Upset at rude dealer

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by Rolexgal2017

I know that discounts are available for two tones. My local dealer offered an okay discount. I decided to check an out of state dealer (while on a road trip) and he offered a measly $200 off the price. I told him I was offered a more significant discount elsewhere and then he said I should go back there and enjoy my watch when I got one (in a very sarcastic tone). I was looking at some jewelry, but forget that...

This is going to be my first Rolex and it just put such a negative taste on my mouth. 😕😑 When am I ever going to get one?

I don’t see why you were offended. You asked for a discount and he offered a small one. You then proceeded to tell him you had a better price elsewhere. He probably didn’t think you were a serious buyer and don’t want to invest any more time in the transaction.

[ronricks]

It is this simple:

Just as it is the right of an AD not to give a discount it is my right not to purchase from them and instead from an AD that will give a discount.

Watches are not necessities these days. As time goes on they will become less and less popular. We already have people on here that treat them as jewelry and won’t even wear them out of the house for fear of getting a tiny scratch or nick on them. Why would I pay full price for an item like that? Makes no sense.

[AK797]

I understand these are supposed to be luxury goods and the service should be luxuriating too and make you feel special even when you the customer pushes the limits, but these days sarcasm and arrogance are par for the course as the market is so imbalanced, just the way it is now.

It's a shame as I like testing the high professionalism in luxury service by sometimes being very cheeky and very demanding and seeing how well trained these people really are, as the premium price of the goods is also about their top notch service too, esp in restaurants, hotels and retailers.

[TickTockChuck]

Many folks at some point have experienced rude service from a Rolex AD. It really depends on the personality of the salesperson and your chemistry with them. Indeed they may have fielded numerous requests for discounts and get tired of responding. The present luxury watch market favors the sellers since there is greater demand and low supply. Over the years the balance of power shifts back and forth between buyer and seller depending on world economics. Nowadays it seems paying MSRP is a privilege, but it use to be 10-20% discounts were more readily available, especially for TT watches. Since you approached the AD in a civil manner, they should have responded in the same way without the attitude. It's best to move on and go with your first AD whom you seemed to get on well with. A first time Rolex buyer can sometimes be shocked by the politics involved in making purchases in today's market. Good luck in your search. Post some pics of your new Rolex when you get it. Cheers!

[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Full price is the fair price in the current market.

There was no rudeness on the part of the dealer.

For a two tone or pm piece? Anyone who pays list for a two tone or pm piece is throwing money down the drain. All of these are easily had at discounts. Always have been and always will be

[Hamstur]

Just my opinion, so take it for what it's worth. You're buying luxury goods but haggling like flea market:
"What can you do?" ... "Bah! I can get it lower!"

Maybe a different approach, and add honest info in the right amount ... "I'm on a road trip and figured what the heck. I can't get this piece out of my mind and my local dealer XYZ offered it to me at $ABC. I'm feeling good and impulsive -- would you be willing to match that? If yes, I'll take it today."

You could even cite a slightly lower $ if you want, but open negotiate by offering what you are willing to pay. You are upfront with what you can get it for, and not asking for a better deal.

I don't agree with the approach or mentality that luxury goods means salesmen should kiss the customer's feet
Customer service is a two-way street.

[c41006]

It all depends on the way OP communicated the fact that she was offered a better deal elsewhere. Tone and wording can change everything.

[CRM114]

The OP hasn't said what model TT watch she was looking at. Lady DJ?...what? Economic times are good, and she may have been looking at the most popular, most sought after Ladies Rolex and that model may be TT. Lady DJs aren't sitting around display cases, unwanted. They have never sat around in display cases unwanted. They have always been super-popular and move.

Originally Posted by ronricks

20% to 25% off. The SS market has nothing to do with the two tone market. They are completely different entities. Just like the PM market is different from SS and TT. They aren’t tied together nor dependent on each other.

Likewise, women's watch market has nothing to do with the men's watch market, Rolex or otherwise. It is a completely different entity, not tied or dependent on it. If it were more men in the world would be wearing Cartier Tanks than every SS Sub, GMT and Daytona ever produced.

Expecting a discount on a women's TT watch based on how much to expect on a man's TT watch is a mistake, because it completely discounts the reality of what's desirable and how they perform in terms of sales in their respective markets.

