I feel bad...I keep going to the AD

[LuminousMaximus]

I feel bad...I keep going to the AD
and trying on watches, but I buy from TRF... I never buy from him, and now I would like to try on a SD4000, but I can't bring myself to go there to try it on.

What should I do? Wear out another AD...

SO, now that I have spoken to my counselor about this issue I need to make it clear of what I was trying to say.

I Don't feel bad about going to my local AD to try on ROLEX. My parents have know their father since the Current owner was a child running around in the store.

They have purchased in excess of what some would say is reasonable for a wealthy person, and one of the 3 times I went into the AD to try on a ROLEX I actually negotiated with him to purchase a New Yachtmaster, but subsequently bought Used from a competing Store.

The other 2 times, I was there having repairs, and while I was there I tried on a ROLEX. One of the salesman commented on my Titanium Omega and he actually tried it on and said how light it felt...

I have never really wore out anyone, and my use of the word was impetuous. I may have overstated my situation, and or used a bit of Sarcasm that no one has seemed to have acknowledged, because if you knew me you would know that I don't Wear Out Anyone...

I do have a reasonably high ethical and moral standard, and it was applied when I, "Felt Bad," for not purchasing from the AD. All at the same time I was happy for getting a Good Deal, and a nice piece from a Trusted Seller.

I will be brushing up on my communication skills, to better express that which I am trying to say...

If I do go into the AD specifically to try on a ROLEX, I will be prepared to negotiate a deal...Or If I buy a used item here and I don't like it I will simply put it up for sale...I mean I am a Pledge Member...

Lastly, I want to thank all the folks here who have commented either way, and for the most part kept it Civil. At least none of us were banned, nor was the thread closed however, I do beleive tools and a few of the other moderator's had their finger on the button.

I mean like; "How many of you offered to the first 30 people FREE, with postage included, Scotchbright 7447 and then took the time to mail to those individuals?

[rmurphy]

Originally Posted by Desibaba

Its not as "Harmless" as some of you who have never worked in sales think. Every time you see a customer in most sales jobs counts as an "Up". In a slower business you might be the only person that sales person might see for that entire work shift. Not only does it hurt their closing percentage (for which they get crap from the managers) but you probably took away any chance of them making any money that day if they are commission only because now the other sales people will take turns seeing other walk in customers. Just like you wouldnt spend all day at a car dealership only to buy a car from Craig's list after wasting the salesman's time.

I'm an independent car dealer here in Georgia and wow do I see and empathize with a lot of comments I've read here tonight.
I think the idea of when you go to browse ..... Do make it a point to buy something, for me I get refills for my Mont Blanc ( I'll never run out at this pace. )
I hate it but I can't ever see paying more than I have to for a watch, it's not like the customer experience is so overwhelmingly good at the AD, in fact mines a downright asshole.


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[ronin_ph]

Question. Do trusted sellers discount (further)?

Edit: from their listed prices that is.

[Andad]

I would expect so.

You could ask.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Desibaba

I wouldnt be the least bit surprised that the same Rolex dealer who is refusing to sell you one watch under retail price is probably okay with selling his gray market sw guy multiple watches for much less. Why is he not doing that for you? He doesnt know if you are a mystery shopper for Rolex who would throw them under the bus and possibly have them lose their Rolex dealer status. Personally if I was a store manager for a Rolex dealer I wouldnt want to take that risk that might make me lose my job or my dealer status if im the owner but I would be more open to having a relationship with the reseller SW who comes in every month and picks up 20-30 watches from me since he is less likely to get me in trouble.

For sure, I can see at least a couple of reasons why an AD would not give me the deal he would give a reseller, yours being one of them. In fact, it is my theory that the mother ship would prefer discounting to be done this way rather than directly to the consumer and it wouldn't surprise me if this activity is tolerated with a wink-wink and a nod-nod even while the official line is they are at war with the grey market - so long as it doesn't get out of hand of course.

All I'm saying is if I can buy the watch from a reseller for a lot less than my AD, ultimately it is because another AD undercut him. It's just a weird situation as a result of how Rolex distribution is set up.

[bobabreath]

Maybe a lot of this "feeling bad" visiting the AD just comes from the fact of knowing that they can't compete with trusted TRF sellers.

For the average Joe that has no knowledge of TRF sellers, there is probably never a "bad feeling" going to the AD, just the feeling of a much lighter wallet paying retail prices!

[Copasetic]

Originally Posted by 997.2

Which watch?


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Batman

[997.2]

Originally Posted by Copasetic

Batman

Swag!!!!


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[Showcall]

Originally Posted by ronin_ph

Question. Do trusted sellers discount (further)?

Edit: from their listed prices that is.

I got 15% off

[Lange1]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I have a similar situation I buy all my pieces from out of town ADs (and a few from sellers) despite frequenting a local AD. I'd give them my business but they refuse to discount to where I need them to be. Still, the staff enjoys my visits because I share my watch knowledge with them and usually wear interesting pieces for them to look at.

+1. Totally agree. Same situation here.

[zama]

I have bought from trusted sellers, Fleabay, bricks and mortar used stores and AD's. I am indifferent around the purchase pathway, but I don't go and kick the tyres with AD's. That said there are a lot of people on TRF who are deluded in believing operating an AD should be comparable in pricing to an online dealer, who does not need staff or a store, or have mandatory purchase stock requirements etc........ It would cost more for an AD to run than to buy from a trusted seller, but their margins I imagine would be comparable.

This thread comes up to often. I do occasionally when I am a lose end when traveling wander into AD's but up front I tell them I am just looking and would not ask a piece to be pulled from the safe even if I have bought from there before.

[fishingbear]

Originally Posted by kilyung

I have a similar situation I buy all my pieces from out of town ADs (and a few from sellers) despite frequenting a local AD. I'd give them my business but they refuse to discount to where I need them to be. Still, the staff enjoys my visits because I share my watch knowledge with them and usually wear interesting pieces for them to look at.

This is very similar to my situation; except I've purchased a few Rolex from my AD over the years and a good bit of wife jewelry, wedding gifts etc. I do buy mostly from our TRF sellers and my local AD owner never gets his feathers ruffled.
I have a terrific rapport with their staff for the very same reasons as Mike states and they tell me that they learn something every time I visit. They often joke with me that there's always a job on their side of the counter if I ever wanted it.
Maybe when I retire I'll try my hat at selling Rolex at retail level...