How to Approch ADs

[Underachiever]

TL;DR (1) Do I try my local small ADs or ADs near my office in NYC? (2) Is it worth letting the AD know what my ultimate buying goal is?

I have had some financial succusses at work and would like to purchase a few Rolexes to wear and then ultimately leave one to each of my children.

There are 2 ADs about an hour from my house in the Midwest and I still go to my office in NYC monthly, so I could visit the ADs there - but while I have a NYC business card/online presence, my home address in in the Midwest.

In lurking on the forum, I think a major issue is my wife and I don't wear any jewelry. She doesn't care for it (she has a wedding ring, engagement ring and few odds and ends from over the years she doesn't wear).

So can I make an AD care about me at all if I can't offer up a large amount of non-watch spend? "Hey, no rush but I would like to buy 4 different (non-Daytona) SS Rolexes over time, whenever you get them in and have a need to sell them?" Direct is my usual style, but I am a bit out of my depth here.

Thanks!

[Harry-57]

This is a discussion best had with ADs. There's nothing wrong with walking in and asking them questions.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Underachiever

TL;DR (1) Do I try my local small ADs or ADs near my office in NYC? (2) Is it worth letting the AD know what my ultimate buying goal is?

I have had some financial succusses at work and would like to purchase a few Rolexes to wear and then ultimately leave one to each of my children.

There are 2 ADs about an hour from my house in the Midwest and I still go to my office in NYC monthly, so I could visit the ADs there - but while I have a NYC business card/online presence, my home address in in the Midwest.

In lurking on the forum, I think a major issue is my wife and I don't wear any jewelry. She doesn't care for it (she has a wedding ring, engagement ring and few odds and ends from over the years she doesn't wear).

So can I make an AD care about me at all if I can't offer up a large amount of non-watch spend? "Hey, no rush but I would like to buy 4 different (non-Daytona) SS Rolexes over time, whenever you get them in and have a need to sell them?" Direct is my usual style, but I am a bit out of my depth here.

Thanks!

All ADs are just shops that sells watches nothing and should be treated like any other retail shop.

[Jezz0]

Originally Posted by padi56

All ADs are just shops that sells watches nothing and should be treated like any other retail shop.

+1

[Sergio_UKR]

I told my AD upfront that I am pretty terrible customer since I am only interested in watches (not jewelry) and moreover the popular ones.


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[Easy Rhino]

My 0.02. Be who you are with ADs and don't try to be someone else. Portray who you truly are and let multiple ADs decide if you're their kind of customer. It will work better that way long term.

I would never recommend an AD that required multiple purchases of things I don't want just in hopes of getting what I wanted. My wife also wears little jewelry, and I have never had to pay the tax of leading purchases to get a Rolex.

Congrats on your success. I hope you get the watch(es) you're looking for.

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by Easy Rhino

My 0.02. Be who you are with ADs and don't try to be someone else. Portray who you truly are and let multiple ADs decide if you're their kind of customer. It will work better that way long term.

I would never recommend an AD that required multiple purchases of things I don't want just in hopes of getting what I wanted. My wife also wears little jewelry, and I have never had to pay the tax of leading purchases to get a Rolex.

Congrats on your success. I hope you get the watch(es) you're looking for.

Agreed.
And shop multiple ADs.

[Cassian739]

I would go to ADs in both NY and close to home in the Midwest (don't tell them you are talking to multiple ADs). Be upfront about your goals, Jewelry is not a priority for you and your wife, and that you want to start a real Rolex collection - them knowing that you will be a long-term client will help. Have a first purchase in mind, something that is attainable (DJ, OP, Explorer, etc.). If you are interested in other watch brands they sell, great, purchasing multiple brands helps; don't buy what you don't truly want.

Also, in NY, I would suggest that you go to Bucherer / Tourneau - owned by Rolex, focused on watches, and they do not prioritize jewelry spending.

[saltyandwet]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

I would go to ADs in both NY and close to home in the Midwest (don't tell them you are talking to multiple ADs). Be upfront about your goals, Jewelry is not a priority for you and your wife, and that you want to start a real Rolex collection - them knowing that you will be a long-term client will help. Have a first purchase in mind, something that is attainable (DJ, OP, Explorer, etc.). If you are interested in other watch brands they sell, great, purchasing multiple brands helps; don't buy what you don't truly want.

