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

[araelto]

I wouldn't have an issue with that. If they are going to bring it in for you I would think that's the norm.

[richamby]

Shipping is $26 not $2000 totally unreasonable since they were shipping it from one of their own locations. Go someplace else, the profit on these watches is unreal, give your business to someone who provides good service and honors the fact that you want to do business with them.

[77T]

So if I get to the bottom line -
OP places name on list for a BLNR in Houston.
Then returns home to Austin.
OP visits an Austin AD and has a clueless salestron encounter.
Then calls Rolex USA, whereupon the manager of said AD will have the object of OP's desire in his shop by 10am CDT.

So I guess the Houston AD won't be getting the order?

Looking forward to tomorrow's wristshot

[Defiancekofb]

Hmmmm NON-REFUNDABLE is quite odd if you ask me. If he said you can put down $500 REFUNDABLE deposit to hold the watch and not sell it to another customer, I would say that's fair. But to put down $1,790 for a watch sight unseen, and non refundable? Hell No.

[Oscaronv]

I had a similar experience when I was contemplating a BLNR. The Rolex AD I visit has a few locations so I was told that the system did show two BLNR's incoming but that they could go to any location so it wasn't 100% guaranteed it would arrive at the one I was visiting. I was then told that if I gave a $500 deposit (which was refundable) that they could guarantee that one did come to that AD. Since it was refundable I agreed. Saw the watch and didn't end up buying it. AD had no problem with my decision since as you were told, " if you don't buy it someone else will" and refunded my money. No hard feelings. I got to see the watch and the AD would still have a sale.

The fact that the AD you visited required 20% and would make it non-refundable is ridiculous to me. Especially since they admitted that they would sell the watch either way. If it was a hard piece to sell I would possibly understand them since the last thing they want is to bring in a watch that they could possibly get stuck with but a BLNR, c'mon.

[Fleetlord]

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.

Totally agree. This is just fantasy on the part of the OP..never happened. Rolex wouldn't even care about any of this nonsense.


I don't understand why there is sometimes so much drama involved with AD and buying a Rolex...

If you don't like the dealer policies, just go to another one...there are plenty of them....which the OP had used the boutique to buy 2 other Rolexes...so why not just wait...

Then when there is some "problem" or whatever, people have to come on RF and tell us all about it...

Buying a Rolex is really super easy. Why all this drama is attached to it, I'll never know...

[ernie2]

This is some funny sh*t.

[bradj]

Russel Korman had one in stock earlier in the week. Go check them out

[MaxTG]

I would have taken the opposite tack...

Don't pay a deposit, pay ALL of it, up-front for the whole watch, sight unseen. After all, the intent was to actually buy the watch if everything lined up.

When the watch arrives, inspect, and if everything is order, done. There is also no uncertainty in the out-the-door price, because it's paid in full. No surprises.

If at any time you don't get the watch or decide not to buy it, the purchase is refundable by the AD or Amex directly. It's a very easy reversal to make, if you didn't take delivery, and the payment was for the whole watch.
Always use Amex or a good credit card. There's no such thing as non-refundable.

[Nairn1980]

It's a BLNR..... Just buy it :)

[TxHarleyGuy]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Totally agree. This is just fantasy on the part of the OP..never happened. Rolex wouldn't even care about any of this nonsense.


I don't understand why there is sometimes so much drama involved with AD and buying a Rolex...

If you don't like the dealer policies, just go to another one...there are plenty of them....which the OP had used the boutique to buy 2 other Rolexes...so why not just wait...

Then when there is some "problem" or whatever, people have to come on RF and tell us all about it...

Buying a Rolex is really super easy. Why all this drama is attached to it, I'll never know...

Yeah, you're right. You were there, I wasn't. Don't know what I was thinking. Forgive me......

Nice to see this forum isn't unlike any other out there on the net.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by TxHarleyGuy

Yeah, you're right. You were there, I wasn't. Don't know what I was thinking. Forgive me......

Nice to see this forum isn't unlike any other out there on the net.

So now you feel the need to insult all of us?

[GradyPhilpott]

I've ordered two Rolex watches from my AD and both times he required a non-refundable 50% down payment.

I have no problem with that because both times I had every intention of buying the watch as soon as it came in.

