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#121 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 16
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Quote:
Before I realized how hard to get a Daytona, it’s the one I was looking for. After that, I have been looking for a batman and DJ41. Today, I started to question if I want to get it or look for another brand. I still could not find the one I like more. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#122 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Europe
Posts: 377
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Crappy customer experience and empty display cases are not viable in the long term. What is the point of an AD with no watches to show or try on. Might as well order online, that would be less hassle than traveling to an empty shop.
We are in a Covid perfect storm but eventually it will pass. The government has been giving out vast quantities of free money. The bill will land on people's doormats soon. Two percent increase in NI is just a starter in the UK. Someone traveling to an AD and being treated like crap is not a winning strategy for Rolex or for any company. And there are lots of stories on these boards of people being treated appallingly by ADs which benefits Rolex not one iota. In fact it damages the Rolex brand. No question. I know a small number of gentleman pay ladies of the night to kick them in the nuts for kicks (and I think a lot of them post on these boards) but most people want to be treated nice. Bad customer experience is bad, never good, and no company wants to offer that experience. A bit of patience is needed. I wouldn't be paying inflated prices or buying stuff I don't want unless you're still ok with that when availability returns to normal - which it will. And I hope people on these boards return the favour to those ADs who treated you like crap when they're looking for your business in the future. |
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#123 | ||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Europe
Posts: 223
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#124 |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 379
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I'd never consider another brand....had a TAG when I was a teenager, bought a Rolex at 20 and never looked back. Oh had a 90s Tudor once....poor quality back then. So I'd wait or go grey.
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#125 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Fl
Posts: 1,165
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A lot of blah blah blah on this thread but bottom line is they will keep raising prices and keep selling every watch year after year.
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#126 | |
2025 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Harry
Location: England
Posts: 10,931
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Quote:
So what's the attraction? In the case of my AD it's the ability to sell most of their Rolex inventory before it's even shipped, and to sell everything else in weeks without a discount on any model. They have increased their profit margins on Rolex sales two years in succession. Sure, they could sell some hot models 10 times over. Any AD could. But the profit on every Rolex they buy is maximum. You can't hope for anything more than maximum profit. Their display cases are not embarrassing them - they are too busy counting their earnings! If this model is unsustainable and will kill sales (the operative word being if), I'm genuinely interested to know over what time scale this is anticipated to happen. If waiting lists evaporate, discounts on MSRP will follow. I personally don't see this happening, but I'm not a expert. Those who are convinced that it will, might like to throw in some additional information. Are there any comparable case studies out there? |
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#127 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: HK
Posts: 4,366
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Macroeconomically, long term, yes. A lot of the extra liquidity is a one time thing. Incomes not rising enough (relative to rent) for the vast majority of people. So say 2-3 years to burn off and DJ and go back to normal. But of course controlled supply like Daytona normal has always been VVIP only.) Maybe just down from VVVVVVIP to VVIP.
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#128 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Back when I purchased my lv sub, I was offered a gmt master as well. Back then I couldn’t justify spending that much on two watches in one shot. Now that my appreciation for watches have increased, I can’t even get on a list for a gmt. I’ll be purchasing a tudor GMT even with the date wheel issue not being resolved. I’m fine with not always being able to get what I want but what is a little annoying is that the ADs are no longer offering a discount on Omega, GS and Tudor. Maybe a complimentary nato strap if I purchase on the bracelet. |
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#129 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: USA
Watch: SubC LV
Posts: 1,821
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#130 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: USA
Watch: SubC LV
Posts: 1,821
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#131 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: US
Watch: sub
Posts: 2,458
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I don't see things changing soon. When you have major players posting on IG with a Rolex when they could literally afford anything... I mean heck, most of the swiss watch makers would GIVE these guys a watch if they would post a pic wearing it. But nope. They want to wear a medium priced steel watch.
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#132 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Europe
Posts: 377
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Watch enthusiasts may put up with crappy customer experience. Regular people buying a retirement watch, birthday, something for partner will not. They will chose another brand. Availability back to normal, selling more watches benefits Rolex in £££. Crappy customer experience, shortages costs Rolex £££. Would be customers go elsewhere. And most Rolex are sold to regular people, not watch enthusiasts. After all Rolex is a mass market product, not a bespoke watchmaker selling small volumes.
