Buying Rolex at Amsterdam Airport - clueless Rolex buyer

[yellowtang]

Sorry, I'm certain that this will have been covered numerous times previously! However the search facility on here.......

Anyway, the Mrs regularly flies into Amsterdam on business and this evening she informed me that there happens to be a decent looking Rolex dealer there.

Now, if I were to travel with her could I make any significant saving over UK list? Also - has anybody here used this dealer?

Despite having travelled all over the globe, I have never actually bothered with purchasing anything in duty free. What would be involved? Presumably I'd have to pay duty anyway?

Basically is it worth bothering?

I'm after a SS Daytona Black Face really but understand that's somewhat unlikely! So it would probably be a Day Date that I'd get.

Thanks in advance

[PJ S]

Why would you pay duty? The Netherlands are part of Europe – VAT and duty (if there is any) will have already been paid.

[Shaoxter]

There's no duty or VAT or anything from within the EU.
Depending on exchange rates it might be cheaper to get one on the way out (if there's a dealer there), you'll save on the 20% VAT. Most shops would be happy to hold something for you or order stock if you call them.

[andy tims]

Big difference between Daytona & Day Date - do you just want "a Rolex"?

I'd give Dominic a call

http://www.hackettwatches.com/

[michael gould]

Shaoxter said:

There's no duty or VAT or anything from within the EU.
Depending on exchange rates it might be cheaper to get one on the way out (if there's a dealer there), you'll save on the 20% VAT. Most shops would be happy to hold something for you or order stock if you call them.

I assume if you paid no VAT then it would be payable on re entry to the UK.......the exchange rate is very good at the moment which makes buying watches in Euros cheaper

[GC8]

yellowtang said:

I'm after a SS Daytona Black Face really but understand that's somewhat unlikely! So it would probably be a Day Date that I'd get.

Thanks in advance

More likely than a white face certainly. An AD told me recently that they have approximately 10x as many people on their list looking for white as black.

[yellowtang]

andy tims said:

Big difference between Daytona & Day Date - do you just want "a Rolex"?

I'd give Dominic a call

http://www.hackettwatches.com/

I already have 'a Rolex'. I'd like another as mine is a vintage SS OysterDate with a blue dial. I'd like something with a automatic movement and since I know bugger all about watches I'm making my selection on looks alone.

My favourite looking Rolex is the Daytona but DayDate is a close second. These are also not massive watches which is my preference - I'm 5' 8" and 9 stones you see! The vintage 34mm ones look ok me lol

[yeti]

GC8 said:

More likely than a white face certainly. An AD told me recently that they have approximately 10x as many people on their list looking for white as black.

When I got my old Daytona in 2004 (ish?) you couldn't choose what dial you got, it just arrived and you said yes or no. I got a white face but I wanted a black; Rolex swapped it for me free of charge, took about 2 weeks. Was all part of the 'Daytona mystique' back in the day...

[yellowtang]

michael gould said:

I assume if you paid no VAT then it would be payable on re entry to the UK.......the exchange rate is very good at the moment which makes buying watches in Euros cheaper

I also assume VAT would be payable coming back in? Anyone here confirm?

Yes, the exchange rate is very favourable at present - if a discount could also be had (no idea) then together that could make it worthwhile.

Cheers

[PJ S]

See my first reply – all your concerns are answered within its one and only sentence!

[GC8]

yeti said:

GC8 said:

More likely than a white face certainly. An AD told me recently that they have approximately 10x as many people on their list looking for white as black.

When I got my old Daytona in 2004 (ish?) you couldn't choose what dial you got, it just arrived and you said yes or no. I got a white face but I wanted a black; Rolex swapped it for me free of charge, took about 2 weeks. Was all part of the 'Daytona mystique' back in the day...

I specifically asked about this but they were clueless. I suppose that they (Rolex) will still do it but charge a great deal.

[yellowtang]

PJ S said:

See my first reply – all your concerns are answered within its one and only sentence!

Some people suggest that VAT will not be payable and others say quite the opposite. I'd like some clarification on the exact process.

Why the attitude?

[GC8]

If its duty and VAT paid within the EU then there is no duty to pay. If its really duty and VAT free and not simply discounted (easy with their margins) to a duty free sort of price, then there will be duty and VAT to pay even if its bought from inside the EU.

Its reasonable to presume that only qualifying international passengers will be able to access truly duty free products, though.

[GC8]

The crux of the matter is: is the watch in free circulation within the EU, and as youre a European passenger, I will guess that it is. If it isn't in free circulation then there'll be duty and VAT to pay as there would if you bought it in Switzerland or the United Sates etc.

Edited by GC8 on Saturday 18th January 12:13

[PJ S]

yellowtang said:

PJ S said:

See my first reply – all your concerns are answered within its one and only sentence!

Some people suggest that VAT will not be payable and others say quite the opposite. I'd like some clarification on the exact process.

Why the attitude?

Because aside from listening to someone who knows what they're talking about, you could've used Google yourself to ascertain who was correct!

Seeing as that was too much of a tall order, here you go – http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/travel...

But as andy has suggested (reply #3) give Dom a chance to quote you a price, before presuming it has to be cheaper in Amsterdam.

[jshell]

Regardless of the rules, you have to be 'lottery winning odds' unlucky to be stopped and questioned about what's on your wrist coming into the UK!

[michael gould]

jshell said:

Regardless of the rules, you have to be 'lottery winning odds' unlucky to be stopped and questioned about what's on your wrist coming into the UK!

Your right except every time you leave the country with that watch and return you run the risk of having it confiscated

[Fas1975]

I know the Rolex boutique your wife is telling you about and their prices are slightly higher than UK high-street. I spent some time there, then used my phone to check out UK pricing and there is zero negotiation with the staff there.

[Siscar]

jshell said:

Regardless of the rules, you have to be 'lottery winning odds' unlucky to be stopped and questioned about what's on your wrist coming into the UK!

From Amsterdam you may have more chance than from many places. But it would be carrying the box that would be the giveaway, I've been through customs so many times that I've found myself on flights being targeted five or six times, but things like my watch, pen or camera gear have never been inspected or questioned.

(That said I'm not advocating trying to evade the tax, I've always thought it is a dumb thing to do regardless of the odds)

[eyebeebe]

If you have a negotiable attitude to paying the UK VAT, get one from Zurich. I got my black face within a couple of months from the new Rolex boutique on Bahnhofstrasse. Current cost is CHF 11,800, which works out the same as the UK at current rates, but you will be able to claim the 8% VAT back.