Gift to AD?

[B2 Stealth]

I know almost everyone at my AD. I stop in frequently just to chat and try on watches. I will bring them amazing Christmas cookies and coffee today.
Two years ago each salesman was asked who their favorite client was and which Rolex they desired. Hence, BLRO! Thx Deb!

[amh]

Originally Posted by CaptT

+1, well said

Though tide is turning, there's really no harm in thanking someone regardless of the purchase dynamics.

OP isn't thanking anyone

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

I personally wouldn't. I think it's weird and ass-kissing tbh. Basically he's doing his job by selling you a Rolex, et al. Why does that deserve a gift? I don't get it.

Exactly.

Now if an SA actually gets me an SS model Rolex, then they get something.

Last time I was "allocated" a Rolex I sent a nice thank-you card. Went back some time later and asked if SA got it - nope! Dealer threw it in the trash. Hand carry something if a gift is going to be your thing.

[ts3]

No.

[Driver8]

If the AD/SA is a genuine friend (and not just someone you grovel up to in the hope of being allowed to spend thousands on a watch) then a Christmas card and maybe a bottle of wine would be fine. Any more than that, or if it's done out of hope of being "remembered" so they will allocate you a watch, then it's just sycophantic, ingratiating, ass-kissery of the high order. All IMHO of course.

[Pop Art Suzy]

I wanted to add, that I think it should be the other way around. The Rolex AD should buy the gift for the customer. The customer is the one that spent thousands on a watch. The customer gifting the AD is just crazy to me. The AD is getting the money for the purchase.

[JoeJoeBobo]

A hug or handshake, a thank you and my $ should suffice.

[Bluemooner87]

Maybe I don't deserve a Rolex as I really can't be bothered playing these types of games. Honestly a gift for you paying for something they supply, bloody barmy.

[Travis29]

Def a lot of different views on this. Gift culture is very common among some cultures.

To me it it's a great gesture, building or strengthening a relationship is always a good thing.

[sski]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

I wanted to add, that I think it should be the other way around. The Rolex AD should buy the gift for the customer. The customer is the one that spent thousands on a watch. The customer gifting the AD is just crazy to me. The AD is getting the money for the purchase.

agreed!

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by Travis29

Def a lot of different views on this. Gift culture is very common among some cultures.

I've only seen this being brought up in the past few years when it was difficult to get certain watches. So why weren't these people doing it before? A very small percentage was doing it before and that was genuine, now it comes across very poor.

That's the answer.

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

My AD Sourced me A Daytona and a Meteorite DD after just a few Tudor purchases - so I catered lunch for the entire store - about 25 people cost me about $600.

But I've also made friends with them over the years and genuinely care about them.

And I'm grateful for them sourcing me these watches.

They also occasionally take me out to lunch when I'm in their town.

THIS......is very cool! The biggest gain here are the friends you made, and obviously the friend (You) they made!

[sys999]

Treat people well and they treat you well. Be sincere in your gifting and interactions though, most can sense arsekissery and beggary a mile away.

[Bxtek]

To answer the original question of this thread.....I would say yes. A gift to your SA or AD would be appropriate in certain cases. If you have gotten to know them on a more personal level over the years, if you and multiple generations of family have been buying from the AD for a long time. Or, if the SA or AD went up and beyond, helped you out with sourcing a piece or servicing your watch(es). Sure, I believe a gift would be appropriate. On the other end of the spectrum.....if you're doing it to try and kiss up to try and get a watch, then that's kinda cringeworthy and should be a definite NO.

In the past there have been numerous threads on this topic. Lots and lots of clients giving gifts to their SA's and AD's for various reasons. How about the opposite? Do they commonly give gifts to their clients? Or, is sourcing the desired watch considered the "gift"? Lets hear about some of the gifts clients received from their SA's and AD's. Talking about gifts out of the blue for being you, for your birthday, Christmas, etc, and not associated with a watch purchase.

[cblock406]

If it is extravagant, or you've never purchased anything from the AD, then it is weird.

[S.Explorer]

Gifts aren't accepted at my AD supposedly. I've not tried and don't intend to. Just doesn't seem right, at least in the UK.

[shaunylw]

Just brought my AD manager I’ve worked with for 8-10 years a bottle of wine for Xmas. I was getting the wife an anniversary present. We have known each other for years, he’s always taken good care of me, and my wife collects wine. If it makes his day better, great. I’m getting the watches I’m getting regardless of my giving him a Xmas present.


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[casadecamporolex]

My AD was a small town family owned business that always took care of me.
You’d be surprised how many of their customers(friends) brought them trays of cookies, lunches, champagne and gift cards. I believe it’s a thank you for the wonderful customer service and friendship they provide all year.
Does it help get access? No.
Is it a neighborly kind gesture to nice people working 7 day weeks this month? Yes.
Small acts of kindness goes a long way in my world.
If you’ve never done it, try it the next few days.
You’ll then understand. Maybe.

