Need advice!? My local AD had it's AD status pulled by Rolex

[train-time]

Originally Posted by gerry100

Isn’t Rolex requiring a
Significant facility investment from ADs?

Maybe this one balked

It isn't always the build-out expense that seems to be at the root of the issue. We had one AD on the North end of Baltimore County that had already signed off on a six-digit built-out design with Rolex and shortly after that prior to construction starting, Rolex pulled the plug on them. I think it has more to do with dealing with fewer one location ADs and more larger ones with multi locations. Easier to control fewer relationships.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by train-time

It isn't always the build-out expense that seems to be at the root of the issue. We had one AD on the North end of Baltimore County that had already signed off on a six-digit built-out design with Rolex and shortly after that prior to construction starting, Rolex pulled the plug on them. I think it has more to do with dealing with fewer one location ADs and more larger ones with multi locations. Easier to control fewer relationships.

There’s still some exceptions but I always wonder about their future. I retired from a big city with multiple ADs to a much smaller but still thriving market. The local AD is a one location family business. Very nice store but their Rolex area is just several counters in a corner of the showroom. Rolex branded decor but no separation.
The next nearest dealers are over an hour away, haven’t been to them. Although this is a smaller market there is a lot of wealth here, headquarters for three of the biggest companies in the US and their associated vendors and subsidiaries.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by subprimero

Collect discontinued references or try other brands. There are a lot of great watches out there.

Very true. The more I wait the more I am discovering other alternatives, and in some cases going pre-owned with box and papers I could get two watches for a little more than I would pay just for the sub.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by DBCooper07

Hello all,

I have a problem. For years I've wanted a Sub no-date. (Plus a GMT and an OP) Well, more like the last 30 years, LOL. I generally don't spend a lot on myself but with getting married and hitting some major milestones in my life I deiced I would finally get rid of some toys and get a serious watch. I always been taught with luxury items you buy them when you can pay cash. So it's a true luxury. So over the years I've gone in to my local AD and looked, even back when subs where in stock! They knew me and I always chatted with them. I bought other thing from them for gifts. 2 years ago I got serious and told them I was finally ready for a no-date. I just have horrible timing with the market... little did I realize it was the worse bubble in Rolex history. About 5 months ago I was told it would be in "sooner than later". So I had hope! So I went in over the holidays and spent even more money there on diamonds and more gifts. I still asked about the Rolex and they gave me a glimmer of hope and a wink. Fast forward to today about 4 weeks after a rather decent sized purchase. I decided to call and speak with my contact about the price increases and let them know I was still interested. He stop's me and says as of Jan 1st they are no longer a Rolex AD. I kind of Pi$$ed here. What do I do?! I've contacted the closest other AD's, both 150+ miles away and told them I’ll try to come in as soon as I can make it. I've lost a relationship with and AD and it will take some time to build a new long distance relationship. Does Rolex not care about this market? It really makes me sour on the brand. The last 2-3 years I’ve traveled and stopped in dozens of AD’s and not really seen anything and they tell you to have a purchase history and a relationship. I’ve come to the conclusion Rolex doesn’t care about the hard working Joe who wants 1-4 watches and only wants to sell out back doors and to the super rich. Change my mind! Any AD’s sales guys on here care, message me? Because I’m about ready to give up on the brand I felt stood for self-pride and success. Now it’s just greed. No need to tell me to go grey… Because I’m not supporting back door AD’s or dealing with drama of not knowing 100% what I’m getting or paying for a bubble. I’ll wait, but my AD’s gone and my history with them.

TLDR; Lost my AD, lost my purchase history, got to start all over again, I give up! Won’t buy grey, need advice.

Same deal here. Long history with AD, 11 watches for me and my family over many years and I'm next in line for the YG Daytona green dial and WHAM, no more Rolex at this AD....

[NativeTxn]

I would just go gray, if it was me, rather than having to "start over" with a new AD. I bought an Explorer from a trusted seller last month (now granted, it was the 39 mm version that was discontinued, so there was no change to get it at MSRP), and I have zero regrets. That said, I probably would have gone gray no matter what, simply because I don't care to try to wine & dine an AD, buy stuff that I might not *really* want (if it's a situation where I'm going to buy other watches or jewelry no matter what, so be it), and basically have to beg them to let me buy a multi-thousand dollar item from them.

I'd rather pay the "market rate" get the watch the next day, and get to enjoy it without having to play all the games and dance the dance.

