AD Etiquette Advice please.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Rolexatlast

I didn’t say that it was illegal in the US. Different countries have different laws.

Threads above discussed cultural differences between different countries. About what is acceptable, and what is not.

Giving someone a gift of monetary value to gain preferential treatment can be called various things - backhanders, bungs, whatever, but it’s still a bribe

Just because you don’t like the reality of what you are doing, don’t shoot the messenger

Really? Thanks for the lesson. How about giving a gift as a show of gratitude? Gratitude for being given the opportunity to purchase a rare and very difficult to obtain timepiece. Please, enlighten me how that is bribery in the US or Europe.

[Proto3]

ItS a BrIbe!!!!!

[amh]

I'm going to send my SA a little something. It's after purchase so it's no bribe!

[bluestreak]

Calling a Starbucks card to a salesman a bribe and then actually citing the criminal code (!), is just another sign of how addled people’s brains are about not being able to get a watch.

[Rolexatlast]

Clearly touched a raw nerve…guilty conscience?

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Rolexatlast

Clearly touched a raw nerve…guilty conscience?

Clearly, one of the most ridiculous string of posts in TRF history.


I bought my SA a box of chocolates, may GOD have mercy on my soul.

[al503]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Clearly, one of the most ridiculous string of posts in TRF history.


I bought my SA a box of chocolates, may GOD have mercy on my soul.

I'm with you. I've bought my SA at least a half dozen boxes of chocolates...

[steveclr]

Love this thread - very polarized. I've agreed with all of OP's comments. So OP, just do you - if it feels right, do it. Just don't try to bribe anyone or you'll be reported!

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Clearly, one of the most ridiculous string of posts in TRF history.


I bought my SA a box of chocolates, may GOD have mercy on my soul.

Don’t worry, Paul. I’d still love to hang out with you at a party.

You bring the chocolate, I’ll bring the scotch.

These threads always go off the rails, eh? I thought bribes come before the watch, not after. After a purchase is where this all started…


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[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by AF_Rob

Don’t worry, Paul. I’d still love to hang out with you at a party.

You bring the chocolate, I’ll bring the scotch.

These threads always go off the rails, eh? I thought bribes come before the watch, not after. After a purchase is where this all started…


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I’ll be there… and the chocolates will be excellent!

[johnk]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

I’ll be there… and the chocolates will be excellent!

Is it safe to give chocolates in Mexico?



.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by johnk

Is it safe to give chocolates in Mexico?


.

OMG! No! Not chocolates!

[Rolexatlast]

Originally Posted by johnk

Is it safe to give chocolates in Mexico?



.

I’m sure they will appreciate the chocolates

Although, there is a poster above who seems to claim to give the SA $250 per watch, presumably to jump the queue and keep the watches flowing

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

This. Is. Insane.

I think we have our answer

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Me4u2night

You’re supposed to offer to name your next child after them…

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Maybe I will go against the grain of the incredibly helpful (yes, that is sarcasm, read in to it “Snarky”) suggestions from some members here on TRF, I encourage you to show your appreciation. While naming your next child would be extremely flattering, I suggest something simple but thoughtful. I have bought several watches from my AD over the last 15 years, and always show my appreciation by gifting the Sales Associate a box of candy, or a lunch from the place next door, or a gift card. I think it is always been in the range of $25 to $50, nothing extravagant. Why? Consider that the state of the market right now is a seller’s realm. You can NOT just walk in to an AD and pick from a case full of Stainless Steel Rolexes (substitute any model you desire). These Sales associates are not desperate for your business. We can (and have) debate for years the reasons, righteousness, causes, etc. But the fact remains that is the situation. Now, maybe your AD has some in the safe in the back, or maybe they seriously do not have the model you desire in the store, but I submit they would have at least a dozen (probably more) customers that they could call whom would immediately come in and buy that watch. For whatever reason, your good looks, charm, spending history, (we can and have debated that a million times) they choose YOU to sell the watch to. IMHO, that warrants a small thank-you token. You are thanking your sales associate for giving YOU the opportunity to make that purchase over a dozen or more other potential buyers, certainly you are not breaking any ethical boundaries by gifting them a box of bagels, or donuts, or candy, or whatever you feel appropriate.

I had ZERO purchase experience with my current AD back in 2008 when I walked in and talked to my Sales Associate about obtaining a stainless steel Daytona. After a few months, she called and said she had gotten me one. I knew from our conversations she liked Godiva chocolates, and when I went to pick it up the watch brought a box with me. Since then I have been fortunate to have been offered and bought several hard to get models, including a BLNR, a SkyDweller, a SS Submariner etc. It may sound like I spend a lot at that store but in reality this is over 15 years, and I know for a fact several customers have spent WAY more then myself, but still I am offered a hard to obtain piece. Surely, there is nothing wrong with, and certainly IMHO it is appropriate, gifting a $25 box of chocolates or bagels in appreciation. We have had this discussion before and the passion and intensity of opinion from some members who abhorrently object to any notion of a thank you gesture. Seriously, YOU (for whatever reason) were picked from a dozen or more potential customers, what is wrong with showing your appreciation? I’ll never understand those that state is it against principal, or inherently wrong for a business transaction. What is the big deal?

Agree with Paul on this one!

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[rlx123]

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.

He get me a Pepsi so I slipped him a $400 gift card to a local mall. Very discreet. No one else at the store has to know.

The owner of the same store got me a sub so I got him $200 gift card to ruth chris and sent gift basket to him.


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[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by Rolexatlast

I’m sure they will appreciate the chocolates

Although, there is a poster above who seems to claim to give the SA $250 per watch, presumably to jump the queue and keep the watches flowing

Is it safe to wear a Rolex in jail after you get locked up for bribery?

