Dear Rolex: You are a Joke

[superdog]

OK, sorry...I know I am going to piss off some people off with this. I really don't mean to. And I am sorry, but where else am I going to make this comment? I genuinely hope someone from Rolex sees this, even though I am quite certain they could not care less.

I am out of state on business. And after my conference, a buddy and I decide to walk the strip. Of course we see a Rolex store and decide to browse. We meet a really excellent sales guy. He was not overly knowledgable about certain details, but he was polite, attentive and definitely good at what he does.

I finally see the new WG Daytona in blue, which is really an astonishing watch. Anyone out there wearing this watch.... Wow. It is incredible. And krioke, Rolex does blue exceptionally well.

We talk watches for a bit and of course we talk about the new Daytona C. So unless you have a prior sales experience with this AD you are not even on the list. It is not going to happen. Never, ever. If you have a prior sales experience with them, you are likely waiting 7 to 8 years.

OK, wait..what?

As Padi says, this is not a new watch. It is easy for them to make. They can fill the demand, sell a ton of watches and make ton of money...just like most businesses want to do.

They do this for their marketing machine. They do this to create the mystique. And I am sorry, but I just don't respect this. Be a watch company. Make great watches, make people happy selling them great watches.

Do I respect their watches? Yes, they make incredible watches. But this type of sales gimmick just turns me off. Big time. And they have gone from the "tool watch" company to the shiny "look at me" watch company.

I really do mostly love what they put out. And much of what they have has a great redeeming quality to it. But I am just not on board with this.

And yes yes yes...I know, if I don't like it, I should not buy it. Ok, I won't, and I can get one if I want one. It is a forum about Rolex watches and I am making a comment. If you want to respond in kind, great, it is a forum and I will respect and appreciate your opinion.

Sorry to anyone I offend. Rant over.

[CDNWatchNut]

I saw the title and I though "troll!"...then I saw your username and post count
Yeah, I hear you, its absurd. Inquired at the local AD here some years ago about a daytona and was told I could buy one if I also bought at Day-Date. Ridiculous...no thanks.

[Maiden]

I respect Rolex's right to restrict supply and demand and run their businees although 7-8 years is nuts. Is there a chance the AD might not have all the facts?

[Cerachrom12]

All I can say is a 7 to 8 year wait is ridiculous. I simply don't buy that. If one really wants a Daytona 500, most here can afford to pay the 3 to 4 K markup from DavidSW or Takuya and have it on their wrist the morning after the bankwire. The big question is....How bad do you want one?

[superdog]

Originally Posted by CDNWatchNut

I saw the title and I though "troll!"...then I saw your username and post count
Yeah, I hear you, its absurd. Inquired at the local AD here some years ago about a daytona and was told I could buy one if I also bought at Day-Date. Ridiculous...no thanks.

ha. yeah, not a troll. or maybe I am in disguise and this is my coming out party??

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Maiden

I respect Rolex's right to restrict supply and demand and run their businees although 7-8 years is nuts. Is there a chance the AD might not have all the facts?

I too respect their right to build their brand and the image. But this is just crazy.

Is it possible this guy was off? I suppose so. But many other accounts on this forum state similar findings.

3-4 years, 7-8, kind of the same thing really.

To me, this is just not OK. And if it is OK with others, I respect that and I am glad for them.

I will take my $$ elsewhere.

[rjstuf001]

Regardless of whether it's 7-8 years or 2-3-4 years, the fact is Rolex is playing peekaboo with the DaytonaC. I agree with OP, they could flood AD's with it and sell every single one of them, but they choose not to. It's nothing more than a marketing gimmick and it's turning off a lot of people.

[Danny83]

Tourneau in San Francisco told me 7-10 year wait......oh and you have to take the stickers off

[Cerachrom12]

Originally Posted by superdog

I too respect their right to build their brand and the image. But this is just crazy.

Is it possible this guy was off? I suppose so. But many other accounts on this forum state similar findings.

3-4 years, 7-8, kind of the same thing really.

To me, this is just not OK. And if it is OK with others, I respect that and I am glad for them.

I will take my $$ elsewhere.

You have every right to take your money elsewhere. It's the American way.

[breitlings]

I respect Rolex for limiting output.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Cerachrom12

All I can say is a 7 to 8 year wait is ridiculous. I simply don't buy that. If one really wants a Daytona 500, most here can afford to pay the 3 to 4 K markup from DavidSW or Takuya and have it on their wrist the morning after the bankwire. The big question is....How bad do you want one?

I am pretty certain I can get one from my own AD where I am not a stranger (a very exceptional AD) in a pretty short time.

I would not be willing to pay David (also exceptional) that kind of money. I actually won't pay list for one. I did that once and I did not love the watch.

