AD Mentality

[Eric Chan]

As I was on the hunt for my BLNR this month, I came across an AD who I have dealt with in the past, but was not too forthcoming with showing me their BLNR.

There were no BLNR's on display and when asked about it, the salesperson did not appear to know what I was referring to. It was further explained that I was looking for the black and blue GMT, then she seemed to understand and said they do not have it. It is a very popular watch and have not seen one come by in quite some time. This answer was acceptable to me and I continued to browse and then said to her that it was my birthday and was hoping one would be around if I was lucky. At that time, I think she spotted the watch I was wearing and then said wait a moment and went to the back room and came out with a BLNR. Needless to say I had mixed feelings at this point. She showed me the BLNR, I tried it on, but did not want to buy it from her. I jokingly said to her "you're holding out on me" and she replied that they purposely hold watches in the back for special customers. So what the hell does that mean? I am not a special customer? Even though my family and I have spent tens of thousands of dollars at this place? If an AD has intentionally put stuff in the back, then why bother bringing it out after saying the watch is not in stock. Sends the wrong type of message in my opinion.

Has anyone out there had this type of experience before? Am I over-reacting on this matter?

[psv]

All ADs do this, keep some coveted stuff, like the ss Daytonas, in the safe in order to increase the illusion that you are one of the lucky few... It is just a sales trick to get you to feel good about paying list price for a mass-produced luxury good. Nothing to get upset about.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by psv

All ADs do this, keep some coveted stuff, like the ss Daytonas, in the safe in order to increase the illusion that you are one of the lucky few... It is just a sales trick to get you to feel good about paying list price for a mass-produced luxury good. Nothing to get upset about.

Except about paying list price for a mass-produced luxury good! Lol

[psv]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Except about paying list price for a mass-produced luxury good! Lol

Well put. I for one would never pay list! :-)

[andyol1966]

Originally Posted by psv

Well put. I for one would never pay list! :-)

Did you get a discount on your SDC as a matter of interest?

[Headshrinker]

From what I understand from working at an AD many years ago while going to school, a retail dealer is required to have many different models in stock. They must stock unpopular models to gain access to the more sellable items. The store I worked for sold many Day-Dates, but had to purchase two or three less known Rolexes to keep more Day-Dates in stock. I remember the owner getting upset whenever the Rolex Representative came in and saw a President missing; he used to say "that's going to cost me."

[10:11:31 28]

Originally Posted by psv

All ADs do this, keep some coveted stuff, like the ss Daytonas, in the safe in order to increase the illusion that you are one of the lucky few... It is just a sales trick to get you to feel good about paying list price for a mass-produced luxury good. Nothing to get upset about.

Nothing to be upset about? She flat-out lied to him. The more you let someone get away with the more they will try to get away with in the future. Instead of being an enabler I say give your business to someone who doesn't insult their customers. My AD had no problem showing me a BLNR (which was still in the plastic shipping container) even though they knew I was only looking that day.

[c.rod]

Some AD by me do the same thing with rolex. I don't think it's about being a special customer but people that know their rolex models. I recently visited the ad and casually asked about ym2 ss and they had one in back if I wanted to see it... Ymmv

[slipperman]

a "sales trick to get you to feel good…" this obviously had the exact opposite effect for the OP. this sales behavior is reprehensible. i would have told that beotch exactly how i felt and then told the manager i was going elsewhere to purchase.

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by slipperman

a "sales trick to get you to feel good…" this obviously had the exact opposite effect for the OP. this sales behavior is reprehensible. i would have told that beotch exactly how i felt and then told the manager i was going elsewhere to purchase.

Perhaps I should have done that on that day. Instead, I was at that AD last night wearing my BLNR and it just happened that the same salesperson was there. I am sure she recognized me and looked as she kept looking at my watch. I did not even acknowledge her and continued on with my business.

[ExplorerChris]

I must be luck the AD's I've gone to in the Toronto and surrounding area have always had great selection in their displays and my favorite Rolex boutique at the Wynn / Encore Las Vegas has always had the best selection and most variety to offer its clients.

[bearone2]

you became a player when she saw your watch.

[locutus49]

Today my AD said they held certain watches like specific Daytonas in the back for regular customers. I don't see the harm. It helps regular customers, and if someone asked for a model, I'm sure they would show it. This AD has limited space and can't display all their watches.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Today my AD said they held certain watches like specific Daytonas in the back for regular customers. I don't see the harm. It helps regular customers, and if someone asked for a model, I'm sure they would show it. This AD has limited space and can't display all their watches.

You would think so. I went in to an AD, asked if they had the new SDc (while wearing an LV) and was told yes they have it in the back. And then he just sat there looking at me and clearly had no intention of showing it to me. Thank you NYC AD.

[Tseg]

I see by your other post you know are the proud owner of a BLNR (congrats, again). Was the one you reference here the one you bought? Did the sales person have you begging for it? (That was rhetorical as you admit as much in your post). Did you pay full list?

Now what was the salesperson's objective again?

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by Tseg

I see by your other post you know are the proud owner of a BLNR (congrats, again). Was the one you reference here the one you bought? Did the sales person have you begging for it? (That was rhetorical as you admit as much in your post). Did you pay full list?

Now what was the salesperson's objective again?

