How many members have purchased grey at a premium for a hot piece?

[Harry-57]

Once. For my Hulk. Because I couldn't get onto a list anywhere. It is my grail piece. It has gained in value by around 30% since. Which means it would cost me 30% more if I hadn't jumped when I did. I'll never sell it. And I will very unlikely pay over MSRP to a grey dealer again. Although I'll happily pay under, as is usually the case in the grey market. On most occasions my AD has offered close enough to get the business. The hot Rolex models are an exception and should not bend the rest of reality.

[Coopdog]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Their words were "if some wiseguy comes in having to have the watch, right now," they will sell it for what they can. I see no issue what so ever. I sold them 19 watches in a single deal and picked up the Pt Daytona at a discount and without tax. I also picked up a watch (DJ) for my wife and had my ExpII serviced by Rolex at their expense.

It’s sounds like your deal with them was a good one, and I don’t have any problem with people paying market price, I just find it weird that one person is willing to be a grey and an AD at the same time. They can’t really feel bad about people flipping their watches if they are also flipping watches... I have no problem with grey market anything I’m just surprised the AD feels the same way...


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[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Coopdog

It’s sounds like your deal with them was a good one, and I don’t have any problem with people paying market price, I just find it weird that one person is willing to be a grey and an AD at the same time. They can’t really feel bad about people flipping their watches if they are also flipping watches... I have no problem with grey market anything I’m just surprised the AD feels the same way...


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It was definitely the easiest way for me to downsize my collection. It took a couple of weeks to get it all in line. They're a pretty reasonably sized AD with a number of stores and I'm certain a realistic business model. Could I have done better selling on the forum, likely, but at the expense of time and effort.

[Coopdog]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

It was definitely the easiest way for me to downsize my collection. It took a couple of weeks to get it all in line. They're a pretty reasonably sized AD with a number of stores and I'm certain a realistic business model. Could I have done better selling on the forum, likely, but at the expense of time and effort.

I also recently did a multi watch trade for a grail item and downsized my collection by half. Did it through grey market though, which in my case I am confident was the way to go. Rather have one awesome watch than 5 mediocre...


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[2nastie]

Originally Posted by Coopdog

I fully don’t understand this. It’s a Rolex AD, who can only sell this watch for $12.4k NEW per “the rules,” but they will sell it USED for $25k? I feel like that violates the spirit of the AD/customer relationship...


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It is a touchy area for sure.

I would say it is becoming a normality in all markets. You actually see a lot auto dealerships go this route especially with Ferraris and other sought after cars.

In fact, some if not many Ferrari dealerships have a written contract with the individual for the right of first refusal to buy the car back within the year (if the individual decides to sell).

One way to get rid of the grey market... become the grey and a pre-owned dealer at the same time.

[quakeroatmeal]

I purchased my Sub (no date) with a full kit for a little above MSRP but it was worth it.

I purchased a black ceramic GMT Master II with a full kit around september (?) for below MSRP and that was definitely worth it.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by Dr.Smellody

Never. I'll wait decades to get what I want at the right price.

Surely a stupid philosophy - unless you are immortal.
There are no pockets in shrouds.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Surely a stupid philosophy - unless you are immortal.
There are no pockets in shrouds.

I can't imagine a more ironic misuse of that expression.

[SeaAndSky]

Originally Posted by Uggi

Surely a stupid philosophy - unless you are immortal.
There are no pockets in shrouds.

Less stupid than paying well above msrp for a trinket. A Rolex simply isn't worth these current prices. They're not that valuable.

This thread is living proof of what I wrote. How many members buy from greys? Look how many are rushing here to proclaim how easily they were separated from their money.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by zengineer

I can't imagine a more ironic misuse of that expression.

Misuse?
It's exactly what the expression means. Someone would wait "decades" for something they want just to avoid spending cash - risking dying in the decades long wait and having their shroud pockets full of silver which they haven't enjoyed.
The expression was invented for moments like these.

[Uggi]

Originally Posted by SeaAndSky

Less stupid than paying well above msrp for a trinket. A Rolex simply isn't worth these current prices. They're not that valuable.

True - if a man who sees it as a trinket is doing the spending then it would be stupid.
But the thread kinda assumes that not everyone sees them as trinkets doesn't it?
In fact the forum itself assumes they aren't trinkets as a forum to discuss trinkets would be stupid.

[Gravity]

I have bought every single piece I have ever owned grey and in all those pieces have only paid a premium once with my AP 15407 and have saved many times that premium from the grey discounts and no tax. I never once had to be at the mercy of an AD, waitlists or even travel to get my pieces. I can't see any other way but to each their own.

[oldman2005]

I think many have bought from grey but don't want to disclose it. I think there's nothing wrong buy from grey since currently it's almost impossible to get a certain SS sport watch from your ADs

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Coopdog

I also recently did a multi watch trade for a grail item and downsized my collection by half. Did it through grey market though, which in my case I am confident was the way to go. Rather have one awesome watch than 5 mediocre...


