Another AD rant

[Anthon]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

come on Marcus, this thread is pretty entertaining and people are all sharing their opinions agree or not and that IS what this forum is for

again I see over reaction i.e. "important to beat somebody down" really??

"low in the "pecking" order" honestly what the hell does that mean??

people from less that twenty posts to over 10,000 all posted and chimed in and all contributed so

and the name of the AD being called for is exactly what we don't want because the AD is not on here to defend themselves so a one sided story isn't fair either

really, read, enjoy and participate we will all learn and be entertained

Well said tkerrmd, posts like yours keep me coming back to this forum.

With regards to the OP, it is very simple in my opinion: If you have no intention to buy, then you CANNOT complain about the treatment. You simply cannot. The OP is simply a rant, no more no less.

Good salesman, bad salesman, it does not matter, you were not going to buy at the AD, and you were not going to recommend your friends to buy at that or any other AD, so on what grounds do you complain? The old three fingers are pointing straight back at you my friend!

You want to be part of the Rolex family, whatever that is, but you do not buy from the Rolex family. You buy from cousin Vinny.

Don't get me wrong, I've been into AD's as well with no intention of buying. Once they treated me like shit, once they treated me like a king. Huray. It's part of the game :)


I do find it funny when some posters here say that a good salesman would have made the deal. Well, I do not hold it against any AD salesperson if he cannot offer me grey market prices. Do you?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by cmr

ok......obviously you are entitled to your opinion as the admins see fit but the fact is this isn't even close to the forum that i joined and started the pledge member program with lolex.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthrea...+pledge+member

pecking order......as the saying goes, if i have to explain........

let me ask you..... was the store full of people so the sales person didn't have time to tend to the op?

where is this ad and what is the name?

we have no clue because the op hasn't said and nobody bothered to ask.... some members (including you) started in on him without even asking those very important questions..... if that information isn't important to you then that speaks for it's self......

if you think that type of interaction with a fairly new member fosters an environment where members want to talk about their experiences and further their involvement in the community to the point they want to become a pledge member.... never mind, as you can see i'm no longer a part of something i suggested because i could see this turning into something i no longer wanted to monetarily support.

the whole thing is disappointing..... obviously this is just my opinion and at the end of the day means absolutely........ nothing.

sorry man, it is what it is.

That's interesting that you were the first ever pledge member

[zama]

Best thread of the year, I think many of you are a little sensitive and bite unnecessarily...

We are not a bunch of Trolls, and my take on this thread is I like Tom more than I used to, not that I disliked him in the past!

My only other insight is that I walked into an AD never having been there before, and bought a Patek inside 24 hours and that AD treated me like crap so whether buying or not you cant pick humans. I now have a great AD, Mitch, who I and other forum members like a lot because he typifies good service. That said if there is someone else in the store and I am not there to buy I wish him well and leave. Because an AD who makes money is a friend to have, because every watch he sells means he can go home to a great beer wine or steak and keep his family happy which makes me happy as well.

But I never expect to be treated like a king and quoting Rolex values, is to me, a load of BS, it is a watch sold to us by humans, people have good and bad days and I am glad the store has not been named because the rep is probably not the owner, and I don't write off companies because of one bad experience.

[BenzMaster]

Originally Posted by Brucie D

Glad I don't run my Porsche centre like that. People love coming in and browsing. It creates excitement around the brand and eventually some of these people will buy a car in the future. We give books and posters away and make sure people are welcome to sit in the cars. I have hopes that someday the old school sales mentality will eventually die out now that customers have access to all the information they could ever want over the Internet. It's now about having a positive experience at the store level...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We feel the same way at Mercedes-Benz. We are grateful for the interest, but there are some folks that like to "visit" for the freebies. We are in SALES, so we hope that the guests respect the Salespeople and their time.

[ChuckFinlay]

Lots of UK AD's are like the OP's...the best time I spent in an AD was in Morristown, NJ. The sales lady spent an hour or so showing my wife and I some amazing pieces. I believe they've now lost their AD status.

Funnily enough, and relevant to this thread she told us a story of a kid, maybe 14 or 15 that used to go in and gloat over the Rolex. She always humoured him and showed him various stuff, a good many years later when he made a few quid (dollars) guess where he went to buy his day-date.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by Anthon

Well said tkerrmd, posts like yours keep me coming back to this forum.

