Waiting list for rolex watches- an illusion?

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by nick h

sorry but your wrong!

the watch was ordered AFTER the price rise and was not in stock at the dealers and had to be ordered from Rolex UK which took seven days - and i saw the dated delivery 'slip' for said watch after price rise

Awesome!

You got it for October full retail under the new price scheme.

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by nick h

however its not just Rolex - through contacts i have totally avoided all waiting lists on items heavily in demand and out of stock

Such as?

[The GMT Master]

Having worked for long enough in ADs, the waiting list is usually a fruitless exercise. Say you have 30-40 names on the list and a Daytona comes in, you start making the calls. I've lost count of the times I've called multiple people who are adamant they want one, only to say the timing's not right, I'm not sure right now etc.

So, the question is, what do you do? You could put it in the window, and do it on a first come, first served basis (I've done that before, it lasted 40 minutes before someone bought it). You could offer it to the client that's just dropped £50k on a couple of gold pieces, cementing a business relationship with them. Or you could offer it to a client who you know would appreciate wearing it

The other factor at play right now is that Rolex doesn't want Daytonas getting in to the hands of the grey market, I understand there's a lot of pressure on ADs to avoid this right now. So, if they even have a remote sense that you might flip it, they're not going to sell, not if their entire agency is at stake. Rolex UK are somewhat ruthless when it comes to playing by their rules. My feeling is that most ADs in the UK will be selling to people they've known for a long time, just to play it safe

Chris

[rodneygt3]

What Chris said. Rolex does limit the supply for certain watches. For example, many Rolex AD's have not received a single Daytona C. I also believe the list varies depending on the relationship and other factors. Since the dealers don't really publish whether you are number #5 or #25 they have a lot of discretion on who they call to say the "watch" is in. Lets just say the chronological order you of the list is somewhat meaningless.

[keschete]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

Three different AD's told me your priority on the list depends primarily on two factors. One, did you pay full price in advance. Two, are you one of their best customers. Number one beats out number two on low allocation watches. If you are neither of these, you have a long wait.

I have no reason to doubt this, since it would be the way I would do it. Money talks, BS walks. If you're not inclined to prepay, you won't be at the head of the line.

I didn't put a deposit on my Daytona C at all. That said, they know me and if I order something they know I will pay for it. It was understood that I would not get a discount. I am a good customer but I am sure I am not their "best customer". I asked for the black face Daytona before any other customers and they counted that as a sold order. The AD told me there were other people waiting behind me who did put money down. I think it depends on your AD, their honesty and your relationship with them.

[keschete]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

there's a list, but i don't think its a list way most believe... from my limited discussions with my preferred AD's and local intoxicated wis friends (non TRF); this is my tongue-in-cheek opinion... 19

1) The serious grey buyer & AD rescue buyer's list: AKA, the i can't sell these duds that are 90 days old but if you take 10 off my hands, i'll give you first dibs on my hottest incomings from the factory for your clients. AKA the buyers who are in the know and help make and reciprocate deals for AD's... the DavidSW, takuya's et al list. These people help AD's move stock which helps us get stock. every large market has them, they're usually under the radar or venture off on their own. Deals done by reputation and verbal agreements are as good as written contracts.

2) The serious regular, non-sport haggler, non-tirekicker list who always get a fair deal because they buy if you call them: AKA, the Dr.Tom's, some of the mods etc... The store usually stays open after close for these folks.

3) The salespersons list: AKA, the full list price buyers traditionally in tourist, large metro locations who buy then-and-there so they have to have the stock available (in the back) to sell at full or near-full gross. These are not always on display but if you're there for a business trip, you'll get it before you're delayed in Atlanta for 4 hrs.

4) The negotiated price WIS's list with deposit or paid in full: AKA, the deal is done but you've got some time to deliver, so if there's a full price buyer in front of you, you'll sell it and work hard to get a replacement to sell at the negotiated price. The owner or manager of the AD can nix this deal at any time for a VIP but will replace the item asap as it's already a done deal.

5) The known-in-the-store WIS' list: AKA, the longer lead-time known browser/enthusiast who does eventually buy, but isn't overly immediate with the purchase. Usually has options in the non-AD world/forum and is well informed with what's hype and what isn't.

6) The 'I'm on the list' listers: AKA, there's no list but if you call them, they'll be good for a sale if your 2 - 5 doesn't show up or is AWOL for a few days in Maranello

7) The smaller market list, list: AKA, the indy AD that does it for the love and really doesn't care if they don't hit a home run with a sale but are happy that a good local client will help with referrals and the occasional shout out. Their list is on a napkin but they're good for it. You'll get the watch you want but they may not stay in business for much longer.

20!!!

Yes, this exactly!

[dcash0615]

Wait lists really are meaningless at AD's. The AD will sell the watch to what they perceive are their good customers first regardless of who is on the list. It really doesn't matter if you were first to call the AD to be put on the list or not. The AD will offer the watch to their best customers first.

