Buying a Rolex - Anybody had any luck with "extras"?

[I'm Rick james]

Hi,

Before you think it...no not those sort of extras!

I'm currently on the waiting list at Mappin & Webb for a GMT II BLNR, I understand this is a sought after and somewhat hard to get model. I got a call late last week saying they had on in and they had already rung a few people on list above me no one answered etc and would I like it. I of course jumped at the chance, put a deposit down and I collect it this coming Saturday.

Just a quick question whilst I know there is no room for negotiation is there any room to a wiggle a free service perhaps, or any merchandise? Anyone had any luck?

When I brought my last Breitling new a year or so ago I got a goody bag with various items in such as a keyring, pen, ipad case etc. All small bits but they sweetened the deal somewhat. In the past I have managed a free 1st service from Omega too but spoke with a friend who recently brought a submariner new who asked the same question and was told that they shift enough watches to not have to worry about giving bits away.

Thanks

[I'm Rick james]

Nigel_O said:

Its a fairly safe bet that there were other people in the list after you, in which case, they probably weren't going to struggle to sell it. On this basis, I wouldn't hold out too long for extras. Might be worth asking the AD what "other benefits" there are to buying through a UK AD

Indeed yes and I don't think for a minute that they wouldn't be able to sell it on to the next person in the list. I would just quite like a gift or bit of merchandise somewhere along the line. Having a quick look online shows a few people have had luck with getting Rolex embossed leather card wallets, keyrings, pens and such like. Seems to be hit and miss although I will enquire on Saturday and see how I get on.

[I'm Rick james]

Buster73 said:

You've paid the deposit , that rules out any negotiations in your favour if there was in the first place.

There is no negotiation on this particular model unfortunately. Apparently as is the case with most if not all of the Sports Stainless steel Rolex watches. I understood and accepted this as it's not my first luxury watch purchase, just curious to see if anyone else had any luck with collaring some extras. Don't get me wrong I'd love a discount but it just won't happen so I may as well try and get as much as I can for my money haha.

[I'm Rick james]

Blown2CV said:

i got a rather fetching pair of rolex handling gloves.

I second this these are rather nice gloves. I managed to grab a pair on the bay a little while back and even got them in Medium too!

[I'm Rick james]

13m said:

Glad you clarified that. There are blokes on here who buy Rolexes from Dom Hackett. He's a nice chap, but "extras"? I think a little bit of sick just came up.

I had considered Dom but wanted to preferably go through an AD.

Not sure how to correctly phrase it, just thought that would do. (Deal sweeteners, free gift, present??)

[I'm Rick james]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

I simply cannot imagine any situations in life where you would need a pair of those

You are spot on, truth be told there is no real reason they are just nice to have. A gimmick if you will.

[I'm Rick james]

Blown2CV said:

i'd be pretty certain that the value that Dom would bring would be worth more than whatever free gift you had in mind, but it's up to you.

That may well be but the experience of buying in an AD was something I'm after on this one. I have purchased watches on the grey market before and made hefty savings and have purchased through brokers such as Dom with again good results. This time around I fancied the AD experience again.

Whatever monetary value the gift has is irrelevant to me - It was more something to remember the purchase by as I don't go spending that sort of money every week.

[I'm Rick james]

Vanguard21 said:

Just make sure the cyclops is the correct magnification. Big problem on many BLNR's.

http://50.30.45.116/showthread.php?s=4d633e5b0e9aa...

Interesting read. I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for the heads up!

[I'm Rick james]

Blown2CV said:

by "AD experience" do you mean the free extras you didn't get?

I haven't been yet so we don't know do we... I am sure however you know what I mean when I say AD experience.

(I do understand of course everybody has different experiences with ADs but mine have always been very positive with this particular branch and I'm looking forward to it)

[I'm Rick james]

As above, that is quite a noticeable difference! More than I was expecting too. That will now be the first thing I notice tomorrow! Thanks again. I'll update tomorrow with pictures etc.

[I'm Rick james]

Well I had a nice experience in Mappin & Webb at the weekend and after much asking/persuasive talk...I didn't receive any free gift. I did however manage to wrangle in with the deal 50% of my next watch service with them for one of my Breitling's.

Not quite what I was after but better than nothing I suppose. Very happy with the watch too! Just a quick picture there before it was adjusted.

[I'm Rick james]

Vanguard21 said:

And the cyclops? Was it the standard 2.5 mag?

It was indeed the correct 2.5X. First thing I checked when it came out the box! I checked it against Submariner in store but behind a cabinet and it also appeared the same 2.5 so maybe they picked up on it and are making sure everything is the same.

Thank you for the heads up on that one otherwise I wouldn't have known, I thought I did my research as well!