I feel bad...I keep going to the AD

[RolexAuthority]

I feel bad ... I keep coming back to this thread

[joli160]

I like to browse only at any AD and when I am in the market I ask them politely what they can do about the price. Like to give them a chance to get my business , but than it gets disappointing ...

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

You should stop wasting their or any other AD's time.

It's a business, not a museum.

Best answer.

[roklee]

Originally Posted by singslinger

best answer.

x2

[shakin_jake]

Originally Posted by superdog

Personally, as a guy that owns a business, dependant in making sales I love when people call just to do some tire kicking.

It gives me the opportunity to make a sale. The more shots on goal I get, the more sales we make.
While I still think the OP should buy one there to make himself feel better, I laugh at the idea that he is wasting their time.

If the sales guy is any good, he will convert the tire kicker into a customer.

If you caught a fish every time, it would be called catching. Instead it's called fishing.

I pay a lot of money in advertising simply to get as many opportunities as possible.

~~~~I couldn't agree more. I've been in sales my whole life. If it took me 10 people to make my pitch to sell my product once and made $500, each one of the nine that said no I shook their hand enthusiastically & said thank you because each one that said no made me 50 bucks

Every non buyer moves you closer to the one that says yes

[Andad]

I think I agree but give me some time to think about it.

[John Smith5]

For me was the other way round. Last month I was just looking in the Window as I was not planning to buy and a staff member came out and invited me in even when I made it clear I would not be buying today. Will be going back there when I buy so it worked.

[AK797]

It is quite curious how the subject of ADs often stir up heated emotions on the forum, more than Grand Seiko now it seems . Anyway let's just keep it all civil and while we can disagree let's not be disagreeable and hold to the best and respectful traditions of TRF.

[airchitect]

There is incredible value to having a good AD on your side. Service, discounts, buying new, and the simple fact you never have to question what you are buying.

[997.2]

Originally Posted by Copasetic

I apologize for the rambling, but here are some thoughts:



I can argue both sides of this issue. My local AD is a third generation store I got my first Rolex from in the late 70's. Two years ago, Rolex pulled their franchise. Rumor is for discounting. I don't know the whole story. Now the nearest AD is a three hour drive.



AD's have a huge disadvantage in most states because of sales taxes trusted sellers don't deal with.







Isn't this interesting, the AD wouldn't discount, but he "wholesaled" the watch to a trusted seller so he could sell it BNIB at a huge discount.



Looked at a very hard to get model two weeks ago at a small AD in a small city while traveling. He offered me a slight discount, which actually made the watch a little less expensive BNIB from an AD than I have seen it pre-owned from any of our trusted sellers (who all have one in stock).

Which watch?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rolex addict]

I always give my local AD first shot. If they are close, I buy from them. If not, I go elsewhere. After buying nine, 5 from an AD (4 of those from my local guy), they know I'm not playing around when asking for a price. They also know I'm not afraid to buy from someone else.

[Daytona188]

in my home country UK you can get kicked out of a shop for "loitering" i guess that is not the case in the USA...??

[Watchgeek5000]

I did that a lot in NYC and some of the sales people said they don't mind, in fact one thanked me for keeping him busy for 45min,lol!

[bobabreath]

I don't think any AD would be upset at 40 different people coming in and not buying anything. So one guy coming in 40 times and not buying should not be any different. You just never know, it could be the next visit that turns into a sale.

[Desibaba]

Originally Posted by Daytona188

in my home country UK you can get kicked out of a shop for "loitering" i guess that is not the case in the USA...??

Unfortunately we are used to pulling our pants down in the name of customer service in this country regardless of what a customer does....

[ap1]

Originally Posted by the_Hunter

I felt bad about this until I got a piece in from a trusted seller that had a warranty card from one of the ADs I go to to try things on. I wanted to buy from them but they refused to give any discount.

EXACTLY - ADs certainly move product to our guys here. It's like they have two price books. Whatever, I'll browse smartly then buy from whoever sells the common commodity the cheapest. I always give the local shop first crack - guess what, they seldom take it.

yes, I pay the bracelet fees and buy other accessories and have used them for service. I even refuse the diet coke. I don't think they are mad at me. One day, im hoping to get the "yes" answer from them when I mention the number I'd like.

[Desibaba]

