SHOULD YOU TIP A ROLEX AD? | TIPPING FOR LUXURY ITEMS YES/NO

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Hello Ash. In my former sales position we sold high-end items we were told that we could not accept tips in fact one of the employees was fired for taking a tip. The best thing as you said that could happen would be a customer sending a handwritten note to you personally and an email to the manager telling them of the exceptional service. Whenever the manager received a letter or email stating that the customer received exceptional service the associate would get a gift card and as you said accolades from the management which would help when time comes for raises and bonuses. I would think that an authorized dealer the sales associates surely receive a commission on their sales. I can say from experience that a handwritten note from a customer means alot. I do believe that here in the USA tipping has gotten way out of hand. Cheers Ron

[@photoplanet]

"Authorised Dealer prefers cash payment over credit cards"...? Yep, sounds legit....

[@haourss]

Good point. I was struggling with that one.

[@brianmccord7387]

I came on here to say this too. Are we sure this is an AD?

[@Olyfrun]

Maybe they need the change for the till!

[@wristopia4101]

I'm thinking that 'cash' possibly includes debit cards and not actual Dollar Bills ; ) That's how it would be in the UK anyway. Zero protection if you pay by cash! In the UK you are protected for the full amount even if you only put a small deposit on a credit card.

[@surfingmoose]

cash over cc, because of the fees associated with a cc. the retailer loses a few percentage points with every transaction with a cc. if i remember correctly, the points/cash back plans are paid by the retailer and not the cc company. so on top of the regular transactions fees they are also paying the points/cash back fees. i know of lots of retailers and restaurants here in the vancouver area that only take cash or debit card.

[@misteranderson2112]

This is the craziest idea I have ever heard!

[@pasquale78]

"I don't believe in tipping" - Mr Pink 1992

[@lynn5447]

My experience has been that the boss is blown away when he gets a note or letter complimenting a staff member. My boss came over, gave me more glowing comments about receiving the letter and how much he appreciated it.

[@Wm.Lidgett]

tipping for the most part in the USA at least is used in away to allow employers to pay their employees a lower wage, me personally i stick with the standard tipping thought of your barber, cab driver, waitress, and then the standard hotel tipping norms. then anyone else like say the very helpful salesperson a nicely written handwritten thank you notenote

[@theprivatecollectors]

I use to bring a bottle of entry level champagne when I get a hot piece. Tipping is really not necessary given that Rolex ADs make a 37% in just 20 minutes. PS congratulations on your Datejust 😂😂

[@williamcrawford8174]

TIP , stands for “To Improve Promptness “ not something you would associate with Rolex !

[@TheWeardale1]

yep, as a uk guy there aren't many things I'll tip more...most notable is probably a taxi driver going home from a night out - and that's because I'm a bit drunk..! i sometimes tip if i'm in a restaurant, but in the latter stages of lockdown and when we were staying at some 5 star hotels (as wasn't able to go abroad as such) the hotels began to introduce a service charge of ~15% which is a faire chunk when you're spending over £400 for a nights stay..but most have stopped now, think they were trying to recoup some lost earnings... but tipping for a luxury item like a watch or a car? nah...i tend to ask for a discount..

[@jimreece7615]

Best tip is not to buy a Rolex and thus avoid being associated with it’s unethical false scarcity marketing practices.

[@Olyfrun]

I've never looked too far into it, but at every step it seems a rather unpleasant process. Then again I've been chasing a vintage Poljot for years, can't say I would recommend that approach either 😂 well for learning perhaps, but not for obtaining a timepiece.

[@wristopia4101]

If you applied that logic to everything you would have trouble spending money. Having bought Rolex's for decades I take the false scarcity thing with a large pinch of salt. Either way it would not stop me from owning a stunning watch. It's just plain lazy to not make the minimum effort involved, and saying it's unethical is laughable 😂

[@wojciechpatalas6660]

@@wristopia4101 If You participate in such unethical schemes You are becoming part of the problem.

