New Skydweller and AD inventory....

[lightingball2]

Stopped by my AD yesterday and as I was just poking in to say hi, the guy I always purchase my Rolex's from, told me that he had an opportunity for me. He said the store had a Blue SS Skydweller allocated to them and that I could have my name on it with a $4K non refundable deposit. He did tell me that it wouldn't arrive until sometime next year. I told him I was going to think about it. My question is, how would you know when this is coming in? I just have a hard time giving someone 4 grand with the unknown.......I gold told July of 17 that I would have the next Daytona and that it should be in by the end of 2017. I did not receive it until May of this year. Is this just a way to get money in the store now? How would the dealer know that they are getting a specific model this early with an unknown delivery date.......

On a side note, their cases were more empty than I have ever seen them. Nothing in stock for SS sport models, and well......really just nothing much in stock at all. I just can't believe its gotten to the point where you don't even see a Submariner in the cases anymore......

[lightingball2]

Oh i forgot to mention, I did NOT have to ever give a deposit for my Daytona.....

[marc12]

I have my AD $7200 deposit for my skydweller almost 8 months before I got it.

[A.I.]

Doesn't add up to me.

If something doesn't smell right chances are...

[WAK4]

For a watch like that there should be no desposit IMO.

The people at the store know you, and it's not a special order that will sit around if you back out.

[coralfarmer84]

Although they shouldn’t need a deposit on a watch that will sell immediately, I think AD’s are starting to do this to lock you in as a) serious and b) to keep you committed to buying from them. If you want it put down the deposit, not like one is likely to appear sooner from another source at msrp.

[Vivalas]

If I trusted the AD I’d probably do it. However what about any price rise? You’re giving over a non refundable 4k - I’ll use an extreme and highly unlikely example, but what if they did a Patek (Nautilus etc) and increased the price by 20% or more?

[amilch]

I had to paid in full for my Sky Blue and waited 6 months before it arrived. I paid In full for the 116519LN and 8 months later I m still waiting....

[Fort Rolex]

I’d have no problem but would like 2% on it otherwise it’s just an interest free loan

[jsausley]

I see no problem with this, but I'd ask them to guarantee that the watch will be sold for current MSRP and that you have the right to get your deposit back it the price goes up before it comes in.

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by jsausley

I see no problem with this, but I'd ask them to guarantee that the watch will be sold for current MSRP and that you have the right to get your deposit back it the price goes up before it comes in.

This. As long as the deposit is refundable then I would probably do so. Whether you could get them to guarantee current price is another matter.

[vipergts66]

That’s sounds off for Rolex ADs. My AD whom I have a good relationship wouldn’t even take a deposit for a SS BLRO (I’m told I’m first) as well as a white DaytonaC stating they don’t know when they’ll get either in.

It seems odd that they’d ask you for such a large deposit, knowing that even if you don’t buy it, someone else will. Though it may be a way to keep buyers from being on many lists at many ADs.

On the other hand I’ve seen Omega boutiques take 50-100% deposits for special releases, but those are allocated 100%.

[Wcdhtwn]

Maybe with a deposit they can count the watch as sold this year. Perhaps that pads their numbers and helps them get more hard to get pieces next year. I don't know... AD's don't do things without there being a benefit for them. Just can't think of what else that would be. Perhaps it's a commission now for the sales guy?

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by WAK4

For a watch like that there should be no desposit IMO.

The people at the store know you, and it's not a special order that will sit around if you back out.

exactly

[Hodog16]

Lack of respect, I wouldn’t do it but it depends on how badly you want the watch. Deposit alone would be annoying but ultimately ok but non refundable is more trouble than it’s worth in case something happens.

My AD refused to take any money deposit on the Daytona from anyone and I respect them for that.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Fort Rolex

I’d have no problem but would like 2% on it otherwise it’s just an interest free loan

Bingo.

[Investr]

Originally Posted by WAK4

For a watch like that there should be no desposit IMO.

The people at the store know you, and it's not a special order that will sit around if you back out.

Agreed!!

[Nairn1980]

That’s between you and the AD.

If you trust them, go for it.