Overall what percentage of Rolex that we see out there in the general public comes from the gray market? Lately almost every watch fanatic I talk to already knows a gray market dealer (especially here in the Miami area). Im assuming as much as 20-30 percent considering how huge the savings can be.

[HogwldFLTR]

Here's a story...

I was interested in buying guitars and bought quite a number. I was involved in a guitar forum and was friends with one of the district reps for a well known manufacturer. Living in a somewhat remote area, there was a shop in town trying to become an authorized dealer for the manufacturer. I was friendly with many of the people at the store and actually helped push their case and they finally got the dealership. I was in there one day looking at a guitar which had a poorly marked sales tag. I enquired it the price was what I thought it was; it wasn't. It was quite a bit higher. I thought for once they were competitive in price and was disappointed. I explained that there pricing in comparison to what is available on the internet and delivered gives little reason to buy from them. That was to the stores owner. I also mentioned the internet business model. I was told I was totally wasting their time and unless I wanted to buy from them not to come in. Clearly I wanted to buy from them. I never entered the store again. They ended up losing their dealership because the local market wasn't large enough to support the line. So it goes.

If a customer is in a store they'd love to buy from the store I believe. It's just a matter of overcoming the barricades that prevent the sale. Price is a pretty big barricade. The store offered free set-ups on the guitar for life. I'd no need since I generally do that work myself so there was absolutely no advantage for me to buy from them at a significantly higher price than I could easily find elsewhere.

[Desibaba]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Here's a story...

I was interested in buying guitars and bought quite a number. I was involved in a guitar forum and was friends with one of the district reps for a well known manufacturer. Living in a somewhat remote area, there was a shop in town trying to become an authorized dealer for the manufacturer. I was friendly with many of the people at the store and actually helped push their case and they finally got the dealership. I was in there one day looking at a guitar which had a poorly marked sales tag. I enquired it the price was what I thought it was; it wasn't. It was quite a bit higher. I thought for once they were competitive in price and was disappointed. I explained that there pricing in comparison to what is available on the internet and delivered gives little reason to buy from them. That was to the stores owner. I also mentioned the internet business model. I was told I was totally wasting their time and unless I wanted to buy from them not to come in. Clearly I wanted to buy from them. I never entered the store again. They ended up losing their dealership because the local market wasn't large enough to support the line. So it goes.

If a customer is in a store they'd love to buy from the store I believe. It's just a matter of overcoming the barricades that prevent the sale. Price is a pretty big barricade. The store offered free set-ups on the guitar for life. I'd no need since I generally do that work myself so there was absolutely no advantage for me to buy from them at a significantly higher price than I could easily find elsewhere.

The problem is the same as any other brick and mortar business vs an online retailer. I was big into working out and bought a lot of supplements back in the day. No GNC or Vitamin Shoppe can touch the pricing of Bodybuilding.com. In most cases what sells at GNC for $60 can be bought online for $29.99 with free shipping. Needless to say I NEVER buy anything from GNC etc but I also know its not fair to expect them to price match considering how expensive their overheads are.

DavidSw for example is most likely selling watches from his house. No staff to pay, insurance to keep or a high rent or the cost affiliated with being an authorized Rolex dealer. Its high unlikely he is paying sales tax either for that matter. So is it really fair to expect a Rolex store in a nice mall to sell a watch at the same price?

[doubleinfive]

Don't worry about it...the profit that the AD will not get from your business they will just get from the next guy who buys...

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Desibaba

...So is it really fair to expect a Rolex store in a nice mall to sell a watch at the same price?

The thing that makes this Rolex pricing thing weird is that there is only one place to buy a Rolex and that is from a Rolex dealer. So if you think about it I'm offering my local dealer MORE than what another AD is willing to sell it for. I'm offering him in the ballpark of what the reseller is pricing it at, which is something MORE than another AD was willing to sell it for.

[Desibaba]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

