Can’t believe how badly I was lied to

[johnwigan]

Originally Posted by jaySL350

Your right Paul,,,
Whole process is leaving a very poor “ taste “ in the mouth,,
I’m awaiting a chnr ,,told it should arrive before Xmas and if it does then great but if not then I can wait,,,
After that I’m out for the moment and will move on with Grand Seiko as my next daily and I br popping along to VC who were very welcoming and honest ( actually offer you a sit down appt to try there wares) ,, within the next few weeks ,,,
An absolutely awful time to try and join the Rolex world ,,

This is true. On the whole the people who post on watch forums are not typical customers. Maybe, not typical humans - only joking. Many are fanboyish and will try to justify bad service, bad experiences. They have rationalised it in the own minds and even relish it. Sometimes, they seem to delight in people being treated awfully. Why? Well I won't go into that.

Regular people will just see it as a crap experience, think that company is crap/incompetent and move onto something else. No company wants to antagonise potential customers and lose sales and profits to rivals. And weathly people in particular are used to and expect good service. Despite what some people may think on these boards, Rolex will not be satisfied offering a bad experience to would be customers. They have said as much - that the shortages are not by their design. It is not some grand plan to replace Patek and increase the profits of grey market dealers....

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

I agree with you.

For example, I was in Italy last month and swung by the ADs in Naples, Capri, and Rome.

Naples ADs were honest with me and said we give priority to locals and if I wanted to purchase to go to one of the larger ADs in Rome or Milan. Their allocation simply can’t complete with those larger cities to serve tourists who may end up never returning for future business. I appreciated their candidness and no-nonsense approach.

Capri was straight forward as well, but they’re only open for part of the year given the island slows down significantly during off season. It didn’t make sense to start a purchase history there.

Made it to one of the Rome ADs and was greeted with open arms despite being a tourist. Picked up quite a few pieces for the family I was traveling with.

It’s a rough time for newcomers to the hobby. Adjust one’s expectations and understand how they need to serve existing clients while doing their due diligence on potential new clients. People have a hard time accepting no as answer.

Shame we didn’t bump into each other. Were you at the store on Via Condotti?

I went to the AD at T3 airport and the SA there said they had just received a shipment of SS professional references the previous day. Needless to say they sold them all same day

Both AD’s were extremely friendly FWIW

[novae500]

I’m sure most ADs are not totally honest with customers. Happened to me all the time. No SS models but then speak to another SA and told we get 18-20 Rolexes coming in each week. They can’t all be lady datejust???


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[JodyHighroller]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Shame we didn’t bump into each other. Were you at the store on Via Condotti?

I went to the AD at T3 airport and the SA there said they had just received a shipment of SS professional references the previous day. Needless to say they sold them all same day

Both AD’s were extremely friendly FWIW

I think our trips were about a week or so apart. Too bad! I’m sure we’ll cross paths eventually lol. Yes, I visited that AD and the rest while in Rome. Incredible buildout and location to be honest! One of the most impressive Rolex layouts I’ve seen on my travels.

[amh]

Last time I was at an overseas AD was in Munich. They didn't lie, just said "Please go back to your home country and buy a Rolex there. Thank you."

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by amh

Last time I was at an overseas AD was in Munich. They didn't lie, just said "Please go back to your home country and buy a Rolex there. Thank you."

Fair enough tbh

[franklee168]

What's really shocking is how shocked we are about not being able to buy a Rolex at the AD while on vacation.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by franklee168

What's really shocking is how shocked we are about not being able to buy a Rolex at the AD while on vacation.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Interesting, I genuinely did not know that.

How do Rolex ship their watches now then?

Thanks in advance


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White card box.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

1) ...the Sales Associate kept opening up a drawer and taking out coffins with watches in them.

Apparently the watches in stock were dead and were being prepared for burial.

Truly, a very sad story, indeed.

[Boaters]

I wouldn't be an SA they have gotten to be dirty and I have no use or respect for those kind of people.

[zengineer]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

You are too kind with only the stare down. Might have been more interesting to go back with a local who speaks the language, put all three ladies pieces on the tray. Get ready to pull out black card, then ask offhandedly, anything else worth seeing?

You have a black card and that is your idea of a fun afternoon?

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[rmwill]

I received the coffin with my 226570 that I acquired in June from my AD. Since when did they stop?

Originally Posted by vh2k

Cardboard box - like Patek.

[DaveTheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by rmwill

I received the coffin with my 226570 that I acquired in June from my AD. Since when did they stop?

