Buying a Rolex

[Fathawkeye]

Hello all,
I've searched the forum - but I seem to find some pretty dated information and general comments, nothing really with a lot of information.

I was curious if there was anyone out there that knows if its better to buy stateside vs in port?
Where to get the best deal? ig) port
How to get a good deal? What to say, etc. (I know of site that will discount what I want by 20% new; will they match that or beat it?).

Thanks for any help. I think I am finally ready to pull the trigger and do it.

 

[DisneyinNJ]

I think it ends up being a bit of a wash. I purchased a green Submariner from Kirk Freeport in Grand Cayman at a 5% discount to US list. That's a pretty typical discount. I saved on sales tax, but declared the item to customs. I really didn't save any meaningful amount versus buying it stateside, but it made for a great souvenier for a memorable vacation.

 

[wallawallakids]

Personally, I would buy it in the US. Yes, you will pay more, but you will know it is real and you will have a guarantee. I have owned my Rolex for 12 years. You are probably aware of this already but the company needs a record of the sale and the piece number for it to remain certified and for them to repair them. Same with service. If you get it serviced somewhere that is not certified by Rolex, they will void the piece. They have a LOT of rules about this. You may not care about it being a certified piece as you may not really be interested in it's value in 10 years, but I like knowing mine is still the investment it was when I purchased it. Spending $3k plus on a watch is a lot of money, I want to know it is still worth what I paid for it. With so many "fakes" out there and "fake documents" buying it anywhere but a certified Rolex dealer would make me too nervous. However, someone else on here might know more about buying them on the islands.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

They are certified at A.H. Riise in St. Thomas.

A.H. Riise had the same identical Rolex, that I purchased for my husband, in Dallas. It was $1100.00 LESS than what I paid.

 

[Fathawkeye]

I would only buy from a certified dealer.
I've looked many times in Cozumel and Grand Cayman but haven't pulled the trigger just yet.
I am fortunate to have received one as a gift; but its not the same as buying yourself.
There is only one authorized dealer in my area; they seem really nice, but I don't get the feeling they want to discount very much; but then again, I have never asked.
I like the idea of making it a memorable trip and plunking down the change to buy it - when I think about it, it just doesn't feel the same if I buy my watch and then hit Costco on the way home...?!

I will be in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica in November and then St. Thomas and San Juan in February.

I still have some time to figure this out.

 

[gpb_1]

I recently bought a Omega Seamaster from Little Switzerland in St Maarten, saving 15% on the US list price. I got an international warrantee with the watch and was very happy with the service I got.

Little Switzerland do sell Omega, Tag, Breitling, Jaeger Lecoultre etc, are dotted around the Carribean and are 98% owned by Tiffany & Co. Not certain that the do Rolex though - so may be a moot point.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I will be in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica in November and then St. Thomas and San Juan in February.

I still have some time to figure this out.

Do yourself a favor, and visit A.H. Riise in St. Thomas. You will be amazed at the price differences, plus, no sales tax.