Watches back in the shops

[JSolution]

That was an anti climax saw the picture and thought you got it on a walk in !

[whited3]

Can't wait until we see "rare" exhibition models offered on the secondary market It's hard for me to relate to these new AD games because I got involved before that started and I'm not remotely interested in joining. But I do hope you get your allocations.

All I can say is I wish I had bought/not sold more rolexes before 2017... although the rise of steel did allow me to comfortably acquire some PM pieces before those too rose. The rolex brand has IMO much more to offer in terms of differing and interesting references in the secondary market versus ADs

[cbalster]

I bought a bluesey from the display case, Mar 2021, fwiw. This was in the SF Bay Area in California.

[Oyster Lover]

Again, just so everyone understands why there aren't any watches in AD glass cases:

(1) Covid restrictions have made manufacturing a "bit" more slow, and supply chains a "bit" more slow.

(2) Folks with money always keep on buying, and folks without money still make foolish purchase decisions because they perceive the brand as "rare" or "hard to get", and FOMO drives them.

(3) Store personnel (yes, even ADs) are selling to friends and neighbors, who flip the watches for a profit.

There are so many people in the market now trying to make a living off these watches, that the regular folks who love the brand are squeezed out.

Think about it: when you can buy a Daytona at retail for $13k, and sell it for $28k - $32k, this kind of spread is enough for someone to actually make a living on, if he/she sells just a few watches a year...

So who is the patsy in this story? Joe Schmo who goes out and buys these watches now at above Retail is the patsy and who is getting shafted. But isn't this always what happens?

PS - a somewhat similar scenario is playing out right now with US home sales as well. Sure, Covid has hit builders with some extra costs, but the fact that Investors are buying homes for cash because they want the rents and perceive this market as somewhat secure, this leaves far less inventory for regular folks who then have to engage in gladiatorial combat and pay much much more, just to buy something. Again, this plays out the same way, and has played out the same way, in many markets, and many times...

Don't get sucked into playing this game and don't go licking some AD's boot, just to get placed on some stupid list... And definitely, never, ever buy a watch or jewelry you don't want, just to be able to get a watch. Have some self esteem, pick up the phone, and call Rolex in Switzerland to complain about the AD (or just email!). Trust me, Rolex is not going to like hearing this...

[Oxfordian]

I am thankful that I have some great Rolex watches, a Submariner and a DJ41, my wife has TT and SS DJ’s so if my AD decides they want to make me jump through hoops for any more watches then I will be more than happy to walk away and spend my money elsewhere.

Rolex is a great watch to own but there is plenty of alternative choices out there, just need to look.

[Shaitan]

My friend went to my AD on my recommendation. Sadly he had no idea about Rolex so he ended up buying 2 OP, 2 DJ and a ladies datejust. When I told him to ask for a submariner or gmt he did. After checking with the SA and meeting him after work to hand him an envelope with £500 my friend got a date sub 2 days later. That’s at a big AD chain in London. Disgraceful, I am not going back there. Rolex must know this goes on and they do nothing about this

[Oyster Lover]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

My friend went to my AD on my recommendation. Sadly he had no idea about Rolex so he ended up buying 2 OP, 2 DJ and a ladies datejust. When I told him to ask for a submariner or gmt he did. After checking with the SA and meeting him after work to hand him an envelope with £500 my friend got a date sub 2 days later. That’s at a big AD chain in London. Disgraceful, I am not going back there. Rolex must know this goes on and they do nothing about this

This is exactly the type of crap I'm talking about. If regular folks don't stand up and say something, then this type of disgusting behavior will continue.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

My friend went to my AD on my recommendation. Sadly he had no idea about Rolex so he ended up buying 2 OP, 2 DJ and a ladies datejust. When I told him to ask for a submariner or gmt he did. After checking with the SA and meeting him after work to hand him an envelope with £500 my friend got a date sub 2 days later. That’s at a big AD chain in London. Disgraceful, I am not going back there. Rolex must know this goes on and they do nothing about this

How would Rolex know about this, they don’t know as the SA is not telling anyone about this, this is a scam, and you have been a victim.

If you and your friend went to the see the manager of the big chain shop in London and told them what you have put on this forum the member of staff would be suspended, interviewed and ultimately sacked.

No chain would condone this behaviour from its staff and would act to sort it. Before everyone jumps on this and says that this happens at all AD’s let’s be honest, it doesn’t. This is a rouge employee abusing their position.

Report them and get it stopped.

[Shaitan]

Originally Posted by Oxfordian

How would Rolex know about this, they don’t know as the SA is not telling anyone about this, this is a scam, and you have been a victim.

If you and your friend went to the see the manager of the big chain shop in London and told them what you have put on this forum the member of staff would be suspended, interviewed and ultimately sacked.

No chain would condone this behaviour from its staff and would act to sort it. Before everyone jumps on this and says that this happens at all AD’s let’s be honest, it doesn’t. This is a rouge employee abusing their position.

Report them and get it stopped.

I am tempted to do it, my friend just hopes to get a Batman out of him first after wasting all thet money on worthless DJ and OP’s.. This SA is mentioned on a lot of Google reviews about that London branch “he’s going the extra mile” - now I know what that means.
I know the manager there, he put me on the list for the blue dial Daytona - and I’ve been ignored by my SA for weeks now because is refused to buy another crappy DJ or OP after purchasing a YM. My grey market guy says it’s common practice at many London AD’s, slip them some cash and get the watch quicker. My SA is an uptight Asian lady so I’m getting nowhere. Going to buy the white gold blue dial grey soon - done with these pathetic games. Bought all my other watches grey, happily pay extra to not have to lick someone’s feet for a steel watch.

