AD showing off watches from vault

[b.tay_2218]

Went into the AD near close of business the other day and expressed interest in a gmt master ii as usual. They bring a new Pepsi out from the vault that is “for another customer”. Allowed me to try it on and admire it. Was I supposed to attempt to purchase on the spot and try to convince them to sell to me bc I was there with cash in hand? Looking back I feel I failed a test or missed a golden opportunity...


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[hellofromthebay]

I've had that happen with other models I wanted that are less popular like a Deepsea. Perhaps the AD was being honest. You likely did the right thing by not trying to twist their arm to screw over another client for your benefit.

[Benzsiam]

You sure missed the good opportunity to ask for that one. He might even have more than one in his vault.

He must considered you as a very good customer otherwise he wouldn't do that, I think you still have a good chance in the near future.

[Apheaven]

If you really like the watch. Just give your sales person a call, tell them you really liked the watch and ask if they would consider calling you if one comes through the door. Nothing gained, nothing lost...literally 2 minutes of your time. Also, sometimes they offer you something else of interest that you didn’t know was an option. Good luck my friend.


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[Tensai]

Yes you should have.

[Gab27]

There was probably very little you could do IMO other than let them know how much you love the watch, respect that it is for another enthusiast, and make it known you are ready to buy the moment one does become available. If you have a strong relationship with the AD, odds are probably better than if you don't.

[Epanerai12]

You're gonna hate this OP, but this happened to me once for an "in-demand" piece.

They brought it out for me to see but it was "on hold for another customer". After trying it on, and ooo-ing and ahh-ing, I said i would buy this in a heartbeat or something to that effect. They said, hold on, and that they'll try to contact the customer who has it on hold. he went into the back and after a few mins, came out and said that the other customer was in no rush and I can take it if i want. I bought it on the spot.

Was it all BS? Was there really a customer who had it "on hold" as they phased it. Would that other customer really pass it up?

Anyway - moral i guess is it never hurts to ask, or in my case, lay it on thick that you'd really really really be ready to buy it there and then.

Full disclosure, I am solid customer with a good standing relationship (friendship with my SA and purchase history).

[Seddyspaghetti]

yes, you screwed up because now you'll never know the answer. Don't ask don't get.

[fskywalker]

Go back and tLk with SA again! What if??



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[goliat]

Bruh

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

yes, you screwed up because now you'll never know the answer. Don't ask don't get.

Always!

[ArtNouveau]

I certainly would have asked if it was available. I have never seen this done at my AD, watches in the vault that are sold stay there. I think there’s a good chance you could have walked out with it but too late now.

[Sprezzatura!,]

I’ll make a suggestion, just be honest.

These AD’s have the same conversation over, and over, and over in regards to people asking for certain models.

Call him, tell him what you’ve written here, literally.

I think he’d appreciate you levelling with him and just telling him how you feel. It’s wearing your heart on your sleeve, and if he was testing the water with you and waiting for you to ask to buy it, here’s your chance.

If he was merely being courteous and friendly, firstly, appreciate it for what it was, which I have to say is rare these days for AD’s. Secondly, your naivety then may just appeal to his human side and he’ll remember you moving forward.

Good luck.

[DoctorsOrders]

Originally Posted by Sprezzatura!,

I’ll make a suggestion, just be honest.

These AD’s have the same conversation over, and over, and over in regards to people asking for certain models.

Call him, tell him what you’ve written here, literally.

I think he’d appreciate you levelling with him and just telling him how you feel. It’s wearing your heart on your sleeve, and if he was testing the water with you and waiting for you to ask to buy it, here’s your chance.

If he was merely being courteous and friendly, firstly, appreciate it for what it was, which I have to say is rare these days for AD’s. Secondly, your nativity then may just appeal to his human side and he’ll remember you moving forward.

Good luck.

I agree with this sentiment exactly!! Do exactly this OP!

[RJRJRJ]

Definitely should've said something. I'd probably say something like "I love it. I'll take it!" with a bit of a chuckle and feel them out from there.

