Prediction: will Rolex briefly allow online sales?

[XtraCrispy]

The ability to order online would be nice but I still like to drop in to my local AD and have a chat with my sales rep and the onsite watchmaker (when they finally re-open after this craziness) and to see what models they have in stock.

It's always nice to touch and feel the shiny watches :)

I do buy a lot from Amazon but I wouldn't buy an expensive item without checking it out in person or trying it on first to make sure I really like it.

[brandrea]

I’d be bummed to see Rolex go that route. Maybe it’s inevitable, but I like the old school bricks and mortar approach to selling luxury goods.

Flame me if you wish

[cj3209]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’d be bummed to see Rolex go that route. Maybe it’s inevitable, but I like the old school bricks and mortar approach to selling luxury goods.

Flame me if you wish

In my previous life, I was working on an APP/System where one could purchase a house completely online and bypass the realtors who I felt had an unfair monopoly. People said I was crazy because such a large purchase required a physical visit and holdholding by the realtor. Although I had to drop my idea because I couldn't patent the process, we are slowly moving in that direction, e.g., online house viewing, online auto sales, etc.

IMHO, at the end of the day, a house is just an expensive commodity albeit one you live in - lol. Perhaps I'm just a milennial at heart...(age-wise, I am not one).

CJ

[Boaters]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’d be bummed to see Rolex go that route. Maybe it’s inevitable, but I like the old school bricks and mortar approach to selling luxury goods.

Flame me if you wish

I am with you Brian

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Boaters

I am with you Brian

Thank you for your support, you’re obviously not a millennial

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

It's not just a question of this but also of when the public feels comfortable being all mashed together in stores (I admit, not likely in a Rolex AD...) Even when the stores reopen there will be a measurable percentage of the population that will still feel cautious. The businesses that adapt will survive and adapting at this moment means having some kind of online model. The memories will outlive the virus.

You're absolutely correct. And for anyone still thinking Rolex is special and doesn't need to adapt is very mistaken.

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[Speedsleev]

Nope...

[samuel019]

Yeah but when you go to watches of Switzerland online the inventory is quite low and most of the ads list application only.

[Patton250]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’d be bummed to see Rolex go that route. Maybe it’s inevitable, but I like the old school bricks and mortar approach to selling luxury goods.

Flame me if you wish

It might work just temporarily. I’d hate to see that permanently in place as well.

[THC]

Never say never.. has any of us ever seen anything like this? No

[MacDaddyOC]

I would love to see this happen even if it is temporary.

[Old Farmer]

If it did happen, I can see the claims for compensation from the the AD,s being substantial.

[Dyim]

Only if you want to buy DJs. If ever.

[Boaters]

9

Originally Posted by brandrea

Thank you for your support, you’re obviously not a millennial

No sir born in good ole 56

[snoware]

Originally Posted by Old Farmer

If it did happen, I can see the claims for compensation from the the AD,s being substantial.

What claims?


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[John4C]

I wish they would. The current sales model is extremely outdated and ROLEX will need to adapt to this eventually. I have bought two Rolex’s in past three years (BLNR and Daytona C White - so desireable models) and the process is a chore. The AD sales model is extremely outdated. Rolex does not need them to make a market. They give away a ton of profit to third parties that they could easily recapture by selling directly.

I wish I could just register interest on the site and get an email when I’m next to buy and have the watch the next day. That would be perfect. I have zero desire to go to an AD ever again. I wish I could buy direct. Yes. I am a millennial. Lol.

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by snoware

What claims?


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If their arrangement with Rolex is non-exclusive (I'm sure it is), and if it is terminable by Rolex (I'm sure it is)... unsubstantiated claims I figure!!!

"Your honor, there is nothing against it, but I was stuck with inventory that cost me $500,000 which I had to liquidate for... uh... (checks website for latest bids on his NOS watches)... $1,250,000..."

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by John4C

I wish they would. The current sales model is extremely outdated and ROLEX will need to adapt to this eventually. I have bought two Rolex’s in past three years (BLNR and Daytona C White - so desireable models) and the process is a chore. The AD sales model is extremely outdated. Rolex does not need them to make a market. They give away a ton of profit to third parties that they could easily recapture by selling directly.

I wish I could just register interest on the site and get an email when I’m next to buy and have the watch the next day. That would be perfect. I have zero desire to go to an AD ever again. I wish I could buy direct. Yes. I am a millennial. Lol.

