Rolex AD removing watches that aren't "new"?

[Sub-Marine]

Hi folks.

I have a small collection including a sub and gmt. I'm actively looking to build out my collection and I popped by my local AD where I've purchased those two plus one for the wife, and I see them doing inventory of their rolex's.

What was interesting was they had a tray of about 30 rolex's in their "coffins" that they basically hid away when they saw me walk in!!

I'm speaking to the sales person, reviewing their empty displays of datejusts and oyster perpetuals....when finally I had to ask..."excuse me but what were all those rolexs you hid away when I walked into your store?"

(BTW, I swear I saw that unmistakable blue color that we all recognize on the Bluesy!)

He saws...."oh no, those are old rolexes (as in not current models or new old stock) that we're not allowed to display any more and our rep gets mad if we do display them."

What do you all think? My immediate thought is: "BS, those are the good watches that you don't want to show me!"

[RobearH]

If they were NOS did you ask if they were for sale?

[Sub-Marine]

Yes I did.

I forgot to mention, but I asked, "can I see them?" To which I was told, "No, we're not supposed to even display them or we can't even show them to our customers...."

[RHIII]

Doesn’t sound like a very effective business model — since ADs are in business to sell watches and make money....


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[sechsgang]

yeah that's major bullsh1t.

[ricardo-sf]

obviously you forgot to slip a $100 bill on the counter towards the SA when you asked if you could see them.

[trelane]

Couldn't they have just done their count in the back? I remember seeing this at a Boston AD too

[thesharkfactor]

That'll be all the ones they keep in the safe for their greys or vips.

[Sub-Marine]

Yes, I forgot the tip, you are right!

It's suspicious because yes, why not do that count in the back? Further, the sales person got kind of weird when I asked, makes me suspicious that they were indeed setting aside certain watches for certain customers.

Fellas, it was almost laughable how quickly they hid those watches when I walked in...it's like a drug dealer tossing his product when the cops roll by!

[Carry The Interest]

I am surprised they were even out in the main showroom to begin with. Sounds like you may have walked in on delivery day or something. That kind of stuff sounds like it would be handled in the back-room away from customers.

[stylinleems]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

That'll be all the ones they keep in the safe for their greys or vips.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Foxiness]

Should have called them out oh that’s the grey stash? Or let me call corporate to confirm your story

[2nastie]

"Discontinued" "Old" Rolexes that they are not allowed to display or sell anymore

So they happened to have 30 of them at one time? And instead of removing them right after Basel they do it a month later? Are they shipping it back to Rolex for a refund? LOL

Sure thing... once they get the watch, it's sold them unless there is something defective with the piece. Their lies are horrible...

[Sub-Marine]

Seems unanimous that we all agree....I was told a lie...that once they purchase the Rolexs they can display them and that's that....

this was a situation where they must have got in a shipment right then, and they were quickly parsing out the ones for the display case (ie the datejusts and Oyster Perpetuals) vs the ones they put right into the safe...however, this time they got caught!

[RyanJ]

Probably their next shipment to grey dealers.

[subtona]

So sad.

[Seibei]

Report them to Rolex!

[Danny83]

My AD hides them in the attic

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Seibei

Report them to Rolex!

What good would that do? The AD owns the watches after the invoice is paid in full. They can do whatever they wish with them. Including selling all of them out the back door to resellers such as those here on the forum.

[SWISSAHOLICS]

That was the shipment going to one of our trusted sellers here....not to worry, you will see them listed here shortly

[Lemonvr6]

Baffling entitlement

[Jonesy2099]

All sounds very strange to me, it is possible you may have made a mistake with what you saw.

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

What good would that do? The AD owns the watches after the invoice is paid in full. They can do whatever they wish with them. Including selling all of them out the back door to resellers such as those here on the forum.

The AD can do what he wants and Rolex can do what they want. If Rolex decides that they like dealers who sell all their stock out the back door they will send more Daytonas, Hulks, etc...

I say report them to Rolex.

[inadeje]

OP - your reply was incorrect. As soon as he started saying “"oh no, those are old rolexes...” you should have said, “don’t worry, I’m a grey dealer and, will meet you round the back with an extra 15%”.

That’s how the coffins start coming out of hiding

[Sub-Marine]

Originally Posted by Jonesy2099

All sounds very strange to me, it is possible you may have made a mistake with what you saw.

100% I was not mistaken. In fact I confronted the dealer sales person over text and they admitted to me that the blue sub I saw was a part of a special order placed by a customer. Essentially they admitted that the oringinal explanation was a mistruth and the real reason was more complicated. Said there was a reconciliation of other stores inventory and a mix of custom orders and the sales person made a mistake by reconciling on the showroom floor, etc etc. said they’ve never sold to grey because the word gets back to Rolex and they don’t want to get punched, etc etc.
He apologized for lying to me, said it was a part truth. I’m debating my recourse, including informing Rolex and or the holding company. They insisted that they didn’t have 30 rolexes, more like 10, and none of the desirable ones. Said they’ve only had 2 blue skydwellers in 2 years.

That’s about as much truth as I’ll be getting from them it seems.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by Sub-Marine

Yes I did.

I forgot to mention, but I asked, "can I see them?" To which I was told, "No, we're not supposed to even display them or we can't even show them to our customers...."

So how exactly are they planning to move this inventory?

[Fat_ninja]

My guess inventory just came

[oldman2005]

Those might be reserved for VIP only

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Sub-Marine

. . .

He saws...."oh no, those are old rolexes (as in not current models or new old stock) that we're not allowed to display any more and our rep gets mad if we do display them."

What do you all think? My immediate thought is: "BS, those are the good watches that you don't want to show me!"

I have never heard of a market for "new Rolex watches that are not new".

Of course, I also do not think that they are watches that you, personally, were not allowed to be shown.

[Dyim]

Are you on the list for something?