Should I tell my SA?

[amphr1]

I recently acquired a pre-own black Daytona in the grey market. I had mentioned my intention to do so to my SA as I feel there was almost no chance to get it through him given my purchase history. The way I asked was very transparent. I said basically that I was willing to wait for him to sell me a Daytona if it would be in a reasonable timeframe, i.e. some time in 2023. I told him that the prices in the grey market is decreasing to the range that I'm comfortable purchasing. And the end result, which I took it as a clear signal, was that he didn't put the watch down onto my list on his computer record. Because he usually adds it right in front of me when I ask for anything else or even just mention of a model that me and my wife might be interested in. So that tells me that I'm not going to get one via this AD.

Anyway, I think the prevailing advice is to not talk about it. And I think I will not bring it up unless my SA ask about it next time I see him in person. But if the topic comes up, I feel uneasy to lie or coverup the truth. I feel that it'll create some uneasiness or erode the relationship. And yes yes I know your SA is your friend only as far as being able to conduct business. Anyway I'd love to hear folks opinion and their experience.

[2loaded]

Find a new AD.
Hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing.

[dcash0615]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Find a new AD.
Hear nothing, see nothing, say nothing.

Exactly this

[espanol]

Congrats.

You wanted watch. You asked for watch. You found watch. You bought watch. Happy days!

Since when do we all care so much about our 'relationships' with watch salespeople? They earn 30-40% on any Rolex sale. If they didn't offer it to you, then how's that 'relationship' you speak of really going?

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by espanol

Since when do we all care so much about our 'relationships' with watch salespeople?

Some people are just very lonely

[ArtNouveau]

I have known my SA around 25 years now. Although I bought other watches from him at his multi-brand chain store, even in the past he could not readily supply me with “hot” Rolex models. He knew I bought some elsewhere and never held it against me.
He’s now at a Rolex only Boutique and has gotten for me the four watches I’ve asked for. Really no reason to go anywhere else now if I wanted another Rolex but I don’t think he’d be upset if I did.

[shaunylw]

I would continue to push for the Daytona, and I wouldn't wear it around them when you go in. Best case they get you one and you can dump the one you bought. Worst case, you continue to enjoy the daytona you have.

[S.Explorer]

I don't think it matters, just wear it as you wish.

If your SA asks, say you bought it used as a stopgap.

[Tim Plains]

Why do you feel you need to tell him anything you do outside of his store? I wouldn't have mentioned it and just kept asking as time went on, then sell the grey Daytona.

[train-time]

Should I tell my SA? - NO

[Srct]

Congratulations - no need to say anything

[burnthesehills]

You should tell your wife. Your SA?? Nope.

[Harry-57]

Back when I could get a black SS Sky Dweller at MSRP + 20%, I lost patience with my AD and went grey before a price rise. I took it straight over to them. They took it away and authenticated it for me (not necessary but it would have been rude to refuse their offer). Six months after that they sold me a TT Sky Dweller on spec, a BLRO 15 months later, and a blue Sky Dweller six months subsequently.

I tend towards the honesty pays model. It has worked for me but you should do what best suits you. Strictly speaking it's none of their business.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

You should tell your wife. Your SA?? Nope.

Tell wife but don’t tell her how much you paid

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Tell wife but don’t tell her how much you paid

Good point!

Although I tried that once with a high end mountain bike. A few months later the receipt fell out of my trunk when we were unpacking groceries. I was in big trouble I tell ya.

[Cambo]

Your SA and AD really don’t care…if they find out, you will lose any standing with them. If they don’t, you’re one more person off the list (of many).

[TomCarter]

Loose lips sink ships

[Rado63]

I would purchase any watch I wanted from the secondary market and I would always ask the the AD to get me one as well. If I then had two one would be sold unless I want both or want to sell both. Why wait for the watch that may or may not ever come through the AD. Enjoy one now while you wait. You are not under any obligation to discuss your watch collection, at least not at this moment, and even if you needed service you can send the watch directly to RSC you do not the AD to participate in your service needs unless you want them to participate.

