AD requisite for initials

[aeRolex]

Was browsing this forum and thought I'd ask for member's opinions on the following...

I'm about to pick up a new SS Daytona (2nd new purchase) arriving this week at my local AD. I asked my sales rep. to find me one and he did within 2 months or so. As mentioned, I have purchased a SS Daytona and a YG Presidential from the same sales rep./AD about 10 years ago.

The older Zenith SS Daytona was never serviced and it was a daily watch for me. When I inquired for service along with a new bracelet etc., I was quoted close to $2K. In a nutshell, I sold my SS Daytona and made $900.

I was open and told my sales rep. that I would like to purchase a new SS Daytona asap. because I was going to sell my old one.

Yesterday, he called and said he had one arriving this week but I would need to pay for it in full (done) before he would confirm it was mine. Secondly, he is REQUIRING that he engrave my initials on the back casing as well. Obviously he is trying to guard against me turning around and selling it. I told I don't mind as I have no intention of selling it anytime soon, but am I foolish to agree to the engraving?

[Pix]

Yes you would be foolish!

[Speed]

Welcome to TRF!

Wow. If true, what an outlandish / outrageous thing for your AD to suggest.

I would NEVER, EVER, EVER agree to such a thing. I would tell that AD from whom you purchased before that he / she can keep that Daytona.

I think engravings - while not for me - might suit some folks who are sentimental. This engraving is some sort of police action from an AD who thinks of a repeat customer like you as a criminal.

Who the H*ll is he. YOU are the customer and can do whatever you want with the watch. If you wanted to pay him for it and then immediately throw it on the ground, bash it with a Ball Peen Hammer and light it on fire, that is your prerogative!!!

Runaway...

[C. Davidson]

If you say "yes" to the engraving, thats up to you. But if you agree to those terms, than thats the deal. If you dont want it engraved, then pass on it. At the moment, there are many willing to get an engraved Daytona engraved versus no Daytona at all.

[sleddog]

Welcome to TRF..!
Glad you found this wonderfull site......
Now...I have NEVER heard of such a request from an AD....That is obsurd!!
I would phone them tomorrow and tell them NOT to engrave it or they can just keep it.....What are they thinking?? Do they ask this of all their customers??

[aeRolex]

Thanks for all the input and the warm welcome. I hope to be able to contribute to the forum with what little knowledge I have of Rolex watches.

I did agree to it and I'll stick to it, but I will also ask him to reconsider. I actually consider the sales rep. a friend and was surprised. I'm not sure if it's his call or Corporate.

I feel naked without it.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Welcome to TRF,
It is ok to pay for it in advance since 99% of the times the watch will follow in a week or so...not to say it's in the back office's safe.
BUT Sure it not crazzzy to ask for the engravings and I would pass on the deal if that is the case.
I have never hear such a thing before

[SLS]

Ben Bridge Tactics. Tell them that you will buy the watch, but they are not to engrave YOUR watch.
Scott

[Andad]

This is very strange. The case back can be easily changed and would not be a deterrent for someone who intended to sell it. I would explain this to your 'friend' and ask him why he is being so STUPID.

[mike]

Originally Posted by SLS

Ben Bridge Tactics. Tell them that you will buy the watch, but they are not to engrave YOUR watch.
Scott

AMEN! If you want to sell it as some as you get or give it away it's none of their business.

[Johny]

hi ask how long the no sell on period is and will they then replace the caseback at the end of this period.

[InVision]

No !!!

[train-time]

NO!!!!! That is totally absurd. Pass on it and get your $$$$ back -- They are way too easy to come by these days!

[toolr]

Go to another AD, they're not that hard to find anymore.

[gregmoeck]

yeah pass on it, you dont want to engrave it. You can get another one. We can point you to a few people who can get one and probably a lot cheaper.

[nauticajoe]

Welcome.
I wouldn't go with the engraving requirement. That's ridiculous. The guy already has your money!

[psv]

Don't believe what the AD is telling you about Daytonas. They are available if you look around and you can get pretty good deals on new V-series ones here on TRF.

There is absolutely NO WAY IN HELL I would let an AD dictate would I should do with my watch. Ask to speak to the store manager and voice your discontent and inform them that you'll slam them on the internet boards.

[Watch Professor]

Absolutely NO!!! It reduces the value of the watch and is highly insulting to you. Look on our sales corner and you will find very recent Daytonas with no engraving sold by reputable dealers.

[chris russell]

turd thinks he has doesn't exist. Second, you could order a new back from any RSC anyway. Third, this new 'requirement' this moron is trying to spring on you was not part of the original agreement, and is probably illegal. Fifth, where does the airhole park his car?

[Idle Swede]

This was common practice a few years ago when the Daytona was hard to find.

Today I would tell him to stick it somewhere.

[Roley]

Unacceptable for an AD to require you to engrave your initials on your purchase. None of his business what you do with your watch!... Definitely decrease the value. (NUTS!) (Lookin like a fool with his pants on the ground!)

[MortgageGuy]

Originally Posted by train-time

NO!!!!! That is totally absurd. Pass on it and get your $$$$ back -- They are way too easy to come by these days!

x1000

[Rolesor]

That is complete BS and I can guarantee Rolex would not be happy to hear he is requiring a customer to "deface" a watch!

I am in no way against engraving but when it's being forced upon you that is insane!! Just so you can have the "privilege" or paying 10 grand for a watch.. I'd tell him to %^&* off!

[DSJ]

I'd say no and find a nice example here on TRF.

First ones I found:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=133181
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=133403
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=132023
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=132116

[VincentVega]

I think you should agree to the engraving IF he/she is willing to give you a large discount. Use it as leverage. If you don't really mind the engraving, you might as well act like it's a burden to you to try to get the best deal.

On the other hand, if this AD is fairly certain he/she can sell it later, your plan may backfire. He/she might just have a "take it or leave it attitude", in which case, I agree with others - take it if it really doesn't bother you, leave it if you plan on selling it anytime soon.

[nickriebe]

Tell them they can engrave it if the watch is free! What a bunch of BS!

[DRAWTOOL]

I wouldn't mind my initials engraved on the back, however requiring me to do so as a condition of purchase would promp me to tell said AD to take a flying Philidelphia at a rolling do-nut!

[Tools]

Hmmmm..

I don't know.. Is this a professional engraving for free ?? If so, that's kind of cool and at one time was considered a "perk" for buying an up-scale piece.. .. It would definitely help identify it if it is taken/lost at some point.

If it's just him and a dremel, not so good..

I wouldn't be concerned about this... engravings are easy to take off (nobody would ever know), and casebacks are easy to replace.........

[Captainz]

Another stupid "HYPE" building scheme. Kinda reminds me of new home builders and their lottery system.

Dude, walk away and never deal with this type of Salesperson.

Al

[Dr.Brian]

They just want to make sure that the watch is going out to a good customer. Like sourcing a watch is some kind of reward? However, if you want to flip it so what? You're still a grateful customer, no?
Just tell him that you are not buying it with the intention to try to flip it for a profit. If your word, the word of a good customer, is not good enough, I would not trust his word either. Tell him that and see if he questions your honor to your face. It might cost him a customer for life. And maybe a punch in the gut. If you publicly question a man's honor in some parts of the world it could cost you your life.