Kinda just sounds like small talk to me…? I generally ring up before I go view a watch to make sure they have what I want in stock, make an appointment so I’m not waiting around for someone to be available.
Fair question to ask now, given your reply.Originally Posted by Sinnlover
Everyone’s experience might well be different, some better and some worse. But it’s better to base an opinion on a factual experience rather than hearsay I would respectfully suggest.
If you’re not a fan of the brand (seems obvious given what you’ve said) that’s fine of course. And yes, other opinions based on actual purchasing experience may well vary and, a number, would be more positive.
The couple of AD’s I have used over the past 2 years have not required any sort of interview.
It’s all been very straight forward and just a case of going in and registering interest then receiving a call a few weeks or months later to collect it.
Maybe things have changed but my most recent purchase was in June.
It’s not a question of being a ‘fan’ of the brand. I have nothing against Rolex as a company, why would I, it’s only a watchmaker (I find their lies in marketing copy / wiping their history to suit is rather unedifying though - marketing can work both ways)
Everyone one is free to spend their hard earned as they see fit. In my opinion playing silly games in order to acquire a mass produced watch is stupid. If others think it’s perfectly acceptable that’s their call.
As long as they keep the appointment time, that’s OK with me. If I turn up on spec and they are busy (or the relevant person is not available), I’ve wasted my time.
Whether it gets you any closer to being “allowed” to buy a Rolex is another question. I suspect not.
Same and my most recent purchase was July.
Du you also have to provide a Personal Statement and complete an online psychometric test before turning up?
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
Rumour has it you have to undergo a Voight-Kampff test to determine whether or not the customer is a replicant or human.
Ah, I see, thanks. I was kind of expecting something like the specialist knowledge round from Mastermind. ;-)
Some years ago I showed a residential let to a guy wearing a Daytona. When I mentioned it he said that he regularly changed to a new Rolex, and got preference from the local AD. He was a Maserati salesman, so that may have been a factor.
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I've been asked to fill out a bio about myself, 2 years after going on the list for a green Submariner. I havent sent it to them, yet. Think there's a thread on here from 2 years ago stating the same.
Hah sadly not, and I’d spent the whole day before revising as well!
I am pleased to say my buying experience was really good. I did book an appointment, I did get to try on a similar sized watch to the one I wanted and I did have some small talk, that now makes me wonder if I was being interviewed.
But it was about 10 months from expressing interest to popping in to make the purchase. As mentioned above, that doesnt seem too ridiculous, considering the fact that this was my first purchase with the shop. I dont know how popular the Datejust 41 is, so I wonder how long I'd have been waiting for a Submariner perhaps.
I went into a goldsmiths store and had to reduce my wish list down to three watches. They said they closed the list for all new Rolex requests. Also, they showed me the system that had the a tt rolex gmt in stock (somewhere) but not the other two.
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Just popped in to my local Rolex dealership.
When I say "local", I had to fly to a Real country of course, now that the UK is closed for the foreseeable future.
They gave me the secret 'phone number so I could make a booking to be assessed for suitability for an appointment to book an appointment to see someone who could evaluate my suitability to be allowed to buy - over a period of years - a load of ghastly jewellery they've had hanging-around for years and several frankly-awful watches I don't even want.
I was so grateful, I cried.
And soiled myself.
After an enjoyable couple of hours of being jeered and spat-at, I was allowed to strip naked and make myself available to the AD's assistant's secretary's PA's stool-fettler.
Here's a picture I managed to snap with what I call 'RingCam', as I earnestly and eagerly touched my toes:
He did make me bite-down hard on a well-used Omega Constellation - and I must say I was grateful for the softness of the gold. Less-so the crunchiness of the sapphire...
So, progress.
I don't yet own a Rolex, but I'm told my seventh son's seventh son may be allowed to buy a green-gold purple-dialled Air-King with blue sapphire indices sometime in the mid-2050s.
Which was nice.
So winding potential customers even more! “Look what you could have had!!”
Bullseye!
Possibly, but he made no mention of it being in stock. I do not think he showed me the availability of them deliberately, more to show what I had signed up for. I am not holding my breath for any of them.
Ah, it was a reference to the 1980s tv game show called 'Bullseye' (which apparently has a cult following!) where the losing contestants were shown the prizes that they could have won.
Just popped in to my local Rolex dealership.
When I say "local", I had to fly to a Real country of course, now that the UK is closed for the foreseeable future.
They gave me the secret 'phone number so I could make a booking to be assessed for suitability for an appointment to book an appointment to see someone who could evaluate my suitability to be allowed to buy - over a period of years - a load of ghastly jewellery they've had hanging-around for years and several frankly-awful watches I don't even want.
I was so grateful, I cried.
And soiled myself.
After an enjoyable couple of hours of being jeered and spat-at, I was allowed to strip naked and make myself available to the AD's assistant's secretary's PA's stool-fettler.