The thing that makes this Rolex pricing thing weird is that there is only one place to buy a Rolex and that is from a Rolex dealer. So if you think about it I'm offering my local dealer MORE than what another AD is willing to sell it for. I'm offering him in the ballpark of what the reseller is pricing it at, which is something MORE than another AD was willing to sell it for.

I wouldnt be the least bit surprised that the same Rolex dealer who is refusing to sell you one watch under retail price is probably okay with selling his gray market sw guy multiple watches for much less. Why is he not doing that for you? He doesnt know if you are a mystery shopper for Rolex who would throw them under the bus and possibly have them lose their Rolex dealer status. Personally if I was a store manager for a Rolex dealer I wouldnt want to take that risk that might make me lose my job or my dealer status if im the owner but I would be more open to having a relationship with the reseller SW who comes in every month and picks up 20-30 watches from me since he is less likely to get me in trouble.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by superdog

Bite the bullet and buy one their.

Figure your paying a bit more for all the service they have always provided, and will again in the future.

Yeah...that's my thought. I bought a couple of watches from my AD several years ago and I still get the royal treatment every time I enter the store.

And if the price is not too far apart on what I want, I will buy there again.

And totally agree with my friend Anastasios, if the guilt is too overpowering, pick up a little something for your lady.

[mfnj]

So let me get this straight. AD's as well as other specialty retailers of luxury items only want buyers to come into their stores and not "browsers". If I understand some people here, to AD's, browsers are not welcome. I asked one of my friends who is an AD and he said this concept is laughable. All are welcome in his store from window shoppers to long time customers! Put me down as a browser

[Chadridv]

i've been fairly active in this thread, and here's something I'm starting to realize something which puts a little bit of a spin on things and may add some varying perspective.

Admittedly I've never bought from an AD. Only trusted sellers. Keeping that in mind... without having actually made a purchase, my visits to ADs related to shopping and service have been mediocre to poor experiences.

I mostly go to NYC to look at and try on watches. Like I said, I've dealt with some decent sales people and some horrible ones, but no matter what when you visit these high transit ADs with hundreds of people in and out every day, you are more or less an ananymous body walking in and out. Either a closed deal or a walker.

Last year, I visit an AD in the city looking to try on a specific PAM. The sales person was totally nice. He said they don't have the watch in stock but deliveries come in the following day and that he's 99% sure it will be in. I gave him my number and asked that he call me if it does come in.

I didn't return the next day, but the following day after that, he called and I was in the city so I stopped in.

I walked right up to the guy and said hello. He was very polite said hello, how are you? I said good. He said what state are you from? I laughed and said New York State. He said oh great, first time visiting the shop? Is there a special occasion?

I stared blankly at him for a few seconds and then replied, you just called my like 2 hours ago regarding a Panerai. He immediately apologized and went on to get me the watch. Like I said, the guy was perfectly nice and I'm sure he's busy and sees a million people. I didn't hold it against him.

But what I'm getting at here is that everyone has different experiences with ADs and me personally I've never felt one personal connection to a sales person when visiting an AD. Maybe I'm not going to the right places, but I'm going to the places that are convenient.

Now, there's another factor here which is money. In 15 years I've owned 2 Rolexes and only 1 i purchased myself. The other was a gift. That's great for all you folks who talk about how you bought 3 watches in a year from the same AD and now they treat you like family. That's great for you and even better for them! They should be making you dinner on a regular basis for dropping that kind of cash.

But that's not me. I hope one day I can roll into in AD and buy three Rolexes in 1 year, but it's not likely to happen this year or the next. For a guy like me who's lucky to get 1 watch every couple of years, if not less, not only is saving money essential, but establishing relationships at ADs is almost impossible. Especially when you're home base is NYC and the sales people don't remember you after seeing you 2 days prior and speaking to you on the phone 2 hours earlier.

Anyway, just thought I'd add a little perspective to some of the members here who stand so strong behind their local mom & pop AD, they're not all the local family owned businesses you think they are.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by mfnj

