Infuriating Rolex AD experience

[RepPossessed]

I’ve started to really detest Rolex

 

[R4dcu]

I’ve started to really detest Rolex

Same, I’m actually now looking at IWC.

 

[Blackieray]

I’ve started to really detest Rolex

If you have a chance read George Daniel's "All in Good Time", his battles with the swiss watch industry are epic. It took him years to prove that his co-axial development were superlative to Mudge's escapement. Finally Omega was smart enough to listen, stop contradicting him, and buy his invention.

 

[RDRoss]

I gave up on our ADs in Canada years ago. ZMost of them will never see stock allocation in my lifetime and their constant need to sell me everything but what I want is annoying AF.
my gen Rolex pieces are all four and five digits I picked up over the years. Now, when I travel, I stopin to the local Tudor dealers or vintage watch place. Rolex is pretty much dead to me in gen now. I am now leaning into other brands and frankens and much happier for it.

Like @R4dcu i wanted to pick up a watch for a milestone life event and walked away empty handed. It is a feeling one never forgets.

 

[WansHilsdorf]

I’ve hit a few fairly major milestones in my life recently and with all the reps I’ve had over the last few years I thought I’d explore the ability to secure something special to mark the occasion.

I made an appointment with my local Rolex AD thinking it’s better than walking in off the street, turned up early and greeted people respectfully only to get a salesman who’s mobile phone was continually ringing and had zero interest in showing me the various models and their differences.

I sit down and he asks what I’m interested in and sits there, I say I love the timeless design of the sub, GMT’s and Yacht Master but it all comes down to availability, I don’t really have a set budget and it’s about getting something special.

At this point I think he feels a need to put something in front of me, two tone steel and gold sub at £13k, looked amazing so I picked it up and admired all the details, I didn’t put it on and didn’t start taking pics like a poser. I aasked about availability as why wouldn’t I, what do you mean he says - well I’m unsure if you have anything special in stock that might interest me. Erm not really ‘I think’ maybe just a gold day date…

Proceed to try and get anything from him while the whole time a lad my age and his gf are kissing the other salesman’s arse and banging on about sky dwellers and Daytonas, I see the guy get up and go get a box from the back, oh look he’s found this one a watch - no idea what it is and didn’t catch a proper look on his way out.

I try not to say something and spit out, I’d probably take an IWC top gun off you but want to hold out for something I really want. His response was if you tell me the exactly models you want I can put your name down, I then have to impulsively decide on 3 models and configs to declare an interest in.

At this point he can see I’m pissed off as I see him yawn at me, I tell him how it was difficult for me as I need to see and assess things and it’s about how I feel with something due to my autism and that it’s what it symbolises to me. He asks what I do for a living so I tell him I’m a contractor working in software development, thank him for his time and walk out.

My time waster mate was able to walk into the same dealer a few months ago and get champagne and put his name down for watches he can’t afford and somehow manage to walk out with an air king on finance. How the fuck did that work?! I can’t even get the chance to pay cash for a bloody watch…

I’m actually livid and considering emailing customer services but I’m not actually sure what I even want from the situation anymore and whether it is a Rolex.

I can’t be sure whether they were judging me, I was wearing my Apple Watch ultra as I’m health conscious during the daytime and like to track my movements, nothing rep and certainly not a tracksuit.

Excuse the rant but, is this normal?! I’m in the Uk btw…

I had somewhat similar experiences here in Germany at four different ADs.

Worst experiences: 1) one was 15 min late for the appointment, asked about my desired watch and then was very surprised when I wanted to discuss about different models. Turned out I was more informed than the sales person.

2) One did not even bother to show me any Rolex watches. „If we hand out watches to try for everyone, they are used watches at the end of the day“. That one was very quick after that.

Good experiences:
Two ADs actually took the time, showed me one of each desired models and discussed about the pros and cons. And one even gave hints regarding availability.

However for all four ADs finally it came down to the same thing: „you can name one desired watch and we will put down your name. You will get a call once it is available“. Got plenty of newsletters but never a call. Went to the two nice AD again on several occasions, but never never came back with a Rolex.

It was a very frustrating. However, I understand the demand is just way bigger than the supply and it felt like the sales persons themselves are not even allowed to decide who to sell Rolex to (but only the manager of the store).

At the end I got hooked at RWI, got several of my desired watches instead of just one and spent a lot less money. Also realised which watches I prefer the most, without making the costly decision on a gen and then have to sell it.

My advice: don’t bother with the ADs, get a/several nice high end quality reps/Frankens, spent half of the remaining money on a nice vacation to mark your milestones and save the other half.

