Premium prices and Rolex policy

[JJ WA]

Is it acceptable by Rolex that an Authorized Dealer could charge higher than the official price list of a watch? I assume it is not. That being the case, does anyone know to whom at Rolex I could send a formal complaint? Thanks

[jbenjamin1]

Nope!!

My AD here charged me nothing more than the $12,400 for one of the hottest watches in the world. All I paid extra is the NJ sales tax which I hope helps out the people and not the politicians lol.

[Roadblocked]

Originally Posted by JJ WA

Is it acceptable by Rolex that an Authorized Dealer could charge higher than the official price list of a watch? I assume it is not. That being the case, does anyone know to whom at Rolex I could send a formal complaint? Thanks

Just call Rolex. But you could leave a review of the AD on the who's who section of our forum as well. Then let the AD know you did. I'd also leave Google and Yelp reviews.

What watch and how much over RRP?

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by JJ WA

Is it acceptable by Rolex that an Authorized Dealer could charge higher than the official price list of a watch? I assume it is not. That being the case, does anyone know to whom at Rolex I could send a formal complaint? Thanks

Rolex SA

Rue François-Dussaud, 3-5-7
1211 Genève 26 – Suisse
+41 22 302 22 00

https://www.rolex.com/footer/legal.html

[samshah]

Not knowing the full circumstances, they could charge above MSRP if the watch is pre-owned. There are a few threads on the forum of the larger ADs (starting with a T) asking for a large premium on the previous iteration Daytonas pre-owned.

If you think the AD is trying to gouge you, drop a note to the RUSA.

Good luck with the search!

[mjclark32]

Originally Posted by samshah

Not knowing the full circumstances, they could charge above MSRP if the watch is pre-owned. There are a few threads on the forum of the larger ADs (starting with a T) asking for a large premium on the previous iteration Daytonas pre-owned.

If you think the AD is trying to gouge you, drop a note to the RUSA.

Good luck with the search!

That's my understanding too. According to RolexUSA they can't charge over MSRP on new watches. They can, however, set their own pricing on pre owned inventory.

[outtatime]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

That's my understanding too. According to RolexUSA they can't charge over MSRP on new watches. They can, however, set their own pricing on pre owned inventory.

Which I'm sure could have "conveniently" been sold to an employee or family member and immediately "bought back".

[mapalfa]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

That's my understanding too. According to RolexUSA they can't charge over MSRP on new watches. They can, however, set their own pricing on pre owned inventory.

So, quite officially, they could "sell" a Daytona C to a member of staff, register the warranty so it shows on the Rolex system as sold, "buy it back" from the member of staff and then add an xx% markup and there's nothing Rolex can say about it

[JJ WA]

Thanks, folks. That's pretty much in line with what I thought. The watch in question is the DaytonaC. I am willing to lose the watch and screw the AD if needed be, so I don’t want to threaten them directly to avoid an easy way out like “ops, the watch has been sold now”. The AD is not in the US, but I did my homework and the price is 30% higher than the official MSRP of that country.

Do you have any email contact and/or names at Rolex in Geneva?

[samshah]

OP - not trying to placate your frustration but have you checked out other ADs / forum trusted sellers?

Truth be told there are really terrific, knowledgeable sales folks at most ADs and an equal amount of dbs at them too.

[JJ WA]

Originally Posted by samshah

OP - not trying to placate your frustration but have you checked out other ADs / forum trusted sellers?

Truth be told there are really terrific, knowledgeable sales folks at most ADs and an equal amount of dbs at them too.

I've tried many ADs and no one seems to have the watch available and uncommitted for the foreseeable future. I'll be travelling in a few weeks and checked a few ADs at my destination. It might be fair for an official AD to place a potential customer in a never-ending waiting list. But to me charging above the price list is unacceptable to say the least. Should this happen with brands like Patek Philippe or AP, that would most certainly put the dealership with those brands at risk…

[joli160]

From what I understand from posts in the past this varies per country and is subject to national legislation. Perhaps it is perfectly legit for an AD to overprice as well as giving a discount. After all the AD is the owner and can do as he likes with his property.

[landroverking]

I'm sure some get away with it but I would never do business with them.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by JJ WA

Is it acceptable by Rolex that an Authorized Dealer could charge higher than the official price list of a watch? I assume it is not. That being the case, does anyone know to whom at Rolex I could send a formal complaint? Thanks

I'm not sure where this myth has come from..

AD's are independent businesses and can sell any Rolex for above MSRP if they choose.

The reason they don't is because they have to compete with other AD's who likely have theirs set at MSRP.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by JJ WA

does anyone know to whom at Rolex I could send a formal complaint?

good luck with that.

Originally Posted by Tools

AD's are independent businesses and can sell any Rolex for above MSRP if they choose.

there's your answer. moral of the story...shop around.

[CHOSEN1]

no lol

[Etschell]

Go to another dealer. Don't waste your time.

[Hollister]

Don't get caught up in the hype, two or three years down the line, the Daytona C will be exactly what it is - a steel Daytona. Exciting? Not really.

[kromdom]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Go to another dealer. Don't waste your time.

BOOM...too simple, too easy

Last time I checked, there is this thing called "supply and demand"

[Danny83]

How much over are they asking?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Danny83

How much over are they asking?

OP said 30% over msrp.

I would walk obviously and let them know they won't be getting any more of your business for this shady move. I would say the same to a car dealership.

[Danny83]

I believe a Rolex boutique cannot ask for over MSRP, however independent store can

[AK797]

Originally Posted by samshah

Not knowing the full circumstances, they could charge above MSRP if the watch is pre-owned. There are a few threads on the forum of the larger ADs (starting with a T) asking for a large premium on the previous iteration Daytonas pre-owned.

If you think the AD is trying to gouge you, drop a note to the RUSA.

Good luck with the search!

That is so shady.

[jw0n]

From what I understand, Rolex does not allow ADs to sell pieces at premium. However, here in Asia at least, this is very very very common practice. I'm told Rolex knows this is happening, but they also do not take action on cases like this.

I just purchased a Hulk over the weekend at a premium. I did not get a computer printed receipt; mine was a hand written one. They told me that they'd tell Rolex the "system was down", wink wink. The only AD that did not charge me a premium was a 4 hour drive away.

You could probably complain about this, but these premiums are not as uncommon as you think, and I do not think Rolex will take very serious action about this.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by Danny83

I believe a Rolex boutique cannot ask for over MSRP, however independent store can

I thought Rolex didn't own any retail stores, e.g. the NYC boutique is owned by Wempe.