Is this normal?

[bmaier]

In Feb of this year I put deposits down for a OP blue for my mom and a OP green for me. A few months later my dad wanted a yellow gold Daytona so went went to the same AD and put a deposit down for that.

When we placed the deposits they said the OPs would come around September and the Daytona around December/Jan. September passed and I heard nothing. I would call and the SA I dealt with would be "with another customer" and not respond to my emails/voicemails. Finally got ahold of him after a while when my mom started to question where her watch is and he said "as soon as they come in you'll get them" with no real timeline.

Is this normal when buying Rolex?
My only watch buying experience is with AP. They took a deposit and kept me updated about my watch until it arrived.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

The wait is normal, the deposits aren’t normal.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

The wait is normal, the deposits aren’t normal.

This

[SaintMickey]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

The wait is normal, the deposits aren’t normal.

I'd never put a deposit down for months, years. Anything could happen within that business or AD.

[fskywalker]

Not uncommon


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[neekon]

I would get your deposits back and move on. Its clear the AD and SA have no intention of making good on getting you the watches.

[calebb90]

I’d go in and talk to the store manager and let them know your SA has taken 3 deposits but doesn’t return your calls. Ask if this is expected behavior or is there someone more professional you can work with.

Also might not hurt to have your mom/dad go in and ask. If you’re younger, AD might just think you’re a flipper.


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[arcampado]

Originally Posted by calebb90

I’d call in and talk to the store manager and let them know your SA has taken 3 deposits but doesn’t return your calls. Ask if this is expected behavior or is there someone more professional you can work with.

Also might not hurt to have your mom/dad go in and ask. If you’re younger, AD might just think you’re a flipper.


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+1. Good advice

[BDII]

Originally Posted by calebb90

I’d go in and talk to the store manager and let them know your SA has taken 3 deposits but doesn’t return your calls. Ask if this is expected behavior or is there someone more professional you can work with.

Also might not hurt to have your mom/dad go in and ask. If you’re younger, AD might just think you’re a flipper.


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This. Exactly this.

[bmaier]

Originally Posted by calebb90

I’d go in and talk to the store manager and let them know your SA has taken 3 deposits but doesn’t return your calls. Ask if this is expected behavior or is there someone more professional you can work with.

Also might not hurt to have your mom/dad go in and ask. If you’re younger, AD might just think you’re a flipper.


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Thank you for the response. I am on the young side, 25, but have always loved watches and can finally now afford them. Talked about them so much my parents have come to appreciate them too so we all wanted to get family Rolexes. I explained this to the SA and he said how cool that is etc. But i think my age is a major factor.

Unfortunately, he is the head of the Rolex division at this jewelry store and is the son of the owner. Not sure if i would be hurting or helping by complaining.

[calebb90]

Originally Posted by bmaier

Thank you for the response. I am on the young side, 25, but have always loved watches and can finally now afford them. Talked about them so much my parents have come to appreciate them too so we all wanted to get family Rolexes. I explained this to the SA and he said how cool that is etc. But i think my age is a major factor.

Unfortunately, he is the head of the Rolex division at this jewelry store and is the son of the owner. Not sure if i would be hurting or helping by complaining.

In that case, I think having your parents follow up is a good next step. If no better answer, pull deposits and move on.


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[77T]

Originally Posted by bmaier

Not sure if i would be hurting or helping by complaining.

Somewhere in the middle methinks - it would likely be unhelpful in a family business.

It has become the new normal to wait a long while. What has me puzzled is what the SA said - did he say they were “ordering” these 3 models for you and the family?

Or were the deposits meant to simply get a place in the queue?

If the former, then you should have 3 sales orders in hand with each showing the details of the watch ref.#, metal, & dial. And the price plus respective deposits noted.


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[bmaier]

Originally Posted by 77T

Somewhere in the middle methinks - it would likely be unhelpful in a family business.

It has become the new normal to wait a long while. What has me puzzled is what the SA said - did he say they were “ordering” these 3 models for you and the family?

Or were the deposits meant to simply get a place in the queue?

If the former, then you should have 3 sales orders in hand with each showing the details of the watch ref.#, metal, & dial. And the price plus respective deposits noted.


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He just said that we were placing deposits and that we would get the next ones that come in. I do have 3 "sales receipts" that show an estimated arrival date and the amount due at pickup.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by bmaier

He just said that we were placing deposits and that we would get the next ones that come in. I do have 3 "sales receipts" that show an estimated arrival date and the amount due at pickup.

If you have documentation that includes the item on order, the amount of the deposit with an estimated arrival date and a verbal promise that you get the next ones in the door then it sounds like you are all set. He can’t promise or deliver what he can’t control. It sounds like everybody is waiting for the same thing. I wouldn’t make a thing out of it, just stop in to say Hi.

[2loaded]

Deposits are free loans. All AD are at the mercy of Rolex shipments. You are at the mercy of the AD.

[garyk]

I’ve paid in full for watches when ordering, twice but that was 6 years ago. That was then, this is now. I don’t think I would do that today.

