Official Rolex store or AD?

[seanthome]

Was down in Costa Mesa looking at the new 116300 (posted about it in other thread) in an official Rolex shop. One thing the salesman mentioned that I want to ask your opinion about is their pricing. Since they are an actual Rolex store, they do full pricing with no discounts. I can find authorized dealers in Los Angeles who will offer discounts. But what the Rolex store offers is an exchange policy (for about 5 years I think), where you can bring your old model in and exchange it for any new model, and they will credit you the original purchase price of your old model.

This sounds like a good idea for people who like to lease cars because they always want the latest and greatest. I'm sure if I get the 116300 I'll be happy with it for a long time, but you never know what comes in the future. But with the way that Rolex already hold their values and how their prices appreciate, do you think its better just to get a discount now and just try to sell it later if I want to switch?

[TonyD]

Check the fine print. A lot of dealers do this. BUT there is a catch...... (Isn't there always?)

For mine you can trade a stainless watch towards a two tone which is of course a lot more money. Or you can trade in a TT towards a solid gold version which is of course a lot more still. I have also heard of places that will offer you full trade as long as you spend something like 50% more on the next piece.

Good luck!

[Lagunatic]

Originally Posted by seanthome

Was down in Costa Mesa looking at the new 116300 (posted about it in other thread) in an official Rolex shop. One thing the salesman mentioned that I want to ask your opinion about is their pricing. Since they are an actual Rolex store, they do full pricing with no discounts. I can find authorized dealers in Los Angeles who will offer discounts. But what the Rolex store offers is an exchange policy (for about 5 years I think), where you can bring your old model in and exchange it for any new model, and they will credit you the original purchase price of your old model.

This sounds like a good idea for people who like to lease cars because they always want the latest and greatest. I'm sure if I get the 116300 I'll be happy with it for a long time, but you never know what comes in the future. But with the way that Rolex already hold their values and how their prices appreciate, do you think its better just to get a discount now and just try to sell it later if I want to switch?

get a discount now and just try to sell it later if I want to switch

[onefastman]

This actually exists?

So I could buy a date just and trade it for a daytona 4 years later?

[thetuk]

I also bought my 16710 from them. From what I recall on their trade-up policy if I am not mistaken, the value of the new watch has to be at least twice of the watch you are trading in. For example, if you are trading in a $6,000 watch, the new watch has to be valued at $12,000 or more. Its worth to double check with them on all the fine prints though.

[azguy]

I've heard this before, you have to trade up, like precious metal up....

[SJK]

I frequent that store often because my wife loves to shop at South Coast Plaza, and I hang out there to kill time.

That place is not owned by Rolex, they are an AD like any other AD that sells Rolex exclusively. They can give you a discount but they choose not to. If you read their sign carefully, it says "Rolex presented by Baron & Leeds".

The salesperson did not give you the fine print on their trade deal....

They will take your watch in trade for the full value as long as the new watch that you are purchasing is atleast DOUBLE the value of your trade in.

Meaning that if you purchase a $8000 sub, you have to buy a $16,000 Daytona or something of the like.

It's scummy sales tactic/pitch at it's best.

The last time I went in, I struck up a conversation with the manager about my Rolex collection and he noticed that many of them were newer models. He asked why I didn't purchase any of mine from him, and I simply replied "No discount".

[seanthome]

Thanks guys for the info. Doubt that I will be purchasing from them now.

[dcash0615]

Great place to look. Not a good place to purchase. I occassionally drop by the store when at South coast Plaza and all I ever do is look. I never discuss price as I have no interest in purchasing there.

Buy at the best price you can from the most reputable source. Worry about resale value in the future, when and if you ever sell. I personally would not handcuff myself to one AD.

[SNY12]

i heard this aswell
i really wanna purchase from AD and get the best deal

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by seanthome

Was down in Costa Mesa looking at the new 116300 (posted about it in other thread) in an official Rolex shop. One thing the salesman mentioned that I want to ask your opinion about is their pricing. Since they are an actual Rolex store, they do full pricing with no discounts. I can find authorized dealers in Los Angeles who will offer discounts. But what the Rolex store offers is an exchange policy (for about 5 years I think), where you can bring your old model in and exchange it for any new model, and they will credit you the original purchase price of your old model.

