Are all AD’s this DUMB?

[postiff]

Some of you may have read my “No paperwork help” thread anyhow in my search to find out what papers/booklets were supposed to come with the watch I called my local AD. This happens to be Ben Bridge. So I call and get Marshall Very nice older guy. I have talked with him briefly in the store once.

So Marshall answers the phone “Thank you for calling Ben Bridge your personal jeweler this is Marshall how I may help you?” I replied “I was trying to find out what paper work should come with the GMT Master II the one with the ceramic bezel”. After a long pause the silence was broken with “Is that an Omega” I mean come on how many different types of high end watches do they sell there? Seriously these guys are supposed to be the face of Rolex along with other brands. You would think they would know the specific names of the watch. If I worked in that field I would sit down and first find out the top selling watches. Then read the manuals and learn to use them. Then I would familiarize myself with all other names and models sounds like a lot to take in but if that is what your profession is then you should do it right. In my field I can tell you at least 11 different types of piping systems all of their components, fittings, and specific piping materials, whether they require 3 piece valves, butterfly valves, plug valves and how they all go together. I can give you a demonstration on how to install those different types of systems all of this and I am not an installer I am a pencil pusher in an office for a plumbing company.

Sorry I guess it just bugs when people do not know the A$$ from their elbow. I think for fun I will go by this weekend and ask Marshall if he can show me how to work a Speedmaster. And tell him If you can show me how to work this I will buy it

[DSJ]

Danny, this has been discussed several times and most of us agree that folks working at any AD should have a basic product knowledge of the merchandise they sell. However this is often not the case, and even moreso at chain stores like you are referencing. Instead of harassing Marshall, though, perhaps take your business to another AD that has better product knowledge, or if you MUST visit Marshal, discuss this with him quietly, rather than trying to embarrass him.

[Art 1]

Not at all.

[tifosi]

I stopped by a Rolex AD other than my own this weekend. I was just in there having fun trying on watches. So anyway, in an attempt to show her vast knowlege of Rolex, the salesperson asks me "So, do you know what kind of stainless steel Rolex uses?" I said, "yes, 904L". She says "no" and states some off the wall random number sequence like 406L or something like that. So I challenged her and told her to look it up... Needless to say she apologized and agreed that I knew more than her...LOL
So yes, some AD are that dumb, but not all of them.

[GrandDaddy]

No, not all ADs are dumb. However, some Rolex owners need to come back down to earth.

[The GMT Master]

As I always say, the good guys are still out there, you just need to know where to find them

[tifosi]

Originally Posted by GrandDaddy

No, not all ADs are dumb. However, some Rolex owners need to come back down to earth.

I agree with that, but you have to admit that you should have a pretty good understanding about what you are doing at work.

[seantk]

Originally Posted by GrandDaddy

No, not all ADs are dumb. However, some Rolex owners need to come back down to earth.

Many watch manufacturers make a GMT, and a chronograph and a diving watch, etc..

Sean

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by seantk

Many watch manufacturers make a GMT, and a chronograph and a diving watch, etc..

Sean

That's a good point, I don't know the Omega line at all, but it's possible this elderly gentleman didn't hear a word or misunderstood something and related it to an Omega GMT model(?).

[bodybump]

No all AD's are dumb...some are really good at it...when he said.. is it a Omega..you should have said nope..its a Rado!!!

[swish77]

Yeah, maybe he thought you meant a GMT SeaMASTER by Omega. Not so crazy, although in general I agree with the point about ADs.

[postiff]

Originally Posted by seantk

Many watch manufacturers make a GMT, and a chronograph and a diving watch, etc..

Sean

True, and for this reason they are designated with another name like the GMT Master, Daytona, Speedmaster, Sea Master Planet Ocean, Sea Master GMT, Sea Dweller, Submariner and so on.

[postiff]

Originally Posted by swish77

Yeah, maybe he thought you meant a GMT SeaMASTER by Omega. Not so crazy, although in general I agree with the point about ADs.

All good points. I guess maybe I am over reacting. I guess at least he knew it was a watch and that is all that matters.

I did not really think about the Sea Master who knows I tend to talk fast maybe he could not keep up and heard Sea Master in lieu of GMT master.

[pedsdoc3]

my ad told me yesterday told me that there was no way that i could have seen the "big ole seadweller yet 'cause they aint out yet nowhere" I told that they were and that i almost bought one and he said "impossible" SEE I TOLD U MINE WAS MORE STUPID LOL

[BigHat]

Have read a lot and witnessed a lot of AD stupidity, but this seems pretty harmless to me. He easily could have misheard you, etc.

The real test is after you said "No, it's a Rolex" (I hope that's what you said) did he know the answer? I mean that's what you were asking right? That's the watch knowledge test, not the hearing test.