However, I realize that other would rather not pay over MSRP for these trinkets, even if that means doing some of these other things and waiting anywhere between a few weeks and a few years. And that's perfectly fine too - I don't begrudge anyone the route they wish to take.

Best of luck, whatever you decide.

[karleone]

Sorry to hear… To be honest if you have wanted a Sub for 30 years just go grey!

[DBCooper07]

Thank you all for your great responses! It has been a learning experience and I'm learning more every day! Thank you!

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by DBCooper07

Hello all,

I have a problem. For years I've wanted a Sub no-date. (Plus a GMT and an OP) Well, more like the last 30 years, LOL. I generally don't spend a lot on myself but with getting married and hitting some major milestones in my life I deiced I would finally get rid of some toys and get a serious watch. I always been taught with luxury items you buy them when you can pay cash. So it's a true luxury. So over the years I've gone in to my local AD and looked, even back when subs where in stock! They knew me and I always chatted with them. I bought other thing from them for gifts. 2 years ago I got serious and told them I was finally ready for a no-date. I just have horrible timing with the market... little did I realize it was the worse bubble in Rolex history. About 5 months ago I was told it would be in "sooner than later". So I had hope! So I went in over the holidays and spent even more money there on diamonds and more gifts. I still asked about the Rolex and they gave me a glimmer of hope and a wink. Fast forward to today about 4 weeks after a rather decent sized purchase. I decided to call and speak with my contact about the price increases and let them know I was still interested. He stop's me and says as of Jan 1st they are no longer a Rolex AD. I kind of Pi$$ed here. What do I do?! I've contacted the closest other AD's, both 150+ miles away and told them I’ll try to come in as soon as I can make it. I've lost a relationship with and AD and it will take some time to build a new long distance relationship. Does Rolex not care about this market? It really makes me sour on the brand. The last 2-3 years I’ve traveled and stopped in dozens of AD’s and not really seen anything and they tell you to have a purchase history and a relationship. I’ve come to the conclusion Rolex doesn’t care about the hard working Joe who wants 1-4 watches and only wants to sell out back doors and to the super rich. Change my mind! Any AD’s sales guys on here care, message me? Because I’m about ready to give up on the brand I felt stood for self-pride and success. Now it’s just greed. No need to tell me to go grey… Because I’m not supporting back door AD’s or dealing with drama of not knowing 100% what I’m getting or paying for a bubble. I’ll wait, but my AD’s gone and my history with them.

TLDR; Lost my AD, lost my purchase history, got to start all over again, I give up! Won’t buy grey, need advice.

I think you are going off half cocked without knowing all the facts…

How do you know if your AD was selling to grey market out the back door (or some other infraction) and Rolex caught them and pulled their AD status?

You are blaming the wrong entity. Whether the AD screwed up or not, it was your AD that put you on the back burner, not Rolex.

Mind you, that totally blows that you established relationship and spending history is now gone … and I feel for you and that unfortunate circumstance. But Rolex isn’t really to blame … it’s just a crazy situation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Rolex only supply the watches, they don’t allocate them.
Reaching out to Rolex would be sadly pointless

True, I guess I was hoping they can make an intro to another AD in the area but doubt they actually would ever do that the more I think about it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[calebb90]

Sorry man. Grab yourself a speedmaster and get back to living.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[rolexjackson]

Originally Posted by calebb90

Sorry man. Grab yourself a speedmaster and get back to living.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This 100%


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[joli160]

Don’t get fooled around by the next AD. Just buy from the boutique sellers in the for sale section of TFF for a no nonsense hassle free deal.
The surcharge for a life time enjoyment is negligible

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by telesquire

Conversely think just how pissed the AD must be at losing their Rolex contract. The thing is as a former dealer (in another trade) you were merely a customer, there is NO relationship from their point of view only yours and the others on here that think they have one. Its nonsense. You are disposable, there's always another customer coming along especially with Rolex. Move on, buy elsewhere. An old Sub is just as good as a new one...a Sub IS a Sub. Over here a used one can be had for a couple of 000's over MSRP. Buy one and enjoy life. You live and learn.

You don’t know why they’re no longer an AD.
They might not have wanted to put all the money in that Rolex require by way of store fitment etc. They may have been supplying the grey market.

It’s not always as simple as Rolex just pulling the plug for no reason.

