Watches of Switzerland - The End

Or rather when we enter waiting lists for things we don’t want in order to one day maybe go on the waiting list for things we do.

I mean I get that demand outstrips supply. But I’ve had mostly brilliant customer service elsewhere.

Let me get this right... You spent £25k buying other jewellery (that you may or may not have wanted) in the hope of getting one Rolex watch at retail?

Had it ever occurred to you that just buying one Rolex from a Grey market dealer would have cost you far less? Hate to say this, but you've been played.

No I spent £25k on three other “non-hype” watches.

But yes - I feel like they are both playing me and not even having the grace to be polite about it.

I’ve bought Rolexes elsewhere (so I guess you could call that grey) but feel I would like to be on the list for RRP watches too. I don’t even mind waiting. Just hate the feeling of being scammed.

Horrific behavior from WoS. To ”kidnap” you as customer from a single buy is low.

It's a difficult position to be sure. I just wonder whether there needs to be some political pressure put onto the watch industry to stop exploiting people like this. More transparency on waiting lists would be a start. But perhaps what is really needed is a full investigation by international police about the watch industry - because it's clear that when Rolex is concerned, there are some very poor outcomes for people - and it crosses multiple international borders and markets.

I don't know how anyone puts up with these ADs. Truly.

They messed you about, took your money, treated poorly and you rightly walked. The saddest thing is they won't even care. They won't give a toss they've lost your custom because there will always be some other mug to fill your shoes.

I'm glad you escaped the toxic relationship.

For every "good" Rolex story, I hear too much bad stories.

Unacceptable behavior from any merchant. You might consider letting the parent company know about this sales associate's behavior. One voice can make a difference.

I have to admit, when I lived in London for two years, I experienced this more often than in the US. My wife and I used to joke that there should be a sign over the door saying "How can we Not help you".

What a horrible attitude. It doesn't help that they're so opaque about their policies, much worse is they blame their mistakes on the customer. Let them have whomever VIP clientele they choose, and find a more honest AD. Bad sales tactics should not be rewarded.

there should be a sign over the door saying "How can we Not help you".

!!

This reminds me of last summer when a friend and I were "Moonswatch hunting 😂", and we decided to stop by a WoS just to browse while we were in the area. The guard/SA/staff by the door gestured us to wait by the door. We proceeded to stand outside in the sun for a good 10 minutes. We just left.

We took a peek through the windows and there was practically no one inside. For all we know, the CEO of Rolex had a private tour and was probably in the basement looking at Tudors.

A waiting list, I understand. Rude, arrogant customer service is inexcusable. I don't know who is running Watches of Switzerland, but they should be alerted to the experience you had with their sales staff.

Thats just fucked up . Another reason to go down the Tudor line . Its like “Grand” Seiko with the $K in front of Seiko yeah , but their available no fuss no muss . I reckon Tudor do a pretty good range if you must put up with that sort of pratt bullshit from anyone let alone a supposed brand rep , fuck me . I just wanna walk in somewhere and buy a watch ….

Shucks! Sounds awful man!

I agree with @Richierich to a degree. If you really want that Rolex, go to the Grey Market dealers. They will gladly take your cash, and you will probably be treated a whole lot more respectfully. There is no such thing as a waiting list with Rolex, or any other higher end brand. There is only yes, you can absolutely have this watch, or no, not a chance in he'll. Don't buy into the hype.

Go to one of the several Rolex dealers in Munich, Germany. So far, always friendly and polite.

Sorry about your dad.

I have stopped visiting Watches of Switzerland. They monopolies UK watch industry. You can get your desired Rolex watch from other dealers with patience. At present the demand of Rolex watches is slightly lower than previous years

Weirdly this vid came on my YouTube feed today. The attitude if the AD in question is exactly the same!

https://youtu.be/FSB4UgWEWWE

Just May be it’s the brand you are after.. Rolex. I don’t own any because when I spend my hard earned money on luxury, I want to be treated like a valued customer. There are a ton of other brands that take care of customer like a customer. GS, JLC, Omega and many many more. I don’t get it why people waste time with brands that are just marketing machines and don’t care for their customers.

