Another AD rant

[dchernikoff]

They mystify me sometimes. I went to the local AD yesterday just to browse. The usual salesperson comes by and asks if he can help, and I said "no I'm just browsing". But he recognized that I had been in before and asked if he had helped me. I said that yes he had shown me some watches a few months ago, and I showed him my GMT and said I'm looking to add to my collection some time in the future. So he shows me several watches, lets me try them on, we discuss size and price and pro's and cons. Seemed very low key, but I guess that got him excited, even though I told him up front I was there to browse not to buy. I asked if they had the DeepSea blue, and he said they can order them and in fact several people had them on order. Then he goes off on this rant about "this is not a museum, we don't charge admission, people come in and want to see watches but don't intend to buy". And then he starts with "you've been looking for a long time, several months, when are you planning on purchasing?" and starts to push their finance plans, etc. He gave me his card, and after looking at several I asked him to write down the info on a DateJust two tone that I liked. So he just writes the stock number -- an 8 digit number -- on the back and that's it. Gee thanks.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think there's anything wrong with going to a store and just browsing. I knew I wasn't going to buy that day, so I tried to deflect the salesperson by saying I was just browsing, so he would know not to "waste" his time on me if he had any serious prospects (although the store was completely empty but for me). But I left there with the feeling that I wasn't welcome to browse, and should buy or go elsewhere.

Maybe he sensed that I was just looking and would go online to buy? yes, that's probably true, I most likely will buy from TRF. But hey, the store was empty, and it wasn't like I was demanding he pay attention to me. Why should he care if I look in the glass cases even if I'm not planning on buying there? If nothing else, it makes his store look more busy and therefore more attractive to other customers to come in.

It's just disappointing. I like looking and dreaming and planning, especially on an expensive purchase like this. But it was clear this was not the place to do it. Too bad since the store is very close to my home, and they had a good selection. I didn't get this treatment in their store in San Francisco (same company, second location) -- they were happy to show me things and talk about them and write down info about what I saw, and no pressure to buy Right Now. But that's a long drive just to browse.

-Dan

[Sal_UKSheffield]

i am nkt suprised
big ADs that are big high street names are like that

But small independent ADs are amazing - whenever i go in to the AD i bought my sub from he is so excited to see me and have a chat about watches (even though he knows i am there just enjoying myself and going in for a browse. the manager at HL browns in sheffield is awesome - i swear i feel like royalty when i walk in.

I guess big stores have sales reps in who have targets to meet whereas independent ADs focus on building up a client base

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Sal_UKSheffield

But small independent ADs are amazing - whenever i go in to the AD i bought my sub from he is so excited to see me and have a chat about watches (even though he knows i am there just enjoying myself and going in for a browse. the manager at HL browns in sheffield is awesome - i swear i feel like royalty when i walk in.

Same here... Dan maybe you have a face only an AD's mother could love

[tkerrmd]

its a store, they sell things. what are you disappointed about? do you go to the Porsche dealer and test drive a bunch of cars and then leave? no, well you went in, you didnt just "look" you TRIED on a bunch of watches and the guy was polite and friendly. really what else did you want or expect so you wouldnt be "disappointed"??

[Stevieb]

Originally Posted by Sal_UKSheffield

i am nkt suprised
big ADs that are big high street names are like that

But small independent ADs are amazing - whenever i go in to the AD i bought my sub from he is so excited to see me and have a chat about watches (even though he knows i am there just enjoying myself and going in for a browse. the manager at HL browns in sheffield is awesome - i swear i feel like royalty when i walk in.

I guess big stores have sales reps in who have targets to meet whereas independent ADs focus on building up a client base

Agree about HL Browns. Top place to browse and buy.

[rollee1]

Learn how to play the game.
On the next occasion, ask to try at least 6 models one more expensive than the rest, and take your time. Ask for coffee and don't make small talk.
When its time to leave the museum, pick one model and make an impossible offer that he definitely cannot accept.
Go from there

[Flex368]

Can you imagine how many customers some ADs have daily that want to be treated like kings although they never intend to buy anything there?

[Brimstone]

It isn't like the guy is 17 rocking a casio. He came in wearing a GMT. He is there target market. A good salesman would treat him with respect and professionalism so that when he was ready, he would want to give that salesman his business. Instead he has reinforced the idea that buying from an AD isn't worth the increased price and that he would be just as well served buying second hand online. A good salesman can have the exact opposite effect. I came extremely close to buying a BPFF in Vegas a few weeks ago due to the efforts of a great salesman and this was while I was wearing a Steinhart GMT on NATO. He had no idea that whether I could afford a Blancpain, but he treated me with the same respect as everyone else that entered his store. If I hadn't been leaning toward a new Sea Dweller he would have likely gotten my business.

Personally, I would make the owner or manager aware of what happened and that I would gladly take my future purchases elsewhere. That's just me and I can be kind of a dick when I feel I have been treated poorly.

[drakulie]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

its a store, they sell things. what are you disappointed about? do you go to the Porsche dealer and test drive a bunch of cars and then leave? no, well you went in, you didnt just "look" you TRIED on a bunch of watches and the guy was polite and friendly. really what else did you want or expect so you wouldnt be "disappointed"??