————————————————————————————-—
114060, 116710LN, 116610LV, 116520, 116619LB, 268622

[whited3]

Originally Posted by Shaitan

he had no idea about Rolex so he ended up buying 2 OP, 2 DJ and a ladies datejust

LOL wow. Gotta admit there's some humor in there somewhere.

Originally Posted by Shaitan

envelope with £500 my friend got a date sub 2 days later.

Also there's some pragmatism in this one... more interesting if he'd got something even "hotter"

[1665fan]

Report and BAN the AD!!!!!!!

[NickD1975]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Report and BAN the AD!!!!!!!

I'm pretty sure all the UK guys know which AD it is that the OP is talking about and I don't think Rolex would kick them out of bed - they are the AD in most towns and cities in the UK and Rolex sales would suffer for a while. Might help supply everywhere else though!


The request for biographical info is interesting. My job is data protection, and I'd be very surprised if they've got the justification required to take and use that information.

[1665fan]

Is it a watch if it doesn’t tell time??????

[47Fountain]

Originally Posted by Bucky

Went to my Local Ad today to register for a Bluesey and BLNR on Jubilee. The other large well known chain I have been on a “list” for over two years keep changing the rules and have had enough of the nonsense.
The well known chain insisted that to buy a Rolex I had to have a purchase history. Was close to buying another brand and then got told that to buy a Rolex I had to have a purchase of buying a Rolex?? Then got told I also had to fill out a bio to help with my register of interest.
So I enquired about the Bluesey while I wait for the BLNR to become available and to help me have purchase history.
Kept on calling every month or so to find out what was happening and if management were allowing me to buy the Bluesey. A few days ago I got told that I was not allowed to buy the Bluesey either but maybe should get a Datejust model which I could then flip but would then have purchase history.
Decided to call another AD that is not affiliated with this other chain. They invited me in to register for the two watches I am interested in and had a nice chat about watches and they said they would never ask a client to purchase something they didn’t want or spend extra money on jewellery to get a good spend history.
They gave me a honest time frame and said it might be sooner but they seemed much more friendly and honest and they also said they receive watches so I just have to be patient and my time will come.
They had watches in the display cases which was so nice to see again with non working movements but reminded me of the days when you could go into a Rolex shop and try on watches.
Sales assistant was lovely to deal with. Asked to see my Hulk I had on. Asked if they had the Rolex magazine issue 9 and he went out to the back to get me one.
Am hoping the wait for my new watch won’t be too long but it’s nice to deal with a honest AD who doesn’t play the games that the big chains do.

Save your dignity, call a trusted seller & have your BNIB watch in 48 hours.
Any AD that tells you "you're on the list" is lying straight to your face.

[TomLou]

[QUOTE=Bucky;11620788]
to register,
on a “list” for over two years
to buy a Rolex I had to have a purchase history.
I also had to fill out a bio
if management were allowing me to buy
I got told that I was not allowed to buy
Watches with non working movements on display ?

I was telling my father of all the trouble you went through to buy a Rolex
He looked at me with bewilderment and said, it’s easier in Vietnam.

[Bucky]

[QUOTE=TomLou;11622361]

Originally Posted by Bucky

to register,
on a “list” for over two years
to buy a Rolex I had to have a purchase history.
I also had to fill out a bio
if management were allowing me to buy
I got told that I was not allowed to buy
Watches with non working movements on display ?

I was telling my father of all the trouble you went through to buy a Rolex
He looked at me with bewilderment and said, it’s easier in Vietnam.

Yes it is hard in the U.K. as the main big chain plays silly games and bundles and gives preference to big spenders. Not sure why you mentioned about me not being allowed to buy the watches with non working movements???? I never said anything about me wanting to buy the display watches I just said it was nice to see watches in display cases again.
Hopefully this new AD I register with will be a lot better to deal with. They seemed very genuine and were amazed with the the other ad’s requests

[Shaitan]

[QUOTE=Bucky;11622412]

Originally Posted by TomLou

Yes it is hard in the U.K. as the main big chain plays silly games and bundles and gives preference to big spenders. Not sure why you mentioned about me not being allowed to buy the watches with non working movements???? I never said anything about me wanting to buy the display watches I just said it was nice to see watches in display cases again.
Hopefully this new AD I register with will be a lot better to deal with. They seemed very genuine and were amazed with the the other ad’s requests

Would you care sharing in a pm which AD you are going to now? I’m done with WOS and their gang, goldsmiths etc. And your find sounds like a rare gem in London

[TomLou]

[QUOTE=Bucky;11622412]

Originally Posted by TomLou

Yes it is hard in the U.K. as the main big chain plays silly games and bundles and gives preference to big spenders. Not sure why you mentioned about me not being allowed to buy the watches with non working movements???? I never said anything about me wanting to buy the display watches I just said it was nice to see watches in display cases again.
Hopefully this new AD I register with will be a lot better to deal with. They seemed very genuine and were amazed with the the other ad’s requests

The “not being allowed to buy” was meant for the message you got from the previous kind Rolex dealers - the comment that they had Rolex with non working or without movements was for the display in the second dealer, which is an oddity and never heard …of let’s say a Mercedes dealership displaying hard to get cars without engines, so punters can get a whiff of what could they have had in their driveway.
I honestly think even the second independent dealer no matter how honest they are, they will not supply some hot models if they can get triple retail or double retail…not now not ever…or rather as long as this black market watch business is going on, it is sad really…. it’s all Rolex Geneva fault.