Rolex new ad rules??

[rolexgs]

AD new rule no.2

pay 10% display fee if you want to get the watch immediately.

[Bxtek]

Wow....this is crazy! First time I had ever heard of this! Why am I not surprised though? Definitely sounds like something specific to that particular AD and I highly doubt it would be a rule put out by Rolex?

If they wanted to do this and they had the watch in stock.....Wouldn't it make more sense to ask the client for a deposit and then say we will have it here in 3 weeks for you to collect? That still would be wrong imo......but it would definitely make me feel like crap knowing my watch is on display that whole time. Potentially being handled and tried on by various people!

Or, the correct way for them to handle this is to display the watch, and only call the client when it is immediately available to be purchased! That way the watch belongs to only the store during the 3 weeks.

[garyk]

Some of these ADs have poop for brains…

[Cauhauna]

I’d consider this type of arrangement for a truly rare watch like a Nautilus

For a datejust that trades at or near retail on the secondary? ☠️

This AD is playing games. Cut them out and buy grey. They can play all the games they want, the crown is still making 1M units per year. this AD will be offering discounts on DJs in a few months

[Osmin]

Heard something similar from a polish AD. The watches in the display cases are all customer watches. But I don’t know if they are already fully paid or not. But I could not even try them one.
But I think it’s an inexpensive way to have some stock to show. Because that is definitely a Rolex requirement.

[dannyp]

I’d just make clear that you expect the deposit to be refundable if there’s any evidence of wear when you come to collect it.

[Tridor]

Personally, I would either: (a) walk away; (b) tell him you'll take the DJ without the display requirement; or (c) tell him you want a display fee equal to 10% of the watch's value. Given that your DJ likely can be obtained elsewhere (including the gray market), I would prefer that you tell the AD to go pound sand. Really, this borders on extortion.

[inadeje]

This is either a sad intent at humor or a comical new AD charade.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by cglondon

All of this for a 36mm Datejust. Personally I wouldn’t be paying full price for something that will then sit in the window for 3 weeks. Haven’t they got specific “exhibition models” for that stuff.


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Guess simply because it's a 36 stainless steel wimbledon, fluted and jubilee? Heard it's the hardest datejust to get.

The SA did explain to me that they do have another wimbledon piece (not the exact same style as I ordered though) in store that's for display. So unless customer specifically asked for the exact same style as mine, they won't take it out for any customer to see or try..

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Bxtek

Wow....this is crazy! First time I had ever heard of this! Why am I not surprised though? Definitely sounds like something specific to that particular AD and I highly doubt it would be a rule put out by Rolex?

If they wanted to do this and they had the watch in stock.....Wouldn't it make more sense to ask the client for a deposit and then say we will have it here in 3 weeks for you to collect? That still would be wrong imo......but it would definitely make me feel like crap knowing my watch is on display that whole time. Potentially being handled and tried on by various people!

Or, the correct way for them to handle this is to display the watch, and only call the client when it is immediately available to be purchased! That way the watch belongs to only the store during the 3 weeks.

I feel like this AD is trying to get more cash flow by doing this since the SA explained to me the reason they want me to pay in full to keep this watch is that her boss already paid this watch in full. But it still doesn't make sense to me as a buyer.

To me after reading all the posts here, it seems like this AD is trying to lower its pressure on cash flow so that can order more watches from Rolex using customers' money while getting settled sales at the same time! I'll call two other ADs tmr and see if they do the same. Hopefully they will explain over the phone.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I’d just make clear that you expect the deposit to be refundable if there’s any evidence of wear when you come to collect it.

I'll definitely call the AD and ask the owner to explain it to me before I made the full payment. If everything makes more sense, guess I wouldn't mind that much then. It seems like the sales lady is just repeating what she was told by the manager or boss and not explaining everything well and clear.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Tridor

Personally, I would either: (a) walk away; (b) tell him you'll take the DJ without the display requirement; or (c) tell him you want a display fee equal to 10% of the watch's value. Given that your DJ likely can be obtained elsewhere (including the gray market), I would prefer that you tell the AD to go pound sand. Really, this borders on extortion.

Well, Rolex don't care what their ADs do, and certainly the ADs wouldn't care about their customers' request, lol. It's a stainless steel 36 wimbledon, fluted, with jubilee. It is a hard piece to get among datejusts. But I'll definitely check it with other ADs here and see what to do next.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Welcome to the forum.

