Heathrow T5 - Mixed Signals

[delboylee]

It does seem inconsistent. A few years back I was flying a fair bit and was given the business card of a sales associate. They said to email them in advance and ‘they will see what they can do’. No mention of a wait or allocation list either.

In the past I’ve seen a bluesy and bi metal Daytona in the shop. These were freely available to anyone who wanted them back then. It might all be different now due but who knows!

Good luck with your search in any case :)

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by delboylee

It does seem inconsistent. A few years back I was flying a fair bit and was given the business card of a sales associate. They said to email them in advance and ‘they will see what they can do’. No mention of a wait or allocation list either.

In the past I’ve seen a bluesy and bi metal Daytona in the shop. These were freely available to anyone who wanted them back then. It might all be different now due but who knows!

Good luck with your search in any case :)

it is somewhat inconsistent i agree, but you can't benchmark two years ago either.

Maybe day to day or week to week variations depending on who you are dealing with. overall though its happening

[R G]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

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.

They are a huge group and probably have more than half of the UK market share so if you buy a watch then odds are you bought it from them.

Thats how they have chosen to operate to combat flipping. I dont agree with it, but when you are that big it doesn't give you many other options if you dont like it. Rolex seems to favor large corporate AD's vs small mom and pop shops so its only going to get worse as far as big chains getting bigger and giving customers less options. Is it really a choice if the Boutique at the airport & Bond Street, all the WOS, all the Goldsmith's, and all the Mappin & Webb's are owned by the same company?

Blacklisted?!? WTF?? What is this?? Jeez...

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by R G

Blacklisted?!? WTF?? What is this?? Jeez...

they have a blacklist. for sure. I know of someone on it.

completely nuts i know

[justdate]

That AD is extremely rude, always has been. Even when I was shopping for a YG GMT in 2012 they were rude, so forget about an SS in 2019!!

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

group wide AFAIK. Not just WoS


Im an existing customer, not recently though, but I have bought enough in the past that i still get invited to events. They are still trying to keep the card and make me apply for a non WL and non flippable watch that is in stock though.

Crazy days!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[R G]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

they have a blacklist. for sure. I know of someone on it.

completely nuts i know

I believe you, hence my disgust.

Hype is at another level - AD's putting perspective buyers on blacklists.

Bizarre.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by justdate

That AD is extremely rude, always has been. Even when I was shopping for a YG GMT in 2012 they were rude, so forget about an SS in 2019!!

my favorite story is that AD operates a boutique and they invited me to the basel release event two years ago. I came with my invitation 1 hour before it ended. Asked to try on an OF daytona, they were already putting them away and said NO. I challenged them and they said "you won't be able to get one anyway"

that happened.

i stick up for most AD's because they have an impossible job in this climate trying to keep everyone happy... not that AD.

[GoingPlaces]

Seems like we are seeing more and more of these types of threads. Poor service, rude staff, no inventory and inconsistency. Will this sustain? In the end, Rolex should institute some sort of "standard" of service even if they don't "have" to. You would never get treated like this in a Cattier, Hermes, or any other luxury brand store. At least if you did it would be the exception not the rule. This is becoming a widespread issue that in the long run may hurt the brand. Luxury means luxury, at the product, service and experience level. What other product costs thousands or tens of thousands that allows salespeople or stores in general to act this way and yet we keep coming back?

It's a helluva brand.

[zeeww]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

my favorite story is that AD operates a boutique and they invited me to the basel release event two years ago. I came with my invitation 1 hour before it ended. Asked to try on an OF daytona, they were already putting them away and said NO. I challenged them and they said "you won't be able to get one anyway"

that happened.

Now that’s saying something - i don’t suppose a John Lewis customer service model could be replicated in ADs?!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by GoingPlaces

Seems like we are seeing more and more of these types of threads. Poor service, rude staff, no inventory and inconsistency. Will this sustain? In the end, Rolex should institute some sort of "standard" of service even if they don't "have" to. You would never get treated like this in a Cattier, Hermes, or any other luxury brand store. At least if you did it would be the exception not the rule. This is becoming a widespread issue that in the long run may hurt the brand. Luxury means luxury, at the product, service and experience level. What other product costs thousands or tens of thousands that allows salespeople or stores in general to act this way and yet we keep coming back?

It's a helluva brand.

considering the bulk of Rolex watches in the UK are sold to that chain, we are kidding ourselves if we think Rolex isn't aware. They are all up in everyones business and not noticing this is impossible.

