Another Poor AD Experience

[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.

[Eric Chan]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I believe if someone had called my watch a fake I would make sure there was a public acknowledgement of their mistake. Not sure if I would frequent that establishment for future business and I would make sure everybody in that business understood why.

Larry hit the nail on the head on this one.

You gave them one more chance than I would have. To say a customer's watch is a fake is completely inappropriate and unacceptable. I would have expected a higher level of integrity from an AD. Regardless if the customer is wearing a fake (not to suggest you were), the AD is not in a position to cast an opinion on the matter.

[RHIII]

Not all ADs are created equal gents...




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[drakulie]

Originally Posted by dba

Use the AD to try on watches to see how they look and feel on your wrist; then buy from one of the trusted sellers here. There never seems to be a thread titled, “Horrible Trusted Seller” does there?

For those that would lament the failing of “Brick and Mortar” stores because of the internet, I would suggest that the brick and mortar stores up their game and perhaps they’ll win back the patronage they lost.

terrbible attitude. If you don't like AD's, then don't go to them. Period. Go try on the watch at the home of the "trusted seller" you purchase from.

As for "Brick and Mortar" stores losing business to internet sales, it's pretty simple.,,, People are scumbags, and want to save on paying taxes or think the risk of saving a couple hudred dollars outweighs the risk.

And I do agree there aren't threads where people talk about their bad experiences with trusted sellers. However, their are plenty of posts from users on this forum where they have been absolutely burned by trusted seller. From getting watches where the movement was swiped for a fake or different movement, to not having any warranty, to having dials, hands, and other parts swapped out. But yes, for some reason, it is more popular to just talk about bad experiences with AD's.

[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.

[Mak2013]

Originally Posted by drakulie

terrbible attitude. If you don't like AD's, then don't go to them. Period. Go try on the watch at the home of the "trusted seller" you purchase from.

As for "Brick and Mortar" stores losing business to internet sales, it's pretty simple.,,, People are scumbags, and want to save on paying taxes or think the risk of saving a couple hudred dollars outweighs the risk.

And I do agree there aren't threads where people talk about their bad experiences with trusted sellers. However, their are plenty of posts from users on this forum where they have been absolutely burned by trusted seller. From getting watches where the movement was swiped for a fake or different movement, to not having any warranty, to having dials, hands, and other parts swapped out. But yes, for some reason, it is more popular to just talk about bad experiences with AD's.

thank you
AD invests considerably and provides jobs for many people. Is it fair to go try watches and then leave and get a watch from someone on internet you never met?
I like to support local economy, i get GREAT service at my AD, and i get a price that even trusted sellers couldnt offer. So, for me is a no brainer.
FOr used watches, i like to buy from our TRF sellers, but new, that will never happen.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by drakulie

terrbible attitude. If you don't like AD's, then don't go to them. Period. Go try on the watch at the home of the "trusted seller" you purchase from.

As for "Brick and Mortar" stores losing business to internet sales, it's pretty simple.,,, People are scumbags, and want to save on paying taxes or think the risk of saving a couple hudred dollars outweighs the risk.

And I do agree there aren't threads where people talk about their bad experiences with trusted sellers. However, their are plenty of posts from users on this forum where they have been absolutely burned by trusted seller. From getting watches where the movement was swiped for a fake or different movement, to not having any warranty, to having dials, hands, and other parts swapped out. But yes, for some reason, it is more popular to just talk about bad experiences with AD's.

Where exactly is a thread of this nature

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by drakulie

And I do agree there aren't threads where people talk about their bad experiences with trusted sellers. However, their are plenty of posts from users on this forum where they have been absolutely burned by trusted seller. From getting watches where the movement was swiped for a fake or different movement, to not having any warranty, to having dials, hands, and other parts swapped out. But yes, for some reason, it is more popular to just talk about bad experiences with AD's.

I haven't bought anything from one of the trusted sellers, yet.

That being said, I've never seen a single negative thread or complaint aimed at any of the more well known people that would be considered "trusted sellers".

It's just not true, and a quick search on this forum or google with their names will yield nothing but praise.

[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.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by drakulie

terrbible attitude. If you don't like AD's, then don't go to them. Period. Go try on the watch at the home of the "trusted seller" you purchase from.

As for "Brick and Mortar" stores losing business to internet sales, it's pretty simple.,,, People are scumbags, and want to save on paying taxes or think the risk of saving a couple hudred dollars outweighs the risk.

And I do agree there aren't threads where people talk about their bad experiences with trusted sellers. However, their are plenty of posts from users on this forum where they have been absolutely burned by trusted seller. From getting watches where the movement was swiped for a fake or different movement, to not having any warranty, to having dials, hands, and other parts swapped out. But yes, for some reason, it is more popular to just talk about bad experiences with AD's.

I agree and disagree. First, I haven't seen any posts where people are getting burned by trusted sellers. I am not saying they don't exist, but i surely have not seen any.

In regards to AD's. I think that changes in the sales environment challenge their old sales model. Unfortunately, they do not appear to be evolving with the times.

