I’d imagine that being a Rolex AD comes with the expectation you’re promoting the brand. Very rarely will a customer buy a watch every time they enter a shop. So some will try in that AD and buy in another but it works both ways. Hence, I’d imagine Rolex would want consistency in customer service, and this wouldn’t be the consistency that matches their brand. Billions spent in advertising. So while it is the ADs choice how to behave it is als Rolex’s decision as to whether they still want them to be an AD. I’d personally email Rolex detailing your experience and copy this thread in. It’s not a complaint, simply letting them know of your experience and then let them decide how to act.
An AD I visited said customer behaviour is of greater importance than what the customer is wearing. A customer had purchased a necklace over £10000 but was dressed very low key, a bit scruffy and appeared as if he didn’t have a penny to his name. Had the AD looked at appearance and treated the customer accordingly, a big sale would have been lost.
The most expensive thing you can tend to buy is likely to be a house. Of course sadly you do need to use an Estate Agents. They are just retail ( unlikely to be able to afford the palace you are looking at ) so should be treated as dirt on the sole of your shoe.
Obviously these lowly agents accept their place in society and would never, ever label customers as f’ing tire Kickers or other dreadful terms. The same would obviously go for the lowly trades people at Rolex and Omega and others.
Anyway now I have got some of my humble retail experience of my chest. I would say a cheesy bit of BS to the customer such as ‘But Sir for such a precious watch you must understand we are under strictest instruction etc etc.
Customer goes out sort of happy still under the delusion he’s a very , very important customer.
Seems as though I have hit a nerve with you. Do you perhaps work in retail?
No need to make it personal.
I have no issue with people displaying arrogance when have something to be arrogant about. It usually requires years of hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
Selling Rolex watches does not but they seem to think it gives them the right to be arrogant.
I do not go around saying that but if I had the experience of OP then that is exactly what I would be thinking. They're only watches and the sellers need to get a sense of perspective.
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Yes indeed I do work within retail and also have worked non retail. By next month I may be non retail again as the organisation I work in straddles both retail and non retail.
In my experience the arrogant usually are full of deep seated angst and internal self doubt . The ones who make it seem easy and are at peace with themselves and those around them are usually the truly gifted.
My experience where I am at the moment is those with true power tend to wield it in a sophisticated manner. Those lower down the tree at my pay grade tend to be the Hitlers. Having just a little power over people’s work life’s myself I try and go for the non Hitler route.
If you go around saying people are just retail expect some rotten tomatoes in your direction. I believe I’m one of three responders to say similar.
Anyway I’ll let you carry on in your “arrogant bubble” good luck
Last edited by Mark lowman; 15th June 2019 at 20:31.
I agree, but a lot of Rolex ADs seem to be drunk on some sort of perceived power, which is why I said all they do is sell watches.Sent from my SM-G965F using TZ-UK mobile app
You can't please everyone. There will always be people who disagree with opinions.
I have never stated that I am arrogant, only that some Rolex ADs need a sense of perspective which we call all agree on.
Besides, how many responses have stated the experience OP has had should not happen. What's your opinion on those?Sent from my SM-G965F using TZ-UK mobile app
I turned up at Porsche Swindon and arrived in my Land Rover Defender. I’m a farmer so it’s the pick up version we use on the farm and is never clean. I received exemplary service from the sales staff at Porsche Swindon. Didn’t buy from them in the end as I was able to get a build slot from Porsche Exeter.
Turning up in a dirty farm Defender isn’t the norm for Porsche dealers. I was wearing my Rolex so perhaps that helped.
I agree the AD should have either been less judgemental and/or explained his position more clearly. If this were me and I felt strongly about it, I would report it back up the chain, where it might actually do some good.
correct, you’ve not stated you’re arrogant Though you claimed people have the right to be arrogant. It’s human nature but maybe not a good trait. If you’re going down a line of when you pick up a skill or expertise you’ve got the right to be arrogant I’d suggest it’s not necessarily a great idea. Plenty of scandals within professions account to that. You’ve also been called arrogant by another poster as well but perhaps you missed that? Looks like it’s touched a nerve in you to.
I’ve already suggested in slightly cheeky fashion that a bit of smooze from the AD’s would have calmed the situation. Like anything it’s how you deliver the message.
Last edited by Mark lowman; 15th June 2019 at 21:04.
Careful reading is a good trait, read my posts again and try replying to what I've stated.
BTW I couldn't care less what your opinion of me is over a couple of internet posts.
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Last edited by Sibo; 15th June 2019 at 21:17.
I think you're upset some people have a poor opinion of you as you are a shopkeeper of some sort.
The continuous postings are great for me as I need to increase my post count to use other parts of the site so keep it up!
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Sibo - unfortunately if you spout off too much about raising post counts deliberately by click posts you can get your count reduced to zero by Eddie . I’d also have a think about how you’re coming across as members going onto SC are given the once over by sellers. You might be selling yourself of course. But then we should always check out the buyer , by reviewing posts etc.
You’re nearly right about me being a shop keeper , nearly but not quite.
If you want I’ll help you raise your posting count no skin off my nose.
Ps: there are a number of small business owners including shop owners on this site. It’s not going well I’d say.
Last edited by Mark lowman; 15th June 2019 at 22:14.
Spout off?
How rude! Weren't you taught any manners as a child?Sent from my SM-G965F using TZ-UK mobile app
Oh that's a shame!
You're actually very similar to the AD the OP was referring to in that you think you are doing the buyers a great kindness in selling them a Rolex.
Hopefully not everyone on this site is as deluded as you...
