New guy with a specific question!

[Watchflair]

Congratulations on the pending incoming - contrary to some of the other opinions I'm a big believer that one hand washes the other.

I personally give my SA a bottle of some sort when picking up a time piece. Just a little token to keep me at the front of their mind in case other pieces I express interest in become available - it's the little things.

I try to make it a reasonably nice bottle - something most wouldn't drink on a nightly basis.

And of course referrals work in your favor as well.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by stefW

Hi all,

First of all, I would like to say hello and that I am happy to join the community on here!

Secondly, to celebrate my graduation from university, my birthday, and my admittance to law school, I decided to get myself a Submariner. Five weeks ago I walked into an AD and the sales associate graciously allowed me to Special Order a 116610LN after some conversation.

I will be picking the watch up on Friday or Saturday - any ideas on a nice little gift that I could give the SA (female) as a thank-you for allowing me to get this watch for retail and end my wild goose chase? I'm assuming you all would know better than me!

Kind regards,
Stef

A nice bottle of wine or champagne max

[darius359]

Originally Posted by stefW

any ideas on a nice little gift that I could give the SA

Honestly, she should be sending you a gift. You just gave her company thousands of dollars and she got a percentage of that. You don't owe her anything other than your gratitude and to consider that shop again in the future for any purchasing needs, as your loyalty is the gift that helps keep their lights on.

Having said that, I gifted my buddy a bottle of bourbon, since he was able to get me to the top of his store's waiting list. He wasn't the sales person who made the sale but having known him for fifteen + years, I'm more than happy to give him a gift for being a great friend. So, when I brought him the watch to size and gave him the bottle, he happened to turned around and reach for a bottle to give me. Friendships are like that.

[Tricolore66]

A nice letter to the owner of the store acknowledging her great service, a very positive Google review, and referrals are better than a gift IMO, and avoid the optics that some might construe if give her a gift.

[Aberdein]

Stef. This AD (female) you refer to, she wouldn't by chance be of a similar age to you, single and be attractive? If yes then don't be shy...
If not as above then as others have previously suggested perhaps not a gift but a positive reference hand written or otherwise to the store manager.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by JRell

Welcome! Hand written thank you note will do just nicely.

Good paper,fountain pen ,nice ink .

[Nixshah]

I think a nice bottle of wine is a great gesture.

[Rado63]

Five weeks and you walk in and get a discontinued model after so many where probably on the list for that watch!? That's one of those unreal stories. Post pictures on an incoming for us. If the watch has the new card, then that's even greater bonus.

[stefW]

Wow! Overwhelmed at the kindness of everyone on here, thanks a lot for all the replies guys. It would seriously take me forever to reply to all, so thank you to everyone for your input! I'll definitely just do a hand-written card saying thanks and perhaps some chocolates or a bit of vino.

I appreciate the warm welcome!

[XtraCrispy]

Congrats on your watch selection and getting into law school. My daughter just started law school in Chicago. As for a gift for the sales associate who made commission off of you - a hand written thank you note will suffice.

[juve]

Welcome to TRF

[donas]

Originally Posted by stefW

Hi all,

First of all, I would like to say hello and that I am happy to join the community on here!

Secondly, to celebrate my graduation from university, my birthday, and my admittance to law school, I decided to get myself a Submariner. Five weeks ago I walked into an AD and the sales associate graciously allowed me to Special Order a 116610LN after some conversation.

I will be picking the watch up on Friday or Saturday - any ideas on a nice little gift that I could give the SA (female) as a thank-you for allowing me to get this watch for retail and end my wild goose chase? I'm assuming you all would know better than me!

Kind regards,
Stef

First, congrats on graduating and acceptance to law school. But every time I hear this it's like finger nails on a chalk board. Take a step back and look at this with any other circumstance - I buy a product from a merchant and then provide them with a gift for allowing me to purchase said item from them. She gets paid to sell the watch, the store gets their share by the mark-up, it's all good. If someone keeps getting treated like royalty, sooner or later they really think they are.

[Briannourse]

Originally Posted by Lamontsanders

No gift. A thank you card when you drop by a month later (obviously with your watch on) seems like a better way to go. Refer your friends and save up for a Datejust. Your referrals and continued business is the best gift you can give.

Love this. A nice touch. I would say flowers and card but referrals to her would be nice and card. Well done on a great watch. Enjoy it. I’m sure you will. B.

[Date Owner]

I have taken my main AD out to a football match with Hospitality and when I picked up my Panda, I brought him a bottle of cologne as a gift to say thank you. During lockdown they contacted me and asked me if I wished to make a purchase whilst the stores were shut, I purchased the Batgirl and paid in full in March, but wasn't able to collect until early July which is when they re-opened the store. When I collected it, they gave me a Thank you letter and a nice gift. I also received a gift last week from a different AD when I purchased a DJ41......what I am saying is that if its ok for the AD's to give me gifts, there is nothing wrong with me doing the same.

[JDsnewwatch]

$100.00 starbucks, amazon gift card, visa gift card or similar. Its a simple token that expresses thanks. Nothing more. Im surprised by the outrage here, I leave tips at restaurants and you should see what I give the guy who cuts my hair (100% tip). So, if an AD would actually give me the time of day (no pun intended), I would give something..

