Prediction: will Rolex briefly allow online sales?

[Cwillis0001]

Originally Posted by CashGap

I don't go down to a cobbler and barter milk when I need shoes, I don't wire back east and ask them to send a grain mill on the next train, and I'm pretty much done with Rolex's "Mad Men" era of distribution.

I'm with you, brother. I've never been a guy who likes to spend much time in a jewelry shop and I probably never will be.

[FrontHeadlock]

Originally Posted by Yess

What's the difference to now?
If ADs in my area/city go online - what do you expect - them to just list all the Hulks they have in the safe? They would simply have a place-holder for the watch, and you would click on a link that sent them your details. You'd probably get an email/call - most ADs are OK with customer service - but they would just state what they would state in person: don't have stock but we can put you on this imaginary wait-list.

I purchased a Rolex from the other side of the world at an AD all via email - everything was handled via email until I went to the AD and picked-up the watch. If you want to buy online - it's easy to do so already. Expecting the ADs to somehow just have stock available online... dreaming!

Lol, exactly.

And even IF lots of ADs did that, you'd just have greys (or tech companies working for greys) constantly monitoring AD websites and buying up stock of hot models. In fact that would be even better for greys and worse for both ADs and consumers.

[zhqiang]

I don't think so. We buy Rolex is not for wathching time.

[mjr24]

Maybe dumb question.....but did not see it in the OP's link to the Patek article.

If Patek is selling online....are buyers guaranteed a delivery date?
I mean, Rolex could never do this.......could they? Could be years until you get a Daytona or Hulk. I don't see how they could manage this if supply is supposedly that much more than demand.

I think this might be do-able for less popular models.

[L_S_SHOE]

Rolex is a organization like any other. It’s run by people. Some are smart and some aren’t. They can do wrong. They can mismanage. They are not infallible. If Rolex thinks that they’re above the problems of the world, they’re not. If they think they’re immune to recession, they’re wrong.

This is an opportunity for Rolex to join the rest of us in the 21st century. Besides, it’s only natural that a company as controlling as Rolex should also control the sale to the end user.


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[Cwillis0001]

Originally Posted by mjr24

I mean, Rolex could never do this.......could they?

Of course they could, it's just a question of whether or not they want to. I mean, if their up-market role model PP is doing it I would say anything is possible...

[Sandpit]

It would be great if they could do some kind of verification process for buyers first. Otherwise I fear that it would be even easier for flippers and greys to get their hands on pieces.

Edit to add...I don't think Rolex will want to keep their sales closed for too long. Yes they may be very profitable but they will also have incredible overheads and business costs to cover.

We don't know how much cash they have in the bank, but rule number 1 for business has to be profit and revenue. They won't want their cash reserves depleted when they know there are buyers out there.

I don't ever pay any attention to the charitable foundation status (or whatever it is). They aren't a charity, they're a business like any other with a purpose of making money.

[gesus]

Originally Posted by Old Farmer

If it did happen, I can see the claims for compensation from the the AD,s being substantial.

Rolex has the luxury to pick and choose who they want to sell their products, regardless if it's AD's or themselves. Any risk's associated with the inventory is fully transferred to the AD once the transaction is completed. As far as I know, Rolex doesn't consign their inventory to AD's, they sell it to them.
Long story short, Rolex won't owe the retailer a thing if they can't move their inventory.

The longer this pandemic goes on for, the more Rolex will look into a direct to consumer strategy. Like every other business around the world, how long can they sustain a drop in revenue for? What they ultimately do will be dependent on their bottom line. Hell, if Patek did it, anything is possible.

[Nairn1980]

I don’t see it happening at all.......

IF it did, it wouldn’t include sports models, so people’s vision of adding a GMT Pepsi to their virtual basket isn’t going to happen.

[vanhwrd4]

Originally Posted by frankmp

Yesterday is now today, if you did'nt buy it, can you share which dealer so I can check online and see if they will ship across border and assuming its msrp!! thx

I am buying it, hope to have it Wednesday. Will post pics once I receive.


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[WhiskeyNovember]

Rolex would not devalue the brand by selling online. They have no shareholders to report to and are extremely cash rich. A few months to a year shutdown won’t hurt them. It will hurt the “SS models will soon be MSRP again” crowd, however, as there will be even less supply this year and moving forward.

[Arcticsub]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyNovember

Rolex would not devalue the brand by selling online. They have no shareholders to report to and are extremely cash rich. A few months to a year shutdown won’t hurt them. It will hurt the “SS models will soon be MSRP again” crowd, however, as there will be even less supply this year and moving forward.

Having no shareholders and being "extremely cash rich" equals Rolex not having to obey even the most basic laws of economics. Roger that.

[alex.cicollo]

Originally Posted by cj3209

+1 and I am NOT a millenial...

+ 1 too


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[Cwillis0001]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyNovember

Rolex would not devalue the brand by selling online.

How would that devalue the brand? Is buying a Rolex across the hall from a Sbarro or in the same strip mall as a Starbucks somehow classier?

[calebb90]

AD’s still won’t list hard to get / high demand pieces online even if they could. If there is leverage on their side, they’ll use it. Nothing changes except the ability to buy the watches always in the cases without having to get out of bed.


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[calebb90]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

I don’t see it happening at all.......

IF it did, it wouldn’t include sports models, so people’s vision of adding a GMT Pepsi to their virtual basket isn’t going to happen.

Exactly


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[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

I don’t see it happening at all.......

IF it did, it wouldn’t include sports models, so people’s vision of adding a GMT Pepsi to their virtual basket isn’t going to happen.

Unless they went to an online auction format. That would be... interesting.

[PenDelicate]

On-line sales doesn't seem to offer the ... luxury buying experience.

[askdanny]

Rolex does allow its ADs to sell online. But CPO watches only.

[alllexandru]

Interesting thoughts about Rolex selling online, wonder how this thread will age.

[KatGirl]

Why do 3 year old threads keep popping back up?

Kat


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[INC]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Why do 3 year old threads keep popping back up?

Postcount++ OR spambots