I'm annoyed with my AD

[mstauqir]

I’d laugh at his face and walk out. Be sure to leave a deserving feedback as well!

[Andad]

I disagree.
There can be strong bonds between buyers and sellers.
It just depends on how high up the tree you are.

[Token74]

Originally Posted by Andad

I disagree.
There can be strong bonds between buyers and sellers.
It just depends on how high up the tree you are.

I agree. I have a great bond with my AD and have been in touch with then during COVID lockdown because I genuinely like them and wanted to know they were ok.


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[N_Architect]

Originally Posted by Token74

I agree. I have a great bond with my AD and have been in touch with then during COVID lockdown because I genuinely like them and wanted to know they were ok.

No objection to any of the above.

I always wish both my AD and my pre-owned dealer in Singapore Happy Chn New Year every single year, and perhaps additionally text them once or twice more within each calendar year.

Will also visit them next time I am there, and of course I plan to buy from them again (already planning my next purchases in actual fact).

Surely there is trust and a very good 'relationship'. With one of the two actually I do discuss work-/managing people-related issues as well, and we have already agreed to go out for lunch next time we meet. There is mutual respect.

But beyond that, what else is there? If one day I do not possess the capacity to even buy a pre-owned (say) Omega Seamaster Diver 300 or a new (say) Baume & Mercier, what is my actual relationship with these people? I will simply just be someone they know, someone who has obliged them with his custom in the past, and that's it - period. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and by no means do I imply that they will have lost respect for me as a person.

However, how frequently do you think I can visit them, and how much time do you think I can spend in their stores in case I ever lose my significant (or whatever else) purchase ability? These are not people who are part of our social circle, gents, these are predominantly people we do infrequent business with. Partners, yes, in a way they are, just like you as a doctor have patients and/or you and me as engineering consultants have clients.

Anyhow, this is not meant to spark a heated debate - I obviously respect you and the OPs opinions, and of course understand that many watch enthusiasts do have and enjoy such relationships. To the point that you guys look after them, just like perhaps I do as well.

Perhaps my original point was based on the subjective opinion that a 'relationship' or 'great bond' is something that certainly starts well after (and goes beyond) that 'partnership' level.

[kumar75203]

Originally Posted by N_Architect

No objection to any of the above.

I always wish both my AD and my pre-owned dealer in Singapore Happy Chn New Year every single year, and perhaps additionally text them once or twice more within each calendar year.

Will also visit them next time I am there, and of course I plan to buy from them again (already planning my next purchases in actual fact).

Surely there is trust and a very good 'relationship'. With one of the two actually I do discuss work-/managing people-related issues as well, and we have already agreed to go out for lunch next time we meet. There is mutual respect.

But beyond that, what else is there? If one day I do not possess the capacity to even buy a pre-owned (say) Omega Seamaster Diver 300 or a new (say) Baume & Mercier, what is my actual relationship with these people? I will simply just be someone they know, someone who has obliged them with his custom in the past, and that's it - period. Nothing wrong with that, of course, and by no means do I imply that they will have lost respect for me as a person.

However, how frequently do you think I can visit them, and how much time do you think I can spend in their stores in case I ever lose my significant (or whatever else) purchase ability? These are not people who are part of our social circle, gents, these are predominantly people we do infrequent business with. Partners, yes, in a way they are, just like you as a doctor have patients and/or you and me as engineering consultants have clients.

Anyhow, this is not meant to spark a heated debate - I obviously respect you and the OPs opinions, and of course understand that many watch enthusiasts do have and enjoy such relationships. To the point that you guys look after them, just like perhaps I do as well.

Perhaps my original point was based on the subjective opinion that a 'relationship' or 'great bond' is something that certainly starts well after (and goes beyond) that 'partnership' level.

Well put. I tried to type out a similar response but it didn't come across so delicate.

Your AD is nice to you because you're spending a ridiculous amount of money there. You might develop some friendships along the way but that doesn't change that it's a business relationship.

This whole concept of "developing a relationship with you AD" is such elitist horsepoop. Just say what it actually is. You're spending a lot of money and sucking up to a business so they'll do you the "favor" of letting you buy their product. I'd much rather pay market price to DavidSW than grovel at the feet of my AD.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by kumar75203

I'd much rather pay market price to DavidSW than grovel at the feet of my AD.

If your relationship with your AD involves groveling at their feet, then not to put too fine a point on it, you are probably better off not developing relationships.

[kumar75203]

Originally Posted by Andad

I disagree.
There can be strong bonds between buyers and sellers.
It just depends on how high up the tree you are.

Yes, most of my friendships are based on how much money I spend on my friends.

