Dissolution in the Rolex brand

[GazzaE]

First post for me today as I feel things need to be aired due to the current state of the lack of supply in the UK as regards to SS Rolex models.
Currently I have a Sub C bought new in 2014 from Goldsmiths which started the addiction which I love and cherish super cool watch could not be happier with it.
I paid £5700 cash not a penny off did try hard to haggel but even back then was told with a laugh by the sales lady these are like gold dust Sir which I knew as I had been on waiting lists for over 6 months with eight different dealers which I had been to in person as I know this will give you a better chance than over the phone.
Moving forward I would like to add to the collection with a Batman and Daytona C
Which I feel would make a great line up as they would give perfect balance.
I have managed to call nearly every dealer in the country in my search over the last 18 months with the view to spend up £9000 on a wrist watch.
From the level of customer service shown to me on the phone I find unbelievable Rolex should do a mystery shop on their dealer network as quite frankly its awful.
The GMT most say no chance if you haven't bought from us before or the other line is you can go on a list 1 to 5 years Sir which you know your not even going on as soon as the phone is put down on you.
The Daytona most dealers laugh and say you will be dead first Sir before you get one and quote a waiting list up to 30 years or say you can't even show an interest to buy one or we only get two a year Sir yer right !!
I understand that not being able to get these watches over the counter makes desirability and great future values what you can't have you want more I get it.
But I look on Instagram and see grey dealers with 5 in stock or more on one hand in the shot asking how much north of 15k please !
So lets get straight down to it who is supplying them Rolex direct or the AD ?
We get told its unavailable to buy in the dealer but you can buy it at double the price from outside the dealer network come on Rolex lets sort out this corrupt mess as it stinks for you true loyal customer who after all just wants to purchase your product at a already ridiculous luxury high end price.
I have got my name down at my original purchase dealer of course but I'm on a very long list there for both watches but a least I am treated with great customer service compared to the arrogance shown by most other AD'S.
I work in a high end luxury car brand dealership selling vehicles up to £200000 and if I treated my customers on the phone or in person like this i would be looking for new employment very quickly some of our cars have waiting lists of up to one year but its how you handle the enquiry that gets the sale.
I would like the members feedback to see if my experience has been found with you guys lets be honest its an lot of money we are looking to spend and I think we deserve better from ADS and Rolex and it would be great if together we could push for a change of practice.

[DPE]

Wow a long mesage !

[JnmEaton]

cant wait to see how this ends.....

[Flywheel]

And I thought reading Ulysses was rough.

[pd999]

Welcome

[DJRikki]

Had great service from my local AD and we never had a relationship until I called them in Jan and got my name on the list for a BLNR - now on the list for both white and dark faced Daytona Cs. No hassles.

[amh]

PS Take a step back or squint :-)

[Chalet]

*Disilluision

[Chalet]

Unless you are saying Rolex is going out of business?

[thomaspp]

ADs of course. ADs sell out the back door for a tad more than retail and make a little extra or just regular customers buy from AD and then sell to gray dealer for a profit.

Part of the game am afraid and only worse for other brands.

[garyfromleeds]

Originally Posted by GazzaE

First post for me today as I feel things need to be aired due to the current state of the lack of supply in the UK as regards to SS Rolex models.
Currently I have a Sub C bought new in 2014 from Goldsmiths which started the addiction which I love and cherish super cool watch could not be happier with it.
I paid £5700 cash not a penny off did try hard to haggel but even back then was told with a laugh by the sales lady these are like gold dust Sir which I knew as I had been on waiting lists for over 6 months with eight different dealers which I had been to in person as I know this will give you a better chance than over the phone.
Moving forward I would like to add to the collection with a Batman and Daytona C
Which I feel would make a great line up as they would give perfect balance.
I have managed to call nearly every dealer in the country in my search over the last 18 months with the view to spend up £9000 on a wrist watch.
From the level of customer service shown to me on the phone I find unbelievable Rolex should do a mystery shop on their dealer network as quite frankly its awful.
The GMT most say no chance if you haven't bought from us before or the other line is you can go on a list 1 to 5 years Sir which you know your not even going on as soon as the phone is put down on you.
The Daytona most dealers laugh and say you will be dead first Sir before you get one and quote a waiting list up to 30 years or say you can't even show an interest to buy one or we only get two a year Sir yer right !!
I understand that not being able to get these watches over the counter makes desirability and great future values what you can't have you want more I get it.
But I look on Instagram and see grey dealers with 5 in stock or more on one hand in the shot asking how much north of 15k please !
So lets get straight down to it who is supplying them Rolex direct or the AD ?
We get told its unavailable to buy in the dealer but you can buy it at double the price from outside the dealer network come on Rolex lets sort out this corrupt mess as it stinks for you true loyal customer who after all just wants to purchase your product at a already ridiculous luxury high end price.
I have got my name down at my original purchase dealer of course but I'm on a very long list there for both watches but a least I am treated with great customer service compared to the arrogance shown by most other AD'S.
I work in a high end luxury car brand dealership selling vehicles up to £200000 and if I treated my customers on the phone or in person like this i would be looking for new employment very quickly some of our cars have waiting lists of up to one year but its how you handle the enquiry that gets the sale.
I would like the members feedback to see if my experience has been found with you guys lets be honest its an lot of money we are looking to spend and I think we deserve better from ADS and Rolex and it would be great if together we could push for a change of practice.

