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neillfrith · 2 July 2009, 06:18 AM

Hi folks

I've been mooching around the forum for ages soaking up the knowledge but never posted. The company I work for recently went into administration so I ended up out of work on Monday. I thought to myself that when life throws you a lemon you should always try and make lemonade so I decided that I wanted to get into the watch business, specifically my favourite brand...Rolex

I have been pursuing a job with a Rolex AD and have already passed one interview and now have a final interview with the owner of the business. I already have a large amount of brand knowledge but I wanted some hints and tips from people who have bought them, once or many times, so that I can really impress this guy and nail the interview/job.

When buying one what really makes you tick? Technical specs? Service? Knowledge?

Any help or advice you can give is appreciated (can't promise a dicount though lol)

Neill

RolexPete32 · 2 July 2009, 06:23 AM

I am going to say the thing that bugs me the most is sales people who do not understand the product as well as me. Example. A Rolex AD sales person that says Rolex is OK to run 2 to 3 mins fast per week or all the watches are solid Rolex does not make anything hollow. This is an example of what I have been told at my AD by some of the more JR sales people.

My advice: know your stuff.

abigsecret · 2 July 2009, 06:23 AM

I would say; don't try to sound like a know-it-all! Be open to training through them.
Hope you'll get it!!

argee1977 · 2 July 2009, 06:31 AM

The art of a good sales person to me is simple, don't be too pushy, know your product, but don't blind sellers with technical specs, but does give enough information to keep buyers happy. It's also a good thing to remember never to be judgemental, i despise sales people who either barely acknowledge you because you're in jeans, or if they brush you off for someone else coming in.

SeamasterGMT · 2 July 2009, 06:33 AM

Let them see how enthusiastic you are about the products they sell, how personable and customer focused you are, and your willingness to learn.

kcmo · 2 July 2009, 06:37 AM

I have to echo the sentiments here about knowing your product. I'm always impressed when a sales person knows what they're talking about, without being arrogant of course.

Good luck with the interview and keep us posted!

MattG · 2 July 2009, 06:37 AM

Well said. I dress very blue collar and have been ignored by sale people in AD shops. They barely let me in the Rolex boutique in Paris last month because of my jeans. A lot of professionals who make a lot of money don't dress the part.

vh_bu98 · 2 July 2009, 06:45 AM

People skills is the key and personality and charisma are very important as well. It doesn't matter how much you know about Rolex because you probably won't be selling just Rolexes. Learn about the other products that they sell in the store. Learn the history of the store as well.

Time Keeper · 2 July 2009, 06:53 AM

It's true that people judge you on how you are dressed. I've been to a Rolex AD dressed very casually on a weekend and a few weeks later in business attire after work and was definitely treated differently.

Sales people are human after all and will naturally notice people who are dressed better with the assumption that a sale is more likely, but you should never under-estimate the casually dressed customer.

SDDS · 2 July 2009, 06:54 AM

good luck..just be urself and do ur homework..u already have a foundation knowledge of ROLEX so dont worry....

AIKO · 2 July 2009, 07:07 AM

Technical knowledge is key. However, the vast majority of Rolex buyers are NOT WIS. It is critical that you be able to identify the type of customer before you and taylor your approach. For example, discussing movement types for one buyer may be intimidating and you may scare them away. For another buyer, if you cannot be credible when discussing movements-you may lose them as well. Never be pushy or look down at any potential buyer. Deliver outstanding customer service and paint a wonderful picture of what Rolex ownership is.

Best of luck!

The GMT Master · 2 July 2009, 07:11 AM

I've had a bit of experience in this area, and the key is to be knowledgeable, friendly, and not pushy - advise the customer, don't tell them what to do.

damoyorkie · 2 July 2009, 08:10 AM

Good luck with the second interview, and just show the AD that you are willing to learn.

I always think that when new employees come and tell me what the law is on this that and the other, they are invariably incorrect. Whilst it is heartening that they are enthusiastic, it is better for my business that they can learn, so that the next time they do use the knowledge they are working from correct first principles, and my firm's clients are getting the proper info/representation.

Also it is good advice from the others that you should not judge books by covers. I am a stocky little runt of a skinhead, and after wearing a suit to court all week, I will wear jeans in preference to anything. I have been sniffed at in ADs in Dubai, Paris, London, and Rome, yet when I have gone into ADs in a suit, I have been treated entirely differently.

neillfrith · 2 July 2009, 08:43 AM

Thanks guys, I think by the sounds of it flexibility is the key. I have been a salesperson for a while now but in a very different field (servers and networking), in fact I sold to resellers and needed to know practically no technical knowledge and the only "real" things that mattered were price and availability.

Identify the type of customer and pander to their style.

I agree with Peter who said that they hate it when the AD knows less than them. I am used to this as my expertise lay in sourcing the product so I always find the lay of the land when it comes to technical knowledge.

Watchdog · 2 July 2009, 10:41 AM

If a customer asks your opinion about which watch looks best on him/her, tell him the honest truth. Don't blindly choose the Rolex that retails for the most or "needs to be moved"!

