Moved DOWN AD Queue!

[Low_fell]

Hello all. I was due to visit a well known UK AD with multiple locations and a name that mentions a country in Europe well known for making watches.

I went on to their booking site on the web and got a spot at a decent time on Monday when UK shops open which i was pleased with.

I then a short time later received a phone call asking me what it actually was that I'm interested in and she said that was fine.

Today I received another call to ask if i could move my appointment to another time as their Rolex people would be seeing "Their customers" that day.

To say I'm pissed off doesn't begin to describe it. I'm obviously deemed far too low value to be considered for the early spot! If it wasn't for the fact that I want a watch I'd tell them to stick it so far up their arse they would never find it!

[Vaxe]

Rolex isn’t like sneakers where they will just sell to the first person in line. Getting in early doesn’t mean they’ll sell you the watch you want, especially if you’re a new client looking for the latest releases.

[Low_fell]

Originally Posted by Vaxe

Rolex isn’t like sneakers where they will just sell to the first person in line. Getting in early doesn’t mean they’ll sell you the watch you want, especially if you’re a new client looking for the latest releases.

Well in that case, they shouldn't have let me book I just think it's pretty shabby way to treat people.

[JSolution]

no guesses who lol.

i will not deal with them. been there twice and two very bad experiences.

[bp1000]

Don't worry about it, its just the state of buying watches these days.

WOS is clearly who you are talking about. We have all had mixed experiences with the SA's. Some are excellent however. I have one on WhatsApp!

You should try and ask to be added to a wait list for the Patek 5711. Thats hilarious.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by bp1000

Don't worry about it, its just the state of buying watches these days.

WOS is clearly who you are talking about. We have all had mixed experiences with the SA's. Some are excellent however. I have one on WhatsApp!

You should try and ask to be added to a wait list for the Patek 5711. Thats hilarious.

Ha i may have to try just for the laugh!

[Raffles]

Life's to short for games. If you aren't happy with them, try somewhere else, or even a brand that is available. If you really feel strongly about them, make sure you don't buy a Rolex or Tudor brand, and don't spend in an AD or with a re-seller. That way you can hold your head up and say "I haven't greased the circus wheels".

Or you can just suck it up and wait like everyone else........

[rolexjackson]

That’s fine if you don’t buy it someone else will!

[Low_fell]

Originally Posted by bp1000

Don't worry about it, its just the state of buying watches these days.

WOS is clearly who you are talking about. We have all had mixed experiences with the SA's. Some are excellent however. I have one on WhatsApp!

You should try and ask to be added to a wait list for the Patek 5711. Thats hilarious.

It's a very strange conundrum. I want to buy my first Rolex. Nothing flash, either a 34or 36mm Perpetual, I don't know till i try it on, i have a small wrist, or the new 36mm Explorer. I have money to give them!

How can I ever join the club if they'll never let me in?

[Daveclock]

I had a long conversation (they rang me!) about watches the other week.
I was also left in no uncertain terms that "previous spend history" would be what they were looking for. This dampened my previous weeks call when I was told the watch I wanted was a piece that could be "allocated" (still wish I had asked them then what that mean't - in their jargon terms)

My most recent call really deflated me, despite "make an appointment" being discussed - the "spend history" and "buying other non Rolex" spend seemed more mantra.

I know now for sure that I'm on the interest/waitlist of going nowhere fast with them!

[hambone1983]

Its like the line to get into Studio 54 in the 1970s. You show up, stand in the line and every so often someone comes out and picks the people they want to let in. That is how Rolexes are sold these days.

The good news is Studio 54 closed after a brief run as the hottest place to be in the world. Seems that such a business model can't be sustained for very long.

[Number3]

Originally Posted by Low_fell

It's a very strange conundrum. I want to buy my first Rolex. Nothing flash, either a 34or 36mm Perpetual, I don't know till i try it on, i have a small wrist, or the new 36mm Explorer. I have money to give them!

How can I ever join the club if they'll never let me in?

If you’re after a 34 or 36mm perpetual I would just go grey, they can be had for not a lot over list. F*** ‘em.

[dal1234]

I am afraid its all about how much money you spend and time you spend buliding that rapport, and even then its painful,you do have to buy a watch you might not want just to start that relationship with the AD, its shit but that is the way it is,

you are up against people that dont really want that watch they just want a watch because its hard to get, and can say look at me I got one,

look at daytona the white face it is hard to get why? not because its a great watch, its because it is hard to get

[blada4life]

They’ve practically told you they won’t sell you the watch you want by disinviting you and Rolex will know what they have in stock. I say you do a bait and switch when you get there.


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[Master_Grogu]

Go and ask about a DD or some highly profitable diamond incrusted lady model. See how they will change attitude.

I went to Bucherer one day, in one out of my city. Asked about only DDs and diamond variants. The staff was attentive and I ended up with the card of the associate, who told me to come by again anytime and ask her to show me the models once more.

I repeated the experience in this shop with another associate, and asked to see a Yacht master. They said “we don’t have any, the steel models are all for clients only.”

I said “I know, I want to see the Everose on Oysterflex with diamond dial”.

Boy did they do a 180 with their attitude.

Anyhow as other said, go in and ask about anything besides steel. Then switch and ask them about it. Entering the discussion like you did won’t give you much chances.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Look at the bright side, it’s not like you were in line for a vaccine. Let’s keep this in perspective.

[tom1969]

Originally Posted by Daveclock

I had a long conversation (they rang me!) about watches the other week.
I was also left in no uncertain terms that "previous spend history" would be what they were looking for.

