I got the call, but............

[jerrizhao]

Hey guys,

Only a couple of weeks ago I started to look for DJ31 in Mint Green with fluted bezel and the jubilee bracelet. I put my name down with a few AD's in Melbourne for this one, and also a DJ31 in the Bright Blue just as a backup.

I got the call today for a Bright Blue one with jubilee bracelet and the smooth bezel. I haven't seen it yet, will go to the store as soon as my meetings are done today.

However, they said to me that they will use this watch as an exhibition piece for the month of September and I can buy it at the end of the month. I will need to put down 50% deposit and pay the rest when I pick it up.

Is this normal? And should I go for it?

[omar-rye]

are you ok with smooth bezel and jubilee? If that’s not what you really want then it’s an easy pass. Don’t compromise when purchasing luxury items. Secondly, do you really want to buy a demo piece? I doubt they will give you a discount but you should ask if you are leaning towards purchasing it. Lastly, and I don’t remember if the exhibition pieces I’ve handled had the stickers still on them, but if it won’t be sticker(ed) during the exhibition period then know for sure you’re going to get a scratched watch of some sort, especially the case back area where the bracelet rubs on it when they rest it down and whatnot. So with that said, I personally would not purchase this watch as a demo piece without a decent discount. On the other hand, it would be hard to say no personally if we were talking about a very hot piece like a Daytona where allocation can be 5-10 years for most people

[jerrizhao]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

are you ok with smooth bezel and jubilee? If that’s not what you really want then it’s an easy pass. Don’t compromise when purchasing luxury items. Secondly, do you really want to buy a demo piece? I doubt they will give you a discount but you should ask if you are leaning towards purchasing it. Lastly, and I don’t remember if the exhibition pieces I’ve handled had the stickers still on them, but if it won’t be sticker(ed) during the exhibition period then know for sure you’re going to get a scratched watch of some sort, especially the case back area where the bracelet rubs on it when they rest it down and whatnot. So with that said, I personally would not purchase this watch as a demo piece without a decent discount. On the other hand, it would be hard to say no personally if we were talking about a very hot piece like a Daytona where allocation can be 5-10 years for most people

Definitely don't mind the smooth bezel. I want the jubilee bracelet more than the oyster, so as long as I get that, I'm happy. I think the demo part is the annoying bit for me, I thought they're not allowed to sell demo pieces. Obviously I'm leaning towards asking for a discount, but with Rolex being so hot right now, I might end up sounding like a fool to ask for a discount. I'll go take a look at it first. Personally haven't really seen a smooth bezel with jubilee bracelet.

[amanbra]

Originally Posted by jerrizhao

Hey guys,

Only a couple of weeks ago I started to look for DJ31 in Mint Green with fluted bezel and the jubilee bracelet. I put my name down with a few AD's in Melbourne for this one, and also a DJ31 in the Bright Blue just as a backup.

I got the call today for a Bright Blue one with jubilee bracelet and the smooth bezel. I haven't seen it yet, will go to the store as soon as my meetings are done today.

However, they said to me that they will use this watch as an exhibition piece for the month of September and I can buy it at the end of the month. I will need to put down 50% deposit and pay the rest when I pick it up.

Is this normal? And should I go for it?

What?????????????

Can I ask which AD in Melbourne does this?

[Rolexken]

I’ve asked about the exhibition watches in 4 different ADs and all said that they would be sold as new watches when a replacement arrived at the store.

Everyone will make their own decision but the condition of a former exhibition piece will be no different to watches that sit in shop displays waiting for a sale - which was also the Rolex situation only a few years ago.

[jerrizhao]

Thanks everyone.

I went to try on and love it. Blue has its appeal as it has beautiful roman numerals whereas the green one has fluorescent sticks.

They wrap the watch so the scratches will be minimal. I putdownthe deposit and can't wait to pick it up soon.

Happy birthday to me! 🎉

[jaySL350]

Happy birthday and congrats on your new Rolex,,

[rmlovett1]

Congratulations on the DJ! Personally…I wouldn’t be happy with that situation at all, having my watch handled by whom ever for a month.

[Rolexken]

Great result congratulations

[fistwatches]

Happy birthday to you and congratulations on your acquisition

[Bill2e]

Congratulations

[dchang81]

Originally Posted by Rolexken

I’ve asked about the exhibition watches in 4 different ADs and all said that they would be sold as new watches when a replacement arrived at the store.

Everyone will make their own decision but the condition of a former exhibition piece will be no different to watches that sit in shop displays waiting for a sale - which was also the Rolex situation only a few years ago.

Why would they sell the exhibition instead of the "replacement" watch that arrived as new?

