Worked at an AD in Cincinnati

[Not My Style]

I worked at an AD in Cincinnati for two years, so let me give you some insight on what it's like.

First, if you want a sports model, you better buy other things. My AD wouldn't sell a sports model to anyone without previous purchase, with few exceptions. A two-toned Sea-dweller, sure, because no one wants that watch. We would write names on cards and pretend we were adding clients to some master list, but the truth is, it was just input into some program to automatically text the client. Rolex wants ADs to keep the dream alive, because not everyone is getting what they want.

Second, it's more important who you are than how you are. I had a sweet young woman check in with me monthly asking to get her fiance a Submariner. She wasn't rich or famous, just a hard working woman who saved up to get her man something special. I was really hoping to make this happen…

Another woman walked in during this time, arrogant and conceited. Talked to me like I was beneath her, asking for the same watch. I informed her that we would try, but she didn't want to hear it. Her husband was some no name, buried on the roster, Reds baseball player. Frankly, her attitude had me completely disgusted.

When I told the owners about this, they grabbed a Submariner from the safe and sold it to her the next day. I got credit for the sale, and I hated every second of it. This woman was vile, and her arrogance stemmed from who she was married to, not even her own accomplishments.

Third, there are rules to buying Rolex…but those rules can be broken. Again, if you're influential, or just rich, the rules don't apply.

Most of my clients wanted me to ship them their watches to avoid paying taxes. Now legally speaking, if I ship you the watch, you report it in your home state. But honestly, we knew most, if not all, our clients were skipping this procedure.

But worse than "legal" tax fraud is just straight up tax fraud. My associate had a client named Jack out of New York drive eight hours to put a platinum Daytona in his pocket and walk out, only for us to later ship him an empty box. That's $5,000 in taxes Ohio got screwed out of…taxes that go to police, schools, infrastructure. Do you think these guys care? Nope. This happened several times while I worked there.

Fourth, watchmakers aren't Gods. So many people were amazed to meet our watchmakers, but let me give you some insight…it's just a two year technical program. They're human, and they screw up a lot.

I saw two watches get destroyed because they forgot to simply tighten the case backs. I once watched both watchmakers struggle to make a simple fix before telling me it was irreparable, and it had to be shipped back. I took the watch from them, looked at it for 10 seconds, and told them here's what's stopping the repair…you would have thought I cracked the code. Numerous times they couldn't get the watch backs off for battery repairs.

And the level of arrogance having that title almost matched the level of arrogance from some of my clients. The best compliment I got from them was, "You're smart enough to be a watchmaker." Nevermind I have an actual college degree, why would I want to waste my life working on trinkets? These guys act like they're curing cancer, when they're glorified toy makers.

Fifth, Rolexes are mechanical. If you complain that your watch isn't accurate, then look at your cell phone. Or buy a Casio. It amazes me how many people actually think Rolex is the best at time keeping. Everyone has a watch in their pocket connected to a satellite.

Sixth, Rolex is a company more concerned about image than honesty. Do you think they're going to admit to you that you'll never get that watch you desire? Do you think they care if you saved up for something special? If you're not a select client, don't bother.

As someone who sold Rolex, I can honestly say I hate their product and everything associated with it. It reeks of arrogance and entitlement, and why?

Are they the best watch on the market? No, there are companies that do far better.

Are they truly handcrafted? No, they're mass produced.

Are they going to make you a better person? No, 99% of people don't care what watch you're wearing. If you're an entitled jerk without a Rolex, you'll still be an entitled jerk when you put one on. I know plenty of them.

But if you want to keep chasing that dream, stop on down to Richter and Phillips.

[S’portEye]

Feel better? Just kidding. Seriously though, doesn’t everybody already know this.

[doublevanose82]

Originally Posted by S’portEye

Feel better? Just kidding. Seriously though, doesn’t everybody already know this.

I'm sure some do but it's always nice to hear it straight from the horses mouth.

[bogardon]

> it was just input into some program to automatically text the client

What does this mean exactly? Like the text just leads the client on?

> keep the dream alive

That's a core concept in luxury marketing, so I'm not surprised they told you that.

> But worse than "legal" tax fraud is just straight up tax fraud.