Originally Posted by Flex368

Can you imagine how many customers some ADs have daily that want to be treated like kings although they never intend to buy anything there?

Ditto.

I didn't read anything here that would prompt me to write this thread. I suspect the OP may be feeling guilty for whatever reason or feels he needs to be treated better for walking into the store and trying their products free of charge.

[landroverking]

Some of you guys think just because you wear a Rolex.......?

[ajg1960]

I would have taken his card, ripped it in half, gently put it down on the counter, and explained to him that his store would be the last place I would buy a watch. I would also follow up with his boss, assuming you were not speaking with the owner. Rolex's are not an impulse buy, I took a year before I bought one, and went to the AD many times prior to purchase. If their policy is to enforce some type of arbitrary timeframe between when you first come in and when you purchase, I would honestly tell him where he could shove his Rolex. No that's not the start of a new thread-- " Will my Rolex be OK if I shoved it ...?"

[locutus49]

Bingo. Customers should be treated with courtesy, but not like royalty unless they are repeat customers.

Originally Posted by Flex368

Can you imagine how many customers some ADs have daily that want to be treated like kings although they never intend to buy anything there?

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by Flex368

Can you imagine how many customers some ADs have daily that want to be treated like kings although they never intend to buy anything there?

I don't think the OP was asking or expected to be treated like a king...just given the due respect that any potential customer in any establishment would expect.

[707soldier]

I try to avoid the candy store, coz I always comes out with candy on my wrist.
I have zero self control.
I have a disorder when it comes to timepieces.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by dchernikoff

Maybe he sensed that I was just looking and would go online to buy? yes, that's probably true, I most likely will buy from TRF...I like looking and dreaming and planning...But it was clear this was not the place to do it.

This seems to sum it up. The "not a museum" line is a bit offensive, but...apparently he was dead-on. Sorry your looking-and-dreaming phase wasn't as pleasant as you hoped.

[jctrolex]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

its a store, they sell things. what are you disappointed about? do you go to the Porsche dealer and test drive a bunch of cars and then leave? no, well you went in, you didnt just "look" you TRIED on a bunch of watches and the guy was polite and friendly. really what else did you want or expect so you wouldnt be "disappointed"??

I agree with Tom. Put yourself in their shoes, how would you like to pay a lease on a prime shopping location, stock the store with hundreds of thousands or may be even millions of dollars worth of watches and pay for the renovation and it is not just a couple of coats of paint, you can't do that in a store selling Rolex, they (Rolex) have a certain standard of finishing before they allow you to put their watches in your show cases. Pay for insurance, electricity, up keep and payroll for a team of staff. Would you like to have someone come in and try on a bunch of watches for size and then turn around and buy it from a gray dealer? The sellers in this place are great, they can afford to sell you those watches at a substantial discount because they don't have all the above overhead and you can't go to their place to "browse". So fair is fair, I think the sales staff has a point so long as he is not rude.

[teager]

Originally Posted by ajg1960

I would have taken his card, ripped it in half, gently put it down on the counter, and explained to him that his store would be the last place I would buy a watch. I would also follow up with his boss, assuming you were not speaking with the owner. Rolex's are not an impulse buy, I took a year before I bought one, and went to the AD many times prior to purchase. If their policy is to enforce some type of arbitrary timeframe between when you first come in and when you purchase, I would honestly tell him where he could shove his Rolex. No that's not the start of a new thread-- " Will my Rolex be OK if I shoved it ...?"

[Presa canary]

This x10... It's not the ops fault he's dealing with a dude who makes $12hr and needs the commission. It's not like driving a porsche at all... And you better believe I'm test driving cars before I'm buying.. This sales guy was just impatient, to quick, busted his load. Of course you'd never go back there to buy and it's only his loss. These guys should be happy about talking watches and showing them, with the hopes you'll one day buy. Now, if the op went in weekly, asked for a quick sizing/cleaning of his watch, I'd get the attitude. But this is just another dude in sales, who shouldn't be

Originally Posted by Brimstone

It isn't like the guy is 17 rocking a casio. He came in wearing a GMT. He is there target market. A good salesman would treat him with respect and professionalism so that when he was ready, he would want to give that salesman his business. Instead he has reinforced the idea that buying from an AD isn't worth the increased price and that he would be just as well served buying second hand online. A good salesman can have the exact opposite effect. I came extremely close to buying a BPFF in Vegas a few weeks ago due to the efforts of a great salesman and this was while I was wearing a Steinhart GMT on NATO. He had no idea that whether I could afford a Blancpain, but he treated me with the same respect as everyone else that entered his store. If I hadn't been leaning toward a new Sea Dweller he would have likely gotten my business.

