The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 8 July 2024, 04:26 AM   #1
PhilSF
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2024
Location: USA
Watch: 16610, 126610LN
Posts: 25
Rolex AD hierarchy

At at US Rolex AD, who is more senior, an operations manager or a sales associate?
PhilSF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 04:27 AM   #2
JRell
"TRF" Member
 
JRell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Pittsburgh
Watch: 126710BLNR Jubilee
Posts: 7,076
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilSF View Post
At at US Rolex AD, who is more senior, an operations manager or a sales associate?
Joking right? Obviously an OM. The best is an owner at an independent dealer. They can give you what you want for any reason.
__________________
126710 BLNR Jubilee
JRell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 04:33 AM   #3
brandrea
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
brandrea's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Real Name: Brian (TBone)
Location: canada
Watch: es make me smile
Posts: 77,932
Deal with whoever can get you the reference you want
brandrea is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 04:36 AM   #4
JRell
"TRF" Member
 
JRell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Pittsburgh
Watch: 126710BLNR Jubilee
Posts: 7,076
Quote:
Originally Posted by brandrea View Post
Deal with whoever can get you the reference you want
And you know they will, right? You can just tell they will come through. Sales 101 intuition.
__________________
126710 BLNR Jubilee
JRell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 05:03 AM   #5
KatGirl
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
KatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Kat
Location: CA, USA
Watch: 126233 Wimbledon T
Posts: 7,138
At my AD, my SA was off on the day I went in, and got the royal treatment, and the impressive gift. It was the store MGR who told me he will get me my Explorer. I believed him, because he is the person in charge of allocations. So, I would say the Mgr has more sway.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
KatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 05:24 AM   #6
Oxfordian
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Real Name: Martin
Location: England
Watch: Sea Dweller
Posts: 3,116
Why would you have an operations manager at a retail store?

I can understand Sales Manager, Senior Sales Assistant, Sales Supervisor, Shop Supervisor, Shop Manager, Deputy Shop Manager, Assistant Shop Manager and a hundred and one other connotations but not Operations Manager, that's a really bizarre job title in a retail outlet.

If you were working in the head office where all the watches arrive before they were sent to the stores then I can understand the role of an Operations Manager.

Must be a US thing.
__________________
Martin

Small Rolex, Omega, Seiko and Oris Collection
Oxfordian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 06:00 AM   #7
7enderbender
"TRF" Member
 
7enderbender's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 976
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilSF View Post
At at US Rolex AD, who is more senior, an operations manager or a sales associate?
Anyone’s guess. Rolex doesn’t run these places. They are all rinky-dink little jewelry shops, some more shady than others. So they will all make up their own rules about this.

I’m still on a few lists for the DJ I want but I’m coming to terms that I’ll never get one. Rolex doesn’t provide a pathway to have a realistic outlook on where one is in line or officially ordering anything. And I refuse to buy junky jewelry that my wife has no interest in. And I’m also not paying over retail.
So I guess I’m back to looking at IWC, Blancpain and JLC.
7enderbender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 06:41 AM   #8
KatGirl
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
KatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Kat
Location: CA, USA
Watch: 126233 Wimbledon T
Posts: 7,138
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7enderbender View Post
Anyone’s guess. Rolex doesn’t run these places. They are all rinky-dink little jewelry shops, some more shady than others. So they will all make up their own rules about this.

I’m still on a few lists for the DJ I want but I’m coming to terms that I’ll never get one. Rolex doesn’t provide a pathway to have a realistic outlook on where one is in line or officially ordering anything. And I refuse to buy junky jewelry that my wife has no interest in. And I’m also not paying over retail.
So I guess I’m back to looking at IWC, Blancpain and JLC.

Rolex has nothing to do with who gets what, except when super rare models are in play. All ADs are not equal. There are some who do not require spend histories, to get a SS sports model. In fact, Rolex frowns upon that practice, per my AD. Find another AD. It should not be that hard to get a DJ.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
KatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 07:11 AM   #9
Calatrava r
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: United States
Watch: Rolex and Patek
Posts: 11,381
Each AD may be different. In most cases, your best bet is to attempt to talk directly to the owner or GM of the store. This is the person making the allocation decisions on limited watches. If they want, they will deal directly with you or refer you to a sales associate.

