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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: United States
Posts: 42
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AD: "You're in Our Market"
I'm in Pittsburgh, and while visiting family in Ohio last week, I stopped into an AD to express interest in the new Explorer I. The AD rep was genial, and we had a nice little chat. He told me, in so many words, that they could work with me since, based on geography, I'm still in their Ohio market even though I live in Pittsburgh.
I'm a neophyte when it comes to Rolex ADs, but is it true that ADs only work with clients within certain geographical markets? I sometimes read about people traveling to multiple states to visit multiple ADs, but if ADs have restricted geographical ranges, those restrictions would seem to undermine that strategy. |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Usa
Posts: 293
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I have been told by many AD’s that Rolex wants them to deal with local clientele only. IE. they don’t want someone from California calling a Ohio store to purchase watches if they never established a relationship with or even stepped foot into the door with.
If you frequent Ohio and have been in the store multiple times it would be ok. But cold calling a random AD in a area that you are not “local” to is a big no no from Rolex. |
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#3 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: 'merica
Watch: tbd
Posts: 79
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Quote:
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#4 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 41,433
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Any person who walks into any AD can buy a watch. There are no restrictions on buyers or the AD selling to the customer in front of them.
Many markets have more than one AD. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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#5 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 41,433
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Quote:
There are no restrictions on callers asking if a model is in the store and then buying it. Even if they are from Timbuktu - the AD is an independent retailer who can take a phone call from anyone, from anywhere, and fulfill a sale in a legal fashion here in USA. Maybe other countries are different and they allow Rolex to restrain trade by geographic boundaries. But I can’t think of one right now. Can you imagine a tourist dropping by to spend $100K on Rolexes as presents for their friends and family? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Charlotte, NC
Watch: The HYPED ones
Posts: 682
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I’ve ran into the same scenario, where I wasn’t local now but grew up in the area the AD services. I had to prove I still had connections there (Mom still lived there) and I wasn’t a flipper. They ultimately did sell me the watch, a Sub.
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Subs = *11610*116610LN Daytonas = *116500LN*116518LN*116503*116515LN Day Dates = *228235 DD/RG Olive Dial Panerai 1033 GMT - God is Good ![]() |
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#7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: CA
Posts: 112
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The AD in my city will only sell to locals. They vet their customers and will not sell to anyone they suspect is a flipper. I deal with the sore manager and he said they are only getting about 50% of their normal allotted inventory from Rolex lately and in 2020 they only received 2 stainless Daytona’s. They can’t meet the demand of the local clients and have no desire to serve people that are not locals. It’s a medium to small market store.
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2021
Location: California
Posts: 1
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I'm pretty new to this whole thing, but I know my AD has a client from far out of the country who flies in occasionally. So, there's no general rule that ADs won't sell to customers "out of their market"
I could see that an AD might not want to work with people outside of their market for their own reasons - less likely to have repeat business, etc |
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#9 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Perth, Australia
Posts: 601
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I'm in Australia and managed to get put on an EOI at a boutique in another state - however I was warned that being interstate makes it 'difficult'.
But locally, Rolex AD asked me if I am local. What is the best way to 'prove' you are not a flipper (which I am certainly not)? In theory, flippers would be their 'best' customers. Multiple sales etc. Most of the ADs in my state are corporate run, not indi. Except one which I have yet to visit.
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#10 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2021
Location: California
Posts: 39
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On the lawsuit against the AD in Chicago (correct me if I'm wrong), Rolex agreement with AD was that AD's Rolex representative (with formal outfit and tie) would present the watch in person and sell it locally.
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#11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 62
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The only thing I found was being able to have an extended chat about different models, including stuff from other brands I have looked at. Besides that, there's not much you can do. A lot of ADs here just flat out treat you like dirt when you walk in or blow you off without even bothering to see if you are a genuine buyer or not.
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#12 |
"TRF" Life Patron
Join Date: Jun 2005
Real Name: Peter
Location: Llanfairpwllgwyng
Watch: ing you.
Posts: 52,766
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Have to agree and this applies to worldwide.
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder ![]() |
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northern Ireland
Watch: 126660 DSSD
Posts: 10
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My AD (UK) told me they are only selling to locally based customers (with history of course!!!!)
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#14 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Harry
Location: England
Posts: 10,285
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My UK AD is in a city which gets tourist trade all year round. They sell a ton of watches to tourists including many Rolex watches. They have told me that they hold the hot models back for their loyal customers and local residents. If you are local you get listed. If you are not local the list is closed. If you are a tourist looking to score a hot watch, they have none available and don't take names.
As has been said, an AD can sell anything they like to anyone they want to. Rolex cannot impose restrictions. Such distinctions are entirely at the discretion of the store manager/owner. This kind of discrimination also applies to customers who they believe are buying only to gouge and flip. In such instances the customer always gets the benefit of the doubt, if there is a doubt. |
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#15 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Martin
Location: England
Watch: Sea Dweller
Posts: 3,065
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Quote:
Which means that if my house move comes off I have no chance as I will be 250+ miles away from the AD where I have a purchased my watches.
