What I Don’t Get Is....

[OrangeSport]

If people are daft enough to buy stuff they don’t want to get an AD to sell them something they do want (and unbelievably it seems people are), why does previous Rolex purchases help? Rolex watches literally walk out the door, so why wouldn’t shops insist you buy something they can’t shift so easily? The Rolex will sell themselves anyway.

Actually, what I really don’t understand (after a few years off this forum) is why anyone would participate in such tomfoolery just to get a watch, or that they would pay such inflated grey prices. At those prices you can buy better pieces.

But, there you go..

[Seddyspaghetti]

Non rolex pieces usually do weigh more when considering purchase history.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

If people are daft enough to buy stuff they don’t want to get an AD to sell them something they do want (and unbelievably it seems people are), why does previous Rolex purchases help? Rolex watches literally walk out the door, so why wouldn’t shops insist you buy something they can’t shift so easily? The Rolex will sell themselves anyway.

Actually, what I really don’t understand (after a few years off this forum) is why anyone would participate in such tomfoolery just to get a watch, or that they would pay such inflated grey prices. At those prices you can buy better pieces.

But, there you go..

Plenty of Rolex models are hard to shift, and up till about five years ago pretty much all ADs were lumbered with loads of pieces that took years to sell (two tone, ladies models, etc, which Rolex forced them to buy). They would often bundle them with discounted SS sports models when selling to Greys. Nowadays they can pull the same stunt with regular customers, but without the discount.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

If people are daft enough to buy stuff they don’t want to get an AD to sell them something they do want (and unbelievably it seems people are), why does previous Rolex purchases help? Rolex watches literally walk out the door, so why wouldn’t shops insist you buy something they can’t shift so easily? The Rolex will sell themselves anyway.

Actually, what I really don’t understand (after a few years off this forum) is why anyone would participate in such tomfoolery just to get a watch, or that they would pay such inflated grey prices. At those prices you can buy better pieces.

But, there you go..

I got confused But, as to buying items in an AD shop to earn favor so they get a Rolex at MSRP, I kind of agree with you. It seems, that the money you spend for the unwanted item is way more then buying from a Gray. As to paying more then MSRP and buying from a Gray it is very simple. It is extremely difficult if not downright impossible (yes, there are exceptions I know) to buy a SS Sports model from an AD at MSRP. So, you can wait for probably years, or you can buy today from a trusted seller at higher then MSRP. It is your choice. If someone decides to do the latter, it is their money and their business.

[ramenlover]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

If people are daft enough to buy stuff they don’t want to get an AD to sell them something they do want (and unbelievably it seems people are), why does previous Rolex purchases help? Rolex watches literally walk out the door, so why wouldn’t shops insist you buy something they can’t shift so easily? The Rolex will sell themselves anyway.

Actually, what I really don’t understand (after a few years off this forum) is why anyone would participate in such tomfoolery just to get a watch, or that they would pay such inflated grey prices. At those prices you can buy better pieces.

But, there you go..

Because I want that watch. If I pay gray prices, I just paid triple retail. What happens when that watch is no longer worth triple retail and I need to sell? I would lose at least 1/3 of what I paid. If I buy a piece I sort of like to get a piece I love, I can sell the first one I bought at a 20% loss and still keep the hot piece I got at retail, if my finances don’t allow me to keep the first watch.

[Cigars&Watches]

Previous Rolex purchases, especially the hotter pieces, will show the Ad you are not a flipper at least as long as you keep them.. I agree though, I would never buy unwanted jewelry pieces to gain favour with my AD.

[Madman37]

What I don’t get is why even make the Rolex models people don’t want. Just reduce what is churned out every year to 80,000 and then make the GMT’s, Daytona’s etc in really really limited quantity. People will want them even more and say wow they aren’t mass produced and amazing.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by Madman37

What I don’t get is why even make the Rolex models people don’t want. Just reduce what is churned out every year to 80,000 and then make the GMT’s, Daytona’s etc in really really limited quantity. People will want them even more and say wow they aren’t mass produced and amazing.

A brand that is know for only these very limited few models will not last very long at all.

And are you suggesting people don’t want datejusts?

They are very much loved.


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[Master_Grogu]

Originally Posted by teck21

A brand that is know for only these very limited few models will not last very long at all.

And are you suggesting people don’t want datejusts?

They are very much loved.

SOOO many DJ out there. Especially with women. We make fun of 28mm TT diamonds, but I assure you, they get made because they are selling.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Madman37

What I don’t get is why even make the Rolex models people don’t want. Just reduce what is churned out every year to 80,000 and then make the GMT’s, Daytona’s etc in really really limited quantity. People will want them even more and say wow they aren’t mass produced and amazing.

