Visit to a new AD

[Jack T]

Fink’s in North Hills, Raleigh today, my first time there. Salesman was friendly, had a welcoming attitude, but confessed they didn’t have a single Rolex in the store.

Walked to the display cases, entirely empty, not one single watch on display. No Cellini’s no DJ31’s with diamond bezels, no MOP dials, nothing, zippo.

‘I’d be happy to take your name, set up a personal profile with your preferences, of course we have to work our way through the lists of other interested customers…’

Can’t imagine what the long term game plan is.

[iPPi]

I’ve visited a few ADs recently and they are in a similar situation. They only had 3 to 5 pieces - being lady’s watches and maybe one Cellini or men’s watch (with diamonds).

Totally agree - not sure what the plan is but whatever it is, it is ridiculous that the display cases are basically empty.

[Miker86]

Impressive that they had absolutely nothing.

[jimcameron]

What they have is in the back. You must find the key within yourself Grasshopper.

[rambo99]

a rolex AD with no rolex in store, is it the new norm?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

What they have is in the back. You must find the key within yourself Grasshopper.

+1


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[Andad]

And there it is.

The answer to your requirements.

[JonaG]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

What they have is in the back. You must find the key within yourself Grasshopper.

almost definitely

[Master_Grogu]

Seems like you didn’t pass the wealth test yet!

[fooey]

Can't see the point anymore for Rolex's a d's!
Rolex give them 35 - 40% off but customers can't see anything never mind try anything on!
This business plan no longer works!
And only past customers can get one! The more Rolex's u own and have purchased from them the easier it is to get one!
It's a sad sight!

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[JonaG]

Since my last visit to an AD (July 2020) I have realised that what they are doing is just genius. Before, ADs had to deal with customers whining about the absence of SS sports in the displays but now, with everything gone, many customers are left speechless, and dare I say even empathetic to the plight of the AD. Genius

[1William]

The game has changed and if you are looking to the AD's for Rolex watches you know the outcome. Now you have to find a way to get the watches you want. Maybe a different brand, Vintage or other ways to get what you want. Good luck.

[brandrea]

It must be depressing to be a sales associate with nothing to talk about.

[GoingPlaces]

I don'y even walk into AD's anymore. Same script.

[ap1]

Yes highest sales ever

[kittansett]

Owner AD said I am 103% of last year's sales, and last year was the most money I have ever made! Do not feel bad for the AD's empty cases.

[Jack T]

I really don’t find the situation all that frustrating, I still have an ongoing relationship with my AD of many years, I have a full stable of Rolex’s (for now) but it’s disappointing not to be able to shop, look at and try on different models

Didn’t want to take any photos of the empty cases, my first visit to the store, it would have seemed inappropriate, to me at least. Most AD’s I’ve been to recently (not many) at least had a couple of over glitzed, slow movers in the case, maybe three or four out of 40 or more slots. This shop had none, it was barren.

As for watches in the back, I don’t doubt they had some, I know my guy has them, he will ask if I’m interested. But this is a mall location of a regional chain, not sure what their steady, long term clientele is like.

[ks58]

Bummer. I will plan to stop in next month.

[TswaneNguni]

ADs have nothing in stock ,means everything is sold .Best time ever to be an AD.

[jctrolex]

I agree I don’t understand how this works especially on the AD side. Rolex demands ADs to dedicate a certain amount of space in their store for their watches and that space has to be renovated to Rolex’s specs. Trust me looking at those spaces the construction work is not cheap. Add that to the usual high rent that these stores have to pay leaving those spaces empty and they have no watches to sell after they fronted all that capital? Most ADs nowadays have to supplement their sales by carrying other brands and jewelry. I really don’t know how this makes any business sense.

[loudmofo]

Originally Posted by jctrolex

I agree I don’t understand how this works especially on the AD side. Rolex demands ADs to dedicate a certain amount of space in their store for their watches and that space has to be renovated to Rolex’s specs. Trust me looking at those spaces the construction work is not cheap. Add that to the usual high rent that these stores have to pay leaving those spaces empty and they have no watches to sell after they fronted all that capital? Most ADs nowadays have to supplement their sales by carrying other brands and jewelry. I really don’t know how this makes any business sense.

My Ad sells $200,000 diamond rings ,I think there will be Ok.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Jack T

Fink’s in North Hills, Raleigh today, my first time there. Salesman was friendly, had a welcoming attitude, but confessed they didn’t have a single Rolex in the store.

Walked to the display cases, entirely empty, not one single watch on display. No Cellini’s no DJ31’s with diamond bezels, no MOP dials, nothing, zippo.

‘I’d be happy to take your name, set up a personal profile with your preferences, of course we have to work our way through the lists of other interested customers…’

Can’t imagine what the long term game plan is.

Never been to the Finks in Raleigh. Looks like I won't be going in the future.

[samuel019]

Originally Posted by jctrolex

I agree I don’t understand how this works especially on the AD side. Rolex demands ADs to dedicate a certain amount of space in their store for their watches and that space has to be renovated to Rolex’s specs. Trust me looking at those spaces the construction work is not cheap. Add that to the usual high rent that these stores have to pay leaving those spaces empty and they have no watches to sell after they fronted all that capital? Most ADs nowadays have to supplement their sales by carrying other brands and jewelry. I really don’t know how this makes any business sense.

Well my A D is going through the same remodel. I said what a shame to have all the beautiful new displays, bar, and furniture with nothing to look at. He agreed.

But make NO mistake there IS inventory in the store. It’s just being vetted.

Rolex A D’s are in a no win situation via the customer.

Put it out front where it belongs? They worry about the flippers meanwhile us non flippers get screwed

Hide it in the back? Well we all know our opinion of that. See the first comment in this thread plus thousands more. I’d like to think of my relationship with my A D since 2012 is a fair to partly cloudy one. As in I don’t get all the calls for every so called hot SS piece but I get a few.

Luckily, thankfully, happily I have just about everything I want. Just working on 2 more. One I hope to have this week and the other will be a good bit down the road because of what the first one is.

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by jctrolex

I agree I don’t understand how this works especially on the AD side. Rolex demands ADs to dedicate a certain amount of space in their store for their watches and that space has to be renovated to Rolex’s specs. Trust me looking at those spaces the construction work is not cheap. Add that to the usual high rent that these stores have to pay leaving those spaces empty and they have no watches to sell after they fronted all that capital? Most ADs nowadays have to supplement their sales by carrying other brands and jewelry. I really don’t know how this makes any business sense.

Makes perfect sense if you can sell every item in stock. Having unwanted stock lying around in display cabinets is dead money.

[IR201]

I had a recent experience with an AD where I mentioned what I was interested in and was told sorry they don't have it and they've got no stock really. I said that's cool then proceeded to chat with the SA for awhile about my collection and love for watches. I must have said something right because guess what "what did you say you were interested in again?" And it appeared for my purchase. Now I'm not sure this is the case always but it does make me believe ADs have more pieces than they are letting on, and you have to say the magic words to the right person at the right time. The other way to get which we all know would be big spending. Depends what the AD's policy is - sell to the whales only, sell to vetted non-flippers, sell to the best story (e.g. getting married, had a kid), or a mix. That said, I do think there are probably times between shipments where some ADs are being honest about low inventory.

[TexSub]

Went through this process to purchase my first Rolex from an AD this year. Completely empty Rolex case, not even ladies models, at least while I was there. Thankfully I got along well with my sales associate, talked watches, some non-watch stuff, and just general pleasant conversation really. He was able to get me a Submariner after about two months waiting. Full disclosure, I had shopped at this jeweler in the past, but not with the goal of getting a Rolex or anything, and nothing exorbitant by any measure, so I can't opine on how much that helped the situation.

[Mattt]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

ADs have nothing in stock ,means everything is sold .Best time ever to be an AD.

This. Can't believe people are "feeling bad" for AD and the SA.

They are selling more than ever.

[Tavli3]

Non boutique ADs should rip out the Rolex display cases, use the space for other merchandise. Then I talk a drive thru where you can pick up your Rolex like chicken Mac nuggets when u get the call.

Boutiques should also remove cases and put pictures on the wall. This way you just walk in do a 360 looking at everything and walk out like an art gallery.


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[DJ2020]

Was NEVER a fan of Finks, at least the Charlotte location. My ad had a few yesterday including a Submariner. I walked by the case and had to do a double take. Sure enough there it was. It was one of only 3 watches in the entire case.

I looked at it and handed it back to the SA. I'm sure it will be gone 5 minutes after they open tomorrow.

[CoveWatch]

A number of AD’s are developing a minimum inventory rule where they must meet a predetermined number before selling any above that. I believe that number varies amongst AD’s involved and could take the next few weeks before we start seeing a tiny bit of availability again.