Anyone ever tipped or gifted an AD?

[214270Explorer]

“And just in case you were wondering i do accept monetary gifts....”

Perhaps she is simply joking around with you, but she is making herself almost sound like a hooker . . .

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by 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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I've sent a gift card to go out to dinner before

[Zoomerang]

I sent my SA a Nordstrom gift card before Christmas only for her to return it to me because it’s their store policy not to accept any gifts from clients.

I was bummed because I was hoping she would get something for herself or her kids.

Next time I’ll just send them two dozens of KrispyKreme.

[BisonHead]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

“And just in case you were wondering i do accept monetary gifts....”

Perhaps she is simply joking around with you, but she is making herself almost sound like a hooker . . .

This.

[The Libertine]

Nope.

[Statuswan]

Originally Posted by fed_fan

This is not meant as an insult to you but if a sales associate said something like that I would laugh in their face (after I had the watch in my possession of course). You are literally handing them thousands of dollars of hard earned money while they sit back and benefit from an endless stream of demand. It takes no skill to sell a product that benefits from structural under-supply so why would a tip be up for consideration. I know these watches are hard to get but have some dignity ffs.

This! The Rolex hype has gotten out of hand. Since when did a customer have to thank a company for allowing them to buy a mass produced product? Rolex has turned into the sneaker industry... Where i was once told I couldn't try on some shoes at footlocker cause they were Jordan's...ridiculous! But also I bought those Jordan's anyways, but I sure as shit wasn't going to tip the salesperson

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[RyanO]

Originally Posted by cerendigit

No.

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

Second this in a big way. Thats downright inappropriate. Now I dont see anything wrong with buying your AD an nice bottle of wine or chocolates as a thank you, but really shouldn't it be the other way around?

[Ny325]

I wouldn’t give anything after that message. I would’ve gave her a nice bottle of wine/champagne, and a thank you card, if she didn’t ask.

[Robf52]

When I recently picked up my 126710BLNR, I bought my AD a bottle of whiskey in a green and gold box that matched the Rolex colors. He loved it and hopefully remembers the little gesture next time a grail comes in.

[Littletommy]

Some of ya'll are really sick with this AD suck-up stuff. I've bought all of my watches from a well known trusted seller here (because the AD's I've visited have an 'attitude'). And not once did I have to kiss his butt or bring him chocolates & wine.

[TNT009]

If I get the watch I'm after, I'll definitely bring a bottle of wine!

[FATO]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Then you should tip the sales person in the States more because the cost of living is much higher .

My point is to tip the SA’s and even more so the ones in the Bahamas. You just helped me prove my point. Thanks


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[cda555]

Considering they already charged you $120 to accept your wire transfer, I would syay that is tip enough.

[Shopguy]

Maybe I'm missing something here. When I bought my boat the boat broker I dealt with gave me new docking fenders. When I bought my new car the salesman gave me a gift card to the best French restaurant in town. My investment broker takes me to lunch routinely. The common thread is they make money from my purchases made through them, and they give a bit back. It's called goodwill. I have patronized THEIR businesses.
But to solicit money -specifically money- from the purchaser? I don't understand that.

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by cda555

Considering they already charged you $120 to accept your wire transfer, I would syay that is tip enough.

When has wire transfers cost $120...?

[Roli84]

I too did bring a bottle of whisky and it was on the day of purchase. It wasn’t the hardest to find watch but for me the service was so good I felt it was fully deserved. I find the concept of tipping cash a bit crass.

[FATO]

Originally Posted by Shopguy

Maybe I'm missing something here. When I bought my boat the boat broker I dealt with gave me new docking fenders. When I bought my new car the salesman gave me a gift card to the best French restaurant in town. My investment broker takes me to lunch routinely. The common thread is they make money from my purchases made through them, and they give a bit back. It's called goodwill. I have patronized THEIR businesses.
But to solicit money -specifically money- from the purchaser? I don't understand that.

Your boat and car and investment opportunity were readily available and there weren’t thousands of people waiting in line to buy them. Your realtor and car salesman or broker will change their tune if what they are selling are not readily available and desirable.


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[HogwldFLTR]

I've heard of cow tipping but never AD tipping; they might get a bit peeved. Likely easier to sneak up on while they're asleep however. .

[greengold]

yea gave them a tray of krispy kreme when they pulled of my Hulk. Manager didnt look like she was sharing with the shop haha

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by 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?

In my book it does. Professional courtesies are a two way street.

[037]

I tipped the AD owner's daughter a few times.

She turned out to be a gold digger.

Now I don't tip her.

[TimeToWatch]

Threads like this are emblematic of the desperation within the Rolex market. Pre-2016, a thread like this would have been written off as insanity, now it's accepted by some as proper buying practice.

