Do You Really and I mean REALLY trust your AD

[Greg 59]

Walking into my local Omega AD the other day, I was surprised to see the manager of my Rolex AD behind the counter. He had decided to jump ship because no doubt like many he was disillusioned with the way Rolex continues to market and promote products it has no desire to supply in the quantities that clearly are required. But that's another thread for another day :)

This then developed into a very wide-ranging conversation and alarmingly a widely-held belief among AD's certainly across Australasia that with the significant mark-up that the Steel Sports watches can attract on the grey market, there is a big incentive for stock arriving from Switzerland to be marketed and sold under pseudonyms at significant mark-up on websites such as Chrono24. This has become 'common practice' these days and Rolex are trying their best to stamp it out using different methods in different regions but it's still happening because the returns are worth the risk.

So, by way of example we already know that there is roughly a 60% mark-up on Daytona's sold at AD's. But, if they can cash in on a further 100% then that would make their gross profit before tax somewhere in the region of AU$24000 here in Australia. That is some serious money for most people who will have squirreled away over many years in order to buy one and have given up trying because they don't have enough if any purchase history at their local jeweler. Plus, you can buy a pretty fancy family sized car for that kind of cash.

So, I hear you all say... how can you be so sure that our wonderful, friendly, trusting AD is really doing these dodgy dealings behind the scenes? Surely Rolex would ensure that their controls are such that this wouldn't happen?

Well guess what...? I don't know. I have absolutely no proof. I am just a little more skeptical than Mr. Average. However, it is interesting to note that here in Australia, my ex-Rolex dealer told me that Rolex HQ (based in Melbourne) have recently introduced a new 'policy'. All sports watches with certain reference numbers (no doubt the stainless steel cases and bracelets) arriving at AD's are to be referred to HQ before any sale is made. Only after the sale is sanctioned can the customer be allowed to purchase the watch. Is he lying? I have no idea but why should he? He may have an axe to grind but there is usually no smoke without fire.

From what I can see, this policy would allow two things to happen. It reduces the risk of new watches being sold on the grey market and it allows 'valued' customers to be given first refusal, which to be fair if they have spent the equivalent of a small house on watches in the previous 12 months at a particular AD, I personally don't have an issue with.

Okay, over to you guys to pull this post to pieces. But, remember one thing. This is all about 'trust'. How much do you you trust your AD and more importantly, what evidence do you have to support that trust?

[beshannon]

I trust my doctor and lawyer.

I never thought about a retail store selling shiny things that no one needs.

[tyler1980]

conspiracy based on pulling together all kinds of things that may be totally unrelated.... or the simple answer. Demand is up

Demand being up answers all the questions. Scarcity, premiums, frustration. None of that depends on some master plan to deny a customer a watch. There are just too many customers and anyone who gets one can flip it, and many do.

[Brew]

Thanks for the paragraphs!

[1William]

In the market I believe that most businesses will act in the interest that best serves them. It is about making money and balancing the relationship with customers. I see the AD's as fish in the sea. As the tide of popularity rises they have the chance to better flourish. As the tide recedes they will have less of a chance to move around. These days of crazy prices and limited availability will be the topic of discussion for years to come. The bubble will burst or at least have the air let out of it at some point and the power dynamic will shift back toward the consumer. Such is business and life.

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I trust my doctor and lawyer.

I never thought about a retail store selling shiny things that no one needs.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

conspiracy based on pulling together all kinds of things that may be totally unrelated.... or the simple answer. Demand is up

Demand being up answers all the questions. Scarcity, premiums, frustration. None of that depends on some master plan to deny a customer a watch. There are just too many customers and anyone who gets one can flip it, and many do.

Agreed

[Rolexavidfan]

I trust my Rolex AD. They say that supplies have been slow in coming, but demand is pretty stable except for the hot pieces!

Let’s downplay any speculation and be positive that our cherished timepiece will arrive one day.


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[AK797]

With my life and my wife... but not with watches. So he's dead to me.

