Why On Earth Has Rolex Not Increased Prices in Six Years?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

Obviously, I am speaking from a U.S. perspective, because I believe they have increased at least U.K. prices to adjust for Brexit currency fluctuations/devaluations. But this is a heck of a long time to keep prices static. It's not like they are selling computers where prices staying level is almost like prices increasing. They obviously are leaving a lot of money on the table as secondary prices for more and more watches are now higher than MSRP. This is like the Rolling Stones pricing their tickets at $50, knowing scalpers are selling them for far more. While Rolex may be owned by a charitable trust, it isn't like they are a charity trying to promote mechanical watch ownership around the globe. Explain!

If one wishes to pay over and above the recommended price. There are plenty of options to personally choose from

Just don't tip Rolex or the ADs off as to your intentions and leave the current pricing structure to the rest of us who choose to pay the recommended price through the ADs/Boutiques when buying new.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by TakeYourTime

?!? @ OP
Rolex is increasing their prices over a smooth way - by bringing out new models / movements.

Yes.
In this manner, it's effectively incremental and not a price increase right across the board.

[Nikrnic]

I'm glad I bought when I did. No big discount but 5mos. Ago got 7% off SubC and just got 9% off a Zblue. I think a price increase is just around the corner this year.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[peterpl]

Having a price increase is going to do nothing except give grays even more reason to sell at inflated prices.

Especially if supply stays this low.

[Sarosh]

End of the day we can all speculate till the cows come home. Only rolex knows what the plan is. Not us. So we either wait them out or look elsewhere, something tells me a lot of us will be waiting lol.

They know their market, loyal customers who have owned rolexes for years, decades even. Those people know the quality and heritage so they’ll wait and buy @ MRSP.

I agree with Neil, we need a price rise in the UK sooner rather later.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by dmash

Because then what if the GBP goes back to 1.5.....they’ll have to raise prices again and go back and forth to accommodate the fluctuations. I think they’re honestly forecasting this, as even the Eur to USD price is still ~10% higher than the GBP to USD price.

The currency adjustment was in response to Brexit, a once in a lifetime event, so fair enough, they won't adjust on a yearly basis otherwise, so currency doesn't figure for me. My issue is if you won't raise prices when the market price is consistently so much higher, for nearly 2 years now, then let the market behave as it is and let it be free. But instead of manipulating supply or prices they are choosing to manipulate buyers with all these rules on who can buy and how, and naturally that has caused a lot of resentment with genuine customers who are now being judged and dismissed and treated shabbily, and this is supposed to be a luxury product. Not cool at all, and too invasive. They should handle their own end, not try to handle ours.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Sarosh

End of the day we can all speculate till the cows come home. Only rolex knows what the plan is. Not us. So we either wait them out or look elsewhere, something tells me a lot of us will be waiting lol.

They know their market, loyal customers who have owned rolexes for years, decades even. Those people know the quality and heritage so they’ll wait and buy @ MRSP.

I agree with Neil, we need a price rise in the UK sooner rather later.

As we know from the many angry posts here and on TZ-UK etc over the last two years, Rolex have lost many genuine customers, and they have been replaced by a horde of ruthless flippers, which we know Rolex are not happy about at all and yet no price or supply change. Not until next year it seems.

[Sarosh]

Originally Posted by AK797

As we know from the many angry posts here and on TZ-UK etc over the last two years, Rolex have lost many genuine customers, and they have been replaced by a horde of ruthless flippers, which we know Rolex are not happy about at all and yet no price or supply change. Not until next year it seems.

I don’t doubt you in saying that many have decided to follow other brands. I honestly feel for people like myself who have saved for years after seeing a watch they wanted. Only to be laughed at when you walk in wanting to hand over your money. It’s just bad business practice for your smaller customers. Granted the big spenders more than make up for it with the sales they give the AD, but still. I thought the whole point of having a product for sale was that people could go into the store try it on and not buy sight unseen!

How times have changed

[DoctorA]

I’m not getting the point Of this thread!!

If they have a very high profit margin already, and with world economy, it would be risky business if they hike prices. And remember their sakes numbers a couple of years ago!!

[116710er]

Originally Posted by S-F

'm just speechless at how people act over these luxury items. It's borderline ridiculous.

Borderline?!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Sarosh

I don’t doubt you in saying that many have decided to follow other brands. I honestly feel for people like myself who have saved for years after seeing a watch they wanted. Only to be laughed at when you walk in wanting to hand over your money. It’s just bad business practice for your smaller customers. Granted the big spenders more than make up for it with the sales they give the AD, but still. I thought the whole point of having a product for sale was that people could go into the store try it on and not buy sight unseen!

How times have changed

Talking of times changing now Richemont have bought Watchfinder, the grey market is announced as a serious player, and we'll have to see Rolex's response, I doubt they can be so casual over supply and price now we have two competing markets with resources - Rolex retail v Rolex resale, it's the competition we needed.

[Art 1]

They have found ways to reduce manufacturing costs.

[Sarosh]

Originally Posted by AK797

Talking of times changing now Richemont have bought Watchfinder, the grey market is announced as a serious player, and we'll have to see Rolex's response, I doubt they can be so casual over supply and price now we have two competing markets with resources - Rolex retail v Rolex resale, it's the competition we needed.

Neil, let’s rejoice and start picketing rolex H/O in st James. Surely now they will need to make more watches available!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

I'm not complaining. It is funny when you step outside of the watch world and have a look in. We're thrilled to pay 10k + on a SS watch at retail.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Sarosh

Neil, let’s rejoice and start picketing rolex H/O in st James. Surely now they will need to make more watches available!

ive been saying this forever. The train companies employees go on strike and shut the city down for days because they are mad about who's job its going to be to close the train doors. Yet Rolex customers are not picketing outside Rolex HQ for far more legitimate concerns

[Sarosh]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

ive been saying this forever. The train companies employees go on strike and shut the city down for days because they are mad about who's job its going to be to close the train doors. Yet Rolex customers are not picketing outside Rolex HQ for far more legitimate concerns

Tyler, are you in? Lol, I’ll get my wife to start making the boards lol. She’s an art director she can put in some extra work at home

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Sarosh

Tyler, are you in? Lol, I’ll get my wife to start making the boards lol. She’s an art director she can put in some extra work at home

im always up for some good old fashioned civil disobedience

"what do we want? to buy expensive watches.... When do we want it? Now"

i think we would get laughed at.

[Sarosh]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

im always up for some good old fashioned civil disobedience

Haha that’s what I like to hear!

[dmash]

When picketing in the UK, must one form a queue outside said establishment?

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

ive been saying this forever. The train companies employees go on strike and shut the city down for days because they are mad about who's job its going to be to close the train doors. Yet Rolex customers are not picketing outside Rolex HQ for far more legitimate concerns

Haha! Is that irony or sarcasm? Not sure. But, it sure is funny!


"Mind the doors!"

[HL65]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I much prefer this situation rather than having Rolex increase prices and then have AD's go back to discounting and devaluing the brand to move inventory.

Rolex profits are secondary to their promotion of their luxury brand status and the scarcity of models is accomplishing just this.

Exactly