Sympathy for ADs

[Howlerbro]

I walked into an AD this morning shortly after they opened, not expecting much inventory and just wanting to kill some time between business meetings. I was the only one in the store and the woman I spoke with was super nice - we spent the majority of our time just talking about the brand and pieces in general. I did let her know what I was interested in towards the end but it wasn't a focal point of our conversation.

About halfway thru a guy with his two kids walks in and made a beeline for the professional case - within 60 seconds, no kidding, he had asked (i) what stainless steel models they had, (ii) which lists he could get on and (iii) pulled up a Sea Dweller, Sub and GMT on his phone and asked about a special order of each. After hearing unsatisfactory answers to each question, he just left. As cruddy as some of the AD experiences are out there, watching this whole thing made me feel pretty bad for them - this sort of stuff must happen numerous times a day. I feel like Rolex, rightfully so, encourages their sales staff to turn the watch buying experience into something really special for their clients but when a fair percentage of those that walk in don't care about that I imagine it can be pretty draining.

[Locust]

This Is the problem. Not the ADs, not the greys. The ticket scalping types trying to make a buck. Do you blame an AD for only selling to people they have history with when this kinda nonsense is what’s going on nowadays? I don’t.

[Moggo]

Originally Posted by Locust

This Is the problem. Not the ADs, not the greys. The ticket scalping types trying to make a buck. Do you blame an AD for only selling to people they have history with when this kinda nonsense is what’s going on nowadays? I don’t.

Agreed, the problem is some AD’s are trying to screw regular customers out of more money also by getting them to buy models they don’t want.

That is poor business practice.


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[pepsiretail]

Saw a very similar event this Sunday. The guy thought he was pretty slick though, gently asking for "the black Daytona with the black bezel" amongst others. The salesman is very experienced and handled it with complete professionalism. It was mildly sickening how he had this little scheme, playing naive but letting slip knowledge of Rolex tactics.

[Randy63]

Originally Posted by pepsiretail

Saw a very similar event this Sunday. The guy thought he was pretty slick though, gently asking for "the black Daytona with the black bezel" amongst others. The salesman is very experienced and handled it with complete professionalism. It was mildly sickening how he had this little scheme, playing naive but letting slip knowledge of Rolex tactics.

Imagine how majorly sickening his "scheme" would have been had he asked for "the white Daytona with the black bezel".


Randy

[erickucla]

Originally Posted by pepsiretail

Saw a very similar event this Sunday. The guy thought he was pretty slick though, gently asking for "the black Daytona with the black bezel" amongst others. The salesman is very experienced and handled it with complete professionalism. It was mildly sickening how he had this little scheme, playing naive but letting slip knowledge of Rolex tactics.

So what? I’m a customer and if you’re going to take my money in exchange for a product I’ll inquire about it any way I please!

[SlideRacker]

ADs will only sell to local clients and I know all the ADs in my area. There are only a few I’m working with in different capacities. I’ve already gotten a Sub from one but anything else requires some silly bundle so not likely I’ll be working with them again. Others I’ve been in contact with and we developed some rapport. Maybe they’ll come through. Maybe they won’t. As far as all other ADs I know there’s less than a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll ever buy anything there. So when I visit an AD it’s mostly just for amusement to see the look on their face and what their story will be. I then show them pics of my collection and let them know I don’t need any of their watches. I’m in Europe right now and only if an AD happens to be nearby I’ll stick my head in the door just for laughs. I don’t care how many times per day they get asked the same questions. I will never buy a DJ or DD and there’s no point in talking about them.

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by SlideRacker

ADs will only sell to local clients and I know all the ADs in my area. There are only a few I’m working with in different capacities. I’ve already gotten a Sub from one but anything else requires some silly bundle so not likely I’ll be working with them again. Others I’ve been in contact with and we developed some rapport. Maybe they’ll come through. Maybe they won’t. As far as all other ADs I know there’s less than a snowball’s chance in hell I’ll ever buy anything there. So when I visit an AD it’s mostly just for amusement to see the look on their face and what their story will be. I then show them pics of my collection and let them know I don’t need any of their watches. I’m in Europe right now and only if an AD happens to be nearby I’ll stick my head in the door just for laughs. I don’t care how many times per day they get asked the same questions. I will never buy a DJ or DD and there’s no point in talking about them.

