Rules don’t apply to the Rich and famous

[BKScripto]

Originally Posted by Giovannibravo

I think at the 2.5 years mark it is best to take your business elsewhere.

I agree! That's why the ball is in their court now... The next gift I want to buy for the wife is not coming from the AD even though they have a nice high quality selection. I'm sure I can find whatever they sell online (and for cheaper) lol. Unless of course they come through with a watch .. but I won't hold my breath.

[BKScripto]

Originally Posted by Giovannibravo

I completely understand, Brian. If you read my post from yesterday, I am in a similar situation. I would suggest just going grey and enjoying the watch there you truly want. In the worst case, they get you never get the watch. Perhaps, they will call in the future, and you can sell the one you bought grey. I wish you all the best. Rolexs are amazing. But the obsession and stress that goes with it are not.

I'm thinking very seriously about grey... I like Rolex a lot, but don't think they are worth more than MSRP honestly. Market disagrees with me but that's okay.

The sub date is about 2k over retail+tax right now on grey market... that has come in some as of late and making me think about it hard. I really want the GMT batman but at this point I don't want to stomach the premium.

I have a trip of a lifetime coming up this summer and would love to take a Rolex with me around the world... that's what really has me obsessing over getting one soon.

[Giovannibravo]

Originally Posted by BKScripto

I'm thinking very seriously about grey... I like Rolex a lot, but don't think they are worth more than MSRP honestly. Market disagrees with me but that's okay.

The sub date is about 2k over retail+tax right now on grey market... that has come in some as of late and making me think about it hard. I really want the GMT batman but at this point I don't want to stomach the premium.

I have a trip of a lifetime coming up this summer and would love to take a Rolex with me around the world... that's what really has me obsessing over getting one soon.

For me, I feel the GMT grey prices are a little too much. I always look at it as a percentage of the retail price. I have a Submariner. If I could only have one watch it would be that. I would say the Date would be best for you unless you like the clear look of the ND. I look forward to hearing what you do. Life is too short.

[destrodan]

Couple of thoughts to share:

There's often a delicate dance - and a 'reading between the lines' - that goes on between a SA at the AD and a non-regular customer. The SA can't be too direct...so they talk in code.

SAs know very well that a direct quid pro quo will be frowned upon by Rolex and could cost the AD their Rolex partnership. For some of these Jewelers, Rolex is keeping them afloat (it brings in customers who not only spend on Rolex but also buy other inventory that otherwise might not move as quickly or at all) so they'll do whatever they need to in order to protect that lucrative relationship. They, and many of us, have seen what happens when a local AD becomes too nonchalant by pushing the boundaries of their Rolex arrangement...*poof* the pipeline of Rolex watches shipped to their store is closed. But the AD does need to pay the bills by moving inventory so they'll talk in code and see how they can arrange a good outcome for both parties.

The coded conversations go something like this (part joke/part real):

Customer (maybe a hobbyist) walking into the AD: "I'd like to buy a Daytona." [translation: I'd like to buy the most wanted Sports Rolex at MSRP knowing full well that you, as the AD, are basically giving me free money since Daytonas are fungible for cash in short order...not saying I'd do this as I plan to keep it for a long time and pass it to my great-great-grandchild...but even by keeping it, it's nice to know that I bought a Daytona at a 50 percent discount from the current market rate. And you're just the guy to make this happen!).

SA: "Great to see you here again. As you know, Daytonas are the hardest watches to source." [translation: I have five of them in the safe...but I haven't seen you in the store for years buying other - less fungible, less transferrable and less liquid - inventory from me that's worth far less money as soon as you walk out the door. But I'm happy to talk with you for a few minutes.]

Customer: "Yeah, life has been busy, let me tell you..." *talks about the job, the kids, the new house, big smile on the face, yada, yada*...anyway, I really wanted to come in many times over the years, but life just happens sometimes, ya know? [translation: I really don't want your other inventory - I don't know what I'd do with that $30,000 gold dolphin with diamond-set eyes that you audaciously tried to sell me the last time I was in, other than use it for a paperweight. I want the real 'goods.']