[bay-dweller]

Buying more stuff is the best "thank you"
I think sweets or booze are also appropriate, but some people are on a diet and some people don't drink.
Sweets and booze are nice because they are consumable and regiftable.
The dollar amount of a gift is not important. I think the gesture is about the same for a $30 or $100 gift.

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by cuibono

Not sure how appropriate it is tbh, I've seen countless threads asking the same question. Would you gift your car salesperson something for working to get you a car? Don't get me wrong, it's a nice gesture, but not necessary. Chocolate I suppose so that everyone can enjoy. I just sent a quick thank you note (email) after my last purchase (not watch related).

Sent from my SM-G965W using Tapatalk

Oh, yes! A box of cigars in both cases for both my hard-to-find cars (at the time)...kidding me? You guys know how the world works?

I think some here are just jaded, even a bit pissed, about the inability to just walk in and get one of these watches. The real world says

that's the way it is and sounds like she did you a solid...so reward her.

A nice bottle of wine. Maybe some flowers, candy, or an appropriate gift card...it's classy and will be remembered.

Geez - this is such a no brainer.

[donas]

Originally Posted by JDsnewwatch

$100.00 starbucks, amazon gift card, visa gift card or similar. Its a simple token that expresses thanks. Nothing more. Im surprised by the outrage here, I leave tips at restaurants and you should see what I give the guy who cuts my hair (100% tip). So, if an AD would actually give me the time of day (no pun intended), I would give something..

To each their own, but leaving a tip for a person that essentially isn't getting paid is nothing more than paying them to do their job and you establishing their "wages" based on the quality of service rendered. This is vastly different than giving a gift to someone on the premise of allowing you to purchase a product from a store that employs them. I'm not saying greasing the palm of the SA with gifts won't help someone in the long run; personally, I refuse to do it on principle. More power to those willing to do it, I suppose

[sgwatchguy]

In my business, it’s tough selling and then even tougher delivering. Now and then a customer shows appreciation for the people that made it happen, and it’s always welcome.

In this case, you’re doing it right. A thank you card and chocolates should work.

[StevePirates]

Bottle of wine. I'm partial to champagne. An ordinary bottle of Veuve Clicquot non-vintage seems about right. You're buying a celebratory watch to celebrate the end of college and the beginning of your professional journey in law. Champagne is the drink of celebrations.

[datejustrms]

Originally Posted by JRell

Welcome! Hand written thank you note will do just nicely.

This

[Rohan1806]

Congratulations on the great pick up! I like the suggestion of a card with a hand written message plus a box of chocolates. And social media being what it is nowadays, if your AD has an active instagram/facebook account, maybe you could give them a shout out on that platform as well to show your gratitude

[C0d]

Chocolates (female SA) and wine (male SA) have always done miracles for me.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by Glenmorangie77

OP is asking for ideas on a nice little gift, not asking for opinions on whether or not a gift should be presented. Love the continual chip on the shoulder from many here...A bottle of wine is always good. If the recipient doesn't drink or doesn't like that varietal then it's always easy for them to re-gift it.

Very true. I would only add that the better thing to do might be to follow up with the gift a few weeks or so AFTER the sale is complete. Doing it right at the sale makes it seem "transactional" and you miss the opportunity to create two instead of one emotional events. I will resist the urge to add any dating analogies.

You want to build a long term relationship, not just wham, bam, here's a bottle of wine for your trouble Ma'am.

[Robf52]

The thank you gift question always draws a lot of responses basically from 2 or 3 different camps. Whether it's a hand written note, a bottle of wine, a box of chocolates or nothing more than credit/commission for the sale, it's entirely a personal decision. Any of them are perfectly acceptable. I've personally once presented to my AD a green-labeled bottle of scotch and always a handshake and sincere thank you with a promise to return.

[scooba]

Originally Posted by Glenmorangie77

OP is asking for ideas on a nice little gift, not asking for opinions on whether or not a gift should be presented. Love the continual chip on the shoulder from many here...A bottle of wine is always good. If the recipient doesn't drink or doesn't like that varietal then it's always easy for them to re-gift it.

What a lovely thought ! .
My son received a white 500 the timing was excellent it was on his Birthday , he bought the guy three bottles of Moët it was well received !

Nothing wrong with sharing and caring

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by Lamontsanders

No gift. A thank you card when you drop by a month later (obviously with your watch on) seems like a better way to go. Refer your friends and save up for a Datejust. Your referrals and continued business is the best gift you can give.

This sounds great to me. I would also mention that: "The way I was treated and the courtesy shown will make me a repeat buyer, . . ." etc., and the other things as Lamontsanders said.

It may just make you memorable enough to be put at the front of the line if you later might be searching for something normally hard to get. Couldn't hurt to put yourself in their good graces.

As to any of "your referrals" made, ask your referrals to make sure they mention your name, even if they simply stop by to check out the stock.

[garyk]

How about dinner at the socially distancing cafe???

Seriously, congrats!!!

[MikeHendrick1978]

I gave my sales associate a bottle of wine on my last purchase....He has always treated me well even though i have only bought two watches and a Mont Blanc Pen off of him in 15 years.

[cvo]

Congrats! It all depends on the relationship you have developed, part of owning a Rolex is the friendships you develop with others enjoying this hobby.