Anyone ever tipped or gifted an AD?

[530ExplorerII]

I had my name on a waiting list for a 116610LV for about 8 months and the AD called me to let me know it was available. I’m from CA and the AD was in the Bahamas. I did a fair amount of due diligence and had the AD send me multiple pics with the date and my name handwritten on their business card. The service was great and I really appreciated them taking my long distance business but when I was expressing my gratitude during our correspondence the salesperson sent the following message: “And just in case you were wondering i do accept monetary gifts....”

She did help me out and was pleasant to work with, but I also had to drop everything, wire cash the same day and grab a flight from CA to Nassau the following week. My question is: should I tip? If so, how much? It wasn’t too long ago that ADs were giving me gifts (and discounts) to purchase. Has the dynamic shifted? Anyone gift or tip their AD?


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[cerendigit]

No.

I find that message "(we do accepts monetary gifts)" totally out of place and unprofessional.

[blown5.0]

Depends. I have a good relationship with my AD. I might bring him some coffee or something similar if im in the area. He actually returns the favor as well.

[EEpro]

Is your name on the warranty card? Then who cares what they say. Haha

[530ExplorerII]

Originally Posted by blown5.0

Depends. I have a good relationship with my AD. I might bring him some coffee or something similar if im in the area. He actually returns the favor as well.

I get that. I have a good relationship with a few back near my home and a bottle of wine or something personal seems more appropriate. This is a high volume AD that, to their credit, apparently actually honors their waiting list but tipping just seems awkward and out of place. I could maybe see it if I wanted to pick up something else, but they wouldn’t let me buy another professional model. Would have seriously considered the WG Smurf they had in stock but my wife would have KILLED me. So it’s probably a good thing they had that policy in place.


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[530ExplorerII]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Is your name on the warranty card? Then who cares what they say. Haha

It certainly is. I think I’m in your camp. I lost enough money at the casino afterwards anyway.


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[pickettt]

I let all of the SAs at my AD pick my brain for veterinary advice. Not random chit chat, but consults we normally charge for in the hospitals. Does that count?

[csaltphoto]

Well. tips are for service. Not for merely providing a product to you that you paid for. If the service was exceptional than why not? Although I would tend to lean in favor of in kind things like doing something nice for them. Can't see myself handing over a C to an SA for separating me from 10K.

[dardeca]

My sales guy has never asked for anything...but I've given him gift cards to steakhouses and bottles of wine on certain occasions after he's sourced me a particular watch I wanted. I don't do it every time...but will do it on once in a while.

[42itus]

If it’s going to turn into a business for you then by all means. But if you’re not in pursuit of all the flips or models then that is ridiculous to give them money.


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[Stonecutter6]

Well I would imagine all of these SA's who are sales-people who work in a luxury item field probably get commissions from all sales... So, no I sure would not tip them. But, I would stop in and thank them personally, maybe even bring a bottle of wine or something as well. But no, I sure as hell wouldn't tip them for selling me something. That's just pants on head retarded.

[dspringer]

I bring my rep at the AD wine every now and again. Usually try to keep it in the $50-$100 range but it’s a good gesture and hopefully when I ask for something hard to come by he’ll continue to make it happen

[rockdrock]

Tipping is so weird. My ADs are in Europe and I would never dare to tip. Small gifts, souvenirs are acceptable.


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[PatekSF]

A bottle of nice champagne or California bubbly will go a LONG way, especially when you’re trying to source your next model.

It will cost you virtually nothing yet cast a lasting impression upon the SA.

[jvb.nc]

i have definitely sorted my AD and my service manager out on various pieces of kit over the years (i work for an outerwear company). i don’t expect anything in return; it’s just me saying thanks for putting up with me.

[Nikrnic]

My AD won't take tips, most likely because it would seem more like a bribe. I have brought a couple Tshirts from vacations for a couple SAs and dropped of some Godiva and fresh cider mill donuts before for all of the employees. NBD and not too much but i know it was appreciated.

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[AshCashEmAll]

I wouldn't their commission is better than a tip. Anything more than that and you spoil them.

[jvb.nc]

when your AD spoils you, it’s fair to return in kind.

*shrug*

[Giangos]

I have dropped in on my AD for a visit with a box of chocolates at Easter.

She is a beautiful person, a heart of gold.

But I would never tip her, that is very unprofessional IMO. And I would never spend more than a few dollars on a gift.

It is a token gesture, not a bribe, to say thanks and I appreciate our relationship. A handwritten card would be just as good as a gift.


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[Baco Noir]

I’ve sent a 1/2 case of wine to mine once. He’s treated me well for a long time and still offers me discounts.

[srleadjb]

The sad truth is in today’s market if you want a watch that’s hard to get it’s entirely up to them to offer it to you or not so in my opinion if they get me something I’m asking for (that isn’t readily available) then I send them something nice as a thank you.

Nothing crazy but I sent my SA a bottle of 1942 last time.


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[Largoshark]

"I do accept monetary gifts"?!...that mentality is @$$ backwards. You're the one giving them your business.

[DGB]

I wouldn’t, that’s bribery.

[mac_135]

Originally Posted by jvb.nc

when your AD spoils you, it’s fair to return in kind.

*shrug*

Spoils you? Are you kidding? Man, I really love Rolex watches, but there wouldn't ever be a time in my life where I would kiss someones *** for letting me spend thousands of dollars to purchase something from them. Come on... I get it, we all want the hard to get stuff but we also all work hard to be able to spend 4-5 figures on a watch. I would give the sales rep an envelope full of Monopoly money if they ever said something like "I accept monetary gifts"...

[mac_135]

Originally Posted by Giangos

It is a token gesture, not a bribe, to say thanks and I appreciate our relationship. A handwritten card would be just as good as a gift.


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I can agree with this 100%

[CPRWATCH]

The only tip I would give to my AD is , don’t bet on horses or eat yellow snow .

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by 530ExplorerII

.. in the Bahamas. ....but when I was expressing my gratitude during our correspondence the salesperson sent the following message: “And just in case you were wondering i do accept monetary gifts....”

Should have suggested the bribe before the purchase ,just much more practical while you were there .

She will be fired soon .

[eco8gator]

Don't feed the wild life...it will come back to bite you later on!!!!

[Randomgary]

Around a week after purchase I took this into my AD. They didn't know it was coming.

Whisky is my thing and I wanted to show my appreciation to them for being honest and genuine in a world that seems to lack such qualities.

If you have a business transaction then be business like.

If you recieve a personal transaction then it's ok to be personal.

Just my thoughts.

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[steve099]

I tease mine a lot, does that count?