Useless AD!

[mv6187]

So I went to my AD today to have my band adjusted. My error in telling him I got my new piece online. I may as well have said I stole it from my neighbors. He went on and on about the dangers of online purchases. I told him, "well I got it from a trusted source on the forums". Even after some explanation he had no idea what TRF was. Then he tells me my watch has a new style band on an old style Daytona. Odd since I'm fairly certain the 116520 SS has only had one stainless bracelet since the early 2000's. Am I dumb? The case and bracelet are both in the same condition and appear totally matched.

[Watchflair]

You would be amazed at what AD's don't know.

[77T]

He may have meant the clasp mfg. code didn't match the case S/N.

What did you expect though? An AD is an independent business owner. Online sellers are the competition.

[RolexDivers]

Originally Posted by mv6187

So I went to my AD today to have my band adjusted. My error in telling him I got my new piece online. I may as well have said I stole it from my neighbors. He went on and on about the dangers of online purchases. I told him, "well I got it from a trusted source on the forums". Even after some explanation he had no idea what TRF was. Then he tells me my watch has a new style band on an old style Daytona. Odd since I'm fairly certain the 116520 SS has only had one stainless bracelet since the early 2000's. Am I dumb? The case and bracelet are both in the same condition and appear totally matched.

Sounds very very familiar --- don't worry, you are not alone. I get the same lecture everytime I go to an AD, infact to anyAD ---- and the worst thing is when they give you that dumb smirk and look at you like you are stupid, like you were some 2yr old ----- Don't worry --- those who buy online tend to know more about watches than ADs.

The next people who know more than ADs are independent watchshops that have little service centers.

I have noticed that ADs are the least experienced in terms of watches and throw these statistics and measurements in your face, to make themselves look smart.

[esm]

To be fair though... The AD was simply trying to "justify" his AD status.

The trusted online source can only be trusted until "something goes wrong"... We have seem a few in the past few months.

There has been an update on the clasp in the recent years. He probably refers the whole thing as "bracelet"

IMO - another mistake was not to adjust the bracelet yourself

[mv6187]

Well that makes me feel better. He also told me I got ripped off for my Daytona paying in the 10k range. Then said he could have sold me one (which I've never seen in his display case) for 11k brand new. Now I am newer to the Rolex game but based on the prices I've seen on here and the typical comments about them, how the F--- can he possibly expect me to believe that. Or again, am I dumb?

[texex91]

Originally Posted by Watchflair

You would be amazed at what AD's don't know.

X2

[landroverking]

AD are not WIS.

[77T]

Originally Posted by mv6187

Well that makes me feel better. He also told me I got ripped off for my Daytona paying in the 10k range. Then said he could have sold me one (which I've never seen in his display case) for 11k brand new. Now I am newer to the Rolex game but based on the prices I've seen on here and the typical comments about them, how the F--- can he possibly expect me to believe that. Or again, am I dumb?

You're not dumb - he may have scrounged up a NOS SS Daytona for that amount but you would've waited and maybe never seen it.

Nothing wrong with buying here. Was this the Daytona from babka?

[esm]

Originally Posted by landroverking

AD are not WIS.

Not every AD.
Chris is/was an AD and he is definitely a WIS

[horseco]

Unfortunatly many (not all) AD's have all the ethics of the stereotypical used car salesman...

[horseco]

Originally Posted by mv6187

Well that makes me feel better. He also told me I got ripped off for my Daytona paying in the 10k range. Then said he could have sold me one (which I've never seen in his display case) for 11k brand new. Now I am newer to the Rolex game but based on the prices I've seen on here and the typical comments about them, how the F--- can he possibly expect me to believe that. Or again, am I dumb?

Now that you are no longer in the market for a Daytona (insert sarcasm) I happen to have one that is better for less money... Just don't call me on it... hahahhahah!!!

[HL65]

Originally Posted by esm

Not every AD.
Chris is/was an AD and he is definitely a WIS

X2

[mrbill2mrbill2]

Do it yourself.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI...m=170732585897

[superscot69]

Did they charge you for ajusting !

[thewatchguy93]

Some AD's are a joke, I agree.. but not all..


The clasp has been updated a few times, it started off with an old "tin" clasp (zenith daytona), then moved onto the more solid clasp with PCL (Polished Centre Link).. And finally moved on to the current version which has the little spring located just under the safety catch, giving the clasp a much more responsive feel.

[Bdevenney]

Just tell the AD you got it off a friend. We are all friends here!

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by esm

Not every AD.
Chris is/was an AD and he is definitely a WIS

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

X2

Thankyou chaps



There are many things that I would like to change about ADs in general, particularly training and the availability of information to salespeople. I do wonder if Rolex care sometimes, the AD issue isn't something that has happened overnight, and yet there's still inaction. As long as watches keep getting sold, everything's hunky dory, right?

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

There are many things that I would like to change about ADs in general, particularly training and the availability of information to salespeople. I do wonder if Rolex care sometimes, the AD issue isn't something that has happened overnight, and yet there's still inaction. As long as watches keep getting sold, everything's hunky dory, right?

I'm with you on that one Chris mate, especially chains, mensioning no names.. *Cough* Signet *Cough*


...

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by Dingoo93

I'm with you on that one Chris mate, especially chains, mensioning no names.. *Cough* Signet *Cough*


...

Luckily they've lost their agency!

[ChrashM]

The AD I frequent is quite good and one of the few remaining in my area since Rolex has been closing doors. The woman I deal with primarily has been selling Rolex for over 25 years and her knowledge is extensive.

[OysterDavid]

Please be honest as an expat from the retail side of the watch business...how did you really feel when someone like the original poster here wandered into your establishment asking for a bracelet adjustment when the watch wasn't purchased at your shop? Did your feelings match with the store owners?

