Heathrow T5 - Mixed Signals

[Horationelson]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i like the VC and Lange boutiques on bond street a lot.

RM is opening across the street though so they will be in direct competition with the Rolex boutique to see who has the emptiest window displays.

Seconded re that Lange boutique.

Completely different to entering a WoS. I walked in a few weeks ago saying that I was at the very early stage of considering a Saxonia, clearly with no intention of buying then. They were insistent that I sit down and try on a handful of watches, really going above and beyond. Obviously they have stock, so unlike Rolex the watches are there to sell. But it was a surprisingly welcome experience.

[G M Francis]

I was in T2 to buy a Tudor BB. I asked to see it and the sales assistant said “we have Rolex Professional in NOW,” I said I wanted a BB. “But we have Rolex sports watches in” I asked what they were , a Batman that a chap was already having sized. An Exp 1 which someone had their wallet out on and a Milgauss- which I didn’t want. I said I wanted a Tudor BB and was told she would be back. She approached two other customers obviously in the hope the Exp 1 sale would fall through or she could sell the Milgauss.
I waited and took the Tudor. It was a miserable experience, like being caught up in some sort of rapture that didn’t affect me. It was 20% off SRP so I wasn’t going to complain if I had a bad retail experience and if I’d got the Batman or the Exp1 I’d have been sitting on the plane to the States very happy. But that’s Duty Free, 20% off and sometimes really good deals on stuff they can’t sell. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

[lawrence1]

Originally Posted by G M Francis

I was in T2 to buy a Tudor BB. I asked to see it and the sales assistant said “we have Rolex Professional in NOW,” I said I wanted a BB. “But we have Rolex sports watches in” I asked what they were , a Batman that a chap was already having sized. An Exp 1 which someone had their wallet out on and a Milgauss- which I didn’t want. I said I wanted a Tudor BB and was told she would be back. She approached two other customers obviously in the hope the Exp 1 sale would fall through or she could sell the Milgauss.
I waited and took the Tudor. It was a miserable experience, like being caught up in some sort of rapture that didn’t affect me. It was 20% off SRP so I wasn’t going to complain if I had a bad retail experience and if I’d got the Batman or the Exp1 I’d have been sitting on the plane to the States very happy. But that’s Duty Free, 20% off and sometimes really good deals on stuff they can’t sell. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

sign of the times ... she was hoping a desperate sucker would jump at that milgauss since you know, they are hard to get and it's a ROLEX!!!!!!1

[justdate]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

ironically they did call me twice. Last time was about a year ago which was right around the first time i asked my normal AD for one. Couldn't buy it from them as i just couldn't get over that experience.

My normal AD has always come through for me, but just can't seem to get me that one. Not too bothered anyway as im not in a huge rush. However, i have thought maybe if i knew i would still be waiting this long maybe i should have just bought it from them despite everything.

What a turn of events. I think you are best off sticking and getting it from your normal AD after that, not like you have a shortage of watches in the meantime


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[Miguel Alvarez 2.0]

I went through T5 in December and they seemed to be polite enough at the time. I was told that anything that came in was put on display and was sold on a first come first served basis. We flew on to Amsterdam and was told that there was little to no chance of picking up any sport watches in the AD's that I visited.

[makrxx]

On the topic of UK...what is the situation for a Tudor BB58? Is that usually in stock? Do ADs give a discount for it, if outside the airport?

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Miguel Alvarez 2.0

I went through T5 in December and they seemed to be polite enough at the time. I was told that anything that came in was put on display and was sold on a first come first served basis. We flew on to Amsterdam and was told that there was little to no chance of picking up any sport watches in the AD's that I visited.

i went through in December too. I know for sure they had a YG OF daytona not on display. No professional watches were. I asked if they had a WG and they brought out a YG. Pretty sure you have to ask.

Everyone asks anyway so might as well not go through the effort to put it in the display as once its gone everyone is still going to ask

[Miguel Alvarez 2.0]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

i went through in December too. I know for sure they had a YG OF daytona not on display. No professional watches were. I asked if they had a WG and they brought out a YG. Pretty sure you have to ask.

