What a way to be treated!!

[ally]

I am really annoyed with this AD.
I bought my DJ from them 4 years ago, and had phoned then last week about a new purchase and they were very helpfull, discussing my DJ and a service they were going to have a look at it and give me a new valuation whilst I looked at what I might purchase from them...

I sent them an email this week asking if they had an Explorer II in stock (as this is what I thought I had settled on) fine they said pop in and try it on!

I looked at there website and it said Fri they were open until 6.00, I had my son with me today and after work we made our way to there shop (Friday traffic wasnt good) but got there at 5.30. As we entered the shope I asked for the person by name I had spoken to, she remembered our email and phone conversation and sat us down.....I was so excited to having an Explorer II on my wrist it was untrue.

As she sat us down I asked about the Explorer II and she remembered, but informed me the Watches were put away in the safe and were unavailable to try on.... I kept cool and told her that I had phoned and emailed her and told her I wanted to try one on.."Sorry but they have been put away".."But i have driven throught all the traffic to get here"....
"Sorry we cant get them out"....WTF
I told her the website said they are open untill 6.00pm thinking thry wouldnt want to miss a sale....

No way, the manager came out to say sorry, but they were in a time lock safe!!!

I was gobsmacked, I might have pulled the trigger on one...now I and going to search TRF AD's instead!!!!

[scarlet knight]

I have been surprised by the lack of initiative of retailers lately. In the USA, there is a major recession with many people out of work, but some retailers act like they are doing you a favor to sell their products.

[sakuraba]

Sorry to hear of your experience.

IMHO it sounds like they weren't expecting any more in-store traffic and put their inventory away for the day.

Did you tell them what time you were dropping by?

FWIW DavidSW is open 24 hours.

[Dan Pierce]

Time to put on your walkin' shoes.
dP

[Brushpup]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Time to put on your walkin' shoes.
dP

Yep, straight to someone who wants to sell watches. I would have politely voiced my displeasure and intent to go elswhere for a purchase.

Time lock safe indeed.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Time to put on your walkin' shoes.
dP

X 2. I'd send a letter to Rolex and send a copy the manager/owner of the store, saying they had lost a customer. The advertisement said open until 6:00, not open for chit chat until 6:00 but only open for trying on watches until 5:30. I really think Rolex would take a very dim view of thier ADs operating in this manner. And all that time-lock safe $(@* is exactly that, a bunch of

[Dr. Robert]

Thank the watch gods TRF's open 24/7 with pleasant & professional "trusted TRF sellers"

[EE33]

Originally Posted by sakuraba

FWIW DavidSW is open 24 hours.

I really enjoy looking through David's Ads, discription is good, photos are pure AND he's open 24 hrs
Will certainly buzz him when I'm ready for my next

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by ally

I told her the website said they are open untill 6.00pm thinking thry wouldnt want to miss a sale....

No way, the manager came out to say sorry, but they were in a time lock safe!!!

I guess they wanted to go home after a hard day of standing around not selling watches.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by mjm800

I guess they wanted to go home after a hard day of standing around not selling watches.

This is one of the funniest things I have read in days

[The GMT Master]

Well, I'm going to wade in here on the side of the AD. When it comes to taking out time, especially if it's a jeweller as well, an AD has to take out a huge amount of stock and put it in the safe. It's a very time consuming job, I often have to take 30-40 minutes at the end of the day to transfer stuff from the window to the safe. I suppose, depending on insurance terms, that they could be required to take the Rolexes out first - it's a very vulnerable period of time for any jeweller, and I wouldn't blame them for wanting to get them locked up first.

As for the closing time, we start taking out before closing time as well - we'd be there all night otherwise, especially if there is a late customer. Sales staff have homes to go to as well, and if an AD had to keep staff on for an extra half an hour past the advertised closing time, that means an extra half hours pay for each member of staff. Add that up over the course of the year, it starts to get expensive. It's very, very rare for a serious customer to come in after 5 o'clock and make a big purchase, it simply doesn't make sense to stay open for longer than you have to. Opening hours are often dictated by whomever the shop is rented from, especially so in shopping centres - a frustrating situation if you get no custom after a particular time.

Courtesy goes two ways - a call to let them know you were on your way could perhaps have avoided this - it wouldn't be much of a problem for them to keep the watch in question out.

Sorry to hear you had a wasted trip

Cheers

Chris

[Wisconsin Proud]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well, I'm going to wade in here on the side of the AD. When it comes to taking out time, especially if it's a jeweller as well, an AD has to take out a huge amount of stock and put it in the safe. It's a very time consuming job, I often have to take 30-40 minutes at the end of the day to transfer stuff from the window to the safe. I suppose, depending on insurance terms, that they could be required to take the Rolexes out first - it's a very vulnerable period of time for any jeweller, and I wouldn't blame them for wanting to get them locked up first.

