Former AD Ask Me (almost) Anything

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by M1166

The toughest questions to answer because it is a case by case and company by company scenario. In my honest experience there are no set rules. I have seen Green Submariners used to close 300K deals, Daytona's for even higher amounts. And in some companies the "waitinglist" is non existant. Some stores give each sales person a yearly allocation of SS pieces and it is for the sales person to decide who to sell it to (after company approval of that client) other companies it is first come first serve, but mostly we take into account the loyalty of our clients and based on their purchase history we compile a list.

Also buying only high demand watches will work against you. Because these days AD's are also looking at how many "normal collection" pieces you have shown interest in.

If you want a SS from an AD without any prior commitment then I would say good luck. I have never sold these pieces to walk in clients. Previous purchases will allways be required even if it is just a Datejust.. why would I choose a unknown client with no prior commitment to the company over a loyal client that I have known for years?

Allocation do not depend on sales volume.

With regards to the Greys... this is why we have lists and black lists and checks etc. We need to ensure that we protect Rolex's best interest as well as our clients'. Some companies have turned a blind eye to greys as long as they spend. Other companies are very strict and even if they have a suspicion that you might want to resell they won't consider you for these watches. Again the key word is loyalty. I personally dislike the grey market because it has ruined the industry.

So if you walk or phone an AD and ask for an entire list of SS pieces, you have effectively shot yourself in the foot.

I'm not sure that's strictly true. I can walk into any number of ADs in Paris right now that I've never purchased from before and walk away with SS Explorer II, GMT II, DJ, Millgauss, and probably others. I could have them on my wrist before lunch.

All I would need is the cash.

[wytrader]

Originally Posted by Lumberjact

I'm not sure that's strictly true. I can walk into any number of ADs in Paris right now that I've never purchased from before and walk away with SS Explorer II, GMT II, DJ, Millgauss, and probably others. I could have them on my wrist before lunch.

All I would need is the cash.

I believe the OP means hard to get pieces not in the store window asking to be sold at a discount.

[Ichiran]

Hi, does AD sell bundle of SS watches as well as unpopular pieces to grey dealers to clear their inventory?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Do you mind telling us what country you worked in?

I'm not asking for specific location or dealerships just the country.

Was my question too difficult to answer?

[Lumberjact]

Originally Posted by wytrader

I believe the OP means hard to get pieces not in the store window asking to be sold at a discount.

Maybe, but he said even SS DJs can't be bought as a walk-in. I seriously beg to differ.

[dreyep]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Was my question too difficult to answer?

Why press? I'd say certainly not the UK, in any case, given the idiolect.

I have a question for M1166: does Rolex SA pay any attention to the opinions expressed in this forum?

[ejvette]

Interesting thread thank you for the first hand info

[SMD]

Originally Posted by M1166

We care about money and sales, quite frankly. Its like asking wall street what the companies they buy and sell actually do. As long as it makes money thats what counts. Also that aspect of retail has a seperate team of people dealing with it.

You clearly do not understand investment banks or “Wall Street” either.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by dreyep

Why press? I'd say certainly not the UK, in any case, given the idiolect.

I have a question for M1166: does Rolex SA pay any attention to the opinions expressed in this forum?

Not pressing, just curious.

Same goes for your question, do you really expect him to know the answer?

[brandrea]

I want to know who is in charge of the Diet Coke at each AD. Is there a hierarchy system in place. What about ice?

[tgoddu]

What's the discount structure for yourself/family? Any limits?

[Paul_I]

Originally Posted by M1166

I do apologise for wanting to sleep.

Got it. I’m glad you returned to answer questions.

[77T]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Was my question too difficult to answer?

Hi Monty - answered in post 18 (to the degree it ever will be).

Do you believe in reincarnation?
I smell BC (if not in flesh, at least in spirit)


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[TempoKing]

M1166
I am happy to say he knows customer service related Rolex sales info
and has a general knowledge of what has to be done successfully in order
to cultivate repeat clientele... as all good Jewelry store salesmen should.
He was a good asset while working for an AD

Now if 4-5 of his personal clients wanted to buy a hard to get Rolex watch ?
...I seriously doubt that he could have been of help...Not his fault...just the way
this funny business of "chasing" the hard to get Rolex watches works.

All in all...If you have the money...?
you can have any Rolex you want in 5 minutes.!!

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by 77T

Hi Monty - answered in post 18 (to the degree it ever will be).

Do you believe in reincarnation?
I smell BC (if not in flesh, at least in spirit)


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x2

The odor is pretty strong.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by 77T

Hi Monty - answered in post 18 (to the degree it ever will be).

Do you believe in reincarnation?
I smell BC (if not in flesh, at least in spirit)


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not BC, however there was some guy who did the same thing in the Patek forum last year. an AD ask me anything thread. Lated about two hours.