Agreed 100%. And I'm a boomer.

I'm looking for Rolex #5... I would have it, plus a few more, if not for the repugnant "AD experience". Rolex, set the price at the market clearing price and let's move on.

#1 - GMT II tt - eBay, new in box... great experience.

#2 - White Milgauss - TRF classifieds, new in box... great experience.

#3 - Datejust 41 - AD... not an experience I hope to repeat.

#4 - DD 40 - DavidSW, new in box... great experience. Also the least stressful, because he is so well known, and #1 and #2 were unknown to me.

If I'm flying through Heathrow or CDG (again someday?), I may glance at those boutiques but otherwise it's online sellers from here on out. I don't go down to a cobbler and barter milk when I need shoes, I don't wire back east and ask them to send a grain mill on the next train, and I'm pretty much done with Rolex's "Mad Men" era of distribution.

[cj3209]

Originally Posted by John4C

I wish they would. The current sales model is extremely outdated and ROLEX will need to adapt to this eventually. I have bought two Rolex’s in past three years (BLNR and Daytona C White - so desireable models) and the process is a chore. The AD sales model is extremely outdated. Rolex does not need them to make a market. They give away a ton of profit to third parties that they could easily recapture by selling directly.

I wish I could just register interest on the site and get an email when I’m next to buy and have the watch the next day. That would be perfect. I have zero desire to go to an AD ever again. I wish I could buy direct. Yes. I am a millennial. Lol.

+1 and I am NOT a millenial...

[Mohawkman450]

But are u still gonna have to wait ten years fir a Daytona after u make your online purchase ?

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’d be bummed to see Rolex go that route. Maybe it’s inevitable, but I like the old school bricks and mortar approach to selling luxury goods.

Flame me if you wish

Totally agree. BTW, just tried to light my cigar off your flame emoji.

Didn’t work.

Might be losing it over here.

[EDL7]

If they want to stay in business..
They have to go online...esp with the pandemic afoot..and ...soon..
Like it or not..the world has changed for good..
Things will never be the same after this..
No business can sustain months and months of little to no business..
And sick and/or dead...employees..to train..or..replace..
Not even ..Rolex..
I think they are in for a world of hurt..if they dont adapt..and change..

[Muxi]

I wish they would and allow us to create a purchase history that reflects our sincere patronage of their references. This online ownership profile and service records will help the big brands see us in that light.

[Aquaholic_user]

Be easy for them. Out of stock on all SS models...

SM-N960U

[spacebjorn]

What will unfold if this ever happens is that scums will employ bots to purchase most of the stock and resell in gray for premium.

So things won't really change much

[Nikrnic]

They could go online and have a bid system with a reserve at msrp on the hot models and a no reserve for the slow movers.
kidn'
too much time on my hands. Ooo, did I say that...

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[bay-dweller]

Originally Posted by samuel019

Yeah but when you go to watches of Switzerland online the inventory is quite low and most of the ads list application only.

+1

It's not like you can buy a Nautilus at MSRP directly from PP.
Nothing to be excited about here, people.

The hard to get models are still hard to get.
You still have to go through an AD.

Not really that different than calling your AD and doing a transaction over the phone.

[Yess]

What's the difference to now?
If ADs in my area/city go online - what do you expect - them to just list all the Hulks they have in the safe? They would simply have a place-holder for the watch, and you would click on a link that sent them your details. You'd probably get an email/call - most ADs are OK with customer service - but they would just state what they would state in person: don't have stock but we can put you on this imaginary wait-list.

I purchased a Rolex from the other side of the world at an AD all via email - everything was handled via email until I went to the AD and picked-up the watch. If you want to buy online - it's easy to do so already. Expecting the ADs to somehow just have stock available online... dreaming!

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by Old Farmer

If it did happen, I can see the claims for compensation from the the AD,s being substantial.

Really? Why? How?

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by EDL7

If they want to stay in business..
They have to go online...esp with the pandemic afoot..and ...soon..
Like it or not..the world has changed for good..
Things will never be the same after this..
No business can sustain months and months of little to no business..
And sick and/or dead...employees..to train..or..replace..
Not even ..Rolex..
I think they are in for a world of hurt..if they dont adapt..and change..

I believe you're correct. Things will change and we will be better for this moving forward. Survival of the fittest apply here... The companies that will succeed will be the ones able to adapt and change their business models to the given climate.

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