It is the practice of the mother brand that I am not OK with. I think it sucks actually. And to each their own. I am happy for anyone that is happy with what they get and how they get it. I am not judging.

I am just not OK with how Rolex is going about it.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I respect Rolex for limiting output.

And I respect your opinion.

[Kevin.S]

High demand / control supply = $$$
I agree Seth, I am not a fan of this type of marketing, but it is the way of the world.
seems to be working, a lot of hype over this model.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Tourneau in San Francisco told me 7-10 year wait......oh and you have to take the stickers off

that is insanity!!!!

the demand to actually take the stickers off so that you can't do what you want with your own watch??!??!?!

insanity.

[porschejeff]

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

[traf]

I think people are starting to look at other options, i.e. SS Skydweller and new seadweller 43. This will likely have an effect on the overall demand, and the diehards will get their treasure


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[zaydans]

I'd agree with everything you say OP and I'm with you 100%. The problem is that there are enough Rolex slaves out there that will pander to this type of sales and marketing bs to ensure that Rolex and their ADs can do whatever they want. Personally I don't need a Chronograph function, and there are sufficient alternatives out there so why wait years or pay over the odds for a daytona?!!

[Al1969]

I agree with your "rant" superdog. Also, how bout a bit of consistency from Rolex-ADs?
Is it 3-4 years or 7-8? I have interest in the Daytona, but with all the arbitrary restriction of supply and extreme markups. It's beginning to lose its luster for me.
I'd like to add a chronograph to my small collection, but perhaps I need to look elsewhere.
I appreciate your candor and believe many fellow members share your feelings.

[saralk]

It's frustrating to say the least. I hear ya loud and clear. But Rolex has a right to do what they think is the correct business strategy to grow their business in profits while sustaining the aura for their brand.


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[CDNWatchNut]

I don't understand how limiting supply so significantly helps Rolex's business objectives. Perhaps a moderate constraint increases demand, but wouldn't it be better to meet the market demand or at least much closer to it, and sell many more units in a given period of time?

[superdog]

Originally Posted by porschejeff

Isn't this the same as what Ferrari does? They produce only so many. Very difficult to buy one new without a long long wait and paying a premium over MSRP.

I'm not saying I approve of this, but this is what creates their image.

OK, that is a good point.

As a guy that left a Ford dealership, after years of loyal patronage, because they charged 20k over for a GT350, I am not OK with that type of mark up either. And at least I am consistent. LMAO.

Porsche is doing it too. Almost any dealer that has limited stock and a lot of demand.

IMHO Ferrari is a pinnacle and way out of my reach. But I get what you are saying. And I am not OK with it whoever is doing it. Even if Ferrari is my dream car.

[airchitect]

Yep, its all part of the most well oiled marketing machine on the planet....and its kind of stupid.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by saralk

It's frustrating to say the least. I hear ya loud and clear. But Rolex has a right to do what they think is the correct business strategy to grow their business in profits while sustaining the aura for their brand.


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I agree. They do have the right.

And I (and others) have the right to leave the brand behind (at least for now).

[saralk]

Originally Posted by superdog

I agree. They do have the right.



And I (and others) have the right to leave the brand behind (at least for now).

Absolutely. This is how we as consumers vote in this great country of ours with our $$$$. Good luck Seth. Enjoy your posts.


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[AK797]

Imagine if they did this on all the popular SS models... some of us don't have to...

I think the D500 has been sacrificed to be the Hype Watch, clearly more profit could be made by meeting the over-demand but this is the D500 tactic in Rolex's overall strategy, same with the previous model, this is designed to get the sales up on the other "Rolex" watches.

[airchitect]

I stopped at an ad yesterday to find a brand new "perfect" sd4k in their case. Tried it on and tried to talk numbers......no discount period. Others would do 15-18% on that watch anyway and be pumped to get it. This joint, nope.

[Morrisdog]

I know it sucks but all luxury brands try and achieve this state of affairs. Those who can't do this wish they could .


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[MCO1]

I agree with you but its subjective to the AD, I don't believe they are all this way. I am as equally irritated by by the gray market dealers who are decreasing AD supply while doing it only for excessive profit. I want one and am on the list and will hopefully have one in a year but I will not pay over retail for one.

[AU_911tt]

These marketing tactics are largely the reason Rolex is arguably the greatest brand in the world. It also is a big reason why your Rolex watch holds its value more than nearly any other watch.

Rolex could always take the approach of another brand, say Omega, and you'd have plenty of watches and poor resale value.

I do understand your frustration, but it's part of the luxury business. Look in the off topic forum for a recent thread about the new GT3 at 50k over MSRP.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by saralk

Absolutely. This is how we as consumers vote in this great country of ours with our $$$$. Good luck Seth. Enjoy your posts.


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Thank you my friend. I appreciate that.