Calling Rolex AD's to be put onto interest lists

Calling Rolex AD's to be put onto interest lists

Author
Discussion

EmilA

Original Poster:

1,530 posts

158 months

Monday 2nd October 2017
quotequote all
Got the call for a non date Sub from one of the AD's that I called, off to pick it up tomorrow. It's a fairly local AD too. Not bad going to be honest, only been a matter of weeks and before the potential/rumoured price hike. The only clause has been that I pay and pick it up within 48 hours.
Now need to get my hands onto an Hulk.

Miopyk

870 posts

146 months

Monday 2nd October 2017
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My approach is that wherever I am in the world if there is a Rolex AD there I walk in and ask what they have in stock that I could buy right there and then. I bought my Sub date and white Daytona that way and saved money on the UK price as well (pre-Brexit Sterling free fall) I could have bought 3 Daytonas (not the new one though) that way over the last 5 years including one from the AD in St Mark's Square in Venice that they had just put in the window. And in the last year alone I could have bought a Batman, Hulk and a James Cameron which were all available in the Caribbean. Didn't buy them though as to me they weren't on my list plus the prices were pretty poor based on the exchange rate. I did however buy a Cartier Santos 100 Carbon and saved a little over a grand on the UK price even with the poor exchange rate.

Don't really bother with UK dealers anymore as they're not interested unless you're spending a fortune with them and they don't get the stock anymore. So keep trying, they are out there and if you're persistent you will get what you want, eventually.

EmilA

Original Poster:

1,530 posts

158 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2017
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I agree, you do need to be spending big bucks with AD's to get onto the other lists for the watches in demand. A friend of mine who buys from one of the AD's in Birmingham was advised that he was "bumped" up the Daytona list after his last purchase (black & gold GMT). This is now 2 purchases from Goldsmiths, lets see how this plays out.

On the plus note, I picked up my non date Sub last night. All tags kept on the watch, warranty card given to me, the plastic surround for the bezel and I also got the plastic case the watch is delivered in, no quibbles at all. Quite pleased with that.

PrancingHorses

2,714 posts

208 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2017
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I was in Orlando last month and just walked in to the Rolex showroom at Mall of Millenia for a browse at 9.35pm (they close at 10pm). They had the new Gold Daytona with rubber strap on display but not the rose gold or stainless steel ceramic bezel versions.

Got talking to the sales manager and he could tell I was a watch enthusiast and he took a good look at my RG AP ROO that I was wearing. He asked me if I had any Rolex watches and I was frank with him up front in that I have not been able to buy the watches I like as they are never in stock. I told him I would love to buy the ceramic dial daytona but am not willing to pay the silly premiums. I did tell him I had a Submariner that I managed to find at an AD and bought it at list price back in 2001.

I did not ask him if he can get me in to the new Daytona. He then himself said there are ways around that and if I wanted one he could "ring around" and try to get me one for tomorrow? I said sure go for it and he disappeared for 5-7 mins wondering around on his mobile phone. When he came back he had both the Rose Gold and Cermaic Bezel Daytonas in his hand!

He said he needed authorization as these watches were reserved but has been granted permission to sell them to me if I wanted either or both. I told him I was not there to buy but just browse so a bit of a shock but I would come back at 9am and take the stainless Steel Daytona. I did not go back as I don't need the watch and was not interested in flipping it either. I just don't like the brand anymore due to these antics.

It's all a big fking drama staged really well by the entire dealer group and Rolex.

BTW are there premiums on the rose gold too?




EmilA

Original Poster:

1,530 posts

158 months

Tuesday 3rd October 2017
quotequote all
I'd imagine someone will call custard on that story, but I wouldn't be surprised either if that was the case! I'm sure the chap at WoS told me he had 2 Batman's in the safe when my wife picked up her lady date. I'm kicking myself for not asking him to repeat what he said.

The rose gold Daytona's don't command a premium, infact I think you could even get some discount on them. It's the SS Daytona's that are going for silly money. I'd love to be in the position where I have the choice of keeping it or selling it on, maybe one day!

PrancingHorses

2,714 posts

208 months

Wednesday 4th October 2017
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Agree on the Custard bit but I have no need to lie on here it is what it is smile

Fake waiting lists are the Rolex norm it seems...

