Should I have just done it?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

An hour to decide? I'd have told her she just lost a customer, and walked out.

Have to agree but my response would have been a bit stronger politely with the second word was off. And if everyone done the same and stopped playing these so called AD games then perhaps we could get back to normality. They are just watches made in there millions each year nothing more.

[travisb]

Easy pass. Save yourself the time and energy and go buy whichever you want most.

[omar-rye]

Haha just one hour? I wouldn't spend $30,000 on a watch, or even $5,000, unless I've been obsessed with it, spending countless days reading on it, watching YouTube videos, and thinking about it.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by tsimons

Popped into a Rolex AD to try on a couple steel sports models that I was considering grabbing from the GM (Kermit and Pepsi). Sales woman was very kind to grab the watches and chat, mentioned they weren’t “taking any additional interest” in the Pepsi but didn’t mention anything about the Kermit. I just said “I understand these things take time, but I just wanted to see it on my wrist”

She responded “Have you thought about the Yachtmaster in white gold?” The answer is no, but I figured I’d try it on anyway. The watch looked awesome and I actually found that I liked it a lot, but I wasn’t prepared to drop over 30k at the drop of a hat. She then said blatantly that “With this, we can start to build a relationship to get you the watches you want”. I hemmed and hawed and she gave me an hour to decide.

On one hand, I felt like I just witnessed a classic high pressure sales technique that I should reject out of hand. The watch was way more than I was looking for, so I shouldn’t get it. However, of all the PM Rolexes I could have been offered, a white gold YM on oyster flex is not the worst.

I ended up passing. Did I screw up? Should I have just bought the damn thing?

Well done !


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[1William]

The WG Yachtmaster is a cool watch and my favorite on the OF Strap. Maybe the conversation just caught you off guard. I would have followed up with the SA and inquired what a purchase would bring me and the time frame they would arrive. So many times we get focused on just the money portion of watch ownership and it becomes a competition of who paid the least or most. I try to balance the watch with the cost with future movement and what the overall collection will be with or without a watch. I would be tempted to go back in and talk to the SA, see what they tell you. Thing might have changed and another watch is available or the WG YM sings to you more. Good luck.

[georgew]

if it didn't really wow you, then you should walk away from this obvious extortion scheme - a reprehensible business practice.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by georgew

if it didn't really wow you, then you should walk away from this obvious extortion scheme - a reprehensible business practice.

There's that word again.

Anybody would think they were holding his family hostage.

What a funny First World we live in.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by Mystro

These retail sales clerks are really getting their rocks off acting as the “gate keeper” of the Rolex brand. Reminds me of a sleazy bouncer standing outside the club deciding who gets inside. Meanwhile the real vip are getting in around the back through the kitchen door.

OP: Just buy through our trusted sellers.

This ^^^^^

[tsimons]

Thank you all for the feedback! I felt like I probably made the right decision but I wasn’t sure if I was going to see some responses that indicated something to the effect of “if you were going to be forced into an inducement purchase, this is one of the better ones”.

I totally agree that this is an insane “relationship” structure and totally toxic sales technique. Fortunately, I’m in a big city and there’s another AD about 4 blocks away that is much bigger and gets a lot more inventory so I’ll be stopping over there soon to meet the sales people there.

And as for the watch, I had never considered it because it wasn’t really in my budget. But once I had it on wrist, I started to really like it. On OF, the white gold YM is SHARP. But as others have pointed out, 30k on an impulse buy works for some, but not for me (not yet anyway lol).

And to the poster who mentioned I could grab both the watches I actually want for a little more than 30k, thank you for pulling me back down to Earth lol. Great point.

[alphadweller]

You did the right thing not dropping 30g on a watch, not being prepared for it. If it's your first choice, then fine. Otherwise, big laughter and massive pass. Even if I had millions in the bank, I'd still not spend that kind of money on something I don't really want, makes no sense. I'd go grey for that Kermit and Pepsi if I really wanted them and would be prepared to pony up the premium.

[watchwatcher]

If you didn't want the watch, then passing makes sense. It's such a great watch, though, I don't think you would have been disappointed.

Bottom line: if you get the chance, next time nail down the specifics of exactly what she's talking about. If she's just speaking in vague platitudes, well, there's your answer.

[Mr. K]

“With this, we can start to build a relationship to get you the watches you want” The key word in this sentence is "start."

[BraveBold]

Right decision.

Also, never felt pressure from sales people for anything. I’m the customer and I hold the cards (my future purchases). For these discretionary purchase items I can take or leave them.

[Gaussian]

After some silly SA told me that I have an hour to buy a $30,000 watch I didn’t want in the hopes of getting what I did want, it would have taken a lot of restraint to not tell her sarcastically that she was being kind and generous.

This smugness needs to end!

Is it selfish of me to want the easy money/credit to end for the unwashed masses so that the true watch enthusiasts get the upper hand back and can buy what we want to wear without needing to buy a used watch above retail?

[Blansky]

These stupid AD games are much like....if you want to marry my daughter, you have to allow her mother to come live with you.

Hard pass.

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

An hour to decide? I'd have told her she just lost a customer, and walked out.

LOL...he wasn't a customer to begin with so she lost nothing.

[Guppydriver]

Ya know...

There is a chance the context of the exchange was lost a little during the post.

Perhaps it was an hour until closing or an hour before the AD was off for the weekend and there was no guarantee the watch would be available when she returned to work the next week.

It probably wasn't near as sinister or smug as some are portraying it.

