I returned a watch, did I make a mistake?

[502 to Right]

Four thoughts:

1) I can't believe an AD would take a return.

2) I would not want to keep a $10,000 watch I didn't like if it was returnable. Unless I had so much money that $10k meant nothing to me.

3) I have to believe this return was huge hassle for the AD. If future purchases are based on good will I would not expect any calls. But perhaps the Rolex market is shifting to where AD's need to sell watches to anyone interested rather than who they choose to sell to (like it was 10 years ago and before).

4) I am so glad there is nothing in Rolex's current catalog I have interest in buying (I'm a 5 digit guy) because I can't stand AD games.

[goog53]

You did NOTHING WRONG! That is a super nice but EXPENSIVE watch. Why should you settle for a dial you do not want. If she bought you a $50 shirt you dont like then ok shut up and wear the thing and smile but not a $10,800 watch. People saying you should just keep it are way off based IMO. Getting offered a Datejust is no favor from an AD. Be patient and wait for your Oysterflex Daytona

[jacowestt]

Sounds like you handled it well. You were polite, clear about your preferences, and showed appreciation for the opportunity your SA gave your wife. Returning a watch for something you’d actually wear is fair, especially with the context you gave. As long as you maintain a good relationship with your SA and don’t make a habit of returning watches, you likely didn’t burn any bridges. Just keep the communication open and follow up after your trip as your SA suggested. Sounds like you’re still in good standing!

[Devildog]

If I understand the position correctly @DougUSMC

1) You and your wife have an agreement (indeed insistence) that expensive gifts that the recipient doesn't love can (indeed should) be exchanged for something that is loved.

2) Your wife didn't pick out a white dialed DJ41 especially for you. She knows you like watches, wanted to buy you "a watch" and asked the SA to pick. The SA most likely sold her what was available for sale.

3) Given the circumstances and that the SA knows about (1) above, the SA sold your wife the watch on the basis that you could return it if you didn't love it.

It may be unusual, but an AD can sell a new watch with a return policy if it chooses to do so.

If a return was going to be problematic, it would not have been offered.

All that being the case, no, you didn't make a mistake. Not in the slightest.

CPO AD or not, your AD will most likely be able to resell the watch used at little or no loss.

Don't sweat it. You did the right thing for you and your wife. And thats all that matters.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by 502 to Right

Four thoughts:

1) I can't believe an AD would take a return.

2) I would not want to keep a $10,000 watch I didn't like if it was returnable. Unless I had so much money that $10k meant nothing to me.

3) I have to believe this return was huge hassle for the AD. If future purchases are based on good will I would not expect any calls. But perhaps the Rolex market is shifting to where AD's need to sell watches to anyone interested rather than who they choose to sell to (like it was 10 years ago and before).

4) I am so glad there is nothing in Rolex's current catalog I have interest in buying (I'm a 5 digit guy) because I can't stand AD games.

Before CPO I returned like 12 watches towards the next. Now that is not possible as my AD does CPO. So I assume the AD does not sell CPO (3 years or older to be CPO). They will make their money back and then some. Also doesn’t most places have some type of return policy, like 30 days? Would be interested to hear from the OP their return policy.

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by JRell

Before CPO I returned like 12 watches towards the next. Now that is not possible as my AD does CPO. So I assume the AD does not sell CPO (3 years or older to be CPO). They will make their money back and then some. Also doesn’t most places have some type of return policy, like 30 days? Would be interested to hear from the OP their return policy.

There's difference between trade-in and return. In your case, you received a credit towards a brand new watch (trade-in).

OP simply received his money back in full (return). Returns for watches especially of this price range is very unusual. It is not the industry standard.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

There's difference between trade-in and return. In your case, you received a credit towards a brand new watch (trade-in).

OP simply received his money back in full (return). Returns for watches especially of this price range is very unusual. It is not the industry standard.

Got it.

[Dendi]

To the OP
I would just keep the watch. Your wife would be so happy she got you a great gift. It's still a beautiful watch even though it's not your preferred model. Wear it a while and I'm sure you will end up liking it. I would be very happy with any Rolex my wife gifted me.