EmilA

Original Poster:

1,530 posts

158 months

Friday 6th October 2017
quotequote all
A bump to the thread regarding AD's. I had one of the more hostile AD's call me yesterday if I was still interested in being kept on their waiting list for a watch. Asked again why am I on their list and not somewhere closer to home, and was told that they would keep the warranty card for 12 months too.

littlewheels

18 posts

100 months

Saturday 7th October 2017
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El stovey said:
If people weren’t so materialistic then the watches would be thousands cheaper and there wouldn’t be any waiting lists. This is simply supply and demand driven by consumerism.
Exactly, and without the demand certain Watches wouldn't carry the Caveot that people crave but since they do and you can afford it or aspire to it why not enjoy it.

Watches and Cars, as a comparison you have to be very brave with and generally seriously wealthy to purchase a Car New Now and get a good residual at resale, however, a desirable Watch could give a good return quite easily, not withstanding the fact that the pleasure of wearing the Watch for all to see as opposed to your Vehicle investment being parked where nobody sees it.

Materialistic, Successful,showing off, investable,who cares it's your choice.


Thermobaric

725 posts

121 months

Saturday 7th October 2017
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I couldn't even get on a waiting list when I spoke to my local ADs. Not until after new year they reckoned.

There must be warehouses of Rolexes all over the place creating this shockingly poor supply.

Cipo

320 posts

183 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
quotequote all
PrancingHorses said:
Agree on the Custard bit but I have no need to lie on here it is what it is smile

Fake waiting lists are the Rolex norm it seems...
Custard? Fake waiting lists? I have no reason to doubt you but this is my experience.

So after reading your posts and I'm trying to get my head around what you've said.

"You'd love to buy a ceramic Daytona" and when offered at retail you turn it down with no silly premiums? Then you say you don't like the brand anymore, why go in to the shop in the first place? IMO, the drama is about the buying experience and not caused by dealers.
You see, I was in that very same Orlando Rolex shop last week and asked for a steel ceramic Daytona, he said he had one but could not sell it to me as it was reserved for a customer. You not only gave up something very special but actions like this may of thwarted chances for other "walk in" customers who truly wanted one. I have tried around 20 to 30 dealers personally walked in, spoken to the sales manager in both Europe and the States, nothing, no steel Daytona's for sale.
I did however purchase another on my want list, a Batman from Mayors in Florida Mall, a customer failed to pick it up on Friday so I picked it up on the Saturday so a good result in the end.

FastNLoud

63 posts

128 months

Sunday 8th October 2017
quotequote all
Dave350 said:
I had an email from a kind member inhere recommending a couple of ADs nearby.

Made an enquiry with the first one and had a phonecall not long after saying they had one in stock.

I’ll be going on the weekend! He said they get 1/2 subs a month.
Long shot but if anyone knows of any ADs who might have a hulk it would be greatly appreciated as I am after one as my first rolex

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
Cipo said:
Custard? Fake waiting lists? I have no reason to doubt you but this is my experience.

So after reading your posts and I'm trying to get my head around what you've said.

"You'd love to buy a ceramic Daytona" and when offered at retail you turn it down with no silly premiums? Then you say you don't like the brand anymore, why go in to the shop in the first place? IMO, the drama is about the buying experience and not caused by dealers.
You see, I was in that very same Orlando Rolex shop last week and asked for a steel ceramic Daytona, he said he had one but could not sell it to me as it was reserved for a customer. You not only gave up something very special but actions like this may of thwarted chances for other "walk in" customers who truly wanted one. I have tried around 20 to 30 dealers personally walked in, spoken to the sales manager in both Europe and the States, nothing, no steel Daytona's for sale.
I did however purchase another on my want list, a Batman from Mayors in Florida Mall, a customer failed to pick it up on Friday so I picked it up on the Saturday so a good result in the end.
What price did you pay for the BLNR? in FL so no sales tax? I will be there next month, trying Heathrow, Schipol, JFK, CDG in the next few weeks ...

Cipo

320 posts

183 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
Trexthedinosaur said:
Cipo said:
Custard? Fake waiting lists? I have no reason to doubt you but this is my experience.

So after reading your posts and I'm trying to get my head around what you've said.

