Funny/Sad story

[DTap]

Just another sign of the impending watchpocalypse.

[RolexMG]

I was at the event. Lucky enough to walk out with a Sub no date on the first midst!


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[Texex]

Originally Posted by superpop

So, my AD in the Seattle area had a special event today where they invited folks to come see new watches from several lines and buy a hard to get Rolex. They had a Pepsi, Batman, root beer, a few Daytona's and several other hard to get models. Doors opened at 10AM and 40 or so people filtered in. Names were written on cards and they did an anonymous drawing at 10:30AM. First name drawn, was a woman who was there with her husband. This meant she had first choice to buy any one of the watches but she could only buy one. She approached the counter and told the sales guy that her husband was outside on a call. They gave her a few minutes to go get him, well apparently his call was more important and they moved on and a string of around 5 other people snatched up all of the tough to get models. Sucked because another group of 6 guys came in and each got to fill out a card, clearly they organized a group and as a result they got to purchase a Daytona and Batman for MSRP. I expect those will be on Craigslist by this afternoon. By the time the guy on the phone outside came back in there wasn't much left and he was whining in his beer. I left without buying anything as none of the models left were of interest.

Just came across this, I was there too. She basically walked away from a white daytona. The guy I was standing in line next to was there to buy his first Rolex. He was picked second and while she was outside he got the white daytona. My buddy got a Hulk that day and I was picked 7th and had the option for a Rootbeer but declined. It's a fun event, my second year going.

[ndrs63]

But why are ADs doing this? What’s in it for them?


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[mister_poom]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

But why are ADs doing this? What’s in it for them?


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Inciting clients to come back to them? My guess is creating and building a long-term relationship customer-business. It's marketing.

[bleighs]

that's like winning the lottery but losing the ticket... ugh I feel bad for the couple. Try again next year!

[Jeffwb65]

Originally Posted by superpop

It was not Ben Bridge, and the random drawing was fair in a way but the 6 guys that all rolled in together kind of swayed it towards their favor a bit. They ended up getting 2 of the 10 or so hot models. They also had reps their from Breitling, JLC and a few others with most of the brands showing their new stock. Most were there for a Rolex though.

Alvin Goldfarb in Bellevue? (Yeah, I'm nosy.)

[sgwatchguy]

Interesting. Not the worst way to go about making tough to get models accessible to some clients.

[MagPI]

Originally Posted by Jeffwb65

Alvin Goldfarb in Bellevue? (Yeah, I'm nosy.)

Yes, he already said that’s who it was.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by AK797

Drawing lots for salivating flippers with fake smiles, the guy on the phone was probably the only genuine buyer in there.

Right?

I sure hope he sorted out their pizza order

[Denvertimeguy]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

But why are ADs doing this? What’s in it for them?


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For real... I would absolutely never shop at my AD again if they did this nonsense! I understand the fairness aspect but at the same time that’s the “game” that Rolex created... imagine being a valued customer anywhere waiting months to years for something and then they get 15 models and raffle them off.... ugh what lol!


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[Juan Luis]

Rolex is doing us the favor of being able to purchase a watch!

[Benzsiam]

I think that couple are not very smart. They should know ahead of time that what they should buy if they have a chance. Why would she had to wait for her husband at that moment?

I wish more boutiques/ADs do something like this kind of event.

[sgwatchguy]

Yep. Their loss. At a minimum the wife should’ve known what to get and be ready to pay.

[zjd168]

Originally Posted by Juan Luis

Rolex is doing us the favor of being able to purchase a watch!

Why is it so hard to understand and swallow the fact? As you can flip these hot models and pocket profit of thousands of $ with little effort if you want. So it is basically doing someone a favor to sell the watch at retail price.

Same for PP AP hot models. Well, actually bigger favor

[bigmatz]

Interesting event. I wonder what you needed to have done to get on the invite list.

My wife purchased my Hulk from AG in 2017, but unfortunately, the great SA there left soon after. I inquired about a few watches after that, but they seemed less than willing to speak with me about other sport models because they have customers that spend “millions” there.


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[Juan Luis]

Originally Posted by zjd168

Why is it so hard to understand and swallow the fact? As you can flip these hot models and pocket profit of thousands of $ with little effort if you want. So it is basically doing someone a favor to sell the watch at retail price.

Same for PP AP hot models. Well, actually bigger favor

I understand all that and agree to a point.

[Greenp]

1st man-"Heard you bought a SS Daytona. Did you buy grey?"
2nd man-"No, AD"

1st man-"You must be a big whale."
2nd man-"No, AD lottery"

1st man-"Cool story" thinking what a loser
2nd man-"Thanks" thinking easy $10k in 5 minutes

[absoluteczech]

You know, I'd rather AD's just do lotteries than other back door deals or only selling to VIP's.

[173rdabn]

Something new for me. Most interesting.

[Polarexplorerii]

Originally Posted by omx5o

I'm surprised the guy that picked the Daytona didn't turn around to the remaining customers and say "Right, who wants to buy a Daytona?"

can you imagine

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by superpop

It was not Ben Bridge, and the random drawing was fair in a way but the 6 guys that all rolled in together kind of swayed it towards their favor a bit. They ended up getting 2 of the 10 or so hot models. They also had reps their from Breitling, JLC and a few others with most of the brands showing their new stock. Most were there for a Rolex though.

BROKERS!!! (New hot term for coordinated professional flippers.)

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by Denvertimeguy

For real... I would absolutely never shop at my AD again if they did this nonsense! I understand the fairness aspect but at the same time that’s the “game” that Rolex created... imagine being a valued customer anywhere waiting months to years for something and then they get 15 models and raffle them off.... ugh what lol!

You do understand that every AD has a bunch of desirable models in the back at all times... and they routinely decide to sell to whomever they want on a whim — even a guy who just walks in off the street for the first time (regardless of the waitlist)?

[CaptT]

Alvin Goldfarb - high quality AD. Interesting event, I’m sure it was fun for those in attendance.

[Heff]

Originally Posted by vh2k

You do understand that every AD has a bunch of desirable models in the back at all times... and they routinely decide to sell to whomever they want on a whim — even a guy who just walks in off the street for the first time (regardless of the waitlist)?

I doubt that very much.


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[vh2k]

Originally Posted by Heff

I doubt that very much.

You think if a star player from the Supersonics (if that even exists) or a famous actor shooting a movie in town wanders into their store... they turn him away (sorry, we don’t have anything) — rather than magically finding one nice model in the back so they can plaster the pics all over Facebook and Instagram? That would be a dealer with poor management.

[101031-28]

Good to know some ADs do this, way better than selling to greys or having to bundle with less desireable models.