Flipping Rolexes

[Raza]

So, apparently my buddy can get Rolexes at list in Turkey, from a Turkish AD. He's considering buying some to flip in the US. What do you guys think? Is it high risk? Would people think the Turkish origin is suspect?

I'm not sure what to tell him. Ethically, I don't want to contribute to flipping culture, and, frankly, I think it's a lot of work for not a huge return, with a lot of money tied up in inventory. But he's a bottom line guy, he doesn't care about the ethics of it. I don't really know how to approach this whole situation.

[Henry Krinkle]

Tell him you don't know enough about this specific situation to offer valid advice, but that you have concerns. A softer landing than telling him you have an ethical problem with his plan.

[is that my watch]

well ethically not got an issue it's supply and demand simple really that how commerce happens. they are selling them knowing they are selling at a lost their choice. he's buying them to import and sell fine but if import cost and all that is taken in is it a good deal and would people want to buy them is another thing plus is it a safe ad to buy from . heard of some ad abroad selling knockoffs without even knowing it so .. just sounds a lot of work for little profit .now if buying one for yourself could be worth it but in bulk not so sure

[mlcor]

Selling for a profit here isn't any different from what sellers (including reputable dealers) are doing with certain models here in the US. If someone is willing to pay a premium instead of waiting years to buy one at list, so be it.

The bigger issue is whether you could get warranty service buying this way, and also the reluctance of anyone who is even a little knowledgeable to buy something from a foreign country where it could be a fake.

[skywatch]

The bigger issue is whether you could get warranty service buying this way, and also the reluctance of anyone who is even a little knowledgeable to buy something from a foreign country where it could be a fake.

This. It seems like a lot of risk exposure, even if one could consider it "ethical" in a bottom-line sense.

[tribe125]

Speculators are detestable, so I disapprove.

But more practically, which Rolexes? Does he think that there’s a mint to be made on all Rolexes, because there isn’t. To the best of my knowledge, the most in-demand models are in short supply everywhere, including Turkey. There’s also exchange rates and customs duty to consider. Unless he knows his stuff inside-out, he should be very cautious.

[skywatch]

Pssst... hey you.... Wanna look like the prince of Dubai? I got just the thing.

[rodia77]

Speculators are detestable

Why?

[Cybotron]

Bad move and not worth it. I agree with what others have already said.

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[tribe125]

Why?

Because they force up prices and deprive the general market of stock. In doing so, they also contribute to brand elitism and ‘must have’ one-upmanship in the better off. In short, they turn watches into a commodity, which is anathema to me as a relatively humble enthusiast.