[Chester01]

I say thank you, and walk out with my watch. It's a transaction like buying an ice cream folks. Let's not over think it. Im not going to ask they they are doing me a favor for spending 10k. Sorry, I grew up in a different era and dont buy the fake watch scarcity that makes one feel "lucky" to "finally" get the call. The more you spend the "luckier" you get, and it's then well, this one just came in, or we have that one in the back.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Chester01

I say thank you, and walk out with my watch. It's a transaction like buying an ice cream folks. Let's not over think it. Im not going to ask they they are doing me a favor for spending 10k. Sorry, I grew up in a different era and dont buy the fake watch scarcity that makes one feel "lucky" to "finally" get the call. The more you spend the "luckier" you get, and it's then well, this one just came in, or we have that one in the back.

It’s not like buying an ice cream cone, lol. Not sure if this is some type of flex, but it just seems out of touch with current reality.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

It’s not like buying an ice cream cone, lol. Not sure if this is some type of flex, but it just seems out of touch with current reality.

It's no flex. I dont buy the hype and am not lucky to have the privilege for the AD to give me a watch im paying for. Im lucky because I can spend 10k (or more on something that I dont need in an area where most in the world live on less than 10 bucks a day). I save enough coin to drop 10K on something I don't need, it's THEM that's lucky and not me. I grew up before the fake hype and folks bought into the scarcity of these. I spent my hard earned dough and they made a healthy profit, seems to me Rolex and the AD's are doing just fine and that's thanks enough.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I literally just finished a bowl of ice cream from the ice cream shop before I opened this thread. They had all the flavors behind the glass counter and there was no wait. It is not the same.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Chester01

It's no flex. I dont buy the hype and am not lucky to have the privilege for the AD to give me a watch im paying for. Im lucky because I can spend 10k (or more on something that I dont need in an area where most in the world live on less than 10 bucks a day). I save enough coin to drop 10K on something I don't need, it's THEM that's lucky and not me. I grew up before the fake hype and folks bought into the scarcity of these. I spent my hard earned dough and they made a healthy profit, seems to me Rolex and the AD's are doing just fine and that's thanks enough.

Y’all act like SA is making tons of profit selling these watches. Sure they get a commission, but how much do you think these people are making?

And even if it is, like you say, just like buying an ice cream cone, most people put a tip in the jar on the counter. Why is it beyond the pale to give a 25 dollar gift card or some chocolates on a five figure watch?

Rolex buyers are certainly an entitled bunch. Which I suppose having enough disposable income to spend thousands on a watch will do that.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I literally just finished a bowl of ice cream from the ice cream shop before I opened this thread. They had all the flavors behind the glass counter and there was no wait. It is not the same.

And I bet you tipped the person that sold it to you…

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Chester01

It's no flex. I dont buy the hype and am not lucky to have the privilege for the AD to give me a watch im paying for. Im lucky because I can spend 10k (or more on something that I dont need in an area where most in the world live on less than 10 bucks a day). I save enough coin to drop 10K on something I don't need, it's THEM that's lucky and not me. I grew up before the fake hype and folks bought into the scarcity of these. I spent my hard earned dough and they made a healthy profit, seems to me Rolex and the AD's are doing just fine and that's thanks enough.

So, your AD has 20 customers asking for the watch you desire to buy. They get one in, (or from the back or whatever) and out of those 20 people, he/she chooses YOU to “get the call” and have the option to buy it. You won’t spend $20 on a box of chocolates (bagels/donuts/bottle of wine) to say “thanks?” What you call “Hype” is reality today. Whether you buy in to it or not, is is (practically) impossible to walk in to any AD and purchase a desired watch. You can rebel against it, be upset, fool yourself in to thinking it’s not true, but that is the state of affairs. Let me put it a different way. Have you ever bought your mechanic a box of bagels, or give a tip to your paperboy Christmas time, or tipped your barber for doing a nice haircut? No probably not but it’s the same thing.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

And I bet you tipped the person that sold it to you…

I heard he gave her a coupon for a free ice cream

[Wee-Willie]

Originally Posted by AF_Rob

Is it safe to wear a Rolex in jail after you get locked up for bribery?

IF in jail you drop the soap in the shower & your Rolex slips off...will it still be repaired by the RSC for free ( if under warranty)??

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by AF_Rob

Is it safe to wear a Rolex in jail after you get locked up for bribery?

Originally Posted by Wee-Willie

IF in jail you drop the soap in the shower & your Rolex slips off...will it still be repaired by the RSC for free ( if under warranty)??

[michael6120]

There’s variables here.. the paperboy delivers to my neighbourhood every single week and is a young kid having a go which is nice to see. Another variable is that there is no tip culture in my country. Wages are higher than countries with workers who depend on tips. Another.. $20 box of chocolates is different than a $400 voucher. Do you put your request in for your next watch soon after handing over the expensive gift? If so, that rubs off as slimey to me. But if not.. I’m still kinda laughing anyway.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

And I bet you tipped the person that sold it to you…

Indeed I did, Sir.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by michael6120

There’s variables here.. the paperboy delivers to my neighbourhood every single week and is a young kid having a go which is nice to see. Another variable is that there is no tip culture in my country. Wages are higher than countries with workers who depend on tips. Another.. $20 box of chocolates is different than a $400 voucher. Do you put your request in for your next watch soon after handing over the expensive gift? If so, that rubs off as slimey to me. But if not.. I’m still kinda laughing anyway.

Well no one wants to make you feel slimey, we can’t have that. To answer your question, when I picked up my watch, I brought the box of chocolates then and gave it to my sales associate. I think it was $25. What a terrible human being I am.