“Congratulations” vs “Thank You”

Well you were lucky enough to be allowed to buy sth. Ain't that something to congratulate to?

I detest Rolex and their ADs for this behaviour. And when buying my Tudor BB i almost felt the same as you described. As if I'm luck to buy that BB Pro after 3 months of waiting. 

Never felt this way with Omega ADs. 

Tudor here in Kuwait wasn’t the same. They did thank me for my patronage after my ranger and chrono purchase. There were no waitlists Except for the pro. 

I think a lot of  watch enthusiasts are starting to move away from Rolex. They are amazing watches though. I can’t hate on the actual product. 

I can’t hate on the actual product. 

That's OK...I can.  I'll do it with enough passion for the both of us.

"Congratulations?" Seriously? Yeesh. If that was me on a bad day hearing that I'm liable to snap at the sales person, AD or no AD.

"Congratulations" is for suffering through all the humiliations that you survived every time you showed up with money and they just smiled at you while showing you their empty showcases and took your name down for the waitlist. 

It's very appropriate, you have just joined the cult. 😁

I think it depends on your AD and SA.  Couple thoughts; 

• Spending 10k on a watch is often a sign of accomplishment for many and may be tied to a life event. In which case a congratulations is in order. Think of how folks say congratulations when you buy a home or car. A watch is neither of those things, but in some cases it is worth more than a car so there’s an odd sense of congratulating someone who put themselves in a position to be able to spend that much on a watch.
• If you’re like me and you make up fake celebratory events to justify a purchase, a thank you for your business is more appropriate. 

The Rolex ownership experience has really gotten weird over the last 3 or 4 years.

So they said the same to my brother when he collected his explorer and he found it odd at the time but I suppose it depends on the connotations. Is it congratulations on this big life goal (which some see it as) or is it negative on getting one of their watches. Overall I prefer thank you as it sounds better and more appreciative of your business as you don't have to go with them. 

Also what flight sim are you using? ✈️👨‍✈️

MSFS 2020. 

I honestly can't remember what the salespeople at the AD said. I do remember that they were cordial, helpful, and patient. Other people have said congratulations when I got a watch, so why so wrong for a salesperson?  I don't much care what phrase they used to round out the interaction if the intent is, "yay, the transaction in concluded to everyone's satisfaction, I'm glad and I'm happy for you." 

It reminds me of someone in another context, an old person grousing about a young person saying "sure thing" or "no problem" rather than "your welcome" after a thank you. Same intent, different words. What's to get worked up about? 

I can appreciate the comparison to buying the house. In that light, it makes sense. 
 

I honestly don’t need a celebratory event, just a weak justification 😜. 

the AD was absolutely kind and courteous. Both watches arrived fairly quickly,( the explorer arrived in 2 weeks) I’m not worked up at all. Found it odd Is all. This is not a dis simply an observation. 

When I bought my GMT Master 6 years ago, the market was normal enough for me to get a 10% discount and free watch winder. I still got a "Congratulations" compliment so I don't think this has anything to do with the current Rolex scarcity. 

The AD person simply assume acquiring a Rolex is an achievement for most people. It is most likely part of the sales training. 

It does not bother me at all.

My next watch purchase is for a personal milestone in having purchased over 20 watches. An achievement truly worthy of buying one more watch.

Comes with a new watch box to start the next ten.  :-)

Prefer the "Thank you" or both 😊

I think a lot of  watch enthusiasts are starting to move away from Rolex. They are amazing watches though. I can’t hate on the actual product.

I agree 100% with this. Rolex makes great watches, but the experience in buying one these days is terrible and off putting. I honestly don't recall with certainty whether my AD thanked me or congratulated me after my purchases (all made in 2018, 2019), but I'm pretty sure it was a polite thank you as I think I would have been insulted with a "congratulations".

It really comes down to the context and intent of the sales associate. People often buy a watch to mark an important life event. 

Are they congratulating someone for the life event? Or, are they congratulating you for making it through the wait list? The former is sweet and personable, the latter is arrogant.  

I believe there is a rich history in print along the lines of "Congratulations on choosing a..." as the decision is implied to be a wise one, and that is actually an accomplishment. Spending is not usually an accomplishment, even though Rolex makes it a Herculean task. Of course the idea that choosing a Rolex requires some great discernment or careful study is extremely laughable. It is a very obvious and common choice. 

I understand that Rolex really is more of a shibboleth, a status symbol, than a timepiece for the majority of customers, aspiring customers, etc. But it is unsettlingly weird for a complicit party to tacitly acknowledge this.

It reminds me of someone in another context, an old person grousing about a young person saying "sure thing" or "no problem" rather than "your welcome" after a thank you. Same intent, different words. What's to get worked up about? -- @wilfried 

Vastly different intent. No problem" implies that you have not expend any real effort for the person, with the subtext being that one would not because they are not worth it. "Sure thing" implies an obligation, that one did not voluntarily choose to perform the action for the other person. These are both slights in their own way. These respectively translate to "I didn't do much" and "I had to" which are basically dismissing the thanks given. 

You perceive a difference when the same intent was intended. No problem means "no bother, no issue, I was happy to do it freely." This versus "you're welcome [because I offer it freely]". These are set phrases with set meanings. Language and social mores changed between the old curmudgeon and the young person. He could be a bit more tolerant, and take what was said as it was intended, rather insist on what he thinks it should mean.

They should use both.

"Thank you for your business and congratulations on not killing us while we played stupid games."

Cover all bases 😜