Another Poor AD Experience

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Mabcpa17

Still I. The process of saving for my first Rolex and fascinating to hear some of the negative comments about ADs. Seems like the answer could be a "trusted seller" via this RF. Where do these TSs source their watches (assuming you can purchase something other than pre-owned from a TS)?

I admit there is good and bad of everything everywhere

However the posts here about bad AD experiences are the numerator we don't see the gigantic number that compose the denominator

I chalk these random disappointments with AD's up to the few that mostly post here

[Chris B]

Moral of the story, and we've all been there ... always deal direct with RSC

[anothernewphone]

Originally Posted by Chris B

Moral of the story, and we've all been there ... always deal direct with RSC

Except for vintage, or if you don't want a scuff on your lug from changing bracelets, or a scratch on your dial from removing a piece of lint, or or if you don't want your caseback scufffed and your watch returned with finger prints on the crystal -

see what I'm getting at? There are plenty of horror stories from the RSC as well. Never say "never," and never say "always."

[watchabout]

Originally Posted by Chris B

Moral of the story, and we've all been there ... always deal direct with RSC

I doubt this guy agrees with you.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=395886


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[Chris B]

I've had case-back engraving performed by RSC , excellent & ridiculously cheap when AD wanted an arm & a leg to send it in , always/never pays to give them a ring first

[Minimalist]

What local AD is this? I'm in London too, so would like to know which one you speak of.

[Vipes]

I would never set foot in that AD again if they accused me of having a fake Rolex.

[Mastergreenhand]

I've had bad service at an AD before. I went back again a couple times, I just went to a better sales person and the experience was fine. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Now, if the other salespeople are crap too, or if the problem is with the store manager, then I would find another AD. I no longer purchase from them ( I found a better out of state choice) - but once or twice a year I'll pop in to browse for fun.

(edit) I forgot they said you were wearing a fake. I would tell the manager without a doubt.

[Afghanvet]

Unacceptable... Hope Rolex QC checking TRF occasionally and taking action on items such as this...

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by jpwoodi

Despite having already had one poor experience in my local AD ( incorrectly identified my Explorer as a fake when asking for a bracelet adjustment), I thought I would give them another chance.

I wanted an engraving on the case back, so waited upon a quote. They apparently had to do it in-store as Rolex do not offer this without a full service. Also they would not pressure test it.

Slightly sceptical I made a quick call to the Kent Service centre who informed me they do engrave, and for a lower price than my AD quoted me. I assume that the local AD would make more money from doing it in-house, but this does make me wary.

How rigorous is the process of becoming an AD? I assumed standards would be high, however this seems not to be the case.

i hear your frustration but, who knows?

however, i would say that i would never engrave if i were a rolex ad. people go ape over link pins getting scuffed on free adjustments - imagine an engraving gone wrong! i mean, they'd be like on a forum and stuff slagging my business and then asking for discounts.

[Roller07]

Give me bad service once, shame on you. Give me bad service twice, shame on me.

Why go back for more punishment?

[s30n9g]

Had a terrible experience at Ernest Jones Westfield; apparently a Tudor AD. Total BS. A member of staff (called Reem) quoted £135 for Black Bay end links a few months back. Now the manager says £35.

[s30n9g]

They just make up a ridiculous figure as they go along.

[SJL]

Don't get me started with Ernest Jones! Not had the greatest experience with them either - different branch but also a Tudor dealer.

I now have to trek back to the branch because they over charged me for a leather strap and clasp when I bought my BB (on a bracelet). Policy is to refund from the selling branch when you buy spares (they class this as a repair).

Tudor UK (St James) were very helpful when I spoke to the parts sales and ended up getting the UK rep to contact me to clarify the retail cost of the strap.

[RHIII]

Not all ADs are created equal gents...




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[Tempusfugitus]

I'd like to know which AD in London the OP is talking about.

[KJBLK]

I'm also curious to know which London dealer this was.

[bdex75]

How does it go?? The person that has a bad experience will tell 10 people and the person that has a good experience will tell 1??

In the age of the Internet it will likely be 10
different forums.

Calling your watch a fake is a pretty low blow. The other part could be an honest mistake. I would say that if an AD called my watch s fake I would not return. Maybe the OP is a glutton for punishment?

If I new exactly what I wanted and did not need to try it on and take pictures to post on the forum without buying it I would most certainly use a trusted seller. If I needed to try watches on and get it sized after purchase and what not I would go to an AD to purchase. If they were not being "reasonable" whether it be price or service, I would look elsewhere.

Both of the AD's that I have purchased from have been more than patient with my indecision, sometimes between many brands. Offered drinks and good conversation as well as fair prices. So I did business with them.


I do not think that it is an "OR" proposition. In can be an ""AND" proposition and work out just fine.



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[jon_jon]

There are ADs that have SAs that should not be working there. For some reason, they are there because of usually some personal connection to the owner or manager.

In the US, we have our share of bad ADs. I wouldn't say all, but many Tourneaus, have a reputation for having SAs that do not know about the watches they sell and being rude to customers. Of course, there are also many good ADs out there as well.

[braningan]

I dont want to see their face again !

[Mr DateJust]

I may be generalising but I find the UK chain AD's to be pretty much universally awful when it comes to customer service. The issue may be that they are all actually owned by the same parent company as far as I know so Rolex are essentially reliant on them to shift product hence the standards are not as high. The AD I use in an independent, bought multiple times from them and always had great service for the most part.

[CHRONOLEX]

Hard to train the desired AD experience if you start with an employee that doesn't have the love. It can't be just a job.

[strafer_kid]

Getting the dealership is apparently no small achievement, though this does not appear to be dependent upon sales staff, the calibre of whom clearly varies significantly. Retaining the dealership also appears to be a challenge and Rolex seem to have dropped many with little or no real notice, or clear explanation.

[Bluedeacon]

One thing, the population of the area has to be able to support it. You won't see one in a small town.

[jpwoodi]

Well, this has stirred up some emotion. It was infact both the owner and director who incorrectly identified my watch as a replica, so not just a salesperson.

I am hesitant to name the AD as, although I shan't be returning, they are an independent in a small town just outside of London that is a very good Jewellers otherwise. Perhaps they just need to brush up on their Rolex knowledge. I will write to them personally.