Also, in NY, I would suggest that you go to Bucherer / Tourneau - owned by Rolex, focused on watches, and they do not prioritize jewelry spending.

Be upfront but don't tell them. So, lie but don't lie.

[Oldfellow]

Originally Posted by saltyandwet

Be upfront but don't tell them. So, lie but don't lie.

I think there is a distinction here.
There is no reason to tell an AD you are also looking elsewhere.
Off course it is the right approach to be open and honest regarding your requirements.

[Mystro]

[brandrea]

Good luck OP, I hope you find the reference you’re looking for

[Calatrava r]

Talk to as many ADs as possible. You may click with one and land a watch you want in short order.

[Easy E]

Alright, here’s what you do. Walk in like John Wayne, kick the counter over with a dirty boot and yell “somebody better fetch me a watch!” Report back.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Underachiever

TL;DR (1) Do I try my local small ADs or ADs near my office in NYC? (2) Is it worth letting the AD know what my ultimate buying goal is?

I have had some financial succusses at work and would like to purchase a few Rolexes to wear and then ultimately leave one to each of my children.

There are 2 ADs about an hour from my house in the Midwest and I still go to my office in NYC monthly, so I could visit the ADs there - but while I have a NYC business card/online presence, my home address in in the Midwest.

In lurking on the forum, I think a major issue is my wife and I don't wear any jewelry. She doesn't care for it (she has a wedding ring, engagement ring and few odds and ends from over the years she doesn't wear).

So can I make an AD care about me at all if I can't offer up a large amount of non-watch spend? "Hey, no rush but I would like to buy 4 different (non-Daytona) SS Rolexes over time, whenever you get them in and have a need to sell them?" Direct is my usual style, but I am a bit out of my depth here.

Thanks!

Seek out the AD Mgr. of several stores. Be friendly and polite, and tell him/her exactly what you want. Be direct and assertive, but not overbearing. Tell him you know it will take some time. It ‘s very important to follow up regularly, in person, but without seeming demanding or impatient. The truth is they decide to whom they want to sell their watches. From what I’ve experienced, they sell to people they like. So, be likable.

Kat


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[john18inch]

I don't know if this will help inspire you, but when I was looking for a gift for our son's college graduation, the AD at my local mall hadn't yielded any results for 3 months, so with less than a month to go, I decided to pick up the phone and call of all places an AD in Beverly Hills. Knowing that, I didn't have any expectations and thought I would flat out get no service since they have no shortage of wealthy people in that city that can buy anything, but what the heck. The lady who answered the phone I told her I was looking for a Rolex 36mm OP for a graduation, and she said she could take my information over the phone so I didn't have to come in. 3 weeks to the day, she emails me while still no OP, she had a 36mm Datejust in blue. I decided sure why not it's a little more but has the date. So I went down and picked it up, and our son loves it!

No purchase history, never even stepped foot in there till pickup day, all from a random phone call!

[bluestreak]

I had a job that took me to NYC on a fairly regular basis. So I stopped into the Bucherer there and asked for a watch. I was able to get a watch from them. No purchase history (no history whatsoever).

I also went to my AD at home. I have a better relationship with them and have gotten some good allocations. I’ve bought watches there, but nothing i didn’t want and no jewelry.

Lastly, whenever I go visit my parents in the town I grew up in, I stop by the AD there. I recently got my first allocation from them.

So it doesn’t hurt to stop in. I’ve found it’s better if you mention your tie to the community. I’ve never gotten a watch on vacation or from a place where there was no reason for them to expect I’d be back on a regular basis. So I went to the places I live, work and where I grew up. Knowing there is at least the potential to be a long term customer certainly helps.

Also, none of these AD know about the others.

Just tell them what you want. Don’t buy anything you don’t.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

OP, if direct is your usual style why not try being direct since that’s what you’re used to. Why would you strategize being anything else other than who you are when talking to an AD or anyone else?

[geoach]

you're not visiting the godfather for a favor..........just a retail store LOL

[Number3]

Originally Posted by geoach

you're not visiting the godfather for a favor..........just a retail store LOL

I know, right? These threads always make me chuckle.

