Gift to AD?

[Adam1212]

Hi everyone.

A bit of an odd topic, but was wondering if anyone has had experience giving a gift to your SA at your local AD? Say like if they are having a child or getting married. Or even just a Christmas or birthday gift.

Let's presume you have known the person for years and have a great relationship(but not in private).

I realise it could vary from country to country whether it's frowned upon or not.

What I'm wondering is if it would be seen as a form of bribe or just the nice gesture it is?

[Harry-57]

Do whatever feels comfortable to you. Don't force it.

We were in the AD yesterday for jewelry and a pen. We handed out some posh chocolates, including to the watch department, who we didn't spend any time in, although the Rolex buyer came over for a chat when he saw us. We've also handed out small gifts to other businesses and associates this month. It's just something we do. We don't expect anything in return but a little bit of good will never hurts - if it is appropriate and unforced.

A couple of my clients have sent me gifts this month. It's not expected, but I will remember they did it.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Adam1212

What I'm wondering is if it would be seen as a form of bribe or just the nice gesture it is?

Depends why you're doing it. Do you genuinely like the person or are you hoping to gain some advantage?

[GusFring]

It’s weird, just don’t.

[Trailboss516]

Of you're doing it to be remembered and "build a relationship" then awkward. If you know them well and have an existing, excellent relationship, then sure.

[TheVTCGuy]

Yes, they have treated me well, so I occasionally bring in bagels or other small gifts. For Christmas i brought them a big box of candy. I feel it is entirely appropriate.

[rmlovett1]

If I know them personally, have done business with more than once….maybe a card. Other than that…no

[messikens]

I hear tequila tastings is always a great gift for Christmas...

Personally I don't, but I tend to send them a text

[Mr Ben]

Sounds weird to me. I don’t drop presents off at my local car dealer, shoe shop or supermarket and they are retailers I use too. I’d maybe give the postman, the binmen or my kid’s teacher a small Festive token of appreciation but they’re all on strike as far as I can tell so it’ll be a lean year for gifts!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Depends why you're doing it. Do you genuinely like the person or are you hoping to gain some advantage?

Have to agree its about time all this kiss ADs ar#e stuff stopped, then perhaps we could get back to normal. All ADs are just shops that sells watches nothing more, and should be treated with the same respect as you would any other retail outlet.

[gerry100]

pathetic

[JRell]

My gift will be not to email about the next one, until next year.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree its about time all this kiss ADs ar#e stuff stopped, then perhaps we could get back to normal. All ADs are just shops that sells watches nothing more, and should be treated with the same respect as you would any other retail outlet.

Except that the product they sell is not readily available, I.e. You can not walk in to that shop and pick out of a display case the model you want and buy it any time of any day. FACT. Now, WHY, and do they have them in the back etc. Are topics we can and have, debated forever, but the FACT is you can not walk in to an AD and purchase any brand new model you want at MSRP. What is my point? There is subjective favoritism by the AD, (I am not sure favoritism is the right word but can’t think of another better one). I walked in to my AD Sunday, asked about getting a 126710. They could easily have said we don’t have any. There were none in the case, nothing obviously for sale, and my only option would have been to say “thank you” or some other kind of “…. You” and walked out. Instead, the manager went to the back, came out a minute later with my new watch and I bought it. They chose ME to have the option of buying that watch. Is it right? Again, we can debate that forever and I won’t try and change your opinion one way or the other, but the fact remains that AD did me a favor by offering the watch for sale to ME, when I know for a fact, other customers had asked for the same watch and were turned away. Is it my charm? My incredibly good looks? My magnetic personality that earned me this option? Possibly, but probably more so that I have known these people for many years. Although I am not a whale by any stretch, I have bought a number of watches, STILL, they could have turned me away. Instead, I got the watch I wanted at MSRP.

To me, that warrants a lousy $20 box of candy as a way to say “Thank You” No big deal and entirely appropriate.

[1William]

Cash, cold hard cash for the service providers that take care of me and my family throughout the year. The Barber that cuts my hair and trims my beard. The FedEx guy who has been on my route for a time and does his best to get all of the packages here in a timely manner. The mailman and the trash man get food, cookies and cake. They all get a Christmas Card, a smile and a genuine thank you. My AD and the GM that I deal with also gets a Christmas Card with some cash. Why? Because during the year he puts up with my questions, a lot of them. Adjusts bracelets, straps and handles repairs not only for me but for my family members, typically at no charge. I have been doing business with him for more than 20-25 years and have also been there for the deaths of parents and friends. I consider him a friend and watch associate. It is nice to be in a position to be generous to people that are generous with me and my family. To each their own on this. I can only say what I do. Merry Christmas.

