Seeking advice for AD relationship

[Peterflycat]

Just realized that this is my very first post even though I've had my account for a few years. So hello everyone!

I had a pretty good (I think?) relationship with an AD in my area (big watch & jewelry chain) starting a few years ago. I was able to get two lady SS DJs for families, a hulk for myself, and a 37 TT Yacht Master for my wife all within a year, without any other purchase history. Just as I thought I could maintain this relationship and keep building my collection, COVID hit and then it's been complete silence...

Later found out that my sales just moved to a new store under the same chain, which left me in a very tricky situation of which store to keep working with. Now when I tried to make more purchases, other sales at the old location seemed to ignore my history at their store and told me to keep working with my old sales, while my old sales at her new location basically treated me like a new customer, bringing out the same old purchase history and waitlist stuff. I couldn't get any SS pieces, not even a DJ.

I was quite disappointed and started to lose hope in ADs. I know grey would be an alternative but it's hard for me to completely lose the relationship (if any left). I'm hoping to get some advice from this forum. Thanks!

[Calatrava r]

What model are you looking for? Talk to your old SA at the new AD location and also price it out on the secondary market. Then make your decision.

[nissath]

Sounds like you gotta bite the bullet. I would be seriously thinking about not giving them business if they want to act like you've never met them.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Peterflycat

Just realized that this is my very first post even though I've had my account for a few years. So hello everyone!

I had a pretty good (I think?) relationship with an AD in my area (big watch & jewelry chain) starting a few years ago. I was able to get two lady SS DJs for families, a hulk for myself, and a 37 TT Yacht Master for my wife all within a year, without any other purchase history. Just as I thought I could maintain this relationship and keep building my collection, COVID hit and then it's been complete silence...

Later found out that my sales just moved to a new store under the same chain, which left me in a very tricky situation of which store to keep working with. Now when I tried to make more purchases, other sales at the old location seemed to ignore my history at their store and told me to keep working with my old sales, while my old sales at her new location basically treated me like a new customer, bringing out the same old purchase history and waitlist stuff. I couldn't get any SS pieces, not even a DJ.

I was quite disappointed and started to lose hope in ADs. I know grey would be an alternative but it's hard for me to completely lose the relationship (if any left). I'm hoping to get some advice from this forum. Thanks!

Most all of this so called AD relationship stuff many exists in internet land and in the buyers heads.

[travisb]

If you don't feel like you're getting anywhere with either location I'd start looking for a new AD, or you know the alternative to avoid the games.

[brandrea]

Good to see you posting

I agree with a Travis, it may be time to move on. Before doing so, you might want to have an open and honest discussion with your previous sales associate about the situation to see what their thinking is. Surely they value your business…

Good luck

[996marty]

Maybe just work with your old sales person if they want your business I’m sure they’ll remember your purchase history

[Giangos]

Originally Posted by padi56

Most all of this so called AD relationship stuff many exists in internet land and in the buyers heads.

Please join the rest of us in 2024.

What the OP posted is legitimate, it happens and it makes it hard to get the pieces we want.

It happened to me so I know what he means.

fortunately we seem to be returning to pre 2020 conditions. By no means easy, but better than the past 3 years.

When was the last time you walked into an AD and asked for a SS sports model? Please visit one and ask for a GMT or sub and report back.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pandajoe]

Had a similar experience. Old SA at old AD with whom we had several Rolex purchases - pretty much ignored us at the height of the watch craze during the pandemic. So we went to another AD. Got to know her and she got to know us and we love our new SA. If they ignore you and don't acknowledge or value you as a customer - time to move on.

[1William]

At one point you had a good relationship with your SA at an AD. Things change and the SA moved to a different store. Not an issue, just go into the old store and ask to speak to the GM. Explain the situation and your buy history and see what they say. You will be able to tell based on what they say and how it is said. Then go to the new location of your SA and have a similar conversation with them and involve the GM there. See what they say and you will know. I would also have a watch or watches in mind they I wanted and I would be ready to buy immediately if they offer one. No point of any of this if they call you out, make a watch offer and you pass. That is the end of the game. Depending on what watch you want I would seriously look at our Trusted Sellers. Many watches have adjusted downward and are at or near retail especially when you factor in taxes. Also remember asking prices and getting prices are different things. Some of the internet prices are just that. Get on the phone, introduce yourself, have a good conversation about a watch or watches and ask for a best price if you are ready to buy. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by 1William