I doubt there is any business where an employee holds sway over the owner or GM.
Calatrava r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 07:24 AM   #10
Kevin of Larchmont
2024 Pledge Member
 
Kevin of Larchmont's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: The Ice House
Watch: Ingersoll Mickey
Posts: 3,378
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7enderbender View Post
They are all rinky-dink little jewelry shops, some more shady than others.

And I refuse to buy junky jewelry that my wife has no interest in. And I’m also not paying over retail.
Man, where do you shop?
Kevin of Larchmont is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 10:27 AM   #11
123Blueface
"TRF" Member
 
123Blueface's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: USA
Watch: All
Posts: 5,308
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7enderbender View Post
Anyone’s guess. Rolex doesn’t run these places. They are all rinky-dink little jewelry shops, some more shady than others. So they will all make up their own rules about this.

I’m still on a few lists for the DJ I want but I’m coming to terms that I’ll never get one. Rolex doesn’t provide a pathway to have a realistic outlook on where one is in line or officially ordering anything. And I refuse to buy junky jewelry that my wife has no interest in. And I’m also not paying over retail.
So I guess I’m back to looking at IWC, Blancpain and JLC.
All rinky-dink?
Mine is owned by WOS. If that’s rinky-dink, I’m speechless.
__________________
Rolex 228235 DD40 Olive, 126710BLRO, 116710BLNR, 116613LB, 116500LN White, 126610LN, 116500LN Black, 126610LV, 116610LV, 126334 Blue Diamond
Breitling Navitimer 01, Cartier Santos Large
123Blueface is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 12:07 PM   #12
7enderbender
"TRF" Member
 
7enderbender's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 976
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatGirl View Post
Rolex has nothing to do with who gets what, except when super rare models are in play. All ADs are not equal. There are some who do not require spend histories, to get a SS sports model. In fact, Rolex frowns upon that practice, per my AD. Find another AD. It should not be that hard to get a DJ.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Exactly my point. Rolex should take ownership and run these places instead of letting a bunch of “ADs” ruin their reputation in the long run.

And yes, apparently it’s now hard to even get a simple DJ. Checked numerous places in the US and in Europe. All you get is: no can do, may take years, get in line, may never happen. Which is a bit difficult to believe. When I go to an Omega operated boutique, I can place an actual order and make a down payment. They may not know either when something will show up, but at least you’re treated like an actual customer.

Here’s what I don’t get: why doesn’t anyone - or Rolex for that matter - let you place an order? I’m a musician. I can think of several places that are in high demand and work custom orders. I recently purchased a really nice effect pedal for guitar. It’s highly sought after and goes for silly money on the used market. The manufacturer lets anyone who wants one place a very basic order online. The website looks like it was made in 1994 (probably was). After that you get an email and a link that will tell you how far back in line you are and which order dates are currently being processed.
I waited for a little over five years. That didn’t bother me at all because at any given time I could see that I was still in line. It’s not that hard.
7enderbender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 12:10 PM   #13
7enderbender
"TRF" Member
 
7enderbender's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 976
Quote:
Originally Posted by 123Blueface View Post
All rinky-dink?
Mine is owned by WOS. If that’s rinky-dink, I’m speechless.
Well, that’s one of them. Same non-committal attitude as in we sell what comes in and don’t really care. Hey, how about a tennis bracelet?
7enderbender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 12:34 PM   #14
MDR143
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: CA
Watch: 126710 BLNR
Posts: 78
With an attitude like that, I’m shocked you get told no on a DJ!
MDR143 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 12:48 PM   #15
daysky1
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Earth
Posts: 434
Rolex
Cartier
Omega
Audemars Piguet
Patek Philippe
Richard Mille
Longines
IWC
Breitling
Vacheron Constantin All you have to do is go Google world's best watches and the lists go on.
daysky1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 12:51 PM   #16
CFR
2024 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: US
Posts: 1,075
Ask the store manager or owner, not us.

And if the question behind the question is, "Who's in a better position to get me the watch I want, the operations manager or the SA?" then the answer is, "Whoever has the better relationship with the store manager or owner."
CFR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 12:53 PM   #17
7enderbender
"TRF" Member
 
7enderbender's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 976
Quote:
Originally Posted by MDR143 View Post
With an attitude like that, I’m shocked you get told no on a DJ!
Look, I know how to behave. I’m also pretty good at reading people. I have to make very far trips to even get to an AD. Went through all the motions. I did not walk away with the impression that I will ever hear from anyone again.