[amh]

Here's what I'd take to my AD for Christmas. A whole lot of nothing except pushing jewelry and off-brand watches.



(To those of you easily offended: No, I wouldn't actually do this...)

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Except that the product they sell is not readily available, I.e. You can not walk in to that shop and pick out of a display case the model you want and buy it any time of any day. FACT. Now, WHY, and do they have them in the back etc. Are topics we can and have, debated forever, but the FACT is you can not walk in to an AD and purchase any brand new model you want at MSRP. What is my point? There is subjective favoritism by the AD, (I am not sure favoritism is the right word but can’t think of another better one). I walked in to my AD Sunday, asked about getting a 126710. They could easily have said we don’t have any. There were none in the case, nothing obviously for sale, and my only option would have been to say “thank you” or some other kind of “…. You” and walked out. Instead, the manager went to the back, came out a minute later with my new watch and I bought it. They chose ME to have the option of buying that watch. Is it right? Again, we can debate that forever and I won’t try and change your opinion one way or the other, but the fact remains that AD did me a favor by offering the watch for sale to ME, when I know for a fact, other customers had asked for the same watch and were turned away. Is it my charm? My incredibly good looks? My magnetic personality that earned me this option? Possibly, but probably more so that I have known these people for many years. Although I am not a whale by any stretch, I have bought a number of watches, STILL, they could have turned me away. Instead, I got the watch I wanted at MSRP.

To me, that warrants a lousy $20 box of candy as a way to say “Thank You” No big deal and entirely appropriate.

I'd bring a bottle of JW Blue to that dealer! You were treated right!

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Except that the product they sell is not readily available, I.e. You can not walk in to that shop and pick out of a display case the model you want and buy it any time of any day. FACT. Now, WHY, and do they have them in the back etc. Are topics we can and have, debated forever, but the FACT is you can not walk in to an AD and purchase any brand new model you want at MSRP. What is my point? There is subjective favoritism by the AD, (I am not sure favoritism is the right word but can’t think of another better one). I walked in to my AD Sunday, asked about getting a 126710. They could easily have said we don’t have any. There were none in the case, nothing obviously for sale, and my only option would have been to say “thank you” or some other kind of “…. You” and walked out. Instead, the manager went to the back, came out a minute later with my new watch and I bought it. They chose ME to have the option of buying that watch. Is it right? Again, we can debate that forever and I won’t try and change your opinion one way or the other, but the fact remains that AD did me a favor by offering the watch for sale to ME, when I know for a fact, other customers had asked for the same watch and were turned away. Is it my charm? My incredibly good looks? My magnetic personality that earned me this option? Possibly, but probably more so that I have known these people for many years. Although I am not a whale by any stretch, I have bought a number of watches, STILL, they could have turned me away. Instead, I got the watch I wanted at MSRP.

To me, that warrants a lousy $20 box of candy as a way to say “Thank You” No big deal and entirely appropriate.

Well put…The reality is an AD has to choose who is offered a piece among dozens of customers. I am no whale either, but I’ve been fortunate enough to obtain what I’ve requested in the past 3 years. I have developed very good relationships with our AD. I know what’s happening in their personal lives (births, vacations, health issues etc) and we genuinely like them. In my area, there’s no way to compete with high profile clients. If I truly want a watch they have to subjectively pick me for offer.
I certainly understand the frustration of those who feel hopeless in getting something they genuinely want at Retail.

I genuinely wonder what you or I would do if I had one item that a 100 people wanted and I couldn’t use price as a determinant (like some highly desirable cars for example)? Just an interesting thought process

[Calatrava r]

Are they friends. If so, reaching out is always nice.

[Chiboy]

Do it if you want, but just be honest enough to think of it as a bribe, and not because they're "friends." Unless you bring equivalent gifts to the haberdasher who fits you for suits and sells you easy-to-acquire clothing all year, whom you also consider a "friend."

[Travis29]

I’ve gifted my SA twice this year. Before and after I received a rootbeer- waited only 4 months. First gift before the rootbeer, second gift as a thank you.