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by geoach

you're not visiting the godfather for a favor..........just a retail store LOL

See, the thing is, it's not really is it? It's not like you're going into k-mart for a newspaper, is it?

A lot of people know there are complications behind buying Rolex's at retail, and like it or not, that IS a fact. Also a lot of people I speak to about this sort of thing, they don't really like interacting with people in a shop too much, as it's relatively unnatural these days. A lot of people feel awkward and don't know what to say.

If that's the case, and you want some advice on that, then I think it's fair to ask people with experience about it.

[Number3]

Also OP, don’t tell them your TRF username otherwise you’ve no chance!

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by Underachiever

TL;DR (1) Do I try my local small ADs or ADs near my office in NYC? (2) Is it worth letting the AD know what my ultimate buying goal is?

I have had some financial succusses at work and would like to purchase a few Rolexes to wear and then ultimately leave one to each of my children.

There are 2 ADs about an hour from my house in the Midwest and I still go to my office in NYC monthly, so I could visit the ADs there - but while I have a NYC business card/online presence, my home address in in the Midwest.

In lurking on the forum, I think a major issue is my wife and I don't wear any jewelry. She doesn't care for it (she has a wedding ring, engagement ring and few odds and ends from over the years she doesn't wear).

So can I make an AD care about me at all if I can't offer up a large amount of non-watch spend? "Hey, no rush but I would like to buy 4 different (non-Daytona) SS Rolexes over time, whenever you get them in and have a need to sell them?" Direct is my usual style, but I am a bit out of my depth here.

Thanks!

Ok - rather than just tell you it's a shop and you walk in like you want to buy a newspaper and that's that, I'll give you some useful advice.

Your scenario is ultimately what Rolex wants to achieve when it comes to attracting a potential client, a client who has reached a certain point in life and wants to own something which can represent those successes and become an heirloom to pass down through generations.

However - you are up against the fact that you are not alone in this scenario. More and more of us thankfully manage to achieve this success, and therefore, it means there's a bit of a supply/demand problem. Some people take advantage of this and essentially bribe their AD's by purchasing things they don't want or need, and that's fine, each to their own. Times are a'changing, though, and right now, demand is somewhat lower than it was a couple of years ago, and it may not be so necessary to get close to what you're after.

Firstly, I'd say it's a good idea to have a good idea of what it is you want. What specific model or line are you looking for? What purpose do you want the watch to have? Is it an everyday piece you wear all the time? Or an eveningwear, special occasion watch? Going into the AD like you've done, at least some groundwork can help the SA understand you at least half know what you're talking about, rather than someone who just wants a Rolex, because Rolex. Be clear with the SA about your ultimate goals from the outset. If that's a BLRO "Pepsi" GMT Master, make sure you tell them that, but also be clear that you understand that is likely to be off the table, for now. Ask to try on a couple of these pieces you're interested in to get an idea of exactly what you want.

Being honest and clear about what you want is key. Explain timelines; if you have a special birthday coming up, or something like that, you may be able to leverage this a little. Involve your kids if you're comfortable with that - to some it's a valuable lesson to learn early about setting goals for achievements etc. It can also be fun too, and maybe ven advantageous for you if you appear to be a family man.

At the end of the day, the AD 100% wants you, no, needs you to come in and buy a watch, so it's up to you to present yourself like you're there for the honourable reasons, rather than just wanting to buy a RoLeX wAtCh to spin a profit if you flip it. Most of all, just enjoy it, go and talk watches for a bit with the SA, try on some nice pieces, drink some nice coffee. Oh - and keep in touch, too. Don't walk in, walk out and let them forget you. Give the SA a reason to think of you when pushing for that allocation in his next meeting with his manager.

[Bazil]

Watch Phil Reid, he’s just made a video on YouTube how to go in an AD ..
Or you can digest some of what’s said here ..
Be honest and friendly, two traits missing in modern society ..
Have a back story, reason what watch you want and why ..
ADs vary City to City, country to country .. so if you don’t like them or the way they treat you try elsewhere ..
And whatever you do, don’t use those ‘stupid nicknames’ .. when asking for a watch ..

