Would like to do something nice for my AD

[Cigars&Watches]

How bringing in some pastries is seen as a bad gesture or in poor taste is beyond me. Especially as your first piece I can see this is as nothing more than a celebratory expression on your part. I'm sure your SA will feel this is a goodwill gesture and nothing more. If you want to do it go for it.

I was so happy when I got my first Rolex I gifted my SA too.

Congrats on your BLNR!!

[gerry100]

Originally Posted by febie111

For a long wait and $10K+ for a watch,they should be doing something nice for you.

agree

[EagleBear]

Congratulations on a great first piece. Always be yourself, treat people the the way you were taught by those who raised you. Looking forward to that wrist shot ;)

[JLM3]

Congrats on your first Rolex... I see that as a nice gesture and have done the same

[4 Aussies]

Originally Posted by febie111

For a long wait and $10K+ for a watch,they should be doing something nice for you.

They already did!! They sold you a $10K watch that is worth thousands of dollars more at that very moment, on any grey market dealer list!!

[Big Tex Rolex]

Originally Posted by kevin of larchmont

i’d go in and buy the watch and then take them pastries in a week. Looks more like a thank you and less transactional.

+1

[IsItFridayYet]

That’s awesome! Congrats. After waiting so long I’m sure you’re super happy.

But let me paint a picture. You wanted to buy a watch you can afford. Not just a watch but a few thousand dollars worth of an item. You’re told you can’t and now you have to wait who knows how long to get one. In the meantime you’re probably playing a ridiculous game of wasting your time going in every once in a while to hope to better your chances they remember you. You try to befriend a person who you’d probably have zero interest in befriending just to win your watch lottery. And now after jumping through their hoops they finally get the call. After putting yourself through that, do you still feel like YOU should be doing something nice for THEM? LOL I’m sure you can tell I got fed up with the AD game.

BUT, if you plan on expanding your collection then it makes sense to continue the game you’re already playing by showing your appreciation with a small token. I agree with previous replies that giving that token maybe a week after would be the better course of action as it shows you still visit and show appreciation even after the purchase.

Congrats again!

[Ruhiger]

One of my simple rules to live by, treat people in the same manner you wish to be treated.
If receiving a small gesture of gratitude would make you happy given a particular situation, then by all means make someone else’s day!

[joli160]

If it makes you feel good than do so.
Bet your SA also will make you feel good by throwing some Rolex goodies your way

[MP777]

Only if you consider the SA a friend.
I brought a bottle of wine at first, then it turned into tips, then my tips weren’t large enough so they started selling to others who padded their wallets more. So I would avoid gifts of any kind unless you personally know the SA is a straight shooter, otherwise it will spiral out of control if they think you’re a sucker.

[Achtung6]

Originally Posted by Zinger4040

After 9 months of waiting, I got a text that my AD has a BLNR for me. Going to pick it up in a few hours, and I'm so excited i could barely sleep last night. This will be my first Rolex. Never in a million years did I think I would be able to afford one when I was younger, but I've worked my tail off in life, and am fortunate enough to have enough discretionary income for frivolous things like luxury watches, lol

There is a high end bakery very close to the store. Was thinking of getting an assortment to bring to the store to say thank you when I pick up the watch. Tacky or classy?

I think it's a fine gesture. Relationships are built on stuff like this. We all feel special when an unexpected kind gesture comes our way. These are pastries and not thousands spent on jewelry. They could have called other people on their list but something about you made them give you the call. If you walk in there with some pastries you'll confirm they made the right choice and you'll remain on their radar as a good person to deal with in the future. It's pretty basic and actually a classy gesture. Go for it.

[Bro Watch]

I would. It just shows your level of thankfulness. And by you being grateful It may help you in the future if you decide to purchase another watch.

I also never imagined that when I was a kid, I could own a luxury watch. Now, I have a few of them. God is good!

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[creepy neville]

As many have said, whatever you are comfortable with !

Personally, I definitely would - but I would do it discreetly and not make a song & dance about it.

Come coffee time, the staff are gonna love you - and that can’t hurt if you’re waiting for more watches through them !

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

My mom always taught me to write a thank you note. And then I’ve sent a gift card.


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I send thank you cards for a personal gift, not for a commercial transaction that I spend $11,000 of my money on.

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by JSolution

I would just feel so awfully cringey doing this … but each to their own.

Enjoy the new watch :)

Depends on the situation, but some people are just too cheap.

A heartfelt gift of appreciation given in a true spirit of gratefulness is never tacky or cringe-worthy.

Originally Posted by Zinger4040

After 9 months of waiting, I got a text that my AD has a BLNR for me. Going to pick it up in a few hours, and I'm so excited i could barely sleep last night. This will be my first Rolex. Never in a million years did I think I would be able to afford one when I was younger, but I've worked my tail off in life, and am fortunate enough to have enough discretionary income for frivolous things like luxury watches, lol

There is a high end bakery very close to the store. Was thinking of getting an assortment to bring to the store to say thank you when I pick up the watch. Tacky or classy?

Congrats on the new watch.

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I’d go in and buy the watch and then take them pastries in a week. Looks more like a thank you and less transactional.

A nice touch. I did this with my AD the next time I was in town I catered lunch for the entire store. We have become friends over the years. And they sourced two unicorns for me with only a Ranger as purchase history. They simply liked the way I treated my mom (also their customer), and rewarded me with the Daytona and Meteorite DD. Lunch was about 6 months after the last purchase, and I may never buy another Rolex. It was a heartfelt show of appreciation and gratitude and I enjoy giving small, meaningful gifts. I was not to butter them up for the next big purchase.