I bought a Breitling in 2013 and received a complementary Breitling hat and follow-up phone call from my SA ensuring my satisfaction. In 2014 I bought a Royal Oak and likewise received a complementary AP hat. In neither transaction did I tip my SA, but they sure made it known that they were appreciative of my business.

Fast forward to 2018, I bought a 116519LN at list price, a watch that retails for 5x as much as the Breitling. No gift in the mail, no follow-up phone call, just a shallow "promise" that I would be eligible for a "hot" model now. I'm still waiting on that phone call 2 years later... Maybe I should send them a bribe in addition to my $30k?

In short, I think this current market insanity post-2016 has decimated the level of customer service at ADs. When times are good, ADs should be just as appreciative of business as when times are bad. In no circumstance should customers instead be the ones who pander for their AD's loyalty. It's a strange, upside down world we now live in.

Long story short, I would never tip (bribe) an AD. I'd instead take that money and call a trusted seller.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by 530ExplorerII

Anyone gift or tip their AD?

No reason to. They received a commission check for doing their job.

[Sunny Arizona]

I wouldn’t fly anywhere to buy a watch let alone float a gratuity.

Originally Posted by 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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[astewartconst]

Hahaha, I can’t even get an email back after recently telling my SA about my wife’s pregnancy and asking if there might be any chance a hulk might arrive sometime in the next 6 months that I could purchase as a commemorative. Worst case she could respond with a congrats.

I did also recently let her know that I wanted to buy a OP for my brothers wedding this year...she did respond to that one, go figure. Pass I will get the OP at a better price gray market.

It’s a two way street and I have a long memory. The dealers can have it good now but I think they are being short sighted if they are not implementing great customer service (even if just communication because they can’t get a person the watch they want) When the market shifts people will remember being blown off

With all this being said if I felt like the sales person really stepped up for me yeah maybe I would drop a thank you card with a gift cert but not for putting me in a multi year holding pattern then finally coming through..that doesn’t merit anything extra.


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[Watch This]

Originally Posted by TimeToWatch

Threads like this are emblematic of the desperation within the Rolex market. Pre-2016, a thread like this would have been written off as insanity, now it's accepted by some as proper buying practice.

I bought a Breitling in 2013 and received a complementary Breitling hat and follow-up phone call from my SA ensuring my satisfaction. In 2014 I bought a Royal Oak and likewise received a complementary AP hat. In neither transaction did I tip my SA, but they sure made it known that they were appreciative of my business.

Fast forward to 2018, I bought a 116519LN at list price, a watch that retails for 5x as much as the Breitling. No gift in the mail, no follow-up phone call, just a shallow "promise" that I would be eligible for a "hot" model now. I'm still waiting on that phone call 2 years later... Maybe I should send them a bribe in addition to my $30k?

In short, I think this current market insanity post-2016 has decimated the level of customer service at ADs. When times are good, ADs should be just as appreciative of business as when times are bad. In no circumstance should customers instead be the ones who pander for their AD's loyalty. It's a strange, upside down world we now live in.

Long story short, I would never tip (bribe) an AD. I'd instead take that money and call a trusted seller.

Well said.

[Ragna]

Is she cute ?

Oh.. just read your comment saying youre married.

Forget it, then.

..Just kidding..


Well.. maybe some nice coffee or chocolate box.

I wouldnt be gifting bottles cause they might have a room full of that already.

Just saying..

[Shopguy]

Originally Posted by FATO

Your boat and car and investment opportunity were readily available

Really? I had no idea.

[Ragna]

Originally Posted by TimeToWatch

Threads like this are emblematic of the desperation within the Rolex market. Pre-2016, a thread like this would have been written off as insanity, now it's accepted by some as proper buying practice.

I bought a Breitling in 2013 and received a complementary Breitling hat and follow-up phone call from my SA ensuring my satisfaction. In 2014 I bought a Royal Oak and likewise received a complementary AP hat. In neither transaction did I tip my SA, but they sure made it known that they were appreciative of my business.

Fast forward to 2018, I bought a 116519LN at list price, a watch that retails for 5x as much as the Breitling. No gift in the mail, no follow-up phone call, just a shallow "promise" that I would be eligible for a "hot" model now. I'm still waiting on that phone call 2 years later... Maybe I should send them a bribe in addition to my $30k?

In short, I think this current market insanity post-2016 has decimated the level of customer service at ADs. When times are good, ADs should be just as appreciative of business as when times are bad. In no circumstance should customers instead be the ones who pander for their AD's loyalty. It's a strange, upside down world we now live in.

Long story short, I would never tip (bribe) an AD. I'd instead take that money and call a trusted seller.

Wow. Good point.

This comment should be a sticky.

[FATO]

Originally Posted by Shopguy

Really? I had no idea.

That’s my point..YOU have “no idea”!


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