Personally, I would make the owner or manager aware of what happened and that I would gladly take my future purchases elsewhere. That's just me and I can be kind of a dick when I feel I have been treated poorly.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by jctrolex

I agree with Tom. Put yourself in their shoes, how would you like to pay a lease on a prime shopping location, stock the store with hundreds of thousands or may be even millions of dollars worth of watches and pay for the renovation and it is not just a couple of coats of paint, you can't do that in a store selling Rolex, they (Rolex) have a certain standard of finishing before they allow you to put their watches in your show cases. Pay for insurance, electricity, up keep and payroll for a team of staff. Would you like to have someone come in and try on a bunch of watches for size and then turn around and buy it from a gray dealer? The sellers in this place are great, they can afford to sell you those watches at a substantial discount because they don't have all the above overhead and you can't go to their place to "browse". So fair is fair, I think the sales staff has a point so long as he is not rude.

The guy was rude.

[Laszlo]

Shopping can be so stressful.

[Norbert]

Did you buy your GMT from that dealer?

[watchwatcher]

Stories like these make me so thankful for my AD...they are so friendly and let me try on anything my heart desires.

[drakulie]

Some people want to wear a Rolex an love all things Rolex, but don't want to pay Rolex price. But make sure you treat them like they are (roll eyes).

I say, go call your trusted seller, show up at their house to browse their collection, and then tell them you will likely buy elswehere. Do this repeatedly and see how they react for waisting thier time. The flea markets are full of highly discounted Rolex's. I'm sure you will enjoy the savings and friendly staff.

[azguy]

enter the AD and get what you deserve IMHO, frankly AD's are the worst of any brand store I enter..Doesn't matter if it's Big T, the Omega Boutique or any of the stores in Vegas. The sales people are always you, right by your side and a general pain in the ass.

Since I'm a 100% pre-loved buyer TRF is my store, in the event I bought something I didn't like I'd flip it and move on.

[Scott1907]

I have bought my two rolexes from the ad the last few years, to my fault I don't really window shop. I go in knowing what I want, with that said I've never had a good experience while giving them $10,000+ for a watch. I'm 36 years old and they always make me feel like their doing me a favor selling one of their watches to me. I just know the salesmen are just that salesmen, not rolex salesmen, they are full of it!!

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by dchernikoff

They mystify me sometimes. I went to the local AD yesterday just to browse. The usual salesperson comes by and asks if he can help, and I said "no I'm just browsing". But he recognized that I had been in before and asked if he had helped me. I said that yes he had shown me some watches a few months ago, and I showed him my GMT and said I'm looking to add to my collection some time in the future. So he shows me several watches, lets me try them on, we discuss size and price and pro's and cons. Seemed very low key, but I guess that got him excited, even though I told him up front I was there to browse not to buy. I asked if they had the DeepSea blue, and he said they can order them and in fact several people had them on order. Then he goes off on this rant about "this is not a museum, we don't charge admission, people come in and want to see watches but don't intend to buy". And then he starts with "you've been looking for a long time, several months, when are you planning on purchasing?" and starts to push their finance plans, etc. He gave me his card, and after looking at several I asked him to write down the info on a DateJust two tone that I liked. So he just writes the stock number -- an 8 digit number -- on the back and that's it. Gee thanks.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think there's anything wrong with going to a store and just browsing. I knew I wasn't going to buy that day, so I tried to deflect the salesperson by saying I was just browsing, so he would know not to "waste" his time on me if he had any serious prospects (although the store was completely empty but for me). But I left there with the feeling that I wasn't welcome to browse, and should buy or go elsewhere.

Maybe he sensed that I was just looking and would go online to buy? yes, that's probably true, I most likely will buy from TRF. But hey, the store was empty, and it wasn't like I was demanding he pay attention to me. Why should he care if I look in the glass cases even if I'm not planning on buying there? If nothing else, it makes his store look more busy and therefore more attractive to other customers to come in.

It's just disappointing. I like looking and dreaming and planning, especially on an expensive purchase like this. But it was clear this was not the place to do it. Too bad since the store is very close to my home, and they had a good selection. I didn't get this treatment in their store in San Francisco (same company, second location) -- they were happy to show me things and talk about them and write down info about what I saw, and no pressure to buy Right Now. But that's a long drive just to browse.

-Dan

You did not deserve to get treated this way especially since you were up front that you were there to just browse. That guy was simply being an asshat for no reason. There should be no pressure to buy anything when you are simply looking. I would just brush it off and not waste my time stepping foot into that AD again. Lesson learned.

[GB-man]

I'm not surprised. Most people in sales are inadequate at best. As mentioned, a rolex is an expensive purchase and not something to be forced upon the customer.

I test drive watches and cars all the time without buying. I might try on 20-30 watches at 10 different ADs before I drop 10-20k on a new watch. I might test drive 4-5 cars before I decide on one.

I have bought half my cars via email and half by walking in and meeting a good salesman. Same with watches.

At the end of the day it all comes down to price. If the salesman offers a reasonable figure (within 500-1000) of grey prices, I will strongly consider buying on the spot, if ready.

[mfer]

I always feel guilty when I browse at AD's. I have no intention of buying there.

I'm always trying to find friends that have a watch that I can try on. I've recently considered buying watches without trying them on. I don't like to waste people's time, which is what I feel like I'm doing in AD's.

[btinl]

Shreve? Not shocking behavior from them.

[brandrea]

I guess I'm missing something here
I have to side with Tom on this one. It doesn't sound like unfair treatment to me.