Incoming OP 36 Tiffany (4+ yr wait)

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Jasb

That’s why I love the internet, where else can you hear about a guy with a 2 year watch plan.

Right? I bet if he had gone in and just asked for a datejust, he likely would have been more successful. Those seem to be not too hard to get.

But multiple Skydwellers in two years? That seems like a big lift for someone with zero spend.

[KatGirl]

There are ADs who do not require spend histories to get your Rolexes. I know, because I have one. It amazes me that so many engage in this practice, though I guess greed is not that surprising. Don’t blame Rolex for this! It is against Rolex policy for ADs to require you to bundle, with watches you don’t want, or buy jewelry, before you can get a desired Rolex. I’m really sorry so many of us have to put up with this situation. It’s no wonder the grey market gets so much business. The grey dealers offer bargains, when compared to what these unscrupulous ADs want you to do, in order to have the privilege of spending thousands of dollars on one wrist watch. I would advise people to look for an honest AD. They ARE out there.

Kat


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[gaymondlee]

i have purchased 2 watches from 2 different ad's in so cal. I gave my want list to 4 ad's back in 2020. 1 got me an airking the next day no extra spend and the mall gave me a $500 gift certificate because the mall was nearly dead right at the beginning of covid shutdowns the was feb or mar 2020). I have gone back a couple of times that 1st yr to say hi but have never received another call or watch since the 1st one. This was with the rolex store at south coast plaza where they had me sign an agreement with my cc on file stating they could charge x amount if any of my requested watches came in. The 2nd AD was maybe 6 months in and they got me an explorer 1 with 0 extr a spend (which i always thought was the norm) and 0 watches since that time. The current ad i have purchased at least 10 watches from since 2/2020 and its been a fun ride to acquire the watches that i likely wouldn't have otherwise. I changed my perspective with the bundling because i made sure the entire pkg cost was less than grey market for the watch alone when i made the decision. 4 of the watches i sold and i recouped 85-100% of what i paid for the entire package so my wife/kid had fun shopping for jewerly and it ended up costing a small fraction of msrp or totally free. While i would love msrp only on everything I understand that getting something far below market (street/grey) isn't a win win for everyone involved. Buts its not a game i want to play with more than 1 brand. AP Interview process is really stupid (I only went because a close friend asked me to go with him) and Patek isnt going to even care as my acquaintance with a 500k patek spend tells me he isnt a vip at that level and cant help out

[NAUI1982]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

He needs the 2 years to save up more ransom money.

Kat


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OMG yes! I couldn’t possibly buy four damn Rolex watches at once! Yikes!!!

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by gaymondlee

i have purchased 2 watches from 2 different ad's in so cal. I gave my want list to 4 ad's back in 2020. 1 got me an airking the next day no extra spend and the mall gave me a $500 gift certificate because the mall was nearly dead right at the beginning of covid shutdowns the was feb or mar 2020). I have gone back a couple of times that 1st yr to say hi but have never received another call or watch since the 1st one. This was with the rolex store at south coast plaza where they had me sign an agreement with my cc on file stating they could charge x amount if any of my requested watches came in. The 2nd AD was maybe 6 months in and they got me an explorer 1 with 0 extr a spend (which i always thought was the norm) and 0 watches since that time. The current ad i have purchased at least 10 watches from since 2/2020 and its been a fun ride to acquire the watches that i likely wouldn't have otherwise. I changed my perspective with the bundling because i made sure the entire pkg cost was less than grey market for the watch alone when i made the decision. 4 of the watches i sold and i recouped 85-100% of what i paid for the entire package so my wife/kid had fun shopping for jewerly and it ended up costing a small fraction of msrp or totally free. While i would love msrp only on everything I understand that getting something far below market (street/grey) isn't a win win for everyone involved. Buts its not a game i want to play with more than 1 brand. AP Interview process is really stupid (I only went because a close friend asked me to go with him) and Patek isnt going to even care as my acquaintance with a 500k patek spend tells me he isnt a vip at that level and cant help out

I understand that you make the best of their slimy business practices and make it work for you, but it's still underhanded salesmanship.

[rolexpatek363]

My cat is going to have his third Birthday next Spring.

Should I alert my nearest Rolex AD?

[NAUI1982]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

Right? I bet if he had gone in and just asked for a datejust, he likely would have been more successful. Those seem to be not too hard to get.

But multiple Skydwellers in two years? That seems like a big lift for someone with zero spend.

Well, as you can see from my post, I have an AD who is going to get all my business now. They were amazing, and totally appreciated that I was planning this out over time and they were completely comfortable with my time line and desired watches.