[watchwatcher]

I don't do business with people I don't trust. But, that's me.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by AK797

With my life and my wife... but not with watches. So he's dead to me.

[Lifeisarolliecoaster]

As much as I place my trust medical professionals I have learned they are human, some good, others less so. I won’t bore you but I recall one situation where I went to A&E correctly diagnosed a relatives illness in 2 minutes (they were scratching their heads for seven hours) despite it being glaringly obvious to me what was wrong. An autoimmune response to medication that had been administered over the previous 6 weeks. Sorry to ramble on but mp’s are essential. My Rolex AD is a want not a need

[WatchLurv]

Demand is up worldwide...Nonsense. Rolex just cut production just like Patek did. Patek is sending out 1 sports model of each to their ADs. It used to be 2 5990 or 5711, now it's 1.

Demand stays the same, the list keeps growing because stock isn't supplied. Simple.

And if ADs are doing dodgy dealing? Sure. How else would they survive on simply just selling sports and the odd 28mm DJ (that no one wants)? They bundle 3 28mm DJ with a [INSERT HOT SPORTS MODEL]. They get a restock of Sports consistently from this.

[kneedeep]

These days trust is a five letter word masquerading as a four letter word.

[SkyJuice]

Trust or Thrust?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by WatchLurv

Demand is up worldwide...Nonsense. Rolex just cut production just like Patek did. Patek is sending out 1 sports model of each to their ADs. It used to be 2 5990 or 5711, now it's 1.

Demand stays the same, the list keeps growing because stock isn't supplied. Simple.

And if ADs are doing dodgy dealing? Sure. How else would they survive on simply just selling sports and the odd 28mm DJ (that no one wants)? They bundle 3 28mm DJ with a [INSERT HOT SPORTS MODEL]. They get a restock of Sports consistently from this.

My AD got two 5711 last week and its march. and they are sold, obviously

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

My AD got two 5711 last week and its march. and they are sold, obviously

Yes, there are a few dealers out of the 400ish available ones that may get more of an advantage. I know a dealer who has received 3 5740 in the past 6 months.

My AD has received 1 since release. Someone in a Patek topic confirmed from their AD they only will receive 1 sports too. The general consensus is that ADs will only receive one of each. That's said by 3 different ADs, so unless they were instructed by Patek to tell their customers of this, then I truly believe that's the case That aside, I'm nearer to my finished collection of Pateks.

[REFZ]

I don't trust any sales person and I don't need to also.

[jcoltrane]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I trust my doctor and lawyer.

I never thought about a retail store selling shiny things that no one needs.

Comment of the year, both hilarious and accurate.

[t65tampa]

Originally Posted by Brew

Thanks for the paragraphs!

That's pretty funny!

There is no conspiracy here. Just a hot product that is making the dealers, re-sellers, and manufacturer more money than ever!

[donas]

Trust a salesman?....nope

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Brew

Thanks for the paragraphs!

it doesnt qualify as a rant because of the paragraphs. Rants are a non sensical vomiting of letters into an incoherent pattern. Almost every one, same format. Its never a linear train of thought either

[SpeedyTuomas]

Surely no.

[zjd168]

didn't finish the long post, but my AD is trustworthy so far.

[Fat_ninja]

Trust.... does that involve committment.

[oldman2005]

I trust the ADs that they serve their VIP/big spenders/Grey first when it comes to SS sport in the best interest of their stores. It's all about maximazing profit not love, it's a business afterall

[dkg1616]

Short answer - NO

Long answer - get me a piece you said you could get me in the time frame initially told...maybe

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I don't do business with people I don't trust. But, that's me.

Drop the mic.

[EDL7]

If it's not having your baby...don't trust ..it..lol..
Trusting your AD for anything that comes out of their flapping, bs-ing lips..
Is akin to trusting the flim flam used car dealer down the way..

[Moggo]

I’m more amazed that someone on here said they trust a Lawyer!


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