Not to be a total kiss ass but to show I appreciate them getting me these grail watches.

We’ll see if my SA comes through with the Kermit in Jan.

I plan on sending one gift a year for the holidays.

[Cigars&Watches]

I think a small thank you card or gesture is fine. I am truly grateful for the pieces I have received and a small gesture of this nature is normal.

[Number3]

Originally Posted by messikens

I hear tequila tastings is always a great gift for Christmas...

[~Ocho1~]

being that I have no relationship with the AD's in my area, & every time I would go tot the Rolex Boutique I would speak with a different SA, I wouldn't gift them anything.

They don't really know me, I don't really know them. I feel it would seem like an a$$ kissing motion & I ain't with that, you know...

Besides, they've done me no favors, been on a list for a regular DJ41 since April, swinging by every 6 weeks or so with no calls. Went with Takuya & had the exact watch I wanted the next day & nly paid a little more than I would have paid MSRP + taxes.

[cdm765]

Go for it. The better you treat people, the better they treat you. I’ve had luck with being genuine and keeping good relationships with those who helped me throughout the year (including AD for all you watch nuts!).

[BillA]

Originally Posted by 1William

Cash, cold hard cash for the service providers that take care of me and my family throughout the year. The Barber that cuts my hair and trims my beard. The FedEx guy who has been on my route for a time and does his best to get all of the packages here in a timely manner. The mailman and the trash man get food, cookies and cake. They all get a Christmas Card, a smile and a genuine thank you. My AD and the GM that I deal with also gets a Christmas Card with some cash. Why? Because during the year he puts up with my questions, a lot of them. Adjusts bracelets, straps and handles repairs not only for me but for my family members, typically at no charge. I have been doing business with him for more than 20-25 years and have also been there for the deaths of parents and friends. I consider him a friend and watch associate. It is nice to be in a position to be generous to people that are generous with me and my family. To each their own on this. I can only say what I do. Merry Christmas.

If given the choice I bet the mail carrier and sanitation people would also prefer cash, not cookies.

[joli160]

As your neighbor I can tell you it is very wrong in NW Europe.
The AD giving you a present would be appropriate though.

[2loaded]

The fact that these threads exist....Rolex has everyone in the palms of their hands.

[CaptT]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Except that the product they sell is not readily available, I.e. You can not walk in to that shop and pick out of a display case the model you want and buy it any time of any day. FACT. Now, WHY, and do they have them in the back etc. Are topics we can and have, debated forever, but the FACT is you can not walk in to an AD and purchase any brand new model you want at MSRP. What is my point? There is subjective favoritism by the AD, (I am not sure favoritism is the right word but can’t think of another better one). I walked in to my AD Sunday, asked about getting a 126710. They could easily have said we don’t have any. There were none in the case, nothing obviously for sale, and my only option would have been to say “thank you” or some other kind of “…. You” and walked out. Instead, the manager went to the back, came out a minute later with my new watch and I bought it. They chose ME to have the option of buying that watch. Is it right? Again, we can debate that forever and I won’t try and change your opinion one way or the other, but the fact remains that AD did me a favor by offering the watch for sale to ME, when I know for a fact, other customers had asked for the same watch and were turned away. Is it my charm? My incredibly good looks? My magnetic personality that earned me this option? Possibly, but probably more so that I have known these people for many years. Although I am not a whale by any stretch, I have bought a number of watches, STILL, they could have turned me away. Instead, I got the watch I wanted at MSRP.

To me, that warrants a lousy $20 box of candy as a way to say “Thank You” No big deal and entirely appropriate.

+1, well said

Though tide is turning, there's really no harm in thanking someone regardless of the purchase dynamics.

[Pop Art Suzy]

I personally wouldn't. I think it's weird and ass-kissing tbh. Basically he's doing his job by selling you a Rolex, et al. Why does that deserve a gift? I don't get it.

[tifosi]

No way. I wouldn't give a gift to my favorite cashier at Target. No different.

[WatchGuy1966]

My AD Sourced me A Daytona and a Meteorite DD after just a few Tudor purchases - so I catered lunch for the entire store - about 25 people cost me about $600.

But I've also made friends with them over the years and genuinely care about them.

And I'm grateful for them sourcing me these watches.

They also occasionally take me out to lunch when I'm in their town.