Hi love the vids, I had the experience 3 times and hated it, just give me the watch as quick as possible, the last 2 times I told them my parking was running out just to hurry it up bit.
The need to have to have a "relationship" with watch dealers to get popular pieces has turned me off watch collecting. It's absurd and demeaning. I'm a successful person in life and earn multiples of what any watch salesperson would earn...and the notion of having to suck up to them (and even bribe them directly or indirectly) to get the time of day is beyond the pale.
Maybe in that case it's worth considering having a 'relationship' with your AD insofar as just talking to them like a normal human being? I used to pop into my AD as I pass them every Saturday on the way to football matches, as one of the guys working there supported the same team and we enjoyed chatting about the match that day. Eventually we would get onto the subject of watches and if I had the time he would let me try a few on, knowing I wasn't going to be buying anything that day. I did but one watch from them once and he always remembers me. The very notion that you consider them not worth the time just because you used to 'earn more' than them not only shows a lack of respect for other people in general, but also the size of the ego you're carrying around. Might be worth considering a bit of self reflection mate and just talking to others like human beings? You'll find life becomes a lot richer and more fulfilling that way.
Why should you get a watch before anyone else? There has to be a system to cater to the demand. Why should someone random off the street saying ‘i only want this one watch’ get to acquire a popular model over someone who is a loyal and trusted client? It’s like complaining about tipping in New York.
An interesting question. My local Rolex AD gave me 'an interview' that I failed, so I haven't been back. I did end up in another boutique. There I found the ideal. I do play full price (mainly), but get the full treatment and built a chilled relationship. Even got taken on a factory tour this year. Clearly it's business for them, but it's nice to have a connection like that somewhere, which is now where I spend my money. I think it's worth the extra myself.
The idea of having to flatter a sales person in wrong from the beginning. I will never beg & bend, or buy stuff I don’t need just to be able to buy something.
An interesting topic, and odd I just received an email inviting me to an 'IWC roadshow' later this month.. Having recently bought from a cartier AD, I can say that they had the best customer service I've encountered to date, certainly better than Rolex. The latter having put me off for life, after their 'shenanigans' over the last few years, despite having bought quite a few over the years, back when all models except the Daytona were easy to get. Buying an expensive watch is an emotional purchase for most of us, so why not make it as pleasant and memorable as possible. I don't consider I have a 'relationship' with any sales person, but being made to feel welcome and enjoying the experience (you are spending a lot of money after all) is all I ask for.
One is a watch enthusiast the other is somebody with wealth that uses their wealth to procure watches in order to rub shoulders with the rich and famous or to make connections.
Interesting stuff. I've generally had good experiences with watch dealers, but I think some of them (Goldsmiths) could work far harder at customer retention - that said, they've always been great in-store. Other dealers (Laings, Berry's, Chisholm Hunter) have been very good. Laings have been truly exceptional though and I think I have a very positive relationship with my sales contact that yields them the bulk of my business. I've bought from boutiques a couple of times and can report naff-all after-sales interest from JLC (I won't go back there) and extraordinary personalised care and after-sales contact from Blancpain. Now is that worth the retail price vs discount? Up to you, but there's events I've been to, people I've met and thoughtful gifts from Laings and Blancpain that I couldn't have bought and will remain with me for ever. Ultimately, people matter and I now only buy from people who I like to do business with. Jaguar? WTFF?????!
I don't waste my time building a relationship with some watch dealer to get a watch. I'm interested in the watch itself and not the seller. I will go where I can buy it, in the right condition and at the right price. Also my experience has been that the sellers know far less about the product they sell than me...
Pretty sure most don’t have genuine relationships, if the AD flatters you, you’ve probably overspent on other jewellery or less demand watches ( a lot of them at the minute) let’s face it, that’s what they’re there for…last thing they want to do is waste time on someone who might only buy 1 watch every year or two…. They need to sell and most stainless Rolex sell themselves
There is very little relationship with these people. They are sales people working on the commission of at least 35%.. The boom in watches ended at least a year ago the reality is now it’s going to tough
I’ve bought 3 Rolex from the same WoS. Treated well every time. However, first watch (steel DateJust 36) I got a bottle of champagne, chocolates, the hardback catalogue and some other bits. Latest was a GMT Rootbeer and received sod all. I asked about a pen, cap or other Rolex merch, but was told they don’t do that anymore.
