Can’t believe how badly I was lied to

[Polar Bear]

To be fair, them telling you they have nothing to sell probably saves them getting abused by customers when theyre told "we have stock, we just dont want to sell it to you"

[Masteryacht]

It’s hurting the brand for sure. I have money to spend, but I’ve lost interest and don’t really care anymore.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Masteryacht

It’s hurting the brand for sure. I have money to spend, but I’ve lost interest and don’t really care anymore.

I know most of the people on TRF would refute this, but I personally believe more and more enthusiasts are taking this attitude.

[jaySL350]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I know most of the people on TRF would refute this, but I personally believe more and more enthusiasts are taking this attitude.

Your right Paul,,,
Whole process is leaving a very poor “ taste “ in the mouth,,
I’m awaiting a chnr ,,told it should arrive before Xmas and if it does then great but if not then I can wait,,,
After that I’m out for the moment and will move on with Grand Seiko as my next daily and I br popping along to VC who were very welcoming and honest ( actually offer you a sit down appt to try there wares) ,, within the next few weeks ,,,
An absolutely awful time to try and join the Rolex world ,,

[johnwigan]

Originally Posted by jaySL350

Your right Paul,,,
Whole process is leaving a very poor “ taste “ in the mouth,,
I’m awaiting a chnr ,,told it should arrive before Xmas and if it does then great but if not then I can wait,,,
After that I’m out for the moment and will move on with Grand Seiko as my next daily and I br popping along to VC who were very welcoming and honest ( actually offer you a sit down appt to try there wares) ,, within the next few weeks ,,,
An absolutely awful time to try and join the Rolex world ,,

This is true. On the whole the people who post on watch forums are not typical customers. Maybe, not typical humans - only joking. Many are fanboyish and will try to justify bad service, bad experiences. They have rationalised it in the own minds and even relish it. Sometimes, they seem to delight in people being treated awfully. Why? Well I won't go into that.

Regular people will just see it as a crap experience, think that company is crap/incompetent and move onto something else. No company wants to antagonise potential customers and lose sales and profits to rivals. And weathly people in particular are used to and expect good service. Despite what some people may think on these boards, Rolex will not be satisfied offering a bad experience to would be customers. They have said as much - that the shortages are not by their design. It is not some grand plan to replace Patek and increase the profits of grey market dealers....

[77T]

The things that hurt a brand’s image are arrogance, pretension, disdain and prevarication. But at an AD, the same rep will act out whether a Rolex or an Omega or other brand is being requested.

The thing that can hurt a brand’s revenue is failing to sell inventory.

HQ needs to manage the AD sales channel to control that first set of challenges.

Demand has taken care of the inventory matter.


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[Chester01]

High rollers and gray dealers im afraid.

[S``]

No one lied to you... You had just been rejected nicely, but you refused to accept it and moved on...

Kind of like real life situation

[ce027772]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

I am officially done visiting ADs….

I am sure they will miss you.

[karteo]

clearly your first name is not Keanu

[RJM25R]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ve been visiting ADs here in Greece while on holiday. I had zero expectations of actually getting a Rolex because I’m a realist. But man, I didn’t expect that ADs could be this dirty!! Here are two examples:

1) While waiting to enter one Ad (because there was a couple in there already and they have a 2 person maximum) I was looking through the display window curtain and noticed that the Sales Associate kept opening up a drawer and taking out coffins with watches in them. He took out about 6 different coffins. I couldn’t tell what the pieces were though. The couple left and the security guard told me they needed to clean the clean down the counter (covid protocol). I carefully watched through the display window curtain and saw the SA packing up all the coffins and putting them back in his drawer. I walk in and see three tiny/diamond women’s datejusts. Before I could even say anything the SA greets me with “sorry, we have nothing for men”….I say: Oh really? Looked like you had some pieces you put away under your desk. He was shocked that I noticed what he was up to. He continued to deny having any other pieces. I just shook my head and walked out.

2) right after this visit I hit another AD that sells Rolex and other brands. I walk in and try to disarm the SA’s by looking around at other brands…some brands I actually own and like. When I get to the Rolex section the SA immediately says “we have no men’s pieces”. All they had in their display were small ladies datejusts. I looked around a bit more and left. About 30 minutes later I walk by their window again on my way to another store and look in….what do I see? The same SA helping another customer. Only on the tray in front of him were several pieces…couldn’t make them out totally but it looked like a two tone root beer, rose gold day date, and maybe a datejust or OP. I locked eyes with the SA who clearly remembered me and looked a bit uncomfortable by my stalkerish staring. Lol. For a split second I gave them the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe he already bought these pieces. No. The man walked out empty handed. I then watched the woman put the pieces away as they let in the next customer.

I am officially done visiting ADs….life is too short to waste any more time. Im thankful for the 5 Rolex pieces I have (most of which were purchased/trade with grey dealers). For the next while I’m moving onto other brands.






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Perhaps you should concentrate on enjoying your Greek holiday instead of expecting miracles.

The AD policy may be to not sell Rolex to tourists, and keep the watches for local clients.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

Because I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ve been visiting ADs here in Greece while on holiday. I had zero expectations of actually getting a Rolex because I’m a realist. But man, I didn’t expect that ADs could be this dirty!! Here are two examples:

1) While waiting to enter one Ad (because there was a couple in there already and they have a 2 person maximum) I was looking through the display window curtain and noticed that the Sales Associate kept opening up a drawer and taking out coffins with watches in them. He took out about 6 different coffins. I couldn’t tell what the pieces were though. The couple left and the security guard told me they needed to clean the clean down the counter (covid protocol). I carefully watched through the display window curtain and saw the SA packing up all the coffins and putting them back in his drawer. I walk in and see three tiny/diamond women’s datejusts. Before I could even say anything the SA greets me with “sorry, we have nothing for men”….I say: Oh really? Looked like you had some pieces you put away under your desk. He was shocked that I noticed what he was up to. He continued to deny having any other pieces. I just shook my head and walked out.