Originally Posted by GB-man

Boy now I’ve seen it all. TRF signing off on no discounts expected on two tones and PM

TT is probably the most popular choice for women's Rolex watches, like SS is for men. It certainly has been in my experience buying Rolex of their choice for a few women in my time. 99% of TRFers haven't ever purchased a woman's watch, or stay tuned-in to what's happening as far as what's popular, discounts etc for women's watches.

Originally Posted by ronricks

It is this simple:

Just as it is the right of an AD not to give a discount it is my right not to purchase from them and instead from an AD that will give a discount.

Watches are not necessities these days. As time goes on they will become less and less popular. We already have people on here that treat them as jewelry and won’t even wear them out of the house for fear of getting a tiny scratch or nick on them. Why would I pay full price for an item like that? Makes no sense.

Again, apples to oranges. Most women buy their Lady DJs etc to be worn as jewelry, and to go with other jewelry. It has always been this way, and there's never been any "Tool watch" nonsense associated with any Woman's Rolex that has been a best-seller. TT goes with everything, basically, so the metal and design can be worn in most every situation.

Men's watches may become less popular, but I don't agree that women's jewelry/Rolex will become less and less popular, even if it is a watch. Women have always been more realistic and honest as to what a Rolex is; jewelry. Jewelry on the wrist will always be popular.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Rolexgal2017

I know that discounts are available for two tones. My local dealer offered an okay discount. I decided to check an out of state dealer (while on a road trip) and he offered a measly $200 off the price. I told him I was offered a more significant discount elsewhere and then he said I should go back there and enjoy my watch when I got one (in a very sarcastic tone). I was looking at some jewelry, but forget that...



This is going to be my first Rolex and it just put such a negative taste on my mouth. When am I ever going to get one?

Sounds like you don’t want to pay the going price...so the answer may be - never, or not for a long time.

Ever consider buying used?

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

For a two tone or pm piece? Anyone who pays list for a two tone or pm piece is throwing money down the drain. All of these are easily had at discounts. Always have been and always will be

So you've purchased a lot of TT women's Rolex in booming economic times?

The OP said it's her first Rolex and she based her expectations of a discount on a TT (and level of a discount...$200 by an AD she was offered as an unknown walk-in she termed "measly") on what she found out here on TRF, a place where 99% of posters are men, buy men's watches, and overwhelmingly prefer SS. A full 50% of those men have hang ups about wearing anything with yellow gold, or that something looks "too blingy". Almost none would wear something with diamonds. The number of women buying luxury goods who don't like some gold or diamonds is few and far between.

Does the above group sound like a good source for her to use when developing expectations of pricing/discounts, which is nothing more than a reflection of what's desirable and moves out of display cases? Transposing what's happening in the Men's Rolex world onto the Women's Rolex jewelry-watch world is setting oneself up for false expectations.

[The Libertine]

Many on this forum can’t find the Rolex they want.

Many on this forum are not even offered a discount.

You found a Rolex you wanted, were offered a discount, but consider the AD rude because the discount was not as much as you deem appropriate?

With that mindset, Rolex may not be the right brand for you.

[Chadridv]

hmmmm!? Yeah. Go buy it from the first place and enjoy. I don’t really see what’s wrong with that.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

For a two tone or pm piece? Anyone who pays list for a two tone or pm piece is throwing money down the drain. All of these are easily had at discounts. Always have been and always will be

Yes and no. Many that bought PM pieces, in some cases even just one piece, are currently enjoying their ceramic Daytona and/or SS BLRO.

One way or another you always pay haha.

[cab56]

OP, Good luck with your shopping.

You will meet a variety of sales people and managers. I'm lucky to live in a small city where the AD has good sales people and the owner takes good care of his jewelry and watch customers (because repeat business is vital to a healthy AD).

You have some good choices: buy from a trusted seller on TRF (I've had good experiences), buy from an AD at list price (I've had good experiences with my local AD), buy from an AD after some polite haggling (I've had good experiences with my local AD as a repeat customer ... your results may vary ... my approach is similar to buying a car ... "do you have some flexibility? I'm ready to buy today. ... mmm ... well, I'll call the manager ... (manager) I could include the tax ... how about another XXX dollars? ... no, but I can do YYY dollars. OK. Great. or mmmm. I need to sleep on that.) Of course, car dealers and ADs are usually experienced negotiators. So, it's hard to out negotiate a car dealer or an AD. If the local economy is good, someone else will buy that car or that watch in a few months. Buying from a trusted seller is usually a stress-free choice at a pleasing price.

