Sending in for service

[zich6]

Originally Posted by 77T

No need to respond to people who have nothing valuable to add.

If you’ve been sending it directly to RSC over the past 30+ years, and no problems, do what you did last time.


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Nice.

[GST15]

Agree with others. I always send through my AD.

[eijiboy]

Originally Posted by gwozhog

If you have no warranty send it to the watchbuyersgroup in pasedena California. Their service includes shipping insured both ways. Cant beat the price or their work. I will never send a watch to RSC Dallas again. They suck.

Is watchbuyersgroup a good rolex watchmaker?

[majidessa]

You have a near vintage sub, a few pic will be nice. Also, what is wrong with your Rolex? Some send their watches after 25 years however, it seems you have done this already 3 times since you have own it which indicates that you might be following a 10 year service rule.

As for shipping I would be very cautious, many here are afraid that their watches get lost or stolen during shipping and so they prefer ADs even if they are in a galaxy far far away.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by GST15

Agree with others. I always send through my AD.

You mean the others who are also ignoring that the guy is a 16 hour round trip drive from an AD?

USPS Registered Mail with Insurance is probably the best answer, and definitely what I would use.

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[Andad]

Originally Posted by zich6

I've owned the watch for 39 years, have sent it directly to a service center 3 times and have never had a problem. Besides, the nearest AD is over an 8 hour drive. Thanks for the recommendation though.

??
Shouldn’t you be recommending your method to yourself?

[zich6]

Originally Posted by zengineer

You mean the others who are also ignoring that the guy is a 16 hour round trip drive from an AD?

USPS Registered Mail with Insurance is probably the best answer, and definitely what I would use.

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Excellent response and excellent advice. Thanks so much.

[Game Hunter]

I have always found it less suspenseful to send through a dealer.

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Luckily I live about a hour away from our RSC.

If I had to ship it, I’d take it to my AD and let them deal with everything

Absolutely this.

[zich6]

I have no idea so many people have said "take it to an AD" when I have stated many times that I'm a 16 hour round trip. What could you be thinking?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by zich6

I have no idea so many people have said "take it to an AD" when I have stated many times that I'm a 16 hour round trip. What could you be thinking?

Many people don't read past the first post.

The issue with what so many propose, using the AD, is that the AD becomes the RSC's customer, not you. This means that all communication and even the initial estimate, goes to the AD, not you.

Some Dealers handle it all and your wants/desires get missed in the relay.

Sending it yourself is a good move. Registered Mail is safe but takes a long time because it is locked up and signed for at each stage.

[zich6]

Originally Posted by Tools

Many people don't read past the first post.

The issue with what so many propose, using the AD, is that the AD becomes the RSC's customer, not you. This means that all communication and even the initial estimate, goes to the AD, not you.

Some Dealers handle it all and your wants/desires get missed in the relay.

Sending it yourself is a good move. Registered Mail is safe but takes a long time because it is locked up and signed for at each stage.

As always, great post and advice. Thanks.

[Calatrava r]

So, my actual experience with RSC in NYC. I sent a watch to them FedEx and it was refused. I had to pay shipping via FedEx to have the box sent back to me. I called Rolex and Registered Mail is the only shipments they accept. They want the packaging to comply with RM standard which is paper tape all around with stamping everywhere.

If you call them first, they will overnight or expedite you a shipping kit. This includes the shipping box, cushion, label and paper tape strips. Box it up take it to USPS and you are good to go. Insurance is available up to 50K. And get this, Rolex sent me a check for the postage as the watch was under warranty.

As Tools said, if you send through an AD, the AD becomes the customer, and you cannot speak to RSC directly about issues which may arise. Plus, if the watch picks up a mark or two, and the AD shipped it, there is no way to tell where those marks happened.

[zich6]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

So, my actual experience with RSC in NYC. I sent a watch to them FedEx and it was refused. I had to pay shipping via FedEx to have the box sent back to me. I called Rolex and Registered Mail is the only shipments they accept. They want the packaging to comply with RM standard which is paper tape all around with stamping everywhere.

If you call them first, they will overnight or expedite you a shipping kit. This includes the shipping box, cushion, label and paper tape strips. Box it up take it to USPS and you are good to go. Insurance is available up to 50K. And get this, Rolex sent me a check for the postage as the watch was under warranty.

As Tools said, if you send through an AD, the AD becomes the customer, and you cannot speak to RSC directly about issues which may arise. Plus, if the watch picks up a mark or two, and the AD shipped it, there is no way to tell where those marks happened.

Wow, they sound very difficult. Dallas told me I could use FedEx or other Shipping methods. Thanks for that.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by zich6

I did a search but couldn't find anything on the subject. I need to send my Submariner into the Dallas Center. Rolex recommends registered mail due to the others caps on insurance. I know registered would be best but with $10k insurance it's very expensive. Is it really necessary and would anyone recommend another shipping method. TIA

$10k insurance through USPS Register mail is not that expensive ($37 from my location to Dallas according to USPS.com).


