Frequency of Rolex Shipments to AD

[RYDER66]

How often do Rolex AD's get watch shipments in on average? Is it like around once a month, once every 2 months? I bought my first Rolex about 3 and a half months ago and am very anxious to get it on my wrist.

[Atone]

What???? You paid for it in advance? That’s not how AD’s work. What model and was this an AD?

[ZOOK]

They’ve gone on two vacations thanks to your $$$$$$


But, of course the watch you paid for hasn’t arrived yet.


Time to set up a pup tent in front of the empty display cases!

[RYDER66]

Originally Posted by Atone

What???? You paid for it in advance? That’s not how AD’s work. What model and was this an AD?

I'm getting that a lot, that I shouldn't have had to pay up front. It's definitely a reputable dealer in Columbus Ohio, so I don't understand why they would do thing different than other AD's. I bought a YM 40 with Rhodium dial. The only thing I can come up with is the fact that I'm a first time buyer. I'd like to ask that question, but I don't want to jeopardize any relationship we may have. I want to have the opportunity to buy rare pieces someday. Is that a legit concern?

[Atone]

Originally Posted by RYDER66

I'm getting that a lot, that I shouldn't have had to pay up front. It's definitely a reputable dealer in Columbus Ohio, so I don't understand why they would do thing different than other AD's. I bought a YM 40 with Rhodium dial. The only thing I can come up with is the fact that I'm a first time buyer. I'd like to ask that question, but I don't want to jeopardize any relationship we may have. I want to have the opportunity to buy rare pieces someday. Is that a legit concern?

Well. Being that this is not an approved practice for AD’s I am not sure I would trust any other thing they promised or implied. I’m actually really surprised to hear about a US AD doing this. YM’s aren’t too hard to come across. If they can’t source one that is PAID for in almost 4 months, what makes you think they’re gonna get you a harder to find SS piece? I would get my $$ back but that’s just me.

[Aclockworkblue]

I’ve paid my AD in full before getting the watch. Gave me a receipt marked paid in full. Helped me with negotiating a bigger percent off. I waited just over 2 months for it to come in. I was happy, they were happy and helped with discount and showing I was a serious buyer. I would do that strategy again and I’m sure the AD would be happy to do it again as well.

[RYDER66]

Originally Posted by Atone

Well. Being that this is not an approved practice for AD’s I am not sure I would trust any other thing they promised or implied. I’m actually really surprised to hear about a US AD doing this. YM’s aren’t too hard to come across. If they can’t source one that is PAID for in almost 4 months, what makes you think they’re gonna get you a harder to find SS piece? I would get my $$ back but that’s just me.

Would it have anything to do with it being 2020? Do you think I should call him and tell him what I've learned? About buyers normally not having to pay up front and the fact that this watch shouldn't take 4 months to get. I'm just afraid that if this goes into the next year and Rolex has a price increase that I'll have to pay the difference.

[RealMadrid1988]

Originally Posted by RYDER66

Would it have anything to do with it being 2020? Do you think I should call him and tell him what I've learned? About buyers normally not having to pay up front and the fact that this watch shouldn't take 4 months to get. I'm just afraid that if this goes into the next year and Rolex has a price increase that I'll have to pay the difference.

I wouldn't worry about it from a "you may lose your money" perspective. I'm sure they are operating on the up and up. The concern is more that you're essentially giving them an interest-free loan by prepaying in full.

On the other hand, it could be that they aren't a super-high-volume dealer, and perhaps they don't want to get stuck with inventory they can't move if you back out.

[Rohan1806]

Originally Posted by RYDER66

Would it have anything to do with it being 2020? Do you think I should call him and tell him what I've learned? About buyers normally not having to pay up front and the fact that this watch shouldn't take 4 months to get. I'm just afraid that if this goes into the next year and Rolex has a price increase that I'll have to pay the difference.

I wouldn't hesitate to give them a call and start following up with them. Having a word face to face would probably be better. There's nothing wrong with inquiring about the status of your watch after having paid up in full. Put them under the gun and let them come up with an explanation as to why it's taking so long. You don't need to be rude or to imply any wrong doing. You are just an eager customer waiting to get his watch.

[ArtNouveau]

Originally Posted by Atone

Well. Being that this is not an approved practice for AD’s I am not sure I would trust any other thing they promised or implied. I’m actually really surprised to hear about a US AD doing this. YM’s aren’t too hard to come across. If they can’t source one that is PAID for in almost 4 months, what makes you think they’re gonna get you a harder to find SS piece? I would get my $$ back but that’s just me.

Nonsense. Dealers in the US are independent businesses and can sell their wares anyway they choose. Full deposits may not be the statis quo but they’re certainly not unheard of. I’ve never had to put down a deposit at my AD but I know they sometimes ask for one from new customers.
To the OP’s original question, my Boutique AD generally gets bi-weekly shipments, smaller stores may get them less often.

[Atone]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

Nonsense. Dealers in the US are independent businesses and can sell their wares anyway they choose. Full deposits may not be the statis quo but they’re certainly not unheard of. I’ve never had to put down a deposit at my AD but I know they sometimes ask for one from new customers.
To the OP’s original question, my Boutique AD generally gets bi-weekly shipments, smaller stores may get them less often.

