Dear Rolex: You are a Joke

[superdog]

OK, sorry...I know I am going to piss off some people off with this. I really don't mean to. And I am sorry, but where else am I going to make this comment? I genuinely hope someone from Rolex sees this, even though I am quite certain they could not care less.

I am out of state on business. And after my conference, a buddy and I decide to walk the strip. Of course we see a Rolex store and decide to browse. We meet a really excellent sales guy. He was not overly knowledgable about certain details, but he was polite, attentive and definitely good at what he does.

I finally see the new WG Daytona in blue, which is really an astonishing watch. Anyone out there wearing this watch.... Wow. It is incredible. And krioke, Rolex does blue exceptionally well.

We talk watches for a bit and of course we talk about the new Daytona C. So unless you have a prior sales experience with this AD you are not even on the list. It is not going to happen. Never, ever. If you have a prior sales experience with them, you are likely waiting 7 to 8 years.

OK, wait..what?

As Padi says, this is not a new watch. It is easy for them to make. They can fill the demand, sell a ton of watches and make ton of money...just like most businesses want to do.

They do this for their marketing machine. They do this to create the mystique. And I am sorry, but I just don't respect this. Be a watch company. Make great watches, make people happy selling them great watches.

Do I respect their watches? Yes, they make incredible watches. But this type of sales gimmick just turns me off. Big time. And they have gone from the "tool watch" company to the shiny "look at me" watch company.

I really do mostly love what they put out. And much of what they have has a great redeeming quality to it. But I am just not on board with this.

And yes yes yes...I know, if I don't like it, I should not buy it. Ok, I won't, and I can get one if I want one. It is a forum about Rolex watches and I am making a comment. If you want to respond in kind, great, it is a forum and I will respect and appreciate your opinion.

Sorry to anyone I offend. Rant over.

[CDNWatchNut]

I saw the title and I though "troll!"...then I saw your username and post count
Yeah, I hear you, its absurd. Inquired at the local AD here some years ago about a daytona and was told I could buy one if I also bought at Day-Date. Ridiculous...no thanks.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

I saw the title and I though "troll!"...then I saw your username and post count
Yeah, I hear you, its absurd. Inquired at the local AD here some years ago about a daytona and was told I could buy one if I also bought at Day-Date. Ridiculous...no thanks.

ha. yeah, not a troll. or maybe I am in disguise and this is my coming out party??

[hoppes-no9]

Originally Posted by superdog

ha. yeah, not a troll. or maybe I am in disguise and this is my coming out party??

playing the long con.

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

I saw the title and I though "troll!"...then I saw your username and post count
Yeah, I hear you, its absurd. Inquired at the local AD here some years ago about a daytona and was told I could buy one if I also bought at Day-Date. Ridiculous...no thanks.

The comment stands on its own regardless of pledge status or post count.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by WJGESQ

The comment stands on its own regardless of pledge status or post count.

Please elaborate. You've piqued my interest.

[Maiden]

I respect Rolex's right to restrict supply and demand and run their businees although 7-8 years is nuts. Is there a chance the AD might not have all the facts?

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Maiden

I respect Rolex's right to restrict supply and demand and run their businees although 7-8 years is nuts. Is there a chance the AD might not have all the facts?

I too respect their right to build their brand and the image. But this is just crazy.

Is it possible this guy was off? I suppose so. But many other accounts on this forum state similar findings.

3-4 years, 7-8, kind of the same thing really.

To me, this is just not OK. And if it is OK with others, I respect that and I am glad for them.

I will take my $$ elsewhere.

[Cerachrom12]

Originally Posted by superdog

I too respect their right to build their brand and the image. But this is just crazy.

Is it possible this guy was off? I suppose so. But many other accounts on this forum state similar findings.

3-4 years, 7-8, kind of the same thing really.

To me, this is just not OK. And if it is OK with others, I respect that and I am glad for them.

I will take my $$ elsewhere.

You have every right to take your money elsewhere. It's the American way.

[breitlings]

I respect Rolex for limiting output.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I respect Rolex for limiting output.

And I respect your opinion.

[kunlun]

Originally Posted by superdog

And I respect your opinion.

I respect your respecting of his opinion.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I respect Rolex for limiting output.

So basically no one can get and the ones that do get them sell them into the aftermarket where the prices are 3 to 4 over retail. Who benefits other than the resellers. Limiting output is one thing but Rolex is wrong here. They do it for one reason, money, to increase the sale of the gold/steel and gold versions.

[cedargrove]

Originally Posted by Maiden

I respect Rolex's right to restrict supply and demand and run their businees although 7-8 years is nuts. Is there a chance the AD might not have all the facts?

Yes, there is a strong chance the AD is wrong. It's not the first time someone got all worked up over a salesperson's comment.

[wongwong5]

Originally Posted by Maiden

I respect Rolex's right to restrict supply and demand and run their businees although 7-8 years is nuts. Is there a chance the AD might not have all the facts?

Correct. I myself like their "marketing plot" - makes sense for them. AD should check again if he is correct 7-8 is indeed insane.

