Do AD’s expect you to keep their Watches forever?

[1William]

It depends on your relationship with your AD and the amount of money you spend with them. The better the customer the more room they have to move. I have discussed this with my AD and on any watch I buy from them that is sought after or hard to get, I have agreed to give them first choice on buying or trading it back. The catch is they will buy it back at market value. No one is going to give back a Daytona-C, Hulk, Pepsi etc. for significantly less than the value. We have done this on several watches and both of us have been satisfied. I also do not take watches that are hot that I know will not work for me. In the end, I respect my AD and the position they are in and I also know that the watch is mine should I decide to do whatever I want.

[77T]

I think the bigger question is one of control. Rolex and its ADs are attempting to control flipping activity.

The demand for certain models is beyond the production level and customers are unhappy with long delays to buy one.

Many of us who do not flip as a means to profit from this market demand dislike the control factors.

If you believe organized flipping hurts ordinary customers, and today’s controls infuriate you, do you have any ideas on a better way to control flipping for profit?



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[Henrimontgomery]

I had an interesting experience about flipping.

An acquaintance asked me if I was interested in quick buck.

The scheme was to go to multiple AD in the city, and register for whichever model I wanted, but it had to be a rare one. Once called by the dealer, his contact would provide you the cash, wait for you to purchase the watch, then acquire the item from you, with a few hundreds bucks as a bonus.

So there's that. Some flippers will pay strawmen to wait in line and obtain models, making them (flippers) safe from Rolex's wrath, as they have a nice, oblivious buffer in between.

[Speedbird-1]

Sell it back to the AD you bought it from?

[RichM]

Why should they even care? They have your money, you have your watch, which is yours to do whatever you want with it.

[DG123]

Originally Posted by Frank McKay

What if you just got tired of your watch after 3-4 years and sold it? would the AD find out and still ban you?

When you no longer want to wear the watch, gift it back to the AD. This is part of the relationship building process

[Crazy Lugs]

Originally Posted by padi56

Again any future owner dont necessarily have to be the buyer of the watch from any AD.And lets be honest how may would return any watch to any AD in the warranty period if any, a very very tiny proportion of all Rolex sold world wide.And the only information sent to Rolex is the case serial to activate the warranty no other details are sent, the newer cards have no name on the warranty so any Tom Dick or Harry name could be used at point of sale.The only name thats registered with Rolex is when ever that serial watch is sent in in for warranty work or service.

No-name warranty cards aren’t I’m currently in use in the US. I’ve purchased multiple times at AD- my drivers license is scanned and an iPad is used to activate the warranty for Rolex and Tudor products. The information is all there dude.

Not worth the risk, IMHO. I’d rather trade with AD and take a mild hit.

[thesharpe]

Originally Posted by Tavli3

Well try buying a new Ferrari here in South Florida, dealers are crystal clear about don't even think of selling the car to anyone but us. If you do you'll never see another new Ferrari again.

When I got my BLNR I ask my sales Rep to leave a certain sticker on as he was peeling away and he turned white and said are you Flipping this? So obviously ADs are concerned. Which I think is a good thing. As far as selling it in the future I think it's open for discussion when it would be good etiquette for you to be able sell your hot SS piece without ruffling any feathers at your AD.

Well I would walk straight out of the Ferrari garage and take my money elsewhere. Same with an AD with a watch. The AD’s want it all their own way. All this ‘buy some extra stuff and you may get what you want’ is a disgrace. They are fuelling the grey market with that attitude.

[mr ling]

Originally Posted by thesharpe

Well I would walk straight out of the Ferrari garage and take my money elsewhere. Same with an AD with a watch. The AD’s want it all their own way. All this ‘buy some extra stuff and you may get what you want’ is a disgrace. They are fuelling the grey market with that attitude.

I agree, although it can be deleterious to you getting what you want in many markets. I called an AD in Missouri the other day, and explained what I was looking for, and that I know they're SS models in high demand. I've never even walked into this shop.. that said it was a good conversation. The SA was seemingly knowledgeable, courteous, and up-front. I was up-front about knowing what I want, and not wanting to have to purchase other watches that I don't want just to build a relationship, to which he was totally fine with in conversation. I do need to have an in-person visit, and while he took my information, we both suspect it will be unlikely I'll hear anything soon with the current state of supply, and their VIPs that will get the few allocations of models I want.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Crazy Lugs

No-name warranty cards aren’t I’m currently in use in the US. I’ve purchased multiple times at AD- my drivers license is scanned and an iPad is used to activate the warranty for Rolex and Tudor products. The information is all there dude.