Thanks for the congrats.

No, I did not purchase the watch from this AD. The experience just left a sour taste in my mouth. A few days later, the AD that I frequent the most called to tell me they had one in stock and I bought it from them under the list price.

Not too sure what was the objective of the initial salesperson.

[Tseg]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

Thanks for the congrats.

No, I did not purchase the watch from this AD. The experience just left a sour taste in my mouth. A few days later, the AD that I frequent the most called to tell me they had one in stock and I bought it from them under the list price.

Not too sure what was the objective of the initial salesperson.

Interesting how different ADs leave different tastes in different people's mouths. The AD near me is big and has won all kinds of customer service awards. When I went there looking for my BLNR they did not have in stock and told me they already had a 4 deep waiting list. At the time I was on the bubble between the BLNR and Polar EXP II and had the salesperson got me talking about the EXP II I was holding in my hand vs. putting down the BLNR and pushing the Tudor Pelagos on me we may have done some business. Instead I walked out feeling like this guy did not understand my needs and was just pushing for me to spend something.

I got my BLNR at an AD further down the road they had to pull out of the back room and unwrap. I felt pretty special that day.

[OmegaJJH]

I had a funny experience recently at an AD.

Just back from my hols in Dubai where our hotel had it's very own AD.

I walked in to shop in my beach gear, flip flops etc and asked if they had any Platinum Daytonas in stock. To my surprise they did and very quickly let me try one on. (Which was amazing by the way).

If I'd turned up at an AD dressed like that at home I doubt they would let me anywhere near the Rolex counter. Let alone see the great Platona.

I guess not all AD's are the same....

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Eric Chan

As I was on the hunt for my BLNR this month, I came across an AD who I have dealt with in the past, but was not too forthcoming with showing me their BLNR.

There were no BLNR's on display and when asked about it, the salesperson did not appear to know what I was referring to. It was further explained that I was looking for the black and blue GMT, then she seemed to understand and said they do not have it. It is a very popular watch and have not seen one come by in quite some time. This answer was acceptable to me and I continued to browse and then said to her that it was my birthday and was hoping one would be around if I was lucky. At that time, I think she spotted the watch I was wearing and then said wait a moment and went to the back room and came out with a BLNR. Needless to say I had mixed feelings at this point. She showed me the BLNR, I tried it on, but did not want to buy it from her. I jokingly said to her "you're holding out on me" and she replied that they purposely hold watches in the back for special customers. So what the hell does that mean? I am not a special customer? Even though my family and I have spent tens of thousands of dollars at this place? If an AD has intentionally put stuff in the back, then why bother bringing it out after saying the watch is not in stock. Sends the wrong type of message in my opinion.

Has anyone out there had this type of experience before? Am I over-reacting on this matter?

You are not over reacting at all. It is B.S. like this that will have me never purchase a Rolex from an AD ever again. I bought my Hulk from a seller here on the forum and saved considerably. I called up my local AD a few weeks ago to inquire if they had any issues of the Rolex magazine which folks here have talked about. They said "yes, we have them but they are only given to customers". Which basically means, if you don't go buy a new Rolex from them, no free magazine for you.

[Tri-Tip]

It would make you feel good if they brought it out only when you asked for it, but she said they didn't have one, probably figuring you didn't have the money to spend until she saw you were already wearing an expensive watch.

[Danny83]

Stuff like this is making us use trusted sellers ....

[joli160]

Stuff like this is making us use trusted sellers ....

X2

[DJJon]

Originally Posted by joli160

Stuff like this is making us use trusted sellers ....

X2

Who's to say Trusted Sellers don't hold back selling hot new models from first time inquirers? Maybe they have repeat customers they treat special, too?

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Stuff like this is making us use trusted sellers ....

so true!

[codecow]

It works fine at my AD. If they get in a new piece they think I'd like, my salesperson puts it in the safe and emails me a picture of it. If I want to look at it I get to at least check it out before they sell it. For more rare pieces with a limited allocation, if you're that type of customer for them then you'll have a good shot at getting access.

Sorry you had a negative experience.

[rouxeny]

I would have been annoyed. Find another salesperson or AD.

[Racerdj]

I don't understand this mentality either!

[datejusting]

I asked an AD about this and he said they like to keep the more desirable collectible type watches in the safe so they don't get shop soiled from handling by people who are just looking. A lot of people have heard the hype about a Daytona and just want to see what it looks like and try it on.

[AK797]

Dude you gotta dump the old spice in a fancy watch joint.

Seriously tho you got profiled, they have to do it as they don't want to run out back fifty times a day for no sale but if she was smart she would have noticed your watch first of all, that was her amateur mistake, maybe she was new.

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by AK797

Dude you gotta dump the old spice in a fancy watch joint.

Seriously tho you got profiled, they have to do it as they don't want to run out back fifty times a day for no sale but if she was smart she would have noticed your watch first of all, that was her amateur mistake, maybe she was new.

I get the sales tactic from AD's on matters such as this. Even the one I frequent will keep items in the back, but will bring it out upon request. The most irritating part of this is that she was the one that I bought my 116231 and my brother-in-law's Omega Speedmaster from at the end of 2011 (at the same time). She even recognized me before I asked about the BLNR, so she is not new to the job.