[@wristopia4101]

Rolex is made in Switzerland by workers who, even on minimum wage, would be living the dream. The guy sweeping up is on £28 an hour. Rolex owns it's products so can do WTF they like with them. It's not up to people who cannot afford or obtain one to tell them how many they should make, what price to sell them at, and how/who to sell to. Unless they use materials that are unethically sourced then they cannot be called unethical. Tesla, Apple, Volkswagen, Primark, Starbucks, Amazon, and Chinese tat etc. etc. not so much, so have a good look at products you own before being uneducated enough to call Rolex unethical lol.

[@wojciechpatalas6660]

@@wristopia4101 There is nothing ethical about watch industry and Rolex is now at the tip of the spear of this horrible, unethical market practices. The only way to stop such companies as Rolex is to vote with Your wallet. By the way Rolex is nothing special, just upper mid tier watch company. Just take Your money and buy a Moser for example You will get better, more original and also made in Switzerland watch.

[@149jimbo]

I agree that writing a note of thanks is very appropriate in this context. However I would not write it with a biro as your inserted video clip suggests. Surely any chap worth his salt would use a fountain pen. Otherwise another excellent video. Thank you.

[@chadlaughlin-vr7yf]

Glad you got around to the fact of the matter at the end Ash. I bought $4k of anniversary jewelry for my lovely wife and "shockingly" got my call for an explorer 1 two weeks later after waiting for a year previously. I'd be happy to buy my salesman a drink for the holidays in the event i see him out at the bar, but i may sharpen my elbow's prior to the drink as I'm an Irish-American and we remember who did us favors as much as who we did favors for. I do love my explorer 1, but I put in my time and spent the premium in time/jewelry required for "the privelage" of giving someone $8k. As it were, I do fancy that grey dial yacht master in 40mm though...

[@WatchesOnWood]

The last watch I got from my Rolex AD was for my wife, it was a particularly hard dialed watch to get and the SA was able to get it before wife's birthday. I have a good relationship with the SA and we talk personal matters often - I'm under no illusion it is a business relationship. When I went to pick the watch up I knew the SA was very close to completing renovations on their house so I took a bottle of (good) champagne and said this is for you to celebrate the completion of your house when you get there.

[@kevinbutler1968]

I would never tip an AD. In the last few years, my wife and I have become good friends with an AD at the JLC store on Bond Street. His work got me a Polaris Mariner Date several months ahead of expectation and since then, we have bought 2 Reverso's from him. As we got to know him, we bought him a couple of small value gifts and he has given us some special JLC related gifts. And this week, we treated him to lunch. But none of this is seen as a tip, it's just becoming friends with someone who knows how to treat people well.

[@KRW628]

What should I tip my Lamborghini salesman?

[@esbee1177]

A Porsche

[@HomerSimpson-iv3ly]

Chewing gum

[@Historiccolonialmedicine]

I like the bottle of wine idea or better yet, a glowing review. As an American, I always viewed tipping as a form of a wage. I suspect our meal prices would be much higher if the servers wages were a lot higher. I think it comes out even. You have a VAT that is included in the total price so you don’t see it unless you figure it out and our sales taxes are calculated separately and added on in the bill so we see them. Tipping for self service is too much. I was thinking more of a sit down table service for a tip.

[@kevinv6768]

You have to remember for a lot of us buying a Rolex from an AD isn’t a one or two step process, it means that the SA has seen and dealt with us many many times over the course of months or years. So when the call finally comes in and you pick up the watch they’ve dealt with you likely for quit a few hours. That’s a good amount of customer service when they could have been doing other things. When my watch came in I gifted the two SAs I dealt with throughoutbyhe the process a thoughtful gift I thought they would appreciate as I was very appreciative of their hard work dealing with my annoying ass got all those months. (Not saying how Rolex works is cool or right, it just is what it is.)

