Rolex Greece Experience

[Rolmaus]

Just wanted to share my experience (which I guess might be same for others based on reading some reviews afterwards)...me and my husband visited an AD on one Greek island today (we are here on holidays). We saw a GMT Batman on display. As we would like to add this piece to our collection, we asked if they is available.

The AD told us that the watch is not available as it is already reserved for one Greek customer who spent 10K on jewellery and he is supposed to get this piece for his wedding. After some time of repeating this information, the AD stated that if we spend at least 7K on jewellery, the Batman would be ours. We rejected the offer as it felt like giving a bribe ... after some googling this seems to be a normal practice there. Anyone else having same experience?

[GMT Freak]

You must be new. This has been the case worldwide since 2015.

Though, it seems you were lucky to even to have been given an offer. Could be news that Rolex hype is dying down.

[Rolexken]

Welcome to the new world.

[Nads786]

It’s sad that they would just give up an allocated watch to someone who walks in and spends 7K.

That person expecting the watch would be so disappointed.


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[herefortheattachment]

They had the watch reserved for someone who spent 10k, but would give it to you instead if you spent 7k?

I’d be ticked if I was the customer who dropped 10 grand, only for the store to give away my watch before I could collect it.

Maybe they were lying to try to get an extra 7k out of you all... Underhanded either way!

[Calatrava r]

Most likely the watch was unallocated, and the store was just looking for the right deal to bundle the watch with.

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Most likely the watch was unallocated, and the store was just looking for the right deal to bundle the watch with.

Either this . . or . . . they had another in the back anyway.

[Podmornica]

Even the bundle deals are getting thinner by the day .. A lot more jewelry junk was required for a Batgirl back in the 2020..

[topgear]

My friend could buy a Submariner with a Tudor from a Rolex AD in Saudi Arabia. I do not mind such package deal. Better than paying premium at the grey market. At least you still get a very well made watch that you can resell to recoup something or simply use it as another watch.

[fooey]

Originally Posted by topgear

My friend could buy a Submariner with a Tudor from a Rolex AD in Saudi Arabia. I do not mind such package deal. Better than paying premium at the grey market. At least you still get a very well made watch that you can resell to recoup something or simply use it as another watch.

I'd take that deal any day!

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[996marty]

Buying something else to secure what you want seems to be the norm in most places

[Rolmaus]

Yes, I am new to the current 2023 market. I bought three Rolex watches in the UK and Austria in 2020 and 2021 and never had such an experience. That is why I was so surprised... I guess the time has changed?

The watch was 100% not allocated. The reviews of the store tell that they make such offers to every potential Rolex customer. For 41 DJ one has to buy jewellery for 4K.

I understand that the AD wants to make more business. But for me I would rather not have that watch under such circumstances as it does not feel right for me. It kind of like destroys the buying experience for me. So most probably I will never get a Batman.

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Rolmaus

Yes, I am new to the current 2023 market. I bought three Rolex watches in the UK and Austria in 2020 and 2021 and never had such an experience. That is why I was so surprised... I guess the time has changed?

The watch was 100% not allocated. The reviews of the store tell that they make such offers to every potential Rolex customer. For 41 DJ one has to buy jewellery for 4K.

I understand that the AD wants to make more business. But for me I would rather not have that watch under such circumstances as it does not feel right for me. It kind of like destroys the buying experience for me. So most probably I will never get a Batman.

Just buy grey.


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[996marty]

As mentioned before just buy grey it’s a watch you can buy straight away without the hassle

[Andad]

Only $7000?

Wow….bargain.

[amh]

Originally Posted by Andad

Only $7000?

Wow….bargain.

Agree. It's on par with Grey!

Could have pushed for 4-5k and walked out with the watch that day. It certainly wasn't promised to anyone else.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Andad

Only $7000?

Wow….bargain.

Jeez, what a deal!

[minute_man]

That AD was full of it. Good call you passed on that and class act you didn't tell him where to shove it as that would probably warrant a paraphrased nickname for that GMT reference...