Not worth the risk, IMHO. I’d rather trade with AD and take a mild hit.

What if you did not have a driving licence would this prevent you from buying a Rolex watch, and I am not a dude.

[Calatrava r]

I think if an AD finds out you sold a hard to get watch they sold you, it would not help your chances of getting another scarce watch there. That is sort of the Rolex AD world we live in right now.

[Frank McKay]

Originally Posted by DG123

When you no longer want to wear the watch, gift it back to the AD. This is part of the relationship building process

I honestly had no idea you can sell your used watch back to the AD?

Would they buy back at near market value or closer to retail?

[Abmatt2002]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Actually I believe with some hard to get Porsche models exactly that does happen. I’ve heard stories of them retaining the registration document for a period of time.

Correct. Porsche HQ were clamping down on this, well supposed to be. There’s a guy on youtube, JayEmm who has done a few good videos on this subject.

The car market is in pretty much the same state where the enthusiast cannot purchase but the full time flippers can as the dealers were taking back-handers.

[DG123]

Originally Posted by Frank McKay

I honestly had no idea you can sell your used watch back to the AD?

Would they buy back at near market value or closer to retail?

Gifting (no money) the watch back to the AD is the way one builds a good relationship

[watchmework]

It’s one thing to buy a watch, wear and enjoy it for a while and to fall out of interest with it. It’s another thing entirely to buy a watch, never remove the stickers or ever wear it and then sell it for a profit.

[Abmatt2002]

Originally Posted by DG123

Gifting (no money) the watch back to the AD is the way one builds a good relationship

So how does this work? Or have I missed the sarcasm in your post?

[Frank McKay]

Originally Posted by DG123

Gifting (no money) the watch back to the AD is the way one builds a good relationship

Gifting? I don’t know about that Lol
At least retail for a hot SS piece. I would consider that.

[Crazy Lugs]

Originally Posted by padi56

What if you did not have a driving licence would this prevent you from buying a Rolex watch, and I am not a dude.

Ha- I thought that would annoy you over there across the pond! Just poking for fun.

One member here reported (in US) that an AD would not sell him a watch with his out of state drivers license. All in all it’s a sad state of affairs. I don’t think us Americans are exaggerating about the ridiculousness of the market- it’s just damn near impossible to get a decent watch at retail these days and you have to be careful not to screw it up if you want access to future offerings from an AD. It’s an entirely different story if you’re OK with adding thousands onto the price from a grey dealer.

Sad but true.

[DG123]

Originally Posted by Frank McKay

Gifting? I don’t know about that Lol
At least retail for a hot SS piece. I would consider that.

If you sell your watch back to the AD for retail but another guys gives his back as a gift to the AD, whom do you think will "get the call" when the next hot SS piece arrives at the store ?

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

The scheme was to go to multiple AD in the city, and register for whichever model I wanted, but it had to be a rare one. Once called by the dealer, his contact would provide you the cash, wait for you to purchase the watch, then acquire the item from you, with a few hundreds bucks as a bonus.

So there's that. Some flippers will pay strawmen to wait in line and obtain models, making them (flippers) safe from Rolex's wrath, as they have a nice, oblivious buffer in between.

Secondary market dealers paying the " strawmen " .. ??

Have to ask yourself how these dealers obtain their stock ...

(A straw man : A person regarded as having no substance or integrity )

1) Direct from ADs .
2) Hire "strawmen"
3) Flippers
4) ...and then now and then a real used watch sold by an owner for whatever reason.

[Rolexflex]

I have heard of AD's wanting to see the SS piece they previously sold you before giving you access to your next desired piece. AD's weed out what they believe are possible flippers in their own ways I suppose...

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[Citystar31]

Originally Posted by Rolexflex

I have heard of AD's wanting to see the SS piece they previously sold you before giving you access to your next desired piece. AD's weed out what they believe are possible flippers in their own ways I suppose...