SA: *smiles, nods at the appropriate times in the Customer's story, maybe genuinely cares but keeps getting distracted in his head with the little buzzer at the door - salivating like Pavlov's dog - as other potential customers come in while this customer is talking about Billy's little league practice.* "I hear you, life really is crazy these days...tell you what, do you remember that gold dolphin with the diamond-set eyes? I remember a few years ago you said it was too big and it's just your luck that we received one in stock that's smaller! It's only $14,000 - a real bargain!" [translation: Look, I have folks who will take this Daytona, ship it to another country and sell it for double within 10 days and I get to unload some of my less desirable watch brand inventory at close to MSRP at the same time or maybe get a cut in a different way. I also have a whale who just bought $100K in jewelry on a whim for his wife the other day and is just getting into Rolex...what are you going to do for me other than ask for free money?]

Customer: "Oh yeah...that was a really beautiful dolphin...it's just that...well, my youngest daughter is allergic to gold...really a shame...but that reminds me, I still really love that sterling silver golf putter you sold to me for $10,000 three years ago..I use it all the time in my office during lunchtime..." [translation: I REALLY DON'T WANT YOUR CRAP GOLD DOLPHIN WITH DIAMOND-SET EYES! I already spent $10,000 buckaroos PLUS tax for that sterling silver putter that's collecting dust in the corner of my office...surely you should remember how much you owe me and our close relationship!]

SA: "I'm so glad you love that sterling silver putter...you know, I just received some gold golf tees that would go really well with that putter! They're only $16,000 for 10 of them!" [translation: Sir, do you realize that when you bought that sterling silver putter, the company had marked the product up by 50% from cost. So what you really did was pay the company about $3,000 with the other $7,000 going to that weird artist guy who makes these silver putters (I don't know why we stock them). And I only got $300 from the deal. But, still, that $3,000 did get you the Submariner that you wanted within two months at List. Be grateful and realize that you already cashed in that chip for the Submariner. Sorry, buddy, no dice for the Daytona. Gotta offer me something today to 'build our relationship'.]

Customer: "Yeah...that's great...let me think about it...I gotta talk with the misses...oh, and my daughter has that gold allergy...think of the children...but tell you what, my brother loves smaller sterling silver dolphins with diamond-set eyes and I see one over there...if I bought the smaller sterling silver dolphin for his Christmas present right now, will you throw in a Daytona that you might have in the back office safe, if you know what I mean?" [translation: how dare you, you ungrateful cur, I can only sell that sterling silver putter that you sold to me for the price of silver these days! What a waste! I gave you $10,000 - almost enough to make up the difference between the Daytona MSRP and current market price! You'd only need to give me $5,000 in free money to make up the difference to get to market price! You should be grateful! But, I really want that Daytona...so here's my final offer and it's take-it-or-leave-it. I'll walk out the door with both the sterling silver dolphin AND the Daytona in my hands since I don't know if you'll ever offer me the Daytona in the future if I just buy the sterling silver dolphin today - do this deal right here, right now, or you get ABSOLUTELY NOTHING from me!]

SA: "That really is a nice sterling silver dolphin, you have a good eye! I guarantee it's the most beautiful sterling silver dolphin with diamond-set eyes in the city! Tell you what, I'll give you a 10 percent discount on the dolphin just because we have a close relationship and I'll definitely put you on the list for the Daytona. As I said, we're lucky to get one or maybe two Daytonas per year and you're very important to me. I'll do what I can..." [translation: I'm not going to enter into a direct quid pro quo transaction with you today that could be seen by Rolex - if they find out, maybe by you squealing - as breaking the spirit of our partnership agreement for a crap sterling silver dolphin. And even if I sell you that silver dolphin today, it would only net the AD about $2,000 after covering the cost of the product...you've got a long way to go, buddy, before your eyes will be looking back at you from the polished center-links of a Daytona bracelet in this store. But I'll work to get you there if you'll work with me by making future purchases and are committed to the spend.]

