AD Etiquette Advice please.

[pokerhsu]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

I actually consider my AD a genuine friend, not just a retail intermediary. I remember when my wife called him about an Oris she bought me (He's not a Oris dealer) while he was at work. They spoke and he gave her his cell number so she could send pictures and he could offer advice. Just an above and beyond type of dude.

We like a lot of the same things (German Cars, watches, EV's) despite a significant age gap and we are both active in the local horology society. Although I have never brought a gift to his place of work, him and his lovely girlfriend always drink for free when I'm there at the society meet ups.

The best advice is... be yourself. If there is no natural inclination and/or you feel perturbed by offering a material thank you along with a gracious verbal thank you, then don't. If you are a type of individual where you get just as much out of giving then receiving, then go for it.

Hell, there is actually a lot of people who give (and gift) to feel empowered themselves as opposed to displaying gratitude. There is such a thing as selfish giving and it's very prevalent among many financially successful people (like the kind who buy luxury watches).

Thanks! Well said. I do genuinely enjoy giving and in my somewhat limited experience with Rolex AD's and their sales associates this particular associate exceeded my expectations.

[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by pokerhsu

Thanks! Well said. I do genuinely enjoy giving and in my somewhat limited experience with Rolex AD's and their sales associates this particular associate exceeded my expectations.

My pleasure....

I get it. No one wants a genuine display of gratitude to be seen as social faux pas. In order to avoid embarrassment, you "head" to a place with the most situational experience to confirm your inclination.

I'm glad you did. Why? Because I'll be super pumped for those incoming pics that I expect you to post!

[Jack T]

This is nuts. Do people, grown adults not know how to conduct routine commerce in the real world? Pay money, get product, go home.

[pokerhsu]

Originally Posted by Jack T

This is nuts. Do people, grown adults not know how to conduct routine commerce in the real world? Pay money, get product, go home.

Thanks Jack. I respectfully disagree with you. This would be my first NEW Rolex purchase, and so far the experience has certainly not been routine. In fact it's so non-routine that people make "Got the Call" posts and post pictures because they are so happy that they finally got the watch they've been waiting for. I can't think of many other commerce transactions that spur so many conversation. I went to the supermarket today but I don't think anyone wants to see a post and picture saying I got that Purdue Chicken Breast.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Jack T

This is nuts. Do people, grown adults not know how to conduct routine commerce in the real world? Pay money, get product, go home.

if every AD had full cases of product and YOU chose that AD to make the purchase from you would be accurate. However, that is not the situation right now. It is a seller’s world, THEY have dozens of customers to choose from. So, thanking them with a small token for choosing YOU to sell it to is very appropriate.

[Jack T]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

if every AD had full cases of product and YOU chose that AD to make the purchase from you would be accurate. However, that is not the situation right now. It is a seller’s world, THEY have dozens of customers to choose from. So, thanking them with a small token for choosing YOU to sell it to is very appropriate.

Yes, we are trading in a peculiar environment with products that no one really needs, but evidently for which there is great demand. At least for now.

And there are so very, very many customers, acolytes, who act this way that my thinking has zero impact on the trend. The bigger issue is people prepaying for their Rolex’s with all kinds of crazy tactics, both customer and AD.

I’ve been a steady customer at my AD for over 14 years, purchased a range of jewelry and other items over that time, for my wife and others, my kids have bought diamond and wedding rings, with no purpose other than to serve our personal needs.

I’ve always been treated great, obtained what I wanted, and often given a peek at some special items.

For those just getting in to this hobby in the last three years, yes, the sales process has certainly changed a great deal, and not in the buyers favor.

But most of these new, high demand customers are not watch enthusiasts, they’re Rolex Wannabes, with a very short term, high volume perspective.

People can do what they want, but for me, a sincere word of thanks and a firm handshake is sufficient appreciation for obtaining what I want.

Let’s not forget, Rolex isn’t keeping these AD’s in business; we’re the ones putting $10,000 or $15,000 of our money in to someone else’s pocket.

[Jack T]

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[xjeeunitx]

If you want to give your rep something, do it digitally. Gift cards does the job.

[xjeeunitx]

For all folks that think it is outrageous for rewarding their rep, you would be surprised the outcomes produced by this small gesture. Everything is based off of establishing relationships and motivations. By having one up on the next guy or gal, you may get the call sooner.

[daveo5]

An AD is like any other business owner. I have never gifted any business owner for selling me a product.


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[JRell]

After I purchased my first Rolex with my current AD, I mailed a hand-written thank you note. Not necessary, but doesn’t hurt and nice thing to do.

[jimcameron]

Do I bring him or her a bottle of scotch/wine when I go in to pick up the new watch?

If you're unsure of their gender, just bring chocolates.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Do I bring him or her a bottle of scotch/wine when I go in to pick up the new watch?

If you're unsure of their gender, just bring chocolates.

Good advice, not too many humans exist that don’t like chocolate!

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by pokerhsu

Hey all, I was wondering what is the proper etiquette for showing your appreciation to the sales rep at the AD? Let's say for example I got the call to pick up a watch I've been waiting for. My sales rep has been super nice and exceeded my expectations. Do I bring him or her a bottle of scotch/wine when I go in to pick up the new watch? Is something like that even allowed?

What, if anything have you guys done?

Thanks.

I shake his hand, I recommend him to other people, I bring my wife in occasionally and let her buy things, and he gets first crack at selling me additional watches. That's all more than enough.