Did it depend on whether or not the store was busy with 'real' potential customers, or if it was a slow time? Did you or another salesperson challenge the person wanting the accomodation service as to why they hadn't bought from your shop? Or did the charge involved justify the service and you just went on about your store business?

Thanks for your real life opinion...

[The GMT Master]

Originally Posted by OysterDavid

Please be honest as an expat from the retail side of the watch business...how did you really feel when someone like the original poster here wandered into your establishment asking for a bracelet adjustment when the watch wasn't purchased at your shop? Did your feelings match with the store owners?

Did it depend on whether or not the store was busy with 'real' potential customers, or if it was a slow time? Did you or another salesperson challenge the person wanting the accomodation service as to why they hadn't bought from your shop? Or did the charge involved justify the service and you just went on about your store business?

Thanks for your real life opinion...

It did bug me slightly, especially when I could have done the person a better deal than the one they got. I usually asked for a token fee for any adjustments, the way I rationalised it was that part of the price you pay for a watch from me was to offer free adjustments, ultrasonic cleaning of the bracelet etc. for free. That, for me, is the AD experience - you trust us and buy from us, and we will look after you before, during and after you purchased the watch. Why should someone who didn't buy into us get that service for free? After all, it's a business, not a charity

Saying that, though, we sometimes did it free as a goodwill gesture. We never charged a huge amount, and we always made sure we did a perfect job - those clients were paying for skill and expertise you can't find in many places. Did we challenge them about why they didn't buy from us? No, mainly because we are British and we don't talk about such things But we did ask whether they did buy from us, and find out a little bit more, if anything to get some conversation going.

As for whether my feelings differed...I tended to take it a little more personally than my Bosses The perils of being a WIS, I guess

Chris

[Darlinboy]

My local AD has great service, if not prices. I dropped by there today and they were more than happy to replace the springbars on my vintage 1625, and to remove and sonic clesn the bracelet on my SubC. As usual, I offered to pay, and as usual, they refused to charge me.

They know I've never bought a Rolex there and they're glad to have my business on other merchandise. I am glad to get good service, and choose to keep it to myself that I can get better Rolex deals elsewhere. I guess I am lucky to have a good AD that understands the bigger picture.

[bayerische]

Originally Posted by 77T

He may have meant the clasp mfg. code didn't match the case S/N.

What did you expect though? An AD is an independent business owner. Online sellers are the competition.

Yup! +1

I'm in the restaurant business, guess if I hate it when potential customers comes into my restaurant and asks for a good pizza place! (I don't have pizza)

[aardvarkbark]

I'd like to know whether he charged you or not. And whether you expected him to charge you. It was crass to mention that you bought it from a competitor, especially a web-based one since small brick and mortar stores have a hard time competing with them. He would have been well within his rights once you said that to hand it to you and suggest you have your trusted seller adjust it then. He employs your neighbors and pays taxes to your school district (if you're in the US). You deny him the margin on the sale which he needs to stay in business then expect him to do something that even if he did charge you, wasn't going to make a dent in his rent. If he's a useless AD as you claim, I'm sure he won't miss you not ever returning.

[patek.wis]

local AD's here are sometimes the same way. Its come to the point now I mainly try things on locally and buy from non-local AD's and trusted sources elsewhere so I can get the best deal. I used to value the AD experience but that experience went downhill a while ago IMHO and is not worth the 1-2k per watch (sometimes much more) price difference. Silly comments like the one you listed just cement my lost faith. They can at least be tactful you got a good deal and try to sell you on THIS purchase.

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by landroverking

AD are not WIS.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by Watchflair

You would be amazed at what AD's don't know.

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

Thankyou chaps



There are many things that I would like to change about ADs in general, particularly training and the availability of information to salespeople. I do wonder if Rolex care sometimes, the AD issue isn't something that has happened overnight, and yet there's still inaction. As long as watches keep getting sold, everything's hunky dory, right?

I think that GMT Master has "hit the nail on the head" as far as my experience with my local Rolex AD went...
I was interested in purchasing a Yacht Master, and wondered how the bezel worked - and the really nice sales associate had NO idea; I googled some info, and came back to show her how; After purchasing the watch,(I'm very happy about my choice!), i was concerned about how fast it was running- 10 to 12 seconds gained a day; The same nice sales lady said, that I must be a really active person...maybe I should not wear it all the time.....
Well, thankfully, Mr. Bill set me straight- The fast time gain was probably due to the mainspring not being wound up enough; ( the AD lady had informed me that I only need to wind my watch 12 times-"You don't want to overwind it!"...)
I now wind my watch 40 times each week and my time gain appears to be in that magic COSC standard frame - Thanks again Mr. Bill!

[(DMB)]

Originally Posted by aardvarkbark

I'd like to know whether he charged you or not. And whether you expected him to charge you. It was crass to mention that you bought it from a competitor, especially a web-based one since small brick and mortar stores have a hard time competing with them. He would have been well within his rights once you said that to hand it to you and suggest you have your trusted seller adjust it then. He employs your neighbors and pays taxes to your school district (if you're in the US). You deny him the margin on the sale which he needs to stay in business then expect him to do something that even if he did charge you, wasn't going to make a dent in his rent. If he's a useless AD as you claim, I'm sure he won't miss you not ever returning.

Good point. I don't buy a lot of watches new. Mainly because the stuff I like is discontinued. Likewise, I don't ask for service from a place I didn't make the purchase. At least not for free.

Bottom line advice to anyone who is into watches: Learn how to do the small stuff yourself. You will save yourself a lot of time, money, and tears in the long run. ADs for the most part don't know jack compared to us watch nerds. Would you rather scratch your own watch up adjusting a bracelet or pay to have some stranger do it?