watch. But an AD purchase is bullet proof provenance on your watch.

[Flywheel]

Originally Posted by ragna93

Haha, so literally there isn't any difference between the two?

I've had several interactions through both channels and I don't see a difference. Some of the gray market dealers are even more responsive than ADs. (DavidSW) They can't fit the watch, but if you have a good screwdriver, a YouTube account and a subterranean IQ, you're good to go.

[locutus49]

Trusted sellers do not necessarily sell only pre-owned watches. They often sell brand new, never worn watches.

But I have seen some sellers on TRF list BNIB watches that are actually pre-owned (buried in the text). So be careful and ask questions before paying your money.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Trusted sellers do not necessarily sell only pre-owned watches. They often sell brand new, never worn watches.

But I have seen some sellers on TRF list BNIB watches that are actually pre-owned (buried in the text). So be careful and ask questions before paying your money.

The watch may be "never worn", but it cannot by definition be a brand new watch from a trusted seller. It is always a second hand, gray market watch from a trusted seller. The only way it can be new is to buy it yourself from an AD.

FWIW, there are ADs in this world that will sell you a new watch for what a trusted seller will offer it to you. An AD in Arkansas gave me a price on a Milgauss that was less than DavidSW. And an AD in Doha gave me a price on a BLNR that was less than DavidSW. If you are willing to hunt, you can find the deals from an AD and get a "real" new watch.