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by Bazil

Be honest and friendly, two traits missing in modern society ..

Cannot tell you how much I agree with this.
While I'm sure 99.9% of people in here are like this, there's such a large amount who are far from it. Sadly, I've seen it first-hand in-store myself.

Oh, the stories the SAs might tell in private... one can only imagine.

[1William]

The very first thing is , what watch or watches do you want? Second is why are you tied to an AD to find a watch[s]. I would assume that it is the price but some appreciate the AD experience as well. My advice would be to decide on the watch or watches you want and the order you want them in. If you are looking for a new SS Daytona-C or a BLRO on Jubilee you maybe waiting a long time or not at all. If you are looking for a Date Just/Submariner/Explorer or such then maybe in a reasonable time frame. As someone who is self described as having some financial success I would assume that you also understand time and what it cost. There is also the part of having to go into various AD's and have a conversation about what you want and what they can provide. Based on what I read here on TRF the responses will be as varied as our own personal opinions. No one has said it yet or I missed it but the secondary market is a viable alternative in some situations depending on the watch. We have a great group of Trusted Sellers here and they will work for your business. Most, if not all, will spend time discussing various watches and alternatives. They have independent websites with inventory listed and typically will negotiate a bit. The best thing is you can buy the watch and have it tomorrow by lunch both saving time and effort. If you are looking for a Submariner/Date Just/Explorer/etc. the prices are not much more than an AD with the tax included. Good luck and keep us posted.

[worldofoyster]

go to wherever sells you watches

[Generious]

Originally Posted by Underachiever

TL;DR (1) Do I try my local small ADs or ADs near my office in NYC? (2) Is it worth letting the AD know what my ultimate buying goal is?

I have had some financial succusses at work and would like to purchase a few Rolexes to wear and then ultimately leave one to each of my children.

There are 2 ADs about an hour from my house in the Midwest and I still go to my office in NYC monthly, so I could visit the ADs there - but while I have a NYC business card/online presence, my home address in in the Midwest.

In lurking on the forum, I think a major issue is my wife and I don't wear any jewelry. She doesn't care for it (she has a wedding ring, engagement ring and few odds and ends from over the years she doesn't wear).

So can I make an AD care about me at all if I can't offer up a large amount of non-watch spend? "Hey, no rush but I would like to buy 4 different (non-Daytona) SS Rolexes over time, whenever you get them in and have a need to sell them?" Direct is my usual style, but I am a bit out of my depth here.

Thanks!

They are just retailers go in and tell them what you are after simple.
you dont need to ass kiss, or make up stories.

They sell watches that's all the they do they aren't anything special the watches might be but ADs aren't.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Underachiever

TL;DR (1) Do I try my local small ADs or ADs near my office in NYC? (2) Is it worth letting the AD know what my ultimate buying goal is?

I have had some financial succusses at work and would like to purchase a few Rolexes to wear and then ultimately leave one to each of my children.

There are 2 ADs about an hour from my house in the Midwest and I still go to my office in NYC monthly, so I could visit the ADs there - but while I have a NYC business card/online presence, my home address in in the Midwest.

In lurking on the forum, I think a major issue is my wife and I don't wear any jewelry. She doesn't care for it (she has a wedding ring, engagement ring and few odds and ends from over the years she doesn't wear).

So can I make an AD care about me at all if I can't offer up a large amount of non-watch spend? "Hey, no rush but I would like to buy 4 different (non-Daytona) SS Rolexes over time, whenever you get them in and have a need to sell them?" Direct is my usual style, but I am a bit out of my depth here.

Thanks!

How to Approach ADs well all ADs are just retail shops that sells watches nothing more, and should be apprached like any other retail shop store.

[Neil McCauley]

Originally Posted by padi56

How to Approach ADs well all ADs are just retail shops that sells watches nothing more, and should be apprached like any other retail shop store.

You keep saying this over and over again Padi, technically it's correct, they are indeed retail shops, but when you consider the context of what's going on, it simply isn't true.

Everyone knows there are complications behind obtaining Rolex's at retail, we should stop pretending there isn't when someone asks for advice, it's unhelpful. Like it or not, there are different ways to approach the store if you want to get what you want, sir.