Customer: "Wow, that's a fantastic deal! I'll...oh, there's my phone buzzing, the spouse...you know how these things are...I've got to go pick up the kids from batting practice. Tell you what, I'll come back when we're closer to Christmas to buy the sterling silver dolphin...but can you put me on the list for the Daytona?" [translation: no way in hell am I going to have a sterling silver dolphin with diamond-set eyes on the shelf next to my sterling silver putter that's collecting dust in my office UNLESS you sell me that Daytona at List at the same time. You want me to buy a lottery ticket and hope. Nope. Already did and you merely got me a Submariner. I'll wait out my time on the Daytona list. I will buy my Daytona in a few years at a 50 percent discount from current market price and you will be the one to sell it to me.]

SA: "Well it's been wonderful chatting and hearing about Billy's little league games. I'll definitely put you on the list...but it does take some time. [translation: you just wanted me to give you free money today and wasted my time. One of those Daytonas in the back will be picked up today with some unsold watch inventory that you're not interested in by one of my discrete Grey dealers. And the whale said he'd be back in a few weeks. But I'll put you on the list...expect 7-10 years.]

-------------

Celebrities are a different animal altogether. They have market and advertising reach. In other words, they're a multiplier when they say good things - or when they say bad things - about an AD. ADs want to be on their good side, not on their bad side...especially while they tweet.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by sm84

If I were to use an analogy, even if u were just a regular customer with your everyday bank, you could transact with the same bank at a different location or different state without being treated indifferently. Hope that makes sense.

This would only be an "analogy" if each branch had a finite allocation of transactions per year, in which case the out-of-towners would again be out of luck.

[BKScripto]

Originally Posted by Giovannibravo

For me, I feel the GMT grey prices are a little too much. I always look at it as a percentage of the retail price. I have a Submariner. If I could only have one watch it would be that. I would say the Date would be best for you unless you like the clear look of the ND. I look forward to hearing what you do. Life is too short.

I have to agree with that, but hoping over the next few years GMT grey prices come down a bit. We’ll see.

You are spot on, sub with date function is a must for me. I’ve tried a Tudor with no date, although it was a lovely watch I missed the date function so I sold it.

Life is definitely too short, although I’ve been pretty patient with this purchase… I’ve decided to either buy the watch before my trip in June or at latest buy it at the end of the year. We shall see.

[amh]

Listen to "Fortunate Son" by CCR. It has always been thus.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by BillA

Confucius says: “He who buys what they don’t need is a fool”

And given that nobody "needs" a Rolex....

[Nads786]

Originally Posted by BKScripto

I'm thinking very seriously about grey... I like Rolex a lot, but don't think they are worth more than MSRP honestly. Market disagrees with me but that's okay.

The sub date is about 2k over retail+tax right now on grey market... that has come in some as of late and making me think about it hard. I really want the GMT batman but at this point I don't want to stomach the premium.

I have a trip of a lifetime coming up this summer and would love to take a Rolex with me around the world... that's what really has me obsessing over getting one soon.

You have to get a Rolex before that trip. I have a European trip with my parents and brother and that’s my stake in the ground before my birthday. I need to have this watch on my wrist by September 1st.

[VictorGMT]

Originally Posted by destrodan

Couple of thoughts to share:

There's often a delicate dance - and a 'reading between the lines' - that goes on between a SA at the AD and a non-regular customer. The SA can't be too direct...so they talk in code.

SAs know very well that a direct quid pro quo will be frowned upon by Rolex and could cost the AD their Rolex partnership. For some of these Jewelers, Rolex is keeping them afloat (it brings in customers who not only spend on Rolex but also buy other inventory that otherwise might not move as quickly or at all) so they'll do whatever they need to in order to protect that lucrative relationship. They, and many of us, have seen what happens when a local AD becomes too nonchalant by pushing the boundaries of their Rolex arrangement...*poof* the pipeline of Rolex watches shipped to their store is closed. But the AD does need to pay the bills by moving inventory so they'll talk in code and see how they can arrange a good outcome for both parties.

The coded conversations go something like this (part joke/part real):

Customer (maybe a hobbyist) walking into the AD: "I'd like to buy a Daytona." [translation: I'd like to buy the most wanted Sports Rolex at MSRP knowing full well that you, as the AD, are basically giving me free money since Daytonas are fungible for cash in short order...not saying I'd do this as I plan to keep it for a long time and pass it to my great-great-grandchild...but even by keeping it, it's nice to know that I bought a Daytona at a 50 percent discount from the current market rate. And you're just the guy to make this happen!).