Customers appreciate good feedback, and this will ensure future business that--ultimately--could be far more lucrative anyway.

Perdu · 2 July 2009, 10:53 AM

I would of thought the first qualification is the ability to sell, albeit soft selling. Next, customer focus.

weizhen77 · 2 July 2009, 10:55 AM

One more point I need to bring up, and it is not easy for most of the sales people...

Anyone that comes in are your potential customer, never... never "judge a book by its cover".

All the best to your final interview and Good Luck!

LuvMyRolex · 2 July 2009, 10:45 PM

For me, a sales person who displays a sincere enthusiasm for both the product and customer service makes all the difference. I'm a cautious buyer and will check a variety of stores. When I'm leaving a store, I find the sales person's attitude very noticeable. Some make you feel like a little bit like a timewaster (which means they were putting their own interests first), the best ones give you a feeling that they were happy to indulge your interest and shared your enthusiasm too.

If the prices in other shops are not too different, I make a point of returning to that shop and doing business with that sales person. I've searched out the manager before to pay a compliment about specific sales staff, too.

Good luck with your second interview

Taffi Abernathy · 3 July 2009, 12:17 AM

As you said, you already have considerable knowledge as well as other desirable traits or you would not have been called back for a second interview. You certainly can't be expected to know everything, nor does a potential employer expect that, since this position would be a novel one for you. I think it would be a mistake to just spout off knowledge to impress that person who is already impressed or you wouldn't be returning. You know more than you think. Why don't you instead formulate questions about his or her business which indicate an interest in your part? Good luck.

2 July 2009, 06:18 AM	#1
neillfrith "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 219	Job at AD Hi folks I've been mooching around the forum for ages soaking up the knowledge but never posted. The company I work for recently went into administration so I ended up out of work on Monday. I thought to myself that when life throws you a lemon you should always try and make lemonade so I decided that I wanted to get into the watch business, specifically my favourite brand...Rolex I have been pursuing a job with a Rolex AD and have already passed one interview and now have a final interview with the owner of the business. I already have a large amount of brand knowledge but I wanted some hints and tips from people who have bought them, once or many times, so that I can really impress this guy and nail the interview/job. When buying one what really makes you tick? Technical specs? Service? Knowledge? Any help or advice you can give is appreciated (can't promise a dicount though lol) Neill

2 July 2009, 06:23 AM	#3
abigsecret "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Mireyna Location: s o t r Watch: your back! Posts: 2,282	I would say; don't try to sound like a know-it-all! Be open to training through them. Hope you'll get it!! __________________ #6267 He who knows no foreign language does not know his own.-Goethe

2 July 2009, 06:31 AM	#4
argee1977 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Real Name: Ryan Location: England Watch: AP ROC Posts: 1,462	The art of a good sales person to me is simple, don't be too pushy, know your product, but don't blind sellers with technical specs, but does give enough information to keep buyers happy. It's also a good thing to remember never to be judgemental, i despise sales people who either barely acknowledge you because you're in jeans, or if they brush you off for someone else coming in. __________________ PANERAI, MORE THAN A WATCH, LESS THAN A KITKAT

2 July 2009, 06:54 AM	#10
SDDS "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Real Name: Yazan Location: Canada Posts: 4,782	good luck..just be urself and do ur homework..u already have a foundation knowledge of ROLEX so dont worry.... __________________ Patek Philippe 5167 Patek Philippe 5905P black dial Rolex Deepsea 116660 M series Rolex Oysterquartz 17000 N series Rolex OP 41MM 124300 Green Dial

2 July 2009, 10:53 AM	#16
Perdu "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Gary Location: GMT-6 Watch: GMT Posts: 3,350	I would of thought the first qualification is the ability to sell, albeit soft selling. Next, customer focus. __________________ Omega Seamaster 300M GMT Noire Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 8500 Benson 1937 Sterling Silver Hunter

2 July 2009, 06:23 AM	#2
RolexPete32 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Peter Location: Canada Watch: You know... Rolex Posts: 1,520	I am going to say the thing that bugs me the most is sales people who do not understand the product as well as me. Example. A Rolex AD sales person that says Rolex is OK to run 2 to 3 mins fast per week or all the watches are solid Rolex does not make anything hollow. This is an example of what I have been told at my AD by some of the more JR sales people. My advice: know your stuff.

2 July 2009, 06:33 AM	#5
SeamasterGMT Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: USA Watch: DeepSea Posts: 822	Let them see how enthusiastic you are about the products they sell, how personable and customer focused you are, and your willingness to learn.

2 July 2009, 06:37 AM	#6
kcmo "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Real Name: Karis Location: USA Posts: 19,377	I have to echo the sentiments here about knowing your product. I'm always impressed when a sales person knows what they're talking about, without being arrogant of course. Good luck with the interview and keep us posted!