2) right after this visit I hit another AD that sells Rolex and other brands. I walk in and try to disarm the SA’s by looking around at other brands…some brands I actually own and like. When I get to the Rolex section the SA immediately says “we have no men’s pieces”. All they had in their display were small ladies datejusts. I looked around a bit more and left. About 30 minutes later I walk by their window again on my way to another store and look in….what do I see? The same SA helping another customer. Only on the tray in front of him were several pieces…couldn’t make them out totally but it looked like a two tone root beer, rose gold day date, and maybe a datejust or OP. I locked eyes with the SA who clearly remembered me and looked a bit uncomfortable by my stalkerish staring. Lol. For a split second I gave them the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe he already bought these pieces. No. The man walked out empty handed. I then watched the woman put the pieces away as they let in the next customer.

I am officially done visiting ADs….life is too short to waste any more time. Im thankful for the 5 Rolex pieces I have (most of which were purchased/trade with grey dealers). For the next while I’m moving onto other brands.






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They don’t want to sell to non locals and non preferred clients.
Simple as that

[novae500]

I’m sure most ADs are not totally honest with customers. Happened to me all the time. No SS models but then speak to another SA and told we get 18-20 Rolexes coming in each week. They can’t all be lady datejust???


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[franklee168]

What's really shocking is how shocked we are about not being able to buy a Rolex at the AD while on vacation.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by franklee168

What's really shocking is how shocked we are about not being able to buy a Rolex at the AD while on vacation.

[broca00]

Originally Posted by franklee168

What's really shocking is how shocked we are about not being able to buy a Rolex at the AD while on vacation.

Lol. This.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

1) ...the Sales Associate kept opening up a drawer and taking out coffins with watches in them.

Apparently the watches in stock were dead and were being prepared for burial.

Truly, a very sad story, indeed.

[Boaters]

I wouldn't be an SA they have gotten to be dirty and I have no use or respect for those kind of people.

[fskywalker]

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[dwjez14]

Every AD in dallas has expo pieces ha. The excitement people show when they see the pieces and don’t see the sign first. Go gray your feeling will never be hurt again

[Roger Lococco]

Maybe the plastic coffins were display versions only.

[horseShu]

People keep saying the AD experience is hurting the brand.
But the "the AD rejected me" threads keep popping non-stop.

So no, I don't think it has 'hurt' the brand yet. People want what they can't have. So this'll take a while.

As a side note, I really find it sad when people still call them *my* AD while the SA figuratively spits on their faces.

[sp5702]

So you went in, chastised the SA in a country you’re not a local in and thought they’d sell you something?

Bold move.

[DaveTheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by sp5702

So you went in, chastised the SA in a country you’re not a local in and thought they’d sell you something?

Bold move.

There was no chastising going on when I was in the store. I’m not a social misfit.


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[Boaters]

Go GRAY ... Because there is really no other way...

[ac_eddings]

I agree 100%. I never thought I would have to beg to spend thousands of dollars for a watch. Walking in a boutique is a complete waste of time anymore let alone an exiting and enjoyable experience. You almost feel as if your an annoyance to the SA’s. Not a good look for the brand at all.


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[donq]

They probably thought you were going to rob them lurking around like that…

[Ensign]

ADs sell to private customers only. It’s like that everywhere.

ADs should just operate from office buildings. There’s no need to brick and mortars anymore.

[hondacb1002]

Originally Posted by Ensign

ADs sell to private customers only. It’s like that everywhere.

ADs should just operate from office buildings. There’s no need to brick and mortars anymore.

I agree and I wonder how long Rolex will operate like this? I have never seen anything like it and I find it fascinating, and frustrating. But what makes me the most curious is that I wonder how many customers have been saving and scraping for up to a year or longer hoping to buy their first Rolex. These folks don't know what is going on and go into an AD only to be told they can't buy a watch with their hard earned money. Then these up and coming entrepreneurs will probably find out online that they were told a Bold Face Lie by the AD and that there are watches available just not to them at MSRP price. These new entrepreneurs will realize that the grey market is the MSRP for them when dealing with a Rolex AD and will sooner or later find out that the AD trips are an exercise of futility. That will effect the Rolex brand. In some ways it will create a level of distrust and dishonesty in the brand. When purchasing a Rolex you have to deal with an AD who lies to you about the availability of watches. Word of mouth will get around sooner or later to the general public and who knows we might even see an SNL skit about Rolex having boutiques but that there are no watches for sale unless you pay Grey Market Prices.

[mattidk]

Sounds to me like this is in Athens?
One Rolex AD - always long queue really small, surprisingly i found 2 blue DJ41 in Azure blue and stich blue but that was in summer 2020 - SA told these will be gone quickly if you not interest - I had not plan to buy as i prefer jubilee bracelet.
Visited the same again this year in summer, i notice many tourists outside EU coming - this time no men watches whatsoever 36mm+
Another AD - i think oppose to AP boutique also small, also long queue - only have 1-2 sports on display and nothing interesting inside.

My conclusion, i think they keep the popular watches for locals or regular customers - any tourists came in will likely to get nothing, unless you went in the right day where they received inventories. :/