Scarcity or desire?

[alonzo]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

What's going on in your world that you find it necessary to eat New Kids on the Block cereal?

:-)))))))))))))

[Stew7]

Originally Posted by EDL7

A lot of people..either don't know what they really like..or dont actually like anything..
They buy stuff to please someone else's ideas and notions..not because they themselves actually like the item..
That's how companies get people to buy stuff..convince em it's great..sell the myth..and sell the product..
This goes from food ..to real estate..and everything in between..

So true. I always found the "which watch should I buy" threads a little odd? How would a bunch of strangers on the internet know what you like more than yourself? The reality is they don't actually know what they like and in the end just buy what is popular.

And with every one of those threads you have people that say "buy the one you like more, dummy" and others that say "buy a Hulk/Pepsi/BLNR/DayC or whatever because if you decide you don't like it you can flip it easily."

It happens in all hobbies like these where people enter the hobby and immediately gravitate towards what everyone else thinks is popular because it's the easy thing to do instead of be original. There are a ton of collections here with solely the popular 6-digit models and I always think exactly what the OP said.

[ale70]

I agree with most people here, that one should buy what he/she really likes.

I have been looking around at many other watches, but the truth is unfortunately, or fortunately, that there is NONE that I would wear instead of the BLNR.

So, the watches I own are not worn at all, and I thank God that I don't like the Daytona or other very trendy watches, although the BLNR is one of them, I guess....

[watchwatcher]

You know, that's a great point. It seems like many of the threads about "what should I buy next" these days are just backwards. And sad, IMO.

When a watch catches your eye, when it ignites your passion, when it fills your imagination, when you can't live without it...that's when you buy a watch.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

if the showcases were full with an unlimited supply of watches, would you still buy one?

If I wanted it then yes.

I do not live my life based on the whims of others

[jinikari01]

If I had a no limit bank account. Hell yeah I would buy all the models if I like them.

[Innocenti]

This is a great question.
My thoughts on it are rather muddled and confused.

I prefer the older 4 and 5 digit watches personally but part of me wants a new Pepsi or batman because I know they are difficult to get. However a larger part of me does t want one of these hard to get watches because I know what’s often required to get one.

-put my name down on a long waiting list , if I’m judged worthy by the dealer.
- suck up to the dealer by first buying other slower moving watches to qualify as a important customer.
- pay significantly over the list price from a grey dealer.

I guess the larger part of me doesn’t want to be or be seen as that kinda person

[Sublovin]

I appreciate these responses so far. The reality is that many people think they truly like or want something, when the reality is that they like the idea of having something that others can’t get.
I think this notion was in large part on display with what happened To Panerai. Many people followed the brand in the early 20000’s and would proudly express their “passion”, when the reality is that they felt like owning a Panerai was a ticket to an exclusive club.
I still like and own a few Panerai because my enjoyment was not driven by the perceived exclusivity. Many who used to long for a Panerai can now be seen on these forums making fun of the “oversized” watches because they are no longer exclusive or highly collectible. Instead, they now long for a new GMT! The funniest part of the whole thing is that some of the people who are the most guilty of this are the same ones who curse people who view watches as status symbols. Meanwhile, in reality, if you are chasing a watch only because it is scarce, you are probably doing it for that exact reason ....”status”. Look at me, look what I have, don’t you wish you had it?!
Whatever floats your boat as they say!

[Mystro]

I believe it might have been simpler before the internet when buying a Rolex. Those days made you work to get a Rolex catalog to even look at what models were available. I would spend hours flipping through the pages until the book would literally fall apart. I had no outside influence to to tell me my taste are wrong or unpopular. I think new buyers put way too much pressure on choosing a Rolex. If you like it, then its the right watch. Resale value just muddy's up the water as then you are scared to wear the watch or only buy a (current) hot model so you can bail easily.

[jinikari01]

Welcome to the world of HYPEBEAST. LOL.

[Innocenti]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=633184

This thread confirms it for me- I don’t want a high demand Rolex .

