Another Poor AD Experience

[jpwoodi]

Despite having already had one poor experience in my local AD ( incorrectly identified my Explorer as a fake when asking for a bracelet adjustment), I thought I would give them another chance.

I wanted an engraving on the case back, so waited upon a quote. They apparently had to do it in-store as Rolex do not offer this without a full service. Also they would not pressure test it.

Slightly sceptical I made a quick call to the Kent Service centre who informed me they do engrave, and for a lower price than my AD quoted me. I assume that the local AD would make more money from doing it in-house, but this does make me wary.

How rigorous is the process of becoming an AD? I assumed standards would be high, however this seems not to be the case.

[cop414]

Sounds like 2 strikes and this AD should be out... I wouldn't go back.

[MonBK]

The process is very rigorous and the standard should be high.

[watchwatcher]

I believe if someone had called my watch a fake I would make sure there was a public acknowledgement of their mistake. Not sure if I would frequent that establishment for future business and I would make sure everybody in that business understood why.

[Tyl3r]

You should definitely switch ADs after yet another poor experience. I have had a very poor experience at an AD where they destroyed by link screws when sizing the bracelet. It seems these stories are getting more and more common. I was always under the impression that it was nearly impossible to obtain AD status and very easily lost. I wish Rolex would more strictly oversee their dealers.

[Thatguy]

you gave them one more chance than I would have. I would not go back.

[alex82]

I have also experienced very poor service through an AD - and their knowledge was severely lacking, put me off for good and now I will only deal with Rolex directly, via their own sales centre

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by alex82

I have also experienced very poor service through an AD - and their knowledge was severely lacking, put me off for good and now I will only deal with Rolex directly, via their own sales centre

You do realize that the Rolex boutiques are operated by ADs?

[Hairdude1]

Don't visit that AD anymore

[alex82]

Originally Posted by kilyung

You do realize that the Rolex boutiques are operated by ADs?

I didn't actually!! I thought ADs were only independent retailers who were authorized by Rolex to sell their watches...I had Rolex UK at St James Square in mind when I said I would only deal with them directly...

[dba]

My wife and I were in the Rolex store at the Royal Hawaiian Center last May. I wasn't going to buy anything that day but we were dressed nicely and were both wearing a Rolex. My wife on the other hand does have that type of “walking around” cash available to her.

I have never been treated as rudely as I was while in that store. The woman who appeared to be the manager would barely look at us and when my wife enquired about a Daytona with the leather strap/bracelet, she told us it wasn’t available even though we were looking at it.

I was stunned! The folks at my local store in Reno are simply the best. Whenever I come in to look, one of the sales people offers to clean my watch. I was at that shopping center during the NFL Playoffs. I walked over to the store at around 6pm and asked if they were still open. They were, they had the 49er game on TV and were going to stay open until the game was over. They had a little buffet going (for no charge) for the four customers in the store and it was quite a contrast from Hawaii.

I think we all have our AD horror stories. The big question is why should we purchase from an AD if their sales staff is incompetent, rude, dishonest or just plain ignorant? If you have a great relationship with an AD then by all means patronize them. For the rest, the internet is our friend. Use the AD to try on watches to see how they look and feel on your wrist; then buy from one of the trusted sellers here. There never seems to be a thread titled, “Horrible Trusted Seller” does there?

For those that would lament the failing of “Brick and Mortar” stores because of the internet, I would suggest that the brick and mortar stores up their game and perhaps they’ll win back the patronage they lost.

Like Craig Ferguson used to say, “I look forward to your letters.”

[alex82]

Originally Posted by dba

For those that would lament the failing of “Brick and Mortar” stores because of the internet, I would suggest that the brick and mortar stores up their game and perhaps they’ll win back the patronage they lost.

Completely agree, dba...I work in retail myself and I always strive to go above and beyond what a customer expects when I deal with them, making them feel special gives me a real buzz and I have gained a lot of regular customers as a result, many of whom I've got to know a little bit too

[tkerrmd]

Don't think engraving a watch would be included in my assessment of a knowledgable and fair AD

[locutus49]

Agree.