Here is an example of what I mean:
I have a great relationship with my AD. I emailed the owner within an hour of the Daytona C being anounced at Basel letting him know I want the watch in either dial color. My AD was at Basel and when he saw the new Daytona C he knew I would want it and expected a call, text, or email from me. He said I was the first to inquiry about it. When he received their first two he called me letting me know and that they were both going to very good customers first who he said do a lot of business with them each year. He said I will get the next one. I'm cool with that as I know I'm not his largest or longest loyal customer.

Moral of the story is I was first on the so called list and didn't receive the first allocation they received and I expected that. What I appreciated was the honesty from the beginning as he didn't have to call me letting me know he received his first allocation. Said he was torn on who to sell them to first.

[goyoh]

I don't know about lists, but I have been told on two occasions by different sales people at my AD that the AD owner has sold Daytona Cs for $4000.00 over MSRP.

[GradyPhilpott]

There's always some smoke and mirrors in retail. It doesn't matter what you buy.

As for the lists, it doesn't hurt to put your name on one, regardless of how long it may be.

Just keep looking.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

There's always some smoke and mirrors in retail. It doesn't matter what you buy.

As for the lists, it doesn't hurt to put your name on one, regardless of how long it may be.

Just keep looking.

Totally agree
Besides if one is not on the list, one can't get the call then can they?
Also if one doesn't want to pay over the recommended retail price then the best chance in some markets is to go on the list.

A dealer can vary the way a list is handled depending on the availability and demand of certain models.
There are a great many factors which come into play which only the dealer is privy to. How an individual AD administers a list is entirely up to them.

It's also another example of the benefits associated with developing a genuine relationship with your local dealer/dealers.
There is certainly an amount of luck involved, and we can tend to make our own luck as well

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by dcash0615

Wait lists really are meaningless at AD's. The AD will sell the watch to what they perceive are their good customers first regardless of who is on the list. It really doesn't matter if you were first to call the AD to be put on the list or not. The AD will offer the watch to their best customers first.

Here is an example of what I mean:
I have a great relationship with my AD. I emailed the owner within an hour of the Daytona C being anounced at Basel letting him know I want the watch in either dial color. My AD was at Basel and when he saw the new Daytona C he knew I would want it and expected a call, text, or email from me. He said I was the first to inquiry about it. When he received their first two he called me letting me know and that they were both going to very good customers first who he said do a lot of business with them each year. He said I will get the next one. I'm cool with that as I know I'm not his largest or longest loyal customer.

Moral of the story is I was first on the so called list and didn't receive the first allocation they received and I expected that. What I appreciated was the honesty from the beginning as he didn't have to call me letting me know he received his first allocation. Said he was torn on who to sell them to first.

It sounds like you have a good and honest relationship with your dealer
That's about all that one can expect

[nick h]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Such as?

various such as cars/high end audio and home cinema equipment/and especially art

if you ever want to explore the strangest market in the world have a look at original art - and i'm not talking grand masters, but work starting at say £1K

when i started collecting so many doors were closed - people would not even return my calls!

after a while when it becomes known that you are a genuine buyer opportunities do occur but you have to act quickly

and i NEVER buy at auction - you really risk your sanity and finances - its like jumping into a pool of man eating sharks

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by nick h

various such as cars/high end audio and home cinema equipment/and especially art

if you ever want to explore the strangest market in the world have a look at original art - and i'm not talking grand masters, but work starting at say £1K

when i started collecting so many doors were closed - people would not even return my calls!

after a while when it becomes known that you are a genuine buyer opportunities do occur but you have to act quickly

and i NEVER buy at auction - you really risk your sanity and finances - its like jumping into a pool of man eating sharks

Interesting, never thought of waiting lists for audio/cinema equipment or art.

[nick h]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Interesting, never thought of waiting lists for audio/cinema equipment or art.

try to get the latest Loewe OLED tv and wireless speakers (circa £10K)

art was probably not the best example - what i was trying to show is that there are things for sale that are never available to the general public

like some watches?

both my Datejusts have been bought from AD - first was pre owned, the latest brand new

[RKTudor]

I don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but anyone who is in sales/has sold before knows that you need to use the popular items to sell the less popular items. Rolex needs traffic in the ADs to sell the hundreds of variations in the less popular models - the SS sports models get bodies in the door. So, no they aren't producing the Daytona at "capacity," but that's an incredibly vague statement.

[hambone1983]

I think anything that comes out of a commissioned salesperson's mouth is at least part manipulation/negotiation. Telling most people that they have to wait years for an item is just a way of pushing them towards something he can book a sale on today. I would never bother with going on a list. Either I source the piece somewhere else or move on to something else. And i bet most people are like this, except the hardest hardcore watch junkies.