Some posters on these forums (for various reasons) may like it but Rolex does not. They are building to expand production and increase supply to record levels and increase their sales and profits. The amateur flippers better make hay whilst the sun shines for them because this will not be permanent. Those paying inflated prices for current models - fine so long as you are ok with your watch being worth less than what you paid for it. Rolex does not care, they are interested in their own profits, not flippers or grey dealers. |
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#133 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Uk
Posts: 1,532
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#134 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Uk
Posts: 1,532
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This is happening, Asked about a watch which was not on display (ladies) and when I came in and spoke to them within 5 minutes from the safe we have options but the important question is why are these not on display?
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#135 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Europe
Posts: 377
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#136 |
2025 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: Daytona
Posts: 11,992
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I agree! Use to see some discounting years ago but the prices kept increasing.
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#137 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Real Name: Teck
Location: South East Asia
Watch: Tudor Black Bay 58
Posts: 1,846
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#138 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 1,018
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Quote:
I think Rolex will just continue to produce in similar capacity as they did in the past (minus the COVID factor which caused the reduced production). I don't have any real data, but if historically Rolex has increased its production capacity by X% per annum then that's what they'll continue to do, just as they historically increased MSRP gradually. With that said, I think availability will get slightly better, but as long as people desire Rolex more than other brands, Rolex watches will remain difficult to obtain at ADs. Many argued that the empty cases at ADs or crappy attitudes will turn off its customer base which I do not disagree, but judging from the established, more-than-ever thriving secondary market, clearly Rolex is attracting unprecedented amount of new buyers.
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#139 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Europe
Posts: 223
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#140 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Paris
Posts: 3,603
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#141 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Real Name: Teck
Location: South East Asia
Watch: Tudor Black Bay 58
Posts: 1,846
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#142 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Europe
Posts: 377
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Yes, they are just a business, subject to the same pressures and motivations as any other business. They are not magic or powered by unicorns.This is fanboy nonsense. Sorry. Rolex sell watches. That's it.
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#143 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Europe
Posts: 377
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Quote:
Profit is what they are after. Sure they want long term profits and they want to protect and grow their brand, like every other business. The rest of that is fanboy nonsense. Rolex are currently building new facilities to increase production. Just a reminder: Rolex availability returning to normal is good news, not bad news. Inflated prices are bad news - if you just want to buy a watch to wear on your wrist. We shall see what happens in the coming years. |
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#144 |
2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NYC/South Fl
Watch: Rolex, Patek
Posts: 3,737
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My AD told me that They aren’t taking Day Date orders anymore…let alone professional models and they have zero in the cases. It’s really nuts.
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#145 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: East Coast
Watch: GMT 1675
Posts: 154
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I wonder how this will all impact next generation of watch shoppers. I took one of my older kids with me to the Rolex store in Berlin and she left absolutely confused why a store that had watches (they had everything on display and let me try on a few) did not actually sell watches. When I tried to explain the Rolex attraction she sighed and pointed to all the other watch boutiques and suggested I was insane. I admit I still want the Rolex OP that I am trying to get but my point is that maybe younger watch aficionados may not have the same patience we have. Then again I know there are lots on the forum who are getting a Rolex as their first watch so I suppose for everyone one person who decides to go with another brand, they are likely two who stick with Rolex. I don’t know. I do know I’m losing personal hope on getting an OP (no sales history etc at the AD) and am starting to look at a Tudor BB58.
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#146 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: North East USA
Posts: 478
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#147 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Northern Europe
Posts: 223
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Quote:
I have seen it posted a couple of times, but I have not been able to find any sources. Not saying that I don't believe it to be true, but I would think that it would be big news in the watch world at least. |
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#148 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: N/A
Posts: 564
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Gonna get worse…
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#149 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 545
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I think availability will get much quite a bit better. Here are my thoughts:
1. Because of Covid, production was more limited. It seems like things are moving towards normalcy. 2. Because of Covid, people weren’t traveling much or spending money on things they normally would. Hence the reason for uptick in demand for luxury products. 3. As the economy recovers, Fed tapering off things, unemployment benefits expire, etc. there will be less desire to buy luxury items. |
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#150 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Kuala Lumpur
Posts: 1,018
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Quote:
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