With regards to the OP, it is very simple in my opinion: If you have no intention to buy, then you CANNOT complain about the treatment. You simply cannot. The OP is simply a rant, no more no less.

Good salesman, bad salesman, it does not matter, you were not going to buy at the AD, and you were not going to recommend your friends to buy at that or any other AD, so on what grounds do you complain? The old three fingers are pointing straight back at you my friend!

You want to be part of the Rolex family, whatever that is, but you do not buy from the Rolex family. You buy from cousin Vinny.

Don't get me wrong, I've been into AD's as well with no intention of buying. Once they treated me like shit, once they treated me like a king. Huray. It's part of the game :)


I do find it funny when some posters here say that a good salesman would have made the deal. Well, I do not hold it against any AD salesperson if he cannot offer me grey market prices. Do you?

You've got to be kidding me with this post... If I am browsing for ANYTHING, I have no reason to complain if I am treated poorly? Curtesy is curtesy. It should always be given no matter the circumstance. You've already agreed that the salesman snubbed the OP in one context or another. I actually find that point arguable. The part I find laughable is you think a customer deserves it if he doesn't intend to buy.

[Anthon]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

You've got to be kidding me with this post... If I am browsing for ANYTHING, I have no reason to complain if I am treated poorly? Curtesy is curtesy. It should always be given no matter the circumstance. You've already agreed that the salesman snubbed the OP in one context or another. I actually find that point arguable. The part I find laughable is you think a customer deserves it if he doesn't intend to buy.

Where did I agree that the salesman snubbed to OP? I do not have enough information to come to that conclusion!
And you find my opinion laughable? You are wasting their time if you do not intend to buy ever at an AD. That would be laughable if it was not sad.
You do not have the right to browse you know...

I just bought a piano at a real piano retailer. I could have bought it cheaper online, but since I spent hours in the shop trialling all sorts of pianos I thought it was only fair to buy the piano from them. I did not even mention the lower internet prices.

That's fair.

[BenzMaster]

Originally Posted by NoVaSubowner

Pretty much sums it up.......

Well said.

[xjeeunitx]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

its a store, they sell things. what are you disappointed about? do you go to the Porsche dealer and test drive a bunch of cars and then leave? no, well you went in, you didnt just "look" you TRIED on a bunch of watches and the guy was polite and friendly. really what else did you want or expect so you wouldnt be "disappointed"??

Exactly.

[xjeeunitx]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

You've got to be kidding me with this post... If I am browsing for ANYTHING, I have no reason to complain if I am treated poorly? Curtesy is curtesy. It should always be given no matter the circumstance. You've already agreed that the salesman snubbed the OP in one context or another. I actually find that point arguable. The part I find laughable is you think a customer deserves it if he doesn't intend to buy.

It's salesman 101. If you look like a bum or is "that" customer that always comes in the store and never buys anything, you are bound to receive that type of treatment. Shoot, if I was a salesman, I would've had another salesman approach him. Regardless, this salesman from the OP's post was kind enough to greet, chat, and show him some watches. It's not like he called the OP a cheap bastard or anything.

[Sublover2166]

Wow. 8 pages and still going. This thread has derailed off the subject so long ago it is laughable. If Padi was still here he would have locked it down long ago as there is so much drivel here I am shaking my damn head.

[Anthon]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Wow. 8 pages and still going. This thread has derailed off the subject so long ago it is laughable. If Padi was still here he would have locked it down long ago as there is so much drivel here I am shaking my damn head.

I think it's a great thread, pretty much on subject as well.

On the one hand we have people saying 'customer is king', or rather, they declare themselves king and try to dictate how someone else should run his shop

On the other hand there are people explaining how things really work in sales, which is great. I never realized that salespersons work on an 'up' basis! I appreciate their work a bit more now I know this.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Wow. 8 pages and still going. This thread has derailed off the subject so long ago it is laughable. If Padi was still here he would have locked it down long ago as there is so much drivel here I am shaking my damn head.

Huh

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Anthon

I think it's a great thread, pretty much on subject as well.

On the one hand we have people saying 'customer is king', or rather, they declare themselves king and try to dictate how someone else should run his shop

On the other hand there are people explaining how things really work in sales, which is great. I never realized that salespersons work on an 'up' basis! I appreciate their work a bit more now I know this.