[502 to Right]

Originally Posted by Dendi

To the OP
I would just keep the watch. Your wife would be so happy she got you a great gift. It's still a beautiful watch even though it's not your preferred model. Wear it a while and I'm sure you will end up liking it. I would be very happy with any Rolex my wife gifted me.

He already returned it.

[Sergio_UKR]

It might be off topic, but I am not entirely sure why would you have this tradition in your family of gifting something you don't necessarily want and add receipt so that gift can be returned. Isn't it easier to gift money or a giftcard?
The whole purpose of a thoughtful present is to know what your partner wants, so there is never a need to return...

As of the actual question, you did nothing wrong. If anything you shown AD that you are not buying watches you don't want. That is a plus in my book.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by Sergio_UKR

It might be off topic, but I am not entirely sure why would you have this tradition in your family of gifting something you don't necessarily want and add receipt so that gift can be returned. Isn't it easier to gift money or a giftcard?
The whole purpose of a thoughtful present is to know what your partner wants, so there is never a need to return...

As of the actual question, you did nothing wrong. If anything you shown AD that you are not buying watches you don't want. That is a plus in my book.

Not directed at the OP as this was a totally different situation, but buying an expensive gift for your spouse for Christmas reminds me of the Saturday Night Live skit parody of those Lexus “December to Remember” commercials. Classic.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WcEylCwkSxE

[fsprow]

I believe a “gift” should contain an element of surprise. If it conforms to specifics identified by the receiver, it’s just a purchase.

[Sergio_UKR]

Originally Posted by fsprow

I believe a “gift” should contain an element of surprise. If it conforms to specifics identified by the receiver, it’s just a purchase.

That is why once in a while you do a store run with your significant other, checking out luxury goods and create a list of things they like. Then you just pick one of those things on the list. They will never know what the gift exactly is, but will never be disappointed. )

[fsprow]

A good plan !!!!

[aboutadog]

Next time let your wife know what you want. What’s done is done. It doesn’t matter what your AD thinks. Move on.

[fskywalker]

OP think you did the right thing in returning it of don’t like it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Andad]

Why 76 posts.

SA gave your wife until the 15th to return and she did.

Did I miss something?

[Halifax Daytona UK]

In the UK we have consumer rights and can return purchases without reason for a certain period of time after purchase. At Christmas this period is normally extended to 30 days.

[rolexnerd]

I’m not sure I understand what the issue is here. If the AD allowed you to return it (which is unusual to begin with) and your wife doesn’t mind, then what’s the problem?

[emtee]

Originally Posted by Halifax Daytona UK

In the UK we have consumer rights and can return purchases without reason for a certain period of time after purchase. At Christmas this period is normally extended to 30 days.

Not true if bought in store, the retailer has no legal obligation to accept returns unless the item is faulty, although most do have a return policy. Online purchases it's 2 weeks I believe but many do 30 days or more.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Andad

Why 76 posts.

SA gave your wife until the 15th to return and she did.

Did I miss something?

No, but most people replying did

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by JRell

Before CPO I returned like 12 watches towards the next. Now that is not possible as my AD does CPO. So I assume the AD does not sell CPO (3 years or older to be CPO). They will make their money back and then some. Also doesn’t most places have some type of return policy, like 30 days? Would be interested to hear from the OP their return policy.

That's not returning, that's called trading them in towards the next one.

[OG1982]

Originally Posted by DougUSMC

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some opinions on whether I most likely made a mis-step at my AD or not?

Before I go into the story: My wife and I have a long standing agreement that all expensive gifts come with gift receipts. We'd both prefer the other exchange a pricey present for something they love, rather than hold onto something "because it was a gift".

My beautiful bride bought me a DJ41 for Christmas. It was a very nice jubilee bracelet, fluted bezel, white dial. I really liked everything about the watch except the dial - I tried it on several times and just couldn't see my self wearing it.

