Rolex X Hermès

[hl0m4n]

although not news to us, glad other segments are taking notice:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...-products.html

[4 Aussies]

Great article, thank you, sounds like Rolex practices, right? My Wife loved checking out the bags. Scoring Birkins at MSRP is extremely tough, My Hermès SA has been good to me.

[SLWoodster]

When you say "has been good to me," what does that mean?

Could you describe your roadmap and spend to getting a birkin?

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Great article, thank you, sounds like Rolex practices, right? My Wife loved checking out the bags. Scoring Birkins at MSRP is extremely tough, My Hermès SA has been good to me.

[4 Aussies]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

When you say "has been good to me," what does that mean?

Could you describe your roadmap and spend to getting a birkin?

Given the opportunity to purchase what you want at MSRP. When an SA gives you the option to buy a bag or watch worth double MSRP at market value, I consider that a favor. Most have the attitude they are doing the AD a favor, when in reality the hot watches, bags, or cars have waiting lists years deep. Once your attitude is left at the door, good things begin to happen.

My Wife always loved Hermès bracelets and scarves and each time we were in the city she spent an average of around $2K and was thrilled to do so, with my green, LOL. She always inquired about a Birkin and was always told nothing was available. I would say after about 4-6 visits over a year or two, and still, Birkins were out of the question. When my wife was browsing I would always break into the SA and inquire about restaurants, the hottest joints to hit etc, etc, and I always took mental notes on his preferences. When we left the city the last day on that trip back in 2019, I popped in and gave my SA a Dean and Deluca gift card for $250.00 after he opened the envelope he told me to call him a week before my next trip back to the city and he will see what he can do. I followed his instructions and the experience was special. You are escorted into a private room, the SA walks in with this huge orange box, breaks the seal, and Bamm!! I think I was as excited as she was, four bags later, now we are waiting on her first Kelly. I still Kick out to my Rolex SA, which keeps me on top of the list. The more you give, I have found the more comes back to you. I guess it's better to be the one giving than the one in need, right? I Hope this roadmap works for you, it was a joy for us all the way around. Good luck to My Forum Brothers! Yes, a Happy Wife equals a Happy Life!!

[yoda888]

This is interesting as SAs aren't allowed to accept gifts. If they do, then it's something that much be shareable with the other SAs. So say a box of chocolates would work, but not something specifically for your SA.

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Given the opportunity to purchase what you want at MSRP. When an SA gives you the option to buy a bag or watch worth double MSRP at market value, I consider that a favor. Most have the attitude they are doing the AD a favor, when in reality the hot watches, bags, or cars have waiting lists years deep. Once your attitude is left at the door, good things begin to happen.

My Wife always loved Hermès bracelets and scarves and each time we were in the city she spent an average of around $2K and was thrilled to do so, with my green, LOL. She always inquired about a Birkin and was always told nothing was available. I would say after about 4-6 visits over a year or two, and still, Birkins were out of the question. When my wife was browsing I would always break into the SA and inquire about restaurants, the hottest joints to hit etc, etc, and I always took mental notes on his preferences. When we left the city the last day on that trip back in 2019, I popped in and gave my SA a Dean and Deluca gift card for $250.00 after he opened the envelope he told me to call him a week before my next trip back to the city and he will see what he can do. I followed his instructions and the experience was special. You are escorted into a private room, the SA walks in with this huge orange box, breaks the seal, and Bamm!! I think I was as excited as she was, four bags later, now we are waiting on her first Kelly. I still Kick out to my Rolex SA, which keeps me on top of the list. The more you give, I have found the more comes back to you. I guess it's better to be the one giving than the one in need, right? I Hope this roadmap works for you, it was a joy for us all the way around. Good luck to My Forum Brothers! Yes, a Happy Wife equals a Happy Life!!

[4 Aussies]

Originally Posted by yoda888

This is interesting as SAs aren't allowed to accept gifts. If they do, then it's something that much be shareable with the other SAs. So say a box of chocolates would work, but not something specifically for your SA.

