Interesting call with an AD

[burnthesehills]

I had an appointment one state over from me and I was driving home and noticed a huge Rolex billboard from a dealer. Of course it had many of the hot models pictured in all their glory. I took a look at my GPS and figured it would be about 60 minutes or so out of my way, but I figured I would give them a call.

I told them I was driving through and looking for either a Datejust or an OP 41. They said they could not discuss any stock over the phone and I would need to come in. I pushed the issue a little and they said I could speak to a sales manager. She got on the phone. I gave her my name and address. Explained that I was looking for one of these specific models. She again stated that this is new policy from Rolex, which I was unaware of. But she said I could certainly come by and that they had some things I could look at.

Honestly, I totally understand and appreciate the new policy. But then she hit me with, “we like to build relationships with new customers first”. Which turned me off. I’m not exactly sure what type of relationship I could build with an out-of-state dealer simply by going there and saying hello.

In any event I did not bother and thanked her for her time.

[Santiago32]

in other words... swing by and buy something we have in our cases.. then we can talk

[Belugahype]

Major red flags on how vague they were being. They seem way overconfident they could get your business without guaranteeing anything...

[Tennesseehorn]

Originally Posted by Santiago32

in other words... swing by and buy something we have in our cases.. then we can talk

If it’s a 126710BLRO

Hell yeah!

Probably a Lady Datejust though.

[Screwly]

What did you expect? These dealers are getting multiples phone calls just like yours a day. Has to get old from their point of view.

[vh2k]

She told you the truth while lying to you.

1. We need to vet and qualify new customers… and we aren’t going to let you play us against your local AD.

2. Rolex is making us do it.

[Gab27]

That feels like something a dealer would do on their own and then claim it was a "Rolex policy". If that is actually the policy from Rolex, then it is absolutely stupid, especially given the current circumstances.

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by Screwly

What did you expect? These dealers are getting multiples phone calls just like yours a day. Has to get old from their point of view.

Oh totally. I actually completely agree with the policy. She did state that it was official Rolex policy. Actually both people I spoke with there stated Rolex policy. I’m not sure if that’s true, but I would understand if it is. She mentioned people calling every dealer across 50 states to check stock and she was clearly frustrated.

It was just that last part that she suggested I drive an hour out of my way to “build a relationship” with them. And I am calling their number that is plastered on a billboard across the highway advertising Rolex watches.

It’s just all nuts.

[ks58]

Originally Posted by vh2k

She told you the truth while lying to you.

1. We need to vet and qualify new customers… and we aren’t going to let you play us against your local AD.

2. Rolex is making us do it.

Absolutely. Not sure why OP was super put off by stopping by the AD and saying hello to them and the staff. There are so many flippers, possibly even on here, and the AD is trying to qualify a lead. They personally don't know you or what your interest is. Try to see it from their perspective. They need to vet you, sorta like a Rolex background check.

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by ks58

Absolutely. Not sure why OP was super put off by stopping by the AD and saying hello to them and the staff. There are so many flippers, possibly even on here, and the AD is trying to qualify a lead. They personally don't know you or what your interest is. Try to see it from their perspective. They need to vet you, sorta like a Rolex background check.

I was super friendly with her. I told her exactly where I live, my full name. Explained my situation and that I was ready to purchase. I’m pretty sure from our conversation she knew I was legitimate. It was just the fact that I was going to have to take an hour detour through back roads to get to the AD. And I was 99% certain that they would have empty display cases and nothing to say to me other than nice to meet you.

I don’t blame the dealer. I’m just saying this is all craziness. I can tell you that back in 2017 you could not only call a dealer and talk about their stock, but frequently get them to discount stainless steel professional models by 5%.

What other retailer do you call and ask if they have something in stock and have them saying, “we can’t tell you it’s a secret”.

[Rado63]

Originally Posted by Santiago32

in other words... swing by and buy something we have in our cases.. then we can talk

Yes see above!

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I don’t blame the dealer. I’m just saying this is all craziness.

What other retailer do you call and ask if they have something in stock and have them saying, “we can’t tell you it’s a secret”.

I guarantee you still REALLY want a new Rolex DJ or OP, right?

Crazy, but clever and effective marketing psychology.

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by vh2k

I guarantee you still REALLY want a new Rolex DJ or OP, right?

Crazy, but clever and effective marketing psychology.

But of course! :)

[Screwly]

Originally Posted by vh2k

I guarantee you still REALLY want a new Rolex DJ or OP, right?

Crazy, but clever and effective marketing psychology.

And in many cases makes you want it MORE!!!

[djyolky]

Interesting call? I've heard that story on this board for at least 3 years.

