Local AD - Are you freakin' nuts?! 20% to look? Fuggittaboutit!!!

[Onikage]

Sounds like normal practice to me. When preordering anything infact. There are a lot of tire kickers in the watch business and they're correct to use preventative measures. They're not going to order one in for you without some guarantee. 20% is reasonable. And I'm the first person to jump to AD buyer's defence!

[Vaxe]

This is a special order, so the dealer is entitled to a deposit. It's typically non-refundable but can be used toward other items in the store.
Though the BLNR is readily available, so you should be able to see one behind the display without having to pay a deposit.

Now, if the dealer was pompous to you, then that's unacceptable.

[TxHarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by DPE

I would not pay a deposit just to see a watch. I expect an AD to hold a full range of standard type stock for his customers to view. It is not a new or existing customer responsabity to fund the stock of an AD. It is their resonsability to hold stock for us to view and buy. If you dont have it in stock you cannot sell it.

This x 1000.

[tomchicago]

Sounds like a great deal!

[LuminousMaximus]

Originally Posted by TxHarleyGuy

UPDATE:

Just got off the phone with Rolex USA and they too were equally taken aback at the local AD's 'non refundable' deposit policy just to get the watch into their store for me to see. They said that it was in no way reflective of Rolex USA and they were disappointed that their AD was requiring such of me. They went so far as to ask which AD it was and stated that they would be contacting them at the close of our phone call.

Fast forward 20 mins or so:

I receive a call from a 'manager' at the local AD here in Austin, Texas. He did make mention that he was contacted by Rolex USA and that they suggested he call me regarding a watch I was interested in purchasing but wanted to see first. He told me that he would have the watch made available to me by 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning and that I could come in to see it at whatever time was convenient to me. No mention of a non refundable deposit or percentages therein.

I asked the manager why no deposit as was required of me yesterday? He went on to tell me that he apologized for my being told such. Interesting.

Kapow!! Zonk! Zing!

Holy Change-of-Attitude Batman! You were Correct on all counts...

Great Job TxHarley, that's how you stick it to the man...

ps. Not sure if that cliché fits but I only know a few...

[tomallen]

Originally Posted by Tools

No.... It's a 20% down payment for them to order it in for you.

While it's certainly more than I would pay if I was not intending to purchase, a Dealer has a right to charge such a price to ensure the potential buyer is serious and not just a looker, as you imply you are. I would go elsewhere too, given the same situation.

I agree with tools. In CT deposits are refundable regardless. In Texas retail laws could be different.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Sounds like normal practice to me. When preordering anything infact. There are a lot of tire kickers in the watch business and they're correct to use preventative measures. They're not going to order one in for you without some guarantee. 20% is reasonable. And I'm the first person to jump to AD buyer's defence!

I agree, OP is not a very serious buyer as he has never even seen the watch, so why should an AD bother going to the hassle of arranging one to be shipped to them. Nice if they do, and my AD did so for me at no charge as they know me, but if they don't I really don't think it is something to get annoyed about. Best is to find another place to see it, maybe second hand, and then when you know you want to buy then ask them to ship it over.

[ronricks]

Unfortunately because of things like defective cyclops and misaligned bezels I am not purchasing a GMT or Sub without seeing it in person first. Just the way it is. Not going to put a non refundable deposit on a watch I haven't even seen.

[TxHarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by AK797

I agree, OP is not a very serious buyer

Your assessment couldn't be further from reality.

[TxHarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by ronricks

Unfortunately because of things like defective cyclops and misaligned bezels I am not purchasing a GMT or Sub without seeing it in person first. Just the way it is. Not going to put a non refundable deposit on a watch I haven't even seen.

Exactly.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by TxHarleyGuy

Your assessment couldn't be further from reality.

No, that be would be the ADs fair assumption as you have never even seen the watch and based on your rather erratic and rude opening freakin' statement I am inclined to believe your conduct in the ADs would not have led him away from this assumption at all. In fact maybe the 20% is not policy at all.

[Loevhagen]

Everything is big in the USofA. Even the deposit. Crazy.

[TxHarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by AK797

No, that be would be the ADs fair assumption as you have never even seen the watch and based on your rather erratic and rude opening freakin' statement I am inclined to believe your conduct in the ADs would not have led him away from this assumption at all. In fact maybe the 20% is not policy at all.

You can believe whatever you choose. But to even begin to lay claim as to my conduct? Well, now that's just plain ol' stupidity on your part.