As for the closing time, we start taking out before closing time as well - we'd be there all night otherwise, especially if there is a late customer. Sales staff have homes to go to as well, and if an AD had to keep staff on for an extra half an hour past the advertised closing time, that means an extra half hours pay for each member of staff. Add that up over the course of the year, it starts to get expensive. It's very, very rare for a serious customer to come in after 5 o'clock and make a big purchase, it simply doesn't make sense to stay open for longer than you have to. Opening hours are often dictated by whomever the shop is rented from, especially so in shopping centres - a frustrating situation if you get no custom after a particular time.

Courtesy goes two ways - a call to let them know you were on your way could perhaps have avoided this - it wouldn't be much of a problem for them to keep the watch in question out.

Sorry to hear you had a wasted trip

Cheers

Chris

Maybe close a half hour earlier if you can only spend so much on labor.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin Proud

Maybe close a half hour earlier if you can only spend so much on labor.

I agree. If they are going to have the watches put-away at 5:30pm, then they should close at that time. Poor form

Buy from DavidSW or one of the other power sellers on this forum. That AD just saved you a TON of money.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin Proud

Maybe close a half hour earlier if you can only spend so much on labor.

My point is that they can't. Opening hours are often out of an ADs control. Why stay around any longer than you have to when it's a near certainty that no-one will make a purchase?

[springbar]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

My point is that they can't. Opening hours are often out of an ADs control. Why stay around any longer than you have to when it's a near certainty that no-one will make a purchase?

You stay until 6 because you said you would. That's why.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by springbar

You stay until 6 because you said you would. That's why.

Yes, and the AD will be there until closing time. What doesn't make sense is leaving hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of stock easily accessible for thieves looking to take advantage of how quiet it goes shortly before closing. The risk outweighs the benefit

[chris russell]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well, I'm going to wade in here on the side of the AD. When it comes to taking out time, especially if it's a jeweller as well, an AD has to take out a huge amount of stock and put it in the safe. It's a very time consuming job, I often have to take 30-40 minutes at the end of the day to transfer stuff from the window to the safe. I suppose, depending on insurance terms, that they could be required to take the Rolexes out first - it's a very vulnerable period of time for any jeweller, and I wouldn't blame them for wanting to get them locked up first.

As for the closing time, we start taking out before closing time as well - we'd be there all night otherwise, especially if there is a late customer. Sales staff have homes to go to as well, and if an AD had to keep staff on for an extra half an hour past the advertised closing time, that means an extra half hours pay for each member of staff. Add that up over the course of the year, it starts to get expensive. It's very, very rare for a serious customer to come in after 5 o'clock and make a big purchase, it simply doesn't make sense to stay open for longer than you have to. Opening hours are often dictated by whomever the shop is rented from, especially so in shopping centres - a frustrating situation if you get no custom after a particular time.

Courtesy goes two ways - a call to let them know you were on your way could perhaps have avoided this - it wouldn't be much of a problem for them to keep the watch in question out.

Sorry to hear you had a wasted trip

Cheers

Chris

store off their list of places to shop too! ;-) Sorry, stores are there for the customer's convenience, not the owners or staff. You want the customer's money, you don't treat him/her like an intruder on your precious time.

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by chris russell

store off their list of places to shop too! ;-) Sorry, stores are there for the customer's convenience, not the owners or staff. You want the customer's money, you don't treat him/her like an intruder on your precious time.

No offence Chris, but if you were running a jewellery shop, you'd be doing the same. As I say, business goes dead after 5, it's very rare that people come in after that time. And just to let you know, if a customer does come in after we start taking out, we'll still get something out for them if the doors are open - doesn't take long to get something back out of the safe.

I never said that what the AD in question did was perfect, but they apologised, and I don't feel they were being snooty about it. I was defending them because I didn't want this to become a usual one-sided TRF AD bashing thread.

[PeteNYC13]

Originally Posted by chris russell

store off their list of places to shop too! ;-) Sorry, stores are there for the customer's convenience, not the owners or staff. You want the customer's money, you don't treat him/her like an intruder on your precious time.

__________________________________________________ _______________

I agree that the stores need the customer more than the customer needs the store, but respect and courtesy are two way streets.

Retail SUCKS sometimes... Imagine if very often you are trying to leave your office and someone comes in to sit down and ask you a bunch of questions - some of them not even related to your job. You have a kid that has a soccer game, a wife that needs you to pick something up from the market, a dry cleaner that closes at 6pm etc. You would be pissed also! Now imagine if all this happened very often, and most of the late commers never buy a $$$ of product from your store? Are you going to stay open all night while they try on watches, clothes, hats, etc... no, it may not be the friendliest deal in the world but the retailer needs to shut down too.
Everyone complains on here about retailers but then expects free service, 24 hour availability etc. Try running a business just one day!

When I was 16, I worked my first retail job - you know how much it sucks when your friends and the girl you have had a crush on for ten years all go to a movie and you miss it 'cause that one "customer" that comes in 3 minutes before you close and does the weekly shopping without the slightes bit of respect or appreciation for others time?!

