Ad now asked for a Bio in order to be eligible to buy a Rolex watch

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Jaeger leCoultre ....hmmm ,Reverso Large Duo small second . Quality stuff !

Lots of great stuff out there.
The moaning annoys me, people should vote with their feet if unhappy

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by vh2k

Vetting, qualifying, and background checking is part of the customer screening process. Some ADs do it differently and/or better than others.

[Faux outrage triggered in 3, 2, 1...]

This

[oldman2005]

Wonder if AD also asked for professional references and yearly taxes filings to back up the Bio

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

Wonder if AD also asked for professional references and yearly taxes filings to back up the Bio

It might come to that

[ratty]

So are all WOS shops doing this now?

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Richie07

This is what I like about modern Rolex. It’s no longer a transactional arrangement whereby you hand over money and you get a watch. It’s a quest in personal development that teaches you patience and that you can only truly develop when you share your life and your wants and interests with someone else. It’s heartwarming in a way. I almost wouldn’t want the watch. Just to feel like the AD really knew me for me.

(I think )

[teck21]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Not fair to the first time buyer saving money to buy a Sub/Date .Their needs need to be served by ADs .

Problem the ADs have is who is the genuine first time buyer and who is the quickie buck flipper ? Its a problem .

This implies that a first time buyer who only wants a sub and has saved msrp is somehow more deserving of a submariner than a:

a) flipper
b) Instagram show off
c) mindless collector
d) any sort of non-genuine watch buyer

This proposition is valid only if ADs didn’t seek to maximise profit.

But they do, so it becomes nonsense. It is entirely their prerogative to sell to the highest bidder.

First time genuine buyer, WIS etc has no entitlement to a submariner over anyone else willing and able to pony up.

Flipping will mostly cease to exist once everyone has to pay the market price for a submariner, either buying grey or paying for the relationship because the opportunity for arbitrage is gone.

The supply market unifies into one, as opposed to two now. The AD market and the resale market.

This is irrefutable.


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[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by teck21

Flipping will mostly cease to exist once everyone has to pay the market price for a submariner, either buying grey or paying for the relationship because the opportunity for arbitrage is gone.

The supply market unifies into one, as opposed to two now. The AD market and the resale market.

This is irrefutable.


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You remind me of another member on here that eventually got banned because he kept saying he doesn't mind paying 10-20k over list price.

His behaviour was annoying and obnoxious. And yet here you are, as well. All this time you're saying people should just pony up and pay way over list.

In what world do YOU live that you think it's acceptable to pay 30k for an 8k watch? I have no idea what you do or where your money is coming from, but the attitude that paying over list is 'alright' is completely ludicrous.

You seem to be happy to do that. I don't know anyone who would be happy doing that.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

In what world do YOU live that you think it's acceptable to pay 30k for an 8k watch? .

A free market world maybe?

One in which people are free to pay any amount they wish in order to obtain an object they desire.

You don’t seem to like this world which has enabled you to earn more money than other people.


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[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

You remind me of another member on here that eventually got banned because he kept saying he doesn't mind paying 10-20k over list price.



His behaviour was annoying and obnoxious. And yet here you are, as well. All this time you're saying people should just pony up and pay way over list.



In what world do YOU live that you think it's acceptable to pay 30k for an 8k watch? I have no idea what you do or where your money is coming from, but the attitude that paying over list is 'alright' is completely ludicrous.



You seem to be happy to do that. I don't know anyone who would be happy doing that.

You have the option of not buying a Rolex watch. They aren't oxygen.

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[Goin2drt]

I would walk. That is getting ridiculous to give them money to buy anything. I would be so affected I would have looked at him and said I’ll give you a bio when you give me a tracking list of all your SS models that come in as I want to ensure I am not buying from an AD that is selling to the gray market. We got a deal?

[Giangos]

Originally Posted by rmurphy

. In 2012 I was shopping for a Submariner and walked into my local AD thinking because I had the money …… . I was offered everything I didn’t want, a new two tone Datejust and a used Hulk, which in hindsight I probably should have bought the hulk but I’ve never liked it.

I see only irony here ….. this is why ADs are vetting people these days.

“I probably should have bought the hulk but I’ve never like it”

So you would have bought it to flip it then? That’s all I can infer.

And somehow we blame the ADs for the hype and the grey market

And now we blame ADs again for trying to stop people buying hype pieces for quick profit.

Isn’t the AD asking you to fill out a form basically the same thing as asking you a bunch of questions? Like it or lump it I say. You walked through their door, they didn’t come through your door. Their rules apply.