I wonder why they would care who they sell the watch to, and if this is an actual strategy or something else. Thoughts:

1. Pissing off a first-time customer has less of an impact than pissing off a repeat customer, word of mouth-wise.
2. Selling multiple Rolexes to one person adds to the perceived scarcity of the brand because most watches sold don't get seen in public.
3. They hate it when watches get flipped, so they rather sell to someone who hasn't re-sold in the past (Would they even know?)

Whatever the reason, the stainless steel models are flying off the shelves no matter what. I honestly have no idea what the "rapport" thing is all about.

[tom1969]

Originally Posted by Master_Grogu

Go and ask about a DD or some highly profitable diamond incrusted lady model. See how they will change attitude.

I went to Bucherer one day, in one out of my city. Asked about only DDs and diamond variants. The staff was attentive and I ended up with the card of the associate, who told me to come by again anytime and ask her to show me the models once more.

I repeated the experience in this shop with another associate, and asked to see a Yacht master. They said “we don’t have any, the steel models are all for clients only.”

I said “I know, I want to see the Everose on Oysterflex with diamond dial”.

Boy did they do a 180 with their attitude.

Anyhow as other said, go in and ask about anything besides steel. Then switch and ask them about it. Entering the discussion like you did won’t give you much chances.

Well, and did you get what you wanted?

[Michigan_State]

Originally Posted by Low_fell

If it wasn't for the fact that I want a watch I'd tell them to stick it so far up their arse they would never find it!

Proposal: walk up to the next mirror and take a deep look into your eyes. Any self respect?

[DoricSpiker]

You are not the only one so hopefully that cheers you up. I have been waiting for a Sky dweller for some time, radio silence. I even resorted to sending them an email this week about a new Big Pilot, still nothing!
My advice is head to a location with 2 or 3 AD's in it. The watches you want do appear in the windows.

[Gab27]

Presumably they feel they can get more money from someone else, potentially for the watch that you want, or they don't feel confident they can get the watch at all. Especially if you are looking for one of the more desirable pieces, it is a limited market item and ADs set their own prices.

[supernova]

At least they called you to inform instead of you showing up and waiting a bunch of hours!

[Justinmg]

So you “fell low” on there list

[Nairn1980]

What’s your purchase history like?
If you don’t have strong history, likelihood is they’d only be inviting you in to try and sell you a stock piece.

[Oxfordian]

Originally Posted by Low_fell

It's a very strange conundrum. I want to buy my first Rolex. Nothing flash, either a 34or 36mm Perpetual, I don't know till i try it on, i have a small wrist, or the new 36mm Explorer. I have money to give them!

How can I ever join the club if they'll never let me in?

You can get in and you can get your first Rolex from your local AD.

Be persistent but polite, go and see them, go with the flow, remember that the stores are re-opening after being ‘closed’ due to COVID, at the same time the biggest watch maker in the world has chosen to launch its latest models which is sure to create an additional dimension which the stores could probably have done with coming a week or two down the road.

And of course everyone is clamouring for a Rolex, in many respects you are trying to go down a one way street the wrong way, but persevere and you will get there.

The day when you get the call and head into the store to collect your watch is very special, work to get there and savour the moment it’s well worth it.

Lastly, don’t forget the AD does want you, they do need and want your business, we all started somewhere.

Me, well I wandered in nervous and unsure what to expect on that initial visit, yet I found a smile, a warm welcome and lots of help, since that first visit have have bought a number of watches and some jewellery, with luck I will pick up another watch later this year from my AD before moving away.

Be patient and don’t listen to the doom mongers who would have you going down the grey route, work at building this relationship and you will get the benefit further down the road.

Enjoy the chase and good luck.

[Beto737]

Originally Posted by Low_fell

It's a very strange conundrum. I want to buy my first Rolex. Nothing flash, either a 34or 36mm Perpetual, I don't know till i try it on, i have a small wrist, or the new 36mm Explorer. I have money to give them!

How can I ever join the club if they'll never let me in?

Buddy, sounds like you’re new to the game or haven been keeping up. In all honesty, Rolex doesn’t appear want small fish clients anymore. They want buyers that can “show” their ability to spend lots of coin with them. Once you have proven yourself, they then reward you pieces you actually want.

[kulak]

The way I see it is ADs are now the dealers to greys and big spends. Why fight it and play the game. If you want a watch find it grey, get it immediately, and don’t waste money buying stuff you don’t want at an AD.

[Jb1264]

Originally Posted by tom1969

I wonder why they would care who they sell the watch to, and if this is an actual strategy or something else. Thoughts:[*]They hate it when watches get flipped, so they rather sell to someone who hasn't re-sold in the past (Would they even know?)

What defines flipping. Selling a six month old DJ36 which you’ve not bonded with, at below MRSP- would you be blacklisted for that?

[RolexSimon]

Originally Posted by Jb1264

What defines flipping. Selling a six month old DJ36 which you’ve not bonded with, at below MRSP- would you be blacklisted for that?

I doubt it!

[PizzaAndCheesecake]

Originally Posted by Low_fell

It's a very strange conundrum. I want to buy my first Rolex. Nothing flash, either a 34or 36mm Perpetual, I don't know till i try it on, i have a small wrist, or the new 36mm Explorer. I have money to give them!

How can I ever join the club if they'll never let me in?

Chances are when you do visit the AD they won’t have any models for you to try on

Your visit to the AD will be purely to discus models you may be interested in and registering your details with them so they can add you to the list

I have a small wrist (156cm) and I go by lug to lug length to determine if a watch will be too big for my wrist, with 47mm being my sweet spot