Has the Rolex bubble finally burst? Perhaps it has
Discussion
I have 3 “ nice “ watches - Breitling Navitimer and Blackbird and a Bremont Boeing - have never had the desire for a Rolex but reading this thread and seeing it from all sides makes me so glad that I don’t want one.
Even Porsche don’t insist on knowing your childrens names but as long as enough brown envelopes are involved will still sell you a limited GT car.
As this decision is always down to the DP I would suggest that in the case of Rolex it’s the manager of the retailer that makes the call and not the shop assistant though.
Funnily enough I do get WS’s suggestion of popping in monthly to just have a chat - I’ve done that for years in certain car showrooms ( not quite monthly ) but at least you can order those ( Porsche GT excepted ).
Even Porsche don’t insist on knowing your childrens names but as long as enough brown envelopes are involved will still sell you a limited GT car.
As this decision is always down to the DP I would suggest that in the case of Rolex it’s the manager of the retailer that makes the call and not the shop assistant though.
Funnily enough I do get WS’s suggestion of popping in monthly to just have a chat - I’ve done that for years in certain car showrooms ( not quite monthly ) but at least you can order those ( Porsche GT excepted ).
It strikes me that the fairest way AD's could behave, is to ban anyone from buying more than one Rolex more in a 2-3 year period, and if you haven't bought a Rolex previously, then you go right to the front of the queue for the one you want.
It would stop certain customers being able to walk out with a watch every single year, or several watches every year, and enable those who just want to buy one watch to treat themselves, would be able to do so. I imagine the vast majority of people only want one Rolex as their 'one special watch'.
It will never happen of course as the AD's are probably making way more money doing it their own way.
It would stop certain customers being able to walk out with a watch every single year, or several watches every year, and enable those who just want to buy one watch to treat themselves, would be able to do so. I imagine the vast majority of people only want one Rolex as their 'one special watch'.
It will never happen of course as the AD's are probably making way more money doing it their own way.
Lord Marylebone said:
It strikes me that the fairest way AD's could behave, is to ban anyone from buying more than one Rolex more in a 2-3 year period, and if you haven't bought a Rolex previously, then you go right to the front of the queue for the one you want.
It would stop certain customers being able to walk out with a watch every single year, or several watches every year, and enable those who just want to buy one watch to treat themselves, would be able to do so. I imagine the vast majority of people only want one Rolex as their 'one special watch'.
It will never happen of course as the AD's are probably making way more money doing it their own way.
Sounds a very fair suggestion but that’s paradoxically why it won’t happen. It would stop certain customers being able to walk out with a watch every single year, or several watches every year, and enable those who just want to buy one watch to treat themselves, would be able to do so. I imagine the vast majority of people only want one Rolex as their 'one special watch'.
It will never happen of course as the AD's are probably making way more money doing it their own way.
The similarities with Porsche are close but but much larger numbers involved obviously and the Car company isn’t the slightest bit interested in how the cars get allocated by each DP.
alscar said:
Lord Marylebone said:
It strikes me that the fairest way AD's could behave, is to ban anyone from buying more than one Rolex more in a 2-3 year period, and if you haven't bought a Rolex previously, then you go right to the front of the queue for the one you want.
It would stop certain customers being able to walk out with a watch every single year, or several watches every year, and enable those who just want to buy one watch to treat themselves, would be able to do so. I imagine the vast majority of people only want one Rolex as their 'one special watch'.
It will never happen of course as the AD's are probably making way more money doing it their own way.
Sounds a very fair suggestion but that’s paradoxically why it won’t happen. It would stop certain customers being able to walk out with a watch every single year, or several watches every year, and enable those who just want to buy one watch to treat themselves, would be able to do so. I imagine the vast majority of people only want one Rolex as their 'one special watch'.
It will never happen of course as the AD's are probably making way more money doing it their own way.
The similarities with Porsche are close but but much larger numbers involved obviously and the Car company isn’t the slightest bit interested in how the cars get allocated by each DP.
'Fair' doesn't make the most amount of money for dealerships or AD's, so it won't happen.
Deep said:
I'm the same as you. I'm not socially awkward but also not an extrovert by any stretch. I don't like to talk about my inner thoughts, my children or anything else personal with anyone other than those people I have known for decades...my inner circle.
My AD does not know my children's names even though they have been in the store. I do not know my AD's children's names.
Any conversation we have is probably about 20 minutes whilst they're sizing the watch and I'm paying. At least half of that will be about watches.