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[S.Explorer]

Like a few other UK posters, I haven't had to supply a biography when registering my interest at M&W recently (not Central London). I am still waiting though.

[Keanuchan]

Originally Posted by Giangos

I see only irony here ….. this is why ADs are vetting people these days.

“I probably should have bought the hulk but I’ve never like it”

So you would have bought it to flip it then? That’s all I can infer.

And somehow we blame the ADs for the hype and the grey market

And now we blame ADs again for trying to stop people buying hype pieces for quick profit.

Isn’t the AD asking you to fill out a form basically the same thing as asking you a bunch of questions? Like it or lump it I say. You walked through their door, they didn’t come through your door. Their rules apply.


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Well said, I completely agree. I don't like this "pandemic" but now it is the ADs say.

[Robine]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

You remind me of another member on here that eventually got banned because he kept saying he doesn't mind paying 10-20k over list price.

His behaviour was annoying and obnoxious. And yet here you are, as well. All this time you're saying people should just pony up and pay way over list.

In what world do YOU live that you think it's acceptable to pay 30k for an 8k watch? I have no idea what you do or where your money is coming from, but the attitude that paying over list is 'alright' is completely ludicrous.

You seem to be happy to do that. I don't know anyone who would be happy doing that.

How is an 8k watch an 8k watch? Its an arbitrary price set by the manufacturer, nothing else.

How would the whole situation change if Rolex would

a) lower their RRP by 50%
b) increase their RRP by 50%

?

[Becweb]

I was also asked to do that a year ago roughly regarding a gmt BLRO. I did not mind at that time as maybe it does help get a watch quicker. I do agree with some members stating that it shouldn't be the case since it's a mass produced item but at the same time, it's their rules and there's nothing forcing me to respond to their questions. I could always take my business elsewhere.

[Gladiat0r]

Right before Covid, I walked into an AD for the first time and saw them putting a deepsea JC in the display case. I immediately asked to see it as I’ve never tried one on before. It looked much better than I thought but I still wasn’t sure about it. The sales woman told me I should buy it if I can because I can probably sell it for a profit if I don’t like it.
This was a very popular AD in the nyc metro area FYI.

I wound up loving the watch anyway but the point is that the AD could care less what my intentions on the watch were and actually encouraged flipping.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Robine

How is an 8k watch an 8k watch? Its an arbitrary price set by the manufacturer, nothing else.

How would the whole situation change if Rolex would

a) lower their RRP by 50%
b) increase their RRP by 50%

?

Sure, but the current situation is there because of other factors and this hobby for some turned into an investment for others. We can do the same thing with water in the future and speculate.

I'm glad with the current market and I hope it goes x10, just so I can retire faster.

[Bucky]

Originally Posted by Nairn1980

Lots of great stuff out there.
The moaning annoys me, people should vote with their feet if unhappy

I wasn’t moaning🤷*♂️🤷*♂️, I asked a question if this is what other forum members were having to do with there ad’s. Yes there are other watch brands and I have other watch brands but I also would like to buy a Rolex so am happy to fill out th bio if this is what needs to be done.

[~Haze~]

They should just turn every watch they get into an essay writing contest with a “tell us why you want this watch and how it helps the overall Aesthetic of your collection in it current state. Also include expectations of your watch collection in 18 months as well” theme. In my opinion.


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[47Fountain]

Originally Posted by Bucky

Two years ago I registered my interest for a BLNR (on Jubilee), I won’t write Batgirl as I know it winds Padi up. Checked in once in a while in person and called the salesperson who I have been dealing with. Couldn’t get to see them in person for a year or so because of lockdown and shop being closed.

I got asked if I had purchase history with them and I hadn’t as my previous Rolexes were bought on the grey market when they were cheaper then buying from an AD.
So to get some purchase history I said I was interested in buying a Panerai submersible (I decided on the 42mm). I was close to buying it but checked with the salesperson who checked for me to see if that would qualify as purchase history. They got back to me and said in order to be able to buy a Rolex you need to have purchase history of buying a Rolex (read that back and see if it makes sense).
I then asked about the Bluesey as the salesperson previously had one in stock when I was calling about the Panerai but as I was thinking about the Panerai I turned it down. The Bluesey is a watch I was wanting to add to my collection but was going to get it after the Panerai and the Batgirl (sorry Padi lol) because it was a lot more expensive then the Panerai.
The salesperson said that me getting the Bluesey would qualify for purchase history and help me attain the BLNR so I asked them to source another Bluesey as the previous one they had in stock got sold.
I was told that the wait for the Bluesey should not be too long and should be in by May. I called at the end of May and got told that the ad has now got a policy that any customer interested in buying a Rolex watch has to fill out a bio and write a bit about themselves and why they want the watch and the current state of their collection etc.
Is this now common practice? Is it too weed out the flippers who just want the watch for profit?
I did the bio as I want the watches but to me it takes the fun out of buying a watch that you have saved up for to add to your collection. I am hoping I have passed the Ad’s interview.

