Removing "protective plastics" ( stickers ) isn't stopping

[Gaijin]

.


Maybe Rolex thinks that this is genius to thwart the grey market or flippers, but it is not stopping anything. In fact it is not even impacting the prices for sought after pieces. The grey dealer just states, "Plastics or stickers removed by AD" and quotes the same prices as we have been seeing.

Rolex. Nice try.

What next?

[Onikage]

Maybe it's fairly innocent like protection until sale when the final buyer leaves with the finished product, looking as it should.. Swiss presentation etc.. or maybe not. Ha.

[Gaijin]

Could a a moderator please combine this thread with the one I inadvertently put in the open discussion forum. Thank you.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Could a a moderator please combine this thread with the one I inadvertently put in the open discussion forum. Thank you.

I just closed it and linked it to this one, Tom

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I just closed it and linked it to this one, Tom

Thank you Adam.

[Rogdogg]

I had noticed that too. It's a crazy world. Prices of pieces with stickers will probably go for even more now as people look to invest to flip at a later date. For the person buying to wear it shouldn't matter as long as the watch itself is pristine.

[bayerische]

Of course it didn’t help.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

.


Maybe Rolex thinks that this is genius to thwart the grey market or flippers, but it is not stopping anything. In fact it is not even impacting the prices for sought after pieces. The grey dealer just states, "Plastics or stickers removed by AD" and quotes the same prices as we have been seeing.

Rolex. Nice try.

What next?

Next is you order this Tom.

[Gaijin]

Good one Mon.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Thank you Adam.

No problem. Anyway, it somehow got moved into Open Discussion again. Not sure how or why.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

No problem. Anyway, it somehow got moved into Open Discussion again. Not sure how or why.

[Rolex addict]

And it’s not going to stop Greg dealers or inflated prices. Increasing supply will bring grey prices down, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon. It really is a shame for those just getting into watches.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

It really is a shame for those just getting into watches.

It sure is. Makes me glad I got into them before it was as difficult as it is now in many cases.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by RW16610

It sure is. Makes me glad I got into them before it was as difficult as it is now in many cases.

Amen. If I was just getting into this game and saw all that's going on, I would probably take my money and spend it elsewhere. Who knows, I could have had the world's largest collection of Velvet Elvis paintings. We will never know.

[Abdullah71601]

I have no need for stickers. No tip for the SA if they leave a stcker on my watch. Even if I do get my diet coke in a glass.

It’s rude to tell someone how to spend their hard earned money, but I think someone who wears the watch, and spends extra to take off stickers might have lost the plot.

[padi56]

Anyone paying extra for sticky back plastic must be sixpence short of a shilling.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

.


Maybe Rolex thinks that this is genius to thwart the grey market or flippers, but it is not stopping anything. In fact it is not even impacting the prices for sought after pieces. The grey dealer just states, "Plastics or stickers removed by AD" and quotes the same prices as we have been seeing.

Rolex. Nice try.

What next?

If Rolex was really serious about ending grey market selling they would 100% dump the AD business model and open their own company owned and managed boutiques. No independent doors what so ever.

Then, on top of that, make the warranty non-transferable. Whoever buys it has the warranty. Once that watch is out of their ownership, no warranty.
That way even if flippers get a watch from the boutique, when they flip it, it
has 0.0 warranty coverage.

This is done in other industries...not only luxury.

But, since the grey market is an important distribution channel for Rolex to move pieces....which they will NEVER acknowledge, but understand it's necessity....they never will stop it.

So they are doing these "feel good" measures to make AD feel like they are being protected and taking a role in stopping the nasty Grey marketers by removing stickers...

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I have no need for stickers. No tip for the SA if they leave a stcker on my watch. Even if I do get my diet coke in a glass.

It’s rude to tell someone how to spend their hard earned money, but I think someone who wears the watch, and spends extra to take off stickers might have lost the plot.