Everyone asks anyway so might as well not go through the effort to put it in the display as once its gone everyone is still going to ask

Probably true. Must be annoying fending off the same questions all the time. We just asked more on the off chance, don't ask don't get type thing.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Miguel Alvarez 2.0

Probably true. Must be annoying fending off the same questions all the time. We just asked more on the off chance, don't ask don't get type thing.

its always exceedingly busy in there. In know tax free is a great deal but its probably the lowest probability of success. Then again what else are you supposed to do at the airport?

I usually fly out in the mornings and am at the airport by about 6:30. By the time i get to the Rolex boutique its already full. crazy

[Miguel Alvarez 2.0]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

its always exceedingly busy in there. In know tax free is a great deal but its probably the lowest probability of success. Then again what else are you supposed to do at the airport?

I usually fly out in the mornings and am at the airport by about 6:30. By the time i get to the Rolex boutique its already full. crazy

Agreed. I like travelling when I can but duty free has to be one of the most boring experiences ever. Watching people buying overpriced whisky was my guilty pleasure this time lol.

[sdh1980]

[QUOTE=tyler1980;9410141]you can buy them. They just need to run your info first. Make sure you are not blacklisted, make sure you are not buying the same watch more than once, make sure you are not on multiple WL's. etc.

Seems that way for us normal folk. Yet a close friend of mine bought two Sub Dates within 4 weeks from the same Goldsmiths store. I guess it's not what you know....

[siempreko]

Can we discern the difference between frustration and rudeness? I am wondering if what a lot of people are experiencing is the frustration of the ADs, which is not intentionally directed at the consumer.

If the ADs had inventory, then they would LOVE to have all of the inquiries about SS models. But, since there is very little availability, they are frustrated.

This being said, I believe it is the responsibility of the AD to make sure that their frustration is not perceived as rudeness. But, if they are being rude that is a different story. I would never do business with anyone who was rude to me, but that is my own quirkiness.


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[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by siempreko

Can we discern the difference between frustration and rudeness? I am wondering if what a lot of people are experiencing is the frustration of the ADs, which is not intentionally directed at the consumer.

If the ADs had inventory, then they would LOVE to have all of the inquiries about SS models. But, since there is very little availability, they are frustrated.

This being said, I believe it is the responsibility of the AD to make sure that their frustration is not perceived as rudeness. But, if they are being rude that is a different story. I would never do business with anyone who was rude to me, but that is my own quirkiness.


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I try to separate my frustration vs AD behavior as its two different things as that is more of what we see here.

I usually side with AD's because they are doing the best they can and i think customer rudeness with the inability to get a watch happens most often. If they say no a lot of customers take that personally.

Some AD's however are consistently rude. More often than not, this AD qualifies. Like actual rudeness and not shooting down a watch request as that is going to happen anyway and thats not on them. Why that is the case, i have no idea. Generally its confined to the Patek or Rolex sections of the store. Shopping any other brand they are the nicest people ever.

[Roddypeepa]

Originally Posted by directioneng

The policy is for the AD to make and for you to accept or decline I suppose?

Seems to be common practice.

Or common malpractice.


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[kitsgq]

My experience at T5 was the same. They definitely changed their tune since my last visit in early January. I was told that sales are first come first serve and to feel free to contact them prior to my trip, as they can hold on to pieces for a week, however the very same salesperson sang me a different tune when I followed up with him earlier this week via email. He stated that pieces were being allocated now based on purchaser history, blah, blah, blah.

If demand is so strong why doesn't Rolex just bump the prices up to a point where we reach equilibrium? That way the AD doesn't have to give us a new story every week about allocation and customers don't have to walk out annoyed.



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[Gamj]

They hold them back for special customers.

Last time i was in there i over heard the sales rep on the phone to what i gathered was a customer to see when he was fying out of heathrow next