Met an Ethical AD Today

[Batmannr1]

Last year when I started collecting watches, I had a simular conversation with a sales woman of a chain AD. No waiting lists anymore, all Rolexes they receive go directly in the display trays, also the in demand SS sportmodels. First come, first serve.
I went back a few times. What a fool I have been. Never a SS GMT, Sub or Daytona in the trays. I grew up and now understand that these high in demand watches are sold to vips, greys and persons on the waiting lists.



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[RobearH]

Originally Posted by singe89

If I buy 10+ pieces from an AD I would hope I would get something like VIP status in return other than having to go to his store everyday in search of the watch I want. Just not worth the time.

If I'm new to an AD I don't mind bundling either if it means getting the watch I want, in the time I want it and for less than the grey market. Last offer at a local PP AD was to buy the grey market value of the watch over retail in jewelry to get the next watch I wanted when it came in at retail.

Bundling by the AD’s just turns the average watch enthusiasts into flippers. We are in a F’n viscous cycle where there is no solution.

[rominvicta]

Fairy tales!

[k1985]

My AD is a hybrid model. They allocate what they deem to be the super hot pieces, but everything else (subs, GMT etc) gets put in the case. That said, they do maintain lists, and the salespeople immediately call customers when a piece gets put out. Results in a mad dash to secure the piece. My sales person called me once and I said I was 20 minutes out - she replied “don’t bother, it will be gone”.

I think ultimately there is no winning in this current market. To the OP, I would be very surprised if they truly put a SS Daytona out in the case and have a walk-in stumble upon it. Good luck though!


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[CoveWatch]

They will now be getting calls daily asking about new inventory to stop by

[tx02ag]

Son: Dad, I'm going out to look for a summer job!

Dad: Actually son, you are going to be the first one at xxx Jewelers every (insert Rolex delivery day here) and call me if you see x, y, or z.

[goodolejr]

Originally Posted by tx02ag

Son: Dad, I'm going out to look for a summer job!

Dad: Actually son, you are going to be the first one at xxx Jewelers every (insert Rolex delivery day here) and call me if you see x, y, or z.

This gave me a chuckle.

[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by cdubg21

Went in to a new AD today and spent some time chatting with the sales rep and trying on a few pieces. Very nice people. Their policy is 100% of every shipment goes into the case and it is first come, first serve. No lists, no preferential treatment for VIP’s. I was told a gentleman walked in to have a bracelet sized two months ago and walked out with a Pepsi that was sitting in the case. As somebody who is nowhere near VIP status, I can appreciate this system. Stop in and visit, be in the right place at the right time, and maybe you get lucky. Much prefer this sliver of hope to being told “somewhere between 3 years and never”.

You may have found an unicorn! Hope it leads you to something good. Please report back with actual new watch results

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by illiguy

This ought to be the norm and not the exception, but good on your AD.

We can only dream....

[codecow]

If they actually do this they’re really dumb.

[zengineer]

I have trouble classifying the first come / first served policy as somehow more ethical that the more typical preferential priority for loyal customers approach. Since when does the equal rights act include SS Rolexes at reasonable prices?

It sounds like a system that would reward the retired, the self employed and the unemployed who could stalk dealers all year round. Do you realize that a system like that worldwide would quickly become a game for flippers feeding the grey market.

It sounds very altruistic and all warm and fuzzy for the common man. In reality, it would be a disaster. It's also kinda sorta the opposite of capitalism.

[AK797]

Sounds terrible, only unemployed, buy on credit, loser flippers with all the time in the world stand to benefit.

If true, Rolex will shut them down yesterday.

[3sheets86]

A salesman at mappin and Webb once told me that Rolex would do their nut if they found out that a SS daytona found its way into the display cabinet.

[Irydium]

Originally Posted by zengineer

I have trouble classifying the first come / first served policy as somehow more ethical that the more typical preferential priority for loyal customers approach. Since when does the equal rights act include SS Rolexes at reasonable prices?

It sounds like a system that would reward the retired, the self employed and the unemployed who could stalk dealers all year round. Do you realize that a system like that worldwide would quickly become a game for flippers feeding the grey market.