Here's a picture I managed to snap with what I call 'RingCam', as I earnestly and eagerly touched my toes:
He did make me bite-down hard on a well-used Omega Constellation - and I must say I was grateful for the softness of the gold. Less-so the crunchiness of the sapphire...
So, progress.
I don't yet own a Rolex, but I'm told my seventh son's seventh son may be allowed to buy a green-gold purple-dialled Air-King with blue sapphire indices sometime in the mid-2050s.
Which was nice.
Just buy a Blancpain .
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Ah, it was a reference to the 1980s tv game show called 'Bullseye' (which apparently has a cult following!) where the losing contestants were shown the prizes that they could have won.
And, of course, it was usually a speedboat (well a dingy with a motor) which isn't that handy when most of the contestants were from land locked middle England..
It's interesting how experiences differ across the country/globe. I went to my AD yesterday (I told them I was coming in) to pick something up and they asked me what I would like next. I told them "nothing".
Northern Goldsmiths wanted me to go into my local branch “to express an interest “ in a particular watch despite dealing with them for over twenty years.
The SA informed me that it was company policy and that potential customers had been told of this new policy and had travelled up to two hours to do so.
This was during the pandemic but pre lockdown , they were actively encouraging people to travel into town despite the restrictions of the pandemic, utter madness.
Bizarre isn’t even close.
There is a nice new boutique / booth / shed / lean too in Heathrow T2 (was not there in may, the last time I passed through) pretty much every professional model on display none for sale.
The new ‘arrods watch room is rather nice as well.
The harrods watch room sounds like it could be dangerous
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What model did you pick up & hoping I get asked the same question tomorrow
Unless things have changed a lot in T2 recently I think both of those have been there for at least three years.
Harrods Watch room is at the bottom of the escalators after security and the WoS Rolex booth about 20 yards away from it.
Nearly bought another Tudor from Harrods in November last year until she told me that they no longer do Vat free regardless of where you’re flying to. The sales exec told me they were really suffering sales volume wise since that happened.
The Rolex booth has never been up to much in my opinion. Not much to see and very little to buy.
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A Planet Ocean for Mrs K. The week prior I collected a BLRO and a Sub No Date.What model did you pick up & hoping I get asked the same question tomorrow
I was in the Bahamas the last couple of weeks. The Rolex store in Atlantis had 6 "exhibition" pieces and said they get 6-8 watches every couple of weeks normally. I assume these are sold with no queue due to the nature of the clientele being transient. The poor sales women looked very bored so we did go in just to speak to her a couple of times. The Rolex store inside the John Bull store in Nassau had 8 show pieces again with nothing for sale. As an aside when I priced most things up across all brands most are cheaper in the UK anyway with the current exchange rate.
The nearest AD to me (who’s willing to put me on the list) suggested I could ‘move up’ if I could defeat a Mr Gorn in unarmed combat and wish to be paid in Quatloo: oh and they hinted at a price rise…
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Wow you’re doing well then, well done.
Assuming you are no longer in the UK?
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Just unlucky I guess.Just popped in to my local Rolex dealership.
When I say "local", I had to fly to a Real country of course, now that the UK is closed for the foreseeable future.
They gave me the secret 'phone number so I could make a booking to be assessed for suitability for an appointment to book an appointment to see someone who could evaluate my suitability to be allowed to buy - over a period of years - a load of ghastly jewellery they've had hanging-around for years and several frankly-awful watches I don't even want.
I was so grateful, I cried.
And soiled myself.
After an enjoyable couple of hours of being jeered and spat-at, I was allowed to strip naked and make myself available to the AD's assistant's secretary's PA's stool-fettler.
Here's a picture I managed to snap with what I call 'RingCam', as I earnestly and eagerly touched my toes:
He did make me bite-down hard on a well-used Omega Constellation - and I must say I was grateful for the softness of the gold. Less-so the crunchiness of the sapphire...
So, progress.
I don't yet own a Rolex, but I'm told my seventh son's seventh son may be allowed to buy a green-gold purple-dialled Air-King with blue sapphire indices sometime in the mid-2050s.
Which was nice.
Started out with nothing. Still have most of it left.
Hey Matt - They were picked up from a UK AD whilst we were visiting. We still live in VN.
I guess my short post makes it sound like I just walked in and was able to buy whatever I took a fancy to... Not quite the full picture.
I have a great relationship with the AD. One that is built on conversation, camaraderie, and also purchasing. I'm not stupid enough to think that good, pleasant chin wags will get you a hard to find trinket. Conversely, neither does it take spending six figure sums on other stuff.
We both play a fair game.
London’s loss is Paris’s gain, there are now multiple Omega & Rolex Boutiques and every other high end brand seems to have joined the spread too. We were told by several staff that this is due to the UK’s own goal on Duty Free shopping as the majority of their customers are buying DF !
