"Building a relationship with an AD"

[quakeroatmeal]

Just what exactly does this mean?

Is it something as simple as buying a watch from them?

Buying multiple watches from them?

Do you visit your AD? How often, what do you do?

If it means buying a watch from them, how often do you need to do this before you're considered on good terms?

I wanted to buy a Sub, but was told the waiting time was 1-2 years unless I had a relationship with them.

Do I need to take my AD out to dinner? What does this mean?

Are we expected to hang out at the Jewelry store like kids at the mall?

How many watches do I need to buy before I'm allowed the privilege of a Sub?

It just seems so odd.

What have you folks done in order to meet these "demands"?

What do you recommend?

[OmegaJJH]

Put your name on a waiting list without the relationship and I guarantee you won’t have to wait for 2 years!!


Sent from my iPhone

[Vivalas]

From what I can gather my AD wants to deal with:

Existing customers who have bought previously.
Locals.
People they think won’t flip for a profit.
Ones that buy ‘other’ than the hot watches - jewellery, pens, precious metals, datejusts etc.

It’s an AD’s market at the moment and they can dictate to an extent. It won’t always be that way, but for now you have to play the game to get the goodies.

[quakeroatmeal]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

Put your name on a waiting list without the relationship and I guarantee you won’t have to wait for 2 years!!


Sent from my iPhone

They wouldn't even take my name to be put on a list without a relationship!

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by quakeroatmeal

Just what exactly does this mean?

It means you buy them a drink before you get screwed.

[onemany]

Where are you roughly located in New Jersey. And yes, building a relationship means buying something from them.

I also stop in my three favorite ADs at least every other month to shoot the sh*t and look at current inventory. It also helps if you are genuine and try to actually build a personal, non-commercial relationship with them.

[quakeroatmeal]

I'm in central Jersey right outside NYC.

[enjoythemusic]

[quakeroatmeal]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Thats basically what I'm noticing!

[onemany]

Originally Posted by quakeroatmeal

I'm in central Jersey right outside NYC.

You can't find an AD in the city or one in Central NJ to put you on a waitlist? Have you tried Hamilton Jewelers in Princeton?

[Bigblu10]

Some expect you to spend 100K or more for the "privilege" of being able to buy a stainless steel sports model. It is total lunacy, and another reason amongst many why I will never buy a Rolex or any fine watch from an AD. Ever. Long live the trusted seller/independent watch dealer.

[quakeroatmeal]

Honestly, I didn't put much effort into a watch search.

I just naively went to the first AD I found online and didn't think it would be like buying a Tickle Me Elmo in the 90s.

It was mostly after my purchase that I realized how difficult it seems to be to get a Sub.

Shame on me, I know!

[quakeroatmeal]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Some expect you to spend 100K or more for the "privilege" of being able to buy a stainless steel sports model. It is total lunacy, and another reason amongst many why I will never buy a Rolex or any fine watch from an AD. Ever. Long live the trusted seller/independent watch dealer.

I would not do that. I'm sorry, I just couldn't and it bothers me people would even expect you to do that.

I like my Milgauss, but I still have a weird itch for a Sub.

If I can't get it, then I'm not buying anything else.

I'm glad I got my Milgauss, but there was nothing else in the lineup I would consider other than a Sub, or *maybe* a GMT.

Otherwise, why would I make a frivolous purchase, just so I could have the privilege of owning a Sub?

[TheRolexKingofLV]

It means they want you to buy something you don't want, so you can buy something you do!

[Sub*Man]

If an AD won’t do business with you, there are plenty of sellers on here that have Subs in stock. I think CRM down in MIA has several right under retail. Just gotta look around.

[Brew]

It means very little to me, as I have little to no interest in any of the hot pieces folks around here clamor after, thread after thread after thread.

[superdog]

I have a great relationship with my AD.

I know it sounds crazy...but they are people. I know right??? Who would have guessed.

I like everyone that works in the store. I stop in just to say hello. Over Xmas, I brought in chocolates. Why? Because I like them. I buy tons of people chocolates over the holidays. I like to give gifts to people I like.

We talk watches. Cars. Life. Business. All sorts of things.

And yes, I buy watches from them too.

I have similar relationships with the restaurants I frequent. My favorite car sales guy. A guy that works at one my spots as a valet too.

Oh yeah, my mail carrier is a pal.

It’s weird. I treat them all really well, and they do the same for me.

I wouldn’t say we are “friends” per say. But we sure are friendly.

[quakeroatmeal]

Imagine a world where you could only be allowed to buy a Ford Mustang only if the dealer *liked* you and only after buying 2 Explorers.

Crazy!

[superdog]

Originally Posted by quakeroatmeal

Imagine a world where you could only be allowed to buy a Ford Mustang only if the dealer *liked* you and only after buying 2 Explorers.

Crazy!

You should do your research.

That’s a poor analogy.

Personally, I’d bought multiple vehicles at my Ford dealership. Including a brandy new 5.0 mustang, and two explorers.

When the GT350 came out they would not budge from 20k over list.

Oh yeah, the owner was married to the sister of my best buddies.

Try again please.

[quakeroatmeal]

Okay, so there are exceptions for everything.

But here we are talking about having to “establish a relationship” and make purchases of other models, in order to just have the opportunity of buying a basic SS Sub, were not talking about some special edition mustang.

You want this 19,000 dollar bare bones mustang? Buy two explorers.

I largely disagree.