Originally Posted by padi56

Anyone paying extra for sticky back plastic must be sixpence short of a shilling.

That would be me. Just like to peel them off at home

[andromeda160]

Originally Posted by padi56

Anyone paying extra for sticky back plastic must be sixpence short of a shilling.

I think the craze is due to people thinking these mass produced watches will be rare someday. But gone are the days of green stickered backs with the model number. Those were the only cool stickers in my book

[BNA/LION]

We Don't Need No Stinking Stickers!

[swils8610]

It’s stickers. Who cares? I’ve bought from trusted sellers with stickers on the watch. Peel them off toss em’ out and wear!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[OgSnowflake]

My grandfather when I was a little kid use to size and peel his own plastic off his watches at his desk with a cold Diet Pepsi and a curious grandson watching...not as much plastic as today but case back stickers were a thing. I like to do the same I sit at my desk and size my own bracelets and peel my own plastic. It has nothing to do with the actual plastic it’s just kinda like a ritual and my way of adding a new watch to the rotation and thinking about the guy that got me into watches. Tell your ad the truth, build a relationship and give them any reason other than I’m gonna flip it for a profit and they will work with you if peeling plastic at home is your thing....I wouldn’t walk away from a sale over it I’d just ask for a Pepsi and to peel them myself at the counter.

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Next is you order this Tom.

Well maybe you have an idea there, Mon! But maybe not.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

If Rolex was really serious about ending grey market selling they would 100% dump the AD business model and open their own company owned and managed boutiques. No independent doors what so ever.

Then, on top of that, make the warranty non-transferable. Whoever buys it has the warranty. Once that watch is out of their ownership, no warranty.
That way even if flippers get a watch from the boutique, when they flip it, it
has 0.0 warranty coverage.

This is done in other industries...not only luxury.

But, since the grey market is an important distribution channel for Rolex to move pieces....which they will NEVER acknowledge, but understand it's necessity....they never will stop it.

So they are doing these "feel good" measures to make AD feel like they are being protected and taking a role in stopping the nasty Grey marketers by removing stickers...

Ding Ding Ding.

[AK797]

Its why warranty withheld is standard in UK now.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by AK797

Its why warranty withheld is standard in UK now.

That's OK, the watches are withheld in the UK too. You have to be able to buy one for the warranty to be an issue.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

Amen. If I was just getting into this game and saw all that's going on, I would probably take my money and spend it elsewhere. Who knows, I could have had the world's largest collection of Velvet Elvis paintings. We will never know.

[Etschell]

there are a multitude of things to blame that date back years:

the quartz revolution for killing off competition.
gerald genta for designing the royal oak and nautilus in ss.
buyers for paying over list.

but im not doing any of that. rolex isnt limiting supply to drive out flippers. they are doing so to raise value.

dufour knows what he is doing. just hope he understands the unintentional consequences of his seemingly short sighted actions.

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Etschell

there are a multitude of things to blame that date back years:

the quartz revolution for killing off competition.
gerald genta for designing the royal oak and nautilus in ss.
buyers for paying over list.

but im not doing any of that. rolex isnt limiting supply to drive out flippers. they are doing so to raise value.

dufour knows what he is doing. just hope he understands the unintentional consequences of his seemingly short sighted actions.

It's the strategy of exclusivity. I don't see a downside for Rolex in this.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

It's the strategy of exclusivity. I don't see a downside for Rolex in this.

Me either. Works like a charm.

If you're going to be in luxury goods business, you MUST be exclusive.

When Panerai was on fire it was in part BECAUSE you couldn't get one.

Now they make XXXXX models and XXXXXXX of each one, it's a dog.

It worked for Montblanc too....pull out of office supply stores and discounty jewelry stores...too bad the pen market is fading away, but they had the right idea.

I have had dealers tell me that they have sold MORE Hulks since they became an allocation reference than when they were in the case...MORE. Think about that.