[1William]

Congratulations.

[Rolexken]

Originally Posted by dchang81

Why would they sell the exhibition instead of the "replacement" watch that arrived as new?

I guess to avoid deterioration with time on the exhibition pieces so that they no longer look like new on the display. There seems to be different experiences on here with the display models with some members saying they are dummies without movements, but what I posted was my experience with ADs - all WOS in different towns in the UK

[jerrizhao]

Originally Posted by Richris1

Congratulations on the DJ! Personally…I wouldn’t be happy with that situation at all, having my watch handled by whom ever for a month.

Thanks all for the bday wishes. :)

I asked if it's usual for them to do that and they said that they do this to all, it's company policy. I suspect that if I buy more from them in the future I might get a better experience but the possibility of me getting another Rolex is slim. Maybe I will ask to be on the list for a submariner for hubby.

[noTiktok]

Awesome! Congrats

[Rolexken]

Originally Posted by jerrizhao

Thanks all for the bday wishes. :)

I asked if it's usual for them to do that and they said that they do this to all, it's company policy. I suspect that if I buy more from them in the future I might get a better experience but the possibility of me getting another Rolex is slim. Maybe I will ask to be on the list for a submariner for hubby.

Time to express an interest is now. The submariner list is closed in the UK at my ADs so be prepared to aim for something else Rolex if that’s the situation where you are.

Explorer, Datejust, Yachtmaster, Deep Sea can have an interest expressed…..

[Giovannibravo]

I have never heard anything about putting deposits on exhibition pieces. I personally wouldn't buy an exhibition piece. From my experience they have lots of scratches because they are constant beat around by people trying them on.

[OrangeSport]

What?

Take your money and keepnthe watch for others to try on?

No way. Not for any piece, ever.

[Calatrava r]

I would go with the fluted bezel with Jubilee. It is the classic and smooth bezel works and flows best on the Oyster bracelet. Smooth and jubilee combo just is abrupt and doesn't look quite right to me. Get what you really want, don't settle if you're not 100 percent good.

[Cigars&Watches]

Good for you OP. glad to hear you got what you wanted

[gsg]

I would not take that deal.

[Surya]

Congratulations OP - I love that configuration. Post some photos when you get it!

One of my local ADs in the UK (DMR) does this as policy, although they don't make you pay a deposit up front - they only contact you after the "exhibition" period, and then you can inspect the watch and decide whether or not to take it. It's so they always have a plentiful stock of many different models in their window to entice people into the store. They have you over a barrel as they know they can easily sell an exhibition model five times over if someone doesn't like their system, and it may be the only one you can get. Frustrating but at least they are wrapping your watch to provide some protection. Hope the month flies by

[brandrea]

Happy birthday and congratulations in advance

Honestly, I’d be uncomfortable with the idea of them using it as a exhibition piece, but as long as you’re ok, that’s all that matters.

I’d recommend giving it a thorough once over when you pick it up.

[dannyp]

I’d ask whether it’ll be “display” or “demo” exhibition piece (and whether stickers will be intact).

I would be turned off by this but as long as deposit is refundable if there are scratches, etc, why not (if you’re unbothered by this).

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Lastly, and I don’t remember if the exhibition pieces I’ve handled had the stickers still on them, but if it won’t be sticker(ed) during the exhibition period then know for sure you’re going to get a scratched watch of some sort, especially the case back area where the bracelet rubs on it when they rest it down and whatnot.

I’d say that’s especially true for a 31, which will be tried in mostly by women (who are more likely to have rings and bracelets on that will click against the case back and sides.

When I’ve gone and tried on watches just for fun I typically take my wedding ring off for this reason, as a courtesy.

[garyk]

Demo, it’s a used watch with way more use than a normal owner might do.

[EndlessEight]

If people are trying it on and clunking it about the showroom, I'd pass on that deal.

[seosub]

Ive walked into a few ADs in Canada in the last year with mint green dial 31 DJ in display case - one smaller AD with two: oyster/smooth & oyster/fluted

Dont settle - 31mm DJs are available..

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

If people are trying it on and clunking it about the showroom, I'd pass on that deal.

This happened for 50 years in Rolex stores. Some watches sat for years in the case before they were sold and tried on all the time. No one thought a thing about it. The notion that goods offered for sale to the general public have to be untouched or they are inferior somehow is really a new way of thinking. Go into any department store people and customers are trying everything from clothing to shoes which will be sold to someone if they do not take it. The notion that a Rolex watch encased in protective plastic can be harmed in any way by people looking at it and trying it in a jewelry store in front of a trained SA is simply not true.