[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by GrandDaddy

No, not all ADs are dumb. However, some Rolex owners need to come back down to earth.

So let me understand this..
I am a Rolex watch owner and I need to come back down to earth.??

Because
I am asked to pay only ten times what the watch is really worth..?
I expect an expert explain about the watch I would like to buy..?
I want to be treated with the same grace & respect I treat them..?
I would like to have a nice experience buying a great watch..?

...I guess I should be happy... "they allow me"...to buy the watch..

[rolexgiants]

who cares how they treat you.... if they give me the cheapest price.... they can curse me out and i promise i will be back to by another rolex.....

[greekbum]

If you only had 2 choices would you buy from an AD or a ROLEX boutique that a very good staff but would laugh at any nonsence of a discount?

[moldowan]

the salespeople at our AD here in town make roughly 25K a year, I make a "multiplier" of that amount a month.....there is a reason for that as well <grin> and i don't have to spell that one out!

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by greekbum

If you only had 2 choices would you buy from an AD or a ROLEX boutique that a very good staff but would laugh at any nonsence of a discount?

Interesting! It brings up the value question again - how much do you value having someone with excellent product knowledge?

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by DSJ

Interesting! It brings up the value question again - how much do you value having someone with excellent product knowledge?

I tend to do my own research on watches and dont put any value on the salesmans product knoweldege. If I ever where to buy a new watch from an AD it would be based just on price.I am more into vintage Rolex than modern.

[sevykor]

The level of knowledge for a typical Rolex salesperson, i found, is between a random guy/gal pulled of the street and a WIS. Since most here on this forum are WIS, there is no doubt the salesperson is at a loss. Some sales-people are WIS, so that's an advantage, but I don't understand why people expect these people to answer any and all questions stat. I agree it is customary, for a sales-person, to learn a product and review information to brush up on trends, new products, etc. However, even a WIS makes mistakes; I know this because I see it on this forum too (and often). The gentleman who answered the phone may have been tired and off guard. BTW, Omega also has a GMT, so no surprise why he may have been confused. Also, while it does not apply to all sales people at ADs, some sales people work at an AD because less is expected of them. There's a wide range of sales careers and pay, so knowledge is reflective of pay in the case of a typical AD sales employee. All I expect of an AD sales person is that they be courteous and, if needed, verify information. Too many assume and that opens them up to mistakes and ridicule on this forum. Karma!!!

[onkyo]

Originally Posted by greekbum

I tend to do my own research on watches and dont put any value on the salesmans product knoweldege. If I ever where to buy a new watch from an AD it would be based just on price.I am more into vintage Rolex than modern.

x2 to everything you said.

[miked]

Yawn

[GrandDaddy]

Just an example: You are a TRF WIS, went to an AD and asked questions that you already knew the answers to. Hmmmmmmm…. did it make you feel BIG if it turned out that you knew the answers and the salespersons did not? Did it make you feel BIG if you embarrassed the salespersons because you knew more than them?

I guess some people make it a hobby going to ADs and ask questions that they already know the answers to. And some probably do not even intend to buy, just prove to that they know more than the salespersons.

Wait, I forgot something. After you embarrassed them, then you flash them your Rolex. Sounds familiar?

These are actual occurrences folks, witnessed them first-hand while shopping at ADs. They will ask questions and the salespersons will give honest as-they-knew answers and then they tell them they’re wrong and start arguing and talking down on them. And then they flash their watches to prove that they know. THERE IS LIFE AFTER ROLEX FOLKS!

[Cato]

Ben Bridge is a big retailer. They sell Mikimoto pearls, Italian gold, Japanese watches, Hamilton, and Rolex. If you want to buy a watch from a WIS, you'll need to find a smaller shop or purchase here on TRF. I bought my Rolex from BB 'cause I didn't know any better .

[KJacques]

Originally Posted by postiff

Sorry I guess it just bugs when people do not know the A$$ from their elbow. I think for fun I will go by this weekend and ask Marshall if he can show me how to work a Speedmaster. And tell him If you can show me how to work this I will buy it

What bugs me is people who demean others in order to demonstrate how much smarter they are or just for the warped pleasure of doing so.

[Parachrom]

A knowledgeable sales person is a joy to work with. It save time and money as you can get right to it instead of challenging the dummies.

Knowledge is power, and this translates into more sales. The customer must feel you are competent in your field to trust you.

[GrandDaddy]

Originally Posted by postiff

Sorry I guess it just bugs when people do not know the A$$ from their elbow. I think for fun I will go by this weekend and ask Marshall if he can show me how to work a Speedmaster. And tell him If you can show me how to work this I will buy it

Tell us how BIG you really feel about you did this. Thanks.

[respect]

I am on GrandDaddy's side.