Got the call. Same watch, 2 ADs. Who do I buy from? Large-ish dealer or Family AD?

[Mdotlife]

Hey everyone,

I’d love to get some input from everyone, including more experienced members on the forum.

So I’ve posted previously on how I had some trouble with ADs as a brand new buyer into the Rolex world, but found two ADs that seemed the nicest out of a bad bunch. I placed expressions of interest in for a Two Tone DJ 41 with Champagne Diamond Dial.

For context, it’s been 8 weeks since I contacted both ADs. I went and visited the larger AD, located in a high income area of London in person. But, the smaller, family owned jeweller type AD, I only ever spoke to over the phone. I’ve never been into the smaller AD’s store before. I contacted the smaller AD this morning, an hour after they open to check for any updates. The SA said he will definitely be receiving a delivery of stock this afternoon and it will contain a TT DJ in my preferred specification. He said he’d keep it aside for me to view this weekend. Oddly, I received an email from the sales manager from the larger AD in the afternoon (same day) saying they had the same model that I can have if still interested. These two ADs are not linked at all. They must have had their deliveries on the same day with similar stock?

The smaller AD sells jewellery and other brands like Tudor, omega etc (which doesn’t interest me), whereas the larger AD only sells Rolex and is a boutique. Now, given the fact I have more pieces on my wish list, who should I start my ‘purchase history’ with? I’m probably overthinking this but just want to see what more experienced buyers would do if they had the option to go to 2 different ADs that had the same watch. Given the fact that all Rolex models are difficult to obtain, I’m in a very privileged position. I haven’t spoken to either ADs enough to decide which I like more. The larger AD is over an hour away and the smaller AD is 15 minutes away.

Seems like the choice is obvious but would love opinions.

Many Thanks in advance,

MdotLife

[Jidonsu]

Buy both. Sell one.

[Mdotlife]

Originally Posted by Jidonsu

Buy both. Sell one.

Really? That did cross my mind but why?

[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by Mdotlife

Really? That did cross my mind but why?

Because you start a relationship with 2 AD's not 1 which increases your chances of getting more watches you want in the future.

Also, you may make a few quid on the one you sell to put towards the one you keep.

[Mdotlife]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Because you start a relationship with 2 AD's not 1 which increases your chances of getting more watches you want in the future.

Also, you may make a few quid on the one you sell to put towards the one you keep.

Who’s going to buy a TT DJ with diamonds. Realistically speaking

[Stewart_88]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Because you start a relationship with 2 AD's not 1 which increases your chances of getting more watches you want in the future.

Also, you may make a few quid on the one you sell to put towards the one you keep.

I wouldn't say you would make money, I'd be prepared to lose some. But I would do it just to have the relationship with 2 AD's for future purchases

[SamArj]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Because you start a relationship with 2 AD's not 1 which increases your chances of getting more watches you want in the future.

Also, you may make a few quid on the one you sell to put towards the one you keep.

For the love of god stop giving the OP such bad and misguided advice.

He will NOT make a few quid on that watch. He will lose a few thousand.
If he's prepared to lose that amount to garner a relationship then that's his call.
But give him the correct facts to be able to make that decision. Don't just make stuff up!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Jidonsu

Buy both. Sell one.

Agreed…

[Old Expat Beast]

I'd go smaller. They're closer to home, and more likely to work with you in future than a boutique, which will be unimpressed with your business unless you're a major player.

[Mdotlife]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I'd go smaller. They're closer to home, and more likely to work with you in future than a boutique, which will be unimpressed with your business unless you're a major player.

Exactly what I was thinking. The smaller AD is so close to home and the small spend of the datejust won’t get me very far with a larger AD

[EndlessEight]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I'd go smaller. They're closer to home, and more likely to work with you in future than a boutique, which will be unimpressed with your business unless you're a major player.

Absolutely not. They are closing mom and pop ADs left and right.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

Absolutely not. They are closing mom and pop ADs left and right.

In the UK?

[Mdotlife]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

Absolutely not. They are closing mom and pop ADs left and right.

I wasn’t aware of this. The smaller AD has I think 4 or 5 branches but only two of them are Rolex ADs

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Mdotlife

I wasn’t aware of this. The smaller AD has I think 4 or 5 branches but only two of them are Rolex ADs

Both those comment are from America, they probably didn't notice you're from the UK (happens a lot here), where the situation is different.

[Mdotlife]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Both those comment are from America, they probably didn't notice you're from the UK (happens a lot here), where the situation is different.

Good point. The smaller AD has had their AD status since 2010 I believe. So not too long. I’m not sure if that makes a difference

[BLNR Nairobi]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

Absolutely not. They are closing mom and pop ADs left and right.