Yeah, thread is fine...

There are some posters who understand reality and realize why this happened.

Others didn't know the inner workings of an AD and the sales structure, but are open minded and are able to view things from a different perspective..

Then we have the oblivious and self absorbed who couldn't care less about anything that doesn't pertain directly to them and their desire to be recognized as superior and important.

They are incapable of looking at things from any viewpoint other than their own self serving one..

[jandr272]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Wow. 8 pages and still going. This thread has derailed off the subject so long ago it is laughable. If Padi was still here he would have locked it down long ago as there is so much drivel here I am shaking my damn head.

I've actually learned a lot, both in support of my opinion, and the opposing view. I'm grateful for threads like this, they broaden my sometimes narrow perspective.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jandr272

I've actually learned a lot, both in support of my opinion, and the opposing view. I'm grateful for threads like this, they broaden my sometimes narrow perspective.

It's certainly better than What Rolex would Jesus Wear

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Yeah, thread is fine...
Then we have the oblivious and self absorbed who couldn't care less about any thing that doesn't pertain directly to them and their desire to be recognized as superior. They are incapable of looking at things from any other viewpoint other than their own self serving one..

Correct.

They also speak from the perspective of minimal business acumen and certainly never having been in sales. Having a number and a clock over your head and having to make decisions about how to best spend your time, make money and stay employed.

They stamp their feet - "customer is always right" . . . . . but with experience comes the rest of that rule - "except when they are not profitable"

How many companies today are looking at their customers list, evaluating profitability and then declining to do business with whole populations of customers because it make sense to use resources and make more money elsewhere?

Showing a kid watches for 15 years and having them finally buy one is NOT GOOD BUSINESS . . . . it's being nice to a kid and doing something good. Its not maintaining Rolex culture/mystique/brand.

They are a non-profit, but they can't have a model that loses money - at least not for long!

The Rolex culture/mystique/brand comes out of the margin. If an AD needs to spend 45 hours to sell one watch, they have costs associated with that 45 hours that need to be paid, facility, the comp for the sales person etc.

Guess who pays that?

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

Correct.

They also speak from the perspective of minimal business acumen and certainly never having been in sales. Having a number and a clock over your head and having to make decisions about how to best spend your time, make money and stay employed.

They stamp their feet - "customer is always right" . . . . . but with experience comes the rest of that rule - "except when they are not profitable"

How many companies today are looking at their customers list, evaluating profitability and then declining to do business with whole populations of customers because it make sense to use resources and make more money elsewhere?

Showing a kid watches for 15 years and having them finally buy one is NOT GOOD BUSINESS . . . . it's being nice to a kid and doing something good. Its not maintaining Rolex culture/mystique/brand.

They are a non-profit, but they can't have a model that loses money - at least not for long!

The Rolex culture/mystique/brand comes out of the margin. If an AD needs to spend 45 hours to sell one watch, they have costs associated with that 45 hours that need to be paid, facility, the comp for the sales person etc.

Guess who pays that?

Very well said.

[dchernikoff]

I too am amazed this thread has gone on so long, and I am grateful for all the different perspectives!

Just one last comment from me, the OP. People keep wondering why I was upset, why I posted this, why I'm not revealing the name of the AD so I can trash them or so they can defend themselves, etc. The simple answer to all these questions is that I posted because I was confused by how I was treated (NOT that I was treated so incredibly horribly, just HOW UNEXPECTEDLY I was treated). Like I said in a subsequent, lengthy, post -- I went into the AD with the wrong model in my head of how things work. I have no problem going into a Triumph dealer, telling them I bought my 2007 Bonneville off of Craigslist, then spending an hour browsing. Invariably if the store isn't busy, the salesperson comes to me and chats me up, offers me a test ride, etc. Because he is an enthusiast about his product like I am and enjoys talking about it. And sure, because he hopes one day to sell me one.

I made the mistake of assuming that because my passion for Rolex is similar to my passion for Triumphs, that the same model of interaction in a Triumph dealership applies to Rolex ADs. I now know that is an incorrect assumption. I was fooled in this instance because initially the salesperson responded like a Triumph dealer would respond. He was friendly, offered to let me "test drive" a few watches, we chatted about the products and technology, and I fell into my Triumph Dealer rhythm. Then his comment about "this is not a museum" came so totally out of left field, from my incorrect perspective, that it shocked and disturbed me and made me realize I might not be in touch with reality here. Now I am, and I will modify my behavior appropriately.