[thekman]

I do not see any reason for the AD or SA to be upset with you. You gave them a chance, they couldn't deliver so you got it somewhere else. It just shows you mean business. Honestly if I were an SA I would be extremely happy to see my customer get a super hot watch elsewhere. It's one less person now on my list who will bug me for months for a Daytona.
I know that Rolex is not AP but my AP SA straight up told me they sometimes use grey market purchases for super hot watch to advocate for their clients with upper management as it shows that you are not a flipper and actually want the watch to the point that you overpaid for it.

[Tools]

Why would you tell your AD anything except what watch you are interested in buying?

It's not a date, it's a business transaction.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by TomCarter

Loose lips sink ships

[amh]

I've learned this the hard way: Shut Up

Complete transparency isn't a good idea. If you're dating a lady, do you tell her about everyone else you're dating?

[davek35]

I had a relationship with a SA at one location. Very little help. At another location of the same company I developed a relationship with a SA that helped me aquire what I wanted, no problem it seemed.

I had the first SA take me off their list for anything. Seemed to be wasting my time. But I never told that person why. I'm pretty much finished buying now anyway.

[EEpro]

Wearing my grey market white dial to the store and buying a PM watch changed the dynamic for me.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I feel that it'll create some uneasiness or erode the relationship.

What relationship is there to erode if he didn't or couldn't get you your Daytona?

But why would you have to tell your AD anything ..... no one says you have to tell your AD you bought on the grey market

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I recently acquired a pre-own black Daytona in the grey market. I had mentioned my intention to do so to my SA as I feel there was almost no chance to get it through him given my purchase history. The way I asked was very transparent. I said basically that I was willing to wait for him to sell me a Daytona if it would be in a reasonable timeframe, i.e. some time in 2023. I told him that the prices in the grey market is decreasing to the range that I'm comfortable purchasing. And the end result, which I took it as a clear signal, was that he didn't put the watch down onto my list on his computer record. Because he usually adds it right in front of me when I ask for anything else or even just mention of a model that me and my wife might be interested in. So that tells me that I'm not going to get one via this AD.

Anyway, I think the prevailing advice is to not talk about it. And I think I will not bring it up unless my SA ask about it next time I see him in person. But if the topic comes up, I feel uneasy to lie or coverup the truth. I feel that it'll create some uneasiness or erode the relationship. And yes yes I know your SA is your friend only as far as being able to conduct business. Anyway I'd love to hear folks opinion and their experience.

What would telling your AD accomplish?

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by illiguy

What would telling your AD accomplish?

I mean when I visit my AD, I usually go on a weekday so that it's not crowded and we can relax and chitchat. I don't want to be the guy that every time you talk to your SA all you want to talk about is the next watch you want to buy from them. Of course I'll checkin on the status etc, but once that's done with, I want to have some resemblance of friendship, so you start to talk about your shared passion, and so it just unnatural not to talk about the highlight of your week.

But I would love to hear from the point of view of a sales person. Are you at all excited to see a customer? Would you rather I just email you if you were my SA? I guess if it's just all business... But I feel SAs do value relationships, to know that they are an important part of someone's hobby that they pour quite a bit of money and time in.

[OYptL]

The only thing I ever told my SA’s was to please order extra links as soon as possible and when that happened I said thanks and have a good day.

[Gab27]

In theory, your SA should be happy for you in the sense that you were able to get something that brings you happiness, and while you wound up getting it elsewhere, you did originally give them the opportunity to sell it to you first.

In practice, who knows. People are weird, and SAs, like other people, can sometimes be ridiculous.

Subsequently, I don't see any reason to bring it up. If you are worried, it is easy enough to wear a different watch when you go to your AD, and if they ask you about a Daytona, simply telling them, "I'm still looking to purchase one" is being completely honest if you are, indeed, willing to purchase one from an AD, if offered.

[aayates]

Awfully complicated to buy a watch these days... I won't play the games, but I haven't bought a watch in a while either just by showing interest at an AD.