The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 4 May 2019, 12:30 AM   #91
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by zutmonroi View Post
From my point of view, Merkaholic behaved like a customer on a Bangkok street market so the AD acted like a salesman on a Bangkok street market.



You just got the reaction you deserved.



No offense
Go take a lesson in English and than read my post again and digest.

No offence intended.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:36 AM   #92
FrontHeadlock
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 377
I have no problem with what ADs are doing, BUT I do think they should be up front about it.

If you can only sell limited quantity SS sports pieces to people who buy other watches just say that. Most people will understand.

Don't tell someone you don't have anything, and then say you do when they inquire about buying a PM piece. That type of behavior would completely turn me off.

Honesty is always the best policy. I will always respect an AD for being honest about in-demand pieces.
FrontHeadlock is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:37 AM   #93
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by FrontHeadlock View Post
I have no problem with what ADs are doing, BUT I do think they should be up front about it.



If you can only sell limited quantity SS sports pieces to people who buy other watches just say that. Most people will understand.



Don't tell someone you don't have anything, and then say you do when they inquire about buying a PM piece. That type of behavior would completely turn me off.



Honesty is always the best policy. I will always respect an AD for being honest about in-demand pieces.
You have hit the nail on the head.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:39 AM   #94
shortsqueeze
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 85
I am aware of quite a few ADs that keep professional watches in the safe because they don't want them going to flippers off the street. They'll gladly sell to a local non-flipper without any of this bundling nonsense.

There are two types of ADs in this market the way I see it. One that is trying to benefit in the short term to the detriment of their local and long-term clients by bundling and selling to grays. These ADs have no interest in building long-term relationships. They're out for the quick buck.

Then there are the ones that operate with integrity and play the long game. They sell to their local and long-term customers of all manner of means, allocating desirable models in whatever method they think is most fair.

The latter are out there ladies and gentlemen, you just need to find them.
shortsqueeze is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:43 AM   #95
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Last week i went into a ad and made a very similar enquiry. The sa sat me down and offered to take my details with assurances that i will have a sub within 6-9 months. He also emailed me a confirmation. He went one step further and assured me that we don't operate a bundle policy.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:56 AM   #96
Fleetlord
2024 Pledge Member
 
Fleetlord's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Vain
Posts: 6,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkaholic View Post
Last week i went into a ad and made a very similar enquiry. The sa sat me down and offered to take my details with assurances that i will have a sub within 6-9 months. He also emailed me a confirmation. He went one step further and assured me that we don't operate a bundle policy.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Wait...what's this thread all about then?

You had already found an AD that will accommodate you to your liking, but you then went to a different AD?

Then when that AD didn't act like you wanted them to, you posted a thread on Rolexforums to tell us all about it...

Why?

Why not just move forward with prior AD and wait for your Sub to arrive, without bundling, in 6-9 months?

Fleetlord is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:57 AM   #97
woof
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: san francisco
Watch: SS daytona, Hulk,
Posts: 1,297
Its hard to be an AD nowadays. Nothing they can do to satisfy the customer. They are being squeezed by Rolex and the customers. Sadly, no end in site.
__________________
Watchdog (Woof)
SS daytona,Hulk,DSJC,50th SD,
SS SkyD, Zblue, YMblue,
MoonPhase, Rootbeer
Batman, Sub, Blk GMT, Pepsi,YG Daytona, TTSD, Batgirl, 5167/1A, Speedy, P01, OP, Kermit
woof is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:59 AM   #98
Keepchasing
"TRF" Member
 
Keepchasing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Watch: A few
Posts: 645
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
Wait...what's this thread all about then?

You had already found an AD that will accommodate you to your liking, but you then went to a different AD?

Then when that AD didn't act like you wanted them to, you posted a thread on Rolexforums to tell us all about it...

Why?

Why not just move forward with prior AD and wait for your Sub to arrive, without bundling, in 6-9 months?

Good point. Was wondering the same.
Keepchasing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 12:59 AM   #99
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
Wait...what's this thread all about then?

You had already found an AD that will accommodate you to your liking, but you then went to a different AD?

Then when that AD didn't act like you wanted them to, you posted a thread on Rolexforums to tell us all about it...

Why?

Why not just move forward with prior AD and wait for your Sub to arrive, without bundling, in 6-9 months?