[Xenon]

It's called quid pro quo.

[RHIII]

I hate to be the one to say it - and forgive me if it’s been said already - but this is just a classic case of not having the ‘rapport’ one thinks they have with their AD. End of story.

For those ‘dooms - day’ speculators that think the watch world is completely upside down, I hate to break it to you, it’s not. Are there model ‘corrections’ happening within the secondary, that will impact the future - absolutely. Are the (true) hot models still hot - absolutely. Not a whole lot has changed. Well, other than the level of entitled complaining. The AD VIP customers are still getting what they want - and watches are STILL selling on ALL market fronts. I assure you.

And for people to say this is ‘unethical’ — that is a gross misuse of the term relative to this ‘situation’. This is business. There is nothing illegal going on here.

My .02

[garyk]

Originally Posted by RHIII

I hate to be the one to say it - and forgive me if it’s been said already - but this is just a classic case of not having the ‘rapport’ one thinks they have with their AD. End of story.

For those ‘dooms - day’ speculators that think the watch world is completely upside down, I hate to break it to you, it’s not. Are there model ‘corrections’ happening within the secondary, that will impact the future - absolutely. Are the (true) hot models still hot - absolutely. Not a whole lot has changed. Well, other than the level of entitled complaining. The AD VIP customers are still getting what they want - and watches are STILL selling on ALL market fronts. I assure you.

And for people to say this is ‘unethical’ — that is a gross misuse of the term relative to this ‘situation’. This is business. There is nothing illegal going on here.

My .02

Sure is easy for you to say, you look almost exactly like frikken Steve McQueen

[briboxer]

Shame they didn't recognize you as a deserving client.
Bundling is really nothing new. Rolex AD's have "entitled" you to a new ss daytona if you bought it with a PM DD 20 years ago.
You said you were keeping the rapport/relationship alive, as you have shopped there before. Looks like they may have just ended it for you.

[Podmornica]

In the end, it's always cheaper to go gray or used market than to play games, unless you do not want to feed the gray market.

Nobody knows what the demand will be when Rolex restart production and hot pieces starts to pour at AD again, but in my circles folks are not in a mood to buy the luxury items like they were 2 months ago. Many with the business are struggling, a lot of workers were laid off with uncertain times ahead, some will not survive and will have to close down .. I would be really surprised to see the same demand for these watches to resume where it ended in March (and even back than the prices were softening already on the secondary market).

If you are not in a hurry, I would suggest that you hold on until Summer/Autumn as I am believe the waiting times for SS pieces for regular buyers (not VIP spending hundreds of thousands per year) will not be in years, but in months at worst.

[eco8gator]

Don't take it personally...the AD's staff is there for one reason and that is to make the owner money. They are not your friend and are at best friendly enough to you to get your money out of your wallet.

[Bfd70]

I don’t like the term “my ad” to describe a place you shop. Who uses the term “my restaurant” to describe a place they eat often.

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by Bfd70

I don’t like the term “my ad” to describe a place you shop. Who uses the term “my restaurant” to describe a place they eat often.

I think people are more often than not referring to a person rather the place.

[Xenon]

I have a great relationship...with my grey dealer. The local AD is simply used as a vehicle to try on watches that I will purchase from my grey dealer.

[walds11]

Originally Posted by Xenon

I have a great relationship...with my grey dealer. The local AD is simply used as a vehicle to try on watches that I will purchase from my grey dealer.

Yes sir

[jlovda]

"I've already bought 2 Rolex watches from them in the past so they know me well"..........

Unless both of these purchases were PM you are probably not high on their list. "Bundling" can take many forms. Buying ten or twenty grand of jewelry randomly on a regular basis without a watch purchase would probably have you clear the bundling hurdle when you did walk in looking for a desirable piece.

[httr91]

I didn’t read through all 5 pages, so if this has been said my apologies.

I would have taken out my cell phone and purchased from a grey right inside the store, then showed them the purchase confirmation and walked right out. Seems that’s the only reasonable response in that situation.

[Ssunnylee24]

A young sales rep from Cerritos Ben Bridge told me to spend 10K on a diamond bracelet to be on the list for Hulk. What a jerkoff.

[Ihatecheese]

The shop assistants don't care about geeky watch obsessions, pretend friendships or angry responses for not receiving what the buyer believes they are entitled to. They care about their comission.
The better sales people will make you feel like they do care. I guess that's why they invite yall out to meet their families etc. They don't? Oh ok.

[fsprow]

Why wouldn’t a salesperson favor a customer who was purchasing multiple items with net higher returns for the dealer? Am always surprised some people feel they have a “right” to purchase on the terms they prefer.


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