BLRO Availability

[scombs263]

They got us all.

[MTBer]

Originally Posted by 42itus

I don't agree with this statement either, which is cool because that's what a forum is about, the healthy exchange of ideas and opinions.

But if you were the owner of the AD what would you do? If you receive one BLRO, who do you give it to? The first guy on the "list" or your long time customer who has spent $XXX,XXX on watches in jewelry over the years?

As a business owner myself I know what I would do but I would be curious to hear other people's opinion.

I'm not a business owner, but trying to think from the perspective of one, I can understand that your hands are tied- If a high-spending customer threatens to take their business elsewhere unless they receive special incentives, considerations, discounts, priority, etc. (i.e., 'entitlements'), then you're faced with the choice of either acquiescing to their demands thereby reinforcing and perpetuating their expectation of 'entitlements', or risk losing their business...sucks, but like I said, I get that your hands are tied.

Now, if it's more a matter of rewarding that customer's loyalty by allowing them to jump in line as is the case being discussed in this context, here's a hypothetical:

Let's say you're the owner of a jewelry store that sells Rolex and have chosen to give your most loyal customers priority access to difficult-to-find watches. Customer A has purchased about $50k in watches and jewelry over the last 10 years and for argument's sake, you happen to know for a fact that you are the only jeweler they've patronized in that time. Customer B has spent $500k in your store over the last couple years, but you also know for a fact this person has spent over $1 million at another jeweler in that time as well. Both want a BLRO.

Question: Who is your 'most loyal' customer, and who do you give the BLRO to?

[42itus]

Originally Posted by MTBer

Let's say you're the owner of a jewelry store that sells Rolex and have chosen to give your most loyal customers priority access to difficult-to-find watches. Customer A has purchased about $50k in watches and jewelry over the last 10 years and for argument's sake, you happen to know for a fact that you are the only jeweler they've patronized in that time. Customer B has spent $500k in your store over the last couple years, but you also know for a fact this person has spent over $1 million at another jeweler in that time as well. Both want a BLRO.

Question: Who is your 'most loyal' customer, and who do you give the BLRO to?

Good question. I might get flamed for this but I would go with Customer B. If you keep B happy he might spend even more money with you. But I can see that the relationship will play a factor in it at some point.


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[GB-man]

Originally Posted by MTBer

I'm not a business owner, but trying to think from the perspective of one, I can understand that your hands are tied- If a high-spending customer threatens to take their business elsewhere unless they receive special incentives, considerations, discounts, priority, etc. (i.e., 'entitlements'), then you're faced with the choice of either acquiescing to their demands thereby reinforcing and perpetuating their expectation of 'entitlements', or risk losing their business...sucks, but like I said, I get that your hands are tied.

Now, if it's more a matter of rewarding that customer's loyalty by allowing them to jump in line as is the case being discussed in this context, here's a hypothetical:

Let's say you're the owner of a jewelry store that sells Rolex and have chosen to give your most loyal customers priority access to difficult-to-find watches. Customer A has purchased about $50k in watches and jewelry over the last 10 years and for argument's sake, you happen to know for a fact that you are the only jeweler they've patronized in that time. Customer B has spent $500k in your store over the last couple years, but you also know for a fact this person has spent over $1 million at another jeweler in that time as well. Both want a BLRO.

Question: Who is your 'most loyal' customer, and who do you give the BLRO to?

Is this a trick question? Customer B is getting the BLRO unless customer A is a close friend or family.

[MTBer]

Originally Posted by 42itus

Good question. I might get flamed for this but I would go with Customer B. If you keep B happy he might spend even more money with you. But I can see that the relationship will play a factor in it at some point.


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As a person, I would hope most of us would choose Customer A, but as a business owner, I can see the strategical need to go with Customer B. To that end, it's not really a matter of loyalty but rather mere spending ability.

[42itus]

Originally Posted by MTBer

As a person, I would hope most of us would choose Customer A, but as a business owner, I can see the strategical need to go with Customer B. To that end, it's not really a matter of loyalty but rather mere spending ability.

Sadly there’s not right answer. Well, I guess the right answer would be to reward the longtime loyal customer. I guess if you were successful enough that income doesn’t matter then the decision is easy.


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[MTBer]

Originally Posted by 42itus

Sadly there’s not right answer. Well, I guess the right answer would be to reward the longtime loyal customer. I guess if you were successful enough that income doesn’t matter then the decision is easy.


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In these kinds of threads, I think there's a general notion conflating loyalty with spending ability, which, as suggested in my scenario, aren't mutually inclusive. In my opinion, I believe those with the ability to outspend the majority of others tend to rationalize their entitlement as being deserved due to their loyalty, because loyalty is a favorable moral attribute, whereas "I have more money so I should get special privileges" doesn't look so good.

[42itus]

Originally Posted by MTBer

In these kinds of threads, I think there's a general notion conflating loyalty with spending ability, which, as suggested in my scenario, aren't mutually inclusive. In my opinion, I believe those with the ability to outspend the majority of others tend to rationalize their entitlement as being deserved due to their loyalty, because loyalty is a favorable moral attribute, whereas "I have more money so I should get special privileges" doesn't look so good.

Yeah, makes sense.


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[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by MTBer

I'm not a business owner, but trying to think from the perspective of one, I can understand that your hands are tied- If a high-spending customer threatens to take their business elsewhere unless they receive special incentives, considerations, discounts, priority, etc. (i.e., 'entitlements'), then you're faced with the choice of either acquiescing to their demands thereby reinforcing and perpetuating their expectation of 'entitlements', or risk losing their business...sucks, but like I said, I get that your hands are tied.