Had a very poor experience with the London branch of a small chain (2 boutiques). Went in about 18 months ago looking to buy an Explorer 1 or Air-King. Tried on some watches, had a good chat and was invited to a Rolex event about 6 weeks later. I went down there at the arranged time, but the SA I was dealing with wasn’t there. Got assigned to someone else and tried on a GMT, Sky Dwellers on rubber and bracelet, and a 40mm Explorer. After more chat, it was made pretty clear that I had little chance of getting any steel Rolex. This was the complete opposite of my original conversation and while they weren’t rude or anything, it left a sour taste. I actually received two calls from them 3-4 months later, one for the AK and one for the Explorer 40, but turned them both down.
Hi Andy! I always look forward to seeing you new video, but this time, I'm very frustrated watching this video. Your voice is extremely quiet, so I have to turn the volume up (halfway up on my big screen TV). OK, no problem until the commercial starts. Commercials on TH-cam are always extremely loud as it is. Please consider this before you post a video!
If you've always found it objectionable how Rolex AD's operate then maybe its worth looking in the mirror as the feeling might be mutual? I suspect there's nothing worse when you're trying to make ends meet as a young 25-year-old shop assistant when a bunch of middle / retirement-aged old men with too much money and time on their hands come into your store and start lecturing you about your own product and marketing strategy. It might also be worth treating these people as human beings and you might actually get a bit more back. Just saying..
I have a decent relationship with one AD, not sucking up to them however buying watches from the same place means I always get a favourable deal. There is a Mapplin and Webb opposite where I get on with one of the Rolex sales guys. To get a ‘hot’ Rolex (steel daytona aside) all you need to do is be polite and show an interest in watches. It’s not hard and any model can be had within 2 weeks - 12 months. I got my friend a sub date in 4 weeks. Got a call for an explorer 39 in 3 weeks without any purchase history. Got a Tudor bb58 OG when it was hard to get in 2 weeks and so forth.
Hi love the vids, I had the experience 3 times and hated it, just give me the watch as quick as possible, the last 2 times I told them my parking was running out just to hurry it up bit.
FYI Audio is very low. Love your videos, keep up the good work.
@fordracing331 I agree, it was difficult to hear.
Sorry. Shot on iPhone. No control over volume.
The need to have to have a "relationship" with watch dealers to get popular pieces has turned me off watch collecting. It's absurd and demeaning. I'm a successful person in life and earn multiples of what any watch salesperson would earn...and the notion of having to suck up to them (and even bribe them directly or indirectly) to get the time of day is beyond the pale.
Maybe in that case it's worth considering having a 'relationship' with your AD insofar as just talking to them like a normal human being? I used to pop into my AD as I pass them every Saturday on the way to football matches, as one of the guys working there supported the same team and we enjoyed chatting about the match that day. Eventually we would get onto the subject of watches and if I had the time he would let me try a few on, knowing I wasn't going to be buying anything that day. I did but one watch from them once and he always remembers me.
The very notion that you consider them not worth the time just because you used to 'earn more' than them not only shows a lack of respect for other people in general, but also the size of the ego you're carrying around. Might be worth considering a bit of self reflection mate and just talking to others like human beings?
You'll find life becomes a lot richer and more fulfilling that way.
Why should you get a watch before anyone else? There has to be a system to cater to the demand. Why should someone random off the street saying ‘i only want this one watch’ get to acquire a popular model over someone who is a loyal and trusted client? It’s like complaining about tipping in New York.
Yep, played the game for years with Rolex. Just started getting into Breitling much more fun
An interesting question. My local Rolex AD gave me 'an interview' that I failed, so I haven't been back. I did end up in another boutique. There I found the ideal. I do play full price (mainly), but get the full treatment and built a chilled relationship. Even got taken on a factory tour this year. Clearly it's business for them, but it's nice to have a connection like that somewhere, which is now where I spend my money. I think it's worth the extra myself.
That told them.
The idea of having to flatter a sales person in wrong from the beginning. I will never beg & bend, or buy stuff I don’t need just to be able to buy something.
Well said lol.
An interesting topic, and odd I just received an email inviting me to an 'IWC roadshow' later this month.. Having recently bought from a cartier AD, I can say that they had the best customer service I've encountered to date, certainly better than Rolex. The latter having put me off for life, after their 'shenanigans' over the last few years, despite having bought quite a few over the years, back when all models except the Daytona were easy to get.
Buying an expensive watch is an emotional purchase for most of us, so why not make it as pleasant and memorable as possible. I don't consider I have a 'relationship' with any sales person, but being made to feel welcome and enjoying the experience (you are spending a lot of money after all) is all I ask for.
One is a watch enthusiast the other is somebody with wealth that uses their wealth to procure watches in order to rub shoulders with the rich and famous or to make connections.