"You'd love to buy a ceramic Daytona" and when offered at retail you turn it down with no silly premiums? Then you say you don't like the brand anymore, why go in to the shop in the first place? IMO, the drama is about the buying experience and not caused by dealers.
You see, I was in that very same Orlando Rolex shop last week and asked for a steel ceramic Daytona, he said he had one but could not sell it to me as it was reserved for a customer. You not only gave up something very special but actions like this may of thwarted chances for other "walk in" customers who truly wanted one. I have tried around 20 to 30 dealers personally walked in, spoken to the sales manager in both Europe and the States, nothing, no steel Daytona's for sale.
I did however purchase another on my want list, a Batman from Mayors in Florida Mall, a customer failed to pick it up on Friday so I picked it up on the Saturday so a good result in the end.
What price did you pay for the BLNR? in FL so no sales tax? I will be there next month, trying Heathrow, Schipol, JFK, CDG in the next few weeks ...
Unfortunately I had no negotiating on the sales tax as there was a guy in the store also looking to buy it! All in all, it was £7.2k. Sometimes, you just have to pay the money if you want something. It wasn't like I'd paid over retail, just an awful exchange rate and FL state tax. I've only ever seen these for sale pre-owned for between £7-£8k and never in an AD new so had to have it as I didn't buy it for an investment but to wear.
I'm really happy with the purchase regardless of price as it really is a stunning piece.
Hope this helps.

foobies

138 posts

96 months

Tuesday 10th October 2017
quotequote all
Cipo said:
Unfortunately I had no negotiating on the sales tax as there was a guy in the store also looking to buy it! All in all, it was £7.2k. Sometimes, you just have to pay the money if you want something. It wasn't like I'd paid over retail, just an awful exchange rate and FL state tax. I've only ever seen these for sale pre-owned for between £7-£8k and never in an AD new so had to have it as I didn't buy it for an investment but to wear.
I'm really happy with the purchase regardless of price as it really is a stunning piece.
Hope this helps.
If it’s any comfort they wouldn’t have discounted it anyway, or taken care of the tax for you (I tried in April) Not that I needed one, was just interested to see what they’d do. Pushed a hard bargain but there was absolutely no movement.

On a slightly different note, a few grey dealers in the UK have them brand new and stickered around the £7600 mark. By the time you’ve factored in import VAT, probably best off just buying in the UK from a grey.

PrancingHorses

2,714 posts

208 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
quotequote all
Cipo said:
PrancingHorses said:
Agree on the Custard bit but I have no need to lie on here it is what it is smile

Fake waiting lists are the Rolex norm it seems...
Custard? Fake waiting lists? I have no reason to doubt you but this is my experience.

So after reading your posts and I'm trying to get my head around what you've said.

"You'd love to buy a ceramic Daytona" and when offered at retail you turn it down with no silly premiums? Then you say you don't like the brand anymore, why go in to the shop in the first place? IMO, the drama is about the buying experience and not caused by dealers.
You see, I was in that very same Orlando Rolex shop last week and asked for a steel ceramic Daytona, he said he had one but could not sell it to me as it was reserved for a customer. You not only gave up something very special but actions like this may of thwarted chances for other "walk in" customers who truly wanted one. I have tried around 20 to 30 dealers personally walked in, spoken to the sales manager in both Europe and the States, nothing, no steel Daytona's for sale.
I did however purchase another on my want list, a Batman from Mayors in Florida Mall, a customer failed to pick it up on Friday so I picked it up on the Saturday so a good result in the end.
"You'd love to buy a ceramic daytona and you turn it down without silly premiums" - Correct - I was having a conversation with the sales manager there and wanted to get across the point that even though I want to buy one I'd rather put my money elsewhere with a brand that really wants it without creating a fake demand - well I didn't say that in it's entirety but it's certainly what I meant.

"You don't like the brand anymore, why go in to the shop in the first place"? Was waiting for a table at the cheesecake factory downstairs - had 45 mins to kill so killed it - sorry to offend you by walking in to a shop for a brand I don't like rolleyes

"You not only gave up something very special but actions like this may of thwarted chances for other "walk in" customers who truly wanted one." - This is the most hilarious statement I have read on Pistonheads in a few years! What is special about it? The fake waiting list? You said it your self - he had one! He said the exact same thing he said to me i.e it is reserved for someone else - that is complete bullst as if he thought you would buy it he would have given it to you. I am not sure what watch you were wearing but his eyes were glued to my £32k ROO rose gold AP so he pretty much knew I could afford it - maybe you were not convincing enough? Don't blame me hehe

If it helps I was in Dubai last week and there are a couple available at the Mall of Emirates at list price - black dial ;-)

kith

564 posts

246 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
quotequote all
offshoreeddy said:
This.

