Discounts at rolex boutique

[Mr. K]

Does the porcupine need to be alive?

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Dear quanghaiii

..... shoving butter up a porcupines rectum with a red hot needle.

Mick

That's an interesting image... :-)

[Starter]

Sorry to zombie this thread, but these responses were all in 2016, when the days of wine and roses for the Swiss watch industry were still in effect... How about now, since things have fallen off a cliff?

I ask because I'm in Spain, and my friend has a good relationship with a Rolex AD, who will offer a nice discount on all models (that and the VAT refund will make for a great discount). Problem is, they only have the watch my girlfriend wants. The one I want is only at the official Boutique, literally walking distance right down the street.

What are my chances of a discount there in 2017? Still akin to the sucessful molestation of a porcupine with melted butter?

How about if I buy both at the boutique?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Starter

Sorry to zombie this thread, but these responses were all in 2016, when the days of wine and roses for the Swiss watch industry were still in effect... How about now, since things have fallen off a cliff?

I ask because I'm in Spain, and my friend has a good relationship with a Rolex AD, who will offer a nice discount on all models (that and the VAT refund will make for a great discount). Problem is, they only have the watch my girlfriend wants. The one I want is only at the official Boutique, literally walking distance right down the street.

What are my chances of a discount there in 2017? Still akin to the sucessful molestation of a porcupine with melted butter?

How about if I buy both at the boutique?

There's only one way to find out. Just ask.
The Rolex Boutiques in Hong Kong have always offered the same discounts as ADs, which is 5% off most models, except the most in-demand pieces.

[ssetem]

they do discount on precious metal + two tone

[Batman1]

I was offered 20% in San Francisco on a gold watch.


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[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Bilk22

ADs are also prohibited from selling below retail. .

This is simply not true. Please don't give out mis-information. AD's can and do discount. Whether or not this person can get a discount depends on any number of variables and while its true the boutiques in my very limited experience with them will not discount, saying a US or European AD can't or won't is laughable.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by quanghaiii

Also is it normal to expect a 20% discount at a authorized dealer store (not the boutique) for full gold daydate and president lady datejust?

Is there such a thing as "normal?"

With this fixation on discounts Vs the actual watch sounds like you may not be ready to buy a luxury product...Or really care for Rolex.

How about some melted butter?

[alamla01]

Originally Posted by andreturning

Wow i feel lucky to have such a great local AD. Great discounts. On steel subs they are a little tight but we all know how those sell like hotcakes.I still payed less then retail on my no date sub out the door including tax.

Who's your AD?

[SamP]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Dear quanghaiii

How can I put this nicely - You have as much chance of extracting a discount out of Rolex in one of their boutiques as you have of shoving butter up a porcupines rectum with a red hot needle.

Rolex sell via boutiques in order to strictly control prices and that means no discounts ever.

Regards

Mick

Didn't realise we had a poet amongst our brethren!
Roses are red, violets are blue,
My poetry sucks, but I dig Rolexs!

[Fleetlord]

Full price is the Fair Price @ Boutique

[Starter]

Originally Posted by Speed

Is there such a thing as "normal?"

With this fixation on discounts Vs the actual watch sounds like you may not be ready to buy a luxury product...Or really care for Rolex.

How about some melted butter?

Dude, come on... Rolex is like Sandals Jamaica... It's not the Four Seasons Maldives. Don't get me wrong, they make great watches, and I love my Rolexes, but they're not exactly Holy Trinity, are they? Dunno if sniffing haughtily is entirely appropriate when someone goes looking for a deal from a company who, WIS and celebrities aside, makes most of their money from realtors and middle-management types. I say ask for a discount. Why pay more? Never hurts to ask...

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by andreturning

Wow i feel lucky to have such a great local AD. Great discounts. On steel subs they are a little tight but we all know how those sell like hotcakes.I still payed less then retail on my no date sub out the door including tax.

In the US, unless you are in a high traffic/income area with lots of tourists, you should be able to extract at least a small discount on most SS sports models.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by Speed

Is there such a thing as "normal?"

With this fixation on discounts Vs the actual watch sounds like you may not be ready to buy a luxury product...Or really care for Rolex.

How about some melted butter?

Wow. So, those who aren't uber rich and ask about discounts and have an average job making average money, such that saving a couple thousand dollars--or even a couple hundred dollars--matters to them......aren't ready to own a Rolex? How can you even see us way down here from up on your high horse?

[Speed]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

Wow. So, those who aren't uber rich and ask about discounts and have an average job making average money, such that saving a couple thousand dollars--or even a couple hundred dollars--matters to them......aren't ready to own a Rolex? How can you even see us way down here from up on your high horse?

Sorry. I didn't mean to imply savings aren't important. My bad. I have the same horse you do...believe me.

It's just the incessant focus on discounts, discounts, discounts gets pretty tiresome here. "What's the average I should expect on a Sub at an AD I've never purchased from" etc etc. buying at an airport / foreign country / risking customs to try to save on purchase price and then pay Duty?

And here - at a Boutique no less.

This one I believe was all about buying a gold model...and *still* discount-focused. Why not buy Steel model then, and pocket plenty of $$$ and enjoy the brand? That's all.