But it’s the exact same staff. They might treat me better thinking they can get a sale of something less popular out of me.

Anyway - like I say I’m done with them. I’ll take my business elsewhere - and they won’t care one bit!

I know of an employee at WOS who bought a Rolex at list as soon as it arrived, it just pushed everyone else one down the list. It happens all the time.

Really? You think government should be involved with a long waiting list complaint? Seriously? What are you trying to accomplish? To make Rolex produce more watches? To make fewer customers want Rolex? I don't understand why you think a company shouldn't be allowed to run their business, especially an unimportant business such as luxury watches.

In the world I live in Rolex can do as they please and if people don't like it they will vote with their wallets. Seems people have already voted with their wallets that they like things as they are.

I don't understand any of the Rolex hype myself. I dislike the looks of their watches so I have no skin in this game.

Yes. These are significant financial commitments made by many. Why should other industries be under such heavy scrutiny when price gouging, bribery, theft, market manipulation and other criminal activity around Rolex happens on a daily basis? If banks operated like Rolex AD's, they would be shut down in days.

And as for Rolex... Do your homework. The information is there, and if you're clever enough, you'll work out why they continue to deal with authorised dealers, despite the fact that they drag Rolex into disrepute on an almost daily basis.

I think you are rude. There is nothing vital about a luxury watch. No one's life will be ruined because Rolex act like jerks. There is no 'right' to own a Rolex and it's nobody's business how they run their business. You and I could not be further apart on this issue.

It’s not worth playing games to me. I’d personally bring my business elsewhere and I’ll be my own salesperson and find my own Rolex or alternative on my own. I only go to ADs to try stuff on to see if it’s a good fit for me, then try to find the best price I can wherever.

So you're happy with OP being scammed by WOS, then?

Not only rude but doesn't understand argument. I'm neither happy nor unhappy about it. I could not care less. It's a luxury watch, that's all. I don't care if you have to jump through a flaming hoop in a tutu to get one.

Please no more. I have stated my position politely and now I'm done. Never contact me again for any reason.

No you came here for an argument and got a hissy fit when I proved you wrong. It's clear you don't care whether people are exploited or not. You appear to have an ulterior motive for disputing my call for regulation of industries where poor selling practices cost people a lot of money. I suspect you're on an AD waiting list somewhere and are panicking. Good luck!

Interesting post. I've also started feeling the disdain from WoS, and while I'm only on their list for a Pelagos 39 (for quite a while now), and I have spent with them (albeit, not 25k), the CX isnt there. Oddly enough, after the Pelagos I was thinking of putting my name down for my 'grail' watch, an Explorer 36.

Slight issue, being a Londoner too it is not easy finding an established Tudor AD that is NOT part of the WoS group (and they handle waiting lists at the group level). Im registered with a few of them, but they don't appear to have the same reach.

Funny thing is, I've had grey dealers in London (with whom I have spent in the past) touch base and enquire about my watch needs - and I could have sourced the P39 from them, but I refrained. Go figure.

I’m afraid that’s just how it is!

I was on the waitlist for a Submariner in 2020, after I got blackbay 58 with them (goldsmith) after popping in now and again, and also go to some other ones down the country , I was finally told after about 2 years of waiting that I do not qualify to get a Sub without a previous Rolex purchase history, the Sub was a demand piece so it’s could not be classed as my first.

I was was told if I brought a Datejust then perhaps would I be allowed to wait to get a Sub!!!! 🤬

So if I spent the £5k+ on the DJ wait about another 2 years for the call for the Sub £8k+ …… you do the math? It’s not worth it~ so I just said fxxk it and when grey market! Works out around the same price anyway with having a datejust that I’ve never wanted and no games & no wait time.