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Martin Small Rolex, Omega, Seiko and Oris Collection |
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#16 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: GMT +1
Posts: 246
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Quote:
I spoke about the ‘elephant in the room’ with the AD who is not ‘local’ They are transparent regarding availability of certain watches. Visiting this AD involves bit of a trek, but they seem to appreciate me. Funds available to buy PM & a Sub is unlikely to be spent at a local AD All because they suspected a WIS to be a flipper ![]() |
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#17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 3,805
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#18 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Harry
Location: England
Posts: 10,285
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Quote:
The second house I bought obliged me to sell my car, which I loved, and use trains and busses for three years. I didn't enjoy it (when I thought about it) but the house was more important. Long term you'll be fine. And because it's at the dealer's discretion, it may not be a black and white decision if you have a good relationship. |
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#19 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Real Name: Francisco
Location: San Juan, PR
Watch: Is Ticking !
Posts: 24,963
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![]() Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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Francisco ♛ 16610 / 116264 Ω 168.022 / 2535.80.00 / 310.30.42.50.01.002 Zenith 02.480.405 2FA security enabled |
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#20 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Harry
Location: England
Posts: 10,285
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They cannot tell the AD, who owns the watches, who they can and cannot sell their stock to. How do you think the Rolex grey market works?
Limited editions sold to certain existing customers (more common with things like cars) are handled differently on a project by project basis. If the watches were given to ADs to sell for Rolex, who then paid the AD a commission, then Rolex could impose more stringent conditions. In fact, they could pretty much impose any conditions they wanted within the bounds of what is legal. |
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#21 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 75,951
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Welcome to the forum OP
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#22 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,299
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Quote:
I has a Rolex SA go to a direct competitor essentially next door. To get more Rolex watches I had to visit the new AD in person so that she could personally introduce me to the owner (grew guy BTW and enjoyable chat). It was absolutely clear that the owner wants vet people before turning the faucet on. |
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#23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: USA
Watch: CHNR/YM/DJ/OP/SUB
Posts: 1,856
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[QUOTE=BroncoOne;11451075]Correct. And my AD says that they can only sell to known customers (like the contract quote in the court records states). It doesn’t matter where you live, you have to be known to the AD.
This seems to be correct, as I have an established relationship with my out of state AD. |
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#24 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 46,346
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This is all business and I have seen AD's sell to unknown customers when they purchase high value items other than watches. AD's are in this to make a profit, as we all know, and a Super VIP or Whale can navigate the waters of availability very easily with cash. I saw a gentleman pick up 300K in PP watches and get both a white dial and black dial SS Daytona-C. He told me he would put them in the safe for his grandchildren. He was from out of state but know to the AD and reportedly had spent a little over 1 million in the last 18 months. I guess he can get a watch or two. Each AD is different and what they tell us may be different depending on what type of customer we are. Such are the times.
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#25 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 41,433
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I see that you are in Taiwan, is that how your AD’s are controlled there? Here, in USA, contracts must not violate laws that enable free and open trade in the retail space. If Rolex does this in Taiwan please help us understand where the lines are drawn for protected retail territories there. For example, see the map - does Rolex define the street names where one must reside to be restricted from purchasing? ![]() Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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#26 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,583
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Quote:
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Pittsburgh
Watch: 126710BLNR Jubilee
Posts: 6,955
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Welcome to the forum! I am from Pittsburgh as well. I would say our greater market extends to Eastern Ohio and out towards the middle of PA towards Lancaster. They just want to be able to see you in person.
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126710 BLNR Jubilee |
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#28 | |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: PaulG
Location: Georgia
Posts: 41,433
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Quote:
Yes, I certainly agree. An AD may implement such policies to avoid flippers, for example. ADs have been coached here in US about spotting potential scams, flippers, and traders at their shops. And the consequences of failing. Watches being sold new with stickers on grey market websites whose s/n matches inventory records at RUSA showing which AD received it can result in a non-renewal with RUSA. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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Does anyone really know what time it is? |
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: US
Posts: 1,057
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My local sales associate and store manager have both told me that Rolex strongly encourages them to sell only to local clientele. I'm unsure how stringently Rolex enforces this policy but seems to be their preference.
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#30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: miami
Watch: GMT II 16760
Posts: 1,676
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I live in north Miami area that has super wealthy tourists from all over the world shopping at the local malls. I doubt any of the 5 or 6 local ADs turn away people who can drop 500k in a single visit with the same aplomb as buying a double espresso. When you’re in retail long enough you can spot the whales a mile away. If you’re a piker walking around with a big cup slurrpie it’s doubtful you get to go home with a hot watch.
My AD said no out of area sales unless person is in the store. Then it’s up to them whether to sell them or not. My future son in law says he will only build homes for certain clientele ie: wealthy clientele. Where as during the financial crisis he would build for anyone with a pulse. I suspect that will be the case with Rolex ADs should time’s change and watches start sitting in showcases again. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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