I wouldn't waste my time. Why grovel & lose self respect & your personal integrity for the "opportunity" to "get in line" to "maybe" be allowed to buy a watch? Go grey & never look back. One & done. You're welcome.

[karteo]

Originally Posted by 47Fountain

I wouldn't waste my time. Why grovel & lose self respect & your personal integrity for the "opportunity" to "get in line" to "maybe" be allowed to buy a watch? Go grey & never look back. One & done. You're welcome.

Precisely.

You can regain the money lost in gray, work more, save more, whatever, but it's kinda more difficult to regain your self respect once you feel you lost it because of these silly AD games.

These are just watches. Nobody's life or image or whatever is dependent on luxury items. I have met and worked with some great and successful people that didn't care about their watches or cars. They were far more than that.

If I can't buy a Rolex at MSRP, I will try gray. If I won't be able to get it in a reasonable price, I will go another brand. There are some great ones out there too. If still I am not able to do that I will enjoy peacefully what I have already in collection.

This is madness and we are feeding this madness

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[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by vh2k

Vetting, qualifying, and background checking is part of the customer screening process. Some ADs do it differently and/or better than others.

[Faux outrage triggered in 3, 2, 1...]

Background checking?!?!?…to buy a watch…

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by Sgrysdon

I was asked for this as well but at the time to me it made sense, I think the sales people you work wiling have to ask the managers of the stores to consider you for a watch and this helps them.


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I feel the same way Sgrysdon,,,
Updated my bio when I was on the phone to WOS last week,
Our SA said the same ,re he has to take requests to his manager first,,,
If transparency helps us get our watches then fair enough,,
Streamlining there client base and ensuring watches go to “ locals” if true,,cant be a bad thing ,,

[Shadow Play]

My AD (I’m UK based) has never asked me to do anything like what the OP had to do. Then again, from previous transactions he knows a fair bit about my wife and I.

[Brich436]

Originally Posted by Lukebennett21

I would recommend engaging in some horologically related volunteer community service.

Maybe cleaning vintage clocks around the town public spaces?

Anything helps.

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Background checking?!?!?…to buy a watch…

Don’t get hung up on the terminology. Nobody is hiring investigators and doing criminal background checks.

It’s simple things like...

You walk into a Charlotte AD and say you are local. When you leave, they check your LinkedIn/social media and quickly see you actually work and live outside Greensboro.

Boom! Disqualified.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

In what world do YOU live that you think it's acceptable to pay 30k for an 8k watch?

Why would YOU think that $8k is an acceptable price for a watch that does nothing better than a $100 watch?

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by vh2k

Don’t get hung up on the terminology. Nobody is hiring investigators and doing criminal background checks.

It’s simple things like...

You walk into a Charlotte AD and say you are local. When you leave, they check your LinkedIn/social media and quickly see you actually work and live outside Greensboro.

Boom! Disqualified.

Unless I tell them “look, I’m actually from CA and I’m prone to flipping given my short attention span and penchant for posting fresh content on my social media feed. But I’m also loaded. So give me that diamond encrusted ladies DJ. Give me 1 solid PM DayDate. Throw in a nice diamond necklace. Oh and get me a nice SS GMT from your safe right now to seal the deal or I’m walking.”

The AD will trip over his feet as he runs back to the safe to do that deal. Vetting be damned.

Money talks and BS walks

[karteo]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Unless I tell them “look, I’m actually from CA and I’m prone to flipping given my short attention span and penchant for posting fresh content on my social media feed. But I’m also loaded. So give me that diamond encrusted ladies DJ. Give me 1 solid PM DayDate. Throw in a nice diamond necklace. Oh and get me a nice SS GMT from your safe right now to seal the deal or I’m walking.”



The AD will trip over his feet as he runs back to the safe to do that deal. Vetting be damned.



Money talks and BS walks

Not right away. First he will lock the door to make sure you won't leave the store, and then run to the safe

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