Any one else giving up on AD visits?

[KFP55]

I love stopping in to look at watches, but, as we know, there are none. I’m really getting worn out stopping in to chat when the story is the same, the ADs are dismissive and there is no end in sight. Really frustrating as I’d like to add a couple new models to WEAR and pass on to my children, but not going to pay double retail for anything.

I even tried to bundle a YM for my wife last week at a place I’ve previously purchased from - for a $3k premium over grey - and was told the $20k in spend (including my GMT from last year) wouldn’t even get me on the “list” for ANY of the models I want. I mean is $20k in spend really NOTHING? And they acted annoyed that I was wearing a 20 year old watch that is not in production that I didn’t buy from them (they don’t sell pre owned and they of course wouldn’t offer the new Pepsi)

Anyway, I am just tired of wasting my limited time on this dog and pony show to be treated dismissively every time I try to have a conversation. Wonder how much damage this will do to these ADs WHEN (not IF) the market returns to normal some day...?

[Mr. Superlative]

Twenty Thousand is a more than substantial amount. Very surprised to hear this feedback from an AD that has your custom.

[othertbone]

I haven't been in a Rolex AD for over year, intercourse them!

[Rolex74]

It is ridiculous, you can't walk in and get what you want anymore, but I think Rolex is trying to position themselves up with AP, PP, etc. 'i am happy that I got my GMTIIc before it was discontinued, paid $6500 in Jan 2015, my DSSD was 2012, and I just got a white dial Milgauss, but they are undervalued right now and maybe someday they will pop too. I would not want to be starting a collection now.

[toneafficianado]

I have not had bad treatment from an AD and have been into many "for a look" as I've travelled a lot in the last year.
I'm about to stop bothering to go into one anymore though as it's boring to not be able to see any SS models at all ,EVER. It's simply no fun anymore and very frustrating.
I'm just going to stay with what I've got.

[Roll the Lex]

I only go in now to look at PM models. Anything steel other than a DJ isn't there. Any professional model isn't there either. Or I'll take a look at Omegas.

[Dante221]

I'm shopping Grey or not at all

Dante

[DaninFlorida]

so far my AD has been very supportive and encouraging. Maybe i am lucky being in a smaller city and the attitude has been great.

[beshannon]

Gave up years ago.

These inventory games are nothing new, their condescending attitudes pretending to pre-qualify my credit card by what shirt I have on is quite tiring. Poor salespeople who cannot be bothered to learn about their products just add to the massive turnoff.

I get better service from my shoe salesman in Nordstrom, at least he has product, makes suggestions and knows what I am interested in without denigrating other brands or making up absurd stories about supplies or corporate office decisions.

[healer]

There’s ss Deepsea black at aria crystal shop in aria in Vegas.fyi

[m j b]

I have not experienced any kind of "attitude" at Rolex but when I want to go look at watches now, it's at the Omega store. They actually have watches in stock and available for sale.

[Rolex74]

I won't go out of my way to visit an AD, if I am in the area or at the mall I will stop in to look at the bare cases, but I will look at other brands as well, Omega, Tudor, etc.

[42itus]

$20K is nothing if you're in a big market, but I'm surprised they told you that. That's a bad look on their part. Maybe find another AD.

[Blansky]

I don't go looking for new friends in Rolex stores.

I wander in, get strip searched and interviewed, tell them my life's story, informed that I'm not worthy and sent home.


'Wis zis financial statement you vant to order zee DUCK???"

"You can have zee chicken"

(Patrick Stewart...LA Stories 1991)

[kieselguhr]

I stop by my favorite AD once in a while. I am not in the market for anything specific at the moment. They alert me with texts and call if they think they have something they can cajole me into buying. I’m no big shot but they are very nice people and treat me like a human being. Actually, I should stop by to pick something up for Christmas.

[daOnlyBG]

$20K isn't enough... for a Yachtmaster? GTFOH, there's no Yachtmaster that difficult to procure. They all carry negative premiums, except for the white gold YM. And I'm not buying that most ADs don't have one or two sitting in their safe as an "allocation piece."

I successfully bundled a number of pieces to get my 126710BLRO (incoming this week- I'm excited!), but $20K wasn't nearly enough to get it. I basically asked a few friends who was in the market for a new Rolex and we worked out a sizeable package that made it work.

By the way, less than $10K was needed to procure a Sub Date. I don't know what's up with your AD if they think $20K isn't enough to get a YM... ffs

I had to go out of town to get an AD to play that ball game. The ones in my city (Chicago) wouldn't, and to be honest, it's a bit disappointing. I even flat out asked them in person: Me: "what would I need to purchase to get (insert watch here)?"
AD: "Well, we don't want you to buy watches X, Y, and Z if you don't want them."
Me: "OK..."
*minutes later*
AD: "So, is your wife into watches? Looking for that gift for your dad?"
Me: "...."
AD: "...."