Seriously, this site is so one sided it amazes me sometimes!
Also, I love the OP's comment, after being completely pissed off...he says "I may have bought a watch". It's not like he was 100% prepared to buy a Rolex at 6pm. How would that manager feel if he re-opened the safe, paid the extra $$ for his employees overtime, missed family dinner...oh, and the "customer" says -"I can save a few dollars from TRF grey dealer".

I really thought this was one "AD Sucks" threads I would not comment on but I couldn't fight the urge. :-)

-Pete

[Tools]

You know...I really get tired of the AD bashing threads..

Many of them seem like they could be legitimate, and others seem like a fantasy just to get as many members to jump on the bandwagon..

And sometimes they just degrade into finger pointing...............


In any event, this one has degraded and drifted far away from it's initial point.........

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Well, I'm going to wade in here on the side of the AD. When it comes to taking out time, especially if it's a jeweller as well, an AD has to take out a huge amount of stock and put it in the safe. It's a very time consuming job, I often have to take 30-40 minutes at the end of the day to transfer stuff from the window to the safe. I suppose, depending on insurance terms, that they could be required to take the Rolexes out first - it's a very vulnerable period of time for any jeweller, and I wouldn't blame them for wanting to get them locked up first.

As for the closing time, we start taking out before closing time as well - we'd be there all night otherwise, especially if there is a late customer. Sales staff have homes to go to as well, and if an AD had to keep staff on for an extra half an hour past the advertised closing time, that means an extra half hours pay for each member of staff. Add that up over the course of the year, it starts to get expensive. It's very, very rare for a serious customer to come in after 5 o'clock and make a big purchase, it simply doesn't make sense to stay open for longer than you have to. Opening hours are often dictated by whomever the shop is rented from, especially so in shopping centres - a frustrating situation if you get no custom after a particular time.

Courtesy goes two ways - a call to let them know you were on your way could perhaps have avoided this - it wouldn't be much of a problem for them to keep the watch in question out.

Sorry to hear you had a wasted trip

Cheers

Chris

I work with customers as well. I just had the opportunity to work another late Friday at the last minute, I found myself declining because of a prior committment I made my wife.

Sometimes a bit of understanding should go both ways.

You can always go somewhere else, or you can work with them and you may find they may actually provide you with great customer service.

[BarkMaster]

I had that happen when I was wanting to buy. Went someplace else and bought.

[Jim232118]

I would stay away from the AD. It's actually a good thing, they kept you from overpaying for a new Rolex. DAVIDSW is the guy you need to contact.

[chris russell]

goods after being told TWO lies and insulted to your face! The first lie was that they are 'open' until 6:00. A store is not 'open' if you can't conduct any business there, just get brushed off and sneered at. The second lie was that crock of $#!t about a 'time-lock safe'. Amazing. 'We figure you must be stupid to have bought your first watch here, so we can tell you any completely moronic lie we can think up and you'll swallow it'.

I think it would be a service to the forum members to let us know who and where these clowns are. Thanks. :-)

[josh12730]

wow. i had a similar experience when I bought my harley. the sales staff had left early for the day and the person "helping" me wanted me to come back another day. One of the loan people stepped up and helped me and he got the sale and obviously the commission. Go somewhere else, you should be treated like a valued customer and be catered to

[Andad]

That senario is strange.

My AD is closed on Sundays but offered to open the shop if it was convenient for me.

[miamiman]

I never spend my money were they make me feel rushed,or like they are doing me a favor.I always buy from the same jeweler he's not an AD ,but has more Rolexes in stock than even they do. He closes at 7pm and if I get there at 7:30 he will show me a watch. I've already sent 3 friends that have bought rolexes from him,he has great people skills and loves what he does.

[jedly1]

devils advocate for a minute .. if the trip was anything other than local and convenient why didn't you just make a common sense phone call to say you were coming late in the day to look at a specific watch ... they could equally have sold it at 4.30pm to someone else ?

[Smoak352]

This reminds me of when I wanted to buy my first Rolex about four years ago. I was only 21 and my girlfriend and I went to the local AD, the only one in my area. I had $5000 cash in my pocket ready to make a deal. When I walked in they were just begining to put away all the watches but the SS Sub that I wanted was still in the display case. When I asked the sales lady to see the watch she sighed and rolled her eyes. I waved the pile of cash at her and told he I was planning on buying the watch right then.

This left a sour taste in my mouth and that is why I didn't buy one for 4 years.

[ally]

Well after sleeping on it I can now see the funny side of it :)

It does amaze me what they were thinking, but I guess Friday evening they were expecting to go home on time!!! Maybe I should have called but it was a bit of a lst miniute decesion to go anyway...

What makes me laugh is that I have a used car showroom, now I do understand about people walking in wanting to have a test drive (I always ask them as many questions as they ask me before letting them have a drive otherwise you end up with people just wanting to go for a "joy ride")..But if someone is serious about a car of course i'll have to come out for a drive!! Thats how I earn my living...

My wife said to write a strong letter to Rolex and to the AD, I did say i might get a desent discount!!

But as has been said on here there are some good deals and trusted sellers to deal with so I will try that