Relative of AD Selling Hot Models on Gray Market

[Rado63]

Doesn't seem much different from an AD that also sells preowned.

[JonaG]

Find another AD and walk away.

[eco8gator]

Don't be a snitch!

[mcnealstash]

Originally Posted by beshannon

So I guess you do not want to buy a watch from them?

Like I was ever going to get it from them anyway when they just flip them on the gray?

[mcnealstash]

Originally Posted by fsprow

Don't want you to expose yourself to a lawsuit by the AD or party to them. Before contacting Rolex, make sure your "evidence" is hard and if you heard this from another individual, ensure they are willing to provide evidence themselves and stand up for its veracity, perhaps even in court.

Otherwise you may be considered liable for damages to the AD. We live in a litigious country.

I would never bring this to them without maintaining my anonymity. It is Rolex's business to investigate and all of the evidence is in the public realm- they will not have to search for long to learn what's going on with this family.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by mcnealstash

I would never bring this to them without maintaining my anonymity. It is Rolex's business to investigate and all of the evidence is in the public realm- they will not have to search for long to learn what's going on with this family.

Good plan !
Hope this results in action on a real travesty.

[J.P.Jones]

Originally Posted by eco8gator

Don't be a snitch!

Would you call him a snitch if he caught the dealer selling gas on the black market during the oil shortage? I know, a huge disparity between a necessity and a luxury item, apples and oranges, but it's exactly the same type of a person that does what the op alleges the AD is doing.

[drmizzou]

OP do you know for a fact that the watches being sold have warranty cards stamped by the AD in question? This all may be just a big coincidence that the family member is also a grey dealer and obtaining watches elsewhere. Benefit of the doubt ought to be the name of the game here. Also, like someone else said, honestly, this is pretty petty. There are much bigger injustices to be fought for. Good luck.

[J.P.Jones]

Originally Posted by drmizzou

There are much bigger injustices to be fought for.

I say - Be the change you want to see in the world.
He may be fighting to restore honesty in the Rolex trade, you - give a kidney to a complete stranger. Both are good Karma.

[mcnealstash]

Originally Posted by drmizzou

OP do you know for a fact that the watches being sold have warranty cards stamped by the AD in question? This all may be just a big coincidence that the family member is also a grey dealer and obtaining watches elsewhere. Benefit of the doubt ought to be the name of the game here. Also, like someone else said, honestly, this is pretty petty. There are much bigger injustices to be fought for. Good luck.

Yes- I have met with them in person after inquiring about what they were selling.

[NachoNeal]

It's not like this is illegal. At most it's a violation of some Rolex internal policy, kind of like when people complain about some imaginary right they have to being on the top of the Rolex 'waiting list'.

[DL19]

Tbh if AD's are taking advantage of potential clients by bundling watches, keeping watches in the back hidden and misappropriating supply... I don't see why the OP can't report them for breaching Rolex's official policies. Technically, its the AD in the wrong. The AD must have thought that the benefits outweighed the risks.

Of course, the OP's underlying intentions are a different story...

[ZeGerman11]

Interesting thread. I’ll share my take because I’m just sitting here bored on a Monday morning.

1. OP - you’ve been told by other AD’s to build a local relationship. Have you actually done anything to accomplish this? Going in and talking to the sales folks a few times doesn’t qualify. What have you bought that you believe should push you to the front of the line?

2. If the answer to #1 is nothing, then you probably weren’t getting anything “hot” at msrp anyway. In which case, the AD is providing liquidity by making watches available to you at market price. If they hadn’t, their best customers would continue grabbing them before they ever made their way to you. Refer back to first sentence.

3. While we may not like what this AD is doing as watch enthusiasts, it is not illegal and it is not causing anyone, anywhere in the world a single bit of harm. Taking this to the extreme, if your reporting to Rolex causes this AD to lose their ability to sell Rolex, and their family business goes under (you described it as a local family business), will you be ok with that? I personally would not, again, because they are not breaking any laws and are not causing harm.

I’m not saying this is a rule everyone should live by. I just don’t believe a difference of opinion around a legal, harmless business practice gives me the right to go after this business. I’m sure you have your own metrics you live by in this regard.

[djgallo]

It’s a dog eat dog world....and everybody is wearing dog bone underwear...

[zengineer]

I am pretty sure the local AD gets their Diet Coke from the owner's brother in law. Is there a hotline number?

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[jensonslee]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Anonymous letter to Rolex HQ in USA stating as much as you know. Or stroll into the AD and tell them you want a Rolex Daytona white dial in 24h or you’re ratting on them

That is cold blooded!

[Gman]

Who cares

1st world problem alert! Alert 🚨

[Watchflair]

Going to be hard to prove...

