AD and discounts new Explorer II!!!

[MattG]

AD’s can’t discount….B.S. most just wont. I’ve been in the market for a new Explorer II white face for some time. I’ve visited 3 of 4 AD’s in Sacramento and none of them would budge on the price even if it was an older serial # D or Z without the new bezel engraving. They all gave the same story “Rolex sets the price” “We can’t move off the list price” “Rolex monitors our sales” blah, blah, blah. They all also told me how they understand and that Rolex is out of touch with reality with their continued price increases. They all also told me that the watches aren’t moving…sales are way down. This was clear since some of the watches in the case were 2-3 years old. After extensive research I found a couple of highly reputable grey market dealers and was prepared to go without a warranty to save $1200. Then by chance I stopped by the mall to pick up a couple of things and saw the one AD I had not talked to. I went in to look at the watch and try it on before I made my final decision. The manager of the store did have the watch I wanted and I looked at it and noticed it was a Z serial #. I mentioned that to him and he said “sales are slow and I don’t replace merchandise until it is sold. He said he could order me a new watch if I couldn’t live without the new engraved inner bezel or he could give me a discount on this one. I expected 5% nope….18% off the top plus a new $200 watch winder for free. He also has an agreement with Rolex that provides a 5 year warranty not the standard 2 year. The other AD in the same mall would not budge off the $5925 list on a D serial#. Well, no brainer and no grey market watch, I took the deal and only paid a couple of hundred more that I would have if I’d have gone grey. There are some AD’s out there that will deal. Don’t believe for one minute this guy or any other AD is going to lose there authorization from Rolex for discounting some watches.

[Craig]

Congratulations - I love my Explorer II! Sounds like you got a good deal as well.

[SLS]

AD’s can’t discount….B.S. most just wont. I’ve been in the market for a new Explorer II white face for some time. I’ve visited 3 of 4 AD’s in Sacramento and none of them would budge on the price even if it was an older serial # D or Z without the new bezel engraving. They all gave the same story “Rolex sets the price” “We can’t move off the list price” “Rolex monitors our sales” blah, blah, blah. They all also told me how they understand and that Rolex is out of touch with reality with their continued price increases. They all also told me that the watches aren’t moving…sales are way down. This was clear since some of the watches in the case were 2-3 years old. After extensive research I found a couple of highly reputable grey market dealers and was prepared to go without a warranty to save $1200. Then by chance I stopped by the mall to pick up a couple of things and saw the one AD I had not talked to. I went in to look at the watch and try it on before I made my final decision. The manager of the store did have the watch I wanted and I looked at it and noticed it was a Z serial #. I mentioned that to him and he said “sales are slow and I don’t replace merchandise until it is sold. He said he could order me a new watch if I couldn’t live without the new engraved inner bezel or he could give me a discount on this one. I expected 5% nope….18% off the top plus a new $200 watch winder for free. He also has an agreement with Rolex that provides a 5 year warranty not the standard 2 year. The other AD in the same mall would not budge off the $5925 list on a D serial#. Well, no brainer and no grey market watch, I took the deal and only paid a couple of hundred more that I would have if I’d have gone grey. There are some AD’s out there that will deal. Don’t believe for one minute this guy or any other AD is going to lose there authorization from Rolex for discounting some watches.

Not sure what D store you went to, but if the manager's name was Robert, he is a good guy! You actually picked the best AD chain in Sac. Plus you can't beat the 5 year warranty! Congrats on the Exp!
Scott

[stonty]

Many congratulations, the Exp II is a truly beautiful watch

[Ottosan]

Congratulations on a fine watch and getting a good discount.

In Japan, the choices are many. The grey market here includes a lot of well-known, highly reputable dealers who sell not only new watches, but also many vintage and antique watches (at often exorbitant prices, I might add). The very few ADs (mostly the big department stores) generally are fixed price.

A friend was here in Japan last week. Due to the high yen and market competitiveness during an economic slump, she was able to pick up a brand new black-dial M Serial Exp II for 357,000 yen ($3750 USD) at a very well-known and respected grey market dealer that offers a 3 year warranty. She bought the watch as a gift (not for me!).

I am resisting the urge to get one myself. The white dial version can be obtained new in Japan for an even lower price (black dial usually comes at a higher price in Japan). I saw a new M Series white dial Exp II a few weeks ago at a grey dealer for 328,000 yen ($3447 USD).

All of these watches come with the box, warranty card, AD hang tags, and with the plastic wrap still attached. They are typically procured from ADs in Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Europe and brought to Japan for sale. The strong yen and movement of watches among retailers with low or no markup, along with the competitiveness of the market here for sport watches, all contribute to good deals. If I were to spend a bit of time looking around Tokyo today, I could easily get a new white dial SS Daytona for around $9K US; unless things have changed dramatically since last week.

[Suhail]

Thats a great deal! Don't know about the agreement with Rolex regarding the 5 year warranty. Perhaps it was the AD going the extra mile

[harb]

Congrats on your new watch! Wear it in great health and welcome to TURF! :)

[MattG]

Thanks all. Love the watch...not as substantial as my PAM 104, or even my Sub, but it's great. Never owned a watch with a white face.