Now, if it's more a matter of rewarding that customer's loyalty by allowing them to jump in line as is the case being discussed in this context, here's a hypothetical:

Let's say you're the owner of a jewelry store that sells Rolex and have chosen to give your most loyal customers priority access to difficult-to-find watches. Customer A has purchased about $50k in watches and jewelry over the last 10 years and for argument's sake, you happen to know for a fact that you are the only jeweler they've patronized in that time. Customer B has spent $500k in your store over the last couple years, but you also know for a fact this person has spent over $1 million at another jeweler in that time as well. Both want a BLRO.

Question: Who is your 'most loyal' customer, and who do you give the BLRO to?

If I was a business owner....


Customer B due to spending power sprinkled with loyalty too ....without question

In that scenario $50k over 10 years can't compete with $500k in a few years

Sad to say

Now if it customer B spent $100k over couple years vs customer A $50k over 10 years the decision is a bit more difficult


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[RHJ]

Here is no moral and no ethics. It's purely a business decision.
Ridicolous how the wish to have a certain watch in the WIS community appears to be a human right...

[Dirt]

Why1504,

It's a crumby situation indeed.

Even though it goes against my grain, I'm inclined to go with those that say to get it from a grey and be done with it so you can just put it all behind you and enjoy the watch.

Lists exist, but they are not all managed equally.
There are also lists within lists and I'm not even sure if there are any numbers next to them other than a total dollar figure the customer has spent along with a time period to add another measure to the equation.
Sadly for those of us which aren't top feeders this is a reality.
I have my own accounts regarding lists and how they're managed. But in going "on a list" I only ever hold out a moderate amount of hope and some faith and do not assign any attachment or faith to the numbered list concept what so ever.
A good, or great relationship helps. Especially with the management. But that's about it.

I wish you luck with your current arrangement.
But the watch is understandably in high demand.

[Singslinger]

I visited my AD over the weekend and was told that the shortage is worse in 2019 than it was last year.

They don't bother with waiting lists anymore - they simply offer any desirable watch they get to their top customers.

[1William]

This is simple and can be handled immediately. Go into the AD and ask to speak to the manager. Have a direct, face to face conversation with the manager. No emotion, just ask the status and see what they have to say. If they tell you that they have not received a watch since release I believe that you are dealing with a dishonest AD who will lie to your face. Once again, no emotion, and no reason to confront because if you were going to get the watch you would already have it. Ask the manger to create an expectation for when you will receive the watch. If they can not ask for a refund on your deposit. Take your money and find the watch in the Grey Market and put the wait and search to rest and enjoy your new watch. I think it is amazing the amount of damage that Rolex and PP are doing to the customer base and add the AD's in for their part and you have the making of exceptionally poor customer service that will impact the companies when the bubble bursts. Just my thoughts.

[tng11]

The "list" doesn't really mean anything these days. To some ADs it is a pure business decision. Give the watch to the next person on the "list" without strings, or use it as leverage to move a high dollar piece, such as a Platinum DD40. You can bet some ADs are going with the latter, and then lying to the first person and telling them they haven't received any. It can be maddening, but I can see it from their perspective as well. But if they're going that approach, I'd far prefer them to be honest and just say upfront that you won't get X watches without $Y spend, instead of taking deposits and leading customers on.

Thankfully, there are some ADs where it isn't about how much you spent in the past or today, and more your "potential" as a client. I got my BLRO from my AD without a crazy purchase history or long wait, but I can tell they are thinking the long game and hoping that I keep returning for high value pieces in the future.

[piratepress]

In 2017 after desiring one for almost 40 years, I managed to buy my first Rolex, a BLNR, right before the current frenzy hit. I had called three ADs in the closest Metro area to me and they each had one available. All three ADs were nice, and unbelievably one even offered to knock $500 of the MSRP, but I went with the one I felt the strongest connection to and paid the full $8950 retail.

Over the next year, I dropped in every couple months always wearing my BLNR and showing that I didn't buy it just to flip it for a quick profit. I naively thought that meant something and that when the new Pepsi SS debuted I stood a good chance of snagging the first one. I was aware that there were two major league sports teams in the city, and I was sure that some of the players probably shopped in my AD. However, I also thought my loyalty would be rewarded over professional athletes who clearly bought Rolexes just as a status symbols and didn't truly understand or care about the brand like I did.

This past year, I've had an uncomfortable awakening to the reality that my AD at least, doesn't reward loyalty nor do they appreciate true Rolex enthusiasts. Apparently, they'd rather put their watches in the hands of family and friends who already have too many watches to count, or "pro" athletes with lots of expendable income who just want the "hottest" watch with no regard for the brand.

For forty years, I thought that owning a Rolex was a symbol of success and an icon of hard work for the individual wearing it. Sadly, I now realize that's not the case anymore and it truly sickens me. If these are the demographic Rolex is now pandering to, I don't want to be a part of it anymore.

[SkyJuice]

You are probably on a "Dynamic" list.

[Lurizzle]

Originally Posted by Dr Watches

I've never understood why getting on the plane first, so that every person who needs to board can bump you with their too large bags and other nonsense, is a desirable thing. I want to spend the least time on the plane possible.

In order to secure overhead luggage space for carry-one is one reason. Flights are so full these days that they often announce free baggage check at the gate in order to alleviate pressure of full flights.


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