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

considering the bulk of Rolex watches in the UK are sold to that chain, we are kidding ourselves if we think Rolex isn't aware. They are all up in everyones business and not noticing this is impossible.

Right. If you were in charge or at the upper level, you have to ask the question; "is this how I want my product represented"? What other business can afford to literally turn people away not only due to inventory issues but poor service/attitude? It's nuts.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by R G

Blacklisted?!? WTF?? What is this?? Jeez...

I'm not commenting on what's happened to Tyler trying and failing to give some muppets £60 grand for a Platona, plus if the head of Aurum found out which bloke in the chain managed to piss him off so badly he took his business elsewhere he'd probably nuke the store

However, as somebody who has almost certainly benefited from their tactics, I feel compelled to mount a partial defence.

They will blacklist you from all Aurum AD's if they find you've flipped a hot watch (within what timeframe, I don't know). I understand this annoys some people and impinges on people's autonomy, but it also discourages scalping, which is a good thing.

In theory they will blacklist you if you buy two of the same hot reference from them, though I'm not sure how this can happen in practice because, as mentioned, they will vet you prior to sale. I'm not sure that they'll blacklist you for being on multiple waiting lists - I was on about 6 for the BLNR and I was able to buy it and a few pieces subsequently without a problem. Suffice to say in two years I haven't been called back by any of those other AD's about the GMT.

The upshot of these tactics is that they probably result in more watches going to people who want to wear watches rather than to people who want to sell watches, though I have no evidence beyond the anecdotal to offer.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by GoingPlaces

Right. If you were in charge or at the upper level, you have to ask the question; "is this how I want my product represented"? What other business can afford to literally turn people away not only due to inventory issues but poor service/attitude? It's nuts.

im no fan of that AD. And yes, i think it reflects poorly on the brand and reflects poorly on AD's in general, as good AD's get lumped in to that unfairly.

However the big AD's seem to be getting rewarded with more allocations and having their competition cut in the form of reducing the number of small AD's. So i blame Rolex for that, not the crappy AD. They are only doing what is getting them rewarded.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I'm not commenting on what's happened to Tyler trying and failing to give some muppets £60 grand for a Platona, plus if the head of Aurum found out which bloke in the chain managed to piss him off so badly he took his business elsewhere he'd probably nuke the store

However, as somebody who has almost certainly benefited from their tactics, I feel compelled to mount a partial defence.

They will blacklist you from all Aurum AD's if they find you've flipped a hot watch (within what timeframe, I don't know). I understand this annoys some people and impinges on people's autonomy, but it also discourages scalping, which is a good thing.

In theory they will blacklist you if you buy two of the same hot reference, though I'm not sure how this can happen in practice because, as mentioned, they will vet you prior to sale. I'm not sure that they'll blacklist you for being on multiple waiting lists - I was on about 6 for the BLNR and I was able to buy it and a few pieces subsequently without a problem. Suffice to say in over two years I haven't been called back by any of those other AD's.

The upshot of these tactics is that they probably result in more watches going to people who want to wear watches rather than to people who want to sell watches, though I have no evidence beyond the anecdotal to offer.

Honestly, im fine with them as far as the Platona. Its weird, but i dont feel insulted or anything. I think they are pretty rude about 1/2 the time im in there, and i have had a few times where they were just nasty.

I totally get the concept of holding warranty cards, etc and im actually not opposed to it. Doing it for no reason and for non flippable watches is weird.

So for a Daytona C yes, i would buy if they held the card. For a Platona, no. If that makes sense. Their policies are more of a carpet bombing approach than a surgical strike. Its big and clumsy


However... the boutique on bond street said No when i asked for one. said 9-12 months for a Platona. Didn't bother to check the store on regent street for me. I walked over there 5 minutes later asked and tried it on. Poor show on that for sure.

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

Honestly, im fine with them as far as the Platona. Its weird, but i dont feel insulted or anything. I think they are pretty rude about 1/2 the time im in there, and i have had a few times where they were just nasty.

I was talking about whatever happened that put you off Aurum before you started using Wempe. If I'm thinking of another poster then just ignore me I'm being a complete numpty today.

Anyway, surely the call is to buy the Platona when you get back Stateside? Kick off "the relationship" with a bit of style.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by codecow

This is an outrage!

Lol

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I was talking about whatever happened that put you off Aurum before you started using Wempe. If I'm thinking of another poster then just ignore me I'm being a complete numpty today.

