All my AD 'relationships' up in smoke

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Pinpoint

That's one of the overwhelming problems of this loyalty/relationship caper. You can invest in the relationship, maybe buy something you wouldn't ordinarily go for and then it's gone.

Makes stumping up a few bucks to a trusted seller for guaranteed satisfaction a very good idea.

Have to agree I sometimes wonder how many survive without this so called AD relationship stuff. AD relationship today mostly complete and utter nonsense and all ADs are just shops that sells watches nothing more.

[ronricks]

Originally Posted by amh

Visited another local AD today, turns out my main SA contact is "no longer employed" there! Found someone else and they tried to look me up in their computer. "Sorry, we have no record of you." But I've been a customer for years... bought YM just 6 months ago. "It doesn't work like that - must re-register as a customer."

Typical Rolex AD behavior!

AD1: Purchased BNIB (Store now closed)
AD2: Offered SS Rolex, but already owned it (Store now closed)
AD3: Purchased BNIB (Policy changed, no longer sell to out-of-town buyers)
AD4: "On the list" (Store now closed)
AD5: Purchased pre-owned (Told I must spend 2x as much to "get on the list" All previous registrations deleted as matter of policy.)
AD6: Purchased BNIB (SA left... all records wiped. Today's problem)

It's not an option to "Find a better AD." Locally we only have two ADs: Bad and Worse. Any ADs in a different zip code won't even pick up the phone.

I have no idea how some of you maintain these 'relationships' (eg. "I've been shopping at the same family AD for 17 years... they get whatever I need at short notice!")

When January and February roll around you won’t have a problem picking up something from msrp at an AD. Grey prices are also dropping weekly despite the desperate attempts to make it seem like they aren’t.

[1William]

Such is the relationship model that is discussed ad nauseam here. Too many factors play into interpersonal relationships with AD's. Buy/sell/trade as you see fit and your finances will support. I will not waste time with SA's as most are just clerks. When I deal with an AD it is with the GM or owner. Sometimes it helps, other times not so much. I value my time and dignity and will not be lied to or put off. And I know both when I see it. Thank goodness for our Trusted Sellers.

[brandrea]

Out of curiosity, what city are you located in?

[DonRickles]

Blow out two more and you'll tie Elizabeth Taylor's marriage/divorce record!

[amh]

Originally Posted by Jack T

How often, and how soon do you need to buy a Rolex?

Don't "need" anything of course - but have been asking for a BLNR for about 5 years.

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

Bummer. What watches did you buy at AD5 and AD6? Are they sought after stainless ones? Maybe the history is actually cutting against you...

No stainless models, all the AD purchases were for my wife.

They don't see your purchase history from 6 months ago? I'm not sure I'd even want to do business with someone who says such nonsense. Maybe you can work this into a meeting with the manager under the pre-text that you are concerned that they don't see your purchase history and are worried about future purchases and what will you do if you lose your warranty card, need a re-print of your purchase invoice, whatever.

Oh the purchase shows up but it's connected to the deleted employee. Any perceived wish lists or goodwill are gone. Their flow: Write down your name, contact and desired piece on a sheet of paper, they type into the computer. This record was thrown out. I may be a past customer but no one knows I'm still buying, hence I'll never get "the call"

Maybe talking to the manager is a good idea. I don't normally do this, don't want to be a 'Karen.' But virtually every AD I've dealt with has done the same thing with purging records. I think they're up to their eyeballs with inquiries and are trying to separate the wheat & chaff.

My suggestion is to continue to visit ADs when traveling, etc. It took me visiting quite a few ADs before I made a good connection. While my experiences in CA have been good with other manufacturers, my Rolex experiences were pretty weak there.

Yes, I do that just for fun when on business trips. You never know!

Originally Posted by 1William

Such is the relationship model that is discussed ad nauseam here. Too many factors play into interpersonal relationships with AD's. Buy/sell/trade as you see fit and your finances will support. I will not waste time with SA's as most are just clerks. When I deal with an AD it is with the GM or owner. Sometimes it helps, other times not so much. I value my time and dignity and will not be lied to or put off. And I know both when I see it. Thank goodness for our Trusted Sellers.