So you have never been into more than one ad???

I suggest you get in the real world.

Btw try reading the op again and digest it before making thoughtless claims.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:05 AM   #100
BillA
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Posts: 3,879
Please tell the AD who wants to bundle you to stick the watch where the sun does not shine.
One day when this bubble is over, they will regret their tactics.
BillA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:06 AM   #101
Fleetlord
2024 Pledge Member
 
Fleetlord's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Vain
Posts: 6,023
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkaholic View Post
So you have never been into more than one ad???

I suggest you get in the real world.

Btw try reading the op again and digest it before making thoughtless claims.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
I've seen all I need to see...you already had a "drama free" option to obtain the watch but you didn't do it.
Fleetlord is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:07 AM   #102
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillA View Post
Please tell the AD who wants to bundle you to stick the watch where the sun does not shine.

One day when this bubble is over, they will regret their tactics.
I said it with plenty of diplomacy lol

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:07 AM   #103
AK797
2024 Pledge Member
 
AK797's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,369
I'd Merk dem man dem, man.
AK797 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:09 AM   #104
cbiggs
"TRF" Member
 
cbiggs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Chicago
Posts: 304
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monty22 View Post
Yep. I know it’s frustrating, but you have to consider that every day most ADs field multiple cold calls and multiple random walk-ins from people all wanting the same thing. From what I have observed and have had described to me by my SA, 1/3 of the inquiries for SS involve poor social skills with the first word uttered being “STAINLESS STEEL”. Or they are the “benefactors of the shenanigans the OP pulled. While the OPs story started out cordial, it certainly did not end well. Wasting the SAs time with watches that you don’t have the capacity or willingness to buy just to gain perceived power or throwing grey dealers in their face is just as wrong as what they are doing.

If I had a retail distribution business where I was at the mercy of my manufacturer with these supply issues, I would:

1. Do everything I can to keep my current, valuable, and big spending customers happy
2. Find ways to maximize each sale BOTH in terms of dollars and relationship to turn a bad situation into something positive
3. Find ways not to business with entitled jerks.

Sorry for the rant. I am not trying to preach but we forget that the ADs and their SA’s are people as well. In the SA’s case, many are overworked and underpaid (retail sucks).

I am new to the game and feel fortunate that I have the perspective and patience to let my quest play out in due time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I like your mentality and think that many here can learn a lot from it.


Hello from Chicago
cbiggs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:12 AM   #105
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
I've seen all I need to see...you already had a "drama free" option to obtain the watch but you didn't do it.
Not sure i really follow your point........as previously mentioned, go read the op and digest it before passing thoughtless judgements

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:16 AM   #106
strafer_kid
"TRF" Member
 
strafer_kid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Kenny
Location: northern ireland
Watch: SDs, Subs & GMTs
Posts: 5,136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
Meanwhile....shortly after your departure, another person arrived and more than likely purchased whatever Rolex bundle the AD steered them towards with no effort at all...

That's why the AD do this..because the general market and high rollers alike accept it and it works out just fine. Sure, they get the occasional WIS who shows up to kick a stink, but overall it is a very successful strategy.

So in other words, if it didn't work, they wouldn't do it.
That's pretty much it. There are plenty of high rollers and so forth out there that carry sufficient weight and buying power to meet AD targets etc. which is sadly unfortunate for the WIS. I also seriously doubt that 'official policy' has any real part to play!
strafer_kid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:20 AM   #107
Tavli3
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: miami
Watch: GMT II 16760
Posts: 1,676
Quote:
Originally Posted by Monty22 View Post
Yep. I know it’s frustrating, but you have to consider that every day most ADs field multiple cold calls and multiple random walk-ins from people all wanting the same thing. From what I have observed and have had described to me by my SA, 1/3 of the inquiries for SS involve poor social skills with the first word uttered being “STAINLESS STEEL”. Or they are the “benefactors of the shenanigans the OP pulled. While the OPs story started out cordial, it certainly did not end well. Wasting the SAs time with watches that you don’t have the capacity or willingness to buy just to gain perceived power or throwing grey dealers in their face is just as wrong as what they are doing.

If I had a retail distribution business where I was at the mercy of my manufacturer with these supply issues, I would:

1. Do everything I can to keep my current, valuable, and big spending customers happy
2. Find ways to maximize each sale BOTH in terms of dollars and relationship to turn a bad situation into something positive
3. Find ways not to business with entitled jerks.