[Tim Plains]

I wouldn't call them, go in, in person, bonus AD points if you bring your parents.

[ks58]

First of all, I’ve never heard of deposits being taken nowadays for those pieces. Pretty shocking actually. They’re allocation pieces but the owner does know a little bit about his yearly allocation. Pretty surprised they took money from you and not one piece came in yet. Also, they have no idea when a piece would come in fyi. So that part was made up for your benefit.

[zagazar]

I wouldn't worry about it and wait. I paid deposit to my local AD for 3 watches and still waiting. One of them is the Star bucks, almost 15 months ago, but I was told it may take up to 2 years and the other one is the Olive Green RG day date, which supposed to be delivered in 6 months (and that time it wasn't even a hot watch and it was trading 10% above retail). AD has not received any of my watches from Rolex. Unfortunately there is a big waiting time for any watch.

In the past I got my watches always within a year (6-12 months) after paying deposit. But times are changing and is different now.

[TomLou]

Originally Posted by bmaier

In Feb of this year I put deposits down for a OP blue for my mom and a OP green for me. A few months later my dad wanted a yellow gold Daytona so went went to the same AD and put a deposit down for that.

When we placed the deposits they said the OPs would come around September and the Daytona around December/Jan. September passed and I heard nothing. I would call and the SA I dealt with would be "with another customer" and not respond to my emails/voicemails. Finally got ahold of him after a while when my mom started to question where her watch is and he said "as soon as they come in you'll get them" with no real timeline.

Is this normal when buying Rolex?
My only watch buying experience is with AP. They took a deposit and kept me updated about my watch until it arrived.

I bet if 500 people paid some $2,000 to $5,000 in Rolex deposits
Without a definite date of delivery - it is a nice way for an AD to use
on average between $1.2 million to $1.6 million or more for investing
in various projects - Interest free - …I call it a thinly veiled scam.

[Harry-57]

My AD is usually able to appraise me of likely lead times. They have a good idea of what their allocation is. They tend to be conservative with their estimates. When we spoke to them about an OP Grape in early 2020 they had a good idea of how many of that particular dial they would be getting. It's impossible to say for certain but it sounds like your AD is stringing you along. This may well be normal in your region or locality. You might want to have a discussion with another AD.

[SS Oyster]

Most ADs won't take a deposit, especially with a month specified.

[time_and_cars]

Originally Posted by bmaier

In Feb of this year I put deposits down for a OP blue for my mom and a OP green for me. A few months later my dad wanted a yellow gold Daytona so went went to the same AD and put a deposit down for that.

When we placed the deposits they said the OPs would come around September and the Daytona around December/Jan. September passed and I heard nothing. I would call and the SA I dealt with would be "with another customer" and not respond to my emails/voicemails. Finally got ahold of him after a while when my mom started to question where her watch is and he said "as soon as they come in you'll get them" with no real timeline.

Is this normal when buying Rolex?
My only watch buying experience is with AP. They took a deposit and kept me updated about my watch until it arrived.

I don’t know how you and your family is so comfortable with that wait and with those deposits made it …. I would call them at least once per month or visit the AD in person no doubt

[77T]

That’s good - at least you know something was booked into their sales system.

I’m thinking the owner (the SA’s Dad) may also have family and close friends that want Rolexes. Those folks might get what they want sooner than you - even if you have deposits.


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[neekon]

It sounds to me the SA(Owners son) is leading you along.

Being family run, the hot models are likely going to family and friends and not to actual customers.
They will hold your deposits indefinitely, you will never see those watches.

Pull the money and move on. find brand thats retail network isnt trash

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by neekon

It sounds to me the SA(Owners son) is leading you along.

Being family run, the hot models are likely going to family and friends and not to actual customers.
They will hold your deposits indefinitely, you will never see those watches.

Pull the money and move on. find brand thats retail network isnt trash

I'll politely disagree. ADs are in a difficult position with many being 15-20% down on promised allocations for 2021 - stay solid and go in with your parents and just be patient. Your watches will arrive.

[neekon]

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

I'll politely disagree. ADs are in a difficult position with many being 15-20% down on promised allocations for 2021 - stay solid and go in with your parents and just be patient. Your watches will arrive.

Then dont take deposits, or return the desposits.

The watches wont arrive, thats the reality of Rolex today.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Dot get spooked by the haters, OP. You’ve got receipts. This is the long game.

[neekon]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Dot get spooked by the haters, OP. You’ve got receipts. This is the long game.

Having receipts is worthless. They can just continually lie and lie and say "the models havent come in, but we promise you will get the next one". All while sending the ones that do go in to friends, family or VVIP customers, and still holding your money.

Its time to pull the money out. Go in, with your parents, or send your parents in. Ask for your money back.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by neekon

Having receipts is worthless. They can just continually lie and lie and say "the models havent come in, but we promise you will get the next one". All while sending the ones that do go in to friends, family or VVIP customers, and still holding your money.

Its time to pull the money out. Go in, with your parents, or send your parents in. Ask for your money back.

Somebody needs a hug.