[@Alwaysunderablanket]

This is really sound advice. Some of the comments focus too much on the Rolex part and not enough on what Uncle Ash is saying here - which is that unless your supplementing someone’s wage (like in the food sector), then there are classier, more meaningful ways to show your appreciation than just sliding over a note 💴

[@nuancedbro9373]

If on the rare occasion I do tip in a restaurant I make sure it’s cash and hand it on the staff member who earned it

[@spsmith1965]

I would consider tipping for a watch that sells for a premium on the secondary market. If I get a steel GMT at retail, I am saving about from $7K to $10K compared to the secondary market. That's worth a tip IMO.

[@mpithmore4643]

The hand written note is indeed the most impactful. Good call Ash.

[@MisterKnightly]

Your advice is grand and well thought out. Its such a shame that there is such an unpleasant taste alongside Rolex these days. Not that I don't completely understand. I always tip (with expensive alcohol) any salesperson of higher end items who goes above and beyond and who I have a relationship with beyond the till.

[@wristopia4101]

Tipping is part of peoples wages in the states, but is an absolute liberty in the UK! Restaurants insult you by begging for extra money after you have had the decency to keep their lights on by enduring their poor service and food. Well done for calling this out ; ) You are the only person to has that I know of.

[@jasonblack7503]

That's a bit like saying should I pay the car dealership more money for my new car? Iv already paid alot of money for it. Absolutely not, this American culture of tipping is not needed in the UK. Staff are paid a wage, they are not on commission only. To me it's another way to get the consumer to part with more money; when these multinational corporations make billions.

[@rdcwild3023]

I so hope tipping on luxury watches doesn’t become the norm 😂

[@noozybkk]

I have a great relationship with my AD - I don't ever add anything to the price of a purchase as a gratuity, however I do pop in every year just before Christmas with a bottle of Champagne and a bottle of single malt. [Edit - should point out I'm in the UK]

[@WesternBachelor]

No, but that's also because I don't believe in tipping culture in general. I think employees should be paid fairly and that a tip should be about exceptional service and not expected. Employees should not be dependent on tips in order to survive.

[@absolutgeist]

Listen to this man, he is in the know.

[@John-FourteenSix]

We were not allowed to accept a gratuity from our contractors working for us.

[@philparkinson462]

Personally I'd just thank them cordially and offer a warm handshake.

[@teenoso4069]

Thoughtful answer to a seemingly bizarre question

[@iconicetiquette4546]

I feel Jesus put it in a concise way “treat others as you would like to be treated “ personally if the person has gone above & beyond & your heart tells you to tip or give a gesture of gratitude, so be it .😊

[@viclucyzia]

Honestly I like watches however survival is the moments concern with the European end-days economy.

[@pascalnorvins2187]

Get a classic 6694 caliber.. all the DNA of an Oyster, 34mm, mechanical with a 48h reserve, a joy to wind, no rotor so slimmer on the wrist, and plenty of perfectly aged dial to choose from. Champaign, slate grey or gilt… start at 1500 £. Be smart. Nothing was made cheaper then. Just simpler.

[@clivemcquire7686]

Bribes to get on “The list” sounds like a criminal offence?

[@greenerick]

Nah, Rolex isn't worth the risk, you know? I've got an Omega Seamaster Chronometer; that Omega movement is amazing. I'm stuck in bed right now, and I'm wearing it (not all the time, though!), and it's still ticking away. Proves you don't need to be super active for a great watch, right? It's just as good as my Seiko LX titanium spring drive. Thanks for the KZbin video!

[@Stefano50]

BRAVO !!

[@anoldslowhorse]

Great advice …

[@michaelmortimer628]

Being from the US my position is that tipping is deeply exploitative, both of the workers and the customers. I applaud European resistance to yet another hyper-capitalist offering from the US.

[@danielschaeffer1294]

I don’t have enough money that this is a meaningful question for me, but here’s my take. A Rolex AD is already prosperous enough without your money. Why not give it as a Christmas present to some deserving charity, Doctors Without Borders, for example, so that some poor wretch in trouble can know that there are people who care about him? Noblesse oblige! Besides, as Ash already knows, I’d rather have an Omega.