Most people carry pictures of their kids/grandkids. WIS' carry pictures of their collection. LOL

[vandyologist]

Agree. I don’t blame ADs at all for getting their customers for desirable pieces. When I was in last week, they had two calls asking about SS models. The owner told me that they get countless calls every week from randos around the country trying to get lucky.

[Marcjvr]

Struggling to see the “problem” here. A customer walks in, ask for a product that the AD sells, AD says “sorry we don’t have it”. Customer walks out.

Where’s the part where we should feel sorry the AD? I’m not being difficult I just honestly don’t see a problem. That’s their job, to deal with customers. The next customer may walk in and buy 10 datejusts for his best friends because he can. Is the AD entitled to only deal with big spenders and/or people who don’t seek hot models?!?!?

Would the AD rather stand around doing nothing? Should ADs not be subjected to the horror of people walking in and asking about hot models...

[pepsiretail]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Struggling to see the “problem” here. A customer walks in, ask for a product that the AD sells, AD says “sorry we don’t have it”. Customer walks out.

Where’s the part where we should feel sorry the AD? I’m not being difficult I just honestly don’t see a problem. That’s their job, to deal with customers. The next customer may walk in and buy 10 datejusts for his best friends because he can. Is the AD entitled to only deal with big spenders and/or people who don’t seek hot models?!?!?

Would the AD rather stand around doing nothing? Should ADs not be subjected to the horror of people walking in and asking about hot models...

You make a legitimate point. Trouble is, this guy I saw started by trying on some pieces before he went into his sickening lying for some time, on a busy Sunday afternoon. There were plenty of other customers to serve but maybe half of them were wannabe BS artists as well.

[Oyster84]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Struggling to see the “problem” here. A customer walks in, ask for a product that the AD sells, AD says “sorry we don’t have it”. Customer walks out.

Where’s the part where we should feel sorry the AD? I’m not being difficult I just honestly don’t see a problem. That’s their job, to deal with customers. The next customer may walk in and buy 10 datejusts for his best friends because he can. Is the AD entitled to only deal with big spenders and/or people who don’t seek hot models?!?!?

Would the AD rather stand around doing nothing? Should ADs not be subjected to the horror of people walking in and asking about hot models...

I'm struggling to follow this thread but I think the OP was insinuating that this guy was not a regular customer but a "flipper" hocking SS models to unsuspecting victims. I do agree with you though. I not sure why we're supposed to feel sorry for an AD making a sale. I mean, a sale is a sale...

[Howlerbro]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Struggling to see the “problem” here. A customer walks in, ask for a product that the AD sells, AD says “sorry we don’t have it”. Customer walks out.

Where’s the part where we should feel sorry the AD? I’m not being difficult I just honestly don’t see a problem. That’s their job, to deal with customers. The next customer may walk in and buy 10 datejusts for his best friends because he can. Is the AD entitled to only deal with big spenders and/or people who don’t seek hot models?!?!?

Would the AD rather stand around doing nothing? Should ADs not be subjected to the horror of people walking in and asking about hot models...

I think it was more the obvious nature of this guys’ interaction that bugged me, as it was abundantly clear he had no relationship there and was only interested in hot pieces. If it were a TV at Best Buy or some other commodity good if agree with you. But I think most of us are buying a Rolex because we really love it or are celebrating a milestone/achievement and the brand appreciates that. No one gives you champagne and tells you congratulations when you buy that TV or MacBook. When customers make it purely a capitalistic transaction it’s tough to see


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[SFBAY]

Originally Posted by Howlerbro

I think it was more the obvious nature of this guys’ interaction that bugged me, as it was abundantly clear he had no relationship there and was only interested in hot pieces. If it were a TV at Best Buy or some other commodity good if agree with you. But I think most of us are buying a Rolex because we really love it or are celebrating a milestone/achievement and the brand appreciates that. No one gives you champagne and tells you congratulations when you buy that TV or MacBook. When customers make it purely a capitalistic transaction it’s tough to see


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Televisions and MacBooks don’t cost 7k plus. Big deal, a guy asked if he could buy a 10k product and the salesperson said we don’t have any. Nobody has any idea if he was flopper.