So let me get this straight. AD's as well as other specialty retailers of luxury items only want buyers to come into their stores and not "browsers". If I understand some people here, to AD's, browsers are not welcome. I asked one of my friends who is an AD and he said this concept is laughable. All are welcome in his store from window shoppers to long time customers! Put me down as a browser

Yes 100%, don't walk in the door unless you're ready to buy! jk.

Yeah I dipped a little into bigger picture business strategy and marketing earlier in the thread but my notion was met with opposition. Speaking slightly outside the specifics of the OP and addressing what has become a broader debate, it's completely baffling to me how some people could take such a strong position against window shopping and browsing.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

I always give my local AD first shot. If they are close, I buy from them. If not, I go elsewhere. After buying nine, 5 from an AD (4 of those from my local guy), they know I'm not playing around when asking for a price. They also know I'm not afraid to buy from someone else.

Fair as it gets

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

i've been fairly active in this thread, and here's something I'm starting to realize something which puts a little bit of a spin on things and may add some varying perspective.

Admittedly I've never bought from an AD. Only trusted sellers. Keeping that in mind... without having actually made a purchase, my visits to ADs related to shopping and service have been mediocre to poor experiences.

I mostly go to NYC to look at and try on watches. Like I said, I've dealt with some decent sales people and some horrible ones, but no matter what when you visit these high transit ADs with hundreds of people in and out every day, you are more or less an ananymous body walking in and out. Either a closed deal or a walker.

Last year, I visit an AD in the city looking to try on a specific PAM. The sales person was totally nice. He said they don't have the watch in stock but deliveries come in the following day and that he's 99% sure it will be in. I gave him my number and asked that he call me if it does come in.

I didn't return the next day, but the following day after that, he called and I was in the city so I stopped in.

I walked right up to the guy and said hello. He was very polite said hello, how are you? I said good. He said what state are you from? I laughed and said New York State. He said oh great, first time visiting the shop? Is there a special occasion?

I stared blankly at him for a few seconds and then replied, you just called my like 2 hours ago regarding a Panerai. He immediately apologized and went on to get me the watch. Like I said, the guy was perfectly nice and I'm sure he's busy and sees a million people. I didn't hold it against him.

But what I'm getting at here is that everyone has different experiences with ADs and me personally I've never felt one personal connection to a sales person when visiting an AD. Maybe I'm not going to the right places, but I'm going to the places that are convenient.

Now, there's another factor here which is money. In 15 years I've owned 2 Rolexes and only 1 i purchased myself. The other was a gift. That's great for all you folks who talk about how you bought 3 watches in a year from the same AD and now they treat you like family. That's great for you and even better for them! They should be making you dinner on a regular basis for dropping that kind of cash.

But that's not me. I hope one day I can roll into in AD and buy three Rolexes in 1 year, but it's not likely to happen this year or the next. For a guy like me who's lucky to get 1 watch every couple of years, if not less, not only is saving money essential, but establishing relationships at ADs is almost impossible. Especially when you're home base is NYC and the sales people don't remember you after seeing you 2 days prior and speaking to you on the phone 2 hours earlier.

Anyway, just thought I'd add a little perspective to some of the members here who stand so strong behind their local mom & pop AD, they're not all the local family owned businesses you think they are.

All good points and reason why NYC is my favorite place to watch shop.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by GB-man

All good points and reason why NYC is my favorite place to watch shop.

haha it's funny cause I was just talking to my friend about how NYC is great for being with millions of people and in a flash being completely alone at the same time.

It's the most anonymous place on earth if you want it to be.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

haha it's funny cause I was just talking to my friend about how NYC is great for being with millions of people and in a flash being completely alone at the same time.

It's the most anonymous place on earth if you want it to be.

Very true. I visit a few times a year and there are few things I enjoy more than getting my morning coffee at grumpy, hitting some balls off the Chelsea pier and then heading uptown and hitting ALL of them! Cellini, Wempe, ALS, Journe, Vacheron, AP I could give a crap what anyone says about window shopping. It helps me identify future targets and eliminate stuff that doesn't sing