First Rolex AD experience...not so good

[Granimal]

Long time lurker, first time poster! Thanks for all the informative stuff you guys post here. It has really helped me to learn about the Rolex obsession!

So I visited my nearest Rolex AD to check out the watch I've been researching for a while now (Rolex Explorer). I noticed they had an older version with the solid white gold 3-6-9 numerals as well as the newer lume-filled one on display. I asked the friendly salesperson how long they've had the older version of the Explorer, and was told Rolex likes to mix and match little details like that and they're both brand new... alrighty then.

Also, a quick discussion on price turned into a speech about how Rolex watches deserve full retail and how I should strongly consider the store's watch protection coverage.

Ugh, not the heavy handed selling tactics I wanted to hear. Oh well, I got to try on the Explorer which felt great. Time for me to contact David SW I think!

Anyway, thanks for the wealth of info on these forums!

[PLNYC]

Sorry you had a bad experience.. Can't go wrong with David. I plan on purchasing my future watches from him too.

[SpyShops718]

I am a security retail sales person and I always want to give a discount to make the client feel good. I don't know why they played that game when you went to visit the Rolex AD. I wonder if that sales person owns a smart phone not flip phone. You can find out right on the spot the truth about a watch.

Go somewhere else, don't let this discourage you. Good Luck and the Rolex Explorer is a nice watch.

[henry333]

Try a few ad .. not all ad are the same and for sure not all sales person are that bad.
I understand and I feel the same after a couple of bad and know nothing about watches sale person it make me mad and never want to go back. It is ok for them to not know, but it is not ok to make it up. Not everyone that will spend a few thousands on a watch don't know anything about it.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Granimal

Long time lurker, first time poster! Thanks for all the informative stuff you guys post here. It has really helped me to learn about the Rolex obsession!

So I visited my nearest Rolex AD to check out the watch I've been researching for a while now (Rolex Explorer). I noticed they had an older version with the solid white gold 3-6-9 numerals as well as the newer lume-filled one on display. I asked the friendly salesperson how long they've had the older version of the Explorer, and was told Rolex likes to mix and match little details like that and they're both brand new... alrighty then.

Also, a quick discussion on price turned into a speech about how Rolex watches deserve full retail and how I should strongly consider the store's watch protection coverage.

Ugh, not the heavy handed selling tactics I wanted to hear. Oh well, I got to try on the Explorer which felt great. Time for me to contact David SW I think!

Anyway, thanks for the wealth of info on these forums!

When I was in Orlando last month, they (Mayors) had a YM Fullsize SS/Plat. That model was discontinued some years ago. I said "wow you must have had that a long time" but the AD said that it had just arrived from Rolex

[dstopsie]

Originally Posted by Granimal

Long time lurker, first time poster! Thanks for all the informative stuff you guys post here. It has really helped me to learn about the Rolex obsession!

So I visited my nearest Rolex AD to check out the watch I've been researching for a while now (Rolex Explorer). I noticed they had an older version with the solid white gold 3-6-9 numerals as well as the newer lume-filled one on display. I asked the friendly salesperson how long they've had the older version of the Explorer, and was told Rolex likes to mix and match little details like that and they're both brand new... alrighty then.

Also, a quick discussion on price turned into a speech about how Rolex watches deserve full retail and how I should strongly consider the store's watch protection coverage.

Ugh, not the heavy handed selling tactics I wanted to hear. Oh well, I got to try on the Explorer which felt great. Time for me to contact David SW I think!

Anyway, thanks for the wealth of info on these forums!

Which ad did you visit?

I purchased my watch from Davidsw and I highly recommend him. I too live in Los Angeles.

[KenNethcole]

There are many ad in la and oc if you like buying from an ad.
There are also a few local trusted sellers namely ocrolexguy(Patrick) and Justrolexes(Tony).

[1William]

Nice selection in watches. David SW is the best and I have done a lot of deals with him. Your experience is similar to most of the ones I have when I go into most AD's, other than the one I buy from. You get a clerk with limited knowledge and the BS starts. No big deal most of the time. I am only there to tire kick. When it is buying time I know where to go. I look forward to an incoming thread.

[Leodagan]

Everybody want a discount and now, no one no longer knows the true price of things....Everything is always too expensive

[Etschell]

that doesnt sound too bad really.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Leodagan

Everybody want a discount and now, no one no longer knows the true price of things....Everything is always too expensive

Agreed!

Sorry to hear about the AD experience but that is not unusual in the world of sales.

Plenty of other places to buy.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by Leodagan

Everybody want a discount and now, no one no longer knows the true price of things....Everything is always too expensive

There is a difference between wanting a discount and wanting a product at the current market price. Whether anyone likes it or not, the high end watch market is a little soft and not many places can get full MSRP. I just had another negative experience with my local AD. Had my checkbook in hand ready to buy a 116613LN. He refused to come off the price and was quite rude about it. I already had several options lined up, saved about $3K, and had the watch delivered to my door the next day. With the internet, there is absolutely no reason to not do your homework before a purchase other than laziness.

