Rolex Service and Loan

[BT12]

Why won't the AD loan me a Rolex while mine is being serviced????

[Sunshine]

Yea, they should have a case of Air Kings laying just for that.

[The GMT Master]

At any one time, an AD could have dozens of watches away for service. Why would they spend thousands on watches that could never be sold, and quite possibly come back in terrible condition?

[BT12]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

At any one time, an AD could have dozens of watches away for service. Why would they spend thousands on watches that could never be sold, and quite possibly come back in terrible condition?

Customer Service, To keep the customers happy of course.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by BT12

Customer Service, To keep the customers happy of course.

There's customer service, and then there's being unrealistic. This is the latter

[Sunshine]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

There's customer service, and then there's being unrealistic. This is the latter

WTF?

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Sunshine

WTF?

It's a completely unworkable concept, and expecting far too much. No viable watch business would have the ability to do this, it would be just throwing money away.

[Sunshine]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

It's a completely unworkable concept, and expecting far too much. No viable watch business would have the ability to do this, it would be just throwing money away.

I think the guy was just kidding.. ha,ha

[BT12]

Originally Posted by Sunshine

I think the guy was just kidding.. ha,ha

Some time people just don't get it.

[The GMT Master]

It's hard to tell when stuff like that is written down - given the number of threads I've seen where seemingly ridiculous statements (far more over the top than this - this is a question I have been asked several times before, always seriously) have turned out to be serious questions from the OP, I'd prefer to give a full and honest answer. Joke threads belong in the joke section, especially when there's cause for confusion like this.

[BT12]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

At any one time, an AD could have dozens of watches away for service. Why would they spend thousands on watches that could never be sold, and quite possibly come back in terrible condition?

Think outside the box. The AD is holding your watch as collateral. I don't think I would do harm to a loaned watch if a new my watch would pay the price. I would try a different model than the one i own therefore possible per swaying me to broaden my selection and purchase a different model from Rolex. Or the one that was loaned to me. After several returns the watch is then put up for sale used. To me or to whom ever.

[Puffy]

never heard of such a thing. Agree with Chris, the concept is unrealistic. At best they might offer you a beater in the interim

Most people on here will also have enough watches to tide them over while one piece is in for service

[dddrees]

Neat idea, in reality a bit hard to support I would think.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by BT12

Think outside the box. The AD is holding your watch as collateral. I don't think I would do harm to a loaned watch if a new my watch would pay the price. I would try a different model than the one i own therefore possible per swaying me to broaden my selection and purchase a different model from Rolex. Or the one that was loaned to me. After several returns the watch is then put up for sale used. To me or to whom ever.

I can see where you're coming from, but I think the major issue would be choice of models. Sports watches would be a no-go, as supply is limited enough already - if you wanted to have enough watches to cover a good number of people sending in watches for service, I'd estimate you'd need maybe 10 or 15 "courtesy" watches. That's a big outlay in anyone's money, even at cost, and then it is likely that basic models would be bought anyway. So, that means when it's time to move them on, you have 10 or 15 Air Kings sitting in your pre-owned cabinet. They're tough enough to sell brand new, let alone pre-owned. Even if you mixed it up with other models, like Datejusts and 36mm OPs, it would still be tough to move them on pre-owned.

I guess my point is that it would be a far wiser investment for an AD to invest in 15 new saleable watches than 15 watches that would have to be sold as soiled stock. The only workaround is if you charged a flat rate for the rental of the courtesy watch - that would cover the hit on the loss of profit. But then again, people grumble enough about the servicing costs, so to try and add another fee on top of that would be difficult. It would be just as easy to buy a cheap beater whilst their Rolex was away.

[Gottog]

Originally Posted by Sunshine

Yea, they should have a case of Air Kings laying just for that.

OUCH dude! ...or a case of pre-owned circa 80's two-tone datejust beaters with slightly scratched acrylics. You can have your pick. Be sure to get the optional insurance before you drive it off.. err... walk out the door with it.

[Richard.]

Viable? : I don't know but I suspect yes for all the reasons already stated.

Workable? : Definitely. I know of at least one AD who used to do just that. He says that he only stopped doing it when customers stopped asking. Presumably most people have more than one nowadays?

[danberger]

the AD would like the opportunity to sell you another watch when you drop yours off for service .... that is exactly how my wife ended up with a TT mid size yachtmaster !!!

if they had "loan" watches then they lose that opportunity !

[BT12]

Hey guys, thanks to all for entertaining this. Even if it is far fetched. Good questions great answers, that's what this forum is all about.