Yes, indeed SAs are just clerks.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree I sometimes wonder how many survive without this so called AD relationship stuff. AD relationship today mostly complete and utter nonsense and all ADs are just shops that sells watches nothing more.

That’s just not correct.

[HiBoost]

The concept of purging all records makes no sense. If you mean the SA's individual "list" of what customer wants what, sure. But what business throws away the sales records for multi thousand dollar purchases? Every AD I've ever dealt with has a record of every purchase I've made going back 20 years. They can provide the serial numbers, copies of receipts, etc. I would definitely talk to a manager to see if their operation is truly this ridiculous.

[Bmats]

Originally Posted by amh

I don't think that would do any good. Pretty obvious that only very heavy spending in a short period of time (6 months) will get any attention. ADs are busy purging their databases. They don't need the occasional buyer when their established customers are still busy buying and the grey market thriving (1.5x MSRP for stainless models.)

This isn’t the case where I am—i asked when I bought something and they pulled up a record from like 10 years ago. And they clearly value how long you’ve been a customer a lot, even if the spend hasn’t been huge in individual years. I mean who wouldn’t rather have long term customers than one offs.

I find it hard that ADs are intentionally purging databases. You never give up customer history.

[gerry100]

The problem is that you cant get a Rolex at MSRP from an AD.

ADs and their employees vary just as with any business.

Be patient

[macrowatch]

Have you tried walking back with receipt or warranty card that shows the store name?

Regardless, generally I think next year we may finally enjoy some return of old normal for better or worse.

[amh]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

The concept of purging all records makes no sense. If you mean the SA's individual "list" of what customer wants what, sure. But what business throws away the sales records for multi thousand dollar purchases? Every AD I've ever dealt with has a record of every purchase I've made going back 20 years. They can provide the serial numbers, copies of receipts, etc. I would definitely talk to a manager to see if their operation is truly this ridiculous.

This most certainly happens. A different AD that I'd known for years explicitly deleted all their records that were previously passed through the paper pad approach. Stopped by one day to check in and they said the "new" way to register was via the Rolex website - fill in the contact form and then you're on the list. I mentioned I'd been coming there for years and made several purchases, then the SA kindly filled out the form on my behalf. (Never stepping foot in there again.)

Note, this has nothing to do with previous purchases, those records of course exist. They need all that for business reasons. It's the mythical "wish lists" that are really inconsistent and appear to be mostly a function of recent high spending.

Originally Posted by macrowatch

Have you tried walking back with receipt or warranty card that shows the store name?

Regardless, generally I think next year we may finally enjoy some return of old normal for better or worse.

The AD that sparked this thread has been taken care of and I'm now connected with a new SA - FWIW. We share a common bond - we both moved out here from the same town and I know the colleagues at her previous Rolex AD! So, fingers crossed

[HiBoost]

Originally Posted by amh

Note, this has nothing to do with previous purchases, those records of course exist. They need all that for business reasons.

But in your original post you said the AD indicated "Sorry, we have no record of you."

No record means no purchase history which is the part I was saying is ridiculous. The "list" thing has always been an informal, per SA construct so it is no surprise that it would go away on their departure.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by DC116710LN

To have poor experiences at 6 separate AD's seems like an outlier scenario. Honestly, grey might be a better option for you

That's what I would do. I am in awe of how this is happening just to attempt to buy a Rolex now. How on earth did it end up like this? I am in shock. I thought buying a Hermes Birkin was bad (not that I would know of course). But a watch? Wow

[OYptL]

Originally Posted by gerry100

The problem is that you cant get a Rolex at MSRP from an AD.

ADs and their employees vary just as with any business.

Be patient

Not true. Just not true.

[-dustin]

Originally Posted by amh

AD6: Purchased BNIB (SA left... all records wiped. Today's problem)

That seems a bit shady...