[ArtNouveau]

Rolex USA will not "open an investigation" based on an anonymous unsubstantiated "tip." At most you might get a form letter reply saying "our authorized retailers are independent businesses, thank you for your interest."

[padi56]

Guys will say this once and once only, the next member using any bad language will get a instant ban.

[RFBHD]

mmmmm lets see a whistle blower on the internet says a business is selling his goods that he owns in a manor we just cant accept. Judge jury and executioners say yes it must be true!!!! We read it online... We cant stand for that!!!! Hang em high!!!!! Seriously??? No way this could possibly be a troll topic.

[johnjm]

Originally Posted by mcnealstash

How do I send the information to Rolex?

Twitter/Instagram. Public shame lol

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[BigBoy17]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

While I am not totally simpatico with BigBoy's reply...

And, and while I personally think it would be slimy for an AD to sell hot models to a family member to get higher prices (if that is what really happened, this is sheer speculation, amplified by repetition on a blog)...

Here is my tongue in cheek reply to the use of "Boomer" by other generations when they are triggered by something they do not agree with. (Note: humor is something which some people but not all acquire through life lessons).

1. I will happily wear the mantle of "boomer" if it means I am not part of the new tide of compulsive whiners to whom not being able to get the latest hot model of a luxury watch from an AD at MSRP (and maybe with a discount) is a crisis of epic proportions.

2. And I will also happily wear my SS Rolex which I got from my AD via my "boomer" relationship.

3. "Old age and treachery always overcomes youth and skill." (Attributed too many, but sung the best by Waylon and Willie).

[Randy9999]

Originally Posted by Gman

Who cares

Exactly.

[Bybybmw]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

While I am not totally simpatico with BigBoy's reply...

And, and while I personally think it would be slimy for an AD to sell hot models to a family member to get higher prices (if that is what really happened, this is sheer speculation, amplified by repetition on a blog)...

Here is my tongue in cheek reply to the use of "Boomer" by other generations when they are triggered by something they do not agree with. (Note: humor is something which some people but not all acquire through life lessons).

1. I will happily wear the mantle of "boomer" if it means I am not part of the new tide of compulsive whiners to whom not being able to get the latest hot model of a luxury watch from an AD at MSRP (and maybe with a discount) is a crisis of epic proportions.

2. And I will also happily wear my SS Rolex which I got from my AD via my "boomer" relationship.

3. "Old age and treachery always overcomes youth and skill." (Attributed too many, but sung the best by Waylon and Willie).

[mcnealstash]

My question was answered- mods can feel free to shut this down whenever.

[Cloudchaser]

Considering that I've been contacted by two state tax boards and doxxed at one of the AD's from which I flipped a watch, OP's mentality is not in any way isolated.

There is a certain undeniable resentment in the game that is not going away any time soon.

[mcnealstash]

An update:

I called Rolex's New York office this morning- the information I provided was forwarded to a territory sales manager for my region in the U.S. I was also told to email their client relations group with all of the digitial proof of these watches being flipped by the child of the owner, who also happens to be an employee of the AD in question. They thanked me for bringing this case to their attention.

The person I talked to at Rolex was very polite and said this is absolutely not what the brand wants to be happening but sadly it is taking place across the world at the moment. She also described the situation that corporate is in and it sounds like it has gotten completely out of control for them- because of the current AD's unwillingness to cooperate with Rolex corporate policies and run shady operations like what I've seen locally, she said it was likely we will see a more dramatic shift towards the brand opening more boutiques with larger shipments to these boutiques, and shutting down small time local dealers that don't follow the rules. It is unfortunate that a few rotten apples are spoiling the bunch, so to speak.

[Calatrava r]

The aftermarket premiums are just too much for some dealers to ignore. It explains why it is so hard to obtain hot models at retail from ADs.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by mcnealstash

An update:

I called Rolex's New York office this morning- the information I provided was forwarded to a territory sales manager for my region in the U.S. I was also told to email their client relations group with all of the digitial proof of these watches being flipped by the child of the owner, who also happens to be an employee of the AD in question. They thanked me for bringing this case to their attention.

The person I talked to at Rolex was very polite and said this is absolutely not what the brand wants to be happening but sadly it is taking place across the world at the moment. She also described the situation that corporate is in and it sounds like it has gotten completely out of control for them- because of the current AD's unwillingness to cooperate with Rolex corporate policies and run shady operations like what I've seen locally, she said it was likely we will see a more dramatic shift towards the brand opening more boutiques with larger shipments to these boutiques, and shutting down small time local dealers that don't follow the rules. It is unfortunate that a few rotten apples are spoiling the bunch, so to speak.

Very interesting. Thank you for the report back to TRF.


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