I’ll wait and see if demand dies down.

Maybe an old Pepsi is the one to get

[penguinrolex]

Read _Influence_ by Cialdini. The perception of scarcity is a major driving force to purchase.
I'm firmly of the opinion that the scarce models are underpriced by about $1,000. I think people would still buy some of the 'scarce' if they were in an AD display with that price bump, but not if they were regularly available from an AD at a much higher price.

Because the greys can capture and hide all available inventory, the perception of scarcity lets them raise the price by $3000 to 6000. Also they're sometimes buying in uk with vat refund, so even more profit.

[DoctorA]

Originally Posted by Sublovin

As I peruse the threads, I can’t help but thinking about the above question. I see soooo many threads of peo Me asking “should I buy _____?
I can’t help but think a lot of people are mistaking the opportunity to purchase a scarce watch as their desire to actually own that watch. In other words, if the showcases were full with an unlimited supply of watches, would you still buy one?
This is a question that I ask myself when shopping for a watch. I don’t want scarcity, or rarity to trick me into feeling as though I want something. Thoughts??

I am fully convinced that scarcity is what’s driving a lot of the desire! Many people (myself included) will buy a hard to come by watch just because of scarcity!
If TT becomes the new fad then we will find cases filled with ss GMTs and subs (well maybe not Daytona) and the TT will be the one going for premium
It’s marketing playing on human psychology

[Chadridv]

I'm not gonna lie and pretend that the hype surrounding certain models does not affect me.

I have always felt and still do that the #1 priority in selecting a watch should be that you simply love it. I truly believe that and follow that code.

That said the value and demand of certain watches definitely plays a role for me in which watches I choose.

If I'm being honest it's simply because I'm not a wealthy guy. I live in a modest home, drive modest cars, don't drink or smoke, rarely go out to bars, clubs and fancy restaurants. I live a simple life which is part of the reason I can afford this hobby. But the other part of that is that I'm usually careful about the watches I choose to purchase.

You can disagree with how I spend my money. I won't get mad or argue. But at the end of the day, knowing I can get most of my money back (if not more even than I paid) is a huge part of the reason why I get to enjoy this hobby.

Point being, there are plenty of amazing watches from Rolex and other brands I'd love to try, but the value simply isn't there and the risk is too high for me put my money in.

Now, ALL that said. I don't care what the demand calls for, I really want a new 126710 BLRO. If they had hundreds lined up in my AD I'd still buy one.

[Sublovin]

Seems like Rolex is doing a great job of marketing. This recent lack of supply shows that a healthy secondary market drives demand and sales. Keep production one less than what people want and others will jump on the bandwagon! I still think the lack of availability is by design, and it seems to be working.

[Muxi]

I would like to believe that my choices are primarily driven by my own individuality and it is, but the current market environment also adds to the excitement, sometimes urgency as you see the price slowly creeping up.

The value retention serves as an imaginary safety net, knowing the references you buy retain most of its value or even appreciate a bit. But I buy for me and I have never sold any of the ones I bought.

[peterpl]

Originally Posted by Muxi

but the current market environment also adds to the excitement, sometimes urgency as you see the price slowly creeping up.
.

This FOMO is what is exactly causing this hyper bubble. I hope you don't do any of your investments with this mentality.

The FOMO mentality can be dangerous especially in larger situations like multi-million dollar houses - I've seen many many people get burnt bigtime because of their fomo.

Lucky we are talking relatively small money with watches

[Rodolfo_4]

When the WG BLRO was out, I thought, if only they have it in SS

Then suddenly it was out, so the answer is YES I REALLY WANTED IT

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by peterpl

This FOMO is what is exactly causing this hyper bubble. I hope you don't do any of your investments with this mentality.

The FOMO mentality can be dangerous especially in larger situations like multi-million dollar houses - I've seen many many people get burnt bigtime because of their fomo.

Lucky we are talking relatively small money with watches

No worries, it’s only for the Daytona. I waited too long ��

But I'm wearing it everyday and my only regret is I should have bought it sooner.