[Investr]

Originally Posted by AK797

I agree, OP is not a very serious buyer as he has never even seen the watch, so why should an AD bother going to the hassle of arranging one to be shipped to them. Nice if they do, and my AD did so for me at no charge as they know me, but if they don't I really don't think it is something to get annoyed about. Best is to find another place to see it, maybe second hand, and then when you know you want to buy then ask them to ship it over.

Neil, as usual, nailed it on the head! If they shipped in every watch every customer was "interested" in, they'd go bust in shipping fees. If you don't like it just go to another AD. I've had a few less than outstanding experiences with ADs and I just moved on and purchased elsewhere. (Usually swung back by later wearing the piece). For me, no need to call corporate office and make a big stink......

[Palermo]

If it's such a popular product and the AD knows he can sell it why doesn't the salesman get all 3 to his store and knock them out guaranteeing his commission?

I'm not the trusting type so reckon he was after a non-refundable deposit to lock the OP in then would find the watch somewhere to fulfill the sale - do they have to pay other branches for watches local customers request?

[texex91]

Originally Posted by AK797

No, that be would be the ADs fair assumption as you have never even seen the watch and based on your rather erratic and rude opening freakin' statement I am inclined to believe your conduct in the ADs would not have led him away from this assumption at all. In fact maybe the 20% is not policy at all.

Originally Posted by Investr

Neil, as usual, nailed it on the head! If they shipped in every watch every customer was "interested" in, they'd go bust in shipping fees. If you don't like it just go to another AD. I've had a few less than outstanding experiences with ADs and I just moved on and purchased elsewhere. (Usually swung back by later wearing the piece). For me, no need to call corporate office and make a big stink......

x2

Can't please every buyer--AD's are private businesses.

It's so funny when some buyers feel they are owed something and in this case called Rolex. Wow.

Buyers are ultimately in charge to purchase or not, if you don't like the AD, go elsewhere. Simple.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by AK797

I agree, OP is not a very serious buyer as he has never even seen the watch, so why should an AD bother going to the hassle of arranging one to be shipped to them. Nice if they do, and my AD did so for me at no charge as they know me, but if they don't I really don't think it is something to get annoyed about. Best is to find another place to see it, maybe second hand, and then when you know you want to buy then ask them to ship it over.

I don't have a dog in this fight but I think it's fair to say that TXHarleyGuy has established himself here as a serious buyer and it's fair to say that if a dude walks into a Rolex dealer, no doubt wearing the new Rolex that he just bought two weeks ago, that the sales staff ought to see him as a serious buyer. I mean that's just rudimentary sales craft.

[Jack Bauer]

Originally Posted by texex91

Well let me clarify, I think calling Rolex because an AD had certain criteria to bring a watch in was a little excessive. Personally, if you were this concerned, maybe you should have asked for the manager of the store and resolved directly. That's what I'm saying. If you don't like the AD just move on to another one--there are plenty (you will come to find like with any business, there are good ones and bad ones).

Good luck either way.

Agree, this was handled in a totally passive aggressive, vindictive type of manner. A little social skill would have resolved this or you could have just moved on to another AD. It doesn't sound like you were ready to pull the trigger anyways.

[elkaholic]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I don't have a dog in this fight but I think it's fair to say that TXHarleyGuy has established himself here as a serious buyer and it's fair to say that if a dude walks into a Rolex dealer, no doubt wearing the new Rolex that he just bought two weeks ago, that the sales staff ought to see him as a serious buyer. I mean that's just rudimentary sales craft.

Agree 100%.

Furthermore, if an AD has a watch in their system (i.e. At one of their other stores), and I am inquiring about purchasing said watch from them, I expect them not to ask for a non-refundable deposit in any amount in order to have it sent to them. As someone stated before, that is common practice here in the southeast at Mayors and even at other AD's that have only two or three stores in the chain.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I don't have a dog in this fight but I think it's fair to say that TXHarleyGuy has established himself here as a serious buyer and it's fair to say that if a dude walks into a Rolex dealer, no doubt wearing the new Rolex that he just bought two weeks ago, that the sales staff ought to see him as a serious buyer. I mean that's just rudimentary sales craft.

I don't mean to have a go at the OP, he certainly says he is a serious buyer, but I think that as the BLNR is such a sought after watch maybe the AD didn't think a 20% deposit would be a big problem. How many of us have happily paid a deposit and waited many months for the D500? Also don't forget the other store might not want to have given up the BLNR, at least not easily, and esp if the buyer has not paid a deposit to prove his seriousness.

