My Rolex AD Experience in China

[mmbiker]

I been to a few Rolex AD in China this past month.

The experience was good. Very friendly sales staff.

The difference I notice is, they seems to be pushing me to buy their gold piece like right away. They would bring out DD40 and GMT in gold offering it to be sold on the spot. And I was able to try them on.

Their price is bad. Much higher than Canada.

And I would say, I have better hope continuing working with my AD with purchase history in Canada to get the piece I truly wanted. Too many competitions in getting steel rolex here....

The fun in finding my next watch!

[Steele]

My understanding is that the price of Rolexes is much much higher due to the import duties.
Thats the bad news the good news is that luxury goods are now frowned upon by the Chinese government so people are afraid to flex there as they might bring the wrong attention from the government. But that’s great for people who do want luxury goods to be able to get the harder to find products quicker and easier
Also to my understanding the economy is stagnant right now and also pushing down consumer spending on luxury goods

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by mmbiker

I been to a few Rolex AD in China this past month.

The experience was good. Very friendly sales staff.

The difference I notice is, they seems to be pushing me to buy their gold piece like right away. They would bring out DD40 and GMT in gold offering it to be sold on the spot. And I was able to try them on.

Their price is bad. Much higher than Canada.

And I would say, I have better hope continuing working with my AD with purchase history in Canada to get the piece I truly wanted. Too many competitions in getting steel rolex here....

The fun in finding my next watch!

PM Rolex is the minimum for an AD in China to even bother

[BumbleB]

I just picked this up in Shanghai AD last September, first time I ever entered the store:




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[Ichiran]

If I'm not wrong, the higher price is due to luxury tax.

[Redsub71]

Before, it made sense to buy a gold Daytona, much more difficult was to get to the rare platinum model, the first platinum Daytona of the 50th, because they had much more beautiful dials than the current ones. Today it is no longer convenient to be "blackmailed", because many have understood that something has changed. The new Daytonas are bad copies of the 2023 discontinued models. GMT, Sub, Yacth Master in gold were only in virtual hype, be careful because today no one wants them anymore. They have made a nice increase on gold but it would also be right for them to produce watches with new lines, the public is fed up and bored.

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by Redsub71

Before, it made sense to buy a gold Daytona, much more difficult was to get to the rare platinum model, the first platinum Daytona of the 50th, because they had much more beautiful dials than the current ones. Today it is no longer convenient to be "blackmailed", because many have understood that something has changed. The new Daytonas are bad copies of the 2023 discontinued models. GMT, Sub, Yacth Master in gold were only in virtual hype, be careful because today no one wants them anymore. They have made a nice increase on gold but it would also be right for them to produce watches with new lines, the public is fed up and bored.

You completely misunderstand Rolex. The whole point of Rolex is that they are robust timeless designs, that will look as good in 30 years as they do today.

If you want disposable fashion items, go elsewhere

[brandrea]

You’re much better off buying one in Canada OP.

Good luck

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Rolexatlast

You completely misunderstand Rolex. The whole point of Rolex is that they are robust timeless designs, that will look as good in 30 years as they do today.

If you want disposable fashion items, go elsewhere

This.

[hojlund]

Originally Posted by Rolexatlast

You completely misunderstand Rolex. The whole point of Rolex is that they are robust timeless designs, that will look as good in 30 years as they do today.

If you want disposable fashion items, go elsewhere

for fashion brand, I highly recommend panerai.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by mmbiker

I been to a few Rolex AD in China this past month.

The experience was good. Very friendly sales staff.

The difference I notice is, they seems to be pushing me to buy their gold piece like right away. They would bring out DD40 and GMT in gold offering it to be sold on the spot. And I was able to try them on.

Their price is bad. Much higher than Canada.

And I would say, I have better hope continuing working with my AD with purchase history in Canada to get the piece I truly wanted. Too many competitions in getting steel rolex here....

The fun in finding my next watch!

All ADs world wide are in business for one thing only and thats to sell as many of there products they sell especially high ticket items to anyone who enters there retail store.