I also admit to being disappointed, in a totally selfish way, that the Rolex world doesn't work like I want it to. And I do believe that if it did -- that if people were allowed to browse Rolexes like they do other things -- that Rolex and the AD would come out ahead in the long run. But that is certainly a (good) topic for debate, as this thread shows.

And please remember -- I was the ONLY person in that store besides the salespeople. The whole time. I wasn't getting in the way at all, and if he had left me alone and just let me peer into the cases I would have been perfectly happy. By him coming over to me in an empty store, and offering to let me try things on, I was fooled and didn't realize I had crossed the line from "just browsing" into "purchase" mode. Again, my error due to ignorance, I won't do that again.

-Dan

[Schneeflocke]

Originally Posted by xjeeunitx

It's salesman 101. If you look like a bum or is "that" customer that always comes in the store and never buys anything, you are bound to receive that type of treatment. Shoot, if I was a salesman, I would've had another salesman approach him. Regardless, this salesman from the OP's post was kind enough to greet, chat, and show him some watches. It's not like he called the OP a cheap bastard or anything.

Correction: What you are describing, is BAD Salesman 101.

[breitlings]

I think we all agree there are good ADs and "bad" ones. I like liljenquist and beckstead in Montgomery Mall.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by dchernikoff

I too am amazed this thread has gone on so long, and I am grateful for all the different perspectives!

Just one last comment from me, the OP. People keep wondering why I was upset, why I posted this, why I'm not revealing the name of the AD so I can trash them or so they can defend themselves, etc. The simple answer to all these questions is that I posted because I was confused by how I was treated (NOT that I was treated so incredibly horribly, just HOW UNEXPECTEDLY I was treated). Like I said in a subsequent, lengthy, post -- I went into the AD with the wrong model in my head of how things work. I have no problem going into a Triumph dealer, telling them I bought my 2007 Bonneville off of Craigslist, then spending an hour browsing. Invariably if the store isn't busy, the salesperson comes to me and chats me up, offers me a test ride, etc. Because he is an enthusiast about his product like I am and enjoys talking about it. And sure, because he hopes one day to sell me one.

I made the mistake of assuming that because my passion for Rolex is similar to my passion for Triumphs, that the same model of interaction in a Triumph dealership applies to Rolex ADs. I now know that is an incorrect assumption. I was fooled in this instance because initially the salesperson responded like a Triumph dealer would respond. He was friendly, offered to let me "test drive" a few watches, we chatted about the products and technology, and I fell into my Triumph Dealer rhythm. Then his comment about "this is not a museum" came so totally out of left field, from my incorrect perspective, that it shocked and disturbed me and made me realize I might not be in touch with reality here. Now I am, and I will modify my behavior appropriately.

I also admit to being disappointed, in a totally selfish way, that the Rolex world doesn't work like I want it to. And I do believe that if it did -- that if people were allowed to browse Rolexes like they do other things -- that Rolex and the AD would come out ahead in the long run. But that is certainly a (good) topic for debate, as this thread shows.

And please remember -- I was the ONLY person in that store besides the salespeople. The whole time. I wasn't getting in the way at all, and if he had left me alone and just let me peer into the cases I would have been perfectly happy. By him coming over to me in an empty store, and offering to let me try things on, I was fooled and didn't realize I had crossed the line from "just browsing" into "purchase" mode. Again, my error due to ignorance, I won't do that again.

-Dan

My goal in my posts was to help you understand why this happened. I'm not saying I condone it, or agree with the bluntness of the salespersons conversation with you, but I think it's important to understand the reason for it...

The Rolex culture you are seeking is mostly existent online or in get togethers. We are the 1%. The vast majority of customers coming into an AD just want a Rolex because it's impressive to others and it's supposed to be the best. They don't care enough to talk about them and their intricacies.....just gimme that nice, expensive watch..So the salespeople are geared for that interaction. They are there to SELL you a watch right now.
They are evaluated and compensated for that. Behind the scenes at an AD, it isn't this glamorous and decadent world
of laid back luxury. It's close the sale. Move on.