Sorry for the rant. I am not trying to preach but we forget that the ADs and their SA’s are people as well. In the SA’s case, many are overworked and underpaid (retail sucks).

I am new to the game and feel fortunate that I have the perspective and patience to let my quest play out in due time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I get the part about the SAs being frustrated with getting hit with the same question dozens of times everyday. But I do not agree that it's all the retail consumer's fault. Not everyone is up to speed on the current Rolex "shortage". Most people simply decide one day they want a Rolex or have just been able to money wise buy a Rolex. If by chance that Rolex is not a "Stainless" model then there's no issue they walk in try on what they want and walk out with a watch and being none the wiser of whats going on. If however they should want a "Stainless" sport model then they will more than likely and unknowingly walk into a buzz saw.

A simple solution would be to post a nice sign on the door that they are out of stock on all "Stainless Sport Models". That would cut down on the drive by buyers. It makes sense since they are never going to sell a hot watch to a walk in anyway. Those watches are sold via a phone call. And not many people are going to buy a YG watch for 37K just to buy a 12K stainless watch. It will cut down on the rudness level also I believe from the SAs since they will be less hasselled.

The way I read the OPs post is that he went into a store asked for a sport model and was rudely told none in stock and was redirected to a PM watch. So the deterioration in the encounter was started by the SA not the OP. Once he showed interest in the PM watch a "Stainless" watch was magically in stock. Kind of unethical. It's the Rude part that is the problem. I've experienced it and it seems to be more and more common. I don't think it is beneficial to the Store owner, to Rolex or to the consumer.

I think the ADs should be upfront and say our policy is only to sell these watches in a combo deal to customers they don't know. If you tell a customer due to a shortage its now the policy, I think they will get less offended.

It's offending when they rudely say we don't have any but we do have this 37K watch over here for you to buy and I can maybe see if we can get you another watch! I've had this actually happen to me at the Bal Harbor Mall. I was deflected from a sport model into a YG Day Date for 37K and I said I like it but can you get me what I want if I buy this and that's when I got the maybe. Maybe? So the game was started by the SA not me. I have every right to go in and ask for any watch I desire. They have a choice in either being upfront or playing the deflection game. They decided to play their game so I played my game much like the OP decided to play his game.
Make me a deal! Don't ask me to spend 37K and give me a maybe. I'm not here to say whether if you do or don't do a deal like that is right or wrong, to each his own. But I think both sides need to be more honest with each other.
The shortage will continue, the situation will continue it’s just a matter how pissed off each side gets at each other. Time will tell.

PS: By shortage I mean the MSRP shortage since we all know these watches are available in the hundreds via the Grays.
Tavli3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:37 AM   #108
TswaneNguni
"TRF" Member
 
TswaneNguni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: .
Watch: Daytonas/Subs/GMTs
Posts: 12,609
Quote:
Originally Posted by NoVaSubowner View Post
Yeah. We really are. Simple. Unassuming. Just has a date and pretty much that’s all it has. Been around since 1945. Worn by 2 out of three of the gentlemen responsible for victory in WWll. Waterproof beyond most peoples needs, shockproof. Gazilion choices of bracelet and dial combos.

What more could you want or need?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
..and can actually buy one at the AD,without blackmail threats.
TswaneNguni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:57 AM   #109
Russell996
2024 Pledge Member
 
Russell996's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,271
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkaholic View Post
Last week i went into a ad and made a very similar enquiry. The sa sat me down and offered to take my details with assurances that i will have a sub within 6-9 months. He also emailed me a confirmation. He went one step further and assured me that we don't operate a bundle policy.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
If you have just established a relationship with an AD why are you looking to another AD? Sounds like a great AD.
Russell996 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 01:59 AM   #110
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell996 View Post
If you have just established a relationship with an AD why are you looking to another AD? Sounds like a great AD.
Define what established relationship is???

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:01 AM   #111
dtwer
"TRF" Member
 
dtwer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: midwest
Watch: DJ 41
Posts: 1,507
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fleetlord View Post
Wait...what's this thread all about then?

You had already found an AD that will accommodate you to your liking, but you then went to a different AD?

Then when that AD didn't act like you wanted them to, you posted a thread on Rolexforums to tell us all about it...

