Can a ad raise the retail price?

[Tk52174]

Yesterday I went into an ad in downtown Manhanttan, they have a sea-dweller in the display, and I asked the sales lady how much it go for, and she told me the retail price on the watch is $7000 and wouldn't take a penny off.

[buz-lh]

Was it a brand new old style Seadweller? If it was preowned they can ask any price they want. I'm not sure about new though.

[HL65]

They can not sell a new watch above retail.

[flyinbrian]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan1965

They can not sell a new watch above retail.

Didn't they do that all the time with the Daytona's?

[Psmith]

Great sales technique...




Cheers

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by flyinbrian

Didn't they do that all the time with the Daytona's?

No, Rolex are especially strict about that. Pre-owned ones, sell 'em for what you like, but new ones have to be in the window at MRSP

[SamD]

the watch has been there since Dec last year. Not sure if anyone willing to pay 7K for it

[Tk52174]

It's brand new with all the protective plastic still on, and I told her the list price should be $6400. She then took out th current price list because that is a discountinued model, so the watch is not on the list , and she insist the correct price is $7000.

[snowbird]

Once a discontinued model drops out of the catalog, is there still an official list price (the last published list price)?

I don't know the policy but it sounds like this AD thinks not.

[hennabav]

It sounds more like this AD doesn't really follow rules and does a lot of assumptions rather than provide accurate figures. This could get them into trouble real quick.

[sea-dweller]

I have seen AD's charge over MSRP for popular models...

[ersnyder]

I have experienced a lot more "flexibility" from AD to AD than you might suspect according to Rolex's rules of the book!

[ParisDakarBmw]

Try talking to a different person there.

[therolexguy]

I would call RolexUSA and ask them about this specific watch and AD and see what happens.

[Prince Tudor]

Originally Posted by therolexguy

I would call RolexUSA and ask them about this specific watch and AD and see what happens.

Agreed. Call innocently and just inquire about the MSRP. Then if it differs bring up the AD.
They may not know the rules or maybe their view is; " It ain't a crime if you don't get caught".

[ObscureLight]

Yeah inquire about it to rolex and if they investigate the AD might be in trouble

[Tools]

Most Dealers are retailers who have a contract to carry the Rolex product..

They do not work for Rolex and don't have to follow any Rolex policy except what they have contracted to do to carry the product.

Most of that language is about no on-line or phone sales, certain advertising requirements and displays, and not to undercut other product line carriers.. which is directed mostly at discounting so that Rolex doesn't become a "discount special"..

Rolex won't do anything about a Dealer who has a price above MSRP..

[stusrt]

buy the SD from some other AD - they are still around.

I couldn't pay MSRP for a Rolex, AND add NYC tax on top of it!!!

[Alcan]

Policy might vary by country, but in Canada AD's have some leeway. "The retail prices are suggestions only, jewellers may sell for less"

Or more, if you remember when AD's were charging a premium for SS Daytona's.

[nko51]

The watch has been there since Dec last year. Not sure if anyone willing to pay 7K for it. Sounds about $700, more than it should be. Shop around some more.

[timetravel125]

If it were me, I will hunt one down, with good pricing.

[PeteNYC13]

Originally Posted by Tk52174

Yesterday I went into an ad in downtown Manhanttan, they have a sea-dweller in the display, and I asked the sales lady how much it go for, and she told me the retail price on the watch is $7000 and wouldn't take a penny off.

__________________________________________________ ____________

Read this with the sarcasm it was written with...

OMG! How did you get out of there? I am happy you were able to escape that AD. I can't believe they dragged you in and tried to force you to buy a watch.
Sarcasm over!

They can do what they want, this board is all about the nerve of the AD to not discount 25% now it's about daring to not budge on Retail?! Supply and demand rules the day - I promise you that if the AD paying rent in Manhattan, union labor to clean, union electricians etc. isn't willing to discount, they don't have the need to. They will sell it tomorrow or Wednesday. If not, they will eventually sell it for less and you were right.

I have been in and out of AD's in Manhattan for years - last year when I was looking at the YM and Milgauss, I was looking at the GV Milgauss and I put it down while I "thought about it". Within literally 20 seconds, a guy next to me asks the other sales person, "do you have that new one with the green glass". Sales rep walks over takes it and says "this one". Guy says "yes"... first sales person asks me if I want it for retail price, I said "no". Other guy opens his wallet... done, all in five minutes. Either these guys are plants and full of it or they just turn over watches that quickly and that much of a mark up that they don't "need" to haggle.

Granted, this was a GV Milgauss but not a word, not a negotiation - just, "do you have it and let's do it!"

By the way, same AD in NYC wouldn't budge over 5% off on a SS/P YM - I chose to walk and let my money talk someplace else. I ended up getting what I thought was a fair deal (for both of us)from another AD.

-Pete

[CPTL]

There's always a lot of ruckus on the forum about "Rolex USA doesn't allow ADs to deviate from MSRP..." when they hear about an AD asking above MSRP.

Of course, we're a lot more flexible on that mandatory MSRP policy when we think that a discount is in order.

NYC ADs are notorious for charging higher prices than ADs elsewhere.