I think I may have popped in once when I wasn't actually buying a watch to say hello and that was only because they spotted me walking past and waved. There was no cupping involved.
However those short 20 minute conversations when done 3 or 4 times a year mean you do get to know a little about each other. They know my favourite hobby and will ask about it when I'm there. I know his particular interest/hobby and I will do likewise. It's just polite and avoids awkward silences whilst purchasing.
The PH mob are trying to make this into something it isn't.
Stop talking sense Deep; it ruins the narrative of the usual suspects here.My AD does not know my children's names even though they have been in the store. I do not know my AD's children's names.
Any conversation we have is probably about 20 minutes whilst they're sizing the watch and I'm paying. At least half of that will be about watches.
I think I may have popped in once when I wasn't actually buying a watch to say hello and that was only because they spotted me walking past and waved. There was no cupping involved.
However those short 20 minute conversations when done 3 or 4 times a year mean you do get to know a little about each other. They know my favourite hobby and will ask about it when I'm there. I know his particular interest/hobby and I will do likewise. It's just polite and avoids awkward silences whilst purchasing.
The PH mob are trying to make this into something it isn't.
I offered a wee bit of advice to someone whom was frustrated and all these walts decide to have a go and post that it really doesn't bother them one jot that they don't get offered a watch, so much so that they feel the need to come on PH and tell total random strangers on here and then to prove their huge presence by having a go at anyone who dares to be friendly and polite to these snotty unworthy sales people.
Wish I was one of them alpha males.
Maybe in the next life.
alscar said:
I have 3 “ nice “ watches - Breitling Navitimer and Blackbird and a Bremont Boeing - have never had the desire for a Rolex but reading this thread and seeing it from all sides makes me so glad that I don’t want one.
Even Porsche don’t insist on knowing your childrens names but as long as enough brown envelopes are involved will still sell you a limited GT car.
As this decision is always down to the DP I would suggest that in the case of Rolex it’s the manager of the retailer that makes the call and not the shop assistant though.
Funnily enough I do get WS’s suggestion of popping in monthly to just have a chat - I’ve done that for years in certain car showrooms ( not quite monthly ) but at least you can order those ( Porsche GT excepted ).
What is everyone's obsession with Rolex and children's names?? Not sure how many times I need to say that they DO NOT ask for your offspring's birth certificates lolEven Porsche don’t insist on knowing your childrens names but as long as enough brown envelopes are involved will still sell you a limited GT car.
As this decision is always down to the DP I would suggest that in the case of Rolex it’s the manager of the retailer that makes the call and not the shop assistant though.
Funnily enough I do get WS’s suggestion of popping in monthly to just have a chat - I’ve done that for years in certain car showrooms ( not quite monthly ) but at least you can order those ( Porsche GT excepted ).
And popping into a car showroom every month for a chat is the weirdest thing I have ever heard. Why on earth would you do that?
Harry Flashman said:
An interest subtext to all of this in RRP pricing. Rolex clearly feel that substantial rises can be taken by the market. Whilst I am sure much of this is weakness of GBP and general inflation, rises have been heavy. I'm sure their assessment of what people are willing to pay over RRP led to some of the decision making.
But has anyone seen what Omega has done? A watch I bought for £5600 RRP (admittedly I got a small discount) two years ago is now £7500 RRP. That is a big change.
I think some of these RRPs are bordering on the ridiculous now for Rolex, Omega, IWC and Breitling. But has anyone seen what Omega has done? A watch I bought for £5600 RRP (admittedly I got a small discount) two years ago is now £7500 RRP. That is a big change.
Look what happened to Panerai in the early 2000s. The only brand to have, pushed RRPs up fast when the sun was shining… and now no one talks about them.
Tudor are occupying a unique position at the moment I think, and Tag are getting themselves together as well.
My brother was recently asked to provide ID by the AD he bought his Datejust from. Was a request sent over WhatsApp. Data protection nightmare IMO.
Edited by gregs656 on Wednesday 29th March 15:31
Deep said:
What is everyone's obsession with Rolex and children's names?? Not sure how many times I need to say that they DO NOT ask for your offspring's birth certificates lol
And popping into a car showroom every month for a chat is the weirdest thing I have ever heard. Why on earth would you do that?
Sorry Deep I had assumed you had read all these posts - I was merely commenting post WS’s previously made comments - I’ve copied below. And popping into a car showroom every month for a chat is the weirdest thing I have ever heard. Why on earth would you do that?
