AD nonsense!!!!

[Gravity]

I actually love ADs but only use them for the occasional sizing, as I did yesterday in BH, and sometimes to get out of the heat for a mini water bottle. 9 times out of ten I'm wearing my SD43 or Deep Sea and without fail they always comment something to the effect of "Wow, those are hard to get" ect ... and I always retort... "Not really, many grey dealers are selling them for retail", which is mostly true for many models including a no date sub. Yes, sometimes it may be a perfect pre-owned and seen daylight for a few months but to me that's new for a watch that will last several lifetimes. To be honest when you also consider the grey tax savings, on average I pay well under retail and this is for the "hard to find" models which are really impossible at an AD without at least some serious purchase history and a waiting list.

Yesterday I actually had a nice chat with the AD manager as the sa sized my Deep Sea. He said they only get a few SDs a year and he hasn't got in a DS Blue in a very long time. He admitted they don't even take lists for rare models and when they do come in they only offer to their top tier customers. After as bit longer he admitted they do take names and info, which most think puts them on a "list", but they just are in their rolodex for mailers ect.

imo.... Go grey...get exactly what you want and often actually save $ but you will always save TIME and to me that is far more valuable.

[dtwer]

Originally Posted by Merkaholic

Incase you missed something........ The 1st few lines of my post.

"Hi guys...... Yesterday I visited AD in the hope of building a rapport or if possible buy a SS Sports piece. Just to be clear I was prepared to pull the trigger if the opportunity had risen. I was also interested in another brand (vacheron constantin) which this ad stocks. "

Ill let you now work it out.

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That's what you "said." It doesn't mean you "convinced me."

By all means, carry on with your winning strategy in watch shopping.

[Merkaholic]

Originally Posted by Russell996

The AD where you purchased your DJ41sounds like the best bet for an ongoing relationship, your posts seemed very positive.

Im in regular contact but nothing yet. Before I get shot by the jihadist, iv only requested a sub.

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[Merkaholic]

Originally Posted by dtwer

That's what you "said." It doesn't mean you "convinced me."



By all means, carry on with your winning strategy in watch shopping.

I didn't know i was in front of a jury. Ill keep that in mind.

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[Keepchasing]

Originally Posted by Merkaholic

Go take a lesson in English and than read my post again and digest.

No offence intended.

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Pot. Kettle.

[Merkaholic]

Originally Posted by Keepchasing

Pot. Kettle.

You definitely are a bright bulb...... Guilty as changed lol

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[whuang29]

Originally Posted by Gotgolf52

If you sincerely want to buy a SS sport watch, just walk in talk about watches and express your sincere request. Assuming you want pieces that easier to get like Explorer and SubC. Once you become their client, you can ask for rarer pieces maybe GMT then work your way to Daytona. Nowadays clients without prior relationship with AD won’t get Pepsi, Daytona or Skydweller and you just have to accept it. Guys like me who has spent 6 digits on the same AD always get the rare pieces. There ain’t no game with my AD, I’ve been their regular client for the last 5 years not just today.

Couldn't have said it better. I started building rapport with an AD at the end of last year but once you get the ball rolling its much easier to ask for pieces but at the same time we have to be patient as well.

[Monty22]

Originally Posted by Tavli3

I get the part about the SAs being frustrated with getting hit with the same question dozens of times everyday. But I do not agree that it's all the retail consumer's fault. Not everyone is up to speed on the current Rolex "shortage". Most people simply decide one day they want a Rolex or have just been able to money wise buy a Rolex. If by chance that Rolex is not a "Stainless" model then there's no issue they walk in try on what they want and walk out with a watch and being none the wiser of whats going on. If however they should want a "Stainless" sport model then they will more than likely and unknowingly walk into a buzz saw.



A simple solution would be to post a nice sign on the door that they are out of stock on all "Stainless Sport Models". That would cut down on the drive by buyers. It makes sense since they are never going to sell a hot watch to a walk in anyway. Those watches are sold via a phone call. And not many people are going to buy a YG watch for 37K just to buy a 12K stainless watch. It will cut down on the rudness level also I believe from the SAs since they will be less hasselled.