Yeah that's just shitty. Wish you could've reported them somehow.

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by bogardon

.

> But worse than "legal" tax fraud is just straight up tax fraud.

Yeah that's just shitty. Wish you could've reported them somehow.

You wish he could have reported them?? Really?

“Hello Mr Tax Collector, you wouldn’t believe all the taxes our customers are evading, and our business is aiding and abetting them. Please come down Richter and Phillips and arrest the owners.”

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Jack T

You wish he could have reported them?? Really?

“Hello Mr Tax Collector, you wouldn’t believe all the taxes our customers are evading, and our business is aiding and abetting them. Please come down Richter and Phillips and arrest the owners.”

What OP said was "Jack" from New York state walked out with a platinum Daytona and the store in Ohio shipped the box to NY resulting in no sales taxes being collected. I suspect at one time this was done all the time. That is a lot of store involvement as OP says which could also fall on involved employees. In any case, the matter is now moot with the recent Supreme Court case allowing states with sales taxes to collect taxes on "out of state sales" where the item is shipped into their state. Most all businesses now charge either their state sales tax or the sales tax where the item is shipped, if it is.

[Krash]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

What OP said was "Jack" from New York state walked out with a platinum Daytona and the store in Ohio shipped the box to NY resulting in no sales taxes being collected. I suspect at one time this was done all the time. That is a lot of store involvement as OP says which could also fall on involved employees. In any case, the matter is now moot with the recent Supreme Court case allowing states with sales taxes to collect taxes on "out of state sales" where the item is shipped into their state. Most all businesses now charge either their state sales tax or the sales tax where the item is shipped, if it is.

Yeah, I think that was a common practice at one time. Years ago, an AD in Las Vegas kept trying to sell me this as a sales perk.

If I bought the watch, they would ship it to my home address and I wouldn’t have to pay local taxes (which I think was about 8% at the time).

He mentioned this several times.

BTW, a Rolex wasn’t involved. I was considering a Cartier Santos at the time, but I ultimately decided I just didn’t want the watch.


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[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Krash

Yeah, I think that was a common practice at one time. Years ago, an AD in Las Vegas kept trying to sell me this as a sales perk.

If I bought the watch, they would ship it to my home address and I wouldn’t have to pay local taxes (which I think was about 8% at the time).

He mentioned this several times.

BTW, a Rolex wasn’t involved. I was considering a Cartier Santos at the time, but I ultimately decided I just didn’t want the watch.


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But would he allow you to wear the watch out the door and just have shipped the box and papers to you? It's nothing if he just offered to ship the watch and all to you. No taxes then would have been collected at the POS and none would have been due.

[Not My Style]

Originally Posted by Jack T

You wish he could have reported them?? Really?

“Hello Mr Tax Collector, you wouldn’t believe all the taxes our customers are evading, and our business is aiding and abetting them. Please come down Richter and Phillips and arrest the owners.”

It's probably a fine.

Also, every state has a tax agency. It's literally a phone call or online form. Not saying that I reported them, but it's not that hard.

[TheHulk]

Oh brother! Screwed out of sales tax? Give me a break!! The guy that bought the Platona surely pays his fair sure. The rest- blah blah blah

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Oh brother! Screwed out of sales tax? Give me a break!! The guy that bought the Platona surely pays his fair sure. The rest- blah blah blah

I doubt it. Most don't.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by jlovda

I doubt it. Most don't.

I think I might be inclined to agree in most cases
Then again the purchaser may have had a pocket full of money from an inheritance or divorce settlement

[Njkdog]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Oh brother! Screwed out of sales tax? Give me a break!! The guy that bought the Platona surely pays his fair sure. The rest- blah blah blah

Actually, probably not. Over the years, the more money I’ve made, the better my accounts have gotten at having me pay less and less taxes.

Edit: technically speaking, I don’t make that much money. Sometimes actually, no money at all.