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Originally Posted by mmbiker

And I would say, I have better hope continuing working with my AD with purchase history in Canada to get the piece I truly wanted. Too many competitions in getting steel rolex here....!

You’d be better going straight to grey market as opposed to buying stuff you don’t really want of the AD

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by Redsub71

Before, it made sense to buy a gold Daytona, much more difficult was to get to the rare platinum model, the first platinum Daytona of the 50th, because they had much more beautiful dials than the current ones. Today it is no longer convenient to be "blackmailed", because many have understood that something has changed. The new Daytonas are bad copies of the 2023 discontinued models. GMT, Sub, Yacth Master in gold were only in virtual hype, be careful because today no one wants them anymore. They have made a nice increase on gold but it would also be right for them to produce watches with new lines, the public is fed up and bored.

No one wants them anymore? Public is fed up and bored?

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by mmbiker

Their price is bad. Much higher than Canada.

Out of curiosity, how much higher are we talking. Is it like 20% or 80%? But also not surprised. A lot of people, getting richer at a fast pace and a tourist coming in who wants to buy a watch. They could sell a SS piece at any moment to a local customer who will likely come in again and build a relationship with him. So it makes sense they'd only offer you PM.

[art1810]

A while back I was involved in a program that amongst other things, audited the Global Brand flagship stores in Tier 1 cities in China....

...despite the store being owned by the world famous global brand, and the staff all being employees of the company...

...40% of the Global Brand product in the store was counterfeit.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Redsub71

Before, it made sense to buy a gold Daytona, much more difficult was to get to the rare platinum model, the first platinum Daytona of the 50th, because they had much more beautiful dials than the current ones. Today it is no longer convenient to be "blackmailed", because many have understood that something has changed. The new Daytonas are bad copies of the 2023 discontinued models. GMT, Sub, Yacth Master in gold were only in virtual hype, be careful because today no one wants them anymore. They have made a nice increase on gold but it would also be right for them to produce watches with new lines, the public is fed up and bored.

I assume you are only referring to gold models, which are less sought after by most customers. However, there is no shortage of customers wanting a new SS professional model Rolex, from an AD.

Kat


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[Carlazzo]

Is it possible to have tax free in China ???

[joli160]

Originally Posted by art1810

A while back I was involved in a program that amongst other things, audited the Global Brand flagship stores in Tier 1 cities in China....

...despite the store being owned by the world famous global brand, and the staff all being employees of the company...

...40% of the Global Brand product in the store was counterfeit.

Interesting, I visit my family in the PRC often and have never seen this.

[rolph]

The price difference between there and Canada can be a real bummer, especially when you're hoping to build a good relationship with your AD back home.

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by Carlazzo

Is it possible to have tax free in China ???

Some stores do offer tax free n some don't.
Was there mid 2023, walked to 5 Rolex ADs, they had a few not so popular SS for sale, Air King, Explorer 40, Explorer 2, DJs for sale.
Luxury goods definitely slow down in China.

[Carlazzo]

Grazie Yunus.

[mmbiker]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

I just picked this up in Shanghai AD last September, first time I ever entered the store:




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That's pretty good being able to get a steel model right off the bat like this!

I am looking for green dials and GMTs, the salesman told me I am asking for tough to get models (meaning I will never get it from them)....

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by mmbiker

That's pretty good being able to get a steel model right off the bat like this!

I am looking for green dials and GMTs, the salesman told me I am asking for tough to get models (meaning I will never get it from them)....

I was wearing my Blue Sky Dweller which may have helped, as in that i will wear the watch myself and don’t look like I’ll immediately run to resell the watch they sell me.

It’s difficult for them to establish who is a flipper and who is a collector, anything you can do to confirm the latter will increase your chances. GMT will be tough, it’s better to build a relationship with AD in your home country.


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[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by Carlazzo

Is it possible to have tax free in China ???

Yes, they refund VAT at the airport


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[Carlazzo]

Thanks