Rolex new ad rules??

[Aiden_999]

Hello everyone,

I recently got a call from my AD saying that the 36 Wimbledon that I've been waiting for almost a year has just arrived. And I wonder if anyone could help me understand if the so-called new ad rule is real. I've done a lot of research online and read all the related posts, but still couldn't find the answer... Thanks a million!

So here is what happened:
1) Got a call from AD saying the watch has now arrived, but I must go for a visit to show sincerity in purchasing it. (Even after I explained over the phone that I prefer to visit, pay and collect the same day)

2) So I visited their branch and tried the watch on. Satisfied for sure and paid like 33% deposit. Thinking I will just pay the rest upon collection like in 1-3 days (this is what the SA said to me over the phone).

3) While I was thinking I'm only one last step away from enjoying my new piece. The AD told me I need to pay the rest of the full amount before this month's end plus a three-week wait for display before I could finally collect my watch. Says it's a new AD rule.

My question is: Is it common for AD to do this (Full payment + 3 Weeks Display before collection) now in 2023? My AD said they just start doing this last month.
Cuz it now makes me feel like my watch is gonna be on a rent-free show for the AD for three weeks. And other customers are gonna try it on and on, while I'm gonna be the one bearing the risk of them damaging the watch (although I know the chance is pretty low)...Had to say it does kind of make me feel uncomfortable for being pushed again and again.

[Roger Lococco]

Lol. This is really too much. I’m assuming this is a parody thread and not real.


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[Tanuki]

I definitely wouldn’t like that scenario. It’s just wrong.

[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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[tifosi]

Another member posted this exact scenario about this GMT VTNR. He paid for it and the AD "had to" display it for 3 weeks before he could collect it. The thread was recently bumped so it should be on the first page. Go check it out.

[Jamesd20]

This is as I understand, AD need to have a minimum on display items before selling. In your case it seems they want the payment so they know it’s sold so when the display period is done and they receive a replacement it’s pre sold. I Dont think it’s fishy.

[YGRLX]

At least you could go visit your watch for 3 weeks knowing exactly where it is!

[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.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Tanuki

I definitely wouldn’t like that scenario. It’s just wrong.

That's exactly what I felt too. But it seems more like an AD's personal choice in my case. Been searching for answers online for the past two days and only found one similar case (The GMT in this forum). That's why I'm joining this forum now. Maybe it's just a new new policy that rolex just released to their dealers

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by tifosi

Another member posted this exact scenario about this GMT VTNR. He paid for it and the AD "had to" display it for 3 weeks before he could collect it. The thread was recently bumped so it should be on the first page. Go check it out.

Thank you Russ, I've read that thread too. But the detailed purchasing experience wasn't shared that much in that post. :(

[train-time]

Really! Time to buy another brand and tell them where they can shove it.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Jamesd20

This is as I understand, AD need to have a minimum on display items before selling. In your case it seems they want the payment so they know it’s sold so when the display period is done and they receive a replacement it’s pre sold. I Dont think it’s fishy.

Hi James, I agree. It's not fishy at all but I definitely won't appreciate the way they are doing business...

I saw some posts online saying in UK, some dealerships will let their customer to collect the watch once paid in full, but will hold their ID card for a couple of weeks and only activate the card until when the watch was "supposed" to be sold. So I phoned my AD this afternoon hoping they could do the same favor but the answer is a firm no. But they did explain to me that they would not put it in the showroom though. Says will only take it out for customers interested in this particular design and let them wear gloves to try. I'm only hoping they will stick to their word now.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by YGRLX

At least you could go visit your watch for 3 weeks knowing exactly where it is!

That's the bright side though haha

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by train-time

Really! Time to buy another brand and tell them where they can shove it.

Lol That's funny. I have a Breguet already, that's why I want a rolex now. Something low profile for daily wearing

[MJZRolex]

I wouldn't want to have my watch used as a display/demo model for a few weeks before picking it up. Interesting thought ... perhaps this happens to more of us prior to us getting "the call" and we just don't know it.

[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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Well, tricky part is that they said it's not really gonna go into the showroom, and I do believe in this part as their showroom is already full of yacht master, datejust, daydate..etc. And the SA did take it out from the drawer on the day I visited and paid the deposit.

[Flintstone]

I heard that's going to be the new model for prostitution as well: (1) get the call (2) get a visual and put down the deposit (3) have seller display for 3 weeks for all to fondle and (4) return in 3 weeks to complete transaction.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by MJZRolex

I wouldn't want to have my watch used as a display/demo model for a few weeks before picking it up. Interesting thought ... perhaps this happens to more of us prior to us getting "the call" and we just don't know it.

Aye. Definitely makes sense considering the demand and supply of rolex's popular pieces. SA probably just didn't tell most customers the truth... I guess that's why I'm not feeling comfortable knowing it now.

My uncle bought a two-tone yacht master from them last year and back then the new AD rule didn't even exist so he paid and collected his watch the same day upon arrival of the watch. So I guess maybe the SA is just been honest with me.

[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.

[wjv4200]

What a joke

[CarlOver]

Likely a rule your AD only. They must not get too many watches and want to keep them in the case. So you inspect watch, pay deposit, then it’s in a case and fingered fondled for 3 weeks. Then you have to inspect the watch and hope they were honest and didn’t let others play with it? No thanks.

[Walts]

So everybody gets to touch and feel your watch .Once you put that deposit down its your watch the only thing that remains is for you to pay the balance.Stupid rule nobody wants othe people using there things..

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Flintstone

I heard that's going to be the new model for prostitution as well: (1) get the call (2) get a visual and put down the deposit (3) have seller display for 3 weeks for all to fondle and (4) return in 3 weeks to complete transaction.

Exactly that's what it feels like now. Feel sorry for both the watch and every new customer.
Guess that's what it takes to get a rolex at MSRP if you don't wanna pay extra and take chances of getting a fake in the gray market.

[KOTR]

I just purchased a Submariner last week from an AD and experienced none of these requirements.

[rolexgs]

this is absolute bullshit from the AD.

[Jackie Daytona]

That’s certainly not by Rolex and some new ridiculous thing that AD has set forth.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by KOTR

I just purchased a Submariner last week from an AD and experienced none of these requirements.

Thanks for sharing. It does look more like an AD's choice now.

[Driver8]

This sort of thing makes me so glad I have no desire for any of the new models.

If Rolex and their ADs want full display cases they should fill them with dummy models that people can try on to their hearts content. They could even swap them between stores periodically to keep their displays fresh.

What they should NOT be doing is asking for up-front payment, getting a rent free display item (that they have little vested interest in making sure is looked after by that point), and then delivering the buyer a shop-soiled piece (because that’s exactly what it is by the time the buyer collects it) in a number of weeks time. Absolute joke.

I think the phrase “sod that” was designed for exactly this type of situation.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

That’s certainly not by Rolex and some new ridiculous thing that AD has set forth.

It seems like it.

[Aiden_999]

Originally Posted by Driver8

This sort of thing makes me so glad I have no desire for any of the new models.

If Rolex and their ADs want full display cases they should fill them with dummy models that people can try on to their hearts content. They could even swap them between stores periodically to keep their displays fresh.

What they should NOT being doing is asking for up front payment, and then delivering the buyer a shop-soiled piece (because that’s exactly what it is by the time the buyer collects it).

I think the phrase “sod that” was designed for exactly this type of situation.

True. But if you are in the game and don't wanna wait for another year, you play their rules. It's gonna be my first and last rolex for sure. Personally, I don't like the way they play the game.