Worked at an AD in Cincinnati

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by rockysw

oh wow, calm down. Like it or not, OP has the right to express his opinion. Seems like you are deep in the rolex game.

Agreed.
The OP's account of their experience seemed to align somewhat with what I have been able to work out is the lay of the land in some locations and was a plausible and convincing account to me.
Puting to one side any issues around tax avoidance, it was quite reasonable.
If one doesn't like the message it may be prudent to not get too worked up about it.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by Not My Style

I worked at an AD in Cincinnati for two years, so let me give you some insight on what it's like.

First, if you want a sports model, you better buy other things. My AD wouldn't sell a sports model to anyone without previous purchase, with few exceptions. A two-toned Sea-dweller, sure, because no one wants that watch. We would write names on cards and pretend we were adding clients to some master list, but the truth is, it was just input into some program to automatically text the client. Rolex wants ADs to keep the dream alive, because not everyone is getting what they want.

Second, it's more important who you are than how you are. I had a sweet young woman check in with me monthly asking to get her fiance a Submariner. She wasn't rich or famous, just a hard working woman who saved up to get her man something special. I was really hoping to make this happen…

Another woman walked in during this time, arrogant and conceited. Talked to me like I was beneath her, asking for the same watch. I informed her that we would try, but she didn't want to hear it. Her husband was some no name, buried on the roster, Reds baseball player. Frankly, her attitude had me completely disgusted.

When I told the owners about this, they grabbed a Submariner from the safe and sold it to her the next day. I got credit for the sale, and I hated every second of it. This woman was vile, and her arrogance stemmed from who she was married to, not even her own accomplishments.

Third, there are rules to buying Rolex…but those rules can be broken. Again, if you're influential, or just rich, the rules don't apply.

Most of my clients wanted me to ship them their watches to avoid paying taxes. Now legally speaking, if I ship you the watch, you report it in your home state. But honestly, we knew most, if not all, our clients were skipping this procedure.

But worse than "legal" tax fraud is just straight up tax fraud. My associate had a client named Jack out of New York drive eight hours to put a platinum Daytona in his pocket and walk out, only for us to later ship him an empty box. That's $5,000 in taxes Ohio got screwed out of…taxes that go to police, schools, infrastructure. Do you think these guys care? Nope. This happened several times while I worked there.

Fourth, watchmakers aren't Gods. So many people were amazed to meet our watchmakers, but let me give you some insight…it's just a two year technical program. They're human, and they screw up a lot.

I saw two watches get destroyed because they forgot to simply tighten the case backs. I once watched both watchmakers struggle to make a simple fix before telling me it was irreparable, and it had to be shipped back. I took the watch from them, looked at it for 10 seconds, and told them here's what's stopping the repair…you would have thought I cracked the code. Numerous times they couldn't get the watch backs off for battery repairs.

And the level of arrogance having that title almost matched the level of arrogance from some of my clients. The best compliment I got from them was, "You're smart enough to be a watchmaker." Nevermind I have an actual college degree, why would I want to waste my life working on trinkets? These guys act like they're curing cancer, when they're glorified toy makers.

Fifth, Rolexes are mechanical. If you complain that your watch isn't accurate, then look at your cell phone. Or buy a Casio. It amazes me how many people actually think Rolex is the best at time keeping. Everyone has a watch in their pocket connected to a satellite.

Sixth, Rolex is a company more concerned about image than honesty. Do you think they're going to admit to you that you'll never get that watch you desire? Do you think they care if you saved up for something special? If you're not a select client, don't bother.

As someone who sold Rolex, I can honestly say I hate their product and everything associated with it. It reeks of arrogance and entitlement, and why?

Are they the best watch on the market? No, there are companies that do far better.

Are they truly handcrafted? No, they're mass produced.

Are they going to make you a better person? No, 99% of people don't care what watch you're wearing. If you're an entitled jerk without a Rolex, you'll still be an entitled jerk when you put one on. I know plenty of them.