[Cerachrom12]

All I can say is a 7 to 8 year wait is ridiculous. I simply don't buy that. If one really wants a Daytona 500, most here can afford to pay the 3 to 4 K markup from DavidSW or Takuya and have it on their wrist the morning after the bankwire. The big question is....How bad do you want one?

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Cerachrom12

All I can say is a 7 to 8 year wait is ridiculous. I simply don't buy that. If one really wants a Daytona 500, most here can afford to pay the 3 to 4 K markup from DavidSW or Takuya and have it on their wrist the morning after the bankwire. The big question is....How bad do you want one?

I am pretty certain I can get one from my own AD where I am not a stranger (a very exceptional AD) in a pretty short time.

I would not be willing to pay David (also exceptional) that kind of money. I actually won't pay list for one. I did that once and I did not love the watch.

It is the practice of the mother brand that I am not OK with. I think it sucks actually. And to each their own. I am happy for anyone that is happy with what they get and how they get it. I am not judging.

I am just not OK with how Rolex is going about it.

[rjstuf001]

Regardless of whether it's 7-8 years or 2-3-4 years, the fact is Rolex is playing peekaboo with the DaytonaC. I agree with OP, they could flood AD's with it and sell every single one of them, but they choose not to. It's nothing more than a marketing gimmick and it's turning off a lot of people.

[Danny83]

Tourneau in San Francisco told me 7-10 year wait......oh and you have to take the stickers off

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Tourneau in San Francisco told me 7-10 year wait......oh and you have to take the stickers off

that is insanity!!!!

the demand to actually take the stickers off so that you can't do what you want with your own watch??!??!?!

insanity.

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by superdog

that is insanity!!!!

the demand to actually take the stickers off so that you can't do what you want with your own watch??!??!?!

insanity.

I mean if that 7-8 year wait guarantees I get the Daytona C at retail, I'd gladly take off the stickers.

[Kevin.S]

High demand / control supply = $$$
I agree Seth, I am not a fan of this type of marketing, but it is the way of the world.
seems to be working, a lot of hype over this model.

[ras47]

Originally Posted by Kevin.S

High demand / control supply = $$$

I agree Seth, I am not a fan of this type of marketing, but it is the way of the world.

seems to be working, a lot of hype over this model.

When enough people vote against this practice with their dollars Rolex will modify their behavior. Until then it's their way of protecting their brand cachet. I don't like having to wait for something I want, but if that's the way Rolex wants to play it then so be it. It's not like this is life-saving medicine being monopolized by Pharmabro. We all do have options. Vote with your dollars folks.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[rudestew]

Originally Posted by Kevin.S

High demand / control supply = $$$
I agree Seth, I am not a fan of this type of marketing, but it is the way of the world.
seems to be working, a lot of hype over this model.

high demand / control supply = $$£££$££$££$ No this does not add up at all , supply and demand are fine but the systems fails when its the grey dealers making the biggest mark up lol. Think about it do you think Rolex make as much per watch as the grays do ? . So if it was a 1 year wait then most would do just that 2-3-4-10 Years is a complete joke .

[porschejeff]

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

OK, that is a good point.

As a guy that left a Ford dealership, after years of loyal patronage, because they charged 20k over for a GT350, I am not OK with that type of mark up either. And at least I am consistent. LMAO.

Porsche is doing it too. Almost any dealer that has limited stock and a lot of demand.

IMHO Ferrari is a pinnacle and way out of my reach. But I get what you are saying. And I am not OK with it whoever is doing it. Even if Ferrari is my dream car.

[m j b]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

I agree. It doesn't make it pleasant for the customers, but there are plenty of others out there who will put up with it.

I'm reminded of when I was buying a BMW back in the early aughts. My salesman had just delivered a new Z8, which at the time was about $135K MSRP, and he was stoked because he'd sold it for $25K over sticker.

I asked him, "did you give the customer a tube of K-Y with the car?"

He was not amused. I was. I thought I was hilarious.

I also thought it was a terrible thing for the dealer to do, but they were just responding to the supply and demand.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by m j b

I agree. It doesn't make it pleasant for the customers, but there are plenty of others out there who will put up with it.

I'm reminded of when I was buying a BMW back in the early aughts. My salesman had just delivered a new Z8, which at the time was about $135K MSRP, and he was stoked because he'd sold it for $25K over sticker.

I asked him, "did you give the customer a tube of K-Y with the car?"

He was not amused. I was. I thought I was hilarious.

I also thought it was a terrible thing for the dealer to do, but they were just responding to the supply and demand.

Agree. But I'd love to bring up my Ford experience again. I had bought many cars from this one dealership. He would not budge off of the 20k over lost for the GT350. He lost me as a customer and we have bought 3 more Fords since then. Was that worth the price gauging?

Well, they too are killing it, so obviously I'm the dope here.

[dcvelo]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

Yup, I couldn't wait for La Ferrari model, so I went ahead and bought a Prius Hybrid, nice car, and no wait!!

[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

Your right. And that's why we have Lamborghini, which seems to dispose of much of the societal nonsense.