 

[R4dcu]

So, round 2 with another AD in the North West today and a totally different experience…

Lots of chat, laughs, drinks and a table full of watches, literally try anything you want and spend some time with them all to see how you feel.

At one point I have a sub date, sub no date, GMT sprite, GMT batman, gold skydweller on oyster flex and 2 IWC’s… Literally nothing was too much!

It got around to discussing availability and I was told openly that they like to build a relationship and history with customers and that Rolex wouldn’t be an option at the moment which I appreciated.

When it came down to it though the IWC Topgun took my breath away, the build quality felt far superior to the subs and GMT’s to me and I couldn’t take my eyes off it so I went for it. I managed to get the white rubber from the Lake Tahoe thrown in and I can’t wait to get it on that.

The AD said they would happily order a rolex in for me in a few months with a purchase like this and encouraged me to stay in touch, they couldn’t say how long it would take to arrive but assured me something would if I wanted it.

I couldn’t be happier with my purchase! I’m so glad I didn’t give the previous idiot my business now.

Outside of all the stuff I thought I wanted I fell in love with the gold skydweller on oysterflex, I am not a watch guy at all but my god it looked amazing on - absolutely stunning with some real heft.

I’ll sort some pics over the weekend as it’s a sin not to post, my IWC will go into a new post in the relevant section so anyone is welcome to compare against prospective rep purchases.

 

[WansHilsdorf]

So, round 2 with another AD in the North West today and a totally different experience…

Lots of chat, laughs, drinks and a table full of watches, literally try anything you want and spend some time with them all to see how you feel.

At one point I have a sub date, sub no date, GMT sprite, GMT batman, gold skydweller on oyster flex and 2 IWC’s… Literally nothing was too much!

It got around to discussing availability and I was told openly that they like to build a relationship and history with customers and that Rolex wouldn’t be an option at the moment which I appreciated.

When it came down to it though the IWC Topgun took my breath away, the build quality felt far superior to the subs and GMT’s to me and I couldn’t take my eyes off it so I went for it. I managed to get the white rubber from the Lake Tahoe thrown in and I can’t wait to get it on that.

The AD said they would happily order a rolex in for me in a few months with a purchase like this and encouraged me to stay in touch, they couldn’t say how long it would take to arrive but assured me something would if I wanted it.

I couldn’t be happier with my purchase! I’m so glad I didn’t give the previous idiot my business now.

Outside of all the stuff I thought I wanted I fell in love with the gold skydweller on oysterflex, I am not a watch guy at all but my god it looked amazing on - absolutely stunning with some real heft.

I’ll sort some pics over the weekend as it’s a sin not to post, my IWC will go into a new post in the relevant section so anyone is welcome to compare against prospective rep purchases.

That’s sounds like an awesome experience! Good thing you did not give up after the first AD. I am looking forward to that pictures of the top gun! I am actually also thinking about getting a Mark XX.

 

[R4dcu]

 

[R4dcu]

That’s sounds like an awesome experience! Good thing you did not give up after the first AD. I am looking forward to that pictures of the top gun! I am actually also thinking about getting a Mark XX.

Thanks, I seriously underestimated IWC, I love the feel and build of them.

I’ll get some pics up tomorrow but here’s a teaser…

 

[Karbon74]

So, round 2 with another AD in the North West today and a totally different experience…

Lots of chat, laughs, drinks and a table full of watches, literally try anything you want and spend some time with them all to see how you feel.

At one point I have a sub date, sub no date, GMT sprite, GMT batman, gold skydweller on oyster flex and 2 IWC’s… Literally nothing was too much!

It got around to discussing availability and I was told openly that they like to build a relationship and history with customers and that Rolex wouldn’t be an option at the moment which I appreciated.

When it came down to it though the IWC Topgun took my breath away, the build quality felt far superior to the subs and GMT’s to me and I couldn’t take my eyes off it so I went for it. I managed to get the white rubber from the Lake Tahoe thrown in and I can’t wait to get it on that.

The AD said they would happily order a rolex in for me in a few months with a purchase like this and encouraged me to stay in touch, they couldn’t say how long it would take to arrive but assured me something would if I wanted it.

I couldn’t be happier with my purchase! I’m so glad I didn’t give the previous idiot my business now.

Outside of all the stuff I thought I wanted I fell in love with the gold skydweller on oysterflex, I am not a watch guy at all but my god it looked amazing on - absolutely stunning with some real heft.

I’ll sort some pics over the weekend as it’s a sin not to post, my IWC will go into a new post in the relevant section so anyone is welcome to compare against prospective rep purchases.

to check my theory, how old was the AD staff?