[Anthony4579]

This is where the whole Rolex buying experience makes no sense. The story I get from my AD is that they have no idea what they are getting from Rolex so it is not possible to give a time table. This is where both Rolex and the AD are at fault. I am sure Rolex has firm production plans so it is a pretty poor business practice to not preallocate the inventory to their AD network. This shouldn’t be a random process. We should be able to walk into an AD and be told that they have 6 watches coming in over the next 2 years and the 5th slot is open. Then they can take a deposit. Why is this any different than buying a car? Even the hard to get limited production models are sold this way. You are not just left in limbo with no real timeframe. Also, I am someone who believes in cultivating a relationship with an AD and have only bought from two over a 30 year period and the only reason it is two is the first one lost their Rolex dealership.

[1William]

I would do it if you want the watch. I would get a receipt that also would say the reasonable time frame, 6 months, or a complete refund. That way you are not getting a sore credit nor are you hanging out there for a year or more. If they will do it lock them in on the price. Good luck.

[Xerxes77]

I think it’s better to not give them the deposit.
But, also then depence on how much you want the watch because maybe your AD talk to other clients and someoane put down the deposit!
Think of that.
In rest, I agree with the ideea that SS SkyD don’t stay too much on AD if are white or balack bezel!
If it’s blue bezel then will be a shadow on the store!
Maybe a ghost who stay maximum few hours!

[R!$]

Do it if you want the watch

[Ravager135]

Whether this is the new normal or not, it's not something I'd do. The blue Sky-Dweller is a little hard to come by in stainless steel, but ADs get more than 1 a year. This guy is somewhere down the list and the AD sounds like he wants to line his ducks up. If you really want this reference and this AD is your most direct route to getting it at MSRP, have at it. I find this kind of retail obnoxious. "Hey I've got a special offer for you... You give me 4 thousand dollars now and I'll allow you to buy a watch a year from now when we get it." Either put me on a wait list or if I am going to give you a deposit, I better be getting that watch soon.

I own 5 Rolex watches but if I am never able to buy a stainless steel professional model at MSRP within a reasonable amount of time because of these types of sales tactics, so be it.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by Anthony4579

This is where the whole Rolex buying experience makes no sense. The story I get from my AD is that they have no idea what they are getting from Rolex so it is not possible to give a time table. This is where both Rolex and the AD are at fault. I am sure Rolex has firm production plans so it is a pretty poor business practice to not preallocate the inventory to their AD network. This shouldn’t be a random process. We should be able to walk into an AD and be told that they have 6 watches coming in over the next 2 years and the 5th slot is open. Then they can take a deposit. Why is this any different than buying a car? Even the hard to get limited production models are sold this way. You are not just left in limbo with no real timeframe. Also, I am someone who believes in cultivating a relationship with an AD and have only bought from two over a 30 year period and the only reason it is two is the first one lost their Rolex dealership.

Right, but that's just it. I don't believe for one second that an AD only gets one blue dial Sky-Dweller a year from Rolex. My nearest AD is family owned and they have told me up front they get basically at least one of everything (except maybe Daytonas) every few months. I was told by two ADs in different states that shipments and varieties have slowed, but there is still a steady stream of pieces. Many happen to be allocated to clients and never see the display case. I'm alright with that. If you can put me on a list, stay honest with me about my timeline based on what you have seen over the past several months, and charge me MSRP when it delivers; we can do business.

Give me money now so that a year from now I'll likely have a watch for you, is not an "opportunity."

[watchwatcher]

Pick your poison. Wait with some chance of getting a watch, or just wait. Seems to be the way of things lately in Rolex land.

The only thing that makes me a little nervous is the "non-refundable" part. But, if you trust your guy at the AD, I guess that's not a war stopper either.

[ap1]

I would fork over 4K. It’s just the way it is currently. Unfortunately I can’t put my love of watches on hold for more supply to return. It will, eventually

[zengineer]

Offer the deposit with you having the OPTION of getting it back or continuing to ride it out if they don't come through in 6 months with the watch, or whatever timeframe you can live with.

I know for many the hype, popularity and scarcity (at ADs) of these watches only drives the lust to own one, but in a way it just makes me want one less.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[brandrea]

I’ve never understood the request for deposits on popular SS professional references.

[gttime]

I would do it if I trusted the AD.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’ve never understood the request for deposits on popular SS professional references.

It's very simple really, they can't charge over list price and not everyone is willing to buy a bunch of high margin jewelry or a slow selling ladies datejust to move up on the list so they offer the convenient option of giving them an interest free loan instead. At today's interest rates, it's probably the lowest cost option by far.