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Don't think engraving a watch would be included in my assessment of a knowledgable and fair AD

[Mabcpa17]

Still I. The process of saving for my first Rolex and fascinating to hear some of the negative comments about ADs. Seems like the answer could be a "trusted seller" via this RF. Where do these TSs source their watches (assuming you can purchase something other than pre-owned from a TS)?

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Mabcpa17

Still I. The process of saving for my first Rolex and fascinating to hear some of the negative comments about ADs. Seems like the answer could be a "trusted seller" via this RF. Where do these TSs source their watches (assuming you can purchase something other than pre-owned from a TS)?

I admit there is good and bad of everything everywhere

However the posts here about bad AD experiences are the numerator we don't see the gigantic number that compose the denominator

I chalk these random disappointments with AD's up to the few that mostly post here

[Chris B]

Moral of the story, and we've all been there ... always deal direct with RSC

[anothernewphone]

Originally Posted by Chris B

Moral of the story, and we've all been there ... always deal direct with RSC

Except for vintage, or if you don't want a scuff on your lug from changing bracelets, or a scratch on your dial from removing a piece of lint, or or if you don't want your caseback scufffed and your watch returned with finger prints on the crystal -

see what I'm getting at? There are plenty of horror stories from the RSC as well. Never say "never," and never say "always."

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by alex82

I didn't actually!! I thought ADs were only independent retailers who were authorized by Rolex to sell their watches...I had Rolex UK at St James Square in mind when I said I would only deal with them directly...

The RSCs are Rolex so St James is ok.

[Chris B]

I've had case-back engraving performed by RSC , excellent & ridiculously cheap when AD wanted an arm & a leg to send it in , always/never pays to give them a ring first

[Minimalist]

What local AD is this? I'm in London too, so would like to know which one you speak of.

[Vipes]

I would never set foot in that AD again if they accused me of having a fake Rolex.

[Mastergreenhand]

I've had bad service at an AD before. I went back again a couple times, I just went to a better sales person and the experience was fine. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. Now, if the other salespeople are crap too, or if the problem is with the store manager, then I would find another AD. I no longer purchase from them ( I found a better out of state choice) - but once or twice a year I'll pop in to browse for fun.

(edit) I forgot they said you were wearing a fake. I would tell the manager without a doubt.

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by thatguy

you gave them one more chance than i would have. I would not go back.

x47

[Afghanvet]

Unacceptable... Hope Rolex QC checking TRF occasionally and taking action on items such as this...

[watchabout]

Originally Posted by Chris B

Moral of the story, and we've all been there ... always deal direct with RSC

I doubt this guy agrees with you.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=395886


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by jpwoodi

Despite having already had one poor experience in my local AD ( incorrectly identified my Explorer as a fake when asking for a bracelet adjustment), I thought I would give them another chance.

I wanted an engraving on the case back, so waited upon a quote. They apparently had to do it in-store as Rolex do not offer this without a full service. Also they would not pressure test it.

Slightly sceptical I made a quick call to the Kent Service centre who informed me they do engrave, and for a lower price than my AD quoted me. I assume that the local AD would make more money from doing it in-house, but this does make me wary.

How rigorous is the process of becoming an AD? I assumed standards would be high, however this seems not to be the case.

i hear your frustration but, who knows?

however, i would say that i would never engrave if i were a rolex ad. people go ape over link pins getting scuffed on free adjustments - imagine an engraving gone wrong! i mean, they'd be like on a forum and stuff slagging my business and then asking for discounts.

[Roller07]

Give me bad service once, shame on you. Give me bad service twice, shame on me.

Why go back for more punishment?

[alex82]

Originally Posted by kilyung

The RSCs are Rolex so St James is ok.

Ok cool, that's what I thought!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

I believe if someone had called my watch a fake I would make sure there was a public acknowledgement of their mistake. Not sure if I would frequent that establishment for future business and I would make sure everybody in that business understood why.

Have to agree, I know sales can be a tough and relentless job esp if they are not really into watches but calling one a fake is going way too far and the manager needs to be told.