Interesting call with an AD

[triple.lindy]

Sounds like she had something you were looking for.

[worldofoyster]

you should've made the drive, it maybe worth it

[TimepieceRPP]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

.

I don’t blame the dealer. I’m just saying this is all craziness. I can tell you that back in 2017 you could not only call a dealer and talk about their stock, but frequently get them to discount stainless steel professional models by 5%.

What other retailer do you call and ask if they have something in stock and have them saying, “we can’t tell you it’s a secret”.

I guess the hype for Rolex is really crazy. I walked by an AD in Bond Street London yesterday and saw two tone Sea Dweller in the shiwcase. I was thinking if I wanted to take a look and then returned to the shop. It was gone and it is for just 5 mins. It was early in the morning and the shop was also just opened.

[ArtNouveau]

I guess I’m just old school but I would never expect to cold call a Rolex dealer and have them tell me their inventory or if they could get something for me. I have always shopped and bought in person.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

But then she hit me with, “we like to build relationships with new customers first”. Which turned me off. I’m not exactly sure what type of relationship I could build with an out-of-state dealer simply by going there and saying hello.

Perhaps this was precisely her point.

Two types of out of state customers. Those who travel through on a regular basis and establish a relationship. And those who do not.

Appears from your post your are the latter. And she saved you both some time.

It has been a while since you can cold call by phone an out of state AD for inventory reports on items that are in short supply and mainly being sold to established customers.

Sorry OP. Don't get where you are coming from.

[Columbia04]

Originally Posted by garyk

Go buy stuff, get on the list and then a year or two from now find out they lost their Rolex franchise! It actually happens!!

This happened to me twice. Over it.

[cuibono]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I read it the other way: "'We don't discuss inventory over the phone, but it's worth you while to come in...' hint hint nudge nudge."

"We have some things you can look at" tells me that they've got at least close to what you want; they don't want to turn people off by purposefully wasting their time.

Agreed. Also, it could be a security measure.

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[BroncoOne]

I’m guessing that you are talking about one the ADs in Greenwich, CT and that is one of mine. I’ve bought from her before and she is an excellent watch person and very knowledgeable about watches. She Can an also get things from Rolex that others don’t seem to be able to get, at least without a long wait.

You should have made the trip.

[Merlin69]

Originally Posted by artnouveau

i guess i’m just old school but i would never expect to cold call a rolex dealer and have them tell me their inventory or if they could get something for me. I have always shopped and bought in person.

+1

[t65tampa]

I wouldn't have expected that phone call to go any other way.

[RealMadrid1988]

Originally Posted by vh2k

She told you the truth while lying to you.

1. We need to vet and qualify new customers… and we aren’t going to let you play us against your local AD.

2. Rolex is making us do it.

It’s been pretty clear for a while that you’re on the lobbying payroll for ADs everywhere with all the background check BS…but no need to make it this clear.

[whiskyrolex]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I’m just saying this is all craziness. I can tell you that back in 2017 you could not only call a dealer and talk about their stock, but frequently get them to discount stainless steel professional models by 5%.

You could also buy Bitcoin for $700 back in 2017. Times change.

[M.a.x.]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

Oh totally. I actually completely agree with the policy. She did state that it was official Rolex policy. Actually both people I spoke with there stated Rolex policy. I’m not sure if that’s true, but I would understand if it is. She mentioned people calling every dealer across 50 states to check stock and she was clearly frustrated.

It was just that last part that she suggested I drive an hour out of my way to “build a relationship” with them. And I am calling their number that is plastered on a billboard across the highway advertising Rolex watches.

It’s just all nuts.

So funny.

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by RealMadrid1988

It’s been pretty clear for a while that you’re on the lobbying payroll for ADs everywhere with all the background check BS…but no need to make it this clear.

You caught me.

vh2k
Executive Director, International Swiss Timepiece Retailer Association

[R.bartlett]

I've heard this too as official Rolex policy
You must be in store to buy watches

[TunaTuna]

Who knows what the "policies' are. I actually think there are only "store policies" not Rolex policy. Rolex sells to their AD's then thats it, I'd be surprised if Rolex would dictate something so detailed.

[duquephart]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I had an appointment one state over from me and I was driving home and noticed a huge Rolex billboard from a dealer. Of course it had many of the hot models pictured in all their glory. I took a look at my GPS and figured it would be about 60 minutes or so out of my way, but I figured I would give them a call.

I told them I was driving through and looking for either a Datejust or an OP 41. They said they could not discuss any stock over the phone and I would need to come in. I pushed the issue a little and they said I could speak to a sales manager. She got on the phone. I gave her my name and address. Explained that I was looking for one of these specific models. She again stated that this is new policy from Rolex, which I was unaware of. But she said I could certainly come by and that they had some things I could look at.

Honestly, I totally understand and appreciate the new policy. But then she hit me with, “we like to build relationships with new customers first”. Which turned me off. I’m not exactly sure what type of relationship I could build with an out-of-state dealer simply by going there and saying hello.

In any event I did not bother and thanked her for her time.

Good decision to keep driving. Waaaaay too many people put up with this BS from Rolex dealers and that's why they get away with it.

[whiskyrolex]

Originally Posted by TunaTuna

Who knows what the "policies' are. I actually think there are only "store policies" not Rolex policy. Rolex sells to their AD's then thats it, I'd be surprised if Rolex would dictate something so detailed.

You'd be mistaken. They absolutely do.

