When AD looses Status

[Wingslogo]

When any of you have seen a local AD loose status... (I’d imagine there is no announcement) but do they discount any prices? Return their inventory, or continue to sell until all are gone?

Our local ad’s in Nashville are loosing their AD status and have called some customers to notify them of such. Not sure if it’s worth going into see what’s left or just let it be.







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[EndlessEight]

They pay for the watches up front. So they’re theirs to gray.

[schoolboy]

I say go, and then report back to us! I’m curious to know if discounts will be had as well.

[dlav]

My local AD here in Connecticut lost their status and said they just received a three line letter form Rolex saying that the relationship was ending, full stop. Left the AD with a bit of a mess returning deposits, etc. Sad to see...

[Rebel]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

They pay for the watches up front. So they’re theirs to gray.

This.

[exador]

Just means they can't order any new watches. The ones they have in stock will sell as usual.

[MickCollins1916]

Originally Posted by dlav

My local AD here in Connecticut lost their status and said they just received a three line letter form Rolex saying that the relationship was ending, full stop. Left the AD with a bit of a mess returning deposits, etc. Sad to see...

Saw a similar thing play out here in Maryland. Brief letter, followed by relatively quick removal of signage, and the rest of it. I got some notice and an (unnecessary) apology about their inability to execute a promise on a DaytonaC (following on the 116520, which was my first of several purchases from them).

I like dealing with those guys and if they pick up Omega or something else interesting, I’ll still be their customer.

[brandrea]

Our local AD lost their status back in 2011. At the time, Rolex was just beginning to require AD’s to invest more heavily in revamping their stores to showcase the product line ... almost boutique like settings. My AD was an older gentleman and couldn’t see himself investing in the store remake so it was sort of a mutual parting of the ways.

He simply sold off his inventory at a discount. I bought my first ceramic gmt from him for list less 20%. Those were the days.

[iatacs19]

Not like it matters these days, the expensive displays are almost always empty.

[sond86]

I seen some lose status they get a notice, in the past had a chance to try and fill any last orders,
we’re still on the directory for maybe a month before they were dropped off
Then had to remove signage.
My former ad One had a watchmaker onsite was still able to order service parts for a period of time after bit that ended too.

[MickCollins1916]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

Not like it matters these days, the expensive displays are almost always empty.

Case in point, an AD I stopped in this afternoon had THIS to show me...




...or not show me, as things turned out.

[dysert]

Everything else is in the back waiting for the "right" customer.

[cdmorenot]

A local AD lost status without notice. I had purchased something from them around the 5th of that month. I found out they lost AD because by around the 12th of that month most of their stuff was sitting at the jewelry exchange where my buddy has a store.


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[ArtNouveau]

A couple of years ago a longtime dealer around here was closing for good, the owner retiring and his family not interested in continuing the business. I didn’t find out until they were almost out of watches (they also sold Breitling, Bell and Ross, TAG, and a few others). There was one small case of Rolex left, nothing but jewel encrusted twotones and PM’s. There was no sign up like on the other watches and jewelry but the clerk told me price was negotiable.

[Navarino]

No personal experience with this regarding Rolex, but bought my Lange Saxonia in a similar situation where a jewelry store was giving up its status (due to the opening of a Lange boutique in the area). Was essentially told they were very flexible on price -- they could either sell the watch (obviously above their cost basis) or return it to Lange as new inventory at cost. It was a great opportunity to get a brand new watch at a price essentially near the AD's cost.

I don't see how well that would play out with Rolex, especially in demand models. You could probably get a discount on a slow-moving piece, but I wouldn't expect any deals on SS professional line models (if they even have any left to sell)!

[Daveclock]

A Rolex used dealer in the UK told me some time ago when an AD near them lost their status "quite spectacularly" - he said Rolex turned up, removed signage and paid for unsold stock to deprive them of ever selling it. Choose to believe or not as I can't remember the full details (and I know how this goes on forum....!) Lol.

[maxymax]

Originally Posted by Daveclock

A Rolex used dealer in the UK told me some time ago when an AD near them lost their status "quite spectacularly" - he said Rolex turned up, removed signage and paid for unsold stock to deprive them of ever selling it. Choose to believe or not as I can't remember the full details (and I know how this goes on forum....!) Lol.