Good luck.

[rodo]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

people said that about SS last year too. If a dealer doesnt have to sell for a discount why would they? You are not getting big discounts in london on TT or PM, and they sell just fine without.

Maybe an AD that is financially struggling, but healthy ones are not as desperate.

This "entitled" to a discount is the issue. One dealer does so therefore all have to.

Because TT watches don’t sell. Howver they dont “have to”, unless they want to move them...

[supersam80]

Lady DJ 28mm TT rose gold brown dial Roman numerals, bought within the last two months at an airport AD in Australia in conjunction with a ss gmt for a 7% discount.

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

If that hurts your feelings, you need to get some thicker skin.

You told the guy you had a better offer...what did you expect him to say?

It’s all about the choice of words. Give the AD some wiggle room to do you right, like “another AD quoted me XX price, but I would like to get it from your store if you could get me a better price.” Something like that

His above retort is a very normal comeback with sellers. Play a little bit.

[WhiskeyKoffee]

I'm amazed and saddened to see how many people took this thread to be about discounts. I took it that the seller was sarcastic to the buyer. I don't care what anyone says, a seller of non-essential products treating a potential customer with rudeness and sarcasm is completely unacceptable.

if you think this rudeness was somehow acceptable.

[Rolexgal2017]

Originally Posted by WhiskeyKoffee

I'm amazed and saddened to see how many people took this thread to be about discounts. I took it that the seller was sarcastic to the buyer. I don't care what anyone says, a seller of non-essential products treating a potential customer with rudeness and sarcasm is completely unacceptable.

if you think this rudeness was somehow acceptable.

THANK YOU! This is how I feel. I didn't care that he couldn't provide me with a discount. It was the way he handled the situation in a Very Sarcastic tone.

I guess according to some people in this forum, sarcasm in customer service is common to them. I've never had an experience like this anywhere. Not at Saks FIfth and not at Wal-Mart lol.

[jvd99]

Boo hoo

[biscotti]

Originally Posted by ronricks

20% to 25% off. The SS market has nothing to do with the two tone market. They are completely different entities. Just like the PM market is different from SS and TT. They aren’t tied together nor dependent on each other.

That seems high, especially in current climate. With no established AD relationship extremely doubtful that one can get anywhere near that.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Rolexgal2017

I know that discounts are available for two tones. My local dealer offered an okay discount. I decided to check an out of state dealer (while on a road trip) and he offered a measly $200 off the price. I told him I was offered a more significant discount elsewhere and then he said I should go back there and enjoy my watch when I got one (in a very sarcastic tone). I was looking at some jewelry, but forget that...

This is going to be my first Rolex and it just put such a negative taste on my mouth. ���� When am I ever going to get one?

Originally Posted by Rolexgal2017

THANK YOU! This is how I feel. I didn't care that he couldn't provide me with a discount. It was the way he handled the situation in a Very Sarcastic tone.

I guess according to some people in this forum, sarcasm in customer service is common to them. I've never had an experience like this anywhere. Not at Saks FIfth and not at Wal-Mart lol.

How much was the "Okay discount" that your local AD offered, since you told the out of state dealer it was significantly more than his "measly" $200?

Since your own dealer's "okay discount" apparently isn't enough for you to purchase it, what model were you looking at and what are your discount expectations? (besides a vague "TT watches get discounted" that is probably based on the desirability-level of men's TT watches, not women's models).

Not to excuse sarcasm or rudeness, but to the out of state AD you're just someone not local who just breezed in while on a trip asking for a discount and making a claim of someone else significantly bettering him on price for a watch that he may have no trouble at all selling for or near MSRP to his regular customers. Anyone can make a claim of being able to get a better deal elsewhere.

Why haven't you bought the better priced watch from your local dealer if that's the best discount you've found? How do you know it's only "okay", and not actually very good for that particular model?

[codecow]

Lol $200 for this drama...