[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by Howlerbro

I think it was more the obvious nature of this guys’ interaction that bugged me, as it was abundantly clear he had no relationship there and was only interested in hot pieces.

You mean like 98% of the buying public? I bet if the AD had inventory they wouldn't have cared that he lacked your savoir-faire.

[grimps]

Originally Posted by Howlerbro

I think it was more the obvious nature of this guys’ interaction that bugged me, as it was abundantly clear he had no relationship there and was only interested in hot pieces. If it were a TV at Best Buy or some other commodity good if agree with you. But I think most of us are buying a Rolex because we really love it or are celebrating a milestone/achievement and the brand appreciates that. No one gives you champagne and tells you congratulations when you buy that TV or MacBook. When customers make it purely a capitalistic transaction it’s tough to see


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I posted a story of how I obtained a steel Sub at an airport recently .

I was wearing a Pepsi so this must have indicated to the salesman that I wasn't flipping all hot models , we started chatting about my Pepsi and he asked what other models I had , I showed him some photos and chatted about the shortage in many of the professional models that I and and we joked about how many times a day people come and ask for them .
In the time I was speaking to him two people came up and asked for Sky dwellers and Daytonas and all the usual suspects , one of the guy's was quite annoyed when the salesman said it was unlikely that they'll see any soon.

After the guy left the salesman said that he had a steel Sub under the counter but he has to be very careful who he sells professional models to , he then offered it to me and I bought it.

Moral of the story is that these days the AD can play God with these watches, taking the time to chat to them and even let them know you're a serious collector or just a guy really interested in one specific watch will vastly improve your chances of getting lucky.They are now under specific instructions not to sell to flippers and if you was in their position would you sell one to an arsehole that hasn't showed you any respect ?

[SlideRacker]

Originally Posted by grimps

I posted a story of how I obtained a steel Sub at an airport recently .

I was wearing a Pepsi so this must have indicated to the salesman that I wasn't flipping all hot models , we started chatting about my Pepsi and he asked what other models I had , I showed him some photos and chatted about the shortage in many of the professional models that I and and we joked about how many times a day people come and ask for them .
In the time I was speaking to him two people came up and asked for Sky dwellers and Daytonas and all the usual suspects , one of the guy's was quite annoyed when the salesman said it was unlikely that they'll see any soon.

After the guy left the salesman said that he had a steel Sub under the counter but he has to be very careful who he sells professional models to , he then offered it to me and I bought it.

Moral of the story is that these days the AD can play God with these watches, taking the time to chat to them and even let them know you're a serious collector or just a guy really interested in one specific watch will vastly improve your chances of getting lucky.They are now under specific instructions not to sell to flippers and if you was in their position would you sell one to an arsehole that hasn't showed you any respect ?

This is exactly how I got mine. It took a long passionate phone conversation along with another long passionate face to face conversation while wearing my 116520. It doesn’t always work though. I tried this same technique with another AD and they essentially flipped me the bird. They just didn’t care.

[whuang29]

Originally Posted by grimps

I posted a story of how I obtained a steel Sub at an airport recently .



I was wearing a Pepsi so this must have indicated to the salesman that I wasn't flipping all hot models , we started chatting about my Pepsi and he asked what other models I had , I showed him some photos and chatted about the shortage in many of the professional models that I and and we joked about how many times a day people come and ask for them .

In the time I was speaking to him two people came up and asked for Sky dwellers and Daytonas and all the usual suspects , one of the guy's was quite annoyed when the salesman said it was unlikely that they'll see any soon.



After the guy left the salesman said that he had a steel Sub under the counter but he has to be very careful who he sells professional models to , he then offered it to me and I bought it.