It's nice to see you can appreciate a different perspective and understand the situation a bit better..

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by dchernikoff

I too am amazed this thread has gone on so long, and I am grateful for all the different perspectives!

Just one last comment from me, the OP. People keep wondering why I was upset, why I posted this, why I'm not revealing the name of the AD so I can trash them or so they can defend themselves, etc. The simple answer to all these questions is that I posted because I was confused by how I was treated (NOT that I was treated so incredibly horribly, just HOW UNEXPECTEDLY I was treated). Like I said in a subsequent, lengthy, post -- I went into the AD with the wrong model in my head of how things work. I have no problem going into a Triumph dealer, telling them I bought my 2007 Bonneville off of Craigslist, then spending an hour browsing. Invariably if the store isn't busy, the salesperson comes to me and chats me up, offers me a test ride, etc. Because he is an enthusiast about his product like I am and enjoys talking about it. And sure, because he hopes one day to sell me one.

I made the mistake of assuming that because my passion for Rolex is similar to my passion for Triumphs, that the same model of interaction in a Triumph dealership applies to Rolex ADs. I now know that is an incorrect assumption. I was fooled in this instance because initially the salesperson responded like a Triumph dealer would respond. He was friendly, offered to let me "test drive" a few watches, we chatted about the products and technology, and I fell into my Triumph Dealer rhythm. Then his comment about "this is not a museum" came so totally out of left field, from my incorrect perspective, that it shocked and disturbed me and made me realize I might not be in touch with reality here. Now I am, and I will modify my behavior appropriately.

I also admit to being disappointed, in a totally selfish way, that the Rolex world doesn't work like I want it to. And I do believe that if it did -- that if people were allowed to browse Rolexes like they do other things -- that Rolex and the AD would come out ahead in the long run. But that is certainly a (good) topic for debate, as this thread shows.

And please remember -- I was the ONLY person in that store besides the salespeople. The whole time. I wasn't getting in the way at all, and if he had left me alone and just let me peer into the cases I would have been perfectly happy. By him coming over to me in an empty store, and offering to let me try things on, I was fooled and didn't realize I had crossed the line from "just browsing" into "purchase" mode. Again, my error due to ignorance, I won't do that again.

-Dan

When you get ready to buy your next watch be sure to contact one of the trusted sellers here on the forum and you will not have to deal with the BS you dealt with at that AD. You will get a new watch with warranty and save thousands and it will be brought right to your front door.

[997.2]

Originally Posted by breitlings

I think we all agree there are good ADs and "bad" ones. I like liljenquist and beckstead in Montgomery Mall.

I've been there. Good people, they practically thrusts a nautilus on my wrist and I didn't complain.

[locutus49]

I, too, have seen both sides of the argument. to me, sales people should always be polite and solicitous. But I understand that they have quotas and need to move a conversation towards a close.

ADs have it tough because of the many people who come to try on watches with no intention of buying (except online). But a good sales person will uncover the intention of the buyer and at least attempt to compete. Problem is, many ADs I have visited are lacking in good sales people. They don't seem to be well trained. And I buy from ADs.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I, too, have seen both sides of the argument. to me, sales people should always be polite and solicitous. But I understand that they have quotas and need to move a conversation towards a close.

ADs have it tough because of the many people who come to try on watches with no intention of buying (except online). But a good sales person will uncover the intention of the buyer and at least attempt to compete. Problem is, many ADs I have visited are lacking in good sales people. They don't seem to be well trained. And I buy from ADs.

Obviously in the OPs situation he was upfront about just browsing and the salesperson decided to flip the "A-hole switch" and become a smarta$$. I would have told him where to shove it. Treat me with respect and you will get respect in return. Many people nowadays don't adhere to this unfortunately.

[locutus49]

So true. I wonder if it is generational. Or a matter of poor sales training.

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Obviously in the OPs situation he was upfront about just browsing and the salesperson decided to flip the "A-hole switch" and become a smarta$$. I would have told him where to shove it. Treat me with respect and you will get respect in return. Many people nowadays don't adhere to this unfortunately.

[mike]

Ok, to many complaints so it's now closed.

This is a forum about WATCHES not Ads or their pressure tactics. Stay on point.