UK AD - Batman, Explorer & Sea-Dweller all in store on display!

[malb85]

……of course, as soon as I asked to buy the Batman, I’m told that they’re only there for people to try on and ‘get a feel for’ - playing dumb, I asked how I could buy one? I could ‘put my details on a registration of interest, but they can’t order items and there’s no waiting list’

I couldn’t even be bothered to play the game at that point so made my excuses and left, but there was a guy on the opposite side of the store buying a Patek. I’m sure if he’d have wanted all 3, they’d have been leaving the store with him.

AD was Laings in Southampton.

[Miker86]

Thanks for the info.

I might take a look at the sea dweller to check the fit/proportions. Then look at the grey market.

[malb85]

Worth going in to take a look, but it’s a sh***y system - hey, come look at the watch you can never buy!

At least they’re being honest not even pretending you can get on the waiting list without spending history I guess.

[Cavester]

Same story in Goldsmiths Gateshead. Add to an expression of interest list and no idea if or when you may get one. Pointless.

Either Rolex are exceptionally good at what they are doing in how they are ramping up demand, or they are a car crash waiting to happen with a significant rebound in the opposite direction in the horizon.

In my view they need to keep this scarcity and hard to get going now in order to maintain the "for the elite only" status, or they will seriously damage their business and reputation. As soon as prices start to fall and "investors" out there dump their stock it will be a race to the bottom and new prices will be adversely affected as a result for quite a period. I bet it's not cheap to run an AD.

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[knighty88]

It’s the same all over the UK now. Strange that supply is plentiful to suddenly be in windows - with tiny little signs saying “exhibition only”… what an absolute tease!

[malb85]

Interesting that this is happening nationwide then. I can’t see what’s to gain from a business perspective of putting items in store for people to play and keeping stock so scarce… there are years of waiting list for any hot item already, what on earth would they gain by this unless they are planning to increase stock?

It’s put me off Rolex a bit to be honest… the SS sports models are nice, and 5k for a 36mm explorer is decent value. 9k on the grey market however, is utterly insane and cannot be sustainable.

[Cavester]

It's the carrot for the donkey.

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[LyingFlat]

Originally Posted by malb85

Worth going in to take a look, but it’s a sh***y system - hey, come look at the watch you can never buy!

At least they’re being honest not even pretending you can get on the waiting list without spending history I guess.

It's actually quite a good system. It gives people a chance to try a piece that they wouldn't otherwise get to try. They can then decide if "expressing their interest" is right for them...

Pre-Covid I would travel to Singapore/Malaysia frequently. The ADs in these countries have been doing this for years and it's great being able to try on SS professional pieces.

[Cavester]

What I don't understand is how come I can go next door to the AD to the gray and get any watch I want. There are multiple of the same make and model, just at a higher price. There is no scarcity. I got my watch from a gray which came brand new in a plastic box direct from factory, i.e. it wasn't a watch bought by some Joe on the street from an AD and then flipped it, it was direct from Rolex or out the back door of an associated retailer.

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[BLNR Nairobi]

Originally Posted by LyingFlat

It's actually quite a good system. It gives people a chance to try a piece that they wouldn't otherwise get to try. They can then decide if "expressing their interest" is right for them...

Pre-Covid I would travel to Singapore/Malaysia frequently. The ADs in these countries have been doing this for years and it's great being able to try on SS professional pieces.

Fully agree. Some may not like it, but it’s a great approach.

[malb85]

It would be a better system if there was even a semblance of hope at the end that Joe Bloggs can ever buy the watch they express an interest in.

Currently your expression is filled in the bin unless you spend in the AD - I know we’re retreading old ground here, but unless the MO has changed, you’re just showing (most) people watches they’ll never get their hands on.

[BLNR Nairobi]

Originally Posted by malb85

It would be a better system if there was even a semblance of hope at the end that Joe Bloggs can ever buy the watch they express an interest in.

Currently your expression is filled in the bin unless you spend in the AD - I know we’re retreading old ground here, but unless the MO has changed, you’re just showing (most) people watches they’ll never get their hands on.

How would you fix it? Have Rolex increase production several times over (not going to happen, and it would be silly of them)? Have Rolex move to an online model where people can order specific references that will be shipped to them (not going to happen, and if it did you’d get massive asks only for Daytonas …that is before they flooded the market, if Rolex could maintain demand, and dilute the brand)? Have Rolex stop making precious metal DJs and focus exclusively on steel Professional references (not going to happen, and if it did Rolex would have to kill demand to meet the overhang of asks for such references)? Have a lottery model (not going to happen, and anyway Rolex wouldn’t want the administrative burden …and if they had the ADs do it instead the ADs would just game the system)? Have Rolex kill all ADs and move to boutiques (see point above on administrative burden).