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Nothing like having something you really want instead of driving yourself crazy thinking about the lacks of your collection!!! In my case it was really nerve racking.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by zengineer

I grasp it, I just am saying that the time vs money equation has traditionally been about trading one for the other (as in paying someone $20 an hour to wax your boat so you are free to go make $200 an hour lawyering or something...and not about paying just to get something a few months sooner. Financially, paying $6,000 extra to get a watch a year sooner is equivilant to renting a watch for $500 a month.

I don't care what others do but can we at least agree there is a difference?

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You seem to again be turning the time idea into money and opportunity cost, the OP clearly is asking which do you value more saving money or saving time? As you get older and if you are comfortable, you value time and not waiting more, just as GG said.

[blacksun]

What is wrong with buying from a grey ?

If you know a trustable Grey dealer ? If he has the watch which you want a lot ? If you want it too much and if you have enough money !! go and get it ... Instead of waiting the public bus ...

[Dsmith1974]

Yes BLNR last year. No regrets.

[blacksun]

and
Uggi ! Congrats for your perfect expression ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Uggi View Post
Surely a stupid philosophy - unless you are immortal.
There are no pockets in shrouds.

[johnjm]

I’ve only bought from ADs, there isn’t a watch that I want that badly and won’t be ever. Patience is a virtue in this world of instant gratification. That said, I enjoy the challenge as well.


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[jaychief]

I ve bought most of watches through the grey market built a reputation with them so the prices are not to bad !!!!

[Kliminator]

Originally Posted by Dsmith1974

Yes BLNR last year. No regrets.

That was a good buy! You've definitely profited already

[Dsmith1974]

Originally Posted by Kliminator

That was a good buy! You've definitely profited already

Yeah maybe.. loaned it to my Pa and he managed to ding it up a bit! lol.

Also got a Kermit from another grey at around the same time. Will be interesting to see what happens over the next couple of years.

No plans to sell either. I figure they’ll either be a crash and they will return to near where I bought them for or they’ll keep on rising at crazy rates. Or stabilise. Or somewhere in between.

Point is they’re great watches that I love to wear and use as intended. The bubble thing adds a bit of spice (but equally sucks for buying new watches). So can’t say buying from a grey was a bad move. Worked out ok for me so far.

You could argue I’m part of the problem but as Dr. John said ‘if I don’t do it, somebody else will’.


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[Loevhagen]

Purchasing a watch at a grey dealer with a premium for a hot piece - is probably like a brothel. Just avoid both - wait - and you'll be able to get the original Rolex at MRSP. And if you can't; go and take a cold shower - and wait a couple of weeks for your new Rolex to arrive at you AD.

[dnpina]

Originally Posted by Kliminator

Wow! Awesome pieces. What was your purchase history with this AD prior?

An explorer 1, white explorer 2, blue milgauss, a Panerai 560, an oyster perpetual for my wife & some jewelry as well. Wait a second, maybe i am a good customer.

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[dnpina]

Originally Posted by yoniman

Was tempted. Very close.
Then I discovered a palliative measure while I hopelessly wait.

I am now a budding Seikoholic as a result of waiting for Godot aka SS Professional Model.

Maybe next year.

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Nothing like a Seiko diver to scratch the itch. There was a Seiko outlet near my house and i bought a lot there.

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[dnpina]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Many will mock me, but I paid over list through a gray for this.

I dont plan on moving it, and it's one of my favourite references.

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Great PAM.

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[atn_uk]

Too few options. There are many more.

At the very least the poll needs two more options (the first below only due to the language in the second option in the original poll).

3. I have not yet, but would if the watch I wanted really badly was never going to arrive from an AD
4. I have not but would if the price was right and not totally ridiculous

For me, the answer would be both of the additional options, and neither of the original.

One thing to be carefully considered these days is whether the watch you want will still even be produced by Rolex when your name hits the top of the list, if you even got on it!

As we have seen with several GMT variants in recent memory, if you want a specific watch it might get discontinued and you will be forced to go grey, go used, or go without.

Imagine you are on a 5 year list and in 4 years time your grail gets canned - not only have you missed out on owning for 4 years, but grey price will probably rocket further.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by dnpina

Great PAM.

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Thank you

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[Kliminator]

Originally Posted by Loevhagen

Purchasing a watch at a grey dealer with a premium for a hot piece - is probably like a brothel. Just avoid both - wait - and you'll be able to get the original Rolex at MRSP. And if you can't; go and take a cold shower - and wait a couple of weeks for your new Rolex to arrive at you AD.

Couple years*

[yoniman]

Originally Posted by dnpina

Nothing like a Seiko diver to scratch the itch. There was a Seiko outlet near my house and i bought a lot there.

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Oh, stop it you enabler!

Hahaha, I would do the same but prefers JDMs and GS.

But as luck would have it we don't even have a GS Boutique store here. Nearest is in Sydney, oh wait I'm going there...next term break...

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