[DG123]

I've wondered if grey dealers make gifts of cash to the AD employees who sell them watches?

[Nico81]

Originally Posted by pokerhsu

Hey all, I was wondering what is the proper etiquette for showing your appreciation to the sales rep at the AD? Let's say for example I got the call to pick up a watch I've been waiting for. My sales rep has been super nice and exceeded my expectations. Do I bring him or her a bottle of scotch/wine when I go in to pick up the new watch? Is something like that even allowed?

What, if anything have you guys done?

Thanks.

Depends
I bought my sales associate white op34 at rerailers cost +5% and her boss (son of owner) trip to st. Regis maldevis for 2
There were many other smaller giftd

Let me just say…it was well worth it

This was not USA AD and things like these go a lonh way in this North American country to get basically any watch you want


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[Token74]

I buy my AD (not sales advisor) Christmas chocolates every year, same as i give my postman and bin men a gift. It’s a perfectly reasonable and decent thing to do.


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[Calatrava r]

Another thought is in the current Rolex market, the sales associates typically do not make allocation decisions on the watches. Thus, if your giving gifts, they probably should go to the owner, the general manager or whoever is making the decisions. I think it's okay to send something to eat to the store, but your thanks should always be enough for any business. Actually, they should be thanking you for being a customer.

[4rnold]

They should be thanking you, that's true, but the situation is different now.

Imagine your wife is pregnant and you will get a son or daughter, and to celebrate this you go to your A D and say that in 9 months...

You tell them you want a submariner to celebrate this, and wear for the rest of your life to remember this amazing event.
And he manages to get it for you the week you become father.

Would a little thanks (a bottle) for example be in its place?

I sure think so

[saltyandwet]

Hhahahaha....this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Do you tip your doctor or bring him/her a gift? I mean, he did save you from further pain and suffering. Do you tip your pilot after a vacation? He did get you home safely. I'd think those would mean more than a watch, no?

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by saltyandwet

Hhahahaha....this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Do you tip your doctor or bring him/her a gift? I mean, he did save you from further pain and suffering. Do you tip your pilot after a vacation? He did get you home safely. I'd think those would mean more than a watch, no?

Doctor and Pilot makes multiples of a jewelry store SA. Most people do tip or gift small gifts to mechanics, barbers/hairdressers, housecleaners, and all other types of service folks. Can people not really tell the difference between these things? Or are they being willfully obtuse?

That being said, I’m a physician and people bring me stuff ALL THE TIME. Baked Goods, coffee, gift cards, all kinds of stuff. Hasn’t happened to me, but I have had colleagues that have received actual Rolexes from a patient after they have been discharged (don’t know their AD relationship).

People like doing something for people if they feel they have treated them well. No different if an SA picks someone for a watch over the other 30 people in line…

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by saltyandwet

Hhahahaha....this is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Do you tip your doctor or bring him/her a gift? I mean, he did save you from further pain and suffering. Do you tip your pilot after a vacation? He did get you home safely. I'd think those would mean more than a watch, no?

No I’ve heard much dumber things, some posts in this thread for example.

[messikens]

I'd suggest a tequila tasting for the entire store. Seems to have been very well received by the staff according to a member on TRF

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by messikens

I'd suggest a tequila tasting for the entire store. Seems to have been very well received by the staff according to a member on TRF

Now we’re talking!

[Big Kahuna 0311]

If this was years ago and I just walked into the store and bought the watch, I probably would not gift anything. But like others have said, in this market where they could easily allocate to someone else I think it’s reasonably fine to give a small appreciation gift. I am waiting for my first Rolex and once I receive it I am already planning on a gift card/cash. I don’t like giving my money away but I do like showing my gratitude.

[Honda137]

🤣 would you bring a gift to the salesman at a car dealership…..no.
Would you bring a gift to the staff a Walmart when buy pants….no
Bringing a gift to the staff at your AD just so you have a better chance at purchasing another watch in the future is just ridiculous.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Honda137

🤣 would you bring a gift to the salesman at a car dealership…..no.
Would you bring a gift to the staff a Walmart when buy pants….no
Bringing a gift to the staff at your AD just so you have a better chance at purchasing another watch in the future is just ridiculous.

Are there waiting lists for pants at Walmart? Does the salesperson at Walmart have a dozen or more customer for every pair of pants that come in to stock?

No.

You don’t get it.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Honda137

🤣 would you bring a gift to the salesman at a car dealership…..no.
Would you bring a gift to the staff a Walmart when buy pants….no
Bringing a gift to the staff at your AD just so you have a better chance at purchasing another watch in the future is just ridiculous.

What’s ridiculous is you straining to equate the availability of pants at Walmart with the availability of perhaps the most recognizable watch brand on the planet, many of whose AD’s maintain waiting lists which is an endless source of conversation around here. Your analogy game is weak. And if it was a Porsche dealership then yeah, I might.

[Tanalasta]

A genuine note of thanks and message re: my appreciation. An email to the store manager feeding back my positive experience.

And occasionally a surprise for Christmas. Depending on where the conversation(s) have been, a small token of appreciation that is individualised. I’m not on the EOI for anything at the moment. So it is just a genuine thank you.


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[Heraklion]

It's a real shame that people have felt the need to fall into this pattern of submission around watch purchases. I get that people want to assure their place in line but having to ask strangers how submissive you should be under the guise of thanking a retail salesperson is a little out there.