The way I read the OPs post is that he went into a store asked for a sport model and was rudely told none in stock and was redirected to a PM watch. So the deterioration in the encounter was started by the SA not the OP. Once he showed interest in the PM watch a "Stainless" watch was magically in stock. Kind of unethical. It's the Rude part that is the problem. I've experienced it and it seems to be more and more common. I don't think it is beneficial to the Store owner, to Rolex or to the consumer.



I think the ADs should be upfront and say our policy is only to sell these watches in a combo deal to customers they don't know. If you tell a customer due to a shortage its now the policy, I think they will get less offended.



It's offending when they rudely say we don't have any but we do have this 37K watch over here for you to buy and I can maybe see if we can get you another watch! I've had this actually happen to me at the Bal Harbor Mall. I was deflected from a sport model into a YG Day Date for 37K and I said I like it but can you get me what I want if I buy this and that's when I got the maybe. Maybe? So the game was started by the SA not me. I have every right to go in and ask for any watch I desire. They have a choice in either being upfront or playing the deflection game. They decided to play their game so I played my game much like the OP decided to play his game.

Make me a deal! Don't ask me to spend 37K and give me a maybe. I'm not here to say whether if you do or don't do a deal like that is right or wrong, to each his own. But I think both sides need to be more honest with each other.

The shortage will continue, the situation will continue it’s just a matter how pissed off each side gets at each other. Time will tell.



PS: By shortage I mean the MSRP shortage since we all know these watches are available in the hundreds via the Grays.

Well said, and great counterpoint. We need more civil discourse these days!


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[rallyx]

Little pig, little pig, sell me the submarine. No! Never! Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin. Oh yeah, then I’ll huff and I’ll puff and vent on RFM! And so the story goes about 3 little pigs. It’ll be told many times over in different parts of the world until the biggest and baddest wolf starts to peddle its wares of iron to the many little pigs all over the world. And the wolf’s customers all live happily ever after.

[RobearH]

In the end this thread has done nothing but to turn member against member and perpetrate the viscous cycle so many Rolex consumers are currently up against.

[18●20●22●▼●2●4●6]

Originally Posted by RobearH

In the end this thread has done nothing but to turn member against member and perpetrate the viscous cycle so many Rolex consumers are currently up against.

The sign of sheer desperation on something no one needs... we often forgot that this is just an expansive hobby...

[henrytime]

Not sure what to take from my recent experience.

An AD just opened near me last weekend, I told them before I am looking for a SubDate, and to think of me when their inventory comes in. I pop by later that week to check out the store, lots of 2 tone one the shelf, Daytona , Sub, Bluesy, and SkyD.

SA first reaction to me asking about SubDate is that “everything we have is on display”. Ok , fair enough. I have a pleasant convo with them and a few minutes later she says they have a 114060 if I’m interested. I wasn’t interested and wasn’t sure what to make of their tactic.

I wonder if I will shake this SubDate curse / spell I’m stuck in.


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[doozyj]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

One thing I don't quite understand with this recent bundle strategy. The client who's only interested in the more affordable sport steel is not the same as the one who's interested in PM pieces. I mean if I was rich I'd probably go after PM only, wouldn't care so much about steel I think, could be wrong but that's kind of instinctive.

Imagine you're interested in a basic run of the mill Porsche 911. You go to the dealership and they tell you "Yes sir, we will sell you one if you buy a GT first". You see what I mean, it makes no sense to me. You want the base model and they'll sell it to you if you buy the super expensive one first.

So now with Rolex, of you want the toolwatch, you've got to buy the super expensive luxury piece first. I know it's not really a toolwatch anymore, I get that, but you guys get my point.

Those “clients” are simply flippers or grey dealers. They are the ones buying the package deals.

[moonshine89]

It’s interesting to see both sides in these posts. It seems members who have a clear history with an AD and have multiple watches call the op rude or entitled for calling out the manipulative practices of the ADs. The newbies trying to get into rolexes no longer seem to have the right to buy whatever watch they want. They have to earn it by buying the unwanted bulk rolexes and build a “rapport”. But let’s be real here. If you want to buy a 9k gmt or sub or 12k Daytona, how much is a newbie gonna have to spend to be even offered a shot at one of those watches? Apparently 37k gets you a shot at a sub!

I move around frequently due to work and it’s difficult for me to establish a “relationship” with one AD. I’ve been fortunate to get my SubC and BLNR at mrsp years back, but I’ll never be able to get a daytonaC through an AD. I think it’s laughable when I read members here saying “just keep trying, be patient, and your time will come”. I think we all know that’s BS unless your ultra VIP.