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This is takes the bait for best comment on this thread lol! Like it’s been said it’s all relative to your relationship... let’s be honest if you just buy SS you are the lowest level customer they could care less about! SS pieces sell themselves 100x over no work needed! People are spending 6 figures a year at Rolex and trust me they aren’t going to bat an eye if you sell an entry level piece even a week after you got it! First, they might not like it and have 5 other references of that model! Secondly, they automatically get offered the hot watches due to their relationship and do you honestly expect them to turn down free money... or the AD to expect them to turn down free money lol! 🤷🏻*♂️

[Rolexflex]

Originally Posted by Citystar31

This is takes the bait for best comment on this thread lol! Like it’s been said it’s all relative to your relationship... let’s be honest if you just buy SS you are the lowest level customer they could care less about! SS pieces sell themselves 100x over no work needed! People are spending 6 figures a year at Rolex and trust me they aren’t going to bat an eye if you sell an entry level piece even a week after you got it! First, they might not like it and have 5 other references of that model! Secondly, they automatically get offered the hot watches due to their relationship and do you honestly expect them to turn down free money... or the AD to expect them to turn down free money lol! *

I read this over like 3 times trying to extract what it is your trying to say

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[Swiss Mad!]

all I can hear in my head is Andre 3000 singing Miss Jackson...

Forever? Forever ever..?

[Mystro]

AD's are given way too much power or thought. They sell a item, it's no longer their concern. They got their money and there is no contractual understanding other than my check didn't bounce. Who they choose to sell or dont in today's world has a massive reprocussion if even the idea you are not openly selling to any willing body of any color or sexual identity. Think about it. It's going to blow up and any brand holding the label of willingly hand selecting buyers will have a PR nightmare.

[Citystar31]

Originally Posted by Rolexflex

I read this over like 3 times trying to extract what it is your trying to say

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Basically I was laughing at your comment! That is not a practice anywhere and if it was it’s absolutely disrespectful! Those who only buy SS Rolex are not valued customers and those watches will see themselves to literally anyone! No AD in the history of the world has asked to see your old purchases...

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Actually I believe with some hard to get Porsche models exactly that does happen. I’ve heard stories of them retaining the registration document for a period of time.

Analogous common practice with Porsche, especially on hot GT models. Flip at your own risk.

[Rolexflex]

Originally Posted by Citystar31

Basically I was laughing at your comment! That is not a practice anywhere and if it was it’s absolutely disrespectful! Those who only buy SS Rolex are not valued customers and those watches will see themselves to literally anyone! No AD in the history of the world has asked to see your old purchases...

"That is not a practice anywhere"

"No AD in the history of the world has asked to see your old purchases..."

You sound super confident..yet you add

"and if it was it’s absolutely disrespectful!"

Sounds like your contradicting your own logic my man, are you sure it's never happened or are you throwing in an if which means your not totally sure after all hmmm

Thats alright though man, I see your into traveling to other countries and bundling additional watches for your purchases, bet you won't come off as "disrespectful" at your AD's, good for you man! If you jump through hoops like that I'm sure they would never ask to see previous purchases anyhow hey?



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[Atone]

Originally Posted by DG123

When you no longer want to wear the watch, gift it back to the AD. This is part of the relationship building process

[Atone]

Originally Posted by Mystro

AD's are given way too much power or thought. They sell a item, it's no longer their concern. They got their money and there is no contractual understanding other than my check didn't bounce. Who they choose to sell or dont in today's world has a massive reprocussion if even the idea you are not openly selling to any willing body of any color or sexual identity. Think about it. It's going to blow up and any brand holding the label of willingly hand selecting buyers will have a PR nightmare.

exactly, who cares if they get mad. it's all temporary anyway. this bubble rolex is in, the amount of turns we all have around the sun, all of it. i've been on a list for years sometimes and when i get the call i'm over it sometimes but grab it anyway as it's the last time i'll have a shot at a ss rolex for another year or more. if i sell or trade that piece for something else, maybe a motorcycle, that's my business. if the ad wants to never sell me a watch again, that's ok too. i don't really care.