I am curious what solution you’d have?

[RoRoRo]

I visited the AD the other day to view the exhibition models.

On my current list of request was a sub 41, skydweller SS, exp II

I tried on the sub41, skyD SS (jubilee) and Daytona TT from exhibition pieces

I told the AD to remove the Sub 41 (didn’t like at all), change skyD to TT and add Daytona (SS) (yeah right!) to my list.

It’s a perfectly good system, like visiting a car showroom… I like that car just not that colour or can’t fit a pram in that I’ll get the bigger model

[TimepieceRPP]

I feel the same. I used to be very against the grey but I am seriously considering to buy the one I really like I grey as I am not a big spender to play this game and don't want to be a begger to kiss those ADs' ass. Don't get me wrong, some are very nice but some are so shxx.

[Cavester]

Originally Posted by RoRoRo

I visited the AD the other day to view the exhibition models.

On my current list of request was a sub 41, skydweller SS, exp II

I tried on the sub41, skyD SS (jubilee) and Daytona TT from exhibition pieces

I told the AD to remove the Sub 41 (didn’t like at all), change skyD to TT and add Daytona (SS) (yeah right!) to my list.

It’s a perfectly good system, like visiting a car showroom… I like that car just not that colour or can’t fit a pram in that I’ll get the bigger model

Yes but with a car show room, you like what your sitting in you can then order the car, you get your name on a particular car with a build date. The way Rolex are doing it is leaving people in limbo with no real idea of whether the AD will ever call them back or not. You can't lead your life like that.

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[grimps]

Originally Posted by LyingFlat

It's actually quite a good system. It gives people a chance to try a piece that they wouldn't otherwise get to try. They can then decide if "expressing their interest" is right for them...

Pre-Covid I would travel to Singapore/Malaysia frequently. The ADs in these countries have been doing this for years and it's great being able to try on SS professional pieces.

I think its a good idea too, who in their right mind would order something worth several thousands of pounds that they haven't even seen or tried ?

[Mwhite110]

I went past two AD’s in central London today and all they had in the windows of any interest for exhibition only were 2 ss datejusts a James Cameron and an SD43. Not exactly Christmas!!!!!

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by malb85

……of course, as soon as I asked to buy the Batman, I’m told that they’re only there for people to try on and ‘get a feel for’ - playing dumb, I asked how I could buy one? I could ‘put my details on a registration of interest, but they can’t order items and there’s no waiting list’

I couldn’t even be bothered to play the game at that point so made my excuses and left.

Silly Rolex customer games!

That being said, UK is a nightmare right now. Unit shipments down 20-40% due to Brexit/economic/tax issues.

[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by BLNR Nairobi

How would you fix it? Have Rolex increase production several times over (not going to happen, and it would be silly of them)? Have Rolex move to an online model where people can order specific references that will be shipped to them (not going to happen, and if it did you’d get massive asks only for Daytonas …that is before they flooded the market, if Rolex could maintain demand, and dilute the brand)? Have Rolex stop making precious metal DJs and focus exclusively on steel Professional references (not going to happen, and if it did Rolex would have to kill demand to meet the overhang of asks for such references)? Have a lottery model (not going to happen, and anyway Rolex wouldn’t want the administrative burden …and if they had the ADs do it instead the ADs would just game the system)? Have Rolex kill all ADs and move to boutiques (see point above on administrative burden).

I am curious what solution you’d have?

Let’s start with one SS professional model per year per customer no matter what your spend history is. Not sure how that could be enforced but maybe that would help.

IMO It’s silly to have display models available if 95% of people will never be able to buy them. It’s great for the 5% but is pointless for the majority of new customers out there. At least put people on a wish list.

Newbies should expect to wait for in demand pieces but at least can eventually get them.

[Linuxpenguins]

Originally Posted by vh2k

Silly Rolex customer games!

That being said, UK is a nightmare right now. Unit shipments down 20-40% due to Brexit/economic/tax issues.

This.

Brexit certainly didn't help matters.

[HeartRolex]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

Let’s start with one SS professional model per year per customer no matter what your spend history is. Not sure how that could be enforced but maybe that would help.

