Annoyed about AD experience

[Columbia04]

Hello everyone,

I’m new to the forum and Rolexes in general.

I have always wanted to start a real collection of these luxury watches and both my wife and I have been very fortunate to receive huge promotions recently which now allow this to become reality.

For my first Rolex I really want a BLNR and also concurrently want to get my wife a new Diamond Tag Heuer Carrera. (I know!! BUT she has her heart set on this model when she saw it.) I also want to get her, her first Rolex for our anniversary. I want to be put on the list for a 43 mm sea dweller for myself and a Daytona C for my father as a thank you for all he has done for me in my earlier years to help me get where I am today.

Anyways, armed with vast knowledge from TRF as I have been lurking the last year or so yesterday I set out to go try and make deal(s) happen at all of my close dealers to see stock and overall friendliness and try to develop a relationship but quickly realized that this is going to be a lot harder than I thought.

No AD had any SS whatsoever and only saw one YM2 and one white gold blue sub after going to 7 dealers!! Md Va area.

All but one wouldn’t even talk to me about getting on a list for BLNR & Daytona c. All said strong relationship or 5+ year wait for both. One even said “ oh well, sorry for your bad luck.”


Crazy but annoying moment: One dealer did have the harder to find Tag I wanted in stock and after mentioning I wanted a BLNR he went to the back and brought out one for me to see. I asked him if it was spoken for he said no but I couldn’t buy it without a solid relationship with the AD. I was thinking - Why even show it to me then?! I told him If they had all of them in stock I would buy all four watches at the same time. Not to mention he already knows I will be looking very soon for a Rolex for my wife for our anniversary. He was baffled when I didn’t want the TAG Heuer, then offered it with 0%. I said money wasn’t the issue at all, I want a dealer that is going to take care of me when I would like something if at all possible. Needless to say but I didnt even buy the Tag. (Side note: Like I would pay retail for a TAG by itself, lol).

How do I develop a relationship if they won’t even sell me stuff they have in stock? I’m talking over 40k in watches. Just insane to me. Is this scenario the new norm?

I’m not going to mention any dealers in particular but overall I’m very frustrated at what happened at pretty much all of them. Most were very rude acting like I was in the wrong part of town even tho I was polite dressed nicely and had 25 grand in cash on me to make a deal that day.

Makes me not even want a Rolex.

<rant over>