Economy flight to Dubai and walk into, say, Siddiqi's at The Atlantis. Walk out either that day, or, at most, the day after, with whatever Rolex sports model you want.
Really? Including a ceramic Daytona? Missus going there for a long weekend soon so I may send her on an errand

critical mass

150 posts

106 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
quotequote all
kith said:
Really? Including a ceramic Daytona? Missus going there for a long weekend soon so I may send her on an errand
Ideal. That way if she's stopped by customs it won't be you with the criminal record.

JimmyConwayNW

3,065 posts

126 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
quotequote all
critical mass said:
kith said:
Really? Including a ceramic Daytona? Missus going there for a long weekend soon so I may send her on an errand
Ideal. That way if she's stopped by customs it won't be you with the criminal record.
They don't have any in stock.

Cipo

320 posts

183 months

Thursday 12th October 2017
quotequote all
PrancingHorses said:
Cipo said:
PrancingHorses said:
Agree on the Custard bit but I have no need to lie on here it is what it is smile

Fake waiting lists are the Rolex norm it seems...
Custard? Fake waiting lists? I have no reason to doubt you but this is my experience.

So after reading your posts and I'm trying to get my head around what you've said.

"You'd love to buy a ceramic Daytona" and when offered at retail you turn it down with no silly premiums? Then you say you don't like the brand anymore, why go in to the shop in the first place? IMO, the drama is about the buying experience and not caused by dealers.
You see, I was in that very same Orlando Rolex shop last week and asked for a steel ceramic Daytona, he said he had one but could not sell it to me as it was reserved for a customer. You not only gave up something very special but actions like this may of thwarted chances for other "walk in" customers who truly wanted one. I have tried around 20 to 30 dealers personally walked in, spoken to the sales manager in both Europe and the States, nothing, no steel Daytona's for sale.
I did however purchase another on my want list, a Batman from Mayors in Florida Mall, a customer failed to pick it up on Friday so I picked it up on the Saturday so a good result in the end.
"You'd love to buy a ceramic daytona and you turn it down without silly premiums" - Correct - I was having a conversation with the sales manager there and wanted to get across the point that even though I want to buy one I'd rather put my money elsewhere with a brand that really wants it without creating a fake demand - well I didn't say that in it's entirety but it's certainly what I meant.

"You don't like the brand anymore, why go in to the shop in the first place"? Was waiting for a table at the cheesecake factory downstairs - had 45 mins to kill so killed it - sorry to offend you by walking in to a shop for a brand I don't like rolleyes

"You not only gave up something very special but actions like this may of thwarted chances for other "walk in" customers who truly wanted one." - This is the most hilarious statement I have read on Pistonheads in a few years! What is special about it? The fake waiting list? You said it your self - he had one! He said the exact same thing he said to me i.e it is reserved for someone else - that is complete bullst as if he thought you would buy it he would have given it to you. I am not sure what watch you were wearing but his eyes were glued to my £32k ROO rose gold AP so he pretty much knew I could afford it - maybe you were not convincing enough? Don't blame me hehe

If it helps I was in Dubai last week and there are a couple available at the Mall of Emirates at list price - black dial ;-)
Fair enough Prancing, glad I gave you a little laugh...
To be honest, and on reflection I wasn't being very fair but I think because I now know I was very close to one I was obviously very disappointed. Toys out of the pram and all that.....

Thanks for the heads up regarding Dubai appreciated.

Jules360

1,949 posts

203 months

Friday 13th October 2017
quotequote all
offshoreeddy said:
PrancingHorses said:
If it helps I was in Dubai last week and there are a couple available at the Mall of Emirates at list price - black dial ;-)
This.

Economy flight to Dubai and walk into, say, Siddiqi's at The Atlantis. Walk out either that day, or, at most, the day after, with whatever Rolex sports model you want.
That's odd, cos I was in the same shop on Sunday asking when I could expect to get my Sea Dweller. Asked about the ceramic SS Daytona and was told a big waiting list.