[schoolboy]

:raised hand:

[minhc88]

It's sad we have to feel this way when walking into an AD and wanting to spend thousands of dollars on a watch.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Tapatalk

[Masteryacht]

My AD is great and very nice, but I’ve decided to stop visiting other ADs and will wait until things are different. If they don’t change, I’m content with what I have. All of this nonsense has made me lose interest.

[Roll the Lex]

Originally Posted by Blansky

I wander in, get strip searched and interviewed, tell them my life's story, informed that I'm not worthy and sent home.

Is it Friday already?

[erick-GP]

Try another AD !

[ernie2]

I have given up visiting US ADs for quite some time already. At my summer travel this year, I went to ADs in every city i have visited to buy a SS datejust. Guess what, no body has it . So I ended up buying from DavidSW. Brand new and cost less than going to the local AD paying full price + sales tax. And the best part is i got it delivered to my door the next morning.

[Ssunnylee24]

I did but last weekend, I went it to see if I even have a chance at a SS sport model for my up coming birthday. The SA who knows that I have previous non-Rolex purchases took my number down.
Time will tell...

[klenboy]

I don't give up visiting my local AD. Perhaps you need to visit a different AD.

[subdateII]

Yes for Rolex. Rolex should have watches on display (not for sale) in a few corners of the world like Patek does (in their Geneva salon for instance). This would not affect the market and would keep us engaged during shortages of certain models.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by othertbone

I haven't been in a Rolex AD for over year, intercourse them!

That was pretty funny.

[Gdoc26]

I used to stop in at two different ones twice a month. No more. I go straight to the secondary market for anything I'm looking for. I don't have time for their attitude and bs. I have almost 175K invested in Rolex watches that could have made good money for an AD somewhere but they chose to play their silly games.

[ct79]

Not dwelling now on the regular supply<>demand situation, I had the following experience during the almost past year.
Been on the list for a polar explorer 2 since November. Nobody in front of me. Liked the reference for years, thought let's go for it. Back then AD told me, beginning of next year (2019) they will call, as then they know how their allocation for the year will look like. Never called. Not a biggie, people forget. I anyway stepped in a few times over the next months for a service inquiry or a watch for the girl friend. Casually then also asked how things look. They could not say, but said I am still first in the list, some other time in an email, at least that is how I remember it, they said a few months more wait time only as of now. Nobody anymore said anything about the annual allocation list which could be checked for expected deliveries, all they did was to look where I am in the customer list, which anyway was no new information.
Now just a few weeks ago, I could get a hold of the initial sales rep who put me on the list in the first place. I did not want to put her on the spot for not getting back to me as promised but simply asked how much more wait time I should expect. First of all she said I was second on the list, which was surprising. Then she looked into the allocation overview and told me, they never received a polar this year and also will not. Now that is some info I would have liked to have gotten during the past couple chats I had with all of them. How next year will look like, she could not say.
So I am a returning customer, its is a small town AD in my city, also my family bought some watches there. I was very disappointed in their service level, operations, and one "single information approach" to the customer.

I ask myself, do they simply not try anymore, is it an unfortunate chain of miscommunication and lack of knowledge of people behind the desk or manning the phone line? Whatever it is, it is not on par with the nature of the product that is at the center of attention.

In any case, I was on the list for a new Zenith A384 as well. Ordered it in summer at another local AD, the only one who offers the brand close by. Got it in September with 15% off because of a pre-order. Customer and store employee met eye to eye, no begging, no behind kissing involved, everyone is happy. Was a nice experience

[Rado63]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

$20K isn't enough... for a Yachtmaster? GTFOH, there's no Yachtmaster that difficult to procure. They all carry negative premiums, except for the white gold YM. And I'm not buying that most ADs don't have one or two sitting in their safe as an "allocation piece."

I successfully bundled a number of pieces to get my 126710BLRO (incoming this week- I'm excited!), but $20K wasn't nearly enough to get it. I basically asked a few friends who was in the market for a new Rolex and we worked out a sizeable package that made it work.

By the way, less than $10K was needed to procure a Sub Date. I don't know what's up with your AD if they think $20K isn't enough to get a YM... ffs

I had to go out of town to get an AD to play that ball game. The ones in my city (Chicago) wouldn't, and to be honest, it's a bit disappointing. I even flat out asked them in person: Me: "what would I need to purchase to get (insert watch here)?"
AD: "Well, we don't want you to buy watches X, Y, and Z if you don't want them."
Me: "OK..."
*minutes later*
AD: "So, is your wife into watches? Looking for that gift for your dad?"
Me: "...."
AD: "...."

This technique could be really helpful for some of the members. Can you expand on what you guys bundled and what you had to buy to get which models. Thanks.

[woof]

Its not the AD fault. They have no control over the Rolex situation. Unfortunately, they're only ones that are getting yelled at by us. So they are numb now.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk