AD: Not taking orders for few years (?)

[Guyidan]

Hey,

Looking for a daydate, went to an AD here where I live, told me since last week were not taking any orders for any watch except the 36 DD.

He seemed very nervous, almost like he was forced to lie, so offered even to bundle with a different watch, he then went to explain that they stopped taking orders just cause the lack of watches and they don’t want to take customers money and have them wait 3 years.

I’m new in Miami so not relationship with the specific AD, but wondered if there’s anyone here that has good relationship with an AD and can confirm that they’re really not gonna take orders for a couple of years?
As if that the case, might as well just go back gray market now.

Thanks!!

[dannyp]

Had a dealer tell me recently that they'd stopped taking deposits a couple of years ago, but not that they'd stopped taking/placing orders.

I would imagine that as much as a customer service issue, this is an accounting issue. Could make revenue recognition a pain, and in the current climate, possibly even require them to place funds in a proper escrow account (lots of deposits + multi-year waits + possibility of going under/losing Rolex line).

[rambo99]

my AD guy told me that rolex is going to close its business in 2 years time, glad i've already got my daytona.

[Master_Grogu]

Think for a second. Would somebody with a million $ spend history, coming with her son and daughter wanting to order 2 DD in YG and RG for her precious spoiled little kids, would have gotten the same reply?

[TunaTuna]

Hmmm then where are all 'incoming' post watches coming from? If you buy other watches or jewelry from the AD, they will sell you watches. There is just too much demand to sell to newbies, they do not want to piss off their good clients

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by TunaTuna

Hmmm then where are all 'incoming' post watches coming from? If you buy other watches or jewelry from the AD, they will sell you watches. There is just too much demand to sell to newbies, they do not want to piss off their good clients

The OP didn't say "no deliveries" for several years, just no "special order + deposit" for the past few years.

[Pinchy]

Yes its 99% true. Day Dates are no longer orderable and previously were. I believe the same is true for DJ 36 41s

The 1% bullshit is that the restriction is for 2 years. I'm sure nobody, even rolex, don't know what the hell is happening in 2 years.

[owl.]

Yeah this is insane.

I sold a Rolex, bought an Omega, but was still fine and happy with Rolex. I ordered a two tone Datejust 36 3 months ago, and put a deposit down.

3 are over and I was told that it could take 2 more months.

Love the watches, they are great, and beautiful, but I am sorry, I picked up my money and called it an attempt.

If they ever have watches again, I'll try to buy one.

But I'm not going to let the AD sit on my money for half a year almost. Hell no.

There are other watches to be bought, or simply other things to do with money.

[owl.]

I also forgot to mention, I went to about 4 ADs in different cities over the course of a week, during a road trip.

None of them had anything.

Maybe a pearl master, or a platinum day date and that's it.

Absolutely ridiculous.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Pinchy

Yes its 99% true. Day Dates are no longer orderable and previously were. I believe the same is true for DJ 36 41s

The 1% bullshit is that the restriction is for 2 years. I'm sure nobody, even rolex, don't know what the hell is happening in 2 years.

I think that what the OP meant is that either 1) AD had stopped taking deposits on orders a few years ago and/or 2) AD wouldn't take deposits now on watches they thought might take years to deliver.

I don't think that the AD was saying they were stopping with new deposits/orders for the next few years.

[DC116710LN]

In an earlier thread, many confirmed that they've also been told Rolex is not accepting orders at the moment while they work to fulfill the existing backlog. That policy could change at any time though

[Ricky Rolex]

Grey dealers rubbing their hands

[77T]

The story does get morphed with each telling.

My nearby AD said no special orders larger than 36mm. He and his partner own the shop. Said Rolex won’t book the order for them.

Are boutiques treated the same?
Don’t know since I haven’t been in one.


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[Asumer]

100% confirm what OP is saying, I asked a few times about a ND sub at ben bridges at la jolla UTC in San Diego. Each time its the same answer, we can't put you on the waiting list for 2 years. So basically you cannot buy any ss rolex model from them. I made the mistake of moving to san diego area a year ago so I have no history with these ADs, royal maui the AD nearer to my house got dropped by rolex late last year, so there are 2 rolex ADs in San Diego county with a population of 3M+ and neither will sell any ss rolex to anyone new for 2 years.