[@whereRbearsTeeth]

Spoken like a true broke person.

[@keithkilpatrick6408]

They're probably getting a commission from the transaction, and retail workers are very rarely tipped. I say, no.

[@b_altmann]

Normally anyone working for an AD would not be allowed to accept anything. Giving them a google review is a good way to show appreciation.

[@Fatboylo1980-l7n]

Listen, go to Rolex Ad, ask for a watch, check in every now and again. Don’t kiss any salesman’s ass. Buy other brands in the mean time, by no means would I ever tip someone for letting me a buy a mass produced watch. Never gonna happen .

[@MikeOBrien1945]

LOL, THEY should tip ME for buying one of their overhyped watches. But I won’t and so they won’t. A win win as I see it.

[@richardwall2330]

Not a big fan of tipping as the cynical side of me sees what i give you boss will view he doesnt have to !! My exception to my rule is the lady who does my finacial return̈s .Totally without drama totally professional ,stress free, seamlessly performed . Well worth a bottle of bubbly for above and beyond service Many thanks Ash thinking on if you had "accepted a tip "in your "tall hat days "i doubt we would be watching you now 😊😊😊

[@gregb8824]

I've got a timex that has been a banger. No tip required and widely available!

[@Talon173]

Lets be honest. Rolex watches sell themselves….its not like Rolex Sales associates are working hard to seek out clients. If you didnt buy it, the next person on the list would snap it up, so not exactly sure what the tip would be for. I agree a handwritten note or Christmas card at this time of year is enough

[@hoozat007]

I’m in Canada and we have much the same tipping tradition as the US, and I have to say the whole tipping culture has got out of hand. As you said, it shouldn’t be necessary to tip in an establishment where you largely serve yourself. Another issue is tipping based on a percentage of the amount paid. If you walk into a high-end bar and order an expensive glass of wine, why should that server receive a larger tip than someone working at a pub serving you a beer?

[@timberliftersurvival1836]

visiting canada right now and tipping culture is definately a bit of a culture shock. I was getting coffee recently and the card reader popped up with tipping options automatically and the cashier 1) hardly understood english so i had to repeat the order 5 times and 2) didn't even have to move thier legs they just filled the styrofoam cup from an old urn plugged in by the till. I thought it was odd that a company expects customers to pay extra for bad service.

[@z.olderautist2209]

The craziest thing is that they subsidize those foreign fast food workers.

[@mendipfox1650]

Forget Rolex. Go get yourself an Omega Railmaster. £3,000 pre owned. Looks great in the remake of the day of the jackal. Under the radar killer watch. 💥 😂

[@ccooper8785]

Why would you ever tip when you have been made to wait for an over-hyped watch ?

[@joonkt3483]

Tipping equates to bribery....

[@velviaman3206]

You should have released this on 1/4/25, unbelievable.

[@ThePauloEmo]

I need to aks this. What did you say your breakfast was? I'm sorry, but I really did not understood what you said and the curiosity is killing me

[@TheChapsGuide]

Kedgeree • en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kedgeree?wprov=sfti1#

[@charlesedwards4160]

Uncle Ash. I like that. I like that indeed.

[@MikeB071]

I'm sure that the salesman is getting a very handsome commission from the transaction. This isn't like your waiter or waitress who's hoping to earn enough tips to pay their rent.

[@pharisaeus6493]

A real gentleman always remembers to tip his landlord

[@MrHav1k]

Insanity!!! Tipping an AD 😂😂

[@finger351]

A tip is a measure of gratitude for a good service, anyone asking for a compulsory tip isn't getting my business. I ordered a pizza last night, rare that I eat junk food but it was that kind of day. Mid way through the order I was asked for a tip, how can I tip before the service? It might turn up 3 hours late, cold and not the one I ordered. I ended up ordering from their competitors which lost them a sale due to greed, a tip for good service is an incentive to provide good service in the future whereas compulsory tips offer no incentive.

[@mikeymik2]

Sounds like Portland Oregon.

