POLL. Rolex, online sales.

[Speedbird-1]

If Rolex sold watches direct, via internet site, would you buy?
If not, why not?


Please, give your reasons for your choice......if you feel like it.


I would, definitely, if it meant getting the watch I want, when I wanted it.

[brandrea]

No. I want my Diet Coke

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by brandrea

No. I want my Diet Coke

Right on right on ...

[makak]

In a blind second

[beshannon]

I need to touch and try on first, so this would be a resounding no from me.

[exador]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I need to touch and try on first, so this would be a resounding no from me.

Pop down to your local AD and ask to touch and try on a new BLRO then let us know how it went

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by exador

Pop down to your local AD and ask to touch and try on a new BLRO then let us know how it went

You have to buy a TT Datejust in order to try the BLRO on.

[Double Barrel]

Not sure, as I love arguing for discounts in general. I don't like to pay retail prices in anything.

[GoingPlaces]

Not sure, I would still hunt for deals on PM's. SS sports, probably would.

[Cesarmsi]

Well.... I have a mix feeling about this. Part of me will buy off their website like I pretty much do everything else. BUT!!! If it becomes "TOO" easy get the watch you want we may loose the trill of the HUNT! Finding and getting your hands on that hard to get watch has a level of enjoyment all by it self and being able to get it online whenever may take away from that.

Just my humble opinion......

[Dilemma]

Ten years ago my answer would have been a resounding no. Today, I’m not so sure. I think part of the exclusivity -or perhaps perceived exclusivity- is the brick and mortar experience. Which of course is ridiculous given the myriad online sales sites.

I vote; ‘I dunno’ with a ‘Beats me!’ for good measure.

[jsausley]

I'm going to vote no because I think online direct sales hurts a brand's value. I have no interest in buying a TAG or Omega that can be bought instantly online. Secondly if these watches are available online, it probably still means a gray market dealer will have them cheaper (just like Jomashop has Omegas far cheaper than Omega.com). So even with DTC it wouldn't be a good idea to buy from Rolex.com.

There are problems with the Rolex distribution process but DTC isn't the answer.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Lt Virgil Hilts

If Rolex sold watches direct, via internet site, would you buy?
If not, why not?


Please, give your reasons for your choice......if you feel like it.


I would, definitely, if it meant getting the watch I want, when I wanted it.

i vote no because if its online only, there are no AD's. That also means you will never be able to try on a watch. Its the Amazon.com argument. Its successful in part because there are B&M stores for people to showroom in. Take that ability away and people might rethink a major purchase.

In the short term, yeah we have all tried on most watches. 10 years later and no new models to see first it gets to be a bit more pronounced of an issue.

Also its a luxury purchase, not a pair of underwear you are ordering. Online cheapens it.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i vote no because if its online only, there are no AD's. That also means you will never be able to try on a watch. Its the Amazon.com argument. Its successful in part because there are B&M stores for people to showroom in. Take that ability away and people might rethink a major purchase.

In the short term, yeah we have all tried on most watches. 10 years later and no new models to see first it gets to be a bit more pronounced of an issue.

Also its a luxury purchase, not a pair of underwear you are ordering. Online cheapens it.

They could have Rolex "try-on" Kiosks located in shopping malls near the Foot Lockers, just down from the Sunglass Hut and mobile phone protector kiosks.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by CRM114

They could have Rolex "try-on" Kiosks located in shopping malls near the Foot Lockers, just down from the Sunglass Hut and mobile phone protector kiosks.

that has luxury written all over it. Swatch has a kiosk at a mall i go to frequently as well

[penguinrolex]

No
Because thus would simply make it easier for the Grey market to capture the supply of high demand models. Grey market prices would go up another 30%.
Think of how quickly Adele concerts sell out... And then the same tickets all go on sale for 2x to 10x

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by penguinrolex

No
Because thus would simply make it easier for the Grey market to capture the supply of high demand models.

That, my friend, has already happened, hasn't it?

Almost £20,000 for a SS GMT ?????

Rolex could use the 'flagship' AD's as collection centres, thereby monitoring purchasers.
The 'touts' turning up with a wheelbarrow, to collect their bundles of 'watch coffins' could be shown the door.

or do this: I got tickets to Hamilton on the west end for next week at face value. Guess how i got them? They don't allow you to flip them. They don't issue a ticket and you have to bring your ID and Credit Card to the performance to be admitted. If it doesnt match, you cant get in. There is no way i could sell them on Ebay. (thanks to Tyler1980)

The queues on the night would be fun tho'.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by penguinrolex

No
Because thus would simply make it easier for the Grey market to capture the supply of high demand models. Grey market prices would go up another 30%.
Think of how quickly Adele concerts sell out... And then the same tickets all go on sale for 2x to 10x

exactly. People with more computer skills sit in their basement and game online ordering systems. If you think you have a real chance of a good seat at a popular concert then you would be wrong.


I got tickets to Hamilton on the west end for next week at face value and it was actually pretty easy. Guess how i got them? They don't allow you to flip them. They don't issue a ticket and you have to bring your ID and Credit Card to the performance to be admitted. If it doesnt match, you cant get in. There is no way i could sell them on Ebay. Thus you actually have to want to show up and its not impossible to get tickets. Otherwise people with no intention of going would buy them all and most people have no interest in going. Kind of like Daytonas.

AD's try something similar with holding warranty cards to make resale more difficult and people throw a fit.

[joli160]

Yes, I would. Not very font of AD sales tactics. Don’t care for freebies either.

[T01]

I would yes, but I value the AD relationship. There's something to be said about brick and mortar.

[Cru Jones]

What would people post about if they could get the watches they want, when they want them. ;-)

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

What would people post about if they could get the watches they want, when they want them. ;-)

...all the places its not safe to wear them

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

...all the places its not safe to wear them

[Mephist]

Rolex should absolutly sell every Rolex online from their website. Cut out the middle man (AD's) and get full control over supply and demand and no more supplying the gray dealers. However I doubt they will do it because too many people like the "AD experience"

Also would be much better if you could just add yourself to the Rolex wait list directly on their site and wean your number comes up they send you the Daytona or what ever watch you put yourself on the list for. In 15 years I think this will be reality. Maybe they keep a few AD's around the world that they own themselves just so people can try out the different watches before buying.

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

...all the places its not safe to wear them

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

What would people post about if they could get the watches they want, when they want them. ;-)

Stickers and steering wheels of course!

(Hey, that might just be the title of my next book!)

[FirstF80InSpace]

I would absolutely buy online. I would be more than happy to put down a deposit for a Daytona and wait my turn rather than play the spend $200K to get at the top of an AD list game.

[tottallyoff]

the delivery may be a little problematic since so many packages are 'lost'.....

[FirstF80InSpace]

Originally Posted by tottallyoff

the delivery may be a little problematic since so many packages are 'lost'.....

Would be no different than buying from DavidSW. I imagine they would ship them FedEx high value insured or something equivalent.

[Bigblu10]

If we didn't have AD's, that would be one less thing to complain about on TRF!