Btw I don't think you've grasped what clickbaiting is.Sent from my SM-G965F using TZ-UK mobile app
I disagree, most are not like you from what I have seen so far.
Thankfully!
What a horrible place that would be...
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I got the opposite in an AD recently. I was in looking at platinum rings for my wife( renewing her wedding and engagement rings). When the salesman was away getting a tray full of rings he brought up a tray of AP’s for me to try on and look at. He knew i wasn't going to buy but knew it would keep me happy whilst my wife looked at various rings. He allowed me to try on and handle as many watches as i wanted. Ended up we bought 2 rings and now looking at an AP for myself.lol.
Did the same at Dick Lovett Ferrari across the road. Was talked into a test drive. My Defender may have been a bit cleaner.
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I’m just shocked he didn’t swoon over your MM300, how rude!
In some ways the blunt NO is quite refreshing to a long winded ass kissing NO, at least he got to the point.
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Customer: Hello
Sales Person: Hello
Customer: Can I please play with your Platinum Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona - the ultimate tool watch for those with a passion for driving and speed. Introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. chronographs and continues to transcend time and which is equipped with calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement developed and manufactured by Rolex. Its architecture incorporates fewer components than a standard chronograph, thereby enhancing the movement’s reliability. It also saves space, making it possible to house a larger mainspring and thereby extend the power reserve from 50 to 72 hours
Sales person looking at the sweaty customer wrist: No.
Fas est ab hoste doceri
I wonder if there’s some elitism going on. In any everyday shop there would be outrage if a customer was refused service. Can you imagine John Lewis refusing to show a camera to a customer because they’re dressed a certain way. Maybe, some people are quite happy certain people are refused service, it’s more exclusive that way.
I fail to see how a watch enthusiasts forum can see that as acceptable customer service. Perhaps the forum is moving away from your average watch collector and more to those interest in a certain luxury lifestyle. I’m not baying for blood, I understand it’s a different culture as well but I’m surprised so many are defending the shops position. And I’d be even more surprised if Rolex agreed with their stance.
Last edited by Rodder; 16th June 2019 at 11:38.
My piss is boiling just reading about it.
Anyone else struck by the sense of entitlement running through this Thread? We don’t have some right as total strangers to walk into shops and demand to handle ultra-expensive goods. Especially when we have no intention of buying.
As for ‘elitism.’ What do you think asking for a 60k watch is? Not one person in a hundred could afford that. Actually, make that one person in a thousand.
I am always reluctant to try on expensive new watches unless I have a real intention of buying. If dealers should be considerate, how about customers?
Incidentally, I am not referring to the OP, who’s clearly serious about his watches; it’s a general observation.
Last edited by paskinner; 16th June 2019 at 12:24.
I went into the Munich IWC boutique to take a look at the new pilot chrono on the nato strap (v nice btw)
Spent about20 mins trying on 5 or 6 watches including a gold perpetual calendar at THEIR insistence
Dressed casually but spoke nicely to them in broken German and nothing was too much trouble/ explained that I was an enthusiast and got what I thought was genuinely fantastic treatment
Did you see the decor upstairs the restrooms where something else luxury wise?
To grossly generalise, the Germans are the most outrageously maligned nationality in the world. Every one I've met has been pleasant, polite, humourous and down to earth. Now I realise my knowledge of 25 out of 100 million is a straw sample but.....
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I’m not sure if this has been discussed but one other thing to consider is threat of theft and sleight of hand. Scammers , fraudsters , violent thieves are everywhere. Sleight of hand is often overlooked, it’s a specialist subject st the school of thieves! I’d guess the UK is probably targeted more than most countries but crime is everywhere
It really could be like putting £60,000 on the counter. Obviously like everything there’s ways of explaining a security risk and denial of service. However as a customer unless I was 99% sure I was going to buy I doubt I’d ask to have it removed from secure display to try it on.
TBF I have tried on the odd Breitling , Tudor , Omega etc but that has always been either because I’m likely to buy or was dropping off an Omega at their boutique for servicing etc.
I believe somebody earlier said this but this really is a 1/1000 type of customer purchase therefore it’s going to have some security barriers in the way.
I sympathise with the OP, who is clearly an enthusiast, and is considering the long term
I suspect most people who ask to try on a £2000 watch will have no issue at all, unless they look, for want of a better word, like a tramp. When the watch costs 30x that, dealers are going to make a judgement. Sometimes that will be correct, sometimes not, and their judgement may be frustrating. They are probably better than most at telling who is serious, although some very wealthy people can look anything but!
I never go into dealers unless I'm buying or finalising a choice, as otherwise I find it awkward
Dave
Wearing the MM again today again and luckily the guys at the beach still served me anyway. I wasn't sure if I wanted anything when I asked for the menu so thank God he allowed me the chance.
In all seriousness I mostly agree that you can't just waltz into a store and demand to try on a 60k watch which is probably one of the most expensive items in the store and there was a 99% chance I wasn't going to buy it there and then. My wife did joke that I could get it if we got a good price and I gave up the motorbike and sold the other watches when I got home but generally if I was going to buy it it would be 2-3 years away but still probably it would have been from that dealer as we're here often.
Maybe it's easier to do it back home. I read a story of a guy who got a good discount on a Platona and a a white dial SS as part of the deal which he flipped to lower the cost of the Platona. Better than tax free.
What next, horses head on his pillow?
I mean really, go into a supermarket and you may come across some grumpy individual at the checkout but it hardly warrants some kind of prayers for bankruptcy.
Bloke in the shop was a bit of a tool, take your money somewhere else nobody died. Talk about first world problems!