I wavered back and forth a few times over the last few weeks, and ultimately decided to bring it back. My wife is not very knowledgeable about how "getting a watch" works at the AD, which is why I had to explain that our SA "hooking her up" didn't mean a discount on price - it was the fact that the actually offered her a watch on the day of her shopping visit.

I visited last week, thanked my SA profusely for offering my wife a watch, but let her know that while I thought it was a beautiful piece the white dial just wasn't for me. I would rather exchange it for a different watch vs. just return it. I let her know the other dials I preferred, and several other watches I was considering putting on My List. She had a couple she could offer me that I wasn't interested in (Sea Dweller, RG GMT, and one other that I can't remember). When I told her my wishlist (Ghost, Pikachu, SS Daytona, Rootbeer, in descending order) she said she wished she had know because they'd had a Ghost before Christmas but didn't think I'd shown interest, and they didn't have any others from my list available. She knew that I was coming in before a vacation, and said that I should definitely come back after the trip to update my list. I told her I completely understood about availability, thanked her again for offering my wife the watch, and that I really hoped to have a chance to replace it with something else soon.

I felt that it was a great visit and I hadn't burned a bridge returning a watch, but was I right? What's the etiquette there?

I would imagine the SA and their colleagues had a real laugh when you left the store...

"I do not want this DJ, but I am in the market for any hot Daytona or GMTs"

I would be amazed if you got a call, but you did the right thing returning an expensive item you did not want. I would've been MUCH more realistic about my 'wish list' though, given you are not exactly in a position of strength within the arrangement.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by DougUSMC

I felt that it was a great visit and I hadn't burned a bridge returning a watch, but was I right? What's the etiquette there?

There's nothing wrong in being honest with yourself and doing what you believe is right. If you spend your life doing what other people think is right you won't be living your own life. Without being able to read the mind of the SA or being privy with any conversation she subsequently had with her manager, I can't comment further.

Good luck with it.

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by brandrea

This is why whenever a thread comes up about someone wanting to buy their significant other a watch as a surprise, I say it’s better to take them to the AD and let them choose

… from the dozens and dozens of “desired Rolex models” always readily available.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

… from the dozens and dozens of “desired Rolex models” always readily available.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep, I see your point however, it’s just the same as I’d never buy a watch for myself that I truly didn’t want, just because it’s “available “

It was a thoughtful attempt, I’ll give you that, but I’d never pick out a watch for Andrea, I’d rather her be truly happy and make a day of it at the AD or gray dealer. Besides the reference the OP is discussing wouldn’t be all that difficult to get


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jb335]

Originally Posted by JRell

Before CPO I returned like 12 watches towards the next. Now that is not possible as my AD does CPO. So I assume the AD does not sell CPO (3 years or older to be CPO). They will make their money back and then some. Also doesn’t most places have some type of return policy, like 30 days? Would be interested to hear from the OP their return policy.

Most high-end luxury stores do not have a 30 day return policy or allow any returns. Unheard for a Rolex or the like. Most sales are final.

We read how many people here were upset that their new watch from the AD may have possibly been an exhibition model, imagine what that person would think if their watch was actually taken home and used for up to 30 days.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by jb335

Most high-end luxury stores do not have a 30 day return policy or allow any returns. Unheard for a Rolex or the like. Most sales are final.

We read how many people here were upset that their new watch from the AD may have possibly been an exhibition model, imagine what that person would think if their watch was actually taken home and used for up to 30 days.

Totally get it. I never knew the policy as my trade-ins were never questioned. I assume OPs AD sells non-CPO pre-owned watches. Thanks!

[BillA]

You should always buy and keep what you do not want and put the AD’s interest above yours.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jb335

Most high-end luxury stores do not have a 30 day return policy or allow any returns. Unheard for a Rolex or the like. Most sales are final.

We read how many people here were upset that their new watch from the AD may have possibly been an exhibition model, imagine what that person would think if their watch was actually taken home and used for up to 30 days.

Same, all sales at the boutique here in Toronto are final