Originally Posted by GGGMT

My mom always taught me to write a thank you note. And then I’ve sent a gift card.


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These days a handwritten thank you note is very meaningful.

In fact, it doesn't really matter what you say - it works like a magic love letter. They always remember your class.

Originally Posted by creepy neville

As many have said, whatever you are comfortable with !

Personally, I definitely would - but I would do it discreetly and not make a song & dance about it.

Come coffee time, the staff are gonna love you - and that can’t hurt if you’re waiting for more watches through them !

Agree, discreteness is classy. Making a show of it and reminding them of it is trashy.

[dannyp]

Let's assume this is an only-watch, it's a one-and-done relationship in terms of current watch collecting plans, and this was never intended as a "stepping stone" for anything.

With that in mind, if gut instinct is still to bring something, go for it. Especially if it's something simple that nobody would interpret as a quid pro quo and could easily be seen as a nice, in the moment, gesture ("hey, stopped at my favorite bakery on the way for coffee/pastry, they looked really good today so thought I'd bring some").

They were thoughtful in allocating to you, you were thoughtful when you went into the bakery anyways. Doesn't put anyone in an awkward position (unless of course entire AD staff is trying paleo diet, lol).

[JoeJoeBobo]

I want to know how many here feel comfortable eating prepared open foods like pastries or donuts brought in the front door by clients or customers.

[R35GTR]

It’s a nice gesture so go for it. I got my AD a nice bottle of wine and a card when she came through with my PM Daytona. She appreciated it.

[jb335]

No reasonable person will consider doughnuts a bribe. It’s a nice gesture, so if you feel inclined, go for it.


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[RolexCollectorMD]

A box of high end chocolate always does the trick!

[PenDelicate]

You did it wrong.

You buy the pastries when you're put on the waitlist. Then whenever you get the call, you bring those pastries with you.

[Laostuh]

I don't see anything wrong with pastries or coffee. But once you start bringing gifts and tips thats when it starts getting a little weird. I look at it as bringing a box of donuts to the office.. Haven't done it myself personally because I've yet to get a call .

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by Epanerai12

You'll get various replies here on this. I'd say do what you think is best and whatever fits your personality.

Originally Posted by garyk

Whatever works for you…

Originally Posted by JSolution

I would just feel so awfully cringey doing this … but each to their own.

Enjoy the new watch :)

These ^.

I think a lot depends on your own personality, what "feels right" to you, and also the culture where you're from. I think this sort of thing is probably more "the norm" in the US where there is much more of a tipping culture, compared to the UK where some of us "stiff-upper-lip" Brits would feel it would be a bit cringey.

And let's be honest, back in ye olde days when there was no such thing as waiting lists for Rolexes, no-one would've even thought of gifting an AD anything, other than a genuine and heartfelt "thank you very much". Just think of those poor Omega and Breitling AD's who get nothing simply because they have watches available to sell!

Just do whatever feels right to you.

[Cloudchaser]

I think some donuts or pastries are a nice gesture.

That said, donuts are a generational thing, I've noticed. I used to take a dozen donuts into work every Friday morning and nobody under 40 would touch them. Gluten-free, paleo, no-carb, no-sugar, all the rest. These whoopersnappers don't quite see donuts the way we Xers and Boomers do/did. But, you, know, the older crowd ALWAYS loved the Friday donuts! YMMV.

[TheVTCGuy]

I think it’s a great idea, whether donuts or bagels or a box of candy or any such small gesture is very appropriate and a kind act. Frankly, I can’t at all understand those that are so vehemently opposed to such an small token. We are talking a box of donuts for God’s sake, not a new car. One member likened it being an illegal act of bribery. Really?

Congrats on the new watch and it is a nice gesture.

[Malum]

Offer to take another Rolex off their hands .

[Tridor]

In business, relationships are everything. So, I would spend the $20 or so and get some bakery goods. You can never go wrong taking the high road and, since this IS business, you'll likely ingratiate yourself so as to get some advantage with respect to future pieces. Plus, you'll simply appear to be a nice guy.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I think it’s a great idea, whether donuts or bagels or a box of candy or any such small gesture is very appropriate and a kind act. Frankly, I can’t at all understand those that are so vehemently opposed to such an small token. We are talking a box of donuts for God’s sake, not a new car. One member likened it being an illegal act of bribery. Really?

Congrats on the new watch and it is a nice gesture.

I think this age of scarcity has, to a degree, created an adversarial feeling to many, and it can, for some, manifest as not wanting to see the gatekeepers rewarded. Others feel more as though they're doing the AD the favor...not the other way around.

Truth is, though, human nature being what it is, people react to being rewarded. I had an SA tell me during a normal convo that his guilty pleasure was Casio digitals, but that he'd obviously never wear one to work. The AD is nearby a Macy's, where between sales prices and Macy's AMEX incentives, a Casio I knew he'd like was not much more than a couple dozen donuts. No-brainer. He occasionally sends me a beach or golf pic where he's wearing it. Point is, he clearly liked and appreciated it...and he remembers me for it.

I'm in sales. When people give me gifts (rounds of golf or bottles of bourbon, usually), I don't consider it a bribe or cringey (and I don't sell scarcity really). I say thank you and enjoy the gift, and then find a creative way to reciprocate.

[winst]

How about sending them a thank you card straight away mentioning you will be forwarding a little something as a thank you. 9 months later send them the gift so they get a sense of the joy of the wait!

[gtnator]

Gift or no gift, its pictures or it didnt happen


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