2 July 2009, 06:37 AM	#7
MattG Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Matt Location: Northern CA Watch: Sub, ExpII, MIL-GV Posts: 45	Well said. I dress very blue collar and have been ignored by sale people in AD shops. They barely let me in the Rolex boutique in Paris last month because of my jeans. A lot of professionals who make a lot of money don't dress the part.

2 July 2009, 06:45 AM	#8
vh_bu98 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Vu Location: Dallas area Watch: Platinum YM Posts: 2,646	People skills is the key and personality and charisma are very important as well. It doesn't matter how much you know about Rolex because you probably won't be selling just Rolexes. Learn about the other products that they sell in the store. Learn the history of the store as well.

2 July 2009, 06:53 AM	#9
Time Keeper Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: US Posts: 52	It's true that people judge you on how you are dressed. I've been to a Rolex AD dressed very casually on a weekend and a few weeks later in business attire after work and was definitely treated differently. Sales people are human after all and will naturally notice people who are dressed better with the assumption that a sale is more likely, but you should never under-estimate the casually dressed customer.

2 July 2009, 07:07 AM	#11
AIKO "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,937	Technical knowledge is key. However, the vast majority of Rolex buyers are NOT WIS. It is critical that you be able to identify the type of customer before you and taylor your approach. For example, discussing movement types for one buyer may be intimidating and you may scare them away. For another buyer, if you cannot be credible when discussing movements-you may lose them as well. Never be pushy or look down at any potential buyer. Deliver outstanding customer service and paint a wonderful picture of what Rolex ownership is. Best of luck!

2 July 2009, 07:11 AM	#12
The GMT Master "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Chris Location: England Posts: 8,150	I've had a bit of experience in this area, and the key is to be knowledgeable, friendly, and not pushy - advise the customer, don't tell them what to do.

2 July 2009, 08:10 AM	#13
damoyorkie "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Damien Location: United Kingdom Watch: Sea Dweller Posts: 207	Good luck with the second interview, and just show the AD that you are willing to learn. I always think that when new employees come and tell me what the law is on this that and the other, they are invariably incorrect. Whilst it is heartening that they are enthusiastic, it is better for my business that they can learn, so that the next time they do use the knowledge they are working from correct first principles, and my firm's clients are getting the proper info/representation. Also it is good advice from the others that you should not judge books by covers. I am a stocky little runt of a skinhead, and after wearing a suit to court all week, I will wear jeans in preference to anything. I have been sniffed at in ADs in Dubai, Paris, London, and Rome, yet when I have gone into ADs in a suit, I have been treated entirely differently.

2 July 2009, 08:43 AM	#14
neillfrith "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 219	Thanks guys, I think by the sounds of it flexibility is the key. I have been a salesperson for a while now but in a very different field (servers and networking), in fact I sold to resellers and needed to know practically no technical knowledge and the only "real" things that mattered were price and availability. Identify the type of customer and pander to their style. I agree with Peter who said that they hate it when the AD knows less than them. I am used to this as my expertise lay in sourcing the product so I always find the lay of the land when it comes to technical knowledge.

2 July 2009, 10:41 AM	#15
Watchdog "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Real Name: Junkyard Dog Location: The Doghouse Watch: I can't tell time Posts: 6,822	If a customer asks your opinion about which watch looks best on him/her, tell him the honest truth. Don't blindly choose the Rolex that retails for the most or "needs to be moved"! Customers appreciate good feedback, and this will ensure future business that--ultimately--could be far more lucrative anyway.

2 July 2009, 10:55 AM	#17
weizhen77 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Real Name: Weizhen Location: Singapore Watch: Rolex Explorer I Posts: 162	One more point I need to bring up, and it is not easy for most of the sales people... Anyone that comes in are your potential customer, never... never "judge a book by its cover". All the best to your final interview and Good Luck!

2 July 2009, 10:45 PM	#18
LuvMyRolex Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Andrew Location: Japan Watch: Sea-Dweller Posts: 93	For me, a sales person who displays a sincere enthusiasm for both the product and customer service makes all the difference. I'm a cautious buyer and will check a variety of stores. When I'm leaving a store, I find the sales person's attitude very noticeable. Some make you feel like a little bit like a timewaster (which means they were putting their own interests first), the best ones give you a feeling that they were happy to indulge your interest and shared your enthusiasm too. If the prices in other shops are not too different, I make a point of returning to that shop and doing business with that sales person. I've searched out the manager before to pay a compliment about specific sales staff, too. Good luck with your second interview

3 July 2009, 12:17 AM	#19
Taffi Abernathy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Faith Location: Philadelphia, PA Watch: TT DJ, SS DJ Posts: 4,053	As you said, you already have considerable knowledge as well as other desirable traits or you would not have been called back for a second interview. You certainly can't be expected to know everything, nor does a potential employer expect that, since this position would be a novel one for you. I think it would be a mistake to just spout off knowledge to impress that person who is already impressed or you wouldn't be returning. You know more than you think. Why don't you instead formulate questions about his or her business which indicate an interest in your part? Good luck. __________________ Sarcasm is my second language.

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