That’s not entirely accurate. In order to carry Rolex
They absolutely need to conform to standards and practices set forth by the brand to be able to carry it.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by RYDER66

How often do Rolex AD's get watch shipments in on average? Is it like around once a month, once every 2 months? I bought my first Rolex about 3 and a half months ago and am very anxious to get it on my wrist.

Please explain your post do you mean you paid up front for your watch 3 and half months ago and it's not arrived.?????????

[RYDER66]

Originally Posted by padi56

Please explain your post do you mean you paid up front for your watch 3 and half months ago and it's not arrived.?????????

I ordered a YM-40 almost 4 months ago and I figured I should have gotten a call by now. It just seems like there is such a mystique to Rolex practices. I'm just trying to get an idea of the volume to which normal size AD's get watches from Rolex. I'm still a novice to the Rolex world, so I'm trying to understand the supply verses the demand. I paid full retail and I will have to pay more if Rolex prices go up before I get my watch. I realize now that I must sound like a real sucker, but I just thought that was standard practice.

[VonSomething]

My AD gets shipments weekly.

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by VonSomething

My AD gets shipments weekly.

Same here. New shipments every week.

[DESH]

more details please Ryder66

[TswaneNguni]

Monthly

If you pay in advance ,they have you by the balls .Case in point .

[RealMadrid1988]

I think OP mentioned that he had prepaid for a Yachtmaster which has not yet arrived. It's unusual to prepay in full -- if you "order" (and truth be told, I've heard differing explanations as to what that means), you typically pay either a flat down payment or a set percentage of the price of the watch.

To answer the title question, I think it depends. I imagine Rolex boutiques get the most frequent shipments, whereas smaller, family-owned ADs (particularly in non-major metros) with multiple brands probably get infrequent shipments.

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Monthly

There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

[Atone]

Some of my local ad’s get shipments multiple times during the week. Never pay for a watch they don’t have in stock. Ever. You’ll never know if you actually get the next one that comes in and this is against AD policy to my knowledge.

[Benzsiam]

Normally the Boutiques/ADs get new shipment weekly, but not every models will comes in every week.

The model that you order might not comes in or if it came in but it isn't your turn yet.

[RYDER66]

Originally Posted by Benzsiam

Normally the Boutiques/ADs get new shipment weekly, but not every models will comes in every week.

The model that you order might not comes in or if it came in but it isn't your turn yet.

It's a YM-40 with Rhodium dial. I've been told that they are fairly readily available. That it shouldn't take 4 months. I just don't want to piss off my AD by putting pressure on him for answers. I want the opportunity to buy rare pieces in the future.

[Benzsiam]

Originally Posted by RYDER66

It's a YM-40 with Rhodium dial. I've been told that they are fairly readily available. That it shouldn't take 4 months. I just don't want to piss off my AD by putting pressure on him for answers. I want the opportunity to buy rare pieces in the future.

YM with Rhodium dial isn't that hard to get in the past but now almost all Rolexes are selling like a hotcakes.

Just be a bit more patient and don't create any bad relationship, you should be able to get your watch soon.

[MONTANTK]

My AD gets shipments once a month at best. We’re a small market though and I could definitely see Rolex trying to strip them of their AD status. Already lost one of our two Omega dealers

[Nikrnic]

I did pay up front and in full which did get me a good discount for my DJ41. I was told it was an allocated piece (Wimbledon ss) and would take 4 weeks to show which I did on the exact day. Of course I must add this was over a year ago.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[RYDER66]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

I did pay up front and in full which did get me a good discount for my DJ41. I was told it was an allocated piece (Wimbledon ss) and would take 4 weeks to show which I did on the exact day. Of course I must add this was over a year ago.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

I paid full retail and I will have to pay more if Rolex prices go up before I get my watch. I realize now that I must sound like a real sucker, but I just thought that was standard practice.

[Me4u2night]

Originally Posted by RYDER66

I paid full retail and I will have to pay more if Rolex prices go up before I get my watch. I realize now that I must sound like a real sucker, but I just thought that was standard practice.

Don't feel like a sucker - in NYC, this is starting to become common practice with smaller ADs and some of the larger ones are asking for a deposit for some of the harder to get SS pieces. Odd that they would ask for full payment on a Yachtmaster, as it's typically readily available.

I would inquire with the AD on the expected delivery date. Seems odd that it would take 3 months to get.

[Luke@TRF]

with high demand and the downturn in economy, ADs in the U.K started to take 30% down payments / full payment already. It's not nice with the cash outlay but usually the ADs are more committed to get you the actual watch in this scenario. sit tight

[Atone]

Originally Posted by Luke@TRF

with high demand and the downturn in economy, ADs in the U.K started to take 30% down payments / full payment already. It's not nice with the cash outlay but usually the ADs are more committed to get you the actual watch in this scenario. sit tight

But they shouldn’t “usually” be committed to anything. You need to know you get the very next one that comes in and there is no way to know that.

[Atone]

I’ve paid a deposit while ON MY WAY to the store. Seems like more AD’s are taking full payment based on responses here. No way would I ever do that.

[RolexOBGYN]

My AD in Canada quoted weekly shipments before. Although my AD in the Caribbean quoted every few weeks.... so it really depends on AD.