Bites: Post #5648 on the truth and lies of the Rolex waiting list - ‘Could you do better tho?’ Edition

First comment!

I received a call from Rolex A.D recently for a All Rose Gold GMT, and a Two Tone Explorer 36mm. I turned both of them down. I told them "I am doing the #1wc "

-was not on the waitlist for anything

Well hell. When you put it that way, controlling who gets the watches makes a lot of sense. Still sucks for us though.

Good stuff as always.

How do you solve a problem like demand? When we all want something, we can’t all have it… even if I want it really really badly 😂

Annoyingly, not being able to have something often makes it more desirable…

Thanks for the Doxa and diving shoutout 🤿🌊🤙🏼!!!

As I had posted on Friday, I recently got “the call”. While I was “humbled and blessed” (tongue in cheek), I do think that my AD handled it properly. They gave me an initial wait estimate and then updated me as necessary. Then I got the call, way ahead of schedule.

In my opinion, first come, first serve is the way to handle a waitlist. With so many options on each Rolex model, I believe the customer should be specific on what they want and then be put in queue for that specific watch.

Sergey: Wow! There’s a lot of demand for ad space on our Google search results! Hmmmm… should we create a waitlist? Maybe dole out ad inventory to our favorite customers? That’s what Yahoo does.

Larry: Nah, dude, let’s just set up an automated auction. Less work for us.

🤣

I bet @Aurelian had them call you.

Yeah, I think there is a line to be drawn somewhere between squeezing every penny out of the customer and actually treating people right.

You would hope that by treating people with decency they would become repeat customers anyway.

Oh yes. The Scarcity Effect is strong!

IMO, which everyone is free to dismiss, a curated list is the right way to do it as long as it's also transparently explained and honestly managed.

(A) I, as a customer, am not going to get too upset if I'm explained that it's a tough world outside and that I, as the AD, am not in this business for the sake of pleasing everyone and therefore the watches are reserved and sold only to good customers, and here are the criteria defining what a good customer is.

(B) But, I'm going to be livid if after joining the game I discover that it's rigged and the second hand market id bursting with mint watches flipped at X2 the official RSP.

So yes, maybe Rolex and the AD did a fair job with A, but what a disaster and a mess they did with B...Oh dear...

No problem! Thank you for tagging me in them as things like this can slip under the radar of the algorithm at times. 🍻

@Deeperblue Thanks for the mentions! It's always fun to read your post.

At the risk of self-promotion, I've done two videos on the Rolex waitlist.

This one talks in detail about the real reason for the AD wait-list. I promise not click bait, not everyone knows this: https://youtu.be/w1iIsJXSpTA

The second part gives a method of geting off the wait list and onto the 'priority list'. What is that? It's explained here: https://youtu.be/yw3PT5WVxrs

This is all based on research due to my own frustrations :-).

Hope everyone finds it helpful.

I have been sitting here this morning reading this post over and over. It's kind of hard to do with tears in my eyes. The other day when @Max posted the subject I was literally looking at Kevin's watches. I was contemplating on taking the batteries out. I guess it was an omen that I had the watches out. I took the batteries out for anyone that would like to know.

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote. I'm a little dumbfounded right now and don't know what to say but Thank You! I know I posted this while in the #1wc but if you don't mind I would like to keep posting in the #photographyclub . It's kind of fun.

Again Thank You!

Shane (Shbamn50)

Congrats bud! Your story was truly inspiring. 💯

As always, excellent post @Deeperblue 💯 Thanks too for the mention re. my bracelets and watch straps post.

First come first serve is a real thing . If Grand Seiko can do it why can’t Rolex ? Maybe with Rolex running their own second hand market with pre owned serviced Watches who knows what will happen to the ADs bottom line as their second hand offerings are expensive but serviced & guaranteed? I will stick with Tudor as Rolex is above my pay grade anyway. No hate on their watches , I wish I could afford one . I can get two or three Tudor watches for the price of a Rolex and Tudor make more what I personally like ascetically ( just me ) .

