How well do you play the AD game?

[amphr1]

I realize on my visit yesterday that I'm pretty bad. Reason? I heard 2 sets of words that I hadn't heard from my SA before, "other brands" and "spend history". Basically I got the hint that unless I spend money on other brands and spend more, I'm not going to be able to get what I want. So the thing is I did look at several other brands such as the JLC and Breitling and none of them is a good fit for me even though on its own they are beautiful watches. And if I were to spend an extra $10 on other watches I don't want, I'm not sure that'll really get me anywhere closer to the top. Another bit of info I found out is that the owner of the store is holding all the Daytona and Skydwellers for clients that he himself deem worthy. So no matter what relationship I have with my SA, I'm never going to get a Daytona, because I don't have a relationship with the owner of the store. I guess I'm just glad I bought my Daytona from a trusted grey dealer at what I hope is a reasonable price a few weeks ago. But apparently there's a Recession now and who knows what that means for the watch market.

So how's your game?

[Seddyspaghetti]

Not too bad i’d think. Different ADs btw. I’m not as good as the GMT dude who got doubles at the same AD :/

[Ichiran]

My relationship with my AD equates to 1 Rolex professional piece per year. Wish I'm that quadruple GMT guy.

[SaddleSC]

If we can learn anything from the movie "War Games" it is that you left the most important answer off of the poll...the only way to win is not to play:)

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

If we can learn anything from the movie "War Games" it is that you left the most important answer off of the poll...the only way to win is not to play:)

[padi56]

Most all of these so called AD games and relationship stuff mainly exists in internet fantasy land.

[joli160]

I ignore AD’s and buy what I like elsewhere. Can’t stand the BS

[Tim Plains]

Find a different AD that carries Rolex and other brands that interest you. That's what I did last fall when Rolex was in more demand (market). My wife and I only bought watches we wanted.

DJ 31mm for her.
Tudor Royal (a gift).
3861 Speedmaster for me.
Got a Submariner Date within seven weeks.

Every store will have their nuances but if you don't know how it works, generally, managers allocate the hot Rolex models to SAs based on their performance, SAs make recommendations on which customer gets the watch, manager then informs the owner, owner makes the final decision.

There's no waiting list at many of these ADs, spend enough money, get what you want. My belief is the Submariner I received was in their safe the entire time, and probably along with several other hot stainless steel models, just waiting for someone to come in and spend enough money on other things to cross their threshold dollar amount, and/or someone they like, I am fairly charming.

[HorologicalGangster]

This whole "establishing a relationship" with an AD thing is crap. I'm trying to do the same thing with some Rolex ADSs in my area. One of them is similar to yours and wants me to buy stuff I don't want to hopefully get a piece I want. The others seem legit when setting up my wish lists, but who knows. They could all be BSing me. I wish they were transparent and just tell me the truth if I'm in the running to attain a piece in a reasonable amount of time or not.
I really want to establish a good relationship with an AD, but these games they play really make it difficult to not go gray.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by padi56

Most all of these so called AD games and relationship stuff mainly exists in internet fantasy land.

not true though...everyone here can attest to that. it's not some myth, you don't just walk in and buy what you want anymore

[Teksurv]

I received my JC DSSD a few months ago after an 18 month wait. I have purchased two prior Rolex watches over 10 plus years. I have never been told to make other purchases and if that did happen I'd move on.

[beshannon]

I don't

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I realize on my visit yesterday that I'm pretty bad. Reason? I heard 2 sets of words that I hadn't heard from my SA before, "other brands" and "spend history". Basically I got the hint that unless I spend money on other brands and spend more, I'm not going to be able to get what I want. So the thing is I did look at several other brands such as the JLC and Breitling and none of them is a good fit for me even though on its own they are beautiful watches. And if I were to spend an extra $10 on other watches I don't want, I'm not sure that'll really get me anywhere closer to the top. Another bit of info I found out is that the owner of the store is holding all the Daytona and Skydwellers for clients that he himself deem worthy. So no matter what relationship I have with my SA, I'm never going to get a Daytona, because I don't have a relationship with the owner of the store. I guess I'm just glad I bought my Daytona from a trusted grey dealer at what I hope is a reasonable price a few weeks ago. But apparently there's a Recession now and who knows what that means for the watch market.

So how's your game?

No bueno. Went grey twice in the last 2 years. Granted I've only scored 1 watch from my AD back in 2017. I wouldn't even consider them "MY" AD but just an AD since I haven't been able to get anything since. Think we all aspire to be on quadruple GMT's level.

[brandrea]

I just try to be genuine and when I’m interested in a new watch I’ve always been successful. YMMV.

[amphr1]

My purchase history with this AD are the following. So it's not like I don't have spend history, just not enough. I think they want customers to buy other brands and also their diamond jewelries, which I'm totally against. I think diamonds are stupid rocks, but that's just me. If I do buy, I usually buy lab grown, so there's no chance of being blood diamond.