It sounds very altruistic and all warm and fuzzy for the common man. In reality, it would be a disaster. It's also kinda sorta the opposite of capitalism.

I'm by no means anywhere near a VIP at my AD and I don't begrudge AD's at all for taking care of their best customers first when it comes to hot watches.

I'm not sure why first come first serve is thought of as the more 'ethical' way either. Think of an AD as an employer with two employees, both asking for the same bonus. Would you as a boss want to give the same bonus to the employee with $1M in sales over the one that brought in $10M in sales?

The better performing (whale) customer gets the better bonus (hot watch)

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by cdubg21

Went in to a new AD today and spent some time chatting with the sales rep and trying on a few pieces. Very nice people. Their policy is 100% of every shipment goes into the case and it is first come, first serve. No lists, no preferential treatment for VIP’s. I was told a gentleman walked in to have a bracelet sized two months ago and walked out with a Pepsi that was sitting in the case. As somebody who is nowhere near VIP status, I can appreciate this system. Stop in and visit, be in the right place at the right time, and maybe you get lucky. Much prefer this sliver of hope to being told “somewhere between 3 years and never”.

It's certainly a great way to operate.
But then I see downsides.
First, assuming it contributes to more people calling in/stopping by. Then they will need to employ more staff to cater to their needs which may not result in more sales to cover the wage bill.
Second, there will be customers that are not able to just call around because of workloads or distance.
Third, it could lead to more phone calls that also need to be dealt with so leading to more staff required.

I believe in the hybrid model, where they run a list where everybody gets the notification of their desired piece at the exact same time in a sort of auto generated fashion in the form of a text.
After that, It's first come first served.
If the watch hasn't found a home within a period of time(for example 6 days) then it gets put into the display inside the shop for random callers. If not moved on to a home within another period of time, then it gets put into the front window.

If it's a sought after reference it spreads the opportunity to acquire around more fairly with more scope for the dealer to manage and balance the sales aspect with increasing foot traffic into the store.
The watch will sell one way or another due to demand and it minimises the possibility of customers being disadvantaged.

[timepieceluvr]

I prefer capitalism to socialism even when it means I don’t get my way...


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[cdubg21]

Originally Posted by AK797

Sounds terrible, only unemployed, buy on credit, loser flippers with all the time in the world stand to benefit.

If true, Rolex will shut them down yesterday.

You must have had a bad day??

[supersam80]

Originally Posted by cdubg21

You must have had a bad day??

You cant see how if all ADs operated this way, or it became known that this AD worked this way, that they wouldn't simply be stalked by flippers around delivery day?

Hell, sit outside the shop for a few days and pick up one hot reference. Its financially feasible. If that reference happens to be a daytona all of a sudden you're making a good monthly income for a day or two worth of work.

[zengineer]

I am not lusting after any of the hot models but I know one thing...if I was and had just dropped 50K on diamonds and a PM lady watch I can well better be at the top of the list for whatever I did want.

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[cdubg21]

Originally Posted by supersam80

You cant see how if all ADs operated this way, or it became known that this AD worked this way, that they wouldn't simply be stalked by flippers around delivery day?

Hell, sit outside the shop for a few days and pick up one hot reference. Its financially feasible. If that reference happens to be a daytona all of a sudden you're making a good monthly income for a day or two worth of work.

Can't see how it's any worse than the AD's feeding "VIP" resellers directly. At least everyone gets a shot. Not the case with the current system

[Shdrolex]

Originally Posted by cdubg21

She told me the lists caused more problems than they solved—i.e. people who feel entitled to the next hot piece feeling snubbed, so they changed their policy. She was very genuine and I don’t have any reason not to believe her

Which AD is this? I would want to stop by if i get a chance and try my luck.!

[supersam80]

Originally Posted by cdubg21

Can't see how it's any worse than the AD's feeding "VIP" resellers directly. At least everyone gets a shot. Not the case with the current system

Everyone does not get a shot in first come first served. People who can hang around ADs all day are the only ones that get a shot. Its a terrible system

[imgook]

For some reason I just don't believe them. Zero business sense. Perhaps they just tell you that, to make you feel better. Now that's a good business move.