[amh]

Originally Posted by HiBoost

But in your original post you said the AD indicated "Sorry, we have no record of you."

No record means no purchase history which is the part I was saying is ridiculous. The "list" thing has always been an informal, per SA construct so it is no surprise that it would go away on their departure.

That's indeed what she said at first. She found me by the time I left the store.

[EndlessEight]

I'm in the same boat buddy.

Time to move on to other brands.

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by amh

Yes, I do that just for fun when on business trips. You never know!

For fun? What are you, a sadomasochist?

I kid of course, that is how I found my AD.

Good luck with the new SA!

[Michael T]

Originally Posted by Tavli3

OP go see the manager. I had the same happen to us. Spoke to the owner who we met occasionally and she paired us with a new SA and everything was cleared up after we had fallen into the abyss. We are not whales by any means but we are made to feel like we are and we couldn’t be happier. The thing is my AD happens to be run by a class act family and our SA was an absolute gem until she recently retired. We now have a new SA and I’m sure everything will be fine. It all depends on what type of person the owner/manager is. No shitty attitudes allowed at my AD, everyone is as friendly as can be which makes it a pleasure going there. Unfortunate we have also experienced the opposite elsewhere. So it’s a store to store type thing.

If your manager gives you the same rot the SA did do as dmash said and give it 6-12 months. Christie’s just had an auction that was an absolute dumpster fire which I’m sure sent chills down the other auction houses and grey dealers spines. Hulk, Kermit, Blue Sky D and many Daytonas went no bid. In fact about a third of the auction went no bid. Was looking at a Vacheron Patrimony 49005 with rose gold dial, absolutely gorgeous but saw what was happening and decided to wait a while. Lower prices are on their way for sure.
Best of luck.


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Wow, if it was Christie's Dubai, you are right.

https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/w...rtby=LotNumber

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by dmash

Dude give it another 6-12 months. Won’t be a problem

Yep. These guys treating existing customers like garbage is a very short sighted (and risky) model.

[SLWoodster]

You’ll just have to start buying diamonds. My patek dealer asked me to buy another twenty 4 to get an aquanaut. Get used to it.

��*♂️

[1995akcoop]

Damn bro with all these AD closings gotta ask, where do you live?


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[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by dmash

Dude give it another 6-12 months. Won’t be a problem

I genuinely don’t believe that will happen. You’ll maybe be able to pick up a datejust with a black or white dial. However picking up sports models just sat in windows, won’t happen in my opinion.

Of course we can re-visit this in 6-12m, and if I’m wrong I’ll eat some humble pie.

[28mm]

I didn't read every post but has anyone suggested going back with the receipt and showing them..It would be interesting.

[sinkholeninja]

Originally Posted by amh

Visited another local AD today, turns out my main SA contact is "no longer employed" there! Found someone else and they tried to look me up in their computer. "Sorry, we have no record of you." But I've been a customer for years... bought YM just 6 months ago. "It doesn't work like that - must re-register as a customer."

Typical Rolex AD behavior!

AD1: Purchased BNIB (Store now closed)
AD2: Offered SS Rolex, but already owned it (Store now closed)
AD3: Purchased BNIB (Policy changed, no longer sell to out-of-town buyers)
AD4: "On the list" (Store now closed)
AD5: Purchased pre-owned (Told I must spend 2x as much to "get on the list" All previous registrations deleted as matter of policy.)
AD6: Purchased BNIB (SA left... all records wiped. Today's problem)

It's not an option to "Find a better AD." Locally we only have two ADs: Bad and Worse. Any ADs in a different zip code won't even pick up the phone.

I have no idea how some of you maintain these 'relationships' (eg. "I've been shopping at the same family AD for 17 years... they get whatever I need at short notice!")

Something similar happened to me with WOS in the UK. They changed their CRM at some point after 2015 and didn't have any of my purchases in the new system. Luckily I still had the watches and original receipts, so they could add them back into the system.