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[ks58]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

I was super friendly with her. I told her exactly where I live, my full name. Explained my situation and that I was ready to purchase. I’m pretty sure from our conversation she knew I was legitimate. It was just the fact that I was going to have to take an hour detour through back roads to get to the AD. And I was 99% certain that they would have empty display cases and nothing to say to me other than nice to meet you.

I don’t blame the dealer. I’m just saying this is all craziness. I can tell you that back in 2017 you could not only call a dealer and talk about their stock, but frequently get them to discount stainless steel professional models by 5%.

What other retailer do you call and ask if they have something in stock and have them saying, “we can’t tell you it’s a secret”.

That's fair, it's such a different world. I feel like most of the dealers are somewhat like this. And I respect the decision not to drive the extra hour to see nothing. Being told it's a secret is very weird. And ridiculous in my opinion. I wish they were more forthright with you. The OP's are tough to get now. The DJ's can be somewhat hard, but sometimes can be ordered.

[Doctor Know]

You say you were 60 minutes away.
You could have invested 1 hour to drive there, met them for 30 minutes and had a 1 hour drive back and you would know if they had any watches for you.
We can speculate for ever when you could have had the answer in 2.5 hours.
Maybe they were ‘testing’ you to see how you’d respond.
I’ll speculate that she had your 2 watches and wanted to sell them to you immediately if only you had visited the store.
I obtained my first Rolex in less than 2 months by stopping into an out of town AD after having no success with my local AD.

[Pw92676]

Simply, they weren’t chasing after your business.

[dannyp]

I read it the other way: "'We don't discuss inventory over the phone, but it's worth you while to come in...' hint hint nudge nudge."

"We have some things you can look at" tells me that they've got at least close to what you want; they don't want to turn people off by purposefully wasting their time.

[Fleetlord]

Ok

[ks58]

How far is the AD from you now? Perhaps you could go tomorrow and really check and let us know how it goes.

[Francist]

I really like the words "building a relationship"
It essentially is "we want your money"

[Brich436]

ADs are strictly prohibited from phone sales. They also discourage them from selling to people outside their geographic area.

Now if your an existing customer that they know - yes they can call and say do you want X, Y or Z model. Rolex sends in secret shoppers and calls to make sure they follow the agreement. It isn’t worth losing the cash cow that a Rolex AD license is.


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[Ginsu_]

It’s amazing to me the time and energy that is invested in dealing with the nonsense from ADs when the watch they want could be in hand within a 24 hour period from a grey dealer. Life is too short to spend on an indefinite and infinitely long waitlist. Additionally, you might even come out ahead coughing up the dough all at once for your dream piece than by creating a relationship by buying bricks.

[garyk]

Go buy stuff, get on the list and then a year or two from now find out they lost their Rolex franchise! It actually happens!!

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by Doctor Know

You say you were 60 minutes away.
You could have invested 1 hour to drive there, met them for 30 minutes and had a 1 hour drive back and you would know if they had any watches for you.
We can speculate for ever when you could have had the answer in 2.5 hours.
Maybe they were ‘testing’ you to see how you’d respond.
I’ll speculate that she had your 2 watches and wanted to sell them to you immediately if only you had visited the store.
I obtained my first Rolex in less than 2 months by stopping into an out of town AD after having no success with my local AD.

You know how it is. I was already 3 hours on the road after driving to an appointment. On the way home still about an hour away. Driving on the highway and saw the billboard. True I could have made the detour, extended my drive another couple hours, and visited in person but it did not sound promising. If she had given me any glimmer of hope I would have made a U turn.

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by dannyp

I read it the other way: "'We don't discuss inventory over the phone, but it's worth you while to come in...' hint hint nudge nudge."

"We have some things you can look at" tells me that they've got at least close to what you want; they don't want to turn people off by purposefully wasting their time.

She was less than pleasant. If she had a hint of the “wink wink nudge nudge” I would have made the trip.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

She was less than pleasant. If she had a hint of the “wink wink nudge nudge” I would have made the trip.

Sounds like when I tried to visit the Rolex boutique in Miami. I literally just wanted to look at some OPs that (I'm sure were in the safe) but I got a very icy "all we have are the three ladies' DJs in the case, sorry" when asking.

Of course, I only sort of cared as I'd just gotten the text from my (new and now favorite!) AD that he had an Explorer in with my name on it. So I said f#%k it and went to try things on at IWC instead.

[GGGMT]

Another ‘can’t believe was ADs are doing’ thread. Yawn


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[Doctor Know]

“I was driving home and noticed a huge Rolex billboard from a dealer. Of course it had many of the hot models pictured in all their glory.”

Do you believe in fate?
It’s almost like a “sign from above” was telling you this place had your 2 watches.