[Onequik135i]

I would just look for an excellent pre owned full set 1st Gen Batman if it were me, they can fetch for $13800 & up.

[JRell]

This is why Rolex needs to sell directly. To many AD games out there.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by JRell

This is why Rolex needs to sell directly. To many AD games out there.

This^

[VonSomething]

Originally Posted by JRell

This is why Rolex needs to sell directly. To many AD games out there.

If they were supposed to follow the guidelines of everyone wanting Pepsis and Daytonas to be available to anyone that wants one, this is what would happen:

They would have to go from producing 35% stainless steel models to 75%. Revenue would decrease massively because nearly noone would be buying other models, to the same tune as they are sold now.

Few weeks in and the second hand market would drop way below retail since everything "would be available". Current demand would diminish and people would look grey rather than buying directly.

Brand image would crash in line with all the media articles now covering how Rolex watches have lost their value overnight.

But yeah, they should definitely sell directly and fulfill demand. No more games.

[N0trub]

I just wish American AD were this honest……i get six days to six years for a new watch and with a smile I leave.

[Tim Plains]

For all those calling this AD a liar for selling the allocated BLNR, who's to say they don't have a few in the safe? I'm one of those (conspiracy theorists?) who believes ADs have had SS stock in the back this whole time, and likely a few multiples of some references, waiting for customers with deep pockets. Greece sees a lot of tourists and whales do get beached sometimes.

Originally Posted by N0trub

I just wish American AD were this honest……i get six days to six years for a new watch and with a smile I leave.

As do I but they would probably lose their Rolex AD status pretty quickly if they did.

[Brich436]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

For all those calling this AD a liar for selling the allocated BLNR, who's to say they don't have a few in the safe? I'm one of those (conspiracy theorists?) who believes ADs have had SS stock in the back this whole time, and likely a few multiples of some references, waiting for customers with deep pockets. Greece sees a lot of tourists and whales do get beached sometimes.


As do I but they would probably lose their Rolex AD status pretty quickly if they did.

And you would be 100% correct.

The only models they don’t have multiple of are the very hard to get Daytonas. Otherwise they have most of the models in the back. How do I know? They magically appear for me to try on or buy when I’ve asked. Now some were not available to buy but they have most of them. The only time I think they thinned out the inventory was in the beginning of Covid in 2020 when there was a LOT of concern about what would happen. I know someone who spent $1.2M at my AD buying everything they offered him.


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[987fanatic]

Originally Posted by Tim Plains

For all those calling this AD a liar for selling the allocated BLNR, who's to say they don't have a few in the safe? I'm one of those (conspiracy theorists?) who believes ADs have had SS stock in the back this whole time, and likely a few multiples of some references, waiting for customers with deep pockets. Greece sees a lot of tourists and whales do get beached sometimes.


As do I but they would probably lose their Rolex AD status pretty quickly if they did.

Regarding your comment about Rolex taking their AD status… I think Rolex doesn’t give an F! They even place a disclaimer on their webpage stating that an AD must sell at MSRP or below BUT that they don’t meddle between the customer and the AD. I.e.: they won’t interfere if you rat on the offending AD. I know in Latin America some ADs mark up their watches directly, selling as if they were a great.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum.

If they had $7000k of jewelry that you wanted it’s not a bad deal IMO

[Giangos]

Sounds fine to me. At least they were straight up.
Would you prefer the alternative that many people face?

An endless wait on a bogus list that never results in a watch. Or bundling an unspecified amount of jewelry or other watches that may still never eventuate in the watch you want.

If I was after a Batman with no reasonable hope of getting one at retail, I would have found that an attractive proposition.


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[Miker86]

I’ve always wondered if anyone has accepted a bundling deal like this then just returned the jewellery in line with the seller’s refund policy…..

[Chiboy]

There are so many synergies between car salespeople and watch salespeople that they really need to merge industries.