IMO It’s silly to have display models available if 95% of people will never be able to buy them. It’s great for the 5% but is pointless for the majority of new customers out there. At least put people on a wish list.

Newbies should expect to wait for in demand pieces but at least can eventually get them.

There’s quota system for particular styles of Hermes bags and they will cut buyers off. Rolex should take a similar approach.

[HeartRolex]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

Let’s start with one SS professional model per year per customer no matter what your spend history is. Not sure how that could be enforced but maybe that would help.

IMO It’s silly to have display models available if 95% of people will never be able to buy them. It’s great for the 5% but is pointless for the majority of new customers out there. At least put people on a wish list.

Newbies should expect to wait for in demand pieces but at least can eventually get them.

There’s quota system for particular styles of Hermes bags and they will cut buyers off. Rolex could take a page from their book.

[AEV]

Better than nothing OP.
Seeing the watch in real life makes complete difference, than buying based on photos/reviews.

[JustinC79]

Originally Posted by Cavester

Yes but with a car show room, you like what your sitting in you can then order the car, you get your name on a particular car with a build date. The way Rolex are doing it is leaving people in limbo with no real idea of whether the AD will ever call them back or not. You can't lead your life like that.

Try that in a dealer of equivalent prestige to Rolex and for a model as in demand as a Sub or Daytona, you’ll find it’s no different trying to buy a GT Porsche. £5k to join a list but youll need to buy two £50k Macans to be allowed to spend the £5k list fee. Of course you could pay £100k over list from third party dealer and have it today.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

Let’s start with one SS professional model per year per customer no matter what your spend history is.

At least put people on a wish list.

Newbies should expect to wait for in demand pieces but at least can eventually get them.

Why?


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[Cavester]

Originally Posted by JustinC79

Try that in a dealer of equivalent prestige to Rolex and for a model as in demand as a Sub or Daytona, you’ll find it’s no different trying to buy a GT Porsche. £5k to join a list but youll need to buy two £50k Macans to be allowed to spend the £5k list fee. Of course you could pay £100k over list from third party dealer and have it today.

I did, got a build date and recieved the car last week...

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[Cigars&Watches]

Originally Posted by teck21

Why?


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The number 1 complaint on here is people not being able to get a Rolex. I think one way to help ease this frustration is to spread the wealth around to as many watch lovers/enthusiasts as possible. One way to do this is limit how many in demand pieces any one person should get in a year (myself included).

Having pieces available to try on for walk ins and not giving them any hope to buy one doesn’t make sense. Put them on a list and if it’s years to get a Batman so be it. At least you are on it. To say we are not even taking names right now is crazy.

But having said all this all newbies should climb the Rolex ladder so to speak (earn their props) and expect to have to wait years for hard to get pieces, ie: Batman,Pepsi or Daytona.

In my case I’ve acquired a DSSD first, then a CHNR. Hopefully in a year or so I will get a BLNR or BLRO and then in a year or so a Kermit and so on and so forth…

[1665fan]

Patience is key…….just hang in there

[JustinC79]

Originally Posted by Cavester

I did, got a build date and recieved the car last week...

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Beautiful. Whatever you did to get an allocation will work just as well in an AD - formed a relationship, spent money over multiple products, shown genuine passion instead of walking in and demanding a car etc
I bought a date Sub last year with zero purchasing history, it’s possible at this level. If you’d wanted a GT3 992 and I a Daytona we’d probably both be sucking our thumbs right now without 5 years of spending behind us.

[TimepieceRPP]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

The number 1 complaint on here is people not being able to get a Rolex. I think one way to help ease this frustration is to spread the wealth around to as many watch lovers/enthusiasts as possible. One way to do this is limit how many in demand pieces any one person should get in a year (myself included).

Having pieces available to try on for walk ins and not giving them any hope to buy one doesn’t make sense. Put them on a list and if it’s years to get a Batman so be it. At least you are on it. To say we are not even taking names right now is crazy.

But having said all this all newbies should climb the Rolex ladder so to speak (earn their props) and expect to have to wait years for hard to get pieces, ie: Batman,Pepsi or Daytona.

In my case I’ve acquired a DSSD first, then a CHNR. Hopefully in a year or so I will get a BLNR or BLRO and then in a year or so a Kermit and so on and so forth…

I know someone can get "another" BLRO jubilee in 3 months because he is big spender. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand it but I feel that ADs need to have a balance between big spenders and loyal customers. But anyway, why do they need to care or be bothered, afterall it is just how to generate the maximised profit for the ADs. Haha.