I also put a good friend on the case who, unlike me, has a real substantial “purchasing history” with some of her local places in Europe. We’re talking big ticket items and not just Rolex. She was given the same answers. Not going to name the stores but they are well know in the world. They all act like spoiled brats and like they’re doing you a favor.
7enderbender is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 01:15 PM   #18
KatGirl
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
KatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Kat
Location: CA, USA
Watch: 126233 Wimbledon T
Posts: 7,138
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7enderbender View Post
Look, I know how to behave. I’m also pretty good at reading people. I have to make very far trips to even get to an AD. Went through all the motions. I did not walk away with the impression that I will ever hear from anyone again.

I also put a good friend on the case who, unlike me, has a real substantial “purchasing history” with some of her local places in Europe. We’re talking big ticket items and not just Rolex. She was given the same answers. Not going to name the stores but they are well know in the world. They all act like spoiled brats and like they’re doing you a favor.

It’s possible that whomever you’ve dealt with can sense your disdain, even though you think you are hiding it. I’m a nobody, and have gotten 2 new Rolexes in less than a year, without any significant spend history.
I’m waiting on a call for a third. Should be soon. My AD is just a regular family owned jewelry store, where they treat their customers well, like any successful retailer should. I say keep trying. The MGR. told me the story of a guy visiting from the UK, who had been on the waiting list for 3 years for a BLRO, and just happened to visit my AD. The store happened to take delivery of one that very day, and sold it to this guy on the spot. That’s my kind of risky dink AD!

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
KatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 01:52 PM   #19
omar-rye
"TRF" Member
 
omar-rye's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Underground
Posts: 2,653
I got a list, here's the order of my list that it's in
It goes: Reggie, Jay-Z, 2Pac and Biggie, André from OutKast, Jada, Kurupt, Nas, and then me
omar-rye is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 02:41 PM   #20
GGGMT
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
GGGMT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Itinerant
Watch: 79010sg
Posts: 8,343
“Assistant [to] the ops manager”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
GGGMT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 02:46 PM   #21
MDR143
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: CA
Watch: 126710 BLNR
Posts: 78
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7enderbender View Post
Look, I know how to behave. I’m also pretty good at reading people. I have to make very far trips to even get to an AD. Went through all the motions. I did not walk away with the impression that I will ever hear from anyone again.

I also put a good friend on the case who, unlike me, has a real substantial “purchasing history” with some of her local places in Europe. We’re talking big ticket items and not just Rolex. She was given the same answers. Not going to name the stores but they are well know in the world. They all act like spoiled brats and like they’re doing you a favor.
Hmm…

The reality is that it is in fact a favor. My guess is that fact being oblivious to you (among other things) is why you get told that’s it’s not going to happen.

Best of luck with the IWC!
MDR143 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 03:22 PM   #22
ramadox
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2024
Location: la
Posts: 2
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatGirl View Post
At my AD, my SA was off on the day I went in, and got the royal treatment, and the impressive gift. It was the store MGR who told me he will get me my Explorer. I believed him, because he is the person in charge of allocations. So, I would say the Mgr has more sway.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I dont think you need to befriend the manager to get an explorer
ramadox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 03:54 PM   #23
KatGirl
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
KatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Kat
Location: CA, USA
Watch: 126233 Wimbledon T
Posts: 7,138
Quote:
Originally Posted by ramadox View Post
I dont think you need to befriend the manager to get an explorer

I don’t think so, either. My SA was not there, so he took care of me that day. All I meant was the MGR is above the SA in the hierarchy, thus addressing the OP’s original question.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
KatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 07:31 PM   #24
Harry-57
2024 Pledge Member
 
Harry-57's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Real Name: Harry
Location: England
Posts: 10,647
Quote:
Originally Posted by 7enderbender View Post
Exactly my point. Rolex should take ownership and run these places instead of letting a bunch of “ADs” ruin their reputation in the long run.
When they've ripped up their infrastructure so that you can get your watch, you'll wake up and you still won't have it.
Harry-57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 08:34 PM   #25
Lever Escapement
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: Australia
Posts: 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatGirl View Post
Rolex has nothing to do with who gets what, except when super rare models are in play. All ADs are not equal. There are some who do not require spend histories, to get a SS sports model. In fact, Rolex frowns upon that practice, per my AD. Find another AD. It should not be that hard to get a DJ.