Moral of the story is that these days the AD can play God with these watches, taking the time to chat to them and even let them know you're a serious collector or just a guy really interested in one specific watch will vastly improve your chances of getting lucky.They are now under specific instructions not to sell to flippers and if you was in their position would you sell one to an arsehole that hasn't showed you any respect ?

This was pretty much how I got close to my AD. I had a bad experience with them at first but then another SA took care of us. I visit them whenever I am in the area to talk. On weekends, I see at least 3 different groups of people who would come in ask for stainless steel watches and then leave immediately when they didn’t like the answer to received.


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[blankapdx]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Struggling to see the “problem” here. A customer walks in, ask for a product that the AD sells, AD says “sorry we don’t have it”. Customer walks out.

Where’s the part where we should feel sorry the AD? I’m not being difficult I just honestly don’t see a problem. That’s their job, to deal with customers. The next customer may walk in and buy 10 datejusts for his best friends because he can. Is the AD entitled to only deal with big spenders and/or people who don’t seek hot models?!?!?

Would the AD rather stand around doing nothing? Should ADs not be subjected to the horror of people walking in and asking about hot models...

THIS

[Solo118]

I feel bad for the salespeople needing to turn down dozens of people per day. If the goods were in stock, they would be making a nice commission. I just wonder if grey dealers deal with an actual salesperson, or if they cut a deal with the manager/owner.

[jsausley]

Originally Posted by Solo118

I feel bad for the salespeople needing to turn down dozens of people per day. If the goods were in stock, they would be making a nice commission. I just wonder if grey dealers deal with an actual salesperson, or if they cut a deal with the manager/owner.

If the goods were in stock, none of those people walking in would be walking in. The reason they're walking in is because of the demand. If demand was lower, supply would be higher and therefore there'd be no reason to buy a Rolex (for the average person).

[Danny83]

If I owned an AD I would not be too Happy With Rolex

[Tha Baron]

Originally Posted by Danny83

If I owned an AD I would not be too Happy With Rolex

If I owned an AD I’d be laughing all the way to the bank.

People who work in sales should generally have thick skin... they have to deal with people. Sort of comes with the territory

[pepsiretail]

Originally Posted by Danny83

If I owned an AD I would not be too Happy With Rolex

It is a fact that the AD is now the parent of thousands of well off children, who are used to getting what they want, and must juggle and explain to them why child #1002 got a watch when #29000 did not. Add all the BS artists and opportunists and it is total chaos with Rolex at the AD.

[kbutler1]

I was at 1 of my local AD's the other weekend with my son just to get out of the house. Their stock was completely wiped. Gentleman working there said they had display space for 120 Rolex watches but just had blanks in most of them. I was wearing my EXP II I had bought from them a few years ago and he told me about a regular who has been waiting for 6 months on the same one to be able to give to his son for graduation.

I don't blame the AD's but it does suck not being able to get what you are looking for. I think most people that aren't in tune with what is going on get frustrated at the wrong people.

[coralfarmer84]

The AD’s should be and are ecstatic. They are basically printing money. Most of their inventory is sold immediately leaving empty cases. Business is so good they can dictate all terms helping them sell other expensive but slower moving items. Any whoa is me stories they give are a ploy to keep people whom they don’t care to sell to now interested in case of future recession.

[nashjack]

I had a similar experience. I've worked with the SA at out local AD and went in recently to look around and talk with her. I always found her knowledgable and honest. She seemed frustrated that they get almost no SS Rolex models while having to field tons of calls looking for these hot Rolex watches.

[Iowa 73]

Not sure what is worse: turning away customers that may or may not have the cash to purchase what they don't have, or spending thirty minutes showing a customer watches that they do have, and not selling anything??

It's all part of the business.

[MSchott]

[/B]

Originally Posted by Iowa 73

Not sure what is worse: turning away customers that may or may not have the cash to purchase what they don't have, or spending thirty minutes showing a customer watches that they do have, and not selling anything??

It's all part of the business.

The last sentence in particular is spot on.

[outtatime]

A person came into a store and showed the clerk a product from the website, and then wanted to buy said product? And then, when the store didn’t have it, he left?? The nerve of some people!

(Meanwhile in another thread)

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