What I’m not sure how to handle is the AD that said directly, I need to buy several hundred thousand of jewelry to do business with him for Rolex watches. I want to turn my text message over to Rolex and get him popped for being a scum bag! But I also don’t want to burn my friend who connected us.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by NAUI1982

Well, as you can see from my post, I have an AD who is going to get all my business now. They were amazing, and totally appreciated that I was planning this out over time and they were completely comfortable with my time line and desired watches.

What I’m not sure how to handle is the AD that said directly, I need to buy several hundred thousand of jewelry to do business with him for Rolex watches. I want to turn my text message over to Rolex and get him popped for being a scum bag! But I also don’t want to burn my friend who connected us.

I’d report them to Rolex, and just don’t mention the referral part. I don’t see how reporting them could hurt your friend. It’s everyone’s silence that is exacerbating the problem. People want watches so badly, they are willing to do anything to get one. It boggles the mind. If we consumers stopped buying grey, refused to buy crap we don’t need, just so we can have a GMT or Daytona, things would change. We are perpetuating; the problem. I guess we can’t control the flippers, or stock being sold out the back door, (if that’s a real thing) but we should try to change the situation, if possible. We collectors need to start a movement, and try to ,geti things back to normal.

Kat

[NAUI1982]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

I’d report them to Rolex, and just don’t mention the referral part. I don’t see how reporting them could hurt your friend. It’s everyone’s silence that is exacerbating the problem. People want watches so badly, they are willing to do anything to get one. It boggles the mind. If we consumers stopped buying grey, refused to buy crap we don’t need, just so we can have a GMT or Daytona, things would change. We are perpetuating; the problem. I guess we can’t control the flippers, or stock being sold out the back door, (if that’s a real thing) but we should try to change the situation, if possible. We collectors need to start a movement, and try to ,geti things back to normal.

Kat

You’re right, it is up to us to help make change happen. I’m not as pissed off about it today as I was when I hung up the phone.

I most definitely told him what I think about his “requirement” to do business with his store among other closing thoughts I had. Didn’t hold back, which perhaps made me feel better. As least I got my thoughts out on the table with him. Deaf ears of course.

I’ll go looking for a Rolex customer support number or email, they don’t make it easy to find on their website…

[espanol]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

I’d report them to Rolex, and just don’t mention the referral part. I don’t see how reporting them could hurt your friend. It’s everyone’s silence that is exacerbating the problem. People want watches so badly, they are willing to do anything to get one. It boggles the mind. If we consumers stopped buying grey, refused to buy crap we don’t need, just so we can have a GMT or Daytona, things would change. We are perpetuating; the problem. I guess we can’t control the flippers, or stock being sold out the back door, (if that’s a real thing) but we should try to change the situation, if possible. We collectors need to start a movement, and try to ,geti things back to normal.

Kat

Well said

[Hulkhunter]

Congrats!

I got the call a few weeks ago also.

[ArtNouveau]

Rolex USA, if you can reach them, will listen politely to your complaints then you’ll receive a form letter stating that all Rolex watches are sold through their Authorized Dealer network who may have varying policies.
They are not or ever have been micromanaging their dealers. I do know of two former ADs who were terminated amongst rumors of hanky panky, but these were allegations of contract violation not sales practices.
As far as walking in with a 2 year/4 watch plan, I personally would have dismissed you immediately too. However sincere you are it sounds like flipper talk. My personal experience with a good dealer was buying one watch that I really wanted and wearing it. The others came later as my “relationship” was established. I have gotten four more watches since the first, all that I asked for and in a reasonable timeframe.
Just a couple weeks ago I was told no for the first time. After asking for a Celebration dial OP41 soon after they were announced I was told by my longtime SA that he cannot currently promise me one. They are very backed up servicing many clients with too small of a supply. It could happen in a year or so if things change but for now it’s not coming, I appreciated his honesty.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by NAUI1982

Well, as you can see from my post, I have an AD who is going to get all my business now. They were amazing, and totally appreciated that I was planning this out over time and they were completely comfortable with my time line and desired watches.

What I’m not sure how to handle is the AD that said directly, I need to buy several hundred thousand of jewelry to do business with him for Rolex watches. I want to turn my text message over to Rolex and get him popped for being a scum bag! But I also don’t want to burn my friend who connected us.

Seems like something to let go. People here get way too worked up about how shops are selling luxury watches. Also, Rolex will not care. So what if they have a spending requirement. You’re not shopping there, so you shouldn’t care.

These are luxury watches. Not medical supplies.

[BINGQILIN]

nice pick up!