Rolex does not care what an AD does. This AD in your country is using paid for products to keep his displays full. Up to you if you want to put up with that.

Thank you.

Yes, exactly. It is very uncommon. Guess that's why I didn't get much answers online while searching

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by rolexgs

AD new rule no.2

pay 10% display fee if you want to get the watch immediately.

That's just absurd. But I heard some ADs in Asia doing it by asking customers to buy a tudor or something equivalent before the customer could purchase a rolex. It's just insane.

[saltyandwet]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Absolutely they are going to use your watch as a demo. Unreal. I wonder if the AD would appreciate the same treatment with their next Benz? Doubt it.

This happens to cars too. You just don't know it. Say you have just ordered an AMG E63 and the dealer tells you it will be 3 months. The AMG arrives and what do you think happens to it? It sits in the lot until you finalize the paperwork and take delivery of the car. While in the lot, people are going to "touch and fondle" that AMG, no doubt. What you don't know, didn't happen.

[DubOhio]

This happens more often than people think. AD’s will usually display the watch then call a customer and explain how it’s their lucky day but not usually before hand.

If you decide to turn it down after the 3 weeks let me know I’ll take it off your hands.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Osmin

Heard something similar from a polish AD. The watches in the display cases are all customer watches. But I don’t know if they are already fully paid or not. But I could not even try them one.
But I think it’s an inexpensive way to have some stock to show. Because that is definitely a Rolex requirement.

Hey, thanks for sharing! This is definitely a rare case. I can see what this kind of ADs is doing to maintain their business, but I won't appreciate it. I'm also aware of the rolex display rules after doing my research. Below is what I got.

Here is what I got from Reddit: "Rolex New Regulations - They have to keep 34 models in stock at all times in 2022. Stocking has already begun for all ADs. All of these are held in the back, and can't be sold unless inventory is over 34."

I read all the comments under that post, so basically Rolex requires their ADs to keep a certain amount of watches on display in store. And the number of the displayed watches is depending on the AD's store size.

And I did also read many other posts from buyers in Asia. To translate it into English its as follow:
1) New arrivals cannot be sold in 10 days;
2) ADs must display at least 10 watches thats for display purpose only, not for sale;
3) The AD's real time inventory needs to be at least 60pcs (guess the reason that it's much more than that mentioned in Reddit is because the demand in Asia is also a lot more);
4) AD can only activate ID cards for 20-30pcs (guess this means depending on the AD's store size, they are not allowed to sell over certain amount of watches?)

It is indeed an inexpensive way to show more customers more watches, and I have to say it is good for customer who is interested in rolex because they now get the chance to actually see and try more watches in store rather than passing an AD and only see empty showrooms all the time.

And the way my AD is doing this is just transferring the pressure that they get from Rolex (getting asked to display more watches in-store rather than they could just sell and sell) to we customers... But I am still surprised of how straightforward the SA is putting everything. They are basically acting like "are you gonna buy it?", "full payment is a must and you need to do exactly what I said", "someone else is gonna take right away if you don't"...

[Auric Goldfinger]

This is normal for Africa. You must pay in full and the piece will sit in the display window until their next shipment arrives and then you’ll be able to collect. This is so they do not have empty windows. Sold units cannot be handled by walk ins compared to exhibition pieces.

It sounds bizarre but it’s absolutely true in some regions of the world.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=889543

[David5807]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Absolutely they are going to use your watch as a demo. Unreal. I wonder if the AD would appreciate the same treatment with their next Benz? Doubt it.

This

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by saltyandwet

This happens to cars too. You just don't know it. Say you have just ordered an AMG E63 and the dealer tells you it will be 3 months. The AMG arrives and what do you think happens to it? It sits in the lot until you finalize the paperwork and take delivery of the car. While in the lot, people are going to "touch and fondle" that AMG, no doubt. What you don't know, didn't happen.

I like your post! True. A lot of people just bought it without knowing what happened. And most salespeople would just never bother telling the customer simply because it makes almost everyone uncomfortable knowing it!

When it comes to a $50k car, people somehow don't mind that much. But when it comes to a $50k watch, most of us would feel uncomfortable knowing someone else has or would try it on when we ordered and paid already. Interesting thing to notice if you think it this way

[Auric Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Absolutely they are going to use your watch as a demo. Unreal. I wonder if the AD would appreciate the same treatment with their next Benz? Doubt it.