[gamingdoctor]

This is easy.

1 - Are they a personal friend and you genuinely care for them? Then yes.
2 - Is it ass kissing to move up in line? Then no.

Hope this helps!

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by GusFring

It’s weird, just don’t.

I agree with you 100%...!

[Jack T]

To me, these are business relationships, commercial transactions, the AD does nothing for customers without a profit motive. Nobody gives gifts under these circumstances and expects nothing in return.

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

I wanted to add, that I think it should be the other way around. The Rolex AD should buy the gift for the customer. The customer is the one that spent thousands on a watch. The customer gifting the AD is just crazy to me. The AD is getting the money for the purchase.

I agree with you! I would never consider buying a gift for my AD, anymore than I´d buy a gift for a luxury car dealer. Having said that, I´m glad I´m not in the market for a new Rolex, so have no need to consider this!

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

Do it if you want, but just be honest enough to think of it as a bribe, and not because they're "friends." Unless you bring equivalent gifts to the haberdasher who fits you for suits and sells you easy-to-acquire clothing all year, whom you also consider a "friend."

jesus people here are so harsh - bribery ?!!? if I thank a good client for his business is that bribery because I hope for repeat business or is it just a nice gesture? of course people like to give gifts in the hopes of getting something out of it (in the business world) or thanking them for something that was hard to get.

I have done it before to some businesses/ clients when it felt right, just like tipping more. If it makes sense in the moment I just do it.

[DBCooper07]

No soup for them!

[amh]

Originally Posted by dauster

jesus people here are so harsh - bribery ?!!? if I thank a good client for his business is that bribery because I hope for repeat business or is it just a nice gesture? of course people like to give gifts in the hopes of getting something out of it (in the business world) or thanking them for something that was hard to get.

I have done it before to some businesses/ clients when it felt right, just like tipping more. If it makes sense in the moment I just do it.

In this instance it's not a thank-you, it's a bribe:

Say like if they are having a child or getting married. Or even just a Christmas or birthday gift.

Normally it's the AD who asks _me_ when my birthday is! "Any Rolex models that interest you? Let us see what we can do!!"

[Driftwood]

After asking him what he prefers to drink, I gave my guy @ AD a case of beer! I do have a relationship with him and go in every so often to BS about watches, family etc.. I have bought one Rolex from him. I gave him the beer as a gesture of appreciation for coming thru on my request. If you don't want to give a modest thank you gesture then don't.. If you feel like you genuinely want to show your thanks - then do it! Who cares what others think.. Do you.

[burnthesehills]

I treat my AD the same way I treat my car dealer. A handshake and sincere thank you at the time of purchase. Might swing in to say hello when I am there for a service. No gifts, calls, cards, or bottles of expensive booze.

[Pop Art Suzy]

It just reminds me of the whole tipping thing nowadays. It's gotten out of hand. Am I gonna tip a sandwich maker at a sandwich shop for basically making my sandwich; for doing his job? No. Am I gonna tip a waitress for waiting on me while I'm there; bringing me my drinks, making my salad, bringing me and serving me my food, then yes, I will tip them. Obviously, it's a different situation than bringing a gift to the AD, but I just feel it's gotten out of hand.

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by Pop Art Suzy

It just reminds me of the whole tipping thing nowadays. It's gotten out of hand. Am I gonna tip a sandwich maker at a sandwich shop for basically making my sandwich; for doing his job? No. Am I gonna tip a waitress for waiting on me while I'm there; bringing me my drinks, making my salad, bringing me and serving me my food, then yes, I will tip them. Obviously, it's a different situation than bringing a gift to the AD, but I just feel it's gotten out of hand.

It's out of hand in the US, that's right.

I went to a knife store a few weeks ago. Bought a pocket knife and a kitchen knife. The POS where you input your card had a checkbox for 15%, 20%, 25% tip. For a freaking pocket knife.

San Francisco, FWIW.

[Pop Art Suzy]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

It's out of hand in the US, that's right.

I went to a knife store a few weeks ago. Bought a pocket knife and a kitchen knife. The POS where you input your card had a checkbox for 15%, 20%, 25% tip. For a freaking pocket knife.

San Francisco, FWIW.

That's absolutely ridiculous. I'm sorry, but a tip for what, pulling the knife out of the case and selling it to you? I worked part time at Starbucks for 2.5 years, and I still don't tip at Starbucks. We got a higher wage per hour, so tips are just an extra. Whereas wait staff at a restaurant make lower per hour because they survive on tips.

I once saw a tip jar at a Dairy Queen.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Depends why you're doing it. Do you genuinely like the person or are you hoping to gain some advantage?

+1


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