[whiskyrolex]

Originally Posted by Asumer

100% confirm what OP is saying, I asked a few times about a ND sub at ben bridges at la jolla UTC in San Diego. Each time its the same answer, we can't put you on the waiting list for 2 years. So basically you cannot buy any ss rolex model from them. I made the mistake of moving to san diego area a year ago so I have no history with these ADs, royal maui the AD nearer to my house got dropped by rolex late last year, so there are 2 rolex ADs in San Diego county with a population of 3M+ and neither will sell any ss rolex to anyone new for 2 years.

You should consider driving up to Carmel. Fourtane's main location is taking new customers, and then you could use the purchase history at their SD branch.

[jerseyb]

Originally Posted by owl.

I also forgot to mention, I went to about 4 ADs in different cities over the course of a week, during a road trip.

None of them had anything.

Maybe a pearl master, or a platinum day date and that's it.

Absolutely ridiculous.

At this point the dealers should just remove the showcases until either supply strengthens or demand wanes.

[fastrack1]

I am on a waiting list at my AD for any sport watch in 41mm or above. I put myself on the waiting list for a Starbuck Sub 2 months ago and picked it up two weeks ago. AD doesn't act like I will or won't get a call on another one, but there was no issue getting on a list and it has already worked once for me.

[77T]

Originally Posted by jerseyb

At this point the dealers should just remove the showcases until either supply strengthens or demand wanes.

Can’t do that. Rolex contract requires the cases be there.

The AD can buy the display model set. But if RUSA won’t allow ordering, that’d be a bit silly.


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[garyk]

Originally Posted by jerseyb

At this point the dealers should just remove the showcases until either supply strengthens or demand wanes.

Ive seen that happen. Its called Rolex taking the franchise away from the AD...A heartbeat later, no cases or signs, etc...

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by 77T

Can’t do that. Rolex contract requires the cases be there.

The AD can buy the display model set. But if RUSA won’t allow ordering, that’d be a bit silly.


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Or simply deciding to hold, vs sell, some inventory. Same thing essentially.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by rambo99

my AD guy told me that rolex is going to close its business in 2 years time, glad i've already got my daytona.

lol

[Fleetlord]

The AD simply don't need or want to manage any more new business requests.

It's just a nicer way to say, NO.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

The AD simply don't need or want to manage any more new business requests.

It's just a nicer way to say, NO.

Yea guys, this is the simple truth. They just didn’t want to hurt your feelings.
I was told last week by my SA I could “order” an OF Daytona , no money down. Rolex hasn’t stopped making watches …


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[XtraCrispy]

Went to my AD yesterday (Chicago suburbs) with my son who has cash in hand and is ready to buy any sports model. I told him before we went that the AD will tell us they have nothing available (except a handful of ladies models no one wants). Sure enough, the multiple Rolex cases in the store were 99% empty - they had 6 ladies models that have been sitting there for over a year.

Talked to my guy who sold me my Sub and Tudor. He said they are not taking orders on any Rolex models and we should plan on waiting over 2 years for even a chance to buy something - no waitlist anymore either.

I asked him why Rolex would allow such a negative impact on their business - virtually empty cases with no hope in sight to sell a Rolex to anyone. He said Rolex only makes 1,000.000 watches per year for the entire world and because of the COVID shutdown, they are way behind schedule in getting watches made.

Again, this is what he told me - could be 100% true - 50% true or total BS.

Of course, he had plenty of stock on Tudor, Omega, Tag, etc.

[kittansett]

AD owner said he is up 103 % to date from Rolex sales. So don't feel sorry for the AD. Empty cases means everything is sold with profit at full price.

[JRell]

So the greys want us to think…

[992Guy]

Originally Posted by XtraCrispy

Of course, he had plenty of stock on Tudor, Omega, Tag, etc.

FOMO

Simple people want what they perceive they can’t have!