At one point you had a good relationship with your SA at an AD. Things change and the SA moved to a different store. Not an issue, just go into the old store and ask to speak to the GM. Explain the situation and your buy history and see what they say. You will be able to tell based on what they say and how it is said. Then go to the new location of your SA and have a similar conversation with them and involve the GM there. See what they say and you will know. I would also have a watch or watches in mind they I wanted and I would be ready to buy immediately if they offer one. No point of any of this if they call you out, make a watch offer and you pass. That is the end of the game. Depending on what watch you want I would seriously look at our Trusted Sellers. Many watches have adjusted downward and are at or near retail especially when you factor in taxes. Also remember asking prices and getting prices are different things. Some of the internet prices are just that. Get on the phone, introduce yourself, have a good conversation about a watch or watches and ask for a best price if you are ready to buy. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

This is good advice. I’m guessing I know which AD you’re referring to as I live in the area. Your purchase history is tracked throughout their system regardless of which store you worked with.
Talk to tha manager at the store you frequent and explain your situation. When my original SA left, they introduced me to a new contact and ensured the transition was seamless.
Although I would visit different locations I always referred back to my contact and it’s been seamless. Good luck!

[Peterflycat]

Thanks for the many good suggestions!

I've expressed interest in SS or Oysterflex Daytona (I know, please don't laugh) and GMT, and was "educated" about the years-long waitlist, even after being a regular customer who knows the game. I also mentioned that I wouldn't mind picking up a couple of SS or TT DJs to build the history, but apparent they didn't even give me a chance to do that. I guess they want me to buy jewelry, but they don't carry good brands... This applies to both locations.

At this point grey is getting more tempting to me. But we seem to be at a point where there is a big spread between ask and bid. Hope the market is cooling down so more watches can flow to regular buyers instead of resellers.

[Peterflycat]

Originally Posted by JSol1

This is good advice. I’m guessing I know which AD you’re referring to as I live in the area. Your purchase history is tracked throughout their system regardless of which store you worked with.
Talk to tha manager at the store you frequent and explain your situation. When my original SA left, they introduced me to a new contact and ensured the transition was seamless.
Although I would visit different locations I always referred back to my contact and it’s been seamless. Good luck!

Lol you are probably right as there's pretty much just one dominating dealer here. What I was confused about was if they are operated as a chain or franchise. I was trying to get the answer from the sales but didn't get a clear answer, so good to know that history is visible at other stores. Guess I should probably ask more directly about my situation next time I visit. Thanks for the advice!

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by painexpert

Gray

[Kevin of Larchmont]

The title of your thread reads like a personal ad. There is a corollary here. Make yourself known, be friendly and kind, don’t approach with expectation, try some humor, be a good human. All personal relationships are fundamentally similar, either they relate to you or they don’t. Make yourself relatable.

[CarlOver]

Originally Posted by padi56

Most all of this so called AD relationship stuff many exists in internet land and in the buyers heads.

So of us l live in alternate reality and get watches without having any relationship with an AD and just walk in and get what we want.

[Njkdog]

How did that work? Did you go to a new sales associate and say “you know, I’ve spent a lot of money at this store in the past”?

[Halifax Daytona UK]

There is no such thing as a relationship with an AD. It’s transactional

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Halifax Daytona UK

There is no such thing as a relationship with an AD. It’s transactional

Robot says what?

[Peterflycat]

Originally Posted by JSol1

This is good advice. I’m guessing I know which AD you’re referring to as I live in the area. Your purchase history is tracked throughout their system regardless of which store you worked with.
Talk to tha manager at the store you frequent and explain your situation. When my original SA left, they introduced me to a new contact and ensured the transition was seamless.
Although I would visit different locations I always referred back to my contact and it’s been seamless. Good luck!

You are probably right about the AD. Pretty dominating chain in our area.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I dropped by in the past weekend and chatted with my sales. She confirmed that they are a family owned chain (not franchise), so purchase history doesn't belong to a certain store but rather follows the customer. I know a lot of us don't really believe in the waitlist, but just want to share this.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Halifax Daytona UK

There is no such thing as a relationship with an AD. It’s transactional

My experience does not support this view. I think others have built good relationships with SAs, as well. People can form friendships anywhere. I try to do that regularly, wherever I go. You can never have too many friends.

KAT


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[kopi-c]

Find a new AD and a better sales person if old AD not willing to help or care since you have already a good spend history.

[Berry Lannom]

I placed my name with the Rolex AD in Nashville, TN a couple of months ago for a GMT Black/Blue with Jubilee Bracelet. They will contact me as soon as one is available, but I wonder if anyone has an idea of how long it could take.

[4reRlxGuy]

I've found that dealing with large chains are difficult. My sales associate at a large chain said they have no control.