Then as I suggested, pop by once a month or so
I know the manager and assistant managers partners names, their kids names and vice versa. Its not a feigned thing; I am genuinely interested in them as aquantices now.
And on the car showroom thing - I never said every month and not all car showrooms obviously but perhaps the marques I’m interested in and where I do know the DP / Sales exec etc.
I take it you’ve never gone in for a coffee and bought a car before.
iphonedyou said:
I'd imagine lots of people have. I'd say far fewer have popped in monthly (or almost monthly) to just have a chat, mind.
Clearly I should have made my comments clearer - yes lots will have done so you are absolutely right which is why I said it. Again I didn’t say monthly or almost monthly and this being a car forum thought this might be more understood than perhaps visiting a Rolex watch shop which won’t sell you anything but again no doubt I’m just odd.
iphonedyou said:
I'd imagine lots of people have. I'd say far fewer have popped in monthly (or almost monthly) to just have a chat, mind.
With cars it depends on what car you are after. If its the routine Merc, Audi, BM then its a waste of time. If you want say a 296 then it definitely does help,Lord Marylebone said:
I was just trying to suggest that he should bomb Rolex off and buy something else, as it doesn't seem worth the anguish to continue going into Rolex AD's and made to feel worthless because they still haven't sold him what he wants.
If people can be made to feel worthless, because a shop assistant won’t sell them a mass produced wrist watch, they have issues that a watch won’t fix.alscar said:
Deep said:
What is everyone's obsession with Rolex and children's names?? Not sure how many times I need to say that they DO NOT ask for your offspring's birth certificates lol
And popping into a car showroom every month for a chat is the weirdest thing I have ever heard. Why on earth would you do that?
Sorry Deep I had assumed you had read all these posts - I was merely commenting post WS’s previously made comments - I’ve copied below. And popping into a car showroom every month for a chat is the weirdest thing I have ever heard. Why on earth would you do that?
Then as I suggested, pop by once a month or so
I know the manager and assistant managers partners names, their kids names and vice versa. Its not a feigned thing; I am genuinely interested in them as aquantices now.
And on the car showroom thing - I never said every month and not all car showrooms obviously but perhaps the marques I’m interested in and where I do know the DP / Sales exec etc.
I take it you’ve never gone in for a coffee and bought a car before.
I only pop in when I get a call for a watch.
The jewelers is in a hotel that we occasionally stay in for a weekend break, so yes, we will pop in whilst staying to say hello usually with our younger kids, hence how they know their names and conversed about such things.
Bizarre that you find it fine to pop into car dealerships once a month for a coffee as OK, but post its odd to do the same at a jewelers...is it not the same thing?
Strangely enough after we were through collecting my sons watch for his birthday, on the way home we popped into Porsche for a quick look, updates on orders and a blether and was offered a slot for a Dakar which I maybe foolishly declined as after thinking about it called back in the morning and someone else had secured it...hey ho.
I only make posts on here generally towards other enthusuasts etc; I don't make calls on what is weird or try to belittle other posters.
Thats not really my thing, but each to their own.
I actually go into the AD quite regularly but it's very near my office, and I like to look at watches and try stuff on. I also enjoy talking to people, and as such do always end up having a chat with the people who have sold me various watches.
As for cars, I also like to go into Joe Macari, near my home, quite about and perve at cars. I frequently have at least one child with me as this stop is often in the way to my mother's house on a Saturday morning.
These are hobbies. Indulge them!
As for cars, I also like to go into Joe Macari, near my home, quite about and perve at cars. I frequently have at least one child with me as this stop is often in the way to my mother's house on a Saturday morning.
These are hobbies. Indulge them!
Harry Flashman said:
I actually go into the AD quite regularly but it's very near my office, and I like to look at watches and try stuff on. I also enjoy talking to people, and as such do always end up having a chat with the people who have sold me various watches.
As for cars, I also like to go into Joe Macari, near my home, quite about and perve at cars. I frequently have at least one child with me as this stop is often in the way to my mother's house on a Saturday morning.
These are hobbies. Indulge them!
Stop this immediately Harry...they shall be out with their pitchforks and glib comments if you keep posting stuff like this...As for cars, I also like to go into Joe Macari, near my home, quite about and perve at cars. I frequently have at least one child with me as this stop is often in the way to my mother's house on a Saturday morning.
These are hobbies. Indulge them!
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