Your totally right ! It all stinks you cannot get one watch when the grey dealer has 5 !

It's not rocket science to figure out ? The ADS are passing them on to friends / family only to be sold on for more money than list ?

[Xerxes77]

Originally Posted by garyfromleeds

your totally right ! It all stinks you cannot get one watch when the grey dealer has 5 !

It's not rocket science to figure out ? The ads are passing them on to friends / family only to be sold on for more money than list ?

x2

[landroverking]

Let me understand. The op bought one new watch from an AD, now expecting better service and a move to the head of the line for a C500 Daytona. Right?

[Randy9999]

Don't hold back. Just let it all out. Take all the time you need, and don't worry about structure. Just let it flow.

[Chalet]

The OP has a point to a point. I don't like the sneery laugh when you enquire about spending £10k.

That said you can get these pieces from an AD if you have a relationship.

The OP is in sales. He will know that people buy from people. In the same way you will find that AD's will sell to people. In some cases this will be to get more sales, in some cases to get a bit more profit and in some cases because they know how much it will be appreciated.

I have developed a relationship with 2-3 ADs where they know I like the watches, pay the minute they have the stock and stay in touch!

[Snow-Dweller]

Go and have a nice weekend in Italy. Come back with a BLNR at list price. Daytona C wii be harder to find...

[Viffer]

Originally Posted by Chalet

*Disilluision

May be Dissillusion even-"Disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be"
Or maybe he does mean Disolution-"The action of formally ending or dismissing an assembly, partnership, or official body"
In simpler terms, I want it but I can't get it

[Cantab]

I think the concept of it's not what you say, but how you say it may apply here. If the AD was a bit more clever, the response would be "we are appalled by the difficulty in obtaining your desired watch, but we will do all in our power to obtain it for you." No demeaning or snide comment, no demand for a non-refundable deposit, just a simple declarative that the AD is there for the potential customer. Even if it all comes to nought, the potential customer may all remember the dignity of the reply and favor the dealer with some future purchase.

[Randy63]

Lets keep piling on the new guy. Has one post.

Must be a troll.

Right?

Randy

[Chalet]

Originally Posted by Viffer

May be Dissillusion even-"Disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be"

Or maybe he does mean Disolution-"The action of formally ending or dismissing an assembly, partnership, or official body"

In simpler terms, I want it but I can't get it

Definitely disillusion!

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dict.../disillusioned

[Chalet]

Originally Posted by Cantab

I think the concept of it's not what you say, but how you say it may apply here. If the AD was a bit more clever, the response would be "we are appalled by the difficulty in obtaining your desired watch, but we will do all in our power to obtain it for you." No demeaning or snide comment, no demand for a non-refundable deposit, just a simple declarative that the AD is there for the potential customer. Even if it all comes to nought, the potential customer may all remember the dignity of the reply and favor the dealer with some future purchase.

This, this and this!

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by Randy63

Lets keep piling on the new guy. Has one post.

Must be a troll.

Right?

Randy

[omx5o]

I don't see the problem. Just put your name on the list.

[HogwldFLTR]

GazzaE, welcome!!! I think the point is well made that grey purchases should be harder than direct purchases and not the other way around. Scalpers always seem to find their sources.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by amh

PS Take a step back or squint :-)

this was worth the visit.

[ras47]

It looks to me like a situation in a busy restaurant where they say, "Oh, it will be an hour and a half for a table." But you get seated thirty minutes later. Maybe these AD's are playing it safe and quoting an inordinately long wait time so they look good when they get your watch sooner.


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[AK797]

Everyone in the UK knows how you feel, it's a crap situation all round, do a search here and you'll find we have covered the reasons why many times.

However you are suffering from disillusionment with Rolex not dissolution... unless you are Henry VIII.

[Lawman77]

Devastating.

[Jambo86]

Originally Posted by Cantab

I think the concept of it's not what you say, but how you say it may apply here. If the AD was a bit more clever, the response would be "we are appalled by the difficulty in obtaining your desired watch, but we will do all in our power to obtain it for you." No demeaning or snide comment, no demand for a non-refundable deposit, just a simple declarative that the AD is there for the potential customer. Even if it all comes to nought, the potential customer may all remember the dignity of the reply and favor the dealer with some future purchase.

fantastically put, I've not experienced it myself, but it sounds like many people are put off the brand because of the treatment they receive from the AD's. A customer that you treat with a bit of respect may well end up spending their hard-earned money on a less hard to find model in your shop if you talk to them the right way.

[utc66]

Why not buy an airplane ticket to the US (New York City) for example, spend one night in a hotel, buy watch fly home. Probably faster and cheaper than waiting five years.