Call from AD - Do you always buy?

[Driver8]

I've turned down a few watches over the years, and it's not hurt my ability to get hold of other pieces at all. But then I've been known to the same AD for many years now.

Originally Posted by Alfa2109

You’re right that ADs are in business to sell as much of everything they have as possible … to make money. And there’s nothing wrong with that. But the idea that AD-customer relationships are nonsense is nonsense. Relationships in business — and life — are everything. And wise business people will spend a lot of time paying attention to them and nurturing them if they want to succeed, as will customers if they want to be able to buy what they’re looking for. It may not be a “privilege” to pay someone thousands of dollars for a watch. But, if that person is the only one or one of a just a few from whom you can buy the watch you want, you’d better work on your relationship with him/her. That’s not nonsense; it’s common sense.

Agreed. When supply exceeds demand, anyone can walk into any AD and buy any watch they want - the "stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap" ethos. But when demand exceeds supply, the seller can effectively choose who they want to sell to. There are many ways they can do that - for example they could literally start at the top of the list and work down (and maybe some AD actually do that), or they can sell first to people they know, and who they know will come back for repeat business. That is exactly what my local AD does.

My AD who, as I've said above, I've known personally for a couple of decades now, is totally honest in telling me that they do service their major spenders first. Why would they not do that?

I'm not in the "major spend" league, but I have a relationship with them stretching back many years, so they always eventually get me what I want. I have absolutely no doubt that wouldn't happen as a random walk-in off the street. The acid test will be the 126500 I've asked for!

[GDub23]

Long time lurker... been down this road with an AD. Bit of a long story, tried to mess me around called them out. Told me years for a Sea Dweller, then tried to sell me diamond earrings. Wrote a letter to Rolex, suddenly they want to sell me a watch (after I already went gray because figured it was the only way... bought a 116613LB bluesy) told them sure but now I want something special. Missed the boat on selling me ANYTHING that I would have happily taken.

Told them Pepsi. And said specifically I do not want a BLNR as I just don't love it for some reason. Few months later they call.... which one do you think? BLNR. I turned it down. I'm sure they'll never call again.

[Zorbz91]

I turned down a WG Sub last week which I didn't ask for. It depends on the AD and your relationship with them. I definitely won't decline a watch on my list.

[Navin Johnson]

Not always. Got a text for a black dial Explorer ii and declined because I’m waiting for the white dial.

[Polarexplorerii]

I have declined 4 watches from my AD over the past two years, all while waiting for a BLNR. I finally got the call for my BLNR in October, so in my case it didn't hurt my chances.

[Dawg]

Originally Posted by dnd2984

Yes. But usually calls are only for what’s on my list.

Same