The OP admits that he has no intention of buying the watch and when the AD requires a deposit to acquire the watch for his viewing pleasure he becomes offended and contacts Rolex USA and puts the AD on the spot, and possibly worse, with Rolex.

The fact is that the OP went into the AD and carried out a ruse to just browse a product that they AD didn't have in stock and maintained that ruse throughout the scenario and gloats when RUSA rains down hell-fire and brimstone on the AD.

I don't think either party acted in a very honorable way, but I think it was incumbent on the OP to just swallow his pride and move on without the histrionics.

That's just my personal view.

[DESH]

OP, entitled much? Secondly, if you have no intentions on purchasing from said AD, do not waste the sales persons time.

[Rocket_Man]

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.

Clearly this policy is not supported by Rolex. Just another example of 'typical AD behavior' that people report on TRF. A Refundable deposit is understandable and is enough to show someone's interest. A Non-Refundable deposit is ridiculous and I'm not even sure it is legal in Texas. Car dealers love to do the same thing. They try to convince you that you will lose your deposit if you don't come back and buy the car. In reality the courts have shot this down. This is just a way to stop you from shopping at the competition. This is probably the true motivation of this AD, shady as a car dealership. If you are a Rolex AD you need to have the capital on hand to run your business. This comes from the 38% they make on the watch when someone buys it. Money comes in to pay their bills and fund new inventory. In this case they think they can get a potential customer to fund their capital cost of doing business. Did they ask you for $50 for the time you spent in their store to cover the rent, utilities and the security guard's salary? Tacky business practice. But if it were me I would just never do business with this AD again. If they try to pull this they will have more tricks up their sleeve.

It is even more shady in this case since the dealer seemed to already have the watch in their system since it will be there in the morning. So they already paid Rolex for this watch and are trying to squeeze the OP for more money. Instead they should be happy that someone is interested in buying this watch and thereby not only recovering the funds they laid out for the watch already, but make 38% (minus their capital deposit) to help pay his bills. Isn't that what they are in business for in the first place? Not to scam their customers out of $1,800.

If he paid in advance and later decided not to buy the watch, the AD would then charge him a restocking fee. They probably would have also swiped the warranty card and charge an extra $50 to get a new one.

Originally Posted by texex91

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.

It may be a private business but they operate under strict rules laid down by Rolex and at any time they break those rules or Rolex has some other reason, they can pull their AD status in a heart beat. No Rolex AD is entitled to sell Rolex... Rolex allows them to sell if they operate under their rules. In this case Rolex reminded them this is not a Rolex Policy and the AD clearly understood the potential implications and corrected that error quickly.

[4srolex]

a 20% non refundable deposit is unreasonable for a watch that has had a history of misaligned dials and a weak cyclops magnification. BLNR are not hard to sell so I don't see it sitting in the display case too long if the OP does not purchase it. On a flip side, if it was a 20% deposit that was refundable upon inspection then I would be OK with it.

[mui.richard]

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 hope you're serious...

Next time when you shop for your new Mercedes go to a used car dealer first. I'm sure they will have the latest AMG C63 for your viewing pleasure?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, but if they want my business and don't even have the hot models on display? My business goes else where. Simple as that.


a watch is meant to be worn

[Muzz]

I would not order in anything without a deposit for someone. I think they are reasonable.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by TxHarleyGuy

Yeah, you're right. You were there, I wasn't. Don't know what I was thinking. Forgive me......

Nice to see this forum isn't unlike any other out there on the net.

You started this thread to get our opinions and the majority don't agree with you.

Personally I think your approach stinks, (this is of course just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it)

For a detailed and in depth opinion I would need a 100% non refundable deposit from you

[Yogi20]

Two sides here and neither will agree with the other, if serious I would have offered to pay a fully refundable deposit if I did not like it, they know your serious and you know your money's safe .........jmho

[superdog]

Originally Posted by MonBK

You started this thread to get our opinions and the majority don't agree with you.

Personally I think your approach stinks, (this is of course just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it)

For a detailed and in depth opinion I would need a 100% non refundable deposit from you

[superdog]

i just read this thread. And boy is it a fun one.

And while I was not there personally for any of these conversations, I do find the AD asking for a deposit to ship the watch reasonable. I can also see how some would find it unreasonable.