They can't order anything and all they can do is make requests. You're also dealing with a lot more competition beyond your location for the most desired pieces. I'm supposedly a top spender at my location however compared to other locations I'm actually not.

I know this because despite spending 6 figures annually I will never be offered something like the Lemans because those will be directed to the highest spenders nationally.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Berry Lannom

I placed my name with the Rolex AD in Nashville, TN a couple of months ago for a GMT Black/Blue with Jubilee Bracelet. They will contact me as soon as one is available, but I wonder if anyone has an idea of how long it could take.

Based on a careful reading of TRF posts over many years the only honest answer is approximately between one week and never.

There’s no way for any of us to know, surely you must know that.

[SLWoodster]

Sell them all and start over.

[prushkovez]

go grey... its a question of self respect and dignity... screw them all... its not only Rolex... when a guy at Toyota is telling you that you have to build up a relationship in order to get mere RAV4 for your daughter... such a shame... worlds are colliding...

[Scubastu]

Your purchase history exists with the original shop not with an individual sale assistant who has left and moved on.
Having said that it doesn't hurt to cast your net as wide as possible and approach new AD's, there is evidence that watches are becoming easier to get hold of and all the BS that AD's spout about purchase history will wane.

[colonelpurple]

I think both approaches are true. There is such a thing as a relationship with a salesperson, but much less an AD. Also, fundamentally a shop will want to sell an item. The more they have in a queue for a particular item, the less they are interested in giving it to a newbie. When stock builds up, anything goes.

I am unusual, I have relationships with many jewellers, most I have only bought one watch from. I take a pinch the salesperson relationship, as turnover in the UK for chains seems to be quite high, for single family owned jewellers it is much less.

My approach is really to seem serious, and speak to a serious salesperson.

An example, I walked into a prestigious branch of a chain in the UK this weekend. I asked to try on a sub from exhibition cabinet, not that interested but just wanted to check I was not that interested. The salesperson said yes, he didn't seem that engaged (another punter looking at a sub), had to speak to a few other customers first (it was quite busy) and eventually got around to me (ok it was 5 mins but I am impatient).

I wore my most expensive Rolex (this is one trick). When he saw me take it off to try on the sub, his attitude changed in a flash. I looked serious as well, wearing smart casual clothes, and an expensive aftershave doesn't hinder (perfume for the ladies - Diptique or above ;) ). anyway long story short, in the space of 15 minutes he told me loads of insider info. and had listed and offered me every watch they had in stock, and ones coming up soon that were not wait listed.

He also had an extensive used catalogue, and said that he could monitor as used items came in and offer me ones matched to my specification. I didn't consider this before and thought it was interesting. I never pay over retail, but with many models this would be ok at the moment.

Some conclusions to be drawn:

1. I was lucky - I got a good guy who was serious about making money and shifting his stock to "jam today" (i.e. the customer sitting in store), rather then "jam tomorrow" (the one hovering on a theoretical list)

2. There are models that in that location were not that queued. Namely some professional models (yes, amazing) and DJs, of course the usual suspects, e.g. 36mms, diamond numerals, bi-metal and solid solid (always the case anyway).

3. if you want a Rolex keep an open mind. for example, if you want a very specific configuration of DJ you will have to wait, if you are more flexible, they can find something for you quickly (I found out my Wimbledon dial is in demand and quite difficult to get as supply is intermittent - hooray!).

So that was a fun conversation, whilst my wife finished off the museum. I would actually come back to this guy, he seemed very serious and willing to go and find me what I want.

Obviously the market has loosened a little but I still think that jewellers prize more the customers who are likely to be repeat, rather then one off. That is the same in any industry. for example, I am now on my second VW id (very happy customer, upgraded from an ID3 to an ID4) and the garage offered me more discounts second time, and even the manager came out to shake my hand, and said he was very pleased with my loyalty and please call him directly if any questions in the future.

Lastly, think you have to make an assessment of the AD. Are the staff interested, knowledgeable, serious ? do they carry multiple watches on trays that clink together ? are they getting good supply from Rolex or are they being starved ? Do they try to point out things to you that should be obvious that you know (it is a mechanical watch sir, and has to be wound!). There are good and average ADs, that is just how it is.

Finally, there are some dealers in the world that don't operate a queue system for many models (I know, crazy right). They just put watches on display immediately that come in, and first come first served. For example, last time I visited the Rolex boutique in Mamilla in Jerusalem, they operated like this. Personally I love this approach. Go in regularly, get excited to see what has come in. Completely transparent and no games with customers.

[JSCP]

Time for gray.