[rolexsubwatching]

Great insight - not surprising I guess - thanks for sharing - always great to hear from what is it like on the inside

[Bozack90]

I’d figure all these shops and brands at the high end operate the same, sure on some level with the clientele it’s gross with how they act but that’s their market


I got lucky with a BLRO, figure if the dealer I bought from knew how difficult things would get I wouldn’t have gotten that watch, and while lists might have been a thing in the past nowadays most have to figure it’s who you know or who you are or how much you’ve spent

[Guppydriver]

I'm a nobody by every listed standard and got 126710BLNR after an 11 month wait.

Purchase history was a measly 2k gemstone ring that my wife actually wanted badly.

My honest and authentic banter with my AD paid dividends. Different store, different experence.

[10klakes]

Welcome to the forum. Did you get to buy a Rolex while you worked there?

[PB_nts!]

we all know that, and we just choose to ignore it.
I have looked down Rolex wearers for years because I have Patek, until recently I became one of you people :D

[goldboy]

Pffffff

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by goldboy

Pffffff

[ArtNouveau]

I’ll alert the media.

[cliffng]

The same happens in Hong Kong. Well said mate.

[shedlock2000]

Interesting post. I knew most of it (also working in the industry).

I’m sorry that your experience jaded your opinion of the brand. I certainly don’t think they are who they used to be, sadly. I’m connected to the brand because of who they used to be, but I’m also becoming a bit put-off by the current state of play and image to which you allude.


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[KY..]

Originally Posted by Not My Style

Second, it's more important who you are than how you are.

Another woman walked in during this time, arrogant and conceited. Talked to me like I was beneath her, asking for the same watch. I informed her that we would try, but she didn't want to hear it. Her husband was some no name, buried on the roster, Reds baseball player.

When I told the owners about this, they grabbed a Submariner from the safe and sold it to her the next day.

Third, there are rules to buying Rolex…but those rules can be broken. Again, if you're influential, or just rich, the rules don't apply.

I hope you feel better after realizing in this world there are the haves and have-nots, plus owning a Rolex is a first world thing.

Originally Posted by Not My Style

Fourth, watchmakers aren't Gods. So many people were amazed to meet our watchmakers, but let me give you some insight…it's just a two year technical program. They're human, and they screw up a lot.

Numerous times they couldn't get the watch backs off for battery repairs.

And the level of arrogance having that title almost matched the level of arrogance from some of my clients. The best compliment I got from them was, "You're smart enough to be a watchmaker." Nevermind I have an actual college degree, why would I want to waste my life working on trinkets?

These guys act like they're curing cancer, when they're glorified toy makers.

Most professionals in todays climate must be vetted since many people lie about credentials or have carefree attitudes towards customer care.

Some doctors, engineers, lawyers, mechanics, accountants, and yes watchmakers are horrible at their jobs and I can say I’ve seen it more often than I’d like…

But that’s life and we usually try to get away from the nonsense eventually.

[Rencrn8]

Let’s be clear in this case though, the watchmakers at Richter & Phillips are top notch; both in the craft as well as their customer service. There is way more to this story, especially as it relates to their watchmakers lol. He is scorned. That’s all.

BTW Keith, why did you delete your post on Reddit?

Originally Posted by KY..

I hope you feel better after realizing in this world there are the haves and have-nots, plus owning a Rolex is a first world thing.



Most professionals in todays climate must be vetted since many people lie about credentials or have carefree attitudes towards customer care.

Some doctors, engineers, lawyers, mechanics, accountants, and yes watchmakers are horrible at their jobs and I can say I’ve seen it more often than I’d like…

But that’s life and we usually try to get away from the nonsense eventually.

[Tim Plains]

Why join this forum if you hate the brand?

[amh]

Don't feed the ChatBot

[drrd]

Originally Posted by amh

Don't feed the ChatBot

Exactly.

[GGGMT]

Great first post! Experiences differ. I am a nobody - n.o.b.o.d.y. - by the standards you describe. And I have now bought 4 gorgeous watches from ADs with no - none. Donuts. Zip. Nada. Bubkas - purchase history from any of them. Exp 1. Starbucks. Polar. Pepsi. Just being a genuinely interested, customer, walking in talking with friendly SAs like you. And bam! Able to be the watches I wanted for me and family members. Great product with a great history. And plenty of corporate responsibility. Gorgeous products.


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[Rolex.Journey]

Finally someone said it lol


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