I think some AD’s have been using the new box for the past few months


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[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

I truthfully didn’t have any expectations with today’s market conditions. Though I guess we all secretly hope to stumble upon one of those AD’s we sometimes read about who don’t play any games and sell whatever (within reason) to whoever (within reason)

In fact, I went into one AD in Piraeus Greece a few weeks ago. Smaller little seaside city….in their displays they had quite a decent inventory - black op 41 / yellow gold stick day date and a couple different precious metal sky dwellers on oysteflex. I could have purchased any one of those pieces if I so desired….just wasn’t interested in those particular pieces / my wife will divorce me if I get another precious metal Rolex.


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ADs don't play games. They sell to people they know so they don't get burnt when strangers flip them and Rolex find out. It's not a game - just reality.

[broca00]

Originally Posted by franklee168

What's really shocking is how shocked we are about not being able to buy a Rolex at the AD while on vacation.

Lol. This.

[fskywalker]

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[DaveTheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by RolexSimon

ADs don't play games. They sell to people they know so they don't get burnt when strangers flip them and Rolex find out. It's not a game - just reality.

*The good ADs don’t play games.

Many of them most certainly play games to capitalize on this crazy market…leveraging hype pieces to incentivize big spenders to spend more. In my particular Greece ad situation, I didn’t expect them to sell me anything good. But I would have just preferred if they were straight up with me and said “we only sell watches to locals with whom we know and have relationships with”…I can’t really argue with that. I just don’t appreciate being blatantly lied to…I’m a big baby, I know!

Last week I picked up a steel piece from a local grey dealer. Awesome experience. I paid 6k over retail for my brand new sub date, and I’d gladly do it again to not have to put up with the games.


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[dwjez14]

Every AD in dallas has expo pieces ha. The excitement people show when they see the pieces and don’t see the sign first. Go gray your feeling will never be hurt again

[Bruse Wayne]

Originally Posted by samson66

There is literally no enjoyment at visiting Rolex AD's anymore. Used to be fun, now it's a depressing miserable experience. They don't even want to talk about Rolex anymore. Last time I went I couldn't wait to leave.

Spot on

[Roger Lococco]

Maybe the plastic coffins were display versions only.

[horseShu]

People keep saying the AD experience is hurting the brand.
But the "the AD rejected me" threads keep popping non-stop.

So no, I don't think it has 'hurt' the brand yet. People want what they can't have. So this'll take a while.

As a side note, I really find it sad when people still call them *my* AD while the SA figuratively spits on their faces.

[sp5702]

So you went in, chastised the SA in a country you’re not a local in and thought they’d sell you something?

Bold move.

[Boaters]

Go GRAY ... Because there is really no other way...

[ac_eddings]

I agree 100%. I never thought I would have to beg to spend thousands of dollars for a watch. Walking in a boutique is a complete waste of time anymore let alone an exiting and enjoyable experience. You almost feel as if your an annoyance to the SA’s. Not a good look for the brand at all.


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[DaveTheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by sp5702

So you went in, chastised the SA in a country you’re not a local in and thought they’d sell you something?

Bold move.

There was no chastising going on when I was in the store. I’m not a social misfit.


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[donq]

They probably thought you were going to rob them lurking around like that…

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by vh2k

Most people don't have the stomach to see how the sausage is made.

Pieces are allocated to customers who are chosen by the AD/SA and presented in person by appointment.

They were honest. We have no men's watches! (for you) is implied.

No need to call them out. "Aha!!! Your day is booked with appointments and you ARE delivering watches!!!! Caught you!!!" Silly.

Browsing Rolex cases is a thing of the past if you think you are going to buy same day.

/thread

Once we have a big economic downturn, maybe then you can browse the cases
Or, maybe not

[Ensign]

ADs sell to private customers only. It’s like that everywhere.

ADs should just operate from office buildings. There’s no need to brick and mortars anymore.

[hondacb1002]

Originally Posted by Ensign

ADs sell to private customers only. It’s like that everywhere.

ADs should just operate from office buildings. There’s no need to brick and mortars anymore.

I agree and I wonder how long Rolex will operate like this? I have never seen anything like it and I find it fascinating, and frustrating. But what makes me the most curious is that I wonder how many customers have been saving and scraping for up to a year or longer hoping to buy their first Rolex. These folks don't know what is going on and go into an AD only to be told they can't buy a watch with their hard earned money. Then these up and coming entrepreneurs will probably find out online that they were told a Bold Face Lie by the AD and that there are watches available just not to them at MSRP price. These new entrepreneurs will realize that the grey market is the MSRP for them when dealing with a Rolex AD and will sooner or later find out that the AD trips are an exercise of futility. That will effect the Rolex brand. In some ways it will create a level of distrust and dishonesty in the brand. When purchasing a Rolex you have to deal with an AD who lies to you about the availability of watches. Word of mouth will get around sooner or later to the general public and who knows we might even see an SNL skit about Rolex having boutiques but that there are no watches for sale unless you pay Grey Market Prices.