Just frustrated ADs are selling directly to greys or holding out just to squeeze more out of ultra VIP clients. I had a similar response from Rolex boutiques. I didn’t call them out like the OP, but it was clear they weren’t even interested in your business unless you were willing to purchase 2-3 watches for one SS model. Is it time to bail on Rolex? It’s starting to look that way....


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[Mynameistrent]

Honesty from the dealer is everything here..... That being said either way I just don’t feel most dealers value regular tier customers at all in this climate. I think rapport gets you nowhere with a good portion of sales people and neither does a modest purchase history

Recently revisited an ad I purchased my DJ41 from at the beginning of the year with a view to registering my interest in a regular SubDate or ND for my 30th which is next July (which I explained) and was left feeling silly.

Dealt with the same salesperson who sold me the DJ..No offer of a list or whatever, no offer to attempt to help me get a sub within the 15 months between then and my Bday not even on a shot in the dark best endeavours basis. Just “you’ll struggle as these sell to our best clients” and “maybe supply will get better next year”.

The salesperson couldn’t look me in the eye during the conversation and the whole thing felt really disingenuous. I love my DJ41 but I regret buying it from this particular dealer now

[Wingslogo]

Originally Posted by Merkaholic

Hi guys...... Yesterday I visited AD in the hope of building a rapport or if possible buy a SS Sports piece. Just to be clear I was prepared to pull the trigger if the opportunity had risen. I was also interested in another brand (vacheron constantin) which this ad stocks.

As I walked in I was approached by a female sa asking if i needed any help so i mentioned what I was looking for. Straight away she took me to the rolex area showed me a few non sports pieces, there was another sa serving 2 ladies, he abruptly interrupted and said they don't have any SS Sports piece and they are not taking any names. I was prepared for this so it did not really bother me.......I carried on browsing and saw a black dial skydweller (my lucky day) the female sa called a rolex specialist over to see to me, he came over and was very polite and professional. He showed me the piece but it was a white gold at 37k......just to see his reaction i said i would purchase this if you throw in a ss spot piece.......he says his got a no date sub which can be part of the deal.......i said at 37k it better be a Daytona or pepsi at the least. Btw the sa who was rude and abrupt was now in shock thinking there was a potential sale. I said to the sa your colleague said you didn't have any ss sports pieces........classic reply........ We only offer ss sports pieces for combined purchases. I tried to convince him to sell me the piece on its on but he was having non of it. I offered to buy a ladies dj but it was not what they were looking for. They wanted me to purchase a 20k+ gold piece in order to get the sub........ I told him politely but in no uncertain terms that i would rather pay a grey dealer a premium!!!

Im actually quiet happy i experienced this at first hand.

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Great Job. Thanks for the post. Good story. Really sucks they do this. I appreciate the post.


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[A.I.]

Too many bad tempered posts.

Will I go and get the big slipper?

[uhren917]

Originally Posted by VicLeChic

Imagine you're interested in a basic run of the mill Porsche 911. You go to the dealership and they tell you "Yes sir, we will sell you one if you buy a GT first". You see what I mean, it makes no sense to me. You want the base model and they'll sell it to you if you buy the super expensive one first.

With the modern Porsches, the GTs, the Turbos are the models that are likely to hold their value, not the run of the mill 911s, which is quite the opposite with Rolex.

[Mr. Vanos]

Originally Posted by ImSorryBut...

Im guessing that you haven't tried to buy a Porsche

Lol I was just thinking the same thing.

[Merkaholic]

Glad there is a bit of humour here today.

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[russ86]

Last year me and my friend decided to get gold Rolexes, we went to AD on 5th ave. We wanted a little discount on them and since we were going to spend $65k+ combines a ss sport piece for each. After 2 days going back and forward, not only they did not give us any real discount, but the guy who was working with us also said we would need to spend $100k and only then he can throw us one ss sport piece lol We told him to go screw himself and next week we got RG Daytona and YG Presidential from grey dealer.

[Gravity]

Originally Posted by ruslan1987

Last year me and my friend decided to get gold Rolexes, we went to AD on 5th ave. We wanted a little discount on them and since we were going to spend $65k+ combines a ss sport piece for each. After 2 days going back and forward, not only they did not give us any real discount, but the guy who was working with us also said we would need to spend $100k and only then he can throw us one ss sport piece lol We told him to go screw himself and next week we got RG Daytona and YG Presidential from grey dealer.