[Roger Lococco]

Originally Posted by M1166

We care about money and sales, quite frankly. Its like asking wall street what the companies they buy and sell actually do. As long as it makes money thats what counts. Also that aspect of retail has a seperate team of people dealing with it.

Thanks for posting about your experiences and sharing your insights. It's an interesting thread - even if no major surprises so far.

One question and comment.

Comment: Understanding what the companies they buy and sell do is exactly what Wall Street does.

Q: How many SS Daytonas would an AD get a year?

[AK797]

Thanks OP, appreciate your time. Nothing new in anything you say for most of us in UK, who have observed this market for a long time now. But good insight for the newbies.

Main takeaway should be that it is Rolex who are putting pressure on ADs, and not ADs themselves, as they want to curb the grey market and so now ADs have all these rules and blacklists to satisfy Rolex's stated policy of starving greys. This guy only gets 1% commission so what does he care what a buyer does with his watch, only Rolex care. And now this guy is clearly glad to be out of it.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Not true accross the board (I know that for a fact)

Senior sales staff in some companies can apply for very hard to get pieces (albeit on a one in so many years) basis. The difference now is that they have to pay full retail.

That makes sense. My old manager used to be able to buy anything bar a D500 at AD cost price once a year. Shows the times are changing and further evidence it is Rolex and not ADs who are behind all the dictats, they are getting pummelled too.

[wytrader]

Originally Posted by Lumberjact

Maybe, but he said even SS DJs can't be bought as a walk-in. I seriously beg to differ.

I think he meant it that a previous DJ purchase was necessary for demanded SS watches as opposed to you need a purchase history to buy a DJ... maybe re-read what he wrote and you quoted.

[jrs146]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I want to know who is in charge of the Diet Coke at each AD. Is there a hierarchy system in place. What about ice?

Diet Coke is in very short supply right now. Coca Cola demand has shot through the roof and Coca Cola isn’t making Diet Coke in large quantities to hopefully ward off gray cola dealers.

Perhaps if you’re a VIP you can still get the real deal. However, if you’re interested in this generic Cola I believe most AD’s will be happy to serve you a nice bubbly glass!




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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jrs146

Diet Coke is in very short supply right now. Coca Cola demand has shot through the roof and Coca Cola isn’t making Diet Coke in large quantities to hopefully ward off gray cola dealers.

Perhaps if you’re a VIP you can still get the real deal. However, if you’re interested in this generic Cola I believe most AD’s will be happy to serve you a nice bubbly glass!




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[roadster198]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Was my question too difficult to answer?

Just going by his first reply Thursday morning I’ll wager the UK. IMHO

[roadster198]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Not true accross the board (I know that for a fact)

Senior sales staff in some companies can apply for very hard to get pieces (albeit on a one in so many years) basis. The difference now is that they have to pay full retail.

I can back this up. As the person who sold me my daytona c had a white faced SS Daytona on the wrist and was awaiting a BLNR arriving. Which they now have.

[wytrader]

Originally Posted by MonBK

x2

The odor is pretty strong.

MonBK, why ask him country when he has stated he will not divulge location? Certain countries have maybe 2 AD's.

Why feel indulged to call his bluff?

Who do you think should know more, a guy with 50k+ posts on this forum or someone temping their way through their studies and then ends up sticking around for a couple of years as a sales person at a jewelry shop?

[marcusp23]

Originally Posted by Vanmarsenille

The system is broken.

So true. I read that post and my response is that ADs view this entirely the wrong way. The gray market isn’t the problem, ADs treating people as if they don’t deserve to have a consumer good that they have the money and desire to buy because of limited supply and unnecessary unwritten rules is the real problem.


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[rw2008]

Originally Posted by marcusp23

So true. I read that post and my response is that ADs view this entirely the wrong way. The gray market isn’t the problem, ADs treating people as if they don’t deserve to have a consumer good that they have the money and desire to buy because of limited supply and unnecessary unwritten rules is the real problem.


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Flip that on it's head though, how is it fair to not reward a long time customer?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by wytrader

MonBK, why ask him country when he has stated he will not divulge location? Certain countries have maybe 2 AD's.

Why feel indulged to call his bluff?

Who do you think should know more, a guy with 50k+ posts on this forum or someone temping their way through their studies and then ends up sticking around for a couple of years as a sales person at a jewelry shop?

What do you think?

[samson66]

What is the actual mark-up on these watches?

For example, what does the store pay for a Sea Dweller with an MSRP of $11,350?

[longimanus88]

Originally Posted by M1166

If you want a SS from an AD without any prior commitment then I would say good luck. I have never sold these pieces to walk in clients. Previous purchases will allways be required even if it is just a Datejust.. why would I choose a unknown client with no prior commitment to the company over a loyal client that I have known for years?

Hello. Then, how am I supposed to do if I'm a one-watch guy who wants to buy a SS model for the long term, like a first watch to celebrate an event for example (i.e. a watch you'll never sell such as a graduation present)? Guess it might help to explain the story behind your purchase?