SA: "Great to see you here again. As you know, Daytonas are the hardest watches to source." [translation: I have five of them in the safe...but I haven't seen you in the store for years buying other - less fungible, less transferrable and less liquid - inventory from me that's worth far less money as soon as you walk out the door. But I'm happy to talk with you for a few minutes.]

Customer: "Yeah, life has been busy, let me tell you..." *talks about the job, the kids, the new house, big smile on the face, yada, yada*...anyway, I really wanted to come in many times over the years, but life just happens sometimes, ya know? [translation: I really don't want your other inventory - I don't know what I'd do with that $30,000 gold dolphin with diamond-set eyes that you audaciously tried to sell me the last time I was in, other than use it for a paperweight. I want the real 'goods.']

SA: *smiles, nods at the appropriate times in the Customer's story, maybe genuinely cares but keeps getting distracted in his head with the little buzzer at the door - salivating like Pavlov's dog - as other potential customers come in while this customer is talking about Billy's little league practice.* "I hear you, life really is crazy these days...tell you what, do you remember that gold dolphin with the diamond-set eyes? I remember a few years ago you said it was too big and it's just your luck that we received one in stock that's smaller! It's only $14,000 - a real bargain!" [translation: Look, I have folks who will take this Daytona, ship it to another country and sell it for double within 10 days and I get to unload some of my less desirable watch brand inventory at close to MSRP at the same time or maybe get a cut in a different way. I also have a whale who just bought $100K in jewelry on a whim for his wife the other day and is just getting into Rolex...what are you going to do for me other than ask for free money?]

Customer: "Oh yeah...that was a really beautiful dolphin...it's just that...well, my youngest daughter is allergic to gold...really a shame...but that reminds me, I still really love that sterling silver golf putter you sold to me for $10,000 three years ago..I use it all the time in my office during lunchtime..." [translation: I REALLY DON'T WANT YOUR CRAP GOLD DOLPHIN WITH DIAMOND-SET EYES! I already spent $10,000 buckaroos PLUS tax for that sterling silver putter that's collecting dust in the corner of my office...surely you should remember how much you owe me and our close relationship!]

SA: "I'm so glad you love that sterling silver putter...you know, I just received some gold golf tees that would go really well with that putter! They're only $16,000 for 10 of them!" [translation: Sir, do you realize that when you bought that sterling silver putter, the company had marked the product up by 50% from cost. So what you really did was pay the company about $3,000 with the other $7,000 going to that weird artist guy who makes these silver putters (I don't know why we stock them). And I only got $300 from the deal. But, still, that $3,000 did get you the Submariner that you wanted within two months at List. Be grateful and realize that you already cashed in that chip for the Submariner. Sorry, buddy, no dice for the Daytona. Gotta offer me something today to 'build our relationship'.]

Customer: "Yeah...that's great...let me think about it...I gotta talk with the misses...oh, and my daughter has that gold allergy...think of the children...but tell you what, my brother loves smaller sterling silver dolphins with diamond-set eyes and I see one over there...if I bought the smaller sterling silver dolphin for his Christmas present right now, will you throw in a Daytona that you might have in the back office safe, if you know what I mean?" [translation: how dare you, you ungrateful cur, I can only sell that sterling silver putter that you sold to me for the price of silver these days! What a waste! I gave you $10,000 - almost enough to make up the difference between the Daytona MSRP and current market price! You'd only need to give me $5,000 in free money to make up the difference to get to market price! You should be grateful! But, I really want that Daytona...so here's my final offer and it's take-it-or-leave-it. I'll walk out the door with both the sterling silver dolphin AND the Daytona in my hands since I don't know if you'll ever offer me the Daytona in the future if I just buy the sterling silver dolphin today - do this deal right here, right now, or you get ABSOLUTELY NOTHING from me!]