 

[R4dcu]

to check my theory, how old was the AD staff?

I’d say in his 60’s maybe, very experienced…

 

[Karbon74]

I’d say in his 60’s maybe, very experienced…

bingo

 

[Caboose]

I’d say in his 60’s maybe, very experienced…

Probably has a good idea at this point who is posing for Instagram photos and who is interested in buying.

 

[R4dcu]

Probably has a good idea at this point who is posing for Instagram photos and who is interested in buying.

100% this!!

I wore my Apple Watch ultra into the shop in shorts, T-shirt and a pair of dunks. I left my Canada goose jacket in the car so I was as basic as could be.

 

[Karbon74]

how do you rotate your Apple Watch?
I bought one and wore it once only 🥹

 

[R4dcu]

how do you rotate your Apple Watch?
I bought one and wore it once only 🥹

Badly

I wear it for a few weeks and neglect my watches and then put it down for a bit before picking it up and starting the cycle again

 

[asusundevils1971]

Thanks, I seriously underestimated IWC, I love the feel and build of them.

I’ll get some pics up tomorrow but here’s a teaser…

Glad you found an AD on your second attempt who wasn't a pompous douche. Can't wait to see your new TG baby with the white rubber from the Lake Tahoe. Congrats on your new purchase and wear it in good health and that Gold Sky-Dweller does look nice.

 

[Procurator]

So, round 2 with another AD in the North West today and a totally different experience…

Lots of chat, laughs, drinks and a table full of watches, literally try anything you want and spend some time with them all to see how you feel.

At one point I have a sub date, sub no date, GMT sprite, GMT batman, gold skydweller on oyster flex and 2 IWC’s… Literally nothing was too much!

It got around to discussing availability and I was told openly that they like to build a relationship and history with customers and that Rolex wouldn’t be an option at the moment which I appreciated.

When it came down to it though the IWC Topgun took my breath away, the build quality felt far superior to the subs and GMT’s to me and I couldn’t take my eyes off it so I went for it. I managed to get the white rubber from the Lake Tahoe thrown in and I can’t wait to get it on that.

The AD said they would happily order a rolex in for me in a few months with a purchase like this and encouraged me to stay in touch, they couldn’t say how long it would take to arrive but assured me something would if I wanted it.

I couldn’t be happier with my purchase! I’m so glad I didn’t give the previous idiot my business now.

Outside of all the stuff I thought I wanted I fell in love with the gold skydweller on oysterflex, I am not a watch guy at all but my god it looked amazing on - absolutely stunning with some real heft.

I’ll sort some pics over the weekend as it’s a sin not to post, my IWC will go into a new post in the relevant section so anyone is welcome to compare against prospective rep purchases.

And that's exactly how it should look.
Happy for you, man! Hope you get what you want in a bit.

bingo

I see where you're coming from @Karbon74 but the age argument isn't really valid and I would like to set it straight, before someone takes you up on that and translates it into real world.

I've experienced young staff (25-30ish) that knew more than the owner and behaved very professionally and honorably and I've experienced guys in their 50's and 60's being total duchenozzles.

It has almost nothing to do with age and almost everything to do with how one is as a human being, how passionate is one for watches and selling them and most importantly, how one sees other human beings.

If I hate the job I do and I am a horrible misanthropic person, I will never do a good job, I will never make the experience pleasant for my customers and I should probably work in an individualistic profession and not as a high-end watch salesman. Does not matter how old I am.

 

[Karbon74]

And that's exactly how it should look.
Happy for you, man! Hope you get what you want in a bit.



I see where you're coming from @Karbon74 but the age argument isn't really valid and I would like to set it straight, before someone takes you up on that and translates it into real world.

I've experienced young staff (25-30ish) that knew more than the owner and behaved very professionally and honorably and I've experienced guys in their 50's and 60's being total duchenozzles.

It has almost nothing to do with age and almost everything to do with how one is as a human being, how passionate is one for watches and selling them and most importantly, how one sees other human beings.

If I hate the job I do and I am a horrible misanthropic person, I will never do a good job, I will never make the experience pleasant for my customers and I should probably work in an individualistic profession and not as a high-end watch salesman. Does not matter how old I am.

not exact correlation. but stats.
i talked about this in a post above

 

[Procurator]

not exact correlation. but stats.
i talked about this in a post above

Imho stats stem simply from the age median in sales, specifically among high-end brands. That does not tell you anything.

Or did I miss something else somewhere? Pls point me in the right direction.