Maybe The Best Of The Rolex vs. Omega

Davidt · Fri. 9:45am

I do wonder how many of the people who slam Rolex AD’s for providing horrible customer service and talking down to potential customers actually have first hand experience of this and how many are just regurgitating what they’ve read on the internet.

From my first hand experience the AD I use are polite and helpful. You generally can’t get the watch you want just by walking in but I had an Explorer and Submariner within 12 months of requesting one which isn’t dissimilar to the amount of time people wait for a service on a vintage watch. I ultimately sold my explorer as I didn’t like the proportions of the 39mm and when I recently went in to try on the new 40mm, I was offered one there and then. I also had a really nice chat with the sales person around vintage watches and she was genuinely interested and quite knowledgeable.

From what various people have told me in ADs, they get multiple calls/drop in per day where people literally ask “what’s the best Rolex for investment”. Whilst I fully agree that every should be dealt with on an individual basis, I can also see how this would be tiring on their part.

TLDR: in my experience my Rolex AD treats people very well if they believe you’re genuinely interested in watches and not just looking to flip for profit.

ErichKeane · Fri. 10:37am

Davidt
I do wonder how many of the people who slam Rolex AD’s for providing horrible customer service and talking down to potential customers actually have first hand experience of this and how many are just regurgitating what they’ve read on the internet.

From my first hand experience the AD I use are polite and helpful. You generally can’t get the watch you want just by walking in but I had an Explorer and Submariner within 12 months of requesting one which isn’t dissimilar to the amount of time people wait for a service on a vintage watch. I ultimately sold my explorer as I didn’t like the proportions of the 39mm and when I recently went in to try on the new 40mm, I was offered one there and then. I also had a really nice chat with the sales person around vintage watches and she was genuinely interested and quite knowledgeable.

From what various people have told me in ADs, they get multiple calls/drop in per day where people literally ask “what’s the best Rolex for investment”. Whilst I fully agree that every should be dealt with on an individual basis, I can also see how this would be tiring on their part.

TLDR: in my experience my Rolex AD treats people very well if they believe you’re genuinely interested in watches and not just looking to flip for profit.

The Rolex AD I worked with was really pleasant, and the SA I worked with was fantastic! BUT when he left, the person who helped me after that was kinda terrible.

That said, I'm ~3 years into waiting on an Explorer 2/GMT Master without getting the call. I've since purchased both (actually 3, 2 GMT masters, 1 I moved on from) privately.

But thats a YMMV. In general the 'horrible customer service' from my perspective is: "I have money, and I want one of your products!", "No, I can't sell you that until you wait a while/or are willing to buy a ton of crap mall jewelry".

njlam · Fri. 12:19pm

I have probably met 20-30 Rolex ADs around the world with experiences ranging from dismissive and rude, to friendly and knowledgable. While I feel i like and have a nice relationship with 2-3 of them, no Rolex AD has ever offered me a watch.

Honestly, some give the vibe that "we will never sell you a watch", while others are less insulting. I must admit, I don't like to go into ADs anymore. It just feels discriminatory.

Davidt · Fri. 1:41pm

ErichKeane
The Rolex AD I worked with was really pleasant, and the SA I worked with was fantastic! BUT when he left, the person who helped me after that was kinda terrible.

That said, I'm ~3 years into waiting on an Explorer 2/GMT Master without getting the call. I've since purchased both (actually 3, 2 GMT masters, 1 I moved on from) privately.

But thats a YMMV. In general the 'horrible customer service' from my perspective is: "I have money, and I want one of your products!", "No, I can't sell you that until you wait a while/or are willing to buy a ton of crap mall jewelry".

I agree it’s completely YMMV. You can certainly get arseholes at any AD. The worst I’ve ever experienced was at an Omega boutique whilst trying a watch on from a sales guy who was extremely rude and dismissive. This is a boutique who are usually excellent.

But, people are people.

ErichKeane · Fri. 1:47pm

My worst was an Omega AD, now no longer an AD. My boutique is awesome through.