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[zich6]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

$10k insurance through USPS Register mail is not that expensive ($37 from my location to Dallas according to USPS.com).


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Thanks, $85 from here to Dallas.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by zich6

Thanks, $85 from here to Dallas.

I’m just quoting the registered fee for the insurance, which think is the same regardless of shipping origin within the USA. probably the $85 includes the shipping. Still cheap (for reference, $5k insurance through regular USPS Priority is $100 if not mistaken and that is the max you can buy)


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[OYptL]

Originally Posted by Tools

Rolex recommends Registered Mail because it is reliable and tracked. They don't really worry if you have your parcel insured, that is up to you.

Contact the Service Center and they will send you a shipping label and instructions.

This. 6 or 7 yrs ago RSC Dallas actually sent an entire “kit” if you will.

[Bet]

I believe Rolex will make it easy for you, you can contact customer service they would instruct you on what to do.

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

For an individual, I absolutely would only send registered mail. If you have an insurance policy specifically for the watch, that might work. And you can send fed ex. But I would specifically ask if shipping is covered.
If all you have is a homeowners policy without a rider I would assume it’s not covered. If you have a rider I would call and ask.

Rolex can send back with fed ex because they are a business and insurance works different than that for individuals.

I love registered mail when I ship watches. It’s slower, but you’re pretty much guaranteeing it will arrive. A postmaster told me once natter of factly, “we don’t lose registered mail.”

It has to be signed for every time it changes hands (true chain of custody) and has to be locked away overnight. Which is why it takes longer.

It’s pricely, but I’ve found not that pricey. I mailed a $4000 watch and it was like 40 bucks with insurance.

I only use USPS registered mail. Your postmaster is right...they don't lose it and it's kept under lock and key and every transfer is documented. If they DO lose it, the facility that lost it knows that Postal Inspectors (armed federal agents, FYI) will be breathing down their necks.

I also don't think it's expensive given the protections and the replacement cost (and these days the hassle) of replacing what you're sending.

[Sunny Arizona]

Registered is the way to go. The cost of insurance is negligible.

Originally Posted by zich6

I did a search but couldn't find anything on the subject. I need to send my Submariner into the Dallas Center. Rolex recommends registered mail due to the others caps on insurance. I know registered would be best but with $10k insurance it's very expensive. Is it really necessary and would anyone recommend another shipping method. TIA

[Sunny Arizona]

The service starts at $750 just fyi so 85 for shipping is nothing.

Originally Posted by zich6

Thanks, $85 from here to Dallas.

[Rafeeq]

Regarding insurance on registered mail, when I sent my DJ in a few days ago with the box, etc. Dallas RSC sent me, the paperwork from the Post Office said, "Domestic insurance up to $50,000 is included based on the declared value"...and I declared $11,000, so I took that to mean it automatically is insured (?). Total was $44.90, which didn't seem too bad, considering.

[Baiv]

I send through my AD always

[MRBolton]

I shipped my Pepsi insured at $11,502 via USPS for $46.85 plus tax. I shipped my Tudor BB58 at $3,718 for $31.25 plus tax. I live a couple states away.

It’s pretty cheap. I wouldn’t let that stop me.

[Frakis]

Originally Posted by zich6

Wow, they sound very difficult. Dallas told me I could use FedEx or other Shipping methods. Thanks for that.

USPS registered mail with brown tape is the only shipping method a RSC in the States will accept. Save yourself the hassle, and do NOT ship with FedEx or any other shipping methods.

[JSCP]

I sent a registered mail to Hawaii and took 2 weeks to a friend, very very slow. I could track.
daily and saw all the posts in between. It was unnerving to see it . i think I just paid like 20$ and I don’t recall what I told the postmaster . Rude one, that I had dealt with before so not one to ask her many questions.!!!

Now I would send through you AD, they will send to Rolex and they are insured. Ask your AD. Then you will get a report from Rolex pricing each aspect they have assessed. Rolex and other send UPS Fed Ex back but they have a their own agreements.

[zich6]

First, let me say I greatly appreciate the advice provided here. After careful consideration, I decided to test the "registered mail with paper tape" nonsense by shipping Postal Service small flat rate box without insurance as I have insurance, but added signature required, total $12.55. The shipment took 2 days. The result is that Rolex Dallas confirmed receipt today and will provided a repair estimate in 1-2 weeks. Since my watch was manufactured in the 80s, I was told it's not "modern era" and will take longer than normal, 10 weeks to repair once the repair is authorized.

I provide this information for those who may be in a similar situation and to debunk the "registered mail with paper tape" requirement malarky, at least at the Dallas Center. The USPS flat rate boxes that I used are self-sealing and have no paper tape.

[zich6]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

It's best to have it sent through your AD.

You didn't read my posts. I'm a 16 hour round trip so that's not viable.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by zich6

You didn't read my posts. I'm a 16 hour round trip so that's not viable.

If you hadn't responded separately to every single person who didn't read the entire thread and realize that you were an 8 hour drive from an AD, the thread would have been a lot shorter and perhaps people would have read through it all!

Glad you got it sorted.