Cool Forum name.

[JonaG]

The old "purchase history" system worked well in the past as a way for ADs to evaluate customer loyalty and likelihood of repeat custom. I think for those who have been buying Rolex for a long time this still applies as they have "built" their relationship with the AD, buying lady datejusts, TTs and PM pieces.

Today, it is a different world, almost any "mens" Rolex purchase is seen by the AD as them doing you a solid so that kind of throws out of the window the notion of past purchases helping you out. Now, it is likely non Rolex purchases and jewellery purchases that may get you on the ladder. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule and good communication can get you a long way.

[Harry-57]

It's a sales model that seems to work in the current climate. If people are willing to go for it, any salesperson worth their salary will sell as much as they possibly can in one transaction. It's how businesses develop their business. When the situation changes, as it surely will at some point, ADs will change models of behaviour to best exploit what they have to work with.

Salespeople who work for businesses that sell things that walk out the door, don't sit on their backsides feeling smug. People who think they know how to sell but actually only know how to take orders might might well sit back and relax. All the stuff that walks out the door is a done deal. It's what business a SA can additionally generate that shakes the real sales professionals out of the chaff. If selling watches was my livelihood and I knew bundling worked, I would be attempting to bundle everything I possibly could. As a punter, I'm not remotely interested, although having said that, we seldom walk out of out AD with just the watch we went in for. We just don't have a bag full of unwanted, expensive watches.

[Francist]

The whole watch collecting world has shifted for the worst.
Anyone willing to participate better be prepared to lose their mind / alot of money. Sad that it's come to this.
Flippers & greys ruined it all.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Francist

Anyone willing to participate better be prepared to lose their mind / alot of money

Or be very patient. It might get better, it might get worse, but nothing stays the same.

Originally Posted by Francist

Flippers & greys ruined it all.

Greys have been very helpful to me down the years. Even today, I pay considerably under MSRP for new watches, unless they are Rolex or some other pseudo exotic, marketing led, limited edition. There will usually be a few norm busting brands in circulation. Right now, Rolex is one of them.

[WalterW]

I actually quite like the system the ads have in place now. It rewards customers who are willing to spend some to get some. As opposed to handing out watches to everyone and their uncle. But it does suck for those who don’t have the means to buying multiple watches. Thankfully that’s not me. Capitalism at its finest id say.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

If people are daft enough to buy stuff they don’t want to get an AD to sell them something they do want (and unbelievably it seems people are), why does previous Rolex purchases help? Rolex watches literally walk out the door, so why wouldn’t shops insist you buy something they can’t shift so easily? The Rolex will sell themselves anyway.

Actually, what I really don’t understand (after a few years off this forum) is why anyone would participate in such tomfoolery just to get a watch, or that they would pay such inflated grey prices. At those prices you can buy better pieces.

But, there you go..

This is my take, no one’s told me this - it’s not a “what my AD said”.

An AD knows that whoever he chooses to sell an in demand watch to instantly sees a major ROI on their investment, whether on paper or by actually flipping it. I bought a SS SkyD Blue in November of 2020, they were trading on the gray market for the high $20K’s at that point, my AD effectively handed me $10K+ profit when I bought it. Now, first, he chose me to sell it to because he knows I’m not a flipper. But, I’ve also spent a fair amount via a couple of other watches, some jewelry for my wife, other gifts for the family. He knows that the profit I’m getting (on paper) is roughly equivalent to the profit he’s made from my other spending.

Thus we are kind of equal in our relationship, even though if I were to flip the watch my profit doesn’t come from him. I think AD’s want to keep the profit relationship with each client at least equal, if not in their favor. That’s why they make you buy other things before honoring you with an immediate big ROI watch, at least percentage wise. If you had $10K to give away, wouldn’t you want to give it to someone who you have a good relationship with?

[JRell]

I buy from my AD what I would have already bought regardless (gifts for wife, mother, etc.). So there is that. Also I refer people to him for jewelry, especially big jewelry purchases. I don’t buy things from him just to get bumped up the list. I create a win-win situation as I would have bought those items regardless, and in the process I get the Rolex I want quicker. Also, have to work with the owner, not a SA. Finally, I don’t trust grey dealers completely, no matter who they are. I would always have some doubt if the watch is authentic.

[teck21]

Originally Posted by WalterW

I actually quite like the system the ads have in place now. It rewards customers who are willing to spend some to get some. As opposed to handing out watches to everyone and their uncle. But it does suck for those who don’t have the means to buying multiple watches. Thankfully that’s not me. Capitalism at its finest id say.

Truly, working as intended.

Just a whole bunch of hypocrites who happily enjoy the rewards of capitalism but decry it when it works against them.

Apparently it’s unfair to them.


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