Kat
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
2 customers are after a Submariner. One has spent over 80K in jewelry, and the other has no spend history. I'm pretty sure I know who's going to get the allocation......
Lever Escapement is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 08:55 PM   #26
messikens
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: SFO
Posts: 1,247
Quote:
Originally Posted by KatGirl View Post
It’s possible that whomever you’ve dealt with can sense your disdain, even though you think you are hiding it. I’m a nobody, and have gotten 2 new Rolexes in less than a year, without any significant spend history.
I’m waiting on a call for a third. Should be soon. My AD is just a regular family owned jewelry store, where they treat their customers well, like any successful retailer should. I say keep trying. The MGR. told me the story of a guy visiting from the UK, who had been on the waiting list for 3 years for a BLRO, and just happened to visit my AD. The store happened to take delivery of one that very day, and sold it to this guy on the spot. That’s my kind of risky dink AD!

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not disagreeing and not dissing your watch but getting "the royal treatment" and being assigned a ladies explorer is hardly what 95% of the members of this board are after.

I'm happy you're happy but let's call a spade a spade - an EXP I is not exactly making people faint and you're still waiting for that celebration dial if I recall...
messikens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 10:01 PM   #27
Bambooshoot
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2024
Location: World
Posts: 29
Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry-57 View Post
When they've ripped up their infrastructure so that you can get your watch, you'll wake up and you still won't have it.


I'm not sure the OP will understand this. His posts ooze entitlement. Bu aggressively 'going through the motions' he will never get the DJ...
Bambooshoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 11:24 PM   #28
KatGirl
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
KatGirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Real Name: Kat
Location: CA, USA
Watch: 126233 Wimbledon T
Posts: 7,138
Rolex AD hierarchy

Quote:
Originally Posted by messikens View Post
Not disagreeing and not dissing your watch but getting "the royal treatment" and being assigned a ladies explorer is hardly what 95% of the members of this board are after.

I'm happy you're happy but let's call a spade a spade - an EXP I is not exactly making people faint and you're still waiting for that celebration dial if I recall...

This guy was saying he can’t get a DJ. I got my DJ Wimbledon, and an OP 36 Also, what is a ladies Explorer? I don’t have any ladies’ Rolexes. As for getting the royal treatment, I was talking about the nice gift I was given. I expect gifts at pick up, but not for just dropping by. I’m not sure what it is you are trying to say, unless you ARE dissing my watches.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
KatGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 11:33 PM   #29
Gearjockey
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 589
Quote:
Originally Posted by messikens View Post
Not disagreeing and not dissing your watch but getting "the royal treatment" and being assigned a ladies explorer is hardly what 95% of the members of this board are after.

I'm happy you're happy but let's call a spade a spade - an EXP I is not exactly making people faint and you're still waiting for that celebration dial if I recall...
Not sure what a ladies explorer is, but not everybody wants a men’s Daytona.

I have never met Kat personally, but she seems like an effusive character and I’m sure she can probably turn on the charm at the AD with the store management.
I’ll just give her the benefit of the doubt after viewing her thousands of posts on TRF.
Gearjockey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 July 2024, 11:39 PM   #30
Robf52
"TRF" Member
 
Robf52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Sunshine State
Watch: lots of Rolex
Posts: 5,059
Quote:
Originally Posted by omar-rye View Post
I got a list, here's the order of my list that it's in
It goes: Reggie, Jay-Z, 2Pac and Biggie, André from OutKast, Jada, Kurupt, Nas, and then me
I have Elon and Jeff ahead of me.
__________________
126610LV//116508 Daytona YG Black/Champagne
116655 YM40 Everose Oysterflex//126622 YM40 Blue//126600 SD43
126710BLNR//126711CHNR
126334 DJ41 Rhodium/Diamonds//126331 DJ41 TT Wimbledon
124300 OP41 Green//126334 DJ41Mint Green
Robf52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches

Asset Appeal


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.