[wytrader]

One aspect I think a lot of people miss with these how much discount, availability etc threads is relative price. Since the Brexit vote the UK has been the cheapest place in the world at MSRP in GBP. With a relatively high USD America has been on the high end of the MSRP range. Mainland Europe at 19-21% VAT has always been an issue but many buyers can buy tax free and pay a minimal duty when arriving back home so the fact that certain pieces are more readily available in the USA vs other area's seems logical. As for price and discounts nothing seems permanent as its a supply and demand game with global buyers and relatively fixed local prices with change exchange rates. If the AD's could be selling all of their stock at MSRP there would be no discounts (or grey dealers) so the level of discounts is just proportional to the AD's local demand.

[Alpino]

.

Somewhere in France ... sometimes in the past ...

Those days it was valid for all Rolex models. I personnally bought my Explorer II at that occasion.


.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Alpino

.



Somewhere in France ... sometimes in the past ...



Those days it was valid for all Rolex models. I personnally bought my Explorer II at that occasion.





.

Wow!

Must make the folks in Geneva cringe!

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by quanghaiii

Also is it normal to expect a 20% discount at a authorized dealer store (not the boutique) for full gold daydate and president lady datejust?

I would not buy otherwise.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Speed

Sorry. I didn't mean to imply savings aren't important. My bad. I have the same horse you do...believe me.

It's just the incessant focus on discounts, discounts, discounts gets pretty tiresome here. "What's the average I should expect on a Sub at an AD I've never purchased from" etc etc. buying at an airport / foreign country / risking customs to try to save on purchase price and then pay Duty?

And here - at a Boutique no less.

This one I believe was all about buying a gold model...and *still* discount-focused. Why not buy Steel model then, and pocket plenty of $$$ and enjoy the brand? That's all.

Buy what you want at the best possible price. No shame in that.

[jamesreid978]

Anyone ever considered that the reason some people are able to buy a Rolex is due to their negotiating in other aspects of life? If it's through business and securing higher profit or as an employee securing a pay rise. The ability to spend less money on the same item/service or make more money for the same item/service is key to financial success. Doing your research in order to make the best financial decision is a very smart move in my opinion and shouldn't be mocked here.

[33JS]

Was offered 20% off a white gold Pepsi last year. Still too expensive.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

Buy what you want at the best possible price. No shame in that.

100% agreed.

And a boutique would likely *not* be a place to get the "best" price. It may be the place to go only for exclusive product - I.e. boutique only.

[swils8610]

Is today April fools day...


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[henry333]

No way. People that said they will give discount in that high of a percent never went to London. U.K. Prices are pretty much the lowerest already and the ad or boutique know it.
Best % I got was 2.5 % on a rg Daytona from 2 stores . I got 2.5 because one said they will match the other store. But then this was around a year ago.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by jamesreid978

Anyone ever considered that the reason some people are able to buy a Rolex is due to their negotiating in other aspects of life? If it's through business and securing higher profit or as an employee securing a pay rise. The ability to spend less money on the same item/service or make more money for the same item/service is key to financial success. Doing your research in order to make the best financial decision is a very smart move in my opinion and shouldn't be mocked here.

I am certain great negotiators in various aspects of life can get some markdown on a luxury watch - even from a Rolex boutique.

The thing is...for the average first-time-punter who has zero relationship with a vendor selling a fast moving product ( not necessarily a PM model mind you) what can S/he offer the seller? Short term repeat business? Referrals to big spending friends? Something special? Nudge, nudge?

Another uncontrollable is the sales persons situation. Are they desperate for a sale? Can they grant discounts without getting approval? Do they know the buyer? is the sales rep a pushover?

All the foregoing simply says is there is no such thing as an average discount...or expectation. The variables are too vast.

Further, the flexibility at a boutique is even less....

That is all.

[clb521]

Most ADs and boutiques I've been to have offered or even hinted at a discount. Ive decided i will only buy from there if its the same price as through a TS.

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[brandrea]

Totally depends on the reference.
Precious metals have more discount than SS.
ADs discount more than boutiques.

[jon_jon]

Rolex boutiques are owned and operated by a local watch store. They usually have a separate entrance, but may be connected to the rest of the watch store that carries other watch brands. They have fancy furniture and display cases, but they basically sell the same watches as a multi-brand Rolex AD. Some boutiques get some special pieces, but they are typically more jewelry pieces (e.g. diamond encrusted bezel or MOP dial).

I don't know if there is a set rule or guideline for discount at boutiques. I have been to a Rolex "boutique" in London that offered discounts. However this was before Brexit when the GBP was quite strong compared to other major currencies and their prices were more expensive than the rest of the EU. However with the weak GBP and everyone wanting to get a great deal buying watches in the UK, I don't know if they need to discount on most of their popular pieces. But I would also say that it never hurts to ask.

[locutus49]

Ask for a discount at Goyard or any true luxury brand, and they will laugh at you as demand exceeds supply and exclusivity (rarity and very high price) maintains the high list price.

Rolex has been transitioning to a luxury brand for the last decade or two, but there is generally too much supply to be truly exclusive. Maybe they will get there, if that is indeed the goal. Only Rolex executives know their positioning strategy.

Originally Posted by Speed

I am certain great negotiators in various aspects of life can get some markdown on a luxury watch - even from a Rolex boutique.

The thing is...for the average first-time-punter who has zero relationship with a vendor selling a fast moving product ( not necessarily a PM model mind you) what can S/he offer the seller? Short term repeat business? Referrals to big spending friends? Something special? Nudge, nudge?

Another uncontrollable is the sales persons situation. Are they desperate for a sale? Can they grant discounts without getting approval? Do they know the buyer? is the sales rep a pushover?

All the foregoing simply says is there is no such thing as an average discount...or expectation. The variables are too vast.

Further, the flexibility at a boutique is even less....

That is all.