SA: "That really is a nice sterling silver dolphin, you have a good eye! I guarantee it's the most beautiful sterling silver dolphin with diamond-set eyes in the city! Tell you what, I'll give you a 10 percent discount on the dolphin just because we have a close relationship and I'll definitely put you on the list for the Daytona. As I said, we're lucky to get one or maybe two Daytonas per year and you're very important to me. I'll do what I can..." [translation: I'm not going to enter into a direct quid pro quo transaction with you today that could be seen by Rolex - if they find out, maybe by you squealing - as breaking the spirit of our partnership agreement for a crap sterling silver dolphin. And even if I sell you that silver dolphin today, it would only net the AD about $2,000 after covering the cost of the product...you've got a long way to go, buddy, before your eyes will be looking back at you from the polished center-links of a Daytona bracelet in this store. But I'll work to get you there if you'll work with me by making future purchases and are committed to the spend.]

Customer: "Wow, that's a fantastic deal! I'll...oh, there's my phone buzzing, the spouse...you know how these things are...I've got to go pick up the kids from batting practice. Tell you what, I'll come back when we're closer to Christmas to buy the sterling silver dolphin...but can you put me on the list for the Daytona?" [translation: no way in hell am I going to have a sterling silver dolphin with diamond-set eyes on the shelf next to my sterling silver putter that's collecting dust in my office UNLESS you sell me that Daytona at List at the same time. You want me to buy a lottery ticket and hope. Nope. Already did and you merely got me a Submariner. I'll wait out my time on the Daytona list. I will buy my Daytona in a few years at a 50 percent discount from current market price and you will be the one to sell it to me.]

SA: "Well it's been wonderful chatting and hearing about Billy's little league games. I'll definitely put you on the list...but it does take some time. [translation: you just wanted me to give you free money today and wasted my time. One of those Daytonas in the back will be picked up today with some unsold watch inventory that you're not interested in by one of my discrete Grey dealers. And the whale said he'd be back in a few weeks. But I'll put you on the list...expect 7-10 years.]

-------------

Celebrities are a different animal altogether. They have market and advertising reach. In other words, they're a multiplier when they say good things - or when they say bad things - about an AD. ADs want to be on their good side, not on their bad side...especially while they tweet.

Grey dealer "1.5 times MSRP"

Me "1.4 times MSRP shipped"

Grey dealer "Sold"

Me next day "On my wrist"

Everyone polishing their stupid dolphins "I'll never pay over MSRP"...

[Bartolo]

I can state that for sure the rules DO apply to rich & famous.

I know salespeople very well at 2 local single-brand boutiques that have told me that when professional athletes from one of our teams want a 'jump in line,' they've been turned down.

Now I'm not saying that they ALL get treated that way, but the status as both rich and famous doesn't help 'em all out.

[Sglider]

I went and looked around, would still like a GMT and anticipate getting another DateJust for myself first,

but I don't see anywhere that you can purchase a new BLNR or other configs at 1.5 times MSRP. I could consider that price. It's more though like 1.9

[destrodan]

Originally Posted by VictorGMT

Grey dealer "1.5 times MSRP"

Me "1.4 times MSRP shipped"

Grey dealer "Sold"

Me next day "On my wrist"

Everyone polishing their stupid dolphins "I'll never pay over MSRP"...

---------

Yup. I'm with you.

In some ways I wish that when the market turns hot every so many years, Rolex would just publish a daily or weekly Exchange Rate table of MSRP-marked-to-market for ADs. Then the SAs at the ADs would have clear rules and can merely speak directly (saving everyone a lot of time without all of the indirect word games and months/years of games), "This is the price that I can offer you...deal?" After I check the prices with a 3-5 minute search on my phone, I could say "Done. Pack it up and here's the cash."

This will likely never happen due to the complexities of the market.

And so Greys and Secondarys take the risk, provide this service that no one else can, and get the reward of the spread between MSRP and current market rate.

[77T]

Don’t think the visits found anything new in the past 3 years…

https://www.rolexforums.com/showpost...92&postcount=1

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Rico_Brasole]

Originally Posted by VictorGMT

Grey dealer "1.5 times MSRP"

Me "1.4 times MSRP shipped"

Grey dealer "Sold"

Me next day "On my wrist"

Everyone polishing their stupid dolphins "I'll never pay over MSRP"...

Right, you just paid above msrp for a used watch that probably has been passed around, beaten about, polished up nice and good and the gray told you it’s hardly been worn and it’s practically brand new. Unless you bought a fully stickered version.