Absolutely mad decision to only allow Duty Free shopping if the retailer ships the item directly to their home address, thereby attracting huge import fees/taxes
To be fair this process just means foreign visitors have to abide by tax laws in their own countries as opposed to smuggling in undeclared watches and avoiding tax. The discount % for UK residents (namely the removal of VAT) could be obtained easily via ADs anyway (apart from Rolex). What is a real pain is the shops like Gucci, Louis Vuitton etc as there is no way you'd get any discount on them anywhere due to strict brand pricing controls but at the airport they were VAT free which meant a big saving on a pair of £600 Gucci trainers for example where there was no prospect of getting it cheaper elsewhere. Better still it was legally cheaper with no VAT to payLondon’s loss is Paris’s gain, there are now multiple Omega & Rolex Boutiques and every other high end brand seems to have joined the spread too. We were told by several staff that this is due to the UK’s own goal on Duty Free shopping as the majority of their customers are buying DF !
Absolutely mad decision to only allow Duty Free shopping if the retailer ships the item directly to their home address, thereby attracting huge import fees/taxes
Other countries' problems! It was a UK decision civil service/government decision to knowingly destroy a multi-million (possibly multi-billion) pound industry in the UK.
By the way to anyone who associates this with Brexit, this was nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit. It was an entirely independent and separate decision to, seemingly, knowingly and intentionally destroy a significant UK export industry. It made no net economic sense whatsoever and would not result in increased tax take since it would simply reduce sales.
Last edited by markrlondon; 20th August 2022 at 07:08.
Blimey! My AD only deals with people from local postcode areas!!
That old chestnut eh :-)
So does mine but oddly they have customers that live down under. Plus various other places.
Hi all,
Not so much in the window as such....but maybe which is closest to the window.
Essentially I have recently been given a promotion at work, which I always said if I achieved I would treat myself to a full rose Rolex.
I love the DD40 olive and chocolate, and the Daytona with the chocolate dial. I have a decent spend with my AD with 5 Rolex sports models and 3 of them since mid 2020.
My question is which of the full rose Rolex's is most accessible, the root beer I would assume is easiest and the Daytonas impossible?
If anything its an interesting thing for me and I will ask for my preferred chocolate DD but also don't want to ask for something I can't get and waste my time!!
I would suggest the full gold (with full gold) bracelet - 126715CHNR - maybe the most accessible. There's a lovely white gold Cosmonaught on SC right now if you'r quick!
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
You should be asking your AD not the forum.
I very recently found at my AD that they have a few special pieces (read EXPENSIVE) available if you actually ask.
What's the deal with availability on women's models these days? Taking my sister watch shopping tomorrow as she wants to buy her first proper watch (currently has one of those Daniel Wellington things..). I'm going to try and show her around a few good brands, but she's already gravitating towards Rolex as a known quantity. She likes the DateJust, steel with the fluted bezel and jubilee, based on the website, but personally I think 31mm will be too small and 36mm may be too big, so wouldn't surprise me if a 34mm OP ended up being a better bet on wrist. Are these all reasonably available or should I look forward to getting sneered at for having no purchase history?
Sort of hoping she goes for something a bit less flashy anyway, so we'll check out Cartier, Omega, JLC, Zenith etc too. Probably going to head to Harrods and the surrounding area given it's packed with options, although maybe that's not the smarted place price wise.
Not reasonably available. You’ll typically have to register interest blah blah blah
Ugh. Let’s hope we take a different route today then.
Or maybe I can purchase a no date Sub to help move us up the list for a ladies size datejust
Tbh unless you want the green or turquoise OP31 I don't see you having that much issue.
Most likely a case of put down your/her name and then wait for the specific configuration to come in.
That said I think DJ will be quicker/easier than OP.
New Bond St is fun for watch looking - almost every AD down there somewhere. You can always pop in for a Guji (sp) bag while your at it! Have fun. Sometimes I miss the Big Smoke.
“ Ford... you're turning into a penguin. Stop it.” HHGTTG
A few years ago after buying a preowned PP from an AD I asked about an Explorer. A little while later the call came. What surprised me was that the SA told me if someone local to the shop was after that model they'd have been given first dibs! I live 57 (driving) miles from the AD. (There is no AD in my home town these days)
Fast forward a couple of years and I got a call from the SA asking what job I did before retiring from working at sea. Anyway, no problem telling him what I did. I then asked if it would make any difference if I'd had a lower rank position and he said not really. He said they were just building profiles of customers. It's anybody's guess what they do with all these profiles.
Sounds like data mining. Personal profile data is valuable in the modern age, lists are sold as a tradable commodity - so I am led to believe. Plenty of anecdotal evidence about it.
Oddest AD behaviour yet!! Thought I’d no chance anyway but my profile certainly wouldn’t help!
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