[southcarolina1801]

Yeah some AD's are the worst. That sales rep might have a job now, but she won't last long misleading customers and playing games with pricing.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by Etschell

that doesnt sound too bad really.

I was thinking the same.

Compared to some of the stories we've heard here and even my own bad AD experiences, the OP got off easy.

[wach16]

Cant go wrong with DavidSW!

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by KenNethcole

There are many ad in la and oc if you like buying from an ad.
There are also a few local trusted sellers namely ocrolexguy(Patrick) and Justrolexes(Tony).

Tony Geha @Justrolexes is golden! One of the best.

[Atlanta-Amy]

Love DavidSW. Good call!

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Granimal

Long time lurker, first time poster! Thanks for all the informative stuff you guys post here. It has really helped me to learn about the Rolex obsession!

So I visited my nearest Rolex AD to check out the watch I've been researching for a while now (Rolex Explorer). I noticed they had an older version with the solid white gold 3-6-9 numerals as well as the newer lume-filled one on display. I asked the friendly salesperson how long they've had the older version of the Explorer, and was told Rolex likes to mix and match little details like that and they're both brand new... alrighty then.

Also, a quick discussion on price turned into a speech about how Rolex watches deserve full retail and how I should strongly consider the store's watch protection coverage.

Ugh, not the heavy handed selling tactics I wanted to hear. Oh well, I got to try on the Explorer which felt great. Time for me to contact David SW I think!

Anyway, thanks for the wealth of info on these forums!

What were you expecting?

[yessir69]

Welcome to the forum. BTW, you'll get used to all the passive-aggressive posts. Definitely get one from a trusted seller here on the forum. Can't wait to see it.

[hoppes-no9]

I don't see a problem whatsoever with this A.D. experience.

[Granimal]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

What were you expecting?

C'mon guys, Rolex is a luxury brand. So I was expecting a knowledgeable salesperson and a lack of used car style pressuring for protection packages!

[Muzz]

Well, if you were after the older version it would have been a jackpot. Technically they are both new.

Discount, well in my experience LA ADs seldom discount.

I get what you are saying but all in all it wasn't that bad.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by Granimal

C'mon guys, Rolex is a luxury brand. So I was expecting a knowledgeable salesperson and a lack of used car style pressuring for protection packages!

That's not how this works.

The people selling you a Rolex are not Rolex employees.

They are usually as knowledgeable as the guy selling TVs at Best Buy.

[Granimal]

Originally Posted by Syed117

That's not how this works.

The people selling you a Rolex are not Rolex employees.

They are usually as knowledgeable as the guy selling TVs at Best Buy.

I get what you're saying, but Rolex could enforce high standards for any sales rep selling its goods. Such as having to take classes and pass a knowledge test.

They shouldn't expect top dollar for their watches yet allow poor ADs to represent their brand.

That's ok, just a not great first impression. I was able to get better quotes over the phone plus I contacted David SW already too

[gwalker]

I've heard worse AD stories. Truth is some ADs won't discount SS models especially without a relationship. Remember most of us on here know more than the avg sales person.


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[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Granimal

I get what you're saying, but Rolex could enforce high standards for any sales rep selling its goods. Such as having to take classes and pass a knowledge test.

They shouldn't expect top dollar for their watches yet allow poor ADs to represent their brand.

That's ok, just a not great first impression. I was able to get better quotes over the phone plus I contacted David SW already too

Rolex has already sold the watch to the AD.

The burden is then on the AD to resell it and make money, Rolex has no interest in the inner workings of individual stores.

[MCO1]

I bet at best 1 out of 50 visitors at an AD would know the the change to the Explorer or even know what the Basel Fair is that we all look forward to every year which gives us a heads up on such things. I don't expect the sales person to know much "ever" then I am pleasantly surprised when they do and a great conversation ensues. They will sell the "first gen" to someone who doesn't know any different and likes the shiny 3,6,9 better. The hands won't make any difference because nobody but us would notice such trivial details, heck I don't even notice the hands when using mine.:)

[ras47]

These ADs are hit or miss. Omega is the same way. My nearest OB is incredible. The reps are all WIS types and most have collections that span many brands, not just Omega. Some of the non-OB authorized dealers, however, are nothing like this. A few are great and have a rep or two that are passionate about the brand. Others have no clue and simply want to sell you ANYthing. I imagine it's the same with Rolex.

[melrob1]

Waste of your first post. Not that bad. Put some positivity in the air. Just saying.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Etschell

that doesnt sound too bad really.

Yeah, so I would try another AD and tell them you can get them online for X amount and can they meet you half way. If not then go with David etc but give the ADs a chance first as you are using them to try on.

Remember this is only a sales job for many, not a vocation or passion. I've been to some ADs where the staff turnover is high, on average less than 6 months.