Bravo. Some see the light sooner than others

[MrMoFoMeLLy]

I have read most of the posts on this thread and just thought I'd share a more positive story. Yesterday I received a call from my AD and he offered me a no-date sub. I've been a customer at this AD for a few years, but I didn't really think I spent all that much. I purchased my wife's engagement ring, her first diamond there and then we upgraded her diamond to a bigger diamond once. He and I chat all the time about watches as I frequently drop in to see what they have and chat.

Maybe it was pure luck or maybe we really did connect. He said I bypassed about 100 people on his list for the no-date. Even as I was there purchasing, there were 3 people that walked in looking for an SS Rolex. Very grateful for my experience with my AD.

[drtii]

The outright lying is what gets me. I attempted something similar with 2 AD's in my area and said "I know you have some SS models in the vault right now" and one of them didn't disagree. They said it was for VVIP's (now they're just making acronyms up)

So, here's my take on it.

Every major high volume AD is sitting on at least 1 desirable piece and much like in your experience they are waiting for the right buyer to dangle it to. There's absolutely nothing to gain by selling it to just anyone.

I'd be willing to bet I can walk into my local AD that does volume, offer to buy the WG daytona or one of the YG models and say I need a no-date thrown in and they would at minimum acknowledge they could do it. I might have to say I'll take both models, but I can assure you if not that day I'd have a sub by the end of the week.

On a related note. I spoke with 4 dealers throughout Oregon last week regarding SS sport models and of the 2 that responded, both were unwilling to add names to a list. "The list is closed" was the standard response, but they'd be happy to show me some OP's or DJ's. And then some "these models are reserved for our very special customers" line.

I like your approach and I think exposing these unscrupulous AD tactics is worth the slight bit of time wasted just to know you're right and that AD's are holding back intentionally.

[drtii]

Originally Posted by MrMoFoMeLLy

I have read most of the posts on this thread and just thought I'd share a more positive story. Yesterday I received a call from my AD and he offered me a no-date sub. I've been a customer at this AD for a few years, but I didn't really think I spent all that much. I purchased my wife's engagement ring, her first diamond there and then we upgraded her diamond to a bigger diamond once. He and I chat all the time about watches as I frequently drop in to see what they have and chat.

Maybe it was pure luck or maybe we really did connect. He said I bypassed about 100 people on his list for the no-date. Even as I was there purchasing, there were 3 people that walked in looking for an SS Rolex. Very grateful for my experience with my AD.

That's not really a positive story for anyone but you because that good ol' boys club is exactly what the problem is. The upside is that you weren't coerced into buying those other items to land that piece.

The fact you could 'jump 100 people on the list", says absolutely everything anyone would need to know about this mythical list. It's basically a blind auction and favorites.

The takeaway here is that you did one very important thing, you established rapport. That AD knows he can sell that watch in less than an hour if it's sitting in the case, and one out of 2 people on that list would be down to pick it up that day if called.

By any chance, did he ask you if you were in the market for more diamonds? ;)

[ITony]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Meanwhile....shortly after your departure, another person arrived and more than likely purchased whatever Rolex bundle the AD steered them towards with no effort at all...

That's why the AD do this..because the general market and high rollers alike accept it and it works out just fine. Sure, they get the occasional WIS who shows up to kick a stink, but overall it is a very successful strategy.

So in other words, if it didn't work, they wouldn't do it.

Agreed. There is a customer base that is driving these practices.

[Gravity]

Originally Posted by drtii

That's not really a positive story for anyone but you because that good ol' boys club is exactly what the problem is. The upside is that you weren't coerced into buying those other items to land that piece.

The fact you could 'jump 100 people on the list", says absolutely everything anyone would need to know about this mythical list. It's basically a blind auction and favorites.

The takeaway here is that you did one very important thing, you established rapport. That AD knows he can sell that watch in less than an hour if it's sitting in the case, and one out of 2 people on that list would be down to pick it up that day if called.

By any chance, did he ask you if you were in the market for more diamonds? ;)

Not surprising at all....Massive margin on diamonds.

[Harry-57]

VIP = high spending, regular client.
VVIP = grey dealer(s). Probably also fed to an extent by the VIPs.