I'm looking for a little advice, I've always fancied a Sub or a Sea Dweller but the funds have never been there.
This year, I've finally got to the point in life where I have enough disposable income to buy a Rolex Submariner or a Sea Dweller.
I contacted my local dealer and was told there is lots on interest in these and while they have a waiting list, it is very much closed.
I fully expected to wait but to be told, you can't even get on the list surprised me a little.
What is the best plan of attach here?, spam a all the nearby dealers and try to get my name on a list?
If so, and presuming I have more luck further afield and mange to get on a list, what is a normal length of time to sit on a waiting list?
I called about 30 and got lucky. There was one on the unified Rolex page? If not then get yourself on some lists outside of the major cities as you will stand a better chance... or keep an eye on miltonaires website as they get some in and they are usually not a rip off like most dealers.
I got one just by walking into an AD in October. They had a blue sub in the window, asked to try it on and mentioned I wanted a no-date, sales rep told me they had just got one in that day and the people on the list "where not in a position to buy one" - walked out 10 minutes later with it on.
I was extremely lucky judging by the widely reported shortages...
You've been here 11 years?
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. The third time it's enemy action."
'Populism, the last refuge of a Tory scoundrel'.
Why are they in such limited supply? A deliberate withholding of stock by Rolex to drive up demand?
They are certainly available with a little persistence. Rather than canvassing every AD and coming across as a desperate flipper, I would have a discussion with your local AD and say that you are a local customer looking to build a relationship with that store and that you are happy to wait. You’d be surprised how things can suddenly change in your favour once the guards are down and they know you are a genuine customer.
I tried that with a few local ones... they are like “that’s nice”. Don’t care now mate, unless you are buying non sport Rolex. I drove 3 hours to get mine... nice small independent... Johnson’s in nuneaton. I would drive it again to give them my business because they treated me right.Originally Posted by Danpd
Please don't do this. I used to work at ADs, nobody talks like that. If someone said "I'm a local customer wanting to build a relationship" I'd be a little bit sick in my mouth.
Trust me ADs are happy to sell to anyone. Their number one dislike is time wasters. Anyone can pick up a phone and ring round, how much effort does that take? Says nothing serious of an intent to buy (from that particular dealer).
From the above advice, getting off your arse and into the store is a obvious good start so many overlook. Just be sincere, be willing to put money down, say you don't care about waiting (only if it's true). On that latter point, don't flake out when the time comes.
Last edited by Dent99; 18th March 2018 at 11:08.
Denmark?
Maybe my phrasing was a little puke tastic, but certainly demonstrating that you are a local customer who likes to spend money and not a flipper has worked for me. I’ve had 3 desirable sports models since Christmas with more trickling through, good discounts on normal jewellery and more recently an invite to the Rolex black tie dinner in May.
I've mentioned this on WUS in similar threads. Get on as many lists as you can.
I went on the Rolex website and rang 20 or so ADs listed there and a couple had full lists but most I got on. I had a ND sub within 48 hours with another AD also having rang me to say they had one. 3 months after that I must had half of the dealers ring me offering a ND sub.
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I do get the intent you were driving at, I was just worried it could be taken verbatim! You are right though, it is all about sincerity.
I just find it astonishing how naive some buyers can be...
Think about it: you're desperate for that Submariner. You are 100% certain you will not flip it. You're genuine. You've got the money ready. Who wouldn't want that business?
So you ring around 30 dealers. Wait, hold on, that's 29 dealers who you won't be giving business to. You're not a time-waster, but you are.
Maybe you wouldn't have had to spend so much of their time (or yours!) if one had just put you on the list? Thing is, hot models sell themselves, no list is needed. Put it in the window and it will be gone almost instantly. Or keep it in the back and it's there for when needed for a good customer/to not sell to flippers, and you don't have to be some millionaire to be a 'good' customer. A good customer can be a single item purchaser who doesn't muck you about or behave like an asshat.
And besides, how many times have you heard of people 'being way down the list' when they 'got the call' because all the others in front bailed? Says it all really.
I can't speak for anyone else, but the only thing I had no time for as a seller was time-wasting. Not enough time in my day to write down dead end leads and chase people who aren't serious. I'd rather look after those who took the trouble to come in the shop an help them find that special watch, or piece of jewellery, whatever brand or price it may be. Don't get me wrong, some off-the cuff inquiries can yield sales but more often that not, it's dead time.
Slightly on topic!
Why do people go on lists....I assume they really, really, really, want one...and can afford one....then when the time comes...they dont buy it?
Serious question! I appreciate, maybe a small minority of people on the lists may have changed their minds/bought another/got no money etc etc etc..
But to me? I just find it weird ,why people put their names on a list, (obviously knowing they will have to wait a while!) then when they get the "mystical call"...they dont want it?
Wait until Baselworld 2018 has gone and the new Rolex are announced, peeps may be off chasing a Pepsi GMT-Master II with Jubilee rather than Subs
Precisely, and the bemusement that people have when ADs say the 'list' is 'closed'.
Apart from those who have since acquired one/had a change of circumstance, who can say for sure? I think it's that I can't have it/I want it mentality and all the hype surrounding the brand/certain models. People, or 'collector's' feel the need to have one without thinking how much they would really like one. When you can finally have it some of that mystique is lost.
Surely it can’t hurt to call around? If they have one or will be getting one then pop down and put down a deposit.
I'd buy preowned. You can have ones in mint condition for less than the list price. If you follow facebook / something else, you can even get some pretty good deals. Unless you want the green one.
I am not sure this is true. Everything is at a premium... wf is about £8k for 2017 one
Told my local AD I wanted one. Three months later it was on my wrist.
I'm almost certain that this is part of the patter that sales assistants, sorry Rolex specialists, learn at Rolex school.
Happened to me twice in as many days when I acquired (I don't like to say "bought" or "purchased" because I didn't really, but that's another story) my Explorer I a few years ago. I got the first one home to find a tiny piece of light reflecting lint in a prominent position on the dial; must've been dislodged while I was wearing it as it had gone unnoticed at the AD. I called the AD to tell them that my OCD just couldn't cope and to my surprise, even though I had been exceptionally lucky that one had come in just before I called them, they now had another which they were willing to exchange it for subject to inspection...
Yes, that's what I thought!
Your best bet is to get a pre owned model and slap it into Rolex for a service.
Six weeks later it will come back as good as new.
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