Why do AD's keep some pieces in the back?

[liuk3]

What is the purpose of AD's not displaying all the models that they have in their inventory? For instance, I went to an AD to look at the GMT BLNR, and they said they had it, but it was in the safe in the back so they had to go back and pull it out for me to see it. This isn't a particularly expensive watch and seems like one you would want to put on display as it seems to be well liked. When I went back the next day, they still hadn't put it out for display. Why would they do this?

[hchj]

Whether the BLNR is particularly expensive or not is open to debate, but it is definitely a sought after model of rolex.

[liuk3]

I meant not expensive relative to other pieces in their lineup such as precious metal or diamond adorned pieces. (BTW, I love it and my steel watches.) In other words, I don't feel like they need to keep it in their safe for security reasons, so why wouldn't they display it particularly if it is sought after?

[REFZ]

Ask the dealer.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by REFZ

Ask the dealer.

So you're saying seems odd to you as well?

[REFZ]

No not odd because the Daytona for example is also often stored in the back so if you want to know why they don't display the BLNR, the dealer you are talking about is the only one who can tell you why it is not on display.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by liuk3

Why do AD's keep some pieces in the back?

Because they can

[WatchMeRun]

I would imagine because they don't want a person who's coming in with no intention of buying anything asking to try on a watch that is heavily sought after and potentially scratching it and affecting a future sell. Also, there insurance policy at that particular store could have a set number of watches that they can display. Lastly, buying the watch from the vault is pretty cool to some people.


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[manilenyo]

Originally Posted by WatchMeRun

I would imagine because they don't want a person who's coming in with no intention of buying anything asking to try on a watch that is heavily sought after and potentially scratching it and affecting a future sell. Also, there insurance policy at that particular store could have a set number of watches that they can display. Lastly, buying the watch from the vault is pretty cool to some people.


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These.

[busytimmy]

I've been to dealers displaying everything from SS daytonas to BLNR, Hulk, SD4K, etc in the front window and other dealers that had ZERO SS pieces on display.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by busytimmy

I've been to dealers displaying everything from SS daytonas to BLNR, Hulk, SD4K, etc in the front window and other dealers that had ZERO SS pieces on display.

Yeah, it just seems like the AD's in my area seem to display everything whether SS or PM, and they all seem to have a fairly sizeable inventory selection. It just seemed odd to me that they would keep this one in the back for this particular AD.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by WatchMeRun

I would imagine because they don't want a person who's coming in with no intention of buying anything asking to try on a watch that is heavily sought after and potentially scratching it and affecting a future sell. Also, there insurance policy at that particular store could have a set number of watches that they can display. Lastly, buying the watch from the vault is pretty cool to some people.


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That actually makes more sense. Thanks.

[expy2]

It is because they can sell it ten times over and they only get a set allocation. By keeping it in the safe they can offer it to there preferred customers. The moment they want or need to sell it it will go in the window and likely be gone soon after. Sometimes it might be offered to someone who just comes in an inquires, but it, I suppose, gives the AD a little more 'control' over who gets the watch.

[steptoe]

Originally Posted by REFZ

Ask the dealer.

Originally Posted by liuk3

So you're saying seems odd to you as well?

No, i think he's giving you a nice simple answer completely free of any guesswork or theory.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by steptoe

No, i think he's giving you a nice simple answer completely free of any guesswork or theory.

Not really because they may not give you a straight answer.

[Racerdj]

I think you are to 'feel very special' if they have to go back to the safe to retrieve it.

[GolfPunk]

I think it's because if a non WIS is simply after 'a Rolex' they might just buy whatever they like from the display (probably a datejust), but if they also saw a daytona, submariner or gmt they would more than likely choose one of those...so it may help shift the slower selling watches!

[travisb]

I think they believe it creates a greater sense of desirability and makes the customer feel like it's extra special.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by travisb

I think they believe it creates a greater sense of desirability and makes the customer feel like it's extra special.

Agree this could be part of it. Perception.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

I think they believe it creates a greater sense of desirability and makes the customer feel like it's extra special.

X 2 adds some allure to the selling process.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by travisb

I think they believe it creates a greater sense of desirability and makes the customer feel like it's extra special.

Yes. Here's the rub imHO.

Man walks in. Man asks do you have blnr? Salesman says, let me check. Salesman says we just received one it's in the vault. Often accompanied by a line about other people in line but you're here today! Customer immediately hands over credit card to capitalize on this opportunity

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Yes. Here's the rub imHO.

Man walks in. Man asks do you have blnr? Salesman says, let me check. Salesman says we just received one it's in the vault. Often accompanied by a line about other people in line but you're here today! Customer immediately hands over credit card to capitalize on this opportunity

Tourneau at King of Prussia Mall in PA has pulled this maneuver on me twice. When sales people play games with me, I have no issue letting them know I think they suck and moving on. Their game cost them 2 sales because both times I purchased at another AD and happily walked in to Tourneau about a week later to let the salesperson know I thought he was a douche. 2 sales to Tourneau doesn't amount to squat but it sure felt good for me.

[Srhdad]

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

I think it's because if a non WIS is simply after 'a Rolex' they might just buy whatever they like from the display (probably a datejust), but if they also saw a daytona, submariner or gmt they would more than likely choose one of those...so it may help shift the slower selling watches!

This. As we all know, the majority of Rolex's are bought by those simply wanting a Rolex as a status symbol (certainly not referencing anyone here). Makes sense to steer them to slow movers or aging inventory.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by GolfPunk

I think it's because if a non WIS is simply after 'a Rolex' they might just buy whatever they like from the display (probably a datejust), but if they also saw a daytona, submariner or gmt they would more than likely choose one of those...so it may help shift the slower selling watches!

This seems the most plausible reason from a business perspective.

[Watch Professor]

So you wouldn't ask for a discount.

[capote]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

So you wouldn't ask for a discount.

[Mr. K]

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

So you wouldn't ask for a discount.

[liuk3]

Thanks for the replies. Some thoughtful reasons.

The idea of displaying slower moving inventory to better control pace of sales also makes sense.

[watchwatcher]

No idea...but these all seem plausible.

Originally Posted by WatchMeRun

I would imagine because they don't want a person who's coming in with no intention of buying anything asking to try on a watch that is heavily sought after and potentially scratching it and affecting a future sell. Also, there insurance policy at that particular store could have a set number of watches that they can display. Lastly, buying the watch from the vault is pretty cool to some people.


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Originally Posted by travisb

I think they believe it creates a greater sense of desirability and makes the customer feel like it's extra special.

Originally Posted by Watch Professor

So you wouldn't ask for a discount.

Originally Posted by benlee

To give the illusion of exclusivity

[hbi]

Thinking like a retailer, it could also simply be a case of "limited shelf-space" and how to maximize Sales $/sq.ft. All ADs that I have visited didn't have any open spots in their Rolex display cases. Assuming most if not all of them had additional merchansize in the back, I suppose they have to decide whether to increase display space and/or what to showcase in that limited space, and a lot of the factors that others have mentioned come into play.