"Building a relationship with an AD"

[brandrea]

It’s a sellers market pure and simple.

Having said that, I have a good relationship at my AD. I like them as people and much like Seth , I pop in to visit whenever I’m in the area. I’m not a big spender, not even close, but I think my AD appreciates my passion for the brand, and they know I wear to enjoy and I’m not a flipper.

That said, this year, they told me they wouldn’t be able to get me a blro at the Basel event I was invited to attend. Naturally I was disappointed, but I get it. The piece is in high demand and this year it wasn’t my turn. They really came through for me the year before for my 50th and I’m forever grateful for that.

I think it pays to be nice, be yourself. Sometimes good things come to those who wait

[Etschell]

it is more than just buying watches but entails buying watches. the issue i have is rolex limiting supply is helping the 2ndary market not hurting it. ads and enthusiasts who arent vips are getting hurt as well. but it is what it is. i wont complain because it wont change anything. rolex doesnt care and this forum is a microcosm of the universe to rolex even if, for a lot of us, this forum is what makes us even more fans of rolex.

no one should have to buy something they dont want to get something they do want. even in the luxury goods game that is twisted. my suggestion is dont. it isn't hard to take a stand.

[replicator]

This relationship is nothing but a business relationship.

They can’t sell above MSRP but can bundle and target repeat customers.

Do the math and see of it works for you. In many cases paying the grey premium is less expensive than buying PM pieces at MSRP. If I can ‘build’ a relationship by buying the SS models I want that would be fine - but when I can pick up a PM piece for $10k off MSRP from a trusted grey dealer, hard to justify going down this route.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by replicator

This relationship is nothing but a business relationship.

They can’t sell above MSRP but can bundle and target repeat customers.

Do the math and see of it works for you. In many cases paying the grey premium is less expensive than buying PM pieces at MSRP. If I can ‘build’ a relationship by buying the SS models I want that would be fine - but when I can pick up a PM piece for $10k off MSRP from a trusted grey dealer, hard to justify going down this route.

I tend to agree.

Many good customers are finding out just how average they are in this market lol myself included.

I don’t really care. I have a lot of good stuff.

For an SS sub that’s sad though. My local AD had em in the case last time I visited but it’s not near you and they won’t deal over the phone.

[GradyPhilpott]

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.

An absolutely perfect response and it describes perfectly my relationship with my AD, which lasted for eight years before they finally closed.

I'm not sure why this concept evades so many of our members.

Can it be true that the alarmists are correct that the digital world has alienated people to the point that they don't understand simple human interaction?

Do people feel so entitled that they think that just because they want something, the world owes it to them without regard to market forces?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

An absolutely perfect response and it describes perfectly my relationship with my AD, which lasted for eight years before they finally closed.

I'm not sure why this concept evades so many of our members.

Can it be true that the alarmists are correct that the digital world has alienated people to the point that they don't understand simple human interaction?

Do people feel so entitled that they think that just because they want something, the world owes it to them without regard to market forces?

The answer is yes Grady. You can thank amazon.

[superdog]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

An absolutely perfect response and it describes perfectly my relationship with my AD, which lasted for eight years before they finally closed.

I'm not sure why this concept evades so many of our members.

Can it be true that the alarmists are correct that the digital world has alienated people to the point that they don't understand simple human interaction?

Do people feel so entitled that they think that just because they want something, the world owes it to them without regard to market forces?

It’s funny, I never went in to the store thinking, I’m going to start a relationship with these guys because I want help getting hard to get watches.

In fact, considering I’ve been frequenting the store for over a decade, it was long before there were tough to get watches. With the exception of the Daytona during certain times.

But creating a relationship with an AD is the same as creating a relationship with anyone else. It’s about actually seeing people as peers rather than “employees” that are there to do your bidding. It’s about being respectful and polite. It’s treating people the way you would want to be treated.

It appears though that now that we have tough to get watches everyone wants to complain about why they can’t get what they want. And god forbid someone actually looks inward and looks at their own actions for an answer.

Is it creepy to now stalk an AD and try to create a fake relationship in hopes of landing a hard to get watch? Yes. It’s desperate too. And it reeks of inauthentic motives.

IMHO, it’s a good life lesson for all. Karma is real. It’s not that good things come back to you if you do good things. Its simply the return of the energy you put out there.

[pilotjim]

I've seen SS Subs in the cases at two ADs recently. Too bad I was looking for a blue Skydweller, lol.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by superdog

It’s funny, I never went in to the store thinking, I’m going to start a relationship with these guys because I want help getting hard to get watches.

In fact, considering I’ve been frequenting the store for over a decade, it was long before there were tough to get watches. With the exception of the Daytona during certain times.

But creating a relationship with an AD is the same as creating a relationship with anyone else. It’s about actually seeing people as peers rather than “employees” that are there to do your bidding. It’s about being respectful and polite. It’s treating people the way you would want to be treated.

It appears though that now that we have tough to get watches everyone wants to complain about why they can’t get what they want. And god forbid someone actually looks inward and looks at their own actions for an answer.

Is it creepy to now stalk an AD and try to create a fake relationship in hopes of landing a hard to get watch? Yes. It’s desperate too. And it reeks of inauthentic motives.

IMHO, it’s a good life lesson for all. Karma is real. It’s not that good things come back to you if you do good things. Its simply the return of the energy you put out there.

Another excellent post.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by 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?

At this point if you have to ask how to build relationships with other humans....even in a business context, then you should just acquire the piece you are looking for from a grey market dealer and move on.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

An absolutely perfect response and it describes perfectly my relationship with my AD, which lasted for eight years before they finally closed.

I'm not sure why this concept evades so many of our members.

Can it be true that the alarmists are correct that the digital world has alienated people to the point that they don't understand simple human interaction?

Do people feel so entitled that they think that just because they want something, the world owes it to them without regard to market forces?

I also think that some people in search of Rolexes consider AD employees to be sub-human creatures who exist only to serve them. They aren't worthy of any sort of positive interaction and the salesperson should cater to their every whim without hesitation. So...that attitude kind of hurts the whole building a relationship dealio...

[tng11]

I've become very cynical about establishing a relationship with an AD, whatever that means. I don't doubt others have found great ADs, but it seems I've been having terrible luck as of late.

First Rolex AD I dealt with basically brushed me off as I wasn't buying enough TTs and PMs from them, even though I was frequently in the shop, expressed enthusiasm and bought a number of SS pieces from them. I was basically told point blank to my face that it didn't count for anything as they could have just sold them to the next person in line.

The other AD I thought I was on the way to establishing a better relationship with, wanted a 100% deposit on a Tudor BB58, with no ETA from me. They also are disinterested in talking watches, pretty much just give me the standard pitch and "do you want it today, or not" line.

Another local AD I went to last weekend to pick up an OP39, well, let's just say I was shocked by their unethical business practices.

Thankfully, TRF has been a great community to me, and I've been able to obtain some hard to get references through people I've met on here and other collector friends who have that magical AD relationship. I've also received referrals to some great ADs from others on here, which unfortunately aren't local to me, but in due course, I'll see how they pan out!