[japenney]

Ok I have read the vast majority of this thread.

I think that if you came across as a serious buyer the AD should have no hesitation to "order in" a BLNR for you. I say "BLNR" specifically because this watch sells itself. They sell like hot cakes. Now if you come across as a less serious buyer and you are asking for a less popular hard to sell model I can fully understand expecting a non-refundable deposit. Personally I have had my AD order in a $40,000 BLRO without requiring a deposit of me but they know me and knew that I was indeed serious about buying it. Now if an average Joe on the street says they want a very specific DD 40 model and the AD orders it in they could potentially be tying up $40,000 in a watch that is hard to sell if the buyer decides not to buy. Therefore they would be completely in their right to ask for a sizable deposit. While this deposit may not be refundable it could be used within the store on another item if the buyer did decide to refuse the watch.

In addition by going over the AD's head and going to Rolex USA I think that you may have "burned some bridges" with that particular AD. It may have been a better idea to speak with a manager/owner directly before doing this. In fact, when trying to build a relationship with an AD i would advise only dealing with a manager / owner for purchases if possible. They are the ones who are authorized to give you a better price and/or make important decisions.

Just my 2 cents,

Josh

[Kevin of Larchmont]

The vagaries of shifting inventory from one store to another aside I think the manager called the OP not because corporate Rolex told him to, rather because he was called out for his employee being pointlessly disruptive. Fifty bucks to ship or courier the watch? How about suggesting to the OP that he drive to the store that the watch was at? That would've been a creative solution. To essentially charge two grand to move a watch from one store to another is just a sales guy being a dick. The OP knows it. Corporate Rolex knows it. The manager knows it. In no way did that dick power-play move by the sales guy facilitate a sale, all it did was derail it and piss off a potential customer. Just plain poor salesmanship.

[Ritch99]

Its normal business practice. I do the same in my business. If an AD asked that of me, it would not be a big deal. I am sure they are tired of talkers and flakes. I agree with them 100%.

[dbluevette]

I've tried doing business with two different Rolex AD's here in Texas. They were disappointing to say the least.

I would never pay a non refundable deposit on any product without seeing it first. Good to know that Rolex USA agrees with this as well.

Its funny to me how many people on this forum will preach about buying the seller not the watch when it comes to purchasing grey market watches. But if the seller at an AD does something that's questionable, its looked upon as "just business" even though Rolex USA does not condone the practice in question.

Good for you OP! I applaud you.

[returntorolex]

Originally Posted by TxHarleyGuy

My hat's off to you fellas. For, after reading some of the responses, y'all seem to be bigger folks than I. For I just can't see the logic in laying down a 20% non refundable deposit on something I would like to see prior to purchase. Not going to happen in this lifetime.

This. A local AD offered to have shipped in from another one of their stores (large chain) THREE different watches for my wife to decide on. No commitment - I did leave a $500 refundable deposit on my Amex.

I'm so glad my wife had the opportunity to see the variations in the dials and be able to gravitate towards one that 'spoke' to her the most. The staff was very courteous and attentive - never felt pressured for a minute.

If you have a bad experience....vote with your feet and take your businesses elsewhere.

[Hodog16]

In my opinion a deposit shouldn't be required if a watch is already in the inventory and just needs to be transferred from store to store. The AD here has four locations and a courier who travels between the stores to move inventory around so often it doesn't even need to be shipped.

If a watch has to be ordered from Rolex, then it should be expected that a deposit is placed and that the buyer commits to the purchase. Obviously with waiting lists that is different but even BLNRs can sit in the case for a bit.

[mtgjr]

That's an amazingly quick and direct response by Rolex USA. Does anyone else find that difficult to believe? Sorry, color me skeptical. I've just never heard of someone calling (US) HQ to lodge a complaint against an AD, and HQ talking direct action within 24 hours. Interesting, if true.

[GerardoG]

Happened to me at T in Vegas. This is why I go back to my AD

[charger]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

that's an amazingly quick and direct response by rolex usa. Does anyone else find that difficult to believe? Sorry, color me skeptical. I've just never heard of someone calling (us) hq to lodge a complaint against an ad, and hq talking direct action within 24 hours. Interesting, if true.

x2

[Ruud Van Driver]

I can understand the AD wanting to think you're serious about buying but a non-refundable deposit is not acceptable.