Fully agree. Lost my favorite AD that has been very good to me a year ago.

I would personally buy from the boutique.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I'd go smaller. They're closer to home, and more likely to work with you in future than a boutique, which will be unimpressed with your business unless you're a major player.

Have to agree and smaller business have less need to play the AD games so widely broadcast by many on forum today.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I'd go smaller. They're closer to home, and more likely to work with you in future than a boutique, which will be unimpressed with your business unless you're a major player.

Agree with this. A boutique will have much more inventory but many more big clients they will need to feed. If you can build a personal relationship with an individual at the smaller AD it may take longer but you will most likely be in a smaller pool of clients…enjoy the watch whichever you decide

[MJZRolex]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I'd go smaller. They're closer to home, and more likely to work with you in future than a boutique, which will be unimpressed with your business unless you're a major player.

I would patronize the family business. It’s good to support their business and may lead to better dividends in the future.

[David5807]

Smaller

[TomCarter]

I'd go with the boutique, you'll never get pressured into buying jewelry you don't want

[watchamatic]

I agree with buying both and selling one. If you can do this and not lose any money, then you have start a relationship with both ADs. You ask for the next watch on your wish list and continue the relationship with whoever delivers first.

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by watchamatic

I agree with buying both and selling one. If you can do this and not lose any money, then you have start a relationship with both ADs. You ask for the next watch on your wish list and continue the relationship with whoever delivers first.

This here. If you can afford it of course

[t60]

+1 on the boutique. I went to one and they never upsell anything. Its a super heavy investment to be a boutique and they will probably not go away anytime soon. The small family AD could lose status any day now.

As much as I love supporting small business, it just doesn't make sense if you're interested in other Rolex models. If the AD's status disappears, kiss that purchase history goodbye.

[David5807]

Originally Posted by t60

+1 on the boutique. I went to one and they never upsell anything. Its a super heavy investment to be a boutique and they will probably not go away anytime soon. The small family AD could lose status any day now.

As much as I love supporting small business, it just doesn't make sense if you're interested in other Rolex models. If the AD's status disappears, kiss that purchase history goodbye.

You make a compelling point, but if OP isn't a whale then what hope does he have of getting other models.

[Mdotlife]

Originally Posted by t60

+1 on the boutique. I went to one and they never upsell anything. Its a super heavy investment to be a boutique and they will probably not go away anytime soon. The small family AD could lose status any day now.

As much as I love supporting small business, it just doesn't make sense if you're interested in other Rolex models. If the AD's status disappears, kiss that purchase history goodbye.

I didn’t realise smaller ADs were losing their AD status

[ks58]

I'd go Boutique, but no idea how things work overseas in the UK.

[afmars]

Smaller

[SLWoodster]

The obvious choice to me is to buy from both.

Originally Posted by Mdotlife

Hey everyone,

I’d love to get some input from everyone, including more experienced members on the forum.

So I’ve posted previously on how I had some trouble with ADs as a brand new buyer into the Rolex world, but found two ADs that seemed the nicest out of a bad bunch. I placed expressions of interest in for a Two Tone DJ 41 with Champagne Diamond Dial.

For context, it’s been 8 weeks since I contacted both ADs. I went and visited the larger AD, located in a high income area of London in person. But, the smaller, family owned jeweller type AD, I only ever spoke to over the phone. I’ve never been into the smaller AD’s store before. I contacted the smaller AD this morning, an hour after they open to check for any updates. The SA said he will definitely be receiving a delivery of stock this afternoon and it will contain a TT DJ in my preferred specification. He said he’d keep it aside for me to view this weekend. Oddly, I received an email from the sales manager from the larger AD in the afternoon (same day) saying they had the same model that I can have if still interested. These two ADs are not linked at all. They must have had their deliveries on the same day with similar stock?

The smaller AD sells jewellery and other brands like Tudor, omega etc (which doesn’t interest me), whereas the larger AD only sells Rolex and is a boutique. Now, given the fact I have more pieces on my wish list, who should I start my ‘purchase history’ with? I’m probably overthinking this but just want to see what more experienced buyers would do if they had the option to go to 2 different ADs that had the same watch. Given the fact that all Rolex models are difficult to obtain, I’m in a very privileged position. I haven’t spoken to either ADs enough to decide which I like more. The larger AD is over an hour away and the smaller AD is 15 minutes away.

Seems like the choice is obvious but would love opinions.

Many Thanks in advance,

MdotLife

[amanbra]

Here in Sydney you’d be better off buying from the large. Our small shops get very little stock.


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