Congrats on paying more for a used item!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by VictorGMT

Everyone polishing their stupid dolphins ...

I’m not following the Dolphins reference


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[anodyne13]

Everyone wants what they can’t have. Rolex just plays “hard to get”. Has worked since the beginning of time.

[malba2366]

Originally Posted by sm84

So, I ended up asking how is it that, if that is the case there still are flippers and people who seem to be able to release a hot watch that probably is just announced in a matter of days on to a grey market site? How is it that the rich and famous can openly say that they buy watches as investment pieces with the obvious intent of flipping, and still be offered more pieces? So are you only selling to the rich, and the rules don’t apply to them? They don’t get blacklisted etc?


What are your experiences?

The flippers are paying off AD Management to buy the watches, or they are overpaying for other (non price controlled) items to be sold watches at MSRP. People hate on the grey dealers, but I know a few people in the game and it is not the grey dealers that are making a killing from the current scenario.

Famous people (real celebs, not insta clowns) are allocated watches directly from Rolex, or they have huge spend histories already...these people are not flipping watches.

[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by destrodan

Couple of thoughts to share:

There's often a delicate dance - and a 'reading between the lines' - that goes on between a SA at the AD and a non-regular customer. The SA can't be too direct...so they talk in code.

SAs know very well that a direct quid pro quo will be frowned upon by Rolex and could cost the AD their Rolex partnership. For some of these Jewelers, Rolex is keeping them afloat (it brings in customers who not only spend on Rolex but also buy other inventory that otherwise might not move as quickly or at all) so they'll do whatever they need to in order to protect that lucrative relationship. They, and many of us, have seen what happens when a local AD becomes too nonchalant by pushing the boundaries of their Rolex arrangement...*poof* the pipeline of Rolex watches shipped to their store is closed. But the AD does need to pay the bills by moving inventory so they'll talk in code and see how they can arrange a good outcome for both parties.

The coded conversations go something like this (part joke/part real):

Customer (maybe a hobbyist) walking into the AD: "I'd like to buy a Daytona." [translation: I'd like to buy the most wanted Sports Rolex at MSRP knowing full well that you, as the AD, are basically giving me free money since Daytonas are fungible for cash in short order...not saying I'd do this as I plan to keep it for a long time and pass it to my great-great-grandchild...but even by keeping it, it's nice to know that I bought a Daytona at a 50 percent discount from the current market rate. And you're just the guy to make this happen!).

SA: "Great to see you here again. As you know, Daytonas are the hardest watches to source." [translation: I have five of them in the safe...but I haven't .

Straight up hilarious. There’s only comedy when there’s at least some truth to it.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

Straight up hilarious. There’s only comedy when there’s at least some truth to it.

You read that whole thing?


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[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

You read that whole thing?


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That I did

[ArtNouveau]

I moved to another state almost two years ago. My SA and his manager told me before I left that I was still their customer and they haved delivered me a 4th high demand Rolex since.
I have spoken to the local AD but don’t really have a need to start over.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Originally Posted by Rico_Brasole

Right, you just paid above msrp for a used watch that probably has been passed around, beaten about, polished up nice and good and the gray told you it’s hardly been worn and it’s practically brand new. Unless you bought a fully stickered version.

Congrats on paying more for a used item!


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I would rather buy from a grey , than pay over the odds for a bit of jewellery from the AD in order to think I’ve a relationship with an AD.

Recently , I bought a 116509 , £4K over retail , before it was discontinued the nearest AD wanted me to have a £100k minimum spend to get one from them , which would mean £100k of jewellery and watches I don’t want or need. It is less expensive to go grey.

The MSRP is only applicable if you can buy one at that price without any strings

[destrodan]

Originally Posted by Rollieo

Straight up hilarious. There’s only comedy when there’s at least some truth to it.

Haha, that's a straight-up fact. The sad part is that it only took me about 15 minutes to type the whole thing. Thinking up some stupidly expensive trinkets (e.g. the dolphins) taking an extra 30 seconds.

This is the current AD game for many (most?) and a lot of us know it only too well enough to create our own tragic parody without much effort at all. :-)

[SLWoodster]

Welcome to the world of luxury.