Anyway, surely the call is to buy the Platona when you get back Stateside. Kick off "the relationship" with a bit of style?

yeah that was the basel release event when they wouldn't let me try on a watch... thats what did it. Invite me there, and then say no you can't try on a watch.
I try to give them second and third chances though, but they keep screwing it up

Still use Wempe, but the airport delivery was having me explore WoS or Harrods as my AD doesn't do that.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

I suggest writing a letter to someone regarding something.

Yes, and of course you should expect nothing from no one.

[GoingPlaces]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

im no fan of that AD. And yes, i think it reflects poorly on the brand and reflects poorly on AD's in general, as good AD's get lumped in to that unfairly.

However the big AD's seem to be getting rewarded with more allocations and having their competition cut in the form of reducing the number of small AD's. So i blame Rolex for that, not the crappy AD. They are only doing what is getting them rewarded.

Agreed, starts with Rolex, but still not letting crappy AD off the hook either. No excuse for poor performance. Rolex needs to (or should) get their hands around this.

[Eric-London]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

yeah that was the basel release event when they wouldn't let me try on a watch... thats what did it. Invite me there, and then say no you can't try on a watch.

That’s very bad form.
I was at the Arum event last year also, though I didn’t ask to try on the P-Daytona.
Just the two rootbeers and Pepsi.

I was at Fraser Hart in Brent Cross a few months ago and a couple of guys wearing half covered PM watches (probably fakes) asked to see a PM Daydate in the window. Upon the sales guy handing it over, the two guys did a Usain Bolt and shot out of the store.

Whilst this seems to be a fairly common occurrence at AD’s with zero security, I can’t see this happening at invitation only events, particularly if they employ the same two giant guys as last year.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Eric-London

That’s very bad form.
I was at the Arum event last year also, though I didn’t ask to try on the P-Daytona.
Just the two rootbeers and Pepsi.

I was at Fraser Hart in Brent Cross a few months ago and a couple of guys wearing half covered PM watches (probably fakes) asked to see a PM Daydate in the window. Upon the sales guy handing it over, the two guys did a Usain Bolt and shot out of the store.

Whilst this seems to be a fairly common occurrence at AD’s with zero security, I can’t see this happening at invitation only events, particularly if they employ the same two giant guys as last year.

it was two years ago and it was the OF daytona FWIW. It was more about the fact the event was wrapping up and they started packing the watches up early as they were traveling to another store the next day. I was within the time frame though.

But man, that same boutique didn't even lift a finger to try to find me a Pt Daytona last week, even with available stock within the group. M&W didn't either as i went there next. I wouldn't think they are selling like hotcakes. Maybe they are? who knows

[peterskinner]

They’ve got something we want; so they have the power. I solve this dilemma by not going into Rolex stores very often. Because, in the end, I don’t really care. It’s just a , nice, mass-produced watch. Nothing more.

[Jsimon]

I’m just going to stay on the list at my local AD and not bother visiting stores anyway

[kelv_w]

I've stopped bothering to enter any of the Rolex stores now, nothing much to see and always the same ol' story. However Lange and VC boutiques are just a different story. I think I'm done with my rolex collection.

[justdate]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

my favorite story is that AD operates a boutique and they invited me to the basel release event two years ago. I came with my invitation 1 hour before it ended. Asked to try on an OF daytona, they were already putting them away and said NO. I challenged them and they said "you won't be able to get one anyway"

that happened.

i stick up for most AD's because they have an impossible job in this climate trying to keep everyone happy... not that AD.

Ouch! The scary part is that I seem to remember you have actually been waiting for ages for an Oysterflex despite getting everything else!!! Any chance they put a curse on you!?!

All part of the service ;)

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by justdate

Ouch! The scary part is that I seem to remember you have actually been waiting for ages for an Oysterflex despite getting everything else!!! Any chance they put a curse on you!?!

All part of the service ;)

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.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by kelv_w

I've stopped bothering to enter any of the Rolex stores now, nothing much to see and always the same ol' story. However Lange and VC boutiques are just a different story. I think I'm done with my rolex collection.

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.

[AK797]

The rules are there are no rules... welcome to a monopoly.

[Andygmt2]

They can be rude at T5, however my experience majority of the time is that they are supportive and polite (depends Who is on shift I guess).

In terms of WoS group, they do have a process, it’s just that certain stores run by certain managers have their own way of running/allocating hence the inconsistency. Staff turnaround is very high with poor commissions offered to staff (hence there’s probably a different manager) every few months