But if you want to keep chasing that dream, stop on down to Richter and Phillips.

“Numerous times they couldn't get the watch backs off for battery repairs.”
i’m guessing these were Quartz Rolexes with batteries? Did you get many of these? Technically I guess you meant battery replacement, instead of battery repair


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[herts9]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

“Numerous times they couldn't get the watch backs off for battery repairs.”
i’m guessing these were Quartz Rolexes with batteries? Did you get many of these? Technically I guess you meant battery replacement, instead of battery repair


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Semantics.

They sell everything from Rolex to G-Shocks

[MangoTree1]

OP better dont work for Rolex AD, nor deserves to wear a Rolex! Very poor and frustrated person!

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by MangoTree1

OP better dont work for Rolex AD, nor deserves to wear a Rolex! Very poor and frustrated person!

Why do you feel so offended or the need to write this? He worked there, he experienced it and he formed his opinion.

[mcorbett]

Originally Posted by Greglaw

“And the level of arrogance having that title almost matched the level of arrogance from some of my clients. The best compliment I got from them was, "You're smart enough to be a watchmaker." Nevermind I have an actual college degree, why would I want to waste my life working on trinkets? These guys act like they're curing cancer, when they're glorified toy makers.”

Seems to me you are the most arrogant of all as you should know better with that college degree of yours.

What a foolish post from a foolish “person”.

Not arrogant, honest, personal viewpoint. I don't agree with some of his points but I wouldn't call him names.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by BillA

Why do so many flame the OP, that is his opinion and experience. You can accept it or reject it, but the anger here is off the chart.

Maybe

[gwozhog]

Once the OP stated Nobody wants the two-tone sea dweller I knew the post was legit ��

[mario1971]

Originally Posted by Not My Style

Let me clarify...

I like the people at R and P, and I mostly enjoyed working there until I stepped behind the Rolex counter. I'm honest, and I don't like playing games. The brand needs to be called out for making promises they don't intend on keeping.

And the watchmakers there are good at their jobs, but they do make mistakes. I would go to bat for them every time. The attitude shown towards me was less than stellar from the head watchmaker, so a simple task he couldn't perform proves he needs to chill out on the level of arrogance shown towards me.

Nevertheless, I witnessed and saw things that raise ethical questions. Like it or not, I witnessed things that should be brought to light. Picking and choosing who the rules apply to, or how we dictate who the right customer is based on status or purchasing history, just seems appalling. I shared an anecdote about two women I encountered, how each treated me, and how we choose who to sell to. In this case, influence outweighed human decency. I don't think that's the culture Hans Wilsdorf would want for his product.

It's a watch. It's not the end all, be all. Most of my clients were great people, and it always broke my heart when a company that welcomes everyone, changed its approach when I stood behind the Rolex counter. All of a sudden, "everyone" is an exclusive group. Is that necessarily R&P's fault, or is just hand being dealt by Rolex? I don't know, but the lack of transparency and the entitled attitude of Rolex made me hate the brand.

I understand that they didn't deliver on their promises to you either, and that's why you quit so as not to damage your reputation any longer.

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

Yes, if you’re buying a Rolex you shouldn’t pay taxes on a luxury purchase. Because you’ve already paid more taxes than most plebes.

Lol. I wonder why most people think Rolex owners are douchebags…

OK call me douchebag. I’ll wear the badge proudly.
Hint- nobody cares what anyone else thinks.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by BroncoOne

OK call me douchebag. I’ll wear the badge proudly.
Hint- nobody cares what anyone else thinks.

Only sociopaths don’t care about what *anyone* thinks.

[JRell]

In closing… I'm at WKRP in Cincinnati…

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by TheHulk

Oh brother! Screwed out of sales tax? Give me a break!! The guy that bought the Platona surely pays his fair sure. The rest- blah blah blah

Originally Posted by BroncoOne

There’s some sour grapes. I’m sorry that you are so angry.