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Rolexgal2017

THANK YOU! This is how I feel. I didn't care that he couldn't provide me with a discount. It was the way he handled the situation in a Very Sarcastic tone.

I guess according to some people in this forum, sarcasm in customer service is common to them. I've never had an experience like this anywhere. Not at Saks FIfth and not at Wal-Mart lol.

I accept your position.

However, as a casual observer and only having your account of the exchange to go by. I offer the following.

Judging by your account, you don't seem as skilled at negotiations as other more seasoned veterans of a male dominated segment of "high end" Veblen goods.
Further, you don't seem to fully understand the current state of the market and the recent re-alignment of the power balance with regard to Rolex watches and with regard to the models that are bread and butter to dealers.

I have no doubt you will do better next time

[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by Rolexgal2017

THANK YOU! This is how I feel. I didn't care that he couldn't provide me with a discount. It was the way he handled the situation in a Very Sarcastic tone.

I guess according to some people in this forum, sarcasm in customer service is common to them. I've never had an experience like this anywhere. Not at Saks FIfth and not at Wal-Mart lol.

Then by all means I would take your business elsewhere. Any AD who is not treating a customer about to spend 5-10-20K on a watch with respect is not worthy of your business. Its never ok to treat someone sarcastically. since you already have an ok discount at a local AD, maybe going with that one is the way to go?

[Etschell]

i think his response was spot on. glad it made you upset. go back to bags and shoes if you cant take an honest response.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Etschell

i think his response was spot on. glad it made you upset. go back to bags and shoes if you cant take an honest response.

You're a hard man

[jonnyz1245]

Originally Posted by CRM114

So you've purchased a lot of TT women's Rolex in booming economic times?

The OP said it's her first Rolex and she based her expectations of a discount on a TT (and level of a discount...$200 by an AD she was offered as an unknown walk-in she termed "measly") on what she found out here on TRF, a place where 99% of posters are men, buy men's watches, and overwhelmingly prefer SS. A full 50% of those men have hang ups about wearing anything with yellow gold, or that something looks "too blingy". Almost none would wear something with diamonds. The number of women buying luxury goods who don't like some gold or diamonds is few and far between.

Does the above group sound like a good source for her to use when developing expectations of pricing/discounts, which is nothing more than a reflection of what's desirable and moves out of display cases? Transposing what's happening in the Men's Rolex world onto the Women's Rolex jewelry-watch world is setting oneself up for false expectations.

Actually no I haven't personally purchased a bunch of ladies TT but I do know many who have so yes, I have a significant amount of first hand knowledge on this subject. Yes a discount on a TT womens rolex, at least in the US is readily available. The amount in question is based off a number of factors including but not limited too ones negotiating skills, prior or no prior relationship, where the AD is located etc. I would expect no less than 5% and possibly as high as 15 even in these booming economic times.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

Actually no I haven't personally purchased a bunch of ladies TT but I do know many who have so yes, I have a significant amount of first hand knowledge on this subject. Yes a discount on a TT womens rolex, at least in the US is readily available. The amount in question is based off a number of factors including but not limited too ones negotiating skills, prior or no prior relationship, where the AD is located etc. I would expect no less than 5% and possibly as high as 15 even in these booming economic times.

Do you believe that Rolex sells more TT ladies watches, or all-SS ladies watches? Do you honestly believe that what holds true for men's TT in terms of desirability also holds true for women's TT?

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by jonnyz1245

Actually no I haven't personally purchased a bunch of ladies TT but I do know many who have so yes, I have a significant amount of first hand knowledge on this subject. Yes a discount on a TT womens rolex, at least in the US is readily available. The amount in question is based off a number of factors including but not limited too ones negotiating skills, prior or no prior relationship, where the AD is located etc. I would expect no less than 5% and possibly as high as 15 even in these booming economic times.

Results will vary right across the board.
CRM114 is quite correct.

As an example my then fiancé was more than happy to let me do the negotiating with any prospective dealer when I bought her Wedding present(from me) Rolex watch.
We share everything except tooth brushes and she fully understands that I am a better negotiator with everything. Plain and simple
But I only negotiate where I feel as though I may get somewhere with it and
I try not to waste anybody's time or fail to respect their need to turn a dollar.