That said, 30k is way too much to spend on something that doesn't enamor you completely.

Also, after tax is considered, you could buy the YM and LV from a reputable gray dealer and have the watches the next day whilst saving a few bucks.

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree but my response would have been a bit stronger politely with the second word was off. And if everyone done the same and stopped playing these so called AD games then perhaps we could get back to normality. They are just watches made in there millions each year nothing more.

So your theory is that if people actually and literally said "Fxxx Off" to a Sales Associate, that would "get (us) back to normality?"

[Halifax Daytona UK]

The YM white gold can be had below retail at most grey dealers , you did right not to buy

[APhound]

Well I would rather have that watch than both a green sub and Pepsi so for me I would have considered it. But don’t sweat it, if you decide you do want it or any of them just go grey. It’s so much nicer than dealing with those people.


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[tsimons]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

Ya know...

There is a chance the context of the exchange was lost a little during the post.

Perhaps it was an hour until closing or an hour before the AD was off for the weekend and there was no guarantee the watch would be available when she returned to work the next week.

It probably wasn't near as sinister or smug as some are portraying it.

That said, 30k is way too much to spend on something that doesn't enamor you completely.

Also, after tax is considered, you could buy the YM and LV from a reputable gray dealer and have the watches the next day whilst saving a few bucks.

This is a good point. I basically invited her to give me that condition by saying “I know if I pass now, it’s going to be gone, right?” To which she replied that she had a list of interest that she would start calling. She then offered that she would hold it for me for an hour.

And… an astute observer may notice that she offered a watch that had just come in to a stranger off the street rather than call the list of “relationships” that had been “started” already. So what signal does that send to me about the chance of getting the watches I asked about? That was a significant part of my decision to pass.

[Big Tex Rolex]

I agree, in an hour she was going to call other potential buyers.

I’d love for my AD to ask me to buy a Rolex, for spending history, vs. buying earrings, necklaces, etc., for the girlfriend.

PS … That entire transaction is commonly known as “business” … “retail sales” to be exact.

[Gaussian]

Originally Posted by tsimons

And… an astute observer may notice that she offered a watch that had just come in to a stranger off the street rather than call the list of “relationships” that had been “started” already. So what signal does that send to me about the chance of getting the watches I asked about? That was a significant part of my decision to pass.

This 100!

The best response may have been to inquire why someone without any “relationship” would be offered such a special piece before the AD had an opportunity to offer it to one of the clients that had “started” to build a relationship.

[Nico81]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

An hour to decide? I'd have told her she just lost a customer, and walked out.

I would have been turned off as well.
But in this context, I think SA was able to hold it for an hour before it going up for grabs..
Nevertheless, $30k purchase decision is not an easy one


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[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by tsimons

I felt like I probably made the right decision

This covers it all. You had a doubt. When there is a doubt there is no doubt. Good luck going forward, you will get that SS watch at some point.

[Bartolo]

Originally Posted by Gaussian

This 100!

The best response may have been to inquire why someone without any “relationship” would be offered such a special piece before the AD had an opportunity to offer it to one of the clients that had “started” to build a relationship.

I've had this experience. Walked into the AP boutique in Miami in 2017, asked about a particular watch, and the sales associate brought it out of the back and sold it to me. I asked, "Aren't there people waiting for this??" He said, "Yes but you look and sound like you really want it and so I am happy to sell it to you."

That started a relationship with AP that continues.

Believe it or not, despite the "shortage" of inventory, ADs continue to be interested in establishing new customer relationships and not JUST feeding the existing customer base.

I know this for a fact based on current discussions with ADs in my city.

For example I introduced a potential new customer to my sales associate a few months ago and a week later they purchased a Skydweller.

[NachoNeal]

An hour to decide? lol It takes me two weeks just to decide what dishwasher to buy.

[messikens]

Originally Posted by tsimons

Popped into a Rolex AD to try on a couple steel sports models that I was considering grabbing from the GM (Kermit and Pepsi). Sales woman was very kind to grab the watches and chat, mentioned they weren’t “taking any additional interest” in the Pepsi but didn’t mention anything about the Kermit. I just said “I understand these things take time, but I just wanted to see it on my wrist”

She responded “Have you thought about the Yachtmaster in white gold?” The answer is no, but I figured I’d try it on anyway. The watch looked awesome and I actually found that I liked it a lot, but I wasn’t prepared to drop over 30k at the drop of a hat. She then said blatantly that “With this, we can start to build a relationship to get you the watches you want”. I hemmed and hawed and she gave me an hour to decide.

On one hand, I felt like I just witnessed a classic high pressure sales technique that I should reject out of hand. The watch was way more than I was looking for, so I shouldn’t get it. However, of all the PM Rolexes I could have been offered, a white gold YM on oyster flex is not the worst.

I ended up passing. Did I screw up? Should I have just bought the damn thing?

Eff that AD and SA!

An hour to decide to buy a $30k you weren't looking for to potentially get the chance to drop another $12k on the watch you do want at MSRP??!

Can't wait for the market to turn and switch the choosers back to the beggars they used to be

[Calatrava r]

You did the right thing, if the watch did not scream yes to you. Don't blame the AD. The SA wanted to move this piece and said you could become a customer with a buy history. What that assurance is worth is anybody's guess.

[Laostuh]

Hard pass, spend $30k + tax for a watch you aren't even sure you want to MAYBE get a couple watches you do want? Nah. For a little more than $30k you could probably get both LV and BLRO if you looked hard enough.