Interesting...could have been due to unAD like conduct

[kultschar]

My AD lost status and then had a big Rolex sale (before the dark times lol)

It was a nightmare for me as they were awesome with me and I’ve never found another AD like them and lost all my history so to speak :(

[westsiderkg]

How is Rolex not starting to be embarrassed by this nonsense.

I'd rather they show something in the case, then say you cant have it versus nothing in the case.

At least you could try it on then.

Poor customer service imho.

Shesh!

[Sublovin]

I have never seen an AD loose status. I have seen a guy in the dessert trying to find water, however.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Daveclock

A Rolex used dealer in the UK told me some time ago when an AD near them lost their status "quite spectacularly" - he said Rolex turned up, removed signage and paid for unsold stock to deprive them of ever selling it. Choose to believe or not as I can't remember the full details (and I know how this goes on forum....!) Lol.

You do know that under UK Law Rolex couldn’t just turn up and do that?

The worst they could do is obtain a a Court order compelling the AD to remove the signage by a date and possibly require the return of stock for cost

I’m in the non believer camp on that one

[dtwer]

Originally Posted by Daveclock

A Rolex used dealer in the UK told me some time ago when an AD near them lost their status "quite spectacularly" - he said Rolex turned up, removed signage and paid for unsold stock to deprive them of ever selling it. Choose to believe or not as I can't remember the full details (and I know how this goes on forum....!) Lol.

Yeah in a few years your story might get repeated by many and morph into something Tom Clancy-like:

"on that fateful day, two dozens of Rolex black ops operators rappelled from 4 black helicopters hovering overhead and quickly surrounded the tiny shop. Dressed in full tactical gear and black balaclava, the operators gained entry into the shop, secured the shop personnel, and proceeded to dismantle and confiscate all things Rolex related in the shop; signage, paraphernalia, and Rolex watches.

Once the operators completed the operation they evacuated the premises, leaving only a brown paper pouch on the counter. Inside the pouch, the shop owner found cash in an equivalent amount of the MSRP for all the Rolex watches being confiscated, and a note. The note says: 'If you go public with this, we will be back.'"

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by maxymax

Interesting...could have been due to unAD like conduct

Also quite impossible

[RyanJ]

Originally Posted by westsiderkg

How is Rolex not starting to be embarrassed by this nonsense.

I'd rather they show something in the case, then say you cant have it versus nothing in the case.

At least you could try it on then.

Poor customer service imho.

Shesh!

Because Rolex fanboys don't care. They will do anything to get a hot model.

[watchmaker]

As far as I recall from discussions in the past with colleagues that run ADs, the distribution contract between an AD and Rolex includes a clause detailing the return of stock at cost price in the event the contract is terminated.

[Daveclock]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

As far as I recall from discussions in the past with colleagues that run ADs, the distribution contract between an AD and Rolex includes a clause detailing the return of stock at cost price in the event the contract is terminated.

Thanks for that!
I will get a name from him next time I see him, but would not post it here anyway.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

As far as I recall from discussions in the past with colleagues that run ADs, the distribution contract between an AD and Rolex includes a clause detailing the return of stock at cost price in the event the contract is terminated.

My local AD lost status a few months ago. They had a clearance sale. All Rolex watches were 25% off. Of course, all they had were datejusts and one 116619LB.

[Daveclock]

Originally Posted by Devildog

You do know that under UK Law Rolex couldn’t just turn up and do that?

The worst they could do is obtain a a Court order compelling the AD to remove the signage by a date and possibly require the return of stock for cost

I’m in the non believer camp on that one

Good for you, honestly I don't post Sh*t posts/comments and do state what I know or firmly believe to be the truth, but really I it seems almost better to say nothing on here.
The contract they entered into with the jolly green giant probably has some pretty well thought out clauses and agreements.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

My local AD lost status a few months ago. They had a clearance sale. All Rolex watches were 25% off. Of course, all they had were datejusts and one 116619LB.

116619LB at 25% aint too bad!

[prwdmd]

Think I know which shop you're talking about in Nashville... I've noticed their Rolex section is mostly empty... AP is doing the same thing with their AD's around the world... it's unfortunate.