This sounds like a good idea for people who like to lease cars because they always want the latest and greatest. I'm sure if I get the 116300 I'll be happy with it for a long time, but you never know what comes in the future. But with the way that Rolex already hold their values and how their prices appreciate, do you think its better just to get a discount now and just try to sell it later if I want to switch?

Hi seanthome

I'm a little confused trying to figure out the distinction you're making between "Official Rolex Store" and "Authorised Dealer".

A store is either an Authorised Dealer or they are not. AFAIK, Rolex SA does not have any stores (but maybe different for Rolex North America )

Only Rolex Authorised Dealers can sell NEW Rolex's.

[seanthome]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Hi seanthome

I'm a little confused trying to figure out the distinction you're making between "Official Rolex Store" and "Authorised Dealer".

A store is either an Authorised Dealer or they are not. AFAIK, Rolex SA does not have any stores (but maybe different for Rolex North America )

Only Rolex Authorised Dealers can sell NEW Rolex's.

I thought this shop at the SCP mall was an official Rolex store, but the guys here informed me that it is actually just another AD. They don't have any other sign besides the Rolex sign over their door. All the other ADs that I have visited in LA have an obvious display of their shop name.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by seanthome

I thought this shop at the SCP mall was an official Rolex store, but the guys here informed me that it is actually just another AD. They don't have any other sign besides the Rolex sign over their door. All the other ADs that I have visited in LA have an obvious display of their shop name.

The guys are wrong, sort of..

The "Official Rolex Stores" or Boutiques that are popping up are Dealers, true, but not "just another AD". But they are under exclusive contract to Rolex to sell only Rolex under the strict terms of the contract. The "Official Stores" have been completely scouted and located by Rolex and are a partnership, as opposed to a simple Jewelry Store with Rolex for sale in the back. The AD cannot simply say that they want to put a store at such and such a place and go out and get a Rolex Franchise..

The "Boutique" contract gives them certain advantages. For example, Rolex sets up a territory for them and will not allow another Dealer within this territory.. For that exclusiveness, the Contract Dealer must follow the contract as laid down by Rolex..

These contracts (exclusive partnerships) likely spell out exactly what pricing policy the Contract Dealer will follow or risk losing their Contract..

[broncophil]

i just bought my SUBc ND from them this past weekend.

this particular boutique doubles the warranty to 4 years..

i'm sure thats one of the perks they are allowed to offer, since they are ROLEX only.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Tools

The guys are wrong, sort of..

The "Official Rolex Stores" or Boutiques that are popping up are Dealers, true, but not "just another AD". But they are under exclusive contract to Rolex to sell only Rolex under the strict terms of the contract. The "Official Stores" have been completely scouted and located by Rolex and are a partnership, as opposed to a simple Jewelry Store with Rolex for sale in the back. The AD cannot not simply say that they want to put a store at such and such a place and go out and get a Rolex Franchise..

The "Boutique" contract gives them certain advantages. For example, Rolex sets up a territory for them and will not allow another Dealer within this territory.. For that exclusiveness, the Contract Dealer must follow the contract as laid down by Rolex..

These contracts (exclulsive partnerships) likely spell out exactly what pricing policy the Contract Dealer will follow or risk losing their Contract..

Thanks Larry, I think your very well described summary will help many here and clarify what an AD is.

Suppose it also goes to show not all AD's are created equal

[DG123]

Last year, here in San francisco, Tourneau opened a Rolex Boutique, but that store does not have a territory exclusive. A few blocks away is a jewlery store (Shreve and Company) which sells Rolex. And a few miles away , at Stonestown Shopping Center, there are two more Rolex AD's (Jade Galore and Ben Bridge).

My opinion of "Rolex Boutiques" is that Rolex is requesting that some large volume chains , such as Tourneau, open a boutique, and the chains are obliging. For their cooperation i assume Rolex is offering the AD some benefit, such as preferential inventory financing terms.

Originally Posted by Tools

The guys are wrong, sort of..

For example, Rolex sets up a territory for them and will not allow another Dealer within this territory.. .

[jctrolex]

Originally Posted by onefastman

This actually exists?

So I could buy a date just and trade it for a daytona 4 years later?

Baron and Leeds (at least the one in Maui) offer that as long as your new watch is at least 50% more than your last one.

[Z-Sub]

Rolex at South Coast Plaza is owned and run by Baron and Leeds as well.

The only "discount" I know they had done was if you bring a older Rolex in, they will give you free full RSC service for that watch but you pay full price for the watch.