- DJ31
- Tudor BB58
- Explorer 2 TT
- DJ36 Wimbelton TT

I've also purchase a Speedmaster but from an Omega boutique. Unfortunately this AD doesn't carry Omegas.

[JRell]

Need an option between 4 and 5, get 1 or maybe 2 professional watches available per year.

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I just try to be genuine and when I’m interested in a new watch I’ve always been successful. YMMV.

I'm genuine, but there's not much else I can do. I'm not like a CEO or something with so much cash. And the stock market tanking is not helping. I'm sensing that relationship alone is no longer enough.

[enjoythemusic]

6: You love horology including wall clocks, wristwatches, tall clocks, pocket watches, desk clocks.... My AD helps me acquire what i desire.

For some of us horology is our way of 'enjoying our time', so it is no 'game'.

Maybe the problem is you newbie gamers? Isn't there a sneaker or Supreme drop this week for you gamers?

[minute_man]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I just try to be genuine and when I’m interested in a new watch I’ve always been successful. YMMV.

Exactly

[JRell]

Originally Posted by huncho

not true though...everyone here can attest to that. it's not some myth, you don't just walk in and buy what you want anymore

100% agree. I don’t buy jewelry and I never buy grey. All about the relationship for me.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by amphora001

… I'm not like a CEO or something with so much cash….

I’m not either.

It’s more about how you hit it off with your sales rep/manger/the owner IMO.

Maybe I’ve just been lucky, or perhaps it’s just pity on their part

Either way, I guess I’ve always felt that it never hurts to put your best foot forward, be likable, and patiently persistent.

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by JRell

100% agree. I don’t buy jewelry and I never buy grey. All about the relationship for me.

I agree, but I think relationship is the bare minimum. I'm seeing from my perspective that in 2022, it's that you need relationship to get in the door, but then you need spend history also to get what you want, and I mean on-going spend.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I agree, but I think relationship is the bare minimum. I'm seeing from my perspective that in 2022, it's that you need relationship to get in the door, but then you need spend history also to get what you want, and I mean on-going spend.

For me, the Daytona yes, 100% agree. But will keep trying without it!

[Calatrava r]

I think the AD market will free up sooner than I thought just a few days ago. Economic forecasts from a lot of smart people around the world don't sound too good in the near term. At some point that will hit luxury spending.

[waxy88]

If you haven’t got a purchase history with the AD and only interested in buying Rolex watches, then stop wasting your time and energy and go grey.

And if you are only interested in buying Rolex at MSRP, I’d say stop dreaming…

[bestkepttime]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I realize on my visit yesterday that I'm pretty bad. Reason? I heard 2 sets of words that I hadn't heard from my SA before, "other brands" and "spend history". Basically I got the hint that unless I spend money on other brands and spend more, I'm not going to be able to get what I want. So the thing is I did look at several other brands such as the JLC and Breitling and none of them is a good fit for me even though on its own they are beautiful watches. And if I were to spend an extra $10 on other watches I don't want, I'm not sure that'll really get me anywhere closer to the top. Another bit of info I found out is that the owner of the store is holding all the Daytona and Skydwellers for clients that he himself deem worthy. So no matter what relationship I have with my SA, I'm never going to get a Daytona, because I don't have a relationship with the owner of the store. I guess I'm just glad I bought my Daytona from a trusted grey dealer at what I hope is a reasonable price a few weeks ago. But apparently there's a Recession now and who knows what that means for the watch market.
So how's your game?

I've been lucky enough to receive three Rolex watches this year off the back of only one purchase in 2021 from my AD Green OP 41, Z Blue and a Yellow gold Daytona as well as a Tudor FXD. Im just honest with them with what I want and it comes in at some point.

[ZC94]

Originally Posted by waxy88

If you haven’t got a purchase history with the AD and only interested in buying Rolex watches, then stop wasting your time and energy and go grey.

And if you are only interested in buying Rolex at MSRP, I’d say stop dreaming…

Are you calling those people who posted here about getting a watch from AD with no prior history lying piece of shit?

[waxy88]

Originally Posted by ZC94

Are you calling those people who posted here about getting a watch from AD with no prior history lying piece of shit?

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha…..breathe…..hahahahahahah ahahahahahaha.

Whatever!

[S.Explorer]

I've been fortunate to recently obtain a Rolex without purchase history (steel but not professional model), which should help me obtain a steel professional model.

I think the salesperson I deal with is confident that I am not a flipper.

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by waxy88

If you haven’t got a purchase history with the AD and only interested in buying Rolex watches, then stop wasting your time and energy and go grey.

And if you are only interested in buying Rolex at MSRP, I’d say stop dreaming…

I do have purchase history. See earlier post in this thread.