That's being said, I would feel like a tool for expecting, as a brand new customer to a particular store, to ship a watch for me, just so I can see it. That appears like a careless disregard for anyone else's time and value.

It sounded like the OP had no real intention of buying, as his name was on the list at the boutique he previously bought two watches. He just wanted to see the watch? And expects the AD to go through the trouble of shipping it for his viewing pleasure?

Well, why would anyone be surprised that the AD would want a deposit when people are acting with such careless regard for their own time.

Fwiw, the title sounds like the AD wanted 20% to take it out if the showcase.

And then to make a blanket insult because the forum disagrees? Well, that kind of sounds not surprising based on what I can tell so far.

But I've got to agree with my boy Fleetlord as well. Again, not there, but it sounds outrageously unlikely that Rolex would care enough to get involved. I kind of think they might even agree with the 20% request.

But even if they did care, and they thought the 20% was unreasonable, I also find it unlikely they are going to jump off the phone to rectify this situation in 20 minutes. Seems not like Rolex.

Lastly, of the whole story all true, and I hope it is (boy it would be sad if it weren't) I sure hope the OP now buys the watch.

If after all that he doesn't purchase the watch from this AD, it would be nothing short of validating everything the AD did, and every negative comment about Rolex owners that has ever been muttered.

[Nairn1980]

I agree with above.....imagine after all this fuss with Rolex etc he looks at it, tries it on, has a Diet Coke (LOL) and then says no thanks...

I don't think he would be able to walk in the door of that AD again.

[mui.richard]

I'm just curious as to the guys who's commented that ADs should ask for a deposit and that "if I have no FIRM intention of buying I shouldn't be wasting the ADs time, or even walk in there..."

Do you guys walk out of a car dealership with a new car EVERY TIME?

By the same token, you expect to close a deal with EVERY customer that walks into your doors after a test drive?

I find this thread funny AND alarming! This kind of twisted mentality where a sales person no longer need to "sell" (providing service BEFORE a sale)...is just beyond my comprehension.

Wanna avoid these costs? Close the doors for good and you'll have none of the costs associated with running a business.

And if this is the kind of service I shall be getting from a brick and mortar AD, what's the point of paying a premium going to an AD in the first place? Most online shops offer much heftier discounts and I can even save the trip right?

ADs are there so I can go and have a look at the piece, feel how it wears on my wrist BEFORE committing to a purchase. If they can't even provide that service, in my honest opinion they have outlived their purpose.

a watch is meant to be worn

[superdog]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

I'm just curious as to the guys who's commented that ADs should ask for a deposit and that "if I have no FIRM intention of buying I shouldn't be wasting the ADs time, or even walk in there..."

Do you guys walk out of a car dealership with a new car EVERY TIME?

By the same token, you expect to close a deal with EVERY customer that walks into your doors after a test drive?

I find this thread funny AND alarming! This kind of twisted mentality where a sales person no longer need to "sell" (providing service BEFORE a sale)...is just beyond my comprehension.

Wanna avoid these costs? Close the doors for good and you'll have none of the costs associated with running a business.

And if this is the kind of service I shall be getting from a brick and mortar AD, what's the point of paying a premium going to an AD in the first place? Most online shops offer much heftier discounts and I can even save the trip right?

ADs are there so I can go and have a look at the piece, feel how it wears on my wrist BEFORE committing to a purchase. If they can't even provide that service, in my honest opinion they have outlived their purpose.

a watch is meant to be worn

I do not buy every watch I look at, nor do I buy every car I look at.

However, I would not ever ask for a special order knowing I had no intention of buying at that location. If I wanted to see it, I'd go and find it. I'm not am elitist expecting people to wait on me hand and foot. I like to be a good customer as much as I want to be a good vendor to my customers.

I've got a great relationship with my AD, but even with that, id never ask them to order something without having a specific intent to buy. Just so I could see it? No, that doesn't seem fair to me.

I'm not saying I agree or disagree specifically with an AD requiring a deposit to get a watch in. But I do think the entire situation was handled in a manner that I am personally not comfortable with. But that's me. I'm not judging. However, it is a forum and opinions were requested.

