Watch pricing in the states - any way to check prices?

[I'm Rick james]

Hi,

I'm travelling to New York later in the year and would like to add another watch to the collection as it is a special holiday and I feel purchasing a watch In NYC would be quite a nice experience (plus my other half is now getting into watches and she doesn't actually mind trawling around watch shops with me!)

Is there any way of accurately checking the pricing of a particular watch in New York. I'm looking into either a Breitling or a Rolex - am I able to just email the relevant AD in NYC asking for the prices of said watch?

Unless I'm missing something and someone can enlighten me?

Thanks.

[offshoreeddy]

In my experience, it will depend heavily on the exchange rate at the time. I've saved a few bucks in the past but the rate was a heck of a lot better than it is now. Regardless, try Tourneo Time Machine at the top of 57th and Madison Avenue, huge stock usually.

https://www.tourneau.com/store?StoreID=24

[I'm Rick james]

Thanks for the reply. I had heard of them although not looked into it, and Jomashop? has been mentioned too. (If that's the correct spelling).

Oh yeah I forgot to mention I do of course expect a slight fluctuation due to the exchange rate.

[GCH]

Tornneau can be a bit meh - but I was in there the other day as they had something in that is quite hard to come by, and their attitude seems to have improved loads from years gone by. Wouldn't be my first choice of place to buy though.

And don't forget the sales tax....unless you get it shipped out of state (which everyone is happy to do)

Edited by GCH on Sunday 10th April 22:53

[h0b0]

Jomashop isn't an AD for most brands if any. Their business model is to get an order from the Internet and fill it with a watch sourced from an AD at a cut price. Their stock is authentic but returns can be a challenge. Ultimately, though the return will be honored. Some brands will transfer the warranty but others, such as Tag, will not. Most important thing is to check delivery. Some can be 3 months while they find a dealer to fulfill the order. I wouldn't mind buying from them though.

So, how do they get a watch at a cut price? The AD "sells" the watch and then returns it to stock. If they are audited by the brand they can show a sale. The dealers willing to do this are located in NYC and can sometimes be approached by a regular person. I can not recall the exact dealer but there is one around 34th street.

When looking at prices in the US don't forget sales tax. In NYC it's over 8% and is added to the price you see on the display. If you head over to NJ you pay a little less. Jomashop may not charge sales tax online. In theory, if the retailer has a store in the state they are shipping to they have to charge tax. If not, the customer is responsible. No one does though. A friend of mine is buying a Rolex in NJ and shipping it to his relatives in Florida to avoid the tax.

Other states have no sales tax, such as New Hampshire and (not a state) US Virgin Islands.

[chris56]

At the current exchange rate - forget it. All the new watches in ADs that i have looked at are more expensive.

[hilly10]

I was in Miami last week and for what I saw, don't bother,exchange kills it

[Trev450]

As above. They were no cheaper in Arizona last month when I looked.

[I'm Rick james]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Very helpful indeed! The thought of sales tax hadn't even popped into my head! I have now also given abit more thought to paying for it, my debit and c/card both charge a fee for purchased abroad as per. I just need to go into the bank in person to double check as that could add another 3-6% on top, before I know it it will soon add up!

Looks like I might need to give it abit more thought then, maybe worth taking a trip to London perhaps? I want to get a good experience and not sure I'll find that in my local Goldsmiths.

[The Moose]

Want to know the price? Just give them a call!

[hilly10]

I priced a Sub in an AD in Miami its cheaper here and in Aruba it was about the same as here as was most of the islands we visited. Good deals to be had with Breitling and Tag