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Old 25 August 2019, 11:23 AM   #1
Bizcut1
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Are AD's a decent place to "trade up?"

As in...if I walk into an AD wearing my Rolex and want to purchase a new one, I assume the AD will do a trade...my question is, if so, will I do better right there rather than selling it myself? Perhaps here or elsewhere?

Thanks,

Ben
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Old 25 August 2019, 11:25 AM   #2
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Sell yourself.


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Old 25 August 2019, 11:31 AM   #3
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the best is probably selling to a trusted seller. you can try selling yourself but without feedback it'll be hard

if an AD takes trade ins they'll most likely low ball you
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Old 25 August 2019, 11:32 AM   #4
Bizcut1
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the best is probably selling to a trusted seller. you can try selling yourself but without feedback it'll be hard

if an AD takes trade ins they'll most likely low ball you
As in a grey dealer type of offer price?
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Old 25 August 2019, 12:38 PM   #5
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I imagine you would do better selling it yourself. Honestly would rather sell it to trusted seller on here to avoid the headache. The marginal amount you would make more selling it yourself isn’t worth it.


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Old 25 August 2019, 12:44 PM   #6
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AD is prob the worst place to do a trade


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Old 25 August 2019, 12:51 PM   #7
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Depends on the ad.

Some have good wholesale buyers on call, and even used and consignment sections.

Wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of our TS’s have buying agreements with some places.
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Old 25 August 2019, 12:53 PM   #8
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An AD is already buying new watches from Rolex at wholesale. They aren't going to give you more than what they can buy a new one for.

They are more likely to trade up if you bought the watch from them originally, since they already made mark-up on that one.
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Old 25 August 2019, 12:58 PM   #9
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To do a trade at an AD would mean that the AD had something you wanted.

If that happened, you’d be getting what you want at MSRP and could maybe accept a lower trade value.

But I do agree selling it yourself will get you more value.


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Old 25 August 2019, 01:03 PM   #10
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Quote:
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AD is prob the worst place to do a trade


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So is any place to do a trade versus selling yourself...wholesale v retail


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Old 25 August 2019, 01:08 PM   #11
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Trusted sellers are the CarMax of watches. They make higher offers than dealers, but you're still better off selling it yourself if you have the time and patience to deal with potential buyers.
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Old 25 August 2019, 01:09 PM   #12
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25 or 6 to 4.
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Old 25 August 2019, 01:22 PM   #13
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I don’t think you can be sure without asking. I’ve made some really good trades with my AD. They know the secondary market well and aren’t afraid to move the trades themselves.

Additionally, in my state you only pay tax on the trade difference which means I’d need to sell for 107% of their offer to break even.

Lastly, I don’t have to deal with a bunch of morons trying to steal my watch and I know their check is good.


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Old 25 August 2019, 01:23 PM   #14
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I went with Bob’s to sell my AK. They gave me over 1k more than an AD was going to take as a trade in for a Milgauss. Glad I didn’t trade it at the AD. Took the cash from Bob’s and purchased a Sub date from another AD in town. What really bugged me was the AD where I found the Milgauss is the same one that sold me the AK ! They profited from the AK purchase, then low balled me on the trade in, then were selling me the Milgauss at list. Nice profit on 3 transactions. In the end they lost an AK for resale and lost a Milgauss sale. But then again what do they care ? I’m sure the Milgauss was sold soon after I left.
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Old 25 August 2019, 02:45 PM   #15
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Really great insights here...thanks to all!
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Old 25 August 2019, 02:47 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bizcut1 View Post
As in...if I walk into an AD wearing my Rolex and want to purchase a new one, I assume the AD will do a trade...my question is, if so, will I do better right there rather than selling it myself? Perhaps here or elsewhere?

Thanks,

Ben
No
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Old 25 August 2019, 03:58 PM   #17
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Bob’s shows you the spread between their buy and sell prices. I assume your watch would have to be absolutely mint to achieve the advertised price.

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-submariner-1.html
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Old 25 August 2019, 04:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
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AD is prob the worst place to do a trade


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X2
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Old 25 August 2019, 04:49 PM   #19
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I’ve sold less expensive, more WIS-y brands through the forums, but for Rolex I have sold to trusted resellers. They offered a reasonable amount, and I figured the difference more than made up for the headache. A lot of scammers come out for “Rolex” that you don’t see with less known brands.

If you are trying to get a really hot model, an AD may take a “trade” at a really low valuation as part of getting the hot model — basically giving the AD a grey-like price. Not sure how common, but I’ve read of it... not condemning or condoning, just commenting.
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Old 25 August 2019, 09:01 PM   #20
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So this is how it typically works. If you bring a watch to trade to your AD they are going to turn right around and call a grey and sell to them. So both the AD and grey are getting a cut of your watch. Sell it directly to the grey or better yet sell it here on the classifieds section and cut out another person. It all depends on how much work you want to put in.
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Old 25 August 2019, 09:35 PM   #21
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They'll usually give you far less than what you could get on your own.
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Old 25 August 2019, 09:49 PM   #22
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You’re paying for the convenience, which may or may not be worth it to you.
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Old 25 August 2019, 09:55 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bizcut1 View Post
As in...if I walk into an AD wearing my Rolex and want to purchase a new one, I assume the AD will do a trade...my question is, if so, will I do better right there rather than selling it myself? Perhaps here or elsewhere?

Thanks,

Ben
You'll get crushed in price at an AD.
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Old 25 August 2019, 10:00 PM   #24
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I would believe a lot depends on the watch you have and the AD. In the current market watches taken back to the AD can be sold for more than retail. I have seen Daytona-C's leave an AD only to be sold back for significantly more and then retailed as pre-owned for current Grey Market prices. If you have a good relationship with your AD have the conversation with them about a trade back for another watch. Remember they sold you the watch you are trading and they are only into that watch at 62% of msrp. If you get a new watch from them it is 62% again. The margins are good for them and they can sell your watch for market. Take all of that into account and proceed accordingly. Call a couple of the bigger Grey's here on TRF and get a quote. In the end it is business and get the most you can for the watch you own and get what you want with the proceeds. You do not owe your AD anything but if the numbers are very close that is where I would go. Good luck.
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Old 25 August 2019, 10:24 PM   #25
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Tourneau does it, and they rip you off.
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Old 25 August 2019, 10:56 PM   #26
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Trade at AD and pay sales tax on only the incremental cost. Still, AD is far from the best deal. I've done some spur of the moment trades at the AD since I've been hassled by buyers in the past when selling privately.
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Old 25 August 2019, 11:13 PM   #27
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In my experience, AD trade offer was $1K less than Crown and Caliber. Bob’s was in-between the two. Local grey was right around the C&C offer.

I’d say it depends on what you’re trading and what they’re offering. I’d take a slight hit on trade for a desirable piece.
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Old 25 August 2019, 11:16 PM   #28
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See how much your AD, a trusted seller and then what the watch is averaging on the TRF classifieds section and that should make your decision a lot more clear.
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Old 25 August 2019, 11:24 PM   #29
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Bob’s also has a page that consolidates all of their pre-owned “buy” prices: https://www.bobswatches.com/used-rolex-prices ... Use that as a baseline for the price you could easily sell it for, and factor in the tax savings of trading in with the AD to determine whether you’re in the same ballpark. You may be able to get more than Bob’s with a little legwork, but it’s a good haggle-free starting point.
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Old 25 August 2019, 11:26 PM   #30
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Duplicate post.

Last edited by khazard; 25 August 2019 at 11:32 PM.. Reason: Duplicate post.
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