A box of chocolates will keep you at the end of the line. Once you establish a relationship and spend history you are golden. Now years later I walk in with treats for all, but a box of chocolates is low rent.


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[austinp]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Given the opportunity to purchase what you want at MSRP. When an SA gives you the option to buy a bag or watch worth double MSRP at market value, I consider that a favor. Most have the attitude they are doing the AD a favor, when in reality the hot watches, bags, or cars have waiting lists years deep. Once your attitude is left at the door, good things begin to happen.

My Wife always loved Hermès bracelets and scarves and each time we were in the city she spent an average of around $2K and was thrilled to do so, with my green, LOL. She always inquired about a Birkin and was always told nothing was available. I would say after about 4-6 visits over a year or two, and still, Birkins were out of the question. When my wife was browsing I would always break into the SA and inquire about restaurants, the hottest joints to hit etc, etc, and I always took mental notes on his preferences. When we left the city the last day on that trip back in 2019, I popped in and gave my SA a Dean and Deluca gift card for $250.00 after he opened the envelope he told me to call him a week before my next trip back to the city and he will see what he can do. I followed his instructions and the experience was special. You are escorted into a private room, the SA walks in with this huge orange box, breaks the seal, and Bamm!! I think I was as excited as she was, four bags later, now we are waiting on her first Kelly. I still Kick out to my Rolex SA, which keeps me on top of the list. The more you give, I have found the more comes back to you. I guess it's better to be the one giving than the one in need, right? I Hope this roadmap works for you, it was a joy for us all the way around. Good luck to My Forum Brothers! Yes, a Happy Wife equals a Happy Life!!

Well done! Brilliant!


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[peticks]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

Great article, thank you, sounds like Rolex practices, right? My Wife loved checking out the bags. Scoring Birkins at MSRP is extremely tough, My Hermès SA has been good to me.

Hi, I just posted a thread about Hermes. Any chance you can refer your Hermes SA? Thanks!

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by peticks

Hi, I just posted a thread about Hermes. Any chance you can refer your Hermes SA? Thanks!

Yeah pass on to me too. Need to get me some of those bad boys.

[taitun4life]

Originally Posted by Moondoggy

Yeah pass on to me too. Need to get me some of those bad boys.

Bad boys? Thot they'd be called "Bad Girls"

[mini sub]

The outcome of this might have implications for certain Rolex dealers....

https://www.reuters.com/business/ret...es-2024-03-20/

[77T]

Historically, a significant percentage of lawsuits in the United States are settled prior to a court trial. Around 90-95% of civil cases are resolved through settlement or alternative dispute resolution methods.

Settlements have no applicability to any other parties. So it's difficult to predict this suit affecting Rolex.


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[Watchman001]

Good, hope Hermès loses and it is the beginning of the end for this crap.

[904VT]

I don’t think we need lawsuits, but I think their business will ultimately suffer as people move on. Even Rolex, doesn’t have that type of brand goodwill to constantly abuse/take for granted their customer base.

The Rolex buying experience has gotten exponentially worse. The salespeople at some of these shops act like high school kids getting back at their bullies in the only form of power they will likely ever have in their life, controlling Rolex Professional line allocation. Rolex is approaching the fatigue they had in late 5 digit time and pretty soon people will move on. For too long many have used Rolex like currency alternatives. That's a late market bubble right now. Rolex should've went upmarket instead of playing supply/demand games manufacturing artificial scarcity. Glad I have a Daytona and Submariner already because I won't be going back for any more.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by 904VT

I don’t think we need lawsuits, but I think their business will ultimately suffer as people move on. Even Rolex, doesn’t have that type of brand goodwill to constantly abuse/take for granted their customer base.

The Rolex buying experience has gotten exponentially worse. The salespeople at some of these shops act like high school kids getting back at their bullies in the only form of power they will likely ever have in their life, controlling Rolex Professional line allocation. Rolex is approaching the fatigue they had in late 5 digit time and pretty soon people will move on. For too long many have used Rolex like currency alternatives. That's a late market bubble right now. Rolex should've went upmarket instead of playing supply/demand games manufacturing artificial scarcity. Glad I have a Daytona and Submariner already because I won't be going back for any more.

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

[Watchman001]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

Totally agree. Big hassles and watches also losing their classic lines and becoming too plump for my taste. Would much rather have a 5 digit for a still somewhat reasonable price with no wait.

[mini sub]

Originally Posted by Watchman001

Totally agree. Big hassles and watches also losing their classic lines and becoming too plump for my taste. Would much rather have a 5 digit for a still somewhat reasonable price with no wait.

Absolutely with you on this. Fat colourful shiny watches have attracted likewise.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

Originally Posted by Watchman001

Totally agree. Big hassles and watches also losing their classic lines and becoming too plump for my taste. Would much rather have a 5 digit for a still somewhat reasonable price with no wait.

Agree. I want watches to be part of my life, I don’t want my life to be about worrying how to purchase a watch. Some say go grey, those prices are all over the place too. Rolex should’ve just increased SS Professional model prices by 50% over 2016 thru 2019 to appropriately adjust to demand. They knew the demand was there long term to sustain those price levels. The reality is, they like selling a lot of Date Just models. They really don’t care about reselling, in fact they probably encourage it. They only really care about true grey market dealers that take watches across sales zones skipping dealer networks.

I think Omega and especially Grand Seiko are putting out some interesting alternatives in the luxury sports watch space. I think Rolex is stuck in this weird space where they’re tying to be AP Jr instead of Rolex. Imo being Rolex would be focusing on the SS Professional line where most buyers really want to purchase and then doing more innovative launches at the higher end and more frequently. Double Split Chrono, Minute Repeater, Perpetual Calendar options pushing boundaries. Instead it’s painfully obvious they care most about selling $25k to $40k watches almost exclusively. Which ultimately ends up with some pretty boring watches for the majority of buyers.

[Moondoggy]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I have moved on. After 50 years of brand loyalty I have become fatigued with the Rolex business model. Rather than just walk away, I am actively boycotting Rolex and telling friends and acquaintances that the brand has lost its way. The watches they manufacture aren’t worth the hassle to obtain them.

I’ll keep the watches I have, but my Rolex AD can pound sand if they expect me to drop another penny in their store.

Agree, it’s toxic and I ain’t going to sell my soul to anyone.

[Marcjvr]

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

You should not paint all Rolex buyers with the same brush…..

Kat


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

The… horror.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

That’s funny.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Thank God the plight of luxury buyers as an oppressed class is finally being exposed

[Mathematoxic]

While I strongly disagree of the business practices of these luxury brands, I doubt the lawsuit will have any effect on them.
From the business perspective, It’s similar to “pay or spend more” for a faster and better “service”. Ie. skip the queue. Just like theme parks where you pay more for express queue. You get to the ride earlier than people who have queued longer than you. It’s an uphill battle to get anything positive out of it.
It’s better to boycott the brand than to file a lawsuit against them.

[Slimpee]

Americans: “We love capitalism! The free market is great! Businesses can serve whom they want when they want and charge what they want!”

Also Americans: “I have to buy 50 scarves to maybe get a Birkin?!? How dare you! I’m calling my lawyer!”

That said, price fixing/collusion, price tying, and other antitrust stuff that I’ve forgotten are illegal. Not sure if the Hermes suit has any legs but it’ll be interesting to follow.

[Sgooter]

Never imagined that a sexually transmitted disease would become such a highly sought-after fashion item.

[HHIslander]

The class consists of two people who will likely drop after getting a free bag.

[BraveBold]

Not my legal opinion (and not legal advice) but the suit will almost certainly fail.

I doubt they’ll even settle.

[enjoythemusic]

Rolex and dealers have been VERY fair, at least WoS / Mayors. SO imho this is definitely not a Rolex thing.

On the other hand, wonder how this will affect Richemont brands such as A. Lange & Sohne, as we know they did force package deals on their clients.