[mui.richard]

Originally Posted by superdog

I do not buy every watch I look at, nor do I buy every car I look at.

However, I would not ever ask for a special order knowing I had no intention of buying at that location. If I wanted to see it, I'd go and find it. I'm not am elitist expecting people to wait on me hand and foot. I like to be a good customer as much as I want to be a good vendor to my customers.

I've got a great relationship with my AD, but even with that, id never ask them to order something without having a specific intent to buy. Just so I could see it? No, that doesn't seem fair to me.

I'm not saying I agree or disagree specifically with an AD requiring a deposit to get a watch in. But I do think the entire situation was handled in a manner that I am personally not comfortable with. But that's me. I'm not judging. However, it is a forum and opinions were requested.

You know what, I do agree with you that I wouldn't have a dealer "order in" a merchandise if I had no intention of buying. My last comment was mainly directed at some of the comments made after the OP's post.

But my comment still stands, if ADs aren't there to provide services then there's no point for ADs to exist.

In the unlikely event that I do have them ship in something and I didn't like it when it's there in the flesh, I'll thank them politely for their services provided. Maybe it's a different "cultural" thing but in my shopping experience (mainly in Hong Kong and Japan), most major dealerships will be more than happy to assist even though in the end there's no sale...and these are the dealerships that I'll be visiting again for future purchases.

So yes I also try to be a sensible customer but I wouldn't be pressured into a purchase simply because they "went thru the trouble" to provide me with service.

a watch is meant to be worn

[superdog]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

You know what, I do agree with you that I wouldn't have a dealer "order in" a merchandise if I had no intention of buying. My last comment was mainly directed at some of the comments made after the OP's post.

But my comment still stands, if ADs aren't there to provide services then there's no point for ADs to exist.

In the unlikely event that I do have them ship in something and I didn't like it when it's there in the flesh, I'll thank them politely for their services provided. Maybe it's a different "cultural" thing but in my shopping experience (mainly in Hong Kong and Japan), most major dealerships will be more than happy to assist even though in the end there's no sale...and these are the dealerships that I'll be visiting again for future purchases.

So yes I also try to be a sensible customer but I wouldn't be pressured into a purchase simply because they "went thru the trouble" to provide me with service.

a watch is meant to be worn

I get it man. I think what you are saying has complete validity. A customer is by no means obligated to buy. And the seller should have to "earn" the sale. I agree completely.

I also feel it's a two way street and consideration for one another goes a long way. It sounds like you do too.

[Goin2drt]

Originally Posted by mui.richard

You know what, I do agree with you that I wouldn't have a dealer "order in" a merchandise if I had no intention of buying. My last comment was mainly directed at some of the comments made after the OP's post.

But my comment still stands, if ADs aren't there to provide services then there's no point for ADs to exist.

In the unlikely event that I do have them ship in something and I didn't like it when it's there in the flesh, I'll thank them politely for their services provided. Maybe it's a different "cultural" thing but in my shopping experience (mainly in Hong Kong and Japan), most major dealerships will be more than happy to assist even though in the end there's no sale...and these are the dealerships that I'll be visiting again for future purchases.

So yes I also try to be a sensible customer but I wouldn't be pressured into a purchase simply because they "went thru the trouble" to provide me with service.

a watch is meant to be worn

Read the entire thread because I was bored. You are the most sensible person in here in my non refundable opinion, spot on.

[watchwatcher]

Free country...you can always walk away. Which is what I would have done.

Which AD was it, by the way? I had a very good experience at Russell Korman a couple of years ago.

[bdex75]

I think it is an AD's right to have whatever policy they want. I don't have to do business with them if I don't like it. Especially if I have a good relationship with another ad where I have done lots of other business.

Several things that strike me as odd, on each side of this situation.
1. There is an AD in Houston that thinks it's next blnr is sold to a good customer who just went somewhere else.

2. If the BLNR is such a hot watch at that ad why insist the deposit is non refundable. Someone will buy it quickly. That seems a little odd to me if they just have to ship in from another store.

3. How hot is a watch that another forum member states the AD in the next town over has 2 on display? Drive there. Don't deal with this D-bag
Ad. That may be tough now that Rolex has called the manager.

4. I have never know Rolex to care about or respond to this stuff at all, let alone that quickly.

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