[ndrs63]

Seriously? Is that the discussion we are now having even for an OP or a DJ. Good old times, I’m 2019 I bought an OP from the display case, that helped paving my way towards more desirable models


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[youthagainsttt]

There are just too many people wanting to be on the list &/or willing to purchase other models to buy the hot models that they set their own criteria, just like AP imo. And in person I reckon they would judge you to see if you'd be a flipper, almost like a job interview

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by duquephart

Good decision to keep driving. Waaaaay too many people put up with this BS from Rolex dealers and that's why they get away with it.

Glad to see a few others recognize just how ridiculous this is.

1. Rolex dealer puts up billboard an hour+ away from their shop that says ROLEX!, shows all the desirable models, and here's a Phone Number!
2. Customer calls shop and asks, "do you have Rolex?"
3. Shop says, "It's like so super duper top secret I can't even tell you by phone."

That is just stupid. They have all the right in the world to do this, but it's still really stupid.

[ks58]

Originally Posted by Gab27

Glad to see a few others recognize just how ridiculous this is.

1. Rolex dealer puts up billboard an hour+ away from their shop that says ROLEX!, shows all the desirable models, and here's a Phone Number!
2. Customer calls shop and asks, "do you have Rolex?"
3. Shop says, "It's like so super duper top secret I can't even tell you by phone."

That is just stupid. They have all the right in the world to do this, but it's still really stupid.

Lol so true. They should have a black billboard with the name Rolex and phone number and store info. That’s all. Keep it super duper secret.

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by ks58

Lol so true. They should have a black billboard with the name Rolex and phone number and store info. That’s all. Keep it super duper secret.

It should say, "Spend 3 hours of your day doing something that will more likely than not end in disappointment."

If they didn't have a billboard flaunting who they were and that they were specifically selling Rolex and this billboard happened to be positioned closer than several hours away from the store round trip, maybe I could understand this or some of the justifications being stated.

[Robine]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I had an appointment one state over from me and I was driving home and noticed a huge Rolex billboard from a dealer. Of course it had many of the hot models pictured in all their glory.

There is something pictured on a pre-Internet advertising medium, while you were passing by in a combustion engine transportation vehicle burning fossile fuel.

A billboard!!

Hot models pictured in all their glory!!

Just be careful when discovering these adverts in London telephone booths - you will also find "Hot models" pictured in "all their glory", but you might be equally disappointed.

You know what - I somehow like the innocent optimism of the Americans...

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I had an appointment one state over from me and I was driving home and noticed a huge Rolex billboard from a dealer. Of course it had many of the hot models pictured in all their glory. I took a look at my GPS and figured it would be about 60 minutes or so out of my way, but I figured I would give them a call.

I told them I was driving through and looking for either a Datejust or an OP 41. They said they could not discuss any stock over the phone and I would need to come in. I pushed the issue a little and they said I could speak to a sales manager. She got on the phone. I gave her my name and address. Explained that I was looking for one of these specific models. She again stated that this is new policy from Rolex, which I was unaware of. But she said I could certainly come by and that they had some things I could look at.

Honestly, I totally understand and appreciate the new policy. But then she hit me with, “we like to build relationships with new customers first”. Which turned me off. I’m not exactly sure what type of relationship I could build with an out-of-state dealer simply by going there and saying hello.

In any event I did not bother and thanked her for her time.

The ‘relationship’ means you send them all your watches to service, buy stuff you don’t want and then they MAY consider offering you a watch you actually want, if they feel like it. It’s sort of a one-way street…

I had the same with an AD somewhere on west-coast, She went into the back and I received an alert she was checking out my LinkedIn account, while I was still in the store…
I told them to keep their relationship and dropped $200k at two other ADs who didn’t give me this relationship BS.


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[RolexSimon]

I've a good relationship with my AD and realise what a difficult position they're in. OK they have great sales right now but they get into trouble from Rolex if a watch they sell turns up on a Facebook sales page or Grey site within a few weeks. OK the buyer never gets another Rolex but the AD needs to try and minimize flippers - as much as is possible. You have to remember Rolex controls what stock they get and the ratio of DJs:desirable models. I don't blame the AD in this instance for wanting to meet the OP personally. Body language is an important thing to judge a person's character.

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

I had the same with an AD somewhere on west-coast, She went into the back and I received an alert she was checking out my LinkedIn account, while I was still in the store…

Not cool. (She should wait until you leave the store to check all your social media accounts.).

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

I don't blame the AD in this instance for wanting to meet the OP personally. Body language is an important thing to judge a person's character.

Yes, much easier to evaluate you and your intentions in person. And higher probability of starting the relationship with your first TT DJ or Cellini Moonphase purchase — when you see first hand all the empty display cases due to massive demand for Rolex.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Robine

Just be careful when discovering these adverts in London telephone booths - you will also find "Hot models" pictured in "all their glory", but you might be equally disappointed.

But at least in that case they come to you, and you don't have to drive 3hrs to go see them.

[Jpccarguy]

And, look at this from the AD’s perspective… every Rolex dealer gets dozens of calls a day from people from everywhere who want to buy any Rolex they can get, with certain exceptions. I’ve heard that the billboard is paid for by Rolex, at least the banner. I was in the Denver airport yesterday, with Rolex ads for a local dealer. There were several different references shown that I know are likely not in the safe. What’s the dealer supposed to do? I don’t question anything the dealer says or does, given the furor for anything Rolex.

[Tom5518]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

I had the same with an AD somewhere on west-coast, She went into the back and I received an alert she was checking out my LinkedIn account, while I was still in the store…
I told them to keep their relationship and dropped $200k at two other ADs who didn’t give me this relationship BS.

If any AD checked out my linkedin acct. I doubt I could even buy a charm bracelet. Mine says I am lazy and unmotivated and that I don't like challenges....