Sold units cannot be handled or shown to anyone outside of the purchaser. It’s strictly so they do not have empty display windows. The client will be allowed to collect once the AD’s next shipment arrives. Every region has different policies for ADs. This 3 week wait was recently implemented for the continent of Africa.

There was a lot of naysayers when I broke the news about the CPO program last year but here we are. The 3 week wait is a legit policy. For those in other regions, be glad this hasn’t been rolled out yet.

[eightball76]

I recently picked up a S/S flutter jubilee Wimbledon as a walk in…. I don’t think the market is where it was a year ago.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Auric Goldfinger

Sold units cannot be handled or shown to anyone outside of the purchaser. It’s strictly so they do not have empty display windows. The client will be allowed to collect once the AD’s next shipment arrives. Every region has different policies for ADs. This 3 week wait was recently implemented for the continent of Africa.

There was a lot of naysayers when I broke the news about the CPO program last year but here we are. The 3 week wait is a legit policy. For those in other regions, be glad this hasn’t been rolled out yet.

In that case, it’s more of a “meh, who cares” as long as dealers truly abide by “look, don’t touch” rules. Not really much different than sitting in the safe assuming they don’t drop one when transferring each day.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Auric Goldfinger

This is normal for Africa. You must pay in full and the piece will sit in the display window until their next shipment arrives and then you’ll be able to collect. This is so they do not have empty windows. Sold units cannot be handled by walk ins compared to exhibition pieces.

It sounds bizarre but it’s absolutely true in some regions of the world.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=889543

Thank you for the explanation and the link! It does make much more sense now. And good to know that Display watch ≠ Exhibition watch. Looks like the sales lady was just telling the truth and I was just not happy with the way they sell the watches.

What the Rolex AD (at least this particular AD) here is doing is just way much different than what my Breguet AD is doing. I ordered a Breguet couple of years ago, and the AD didn't have it in store, so they have to order it for me from swiss. They took my deposit, and for about one to two months, get a call from the AD. I went to their store, paid the rest, and collected the watch and all the gifts. I would say it is indeed a much more pleasant buying experience than Rolex.

[JoseR]

If I ordered a watch and had to put on deposit on it, I surely wouldn't want my watch as display for other people to tried on and handle. I want it new in the box. What a joke..

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by eightball76

I recently picked up a S/S flutter jubilee Wimbledon as a walk in…. I don’t think the market is where it was a year ago.

Lucky you! My other two rolex ADs told me I will have to wait for as least one to two years or even longer! lmao.

[Podmornica]

Tell him to FO and ask for your money back .. I am sure you will get that DJ the same day

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by cglondon

All of this for a 36mm Datejust. Personally I wouldn’t be paying full price for something that will then sit in the window for 3 weeks. Haven’t they got specific “exhibition models” for that stuff.

This gives them an "exhibition model" fully paid for by the customer - even better.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by dannyp

In that case, it’s more of a “meh, who cares” as long as dealers truly abide by “look, don’t touch” rules. Not really much different than sitting in the safe assuming they don’t drop one when transferring each day.

From a business owner's point of view, I bet some ADs will still show the sold piece to their prospective buyers, given that they are already on the waitlist. To be honest I would do the same myself. By the end of the day, they are just running a business. They just won't let you know. And I do believe that they wouldn't let a random customer see or try the sold piece.

[VonSomething]

There is nothing crazy about this. It's a rule implemented by Rolex a couple of years ago because practically all AD showrooms were empty as watches were sold before they even got a chance to sit in the window.

That wasn't a good look for Rolex, not having any inventory sitting around to showcase to clients.

Now pieces come in and have to sit if the showroom until they get another shipment to replace the piece sitting there.

The way it typically would go is that the AD maybe displays a two-tone submariner.. Next week a Sub No-date comes in, so they release the TT Sub to the client.

If they display a GMT Pepsi on Jubilee, maybe they get a Rose Gold GMT in, they release the Pepsi. Etc. etc.

They don't wait for the 'exact' configuration to come in and replace it.

It could also be a Sub-date in the window and it gets released when a GMT Batman comes in. It all varies, they just need to be able to display a few interesting models.

AD's then just rotate between different pieces depending on their mood.