Don't feel too bad since in all likelihood you weren't walking out with it anyway, but it still never hurts to try.

[pav333hp]

1. You DEFINITELY should have asked for it right then and there... Maybe try going back and say something like "hey... ever since trying it on, I can't stop thinking about... etc... etc... is there any chance I could buy it?? I'm ready to buy now..." Do this in person though, not over the phone.

2. Multiple ADs have showed me watches from the vault that were for other other customers. One was white dial SkyD - AD let me try it one, but put it back in the coffin and vault. Another AD showed me a platinum Daytona, but would not let me try it because it was for a customer who had already put a sizable deposit for it. A few times, I had ADs show me Pateks that were allocated for other customers - but they were sealed and I could only see thru plastic but not try on.

But as others said above, ALWAYS ask... Worst can happen is "no" for that particular watch, but it will open up conversations for "how" to get you one.

[dimag333]

you avoided wearing clown shoes on your wrist ;)

steve

[Panader]

Yea this happened to me with my Batman. I was looking at the Black bezel GMT and they brought out the Batman " being held for another customer."

I asked to buy it and they told me it would be a one month wait (early 2017). After I paid they told me the customer was on holiday and I could take the watch home with me that day.

[Cigars&Watches]

Should have asked. Oh well.. live and learn..

[VogelPhoenix]

Whenever the AP boutique brings out some unobtanium from the back for a look, I offer to buy it on the spot, we have a good laugh and back to the safe it goes. I don't think the OP missed anything and the AD was just being kind.

[Vipes]

This happened to me twice. One AD brought out a white Daytona and another one brought out the Pepsi. Both were reserved for a customer. I asked to buy it on the spot but it was a no go. Sometimes they dangle a carrot in front of your face to let you know they can get these popular pieces for you if you start building the relationship.

[tufa]

There is an AD in EU where they even show you blue SkyD from the vault and no chance to buy it.
My AD in the UK is not showing any... They did once (TT Blue dial Sub), I asked if I can buy it, they took it away to ask for approval and never received an answer on that. Never anything else before or since then, and when I asked if I could atleast see a hot piece, they said that is impossible.. Bought 5 rolexes, 1 ap and 1 vc from there..

[brandrea]

Well I’m not going to pile on OP ... you know what you should’ve done

[b.tay_2218]

Originally Posted by Vipes

This happened to me twice. One AD brought out a white Daytona and another one brought out the Pepsi. Both were reserved for a customer. I asked to buy it on the spot but it was a no go. Sometimes they dangle a carrot in front of your face to let you know they can get these popular pieces for you if you start building the relationship.

My gut feeling is this is what was happening. I don’t have a strong relationship with them yet but am working on it. From the history I’ve heard it takes to get a gmt ii offered to you , I don’t think they were considering me a candidate but rather showing me that if I become a good customer they can get these pieces


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[zoenatenich]

It won't hurt going back and asking for the watch you like. Just like what everyone is suggesting.
Good luck and thanks for sharing your experience.

[Harry-57]

If you ask, you might get or you might not get. If you don't ask you don't get.

[Stonerolex]

My ad told me my piece was on hold for another customer but that they were running late so I could buy it lmao. Mine was the same situation it was brought from the vault. I just feel bad for the guy running late ;j

[kieselguhr]

If my AD ever brings out a watch they have reserved for someone to show me (because I asked to see one physically), they keep it in the clear plastic box out of respect for the customer (which I also agree with).

This AD in your example actually let you try it on so that’s kinda different. I would just return and ask again.

Hindsight is always 20/20 so don’t beat yourself up over it.

[YGRLX]

Like a woman asking you to come in for coffee..

[DougFNJ]

When I have talked with an AD, I always make clear if they call me with a model I’m seeking, I’ll buy it on the spot.

Like others have mentioned, you don’t ask, you don’t get. Sometimes you still don’t get, but you fail 100% of the time you don’t try.


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