Those steering wheel shots baffle me! I don't see rich AF klepto-babies or nepo-babies as the type to carry around good quality Bergeron tools, or know how to use them.

So, do they drive to an AD and say - please send your watchmaker out to my car and spend an hour mounting bracelets to my wheel, then I'll take a pic, then have watchmaker spend an hour removing them all? None of those watches are worth getting scratched up for an IG shot so you'd want it done very carefully.

Very curious as to the logistics of ~20 x $50k watches on the steering wheel!

For me to change my mind either:

A. Actually in stock, especially if I make an appointment, since I live nowhere near any AD's.

B. Complete transparency in the wait-list. No BS. Even if it means I have to put cash down, no different than how Typism, Helm, Serica, etc do it.

If I have to "prove" myself to any company thru buying a relationship, especially a watch one, I'm already salty.

The nebulous wait list is also annoying to me, but for a different reason. When I go to order a Staccato, Platypus, or any number of very high end custom firearms or NFA registered items, I know there will be a wait. But I'm also given a very up front estimated time frame, and if anything happens, I'm notified right away. Or in the case of some items, there is a fluid time frame, but it isn't years.

The same goes for vehicles I've purchased. And I don't drive anything fancy, but if I want a factory color not in stock, or a trim not on the showroom, I order it and wait the agreed amount of time. If something comes up, sales rep updates and we go from there.

Same goes for any of my JDM/PXG/GEOM/Twirled golf clubs.

There is no mystical, we'll read the bones, talk to the spirits and let you know sometime, and make a judgement on how much we think you're worth based on appearance.

Believe it or not, there was a specific time, after a deployment (and reenlistment) where I did actually intend to walk in and purchase that day, cash. Needless to say, got the stink eye from the clerks, and nothing was there in store anyway....so drove around town and bought a motorcycle, custom set of golf clubs, some Silencerco goodies, and paid off my student loans.....#younganddumb-ish 😂.

Going forward I'll go used, and more than likely Tudor or other brands similar. Fits my style more anyway and Rolex Shmolex.

I love that GO Senator. I’m getting another one for sure. It’s still the coolest watch in my collection. There’s a lot of good to say about the only Rolex I might ever get. Heads up, I am heading back to visit my son next February. Can I hit the lottery twice? Will the dark side reel me in?

As someone brand new to WC, I've gotta say that in just the past few days y'all have blown me away. The conversations I've had have been so much more engaging than on Instagram, and it's truly an honor to have my first contribution to the platform, and a long-form piece at that, be highlighted in the "Community Columns" section of this week's roundup. I hope to share many more write-ups in the future!

First another great topic from Kaysia that will stir the pot on Rolex availability debate👍

No matter how much we hate the game there are two facts we can't neglect and dictate current situation:

• there is still more demand than Rolex can meet in "timely fashion"

• the "waiting list game" is driven by AD's and it is their discretion how to treat the clients

I know there are many AD's playing this game "dirty" and some are more honest in what can be expected but it is ultimately thier business decision who will be allocated and how they handle communication with the customers, taking all the concequences of doing so. The fact we as "true" watch enthusiasts belive we should be treated more fair compared to "flex-ers" means nothing for business they operate. I must admit if being in AD position from business perspective I would probably act simmilar and choose who gets what ( no romantics, favouring loyal and higher spending clients if allocation is limited, no matter if they only flex or are horological enthusiasts ) but in more transparent fashion.

The biggest issue IMO is lying to clients about allocation, let alone pushing for jewelery or non requested models to maybe get what you want/improve your position. As mentioned above in many comments the waiting is not the issue if transparently communicated. If we would be treated decently and communication would be transparent majority of the negative fuss would dissapear in thin air and each client can decide if app. waiting schedule is acceptable or not, no matter how long it may be but as long as they are actually delivered in quoted timing. And even if we stand no chance of getting the desired model ( try walking in to PP, AP, ALS ... and get the hottest models or being put on waiting list ) we should be told that in respectfull manner. There are many luxury items in this world that are unobtainable no matter how much money you have with brands favouring loyal clients or celeberties and that is fine untill we know the true situation.