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Some expect you to spend 100K or more for the "privilege" of being able to buy a stainless steel sports model. It is total lunacy, and another reason amongst many why I will never buy a Rolex or any fine watch from an AD. Ever. Long live the trusted seller/independent watch dealer.

My thoughts exactly!

[superdog]

Originally Posted by quakeroatmeal

Okay, so there are exceptions for everything.

But here we are talking about having to “establish a relationship” and make purchases of other models, in order to just have the opportunity of buying a basic SS Sub, were not talking about some special edition mustang.

You want this 19,000 dollar bare bones mustang? Buy two explorers.

I largely disagree.

No. To be fair, here we are whining that we can’t get what we want.

I mean...that was the point of the thread no?

Not to actually ask (and learn) what it takes to build a true relationship. But instead to complain that you don’t have one.

Everything in high demand, demands premiums. No exception.

[superdog]

And if you will, don’t blame the AD. Doing their best to pay rent and live a nice life.

Blame Rolex for limiting (for whatever reason) supply.

[quakeroatmeal]

Originally Posted by superdog

No. To be fair, here we are whining that we can’t get what we want.

I mean...that was the point of the thread no?

Not to actually ask (and learn) what it takes to build a true relationship. But instead to complain that you don’t have one.

Everything in high demand, demands premiums. No exception.

Actually no, but if that's what you gathered from this then

If I wanted the Sub, I could buy it online without a problem, at whatever 2-3k extra premium, that's not the point.

I just wanted to see what folks were doing in order to establish a relationship with an AD, and if this was really the trend.

I personally find it strange to go haunt a jewelry store and pester an employee enough to get them to sell me what I want, or to buy multiples of something I don't want to get what I do want.

That's just dumb.

Imagine if I just went to my bank and just chilled there for 30 minutes every friday after work to make a deposit just because I wanted a mortgage next year. That's dumb.

In my mind, hanging out at a retail place is weird, and suspicious. But if that's acceptable, then fine. I had no clue. If that's what it takes to win over an AD, fine.

Taco Tuesdays from now on every week from me! The diarrhea won't end until I get my entry model sub!

Have a nice one.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by quakeroatmeal

Actually no, but if that's what you gathered from this then

If I wanted the Sub, I could buy it online without a problem, at whatever 2-3k extra premium, that's not the point.

I just wanted to see what folks were doing in order to establish a relationship with an AD, and if this was really the trend.

I personally find it strange to go haunt a jewelry store and pester an employee enough to get them to sell me what I want, or to buy multiples of something I don't want to get what I do want.

That's just dumb.

Imagine if I just went to my bank and just chilled there for 30 minutes every friday after work to make a deposit just because I wanted a mortgage next year. That's dumb.

In my mind, hanging out at a retail place is weird, and suspicious. But if that's acceptable, then fine. I had no clue. If that's what it takes to win over an AD, fine.

Taco Tuesdays from now on every week from me! The diarrhea won't end until I get my entry model sub!

Have a nice one.

You and I both know the intention of starting this thread.

Takes a man to admit it when he’s called out.

That ain’t you.

But hey, make up whatever narrative it is that makes you feel better.

[quakeroatmeal]

Originally Posted by superdog

You and I both know the intention of starting this thread.

Takes a man to admit it when he’s called out.

That ain’t you.

But hey, make up whatever narrative it is that makes you feel better.

So cute

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by superdog

I have a great relationship with my AD.



I know it sounds crazy...but they are people. I know right??? Who would have guessed.



I like everyone that works in the store. I stop in just to say hello. Over Xmas, I brought in chocolates. Why? Because I like them. I buy tons of people chocolates over the holidays. I like to give gifts to people I like.



We talk watches. Cars. Life. Business. All sorts of things.



And yes, I buy watches from them too.



I have similar relationships with the restaurants I frequent. My favorite car sales guy. A guy that works at one my spots as a valet too.



Oh yeah, my mail carrier is a pal.



It’s weird. I treat them all really well, and they do the same for me.



I wouldn’t say we are “friends” per say. But we sure are friendly.

This.

I am friends with mine. We go to the range and for beers. Have gone to Nashville for concerts. I think they are really looking for someone that they can trust. Especially if it is a smaller family owned dealer that is very careful not to sell to someone that is going to flip the watch.

So what you may say??? Well Rolex does care from what my AD says. And they have a hard enough time getting a hold of SS Daytona’s and a few others.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Fat_ninja]

Everyone is focused on the buying of the SS watches.


But on the sell side it helps too. i was able to trade up 2 watches at msrp. MSRP!!!

Our dude is a cool guy. Its actually fun stopping by to say hello :)

[FTX I]

I'll try to answer your question OP. I have a great relationship with my AD and I did that with my love for watches and for talking about watches. Being here on TRF makes me know a bit more than them, and they love it and respect. I could get any 'hot' model but msrp in my neck of the woods is around 15% more than USA, and that alone for me is a reason not to buy. I like discounts and good deals. It's part of collecting watches IMO. On the other hand, the relationship that really matters is the one I have with my watchmakers (three). The one I choose depends on the watch. If you collect watches this is more important than a relationship with any AD. Having said that, I think there is no other way. You can spend thousands of dollars in watches you don't want before you have the chance to buy the one you really want, or you can choose an AD near you and offer your sincere friendship. It takes more time but it works and it's much more interesting.

[mobster600]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Hahahah

Yes exactly this......a big middle finger to buying my way to get a Daytona or Pepsi