You’re trying to buy what we call a hype piece before the dealer decides you are worthy of the retail price. If you adamantly refuse to buy enough to climb over the other droves of people that want the same watch… then you have a few options.


1. You should try at other stores.

2. Reduce your standards - buy grey, it’s cheaper for you it sounds like.

3. Like and buy other watches they may have in stock.

Originally Posted by sm84

I’ve been visiting multiple Ads outside of my regular AD and in different states just to get a feel of what is happening in the watch world. I’ve been doing the same with other big brands too but at their boutique stores. What I’ve started to observe is slightly annoying and appalling.

First, if you are shopping outside of your state but with the same parent company (meaning they have stores in multiple locations and they are not a boutique) they don’t even want to consider your purchase history. They expect you to start from scratch. This was truly annoying and appalling.

Boutique or AD, they all say the same thing that you need to build a relationship and a relationship often starts with buying multiple pieces most of them you probably aren’t even interested. The second thing that they say is that they want to sell watches only to people who truly enjoy watch collecting and not to flippers.

So, I ended up asking how is it that, if that is the case there still are flippers and people who seem to be able to release a hot watch that probably is just announced in a matter of days on to a grey market site? How is it that the rich and famous can openly say that they buy watches as investment pieces with the obvious intent of flipping, and still be offered more pieces? So are you only selling to the rich, and the rules don’t apply to them? They don’t get blacklisted etc?

In most cases the sales associates react like they had a mental short circuit and then they say that’s just how the Watch world is or that they are just a sales associate and they don’t make the rules.

My personal take on this is that, if someone gives u a chance to buy a hard to get watch it will help fuel further purchases and therefore build history. However, I’ve also heard stories where SAs take a chance on someone and that someone flips the watch which is the reason I feel this whole situation exists. How can you trust that someone won’t flip? At the same time when I see super rich people doing the same without any repercussions it’s even more annoying.

I agree with many over here that if the cost of building a relationship is about spending money on something you don’t want, then it’s better to save that money and just go grey from a reputed seller or CPO from a reputed store. Either ways if u buy unwanted items, in the long run you’d probably be spending the same. For ex: I like a specific watch but the boutique openly tells me to buy 2 pieces at least totaling over $50k just to be considered for the watch I want, which retails at approx $10k.

What are your experiences?

[2loaded]

Wild stuff as of late...

[Binky1]

Awesome post Destrodan! Horribly accurate but very funny. Got to get me on the list for a silver dolphin with diamond eyes! Priceless!

[destrodan]

Originally Posted by Halifax Daytona UK

It is less expensive to go grey.

That it is.

What folks may not realize in the comedy sketch above: The producer of the 'gold dolphin' or the 'sterling silver putter' (or whatever) are also taking a fairly sizable cut out of each purchase between the AD and the guy who wants the Daytona. Basically, the makers of these products that are purchased in the chase to qualify for that Daytona are subsidized by the prospective customer, who wants the Daytona, as well as the AD. Those third parties are skimming off of the transactions between the other two players without making their product any more desirable or even wanted by the end customer. Distortions in the market.

So with the golf putter example, the AD got $3,000, the customer paid $10,000 and...drum roll...the creator of the unwanted sterling silver golf putter got $7,000. Meaning that either the AD or the customer will likely take a bath in the end (i.e. the AD finally relinquishing the Daytona for below realized market price for them but at least coming in with quite a bit more than MSRP when including the customer add-ons, or the customer getting furious because they think they should get the Daytona since they paid far more than they really did to the AD - and would have going Grey - when most of that money went to the producers of the other items they bought at the AD).

Remove from the equation the subsidized middle man who is making the unwanted jewelry (or fancy sterling silver golf clubs or whatever), and going Grey ends up being somewhat cheaper and more predictable, on average.

That said, some folks might love jewelry. Or sterling silver yo-yos. Or gold dominos and golf tees. All good if they do. Just not my thing.

[destrodan]

Originally Posted by Binky1

Awesome post Destrodan! Horribly accurate but very funny. Got to get me on the list for a silver dolphin with diamond eyes! Priceless!

Thanks, Binky1! :)

[Binky1]

Incoming: Had to go Grey.

Me: 1.4 x MSRP
Grey: Done

FOMO satisfied!