It's exactly that lack of transparency and the whole improve your standing first that bugs me the most.

Does Rolex care if I don't buy one? Nope. I don't matter and I'm ok with that. But they've turned me off quite a bit and I'm not the only one. And all those turned off eventually lead to money lost, which turns into profit loss at some point.

Maybe not enough to matter now, but who knows about 20 years from now.

Can you imagine being that watchmaker...... 😂....

Oh goodie goodie goodie. Less competition. 🤣

As far "got them", I suppose they "got me" as I appreciate their superior horology which really is seond to none. Their designs are elegant and refined as well as design setters, witness the Datejust and Submariner whiuch still set the standard for their respective types.

I suppose I should ask, do you "get" any higher priced brand?

Later.

Yes I can. And it was probably a royal pain for hourly wages. 😉

Hey it happens to the best of us, clearly you're not the only one.. They've been successful for a reason. But it's ultimately up to opinion.. Other then their age and history, I don't see us agreeing on any other point of yours. As I find every model insipid, and dull, minus the Milguass. As their releases become lazier and more repetitious than the last. But who am I to say what gives individuals their jollies within this hobby.

But I'm glad you asked, as I do with F.P. Journe, A. Lange & Sohne, IWC, Zenith, & JLC. As they consistently out perform Rolex with their innovations, alluring designs, and comparable horology. But I suppose some people pay for their punishment, it really depends on how obsequious the customer is.. 🤭

Here are the facts. As a watch manufacturer, Rolex is an independent company, controlled by a board of directors, that employs thousands of people to design, facilitate, and manufacture their product. Their business is obviously making watches but like any other company that wants to be and most importantly REMAIN successful, their business model is to sell their “brand.” There are over 1800 retail stores worldwide that Rolex has authorized to sell their watches. In the US there are over 300 authorized ADs. Their business model never has and certainly isn’t to connect with the customer; instead it’s to connect with the authorized dealer. It is safe to say that the Rolex company is most concerned that their perceived brand and perceived value remains. Rolex doesn’t profit more from a GMT selling for above retail on chrono 24 or a Daytona selling on the grey market for $30K but it certainly helps to perpetuate this ongoing “perceived demand.” In a way, we as consumers created this monster. The bottleneck and narrowing of distribution that occurs from AD to consumers keeps this perceived value going.

OK. I like all those you mentioned as well. So we disagree on Rolex. Big deal. I won’t try to convert you. 😃

I appreciate that sincerely. Maybe my lack of interest can shorten the waiting list somewhere on the planet lol

I know a young man who works as a manager for a very large established Canadian watch and jewelry super store but he sources his Rolex watches from an ad in the community where he resides, has received the call for 3 already that he has targeted, not sure he is interested in a Daytona. He is friendly with the staff/ store, has spend history is not a flipper but both he and I know of ads that will sell in demand watches to good friends or people who can be helpful one day, it is just the world we live in today. I was browsing in a Rolex ad, actually a boutique within a boutique a few years ago when I had time to kill. Oddly no sales person offered any assistance despite the early hour and lack of other shoppers which they determined quickly that I was not one. Finally the woman who manages the Rolex shop offered some assistance which was appreciated. We looked at the trays of 36mm Datejust watches which she categorized as for ladies before examining other brand available for sale. As I was making my exit, to waste no more of her time, she produced a lovely 41mm Datejust with a Wimbledon dial for me to consider from somewhere not obvious to the shopper unfamiliar with the shop. Ridiculously I did not produce my humble credit card. Even my fierce wife and two daughters have criticized my lack of insight that morning. Life can be harsh. That is actually a beautiful iteration of an iconic watch despite the case size.