[Traveler]

Why don't you just by a 2nd Rolex ?

[Sunshine]

Well how about rental cars?

I bring my 65k BMW to the BMW dealer for warranty or factory recall repairs and what do they do? They put me in a BMW off the lot to drive for two or three weeks until my car is ready.... This happens all the time. And for the most part cars cost more than several Rolex models and require more up keep than watches. Not to mention a cars shows miles depreciating the value. My 16600 looks the same today as it did 4 weeks ago and the dealer cant do that with a car.....

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

At any one time, an AD could have dozens of watches away for service. Why would they spend thousands on watches that could never be sold, and quite possibly come back in terrible condition?

For the same reason you get a loaner at the Land Rover dealership when yours is in for service.

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by BT12

Think outside the box. The AD is holding your watch as collateral. I don't think I would do harm to a loaned watch if a new my watch would pay the price. I would try a different model than the one i own therefore possible per swaying me to broaden my selection and purchase a different model from Rolex. Or the one that was loaned to me. After several returns the watch is then put up for sale used. To me or to whom ever.

Great thinking outside of the box!!! I'm with you on this one.

[t e x]

.....so this thread isn't a joke after all

[WTB007]

Originally Posted by Richard.

Viable? : I don't know but I suspect yes for all the reasons already stated.

Workable? : Definitely. I know of at least one AD who used to do just that. He says that he only stopped doing it when customers stopped asking. Presumably most people have more than one nowadays?

If I found an AD that treated me like a king, that AD would have my loyal patronage for the rest of my life.

I don't know if I would want a Rolex loaned to me. I would be far too worried about scratching it. But the sentiment would be very appreciated.

[FlyingMoose]

Originally Posted by Puffy

Most people on here will also have enough watches to tide them over while one piece is in for service

From the polls I've seen, about half the people here only have a single Rolex.

[billyc]

Originally Posted by Sunshine

Well how about rental cars?

I bring my 65k BMW to the BMW dealer for warranty or factory recall repairs and what do they do? They put me in a BMW off the lot to drive for two or three weeks until my car is ready.... This happens all the time. And for the most part cars cost more than several Rolex models and require more up keep than watches. Not to mention a cars shows miles depreciating the value. My 16600 looks the same today as it did 4 weeks ago and the dealer cant do that with a car.....

Yeah...great in priciple....we run Land Rover Discoveries as company cars due to having to Tow large machines up and down the Country...we get courtesy cars when they go in for services, take what we are given...good for a day or so, but one of my colleagues lost an argument with a steel post on a site one day, his car was away for two weeks for the repairs...the only car they had available was a fiat 500...WOW...the guy is 6'4...funny sight and boy did he get ripped over this....so can you imagine if the same guy takes his rolex in for a service, it's away fo 5 or 6 weeks...the only watch the AD has is a nice.....lady datejust...mmmm very nice

[Grissom]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

At any one time, an AD could have dozens of watches away for service. Why would they spend thousands on watches that could never be sold, and quite possibly come back in terrible condition?

Originally Posted by BT12

Customer Service, To keep the customers happy of course.

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

There's customer service, and then there's being unrealistic. This is the latter

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

It's a completely unworkable concept, and expecting far too much. No viable watch business would have the ability to do this, it would be just throwing money away.

Originally Posted by Puffy

never heard of such a thing. Agree with Chris, the concept is unrealistic. At best they might offer you a beater in the interim

Most people on here will also have enough watches to tide them over while one piece is in for service

Actually, it is not so ridiculous a concept. Perhaps not as appropriate today, but, this was the way it was done, here in the US, 50-80 years ago, with respect to Railroad Watches. You left your watch for service and were issued a "loaner watch", until yours came back......Tool Watches, as it were!!

And, by the way, those loaner watches are now quite collectible, as well.

[t e x]

Originally Posted by Grissom

Actually, it is not so ridiculous a concept. Perhaps not as appropriate today, but, this was the way it was done, here in the US, 50-80 years ago, with respect to Railroad Watches. You left your watch for service and were issued a "loaner watch", until yours came back......Tool Watches, as it were!!

And, by the way, those loaner watches are now quite collectible, as well.

Happy Thanksgiving All,

Hey Griss... I guess nobody wanted a repeat of the the 1891 train collision at Kipton, Ohio, was caused by a watch having stopped for four minutes

[BT12]

Originally Posted by Traveler

Why don't you just by a 2nd Rolex ?

Why, I like my 1 just fine.

[snog]

it's a very workable concept,just means the service charge would quadruple.