Will bundling return?

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by padi56

Speaking for myself would not bundle anything to buy any watch, and as soon as people stopped talking and posting about the AD stuff then perhaps we could get back to normal.

Peter, much like the many “phases” you’ve seen in this hobby, this one too will pass. The whole thing will undoubtedly come full circle, reverting back to the essentials.

Brand, functionality, mystique, build quality and exclusivity = Normal

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Tricolore66

Still better than having to buy gold or diamonds, or going grey. At least you can trade that CPO watch back in at some point.

For 60-70% of what you paid, at most.

[SLWoodster]

Bundling never left. Just AD, rep dependent.

CPO bundles will not exist for a little bit. Because most CPO can’t get carried in the same storefront and retailers are still figuring that out. Right now buying CPO akin to you buying other products or brands in the store other than the hottest pieces. Then based on history, they may allocate the hot pieces to you. Still YMMV.

[Vince M.]

Lots of hyped pieces are almost at net even right now and the lagging economic pain hasn't even set in yet. It took a solid 12 months for watches to reach peak insanity and it will take a few more months from now for things to revert. The hangover has started and all luxury brand AD's will eventually capitulate. For now, they will hold on to 2022 for dear life..

[Laostuh]

I think this will be dependent on the individual AD. I've not been or interacted with enough to know, but from the ones I've interacted with, the trend seems to be bundling.

[Car32]

Originally Posted by JDsnewwatch

Yes, they did. In fact, it was so blatent that I love to share this story. I walked in and asked to see a GMT II. I was told that they only offer watches to known customers. So I took the bait. The manager then said "Why in the hell should I write you a check for $8,000.00). Having no idea what he was talking about, I went further down the rabbit hole. He elaborated, that if I were to spend $100,000.00, he would find a way to get me my GMTII. I ordered my GMT II from bobs in the parking lot of Bernie Robbins.

I'm sorry they were sitting on a ton of crap that then needed to move out the door. This is not my problem. And if you are going to treat new customers like garbage, I'm going to tell everyone who can read what happened.

Which AD?

[rockysw]

Originally Posted by Podmornica

They can't fake one thing - the demand.

The demand is falling faster than a Bill Clintons underwear in Arkansas .. By the year end there won't be enough buyers for a plain datejust and plain Sub anymore .. Just hold on until the November 2023!

lol @ bill clinton example. Haha

[Tricolore66]

Breaking News! Rolex Dealer is in it for the money!!!!

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

For 60-70% of what you paid, at most.

[DubOhio]

Just as the stock market will bounce back so will Rolex demand. Everything goes in cycles, everything! Rolex has a vested interests in keeping demand high, either by limiting inventory or adding new products and limiting production of highly sought after models or retire a model to create demand and then reintroduce it with slight changes years later. Also, the idea of watches not being available is crap. AD’s have plenty they’re just not selling them to you. But hey, what do I know I’m arguing on the internet…

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by JDsnewwatch

Yes, they did. In fact, it was so blatent that I love to share this story. I walked in and asked to see a GMT II. I was told that they only offer watches to known customers. So I took the bait. The manager then said "Why in the hell should I write you a check for $8,000.00). Having no idea what he was talking about, I went further down the rabbit hole. He elaborated, that if I were to spend $100,000.00, he would find a way to get me my GMTII.

Bloody cheek! Still, they'll never get your business and some day this might disadvantage them. Not that you'll care. Stories like this need sharing.

[Offshore]

I think there were supply issues at some point, but they were no-where near as acute as made out to be.

What was unforeseen is the frenzy that followed and the willingness of otherwise sane people to purchase items they didn't want in the hope of getting something they did. Having said that, the entire world went outer space bonkers for 2 years over a cold virus which puts a little bit of tulip fever into perspective I suppose.

Anyway - not many business people would pass up this low hanging fruit, and why would they? It is (was perhaps) free money.

Personally, I don't think there is a shortage any more. I have three authorised dealers in my area. I got the hussle more or less from all three. I declined to purchase anything but registered interest in a particular rolex with all. A couple of months later I went back to check on progress. Again - the purchase history nonsense. I said I hoped I was not being coerced into buying unwanted jewellery as this would not be appropriate for an authorised representative of rolex.

I had the watch I wanted 72 hours later and cancelled the request at the other 2 dealers.

So anyway - I think there will be issues with bundling for as long as people show willingness to buy junk they don't want (with no discount of course) These people will also be the last to get any available stock as they'll be milked for as long as possible.

The first will go out of the back door if there is demand, then those on the list who wont play the game, then to random passers by then perhaps to the sucker with 4 unwanted special editions of something or other

[Vince M.]

Originally Posted by Offshore

So anyway - I think there will be issues with bundling for as long as people show willingness to buy junk they don't want (with no discount of course) These people will also be the last to get any available stock as they'll be milked for as long as possible.

The downfall of " paying up " at the AD. I did buy jewelry under those pretenses even thought it was gifts I would have bought from any jewelry store.

I have thought how does a guy like me go from being bundled to suddenly not being bundled and even possibly getting pieces discounted. Maybe when they offer me stuff just tell them I bought XYZ piece, grey market, under msrp, letting them know.. I know.

It sounds like I might need to start a new relationship outside my current AD.

[Len S]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I was not aware that bundling ever stopped?

This