As for the sales tax, I’m sure that the buyer pays more tax in a single quarter than you or most other people will pay over their entire lives. I’m not losing sleep that the state didn’t also confiscate another $5000 oh his money to light the state house speaker’s cigar.

TheAD has the absolute right to sell a watch to whichever customer that they believe will drive their own business, that they, not you, risk the capital to open. Sure, I’d rather the sweet woman got the watch, but they have to pay the bills, including your paycheck. I note that you didn’t report offering to waive your pay that week to direct the watch to her.

Sorry for being snarky, but look at the other side.

Originally Posted by samson66

Exactly! I will not shed a single tear for any lost sales tax to those thieving corrupt scumbag politicians who are way more concerned with helping their friends and donors out than they are about taking care of roads, parks, law enforcement, etc. Sorry, but no remorse here when I avoid giving them still MORE of my hard earned money, which is never enough for them. There's nothing easier than spending other peoples money!

Call it what you want, but tax evasion is tax evasion.

[Dyim]

This thread delivers!

OP is hurt because AD is allocating a luxury time piece not based on how nice the customer is. We are not talking basic necessities such as food and shelter here.

OP is surprised there are people out there that are not good at their job, and look down upon others.

People are complaining about dishonesty about sales tax, government spending.

Welcome to the real world.

No one ever says the ‘list’ is first come first serve.

I am sorry to tell you. $ talks, BS walks. This is how ‘relationship’ works in the luxury business.

[AHG]

My brother walked into a Rolex AD, put his name down and was got his first watch, a Batman, in 3mo. So experiences can vary. I do appreciate that his experience may be the exception.

[WantBlue15202]

delete

[WantBlue15202]

delete

[Greglaw]

Originally Posted by mcorbett

Not arrogant, honest, personal viewpoint. I don't agree with some of his points but I wouldn't call him names.

Working on gloried toys? Ok, if that is not arrogance, then what is it. His initial post is insulting to people who work for a living. Please.

I did not call him a name, I said that he is the arrogant one.

[Sofodot]

Nice post.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by JRell

In closing… I'm at WKRP in Cincinnati…

Beat me to it I wonder how many people know what we are talking about?





Boy I feel old…

[MauMau]

I noticed in this forum there are a lot of people defensive about the AD's practices.

[Harry-57]

And lots of people who think they could run an AD more successfully than the present owners.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Dyim

No one ever says the ‘list’ is first come first serve.

I am sorry to tell you. $ talks, BS walks. This is how ‘relationship’ works in the luxury business.

In my locality the list was always run as a first come first served scenario.
That seems so long ago now.
The world has changed so much
Fortunately I can get what ever I want as long as I am happy to wait. Having said that my relationship with the dealer is solid and as you note, it's the way of things in this modern era.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Beat me to it I wonder how many people know what we are talking about?





Boy I feel old…

A lot of my old friends used to compare me to Johnny Fever.
Yeah, I was cool back in those days before I matured

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Greglaw

Working on gloried toys? Ok, if that is not arrogance, then what is it. His initial post is insulting to people who work for a living. Please.

I did not call him a name, I said that he is the arrogant one.

I don't know how one could necessarily read arrogance into the first post?
To me, the OP seemed genuinely dismayed at how things are going

[JRell]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Beat me to it I wonder how many people know what we are talking about?





Boy I feel old…

Lol me too!

[East of Eden]

Originally Posted by Dirt

I don't know how one could necessarily read arrogance into the first post?
To me, the OP seemed genuinely dismayed at how things are going

'Arrogance' would be the AD, right?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Beat me to it I wonder how many people know what we are talking about?











Boy I feel old…

Me too. They don't make them like this anymore
https://youtu.be/BGFtV6-ALoQ



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[JRell]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Me too. They don't make them like this anymore
https://youtu.be/BGFtV6-ALoQ

Attachment 1368826

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Nice! I bet they were not on the waitlist or rude to SAs!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by JRell

Nice! I bet they were not on the waitlist or rude to SAs!

I’m pretty sure not