[Cambo]

I hate hearing stories like this….it really does demean the whole industry. Was it really the AD or just an overzealous SA? I don’t like seeing AD’s get ripped for what may transpire with a SA. Having said that, if this is truly an AD requirement, then shut my mouth I have a great relationship with my AD and, yes, I have bought non-Rolex items from them but it has never been a condition. But knowing how many people want Rolexes from each and every AD, asking for four watches would be a challenge.
Tough position for all involved.

[NAUI1982]

Originally Posted by gaymondlee

I used to feel that way and was actually very upset the very first time that happened. I went ahead and bought my blnr and never enjoyed it so i sold it off within a year. Then I changed my perspective that I would rather have them offer me the watch with a bundle offer where I could decline (i negotiated once) vs never being offered the watch at all.

What’s a bundle offer? Buy some Jewelry or another brand watch at the same time? Or buy some Jewelry or another brand watch, and pray they call you (in 8 months) for what you really want?

Not much fun either way.

[NAUI1982]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

Seems like something to let go. People here get way too worked up about how shops are selling luxury watches. Also, Rolex will not care. So what if they have a spending requirement. You’re not shopping there, so you shouldn’t care.

These are luxury watches. Not medical supplies.

Certainly letting it go will be much better on my blood pressure, so maybe it is a medical device?

[rmlovett1]

Originally Posted by espanol

Surprised you've had to bundle prior purchases, and the AD said "this one is on the house." I guess selling watches at full MSRP with no additional hoops is a favor nowadays?

X2 ….so ridiculous! Wait times, and this BS…..is exactly why it’s time vs money for me. I mean, if you’re going to spend the extra $$$ anyway, why not have it NIB tomorrow for the same money (or less nowadays) you’ll spend “bundling”

Anyway….
Big congratulations OP! Hope she loves it! It’s a beautiful watch!

[gaymondlee]

Originally Posted by NAUI1982

What’s a bundle offer? Buy some Jewelry or another brand watch at the same time? Or buy some Jewelry or another brand watch, and pray they call you (in 8 months) for what you really want?

Not much fun either way.

i was upfront from the get go 4 years ago that i wouldnt buy things in hopes of getting a watch but that i wouldn't have issue if i was able to walk away with a watch that same day and was required to buy other items. The other items were always stated to be diamond jewelry (i guess must be higher margin for them) but when i received my blro they let me offset my tudor bb58 blue dial as credit as part of the additional spend since i had bought that about ~6 weeks earlier. I figured i spent more on the BB58 due to making it as a strategic buy to be on their radar vs just buying it for less $ from grey or 2nd hand. I'm ok paying more that way knowing there were still watches i wanted to buy and the bb58 was a watch that i had wanted but wasnt in any rush to get

[gaymondlee]

Originally Posted by rmlovett1

X2 ….so ridiculous! Wait times, and this BS…..is exactly why it’s time vs money for me. I mean, if you’re going to spend the extra $$$ anyway, why not have it NIB tomorrow for the same money (or less nowadays) you’ll spend “bundling”

Anyway….
Big congratulations OP! Hope she loves it! It’s a beautiful watch!

yes id agree if it was just for me i would pay the extra from grey but I don't want anything that badly at the moment. I have yet to buy from a grey above msrp as i cant get past the old days when greys were ~20% below msrp and 0 tax. The extra spend does allow for my wife and daughter to have fun they would otherwise wouldn't get to do from time to time and that is wort the wait times. + i do like the surprise text. That has more value and excitement for me vs I want these 5 and poof they instantly appear. So for me more watches at the same time doesnt allow enough wrist time for me to enjoy the nuances of each and every watch. i'll end up wearing 1 more and then the others get unused

[ltmgeller]

Congrats!!!

[LuVitt]

Originally Posted by NAUI1982

Authorized Dealers are SCUM. I had a lifelong dear friend make a referral for me to an AD whom he has known for 20 years. The guy called me, and I was super encouraged until we actually spoke and he said he can’t possibly help me because I had no purchase history with him.

I asked straight up, what does that mean exactly I was just referred to him and his store, so I was really confused….

He said I needed to spend at least 200k at his store on jewelry before he can allocate me a Rolex.

And because my buddy is a great guy, he sent me the text he got after the referral. I share for your entertainment!

Names are redacted….



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Honestly? Report them to Rolex. I don't even know if there is a process for that, but your story is crazy. I'm telling you Rolex has come out and said they do not support these actions and I know they have been stripping ADs.

[928ktgold]

Great watch! We got on the train too!

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by LuVitt

Honestly? Report them to Rolex. I don't even know if there is a process for that, but your story is crazy. I'm telling you Rolex has come out and said they do not support these actions and I know they have been stripping ADs.

My AD told me, on my very first visit to their store, that Rolex is against those tactics, as well.

Kat


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[mcken]

Congratulations.