[@wadecarroll3572]

Tipping for a luxury brand that puts you on a waiting list is beyond absurd

[@robertbelliottjr5773]

Absurd topic!

[@surfingmoose]

I'm ok with tipping those making minimum wage in the service industry. However my registered massage therapist expected a tip. I just paid you $100 for 45 minutes of work, you make more money than me.

[@TheCdM1981]

Why would you tip any watch AD or grey market dealer? Anyone who does this is confused about what a “tip” is. It’s definitely tacky.

[@John-FourteenSix]

Do they tip in China?

[@albertmeyer8983]

No of course not

[@perrdland7903]

Ridiculous to even think about tipping in a situation like that. The luxury experience should be yours. You should be pampered and get the royal treatment. It’s your hard earned money. That how a luxury car dealer will treat you as well as most other luxury product dealers will too. A nice letter is gentlemanly, if your experience has been on par.

[@verykeen2please]

No, simples!

[@etebol]

From one American to another….Hell no! They already make plenty of money from selling us watches at inflated brand prices. No way I would tip them.

[@martindoyle7077]

I would not Evan answered that question .

[@MrPleers]

I would say no. Tipping a waitress for sure. But the seller at a Rolex AD ? They are already in a position where they can decide who gets the watch and who will have to wait for years. Some people buy aditional jewelry or watches, just to get on top of that list. "One needs to build a relationship with your Rolex AD' as some watch reviewers call it. It's a shady buisiness. Don't encourage it.

[@wristopia4101]

Chap Nirvana 👌😂

[@thomass6927]

Don't forget to tip your landlord!

[@iio58]

NO! They should be glad of YOUR business. Not the other way round. Especially when Rolex is generally a non watch persons luxury watch. People really into quality horology don’t buy Rolex.

[@wristopia4101]

Sorry Chap, but I need a decent watch much more than an horrendous black coffee (they only taste half decent by adding milk) served by a deluded kiddie that hates me 😉

[@JamesFerguson-z7u]

That's an American dilemma, not a British affair. Nice watch though, salesperson will get commission, that's enough.

[@Dicey151]

One word answer… NO

[@AntonWinkler-hw8dw]

what an obscure, ridiculous idea to tip a Rolex dealer! I would rather recommend and concider appropriate to ask for a juicy discount.

[@dougsmonsters4866]

If ur buying a brand new rolex, u can tip 😅

[@legionaires]

No. The answer is no.

[@nickbenson2711]

Prefers cash ?????? I’d be legging it

[@Patriotalliance]

Easy answer, no.

[@hellobet46]

Absolutely Not….you just payed a lot for that watch. No

[@9er..]

Did I tip the salesperson for my JLC..Nope! Did I tip for the three Britlings I’ve bought over the last few years…Don’t be a goose! Did I tip for my PF…of course not, are you nuts!?!? Did I sell my ass on the Philly docks for dollars so that I could buy two Rolex…YEP! Willingly! The silly part is I then sent champagne for the first and a winery gift certificate for the next. Cool, great,awesome! Now I can say I had the “Rolex AD experience” as my ego gorged itself on nothingness. HUZZAH! Absolutely, tipping should be for exemplary service… However, It quite often gets you the service you’re hoping for so long you’re not a demanding petulant prick about it. Take all this with a grain of salt…I’ve spent more time working in bars than patronizing them. If you know the service industry lingo one can connect with the staff on a different level. Also, best believe my wife and I were worked over HARD but gracefully for an American size tip in a particular restaurant last time we were in the London. The young woman basically ruined our afternoon tea…How uncivilized!! I could hardly make it through my Coronation Chicken finger sandwiches 🧐😏. I don’t understand the AD wanting cash over other forms of payment though. Can anyone please help me understand that?

[@TheChapsGuide]

Tax avoidance one assumes - very suspicious

[@martindurkin8837]

Sorry pal but you just lost me. I'm trying to afford to eat here in the USA after CHINA-19 and a fraudulent president crashing my economy.