It is a reality that you can get nearly anything online today. Best Buy was having all sorts of problems because people would come in and check out the products but then order from Amazon.

I do not think that makes people scum bags. Just like the AD's want the most money for their product a consumer wants to get the best price.

Best Buy realized the problem and changed their strategy.

Some watch AD's appear to be sticking their head in the sand. I don't know what the answer is, but either evolve or die. They have a physical presence so it is a reality that people are going to come in and check things out. They have great opportunities to make sales.

If I were an AD, I would be hiring the best sales staff I could find. And I would constantly train them and help them to be the best they can.

I buy from DavidSW all the time because his service is absolutely super.

I also have a good relationship with my Omega Boutique and a local Rolex AD.

For me though, I do want to get good pricing and I want to feel valued. And my AD tends to refuse to provide any discounts. I have bought over 5 watches from them and my wedding ring. And I like them very much.

But when I asked for a discount on a Daytona, I was told that they would not give me one. I had called earlier and specifically said, I don't want to put you on the spot. "I am looking into a Daytona, please think about if you can provide me a discount and call me back".

Again, they called back and offered me nothing.

To me, that is just not smart business. I like buying in person. I enjoy the interaction and I am OK with paying a little more for it. But as a consumer, I also want to know that I am valued. Again, this was not my first purchase there.

I have also been in the Omega boutique with zero intention to buy. But because they were so good, they landed the sale with zero discounts. And that sale turned into two more. Why? Because they offered me free bands and clasps and even a bit of booze. They made me feel valued and I was happy to make the purchase.

I don't really know the answer. But these are my thoughts on the subject.

With the opportunities that the internet provides, Brick and Mortar needs to be better. They have to try harder and they need to evolve with the times.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by drakulie

However, their are plenty of posts from users on this forum where they have been absolutely burned by trusted seller. From getting watches where the movement was swiped for a fake or different movement, to not having any warranty, to having dials, hands, and other parts swapped out.

I hope you have your Nomex suit on

[Bluedeacon]

[QUOTE=kilyung;5757242]I hope you have your Nomex suit on [/QUOTE

That was just funny. My A.D. experiences have been totally opposite. Rolex Wynn was not all that great, and I didn't buy. Alvin Goldfarb in Washington..well "Wow!" is all I can say.

[ocwatching]

Originally Posted by Bluedeacon

Alvin Goldfarb in Washington..well "Wow!" is all I can say.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by drakulie

However, their are plenty of posts from users on this forum where they have been absolutely burned by trusted seller.

Give us examples then.

[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.

[Mak2013]

Originally Posted by superdog

I agree and disagree. First, I haven't seen any posts where people are getting burned by trusted sellers. I am not saying they don't exist, but i surely have not seen any.



In regards to AD's. I think that changes in the sales environment challenge their old sales model. Unfortunately, they do not appear to be evolving with the times.



It is a reality that you can get nearly anything online today. Best Buy was having all sorts of problems because people would come in and check out the products but then order from Amazon.



I do not think that makes people scum bags. Just like the AD's want the most money for their product a consumer wants to get the best price.



Best Buy realized the problem and changed their strategy.



Some watch AD's appear to be sticking their head in the sand. I don't know what the answer is, but either evolve or die. They have a physical presence so it is a reality that people are going to come in and check things out. They have great opportunities to make sales.



If I were an AD, I would be hiring the best sales staff I could find. And I would constantly train them and help them to be the best they can.



I buy from DavidSW all the time because his service is absolutely super.



I also have a good relationship with my Omega Boutique and a local Rolex AD.



For me though, I do want to get good pricing and I want to feel valued. And my AD tends to refuse to provide any discounts. I have bought over 5 watches from them and my wedding ring. And I like them very much.



But when I asked for a discount on a Daytona, I was told that they would not give me one. I had called earlier and specifically said, I don't want to put you on the spot. "I am looking into a Daytona, please think about if you can provide me a discount and call me back".



Again, they called back and offered me nothing.



To me, that is just not smart business. I like buying in person. I enjoy the interaction and I am OK with paying a little more for it. But as a consumer, I also want to know that I am valued. Again, this was not my first purchase there.



I have also been in the Omega boutique with zero intention to buy. But because they were so good, they landed the sale with zero discounts. And that sale turned into two more. Why? Because they offered me free bands and clasps and even a bit of booze. They made me feel valued and I was happy to make the purchase.



I don't really know the answer. But these are my thoughts on the subject.



With the opportunities that the internet provides, Brick and Mortar needs to be better. They have to try harder and they need to evolve with the times.

Thid is a very good post.
Traditional business models are changing. Either compete on price or compete on service.
There needs to be a value proposition to consumer


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[drakulie]

Originally Posted by Jason71

Where exactly is a thread of this nature

Not once did I say there were threads related to the issue. On the contrary, I said I agreed there weren't any threads, BUT THERE WERE PLENTY OF POSTS made by members here where they were burned by buying from "trusted sellers". Don't try and pretend you haven't read any of them, as they are plentiful. And I'm quite certain you could do a search and find some.

[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.