[crew]

So with the loss of Wilson that leaves most of central NYS and the Finger Lakes without an AD. Rochester lost its AD about 4 years ago and I understand that Binghamton lost theirs sometime ago. It’s hard to fathom that Rolex has given up on that region. On the other hand, it’s not like they would have any watches to sell anyways, so…….

[Searchin4js]

Walk in there with all that jewelry you bought last month and return it. When they ask why, tell em that you only bought it to establish a relationship with them. Since they can no longer get you your watch then you will take your business elsewhere to establish a relationship

[smallcollector]

^^^

I like that idea

[salnuaimi]

Originally Posted by Searchin4js

Walk in there with all that jewelry you bought last month and return it. When they ask why, tell em that you only bought it to establish a relationship with them. Since they can no longer get you your watch then you will take your business elsewhere to establish a relationship

Not gonna work


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dav1dB]

You waiting 30 years…a few more will be fine lol

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by calebb90

Sorry man. Grab yourself a speedmaster and get back to living.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I bought a new speedmaster because I couldn’t get the sub I wanted. Didn’t do the trick- it’s an amazing watch, but it wasn’t the sub and didn’t scratch the itch.

I think I’m going to sell it and buy a 16610 from my birth year (‘89)

[lava flow]

Originally Posted by Searchin4js

Walk in there with all that jewelry you bought last month and return it. When they ask why, tell em that you only bought it to establish a relationship with them. Since they can no longer get you your watch then you will take your business elsewhere to establish a relationship

and when you return the items please produce the contract signed by the AD to supply you with a Rolex watch, lol

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Searchin4js

Walk in there with all that jewelry you bought last month and return it. When they ask why, tell em that you only bought it to establish a relationship with them. Since they can no longer get you your watch then you will take your business elsewhere to establish a relationship

Depends if they have a policy to accept returns of unwanted goods, and within what timescale.

Retailers by law do not have to take back unwanted goods.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by DBCooper07

Hello all,


TLDR; Lost my AD, lost my purchase history, got to start all over again, I give up! Won’t buy grey, need advice.

Buy an Omega.

[RKTINC1]

Maybe a hand written note by the owner or lead sales person on your behalf to the next closest Rolex AD would go a long way toward sourcing your next watch. The Rolex rep may be able to use the note and the sold order to allocate a watch to you. You never know.

[Rmoor]

Radcliffe

Originally Posted by samson66

Ohhhhh, that's good to hear. Last time I was there in early December the staff hadn't heard anything. PM me some details if you can...

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Rmoor

Radcliffe

Nice!

They moving into the same space?

Sent from my Galaxy S20 using Tapatalk

[ap1]

Grey

[Calatrava r]

The market was totally different just a few years ago. You could call any AD, anywhere in the country, order a black GMT or Submariner/Date and have it shipped to you and, if out of state, no tax. No reason for anyone not to have a Rolex, except, a Daytona if they wanted one and had the funds a few years back. From what I am hearing it's not as hard as folks think to get a Rolex, if you're a new buyer and the AD believes you are a serious keeper and wearer of the watch. It's tougher for all those big spenders on many watches each year to get watches now because the ADs think they have plenty of Rolex watches (or should) and they will need to sell something to make room for the new watches feeding the pre-owned market with the AD's watches.

[casadecamporolex]

Originally Posted by crew

So with the loss of Wilson that leaves most of central NYS and the Finger Lakes without an AD. Rochester lost its AD about 4 years ago and I understand that Binghamton lost theirs sometime ago. It’s hard to fathom that Rolex has given up on that region. On the other hand, it’s not like they would have any watches to sell anyways, so…….

Been a customer of several of the “retired” ADs in central NY and all lost their dealer status by RolexUSA re-drawing the distribution networks. First Mann’s, then Van Cott Jewelers now Wilson….they were all generational family businesses that helped build the brand over all the years.
My buying days are over.
Will never ever purchase grey.

[SLWoodster]

Don't be so sad. You're just right back where you started. You've been here before except you used to have the audacity of hope.

[gerry100]

Looks like the Porsche strategy from 20 years ago.

There were dealerships in Albany, Pittsfield MA ( 30 miles east), Burlington VT , Syracuse and probably a few others around upstate.

The Albany store was like a Greyhound Bus station. They got forced out and a new dealership group built a palatial replacement.

Gotta believe somebody will step up in Syracuse/Rochester/Bingo