Interesting stuff. I've generally had good experiences with watch dealers, but I think some of them (Goldsmiths) could work far harder at customer retention - that said, they've always been great in-store. Other dealers (Laings, Berry's, Chisholm Hunter) have been very good. Laings have been truly exceptional though and I think I have a very positive relationship with my sales contact that yields them the bulk of my business. I've bought from boutiques a couple of times and can report naff-all after-sales interest from JLC (I won't go back there) and extraordinary personalised care and after-sales contact from Blancpain. Now is that worth the retail price vs discount? Up to you, but there's events I've been to, people I've met and thoughtful gifts from Laings and Blancpain that I couldn't have bought and will remain with me for ever. Ultimately, people matter and I now only buy from people who I like to do business with. Jaguar? WTFF?????!
I don't waste my time building a relationship with some watch dealer to get a watch. I'm interested in the watch itself and not the seller. I will go where I can buy it, in the right condition and at the right price. Also my experience has been that the sellers know far less about the product they sell than me...
Not always. Did you ever ask them any questions or did you just assume you knew more than them because you're a watch nerd that populates forums?
All of this AD behaviour is solely due to false scarcity created by the manufacturer.
Pretty sure most don’t have genuine relationships, if the AD flatters you, you’ve probably overspent on other jewellery or less demand watches ( a lot of them at the minute) let’s face it, that’s what they’re there for…last thing they want to do is waste time on someone who might only buy 1 watch every year or two…. They need to sell and most stainless Rolex sell themselves
There is very little relationship with these people. They are sales people working on the commission of at least 35%..
The boom in watches ended at least a year ago the reality is now it’s going to tough
I’ve bought 3 Rolex from the same WoS. Treated well every time. However, first watch (steel DateJust 36) I got a bottle of champagne, chocolates, the hardback catalogue and some other bits. Latest was a GMT Rootbeer and received sod all. I asked about a pen, cap or other Rolex merch, but was told they don’t do that anymore.
To be fair they probably gave you all that stuff as they felt sorry for you for buying a datejust 36.
@@SaintWill70😂👍
What was the timeline of purchases? I bought a black GMT out of the window back in early 2017…. When nobody wanted them …. And I got sod all😂
Dec 2020 for the DJ36 and June this year for the GMT. Got an Explorer II from them last year as well and received nothing. Well, the Rolex 'magazine'.
Have you thought of doing these videos with a Microphone so people can hear ?
On one of the watch Facebook groups a few years ago, I saw a guy post that he'd taken his AD on "holiday" to Basel World. Utterly insane!
audio is too low hard to hear u ... cheers
Had a very poor experience with the London branch of a small chain (2 boutiques). Went in about 18 months ago looking to buy an Explorer 1 or Air-King. Tried on some watches, had a good chat and was invited to a Rolex event about 6 weeks later. I went down there at the arranged time, but the SA I was dealing with wasn’t there. Got assigned to someone else and tried on a GMT, Sky Dwellers on rubber and bracelet, and a 40mm Explorer. After more chat, it was made pretty clear that I had little chance of getting any steel Rolex. This was the complete opposite of my original conversation and while they weren’t rude or anything, it left a sour taste. I actually received two calls from them 3-4 months later, one for the AK and one for the Explorer 40, but turned them both down.
That told them.
Well the £6k or so went elsewhere, as did the £15k for a GMT. It pays not to look down your nose at people.
Hi Andy! I always look forward to seeing you new video, but this time, I'm very frustrated watching this video. Your voice is extremely quiet, so I have to turn the volume up (halfway up on my big screen TV). OK, no problem until the commercial starts. Commercials on TH-cam are always extremely loud as it is. Please consider this before you post a video!
I’ll bring a microphone next time. The iPhone audio was as good as I had this time sadly.
If you've always found it objectionable how Rolex AD's operate then maybe its worth looking in the mirror as the feeling might be mutual?
I suspect there's nothing worse when you're trying to make ends meet as a young 25-year-old shop assistant when a bunch of middle / retirement-aged old men with too much money and time on their hands come into your store and start lecturing you about your own product and marketing strategy.
It might also be worth treating these people as human beings and you might actually get a bit more back.
Just saying..
Turn the levels up! Gave up watching as I couldn't hear you on my PC speakers
I have a decent relationship with one AD, not sucking up to them however buying watches from the same place means I always get a favourable deal. There is a Mapplin and Webb opposite where I get on with one of the Rolex sales guys. To get a ‘hot’ Rolex (steel daytona aside) all you need to do is be polite and show an interest in watches. It’s not hard and any model can be had within 2 weeks - 12 months. I got my friend a sub date in 4 weeks. Got a call for an explorer 39 in 3 weeks without any purchase history. Got a Tudor bb58 OG when it was hard to get in 2 weeks and so forth.