Why?

Why not just move forward with prior AD and wait for your Sub to arrive, without bundling, in 6-9 months?


I must say I agree with this.


To OP. Reading the first post I got the sense you didn't have an ounce of intention to buy anything from the AD; not this more or less confirms it.

To this day, I take it to heart what Jordan Belfort says about establishing rapport in the first 4 seconds of meeting someone: "It's your tonality and your body language which allows you to be established as someone worth listening to."

I am not convinced you have established yourself as someone worth listening to at the AD. You tried to troll the AD, they saw through it and stopped responding to you.
dtwer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:03 AM   #112
TswaneNguni
"TRF" Member
 
TswaneNguni's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: .
Watch: Daytonas/Subs/GMTs
Posts: 12,609
Rolexforums AD 101 course : How to get your sporty with distinction
TswaneNguni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:04 AM   #113
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by dtwer View Post
I must say I agree with this.





To OP. Reading the first post I got the sense you didn't have an ounce of intention to buy anything from the AD; not this more or less confirms it.



To this day, I take it to heart what Jordan Belfort says about establishing rapport in the first 4 seconds of meeting someone: "It's your tonality and your body language which allows you to be established as someone worth listening to."



I am not convinced you have established yourself as someone worth listening to at the AD. You tried to troll the AD, they saw through it and stopped responding to you.
Incase you missed something........ The 1st few lines of my post.

"Hi guys...... Yesterday I visited AD in the hope of building a rapport or if possible buy a SS Sports piece. Just to be clear I was prepared to pull the trigger if the opportunity had risen. I was also interested in another brand (vacheron constantin) which this ad stocks. "

Ill let you now work it out.

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:06 AM   #114
Russell996
2024 Pledge Member
 
Russell996's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,271
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkaholic View Post
Define what established relationship is???

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
I thought you have a previous Rolex purchase history with AD and in your own words 'the sa sat me down and offered to take my details with assurances that i will have a sub within 6-9 months. He also emailed me a confirmation. He went one step further and assured me that we don't operate a bundle policy.'

Have I misunderstood?
Russell996 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:07 AM   #115
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell996 View Post
I thought you have a previous Rolex purchase history with AD and in your own words 'the sa sat me down and offered to take my details with assurances that i will have a sub within 6-9 months. He also emailed me a confirmation. He went one step further and assured me that we don't operate a bundle policy.'



Have I misunderstood?
Thats not purchase history. Thats a name on a waiting list!

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:08 AM   #116
Rfactname
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Louis
Location: S texas
Watch: Yachtmaster
Posts: 4
Just buy on ebay. Plenty of fine sellers there with plenty of inventory to choose from. None of the ad bs.
Rfactname is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:09 AM   #117
Russell996
2024 Pledge Member
 
Russell996's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,271
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkaholic View Post
Thats not purchase history. Thats a name on a waiting list!

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Seems I had wrongly assumed your previous pieces were from the AD in question.
Russell996 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:11 AM   #118
Merkaholic
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London
Watch: Datejust 41, Datej
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russell996 View Post
I had wrongly assumed your previous pieces were from the AD in question.
No worries.....we are human after all. Unlike some who were born out the perfect end lol

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
Merkaholic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:21 AM   #119
fsprow
2024 Pledge Member
 
fsprow's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Real Name: Frank
Location: Dallas,NY,Colo.
Watch: Patek 5168, 5170P
Posts: 2,547
Simple answer. Find an AD who is honest, straightforward and does their best to please you, the customer. Mine, deBoulle in Dallas, meets all of these standards and I've done business with them for 20+ years and purchased watches by Rolex, Patek and Breguet with no "bundling" or other funny business. I imagine they "reserve" in demand watches for steady customers -- who wouldn't?

I'm sure here are many other fine dealers around, just keep looking and deal with them the way you wish to be treated.
fsprow is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 May 2019, 02:26 AM   #120
Russell996
2024 Pledge Member
 
Russell996's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,271
Quote:
Originally Posted by Merkaholic View Post
No worries.....we are human after all. Unlike some who were born out the perfect end lol

Sent from my CLT-L09 using Tapatalk
The AD where you purchased your DJ41sounds like the best bet for an ongoing relationship, your posts seemed very positive.
Russell996 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.