[cdubg21]

Originally Posted by supersam80

Everyone does not get a shot in first come first served. People who can hang around ADs all day are the only ones that get a shot. Its a terrible system

You are missing the point....there is at least a shred of possibility with a first come first serve system. With hot models being fed directly to resellers, there is ZERO chance for WIS to get them at retail.

Also, let the gray dealers / resellers squat at these stores and wait it out, waste a considerable amount of time, be inconvenienced. I prefer that to them being spoonfed hot watches to resell without lifting a finger!

[cdubg21]

Originally Posted by zengineer

I am not listing after any of the hot models but I know one thing...if I was and had just dropped 50K on diamonds and a PM lady watch I can well better be at the top of the list for whatever I did want

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In your example, what you paid for (and received) was $50k in diamonds and a lady's watch, not a spot on the top of the list.

[42itus]

Originally Posted by imgook

For some reason I just don't believe them. Zero business sense. Perhaps they just tell you that, to make you feel better. Now that's a good business move.

This is exactly what I thought when I read it.

[supersam80]

Originally Posted by cdubg21

You are missing the point....there is at least a shred of possibility with a first come first serve system. With hot models being fed directly to resellers, there is ZERO chance for WIS to get them at retail.

Also, let the gray dealers / resellers squat at these stores and wait it out, waste a considerable amount of time, be inconvenienced. I prefer that to them being spoonfed hot watches to resell without lifting a finger!

You are missing the point. In first come first serve, there is ZERO chance for anyone who cannot sit outside an AD for days on end waiting for a delivery to get a chance to buy a hot model.

You acknowledge the greys will squat and buy the watches. How does that help you? Surely its easy for them to pay someone a very very low wage to sit out the front and call them when stock arrives. Again - how does this help YOU buy a watch? I'm assuming of course that you're gainfully employed.

In the current system, many WIS buy at retail. Just because you cannot, does not mean it does not happen. Just look at the incoming threads here. I bought a GMT last year (things have been difficult in Aust for a lot longer than the US) at retail - I'm not a whale at all.

Dont extrapolate your experiences out as reality for everyone else. If there was ZERO chance as you say, again, the incoming threads must be a figment of my imagination.

[s14roller]

The real solution is for Rolex to supply enough inventory to ADs.

While I would appreciate having more access to pieces, this sales model can potentially have issues. For one, it doesn't reward loyalty to clients who are really keeping the lights on at the AD vs. the person that randomly comes and buys one watch and is done forever. Second, this sales model also opens up the door for "backdooring" pieces. I can easily see sales people texting their friends when a piece has come in or developing a deal with flippers where they slide the sales rep a grand and thus get the first notification when the watch comes in.

[tng11]

I won't beat this to death, but as others have said, a "first come first serve" policy has its pitfalls. The local AD that did this, many of their pieces ended up on forums for a premium. They also end up with plenty of angry customers, especially as they have multiple people running to the AD against the clock for the same piece, but only one person can buy it, and customers who've spent a ton also don't want to have to drop everything and run over.

The greys will just hire teenagers to queue up overnight, they get all the stock and get further control of the market.

The cynic inside of me says that it was just something they said to placate the OP. They'd be silly to turn away a PM buyer who asked for an SS piece to close the deal.

There's a happy medium to be had. There are some ADs out there who don't require a big purchase history to get pieces like the BLRO or Daytona, and have definitely delivered them to people who aren't "whales". The key is to be local, show face time, be professional and courteous, and to express a passion and interest in the watches beyond just the grey market prices.

[Hodog16]

Originally Posted by 3sheets86

A salesman at mappin and Webb once told me that Rolex would do their nut if they found out that a SS daytona found its way into the display cabinet.

I've had two 116520's in my life, both white dials. Both bought from the case - once in 2010 and once in 2016.

I don't agree with making people buy bundles for watches but I do agree with taking care of repeat customers. First come first serve is just painful--who has time to stalk an AD at 10 AM on a weekday?