The AD experience

[Bo-Dacious]

Piece of mind.

Beer for me, wine for my wife.

Rolex polishing cloth.

Free watch winder (rarely used).

A bit of eventful if your looking for fireworks.

[ems12]

I bought my DSSD (my first Rolex) from a AD for piece of mind and not to get burned my first time out.

To be honest it was a bit under whelming. I went in swiped my debit card 12K was erased (with no tax) that was my perk. No water no soda in fact the sales lady was quite indifferent about the whole affair.

I bought a Breitling a few years ago (different AD) and they made a pretty big deal about it lol.

Oh well I like the Rolex better than the Breitling =)

[Nico J]

I got a Tudor hat once.

[mastersub]

I received really nice appraisal letters, for insurance purposes I'm assuming.

[SemperFi]

I'd rather buy from a trusted seller (twice) and with the money I saved make my own "experience".

[Lordofrolex]

The AD experience is a big shame. Get knowledgeable about the watch. Know everything about it and go through a trusted seller on here. Just lot 3k on a new watch when i decided i didn't like it. I lost 3k on the trade price in 4 months. Never making that mistake again buy from a trusted seller and you'll be getting the appropriate price.

[Lordofrolex]

The AD experience is a big shame. Get knowledgeable about the watch. Know everything about it and go through a trusted seller on here. Just lot 3k on a new watch when i decided i didn't like it. I lost 3k on the trade price in 4 months. Never making that mistake again. Only buy from a trusted seller on TRF from now on.

[crazycarlitos]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

A diet Coke is part of the AD experience. If you play your cars right, they'll pour it in a glass with ice for you.

Usually depends on how much the customer over-payed.

[AK797]

I bought from one AD, got nothing. I only emailed another and got an invite to cocktails. I was recognised as a regular browser not buyer in another and invited to a Basel display night. In my regular AD I have been greeted by name by salespeople I've only seen for a few seconds so it can also be nicely disconcerting.

[Phil75]

When I dropped by the AD at KDW in Berlin some weeks ago the clerk didn't even rise his eyes at us, my wife and myself, cause he was having some private chat on the phone with his wife or girlfriend, which was more important to him than business. We were straight coming from LV and Wellendorff and he probably could have made another good sale if he just had invested some time.

[Muzz]

Pens, kniv@s, umbrellas, cloths, etc. from my AD. I do not expect that sort of stuff as I focus on the numbers. They normally just pass me these items long after the deals are done.

[tvo7]

Originally Posted by kaiserphoenix

Depends on the AD/Boutique. I have been invited for a full expense paid trips to Germany for the lange factory but also been to Spain invited full expense paid trips. So there are perks definately. On top of that more priority on rarer pieces depending on how much you bought there etc.

Seems like many people aren't very impressed with the swag. Cocktail hour doesn't excite many either. I probably don't buy enough watches to get a full trip to Germany or Switzerland. They probably won't invite me to dinner for just 1 watch.

In other words, don't get excited over perks when buying from AD.
Thanks for your opinions

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by tvo7

If this is my first time buying a Rolex, I have read about AD experience on here. Other than knowing that it is authentic Rolex and maybe get a better discount for future watches, is there any other perks?

Do you get a free pen? A invite to mixer with free food and wine? Swag gifts?

forget the discounts for a second...

if you can afford it, buy your first from an AD. its one of life's moments that generally doesn't break the bank and it feels good to do business like an adult in a world of lowest price conditioning.

but, if you only buy on price, buy used.

i buy new and used depending on the watch and budget but i very much enjoyed my 3 AD experiences.

[Vinyasa]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

For me, and I am an AD type guy, I could all of the times that I go into the watch store as a part of the service, not just the day of purpose. So the day that I went in and tried on the SDC4K, or DSSD, and did not buy. It was really valuable to me, possible even priceless.

I think people who go online/phone sales disregard the value of being able to touch, see, feel a piece before buying it.

x2. I called my AD this morning just to check on their inventory. The sales rep I work with mentioned they had just received a BLNR in today, and though a couple of other people had expressed their interest, she held it for me to try on. I've been contemplating this model for some time. Anyway, I stopped by the dealer a couple of hours later and tried it on... although it was offered to me, I declined... I haven't acclimated to the PCLs and 'super case' yet. If I hadn't tried it on I may have made an emotional on-line trade and regretted it. I'm inclined to continue to use trusted sellers in the future, but nurturing the AD relationship has certain advantages, aside from the occasional cup of coffee.

[Boothroyd]

A nice single malt scotch in my case, and working with people I trust who are WIS's. My jewelry purchases, including wedding rings, have come from this family AD. It's a solid relationship.

[Watch This]

Best I ever got was a reach-around.

[bardm]

My AD gives me excellent service wether I am buying something or just looking. The employees are very polite and velcomming, if not always very knowledgeable.

I always walk out in a good mood.

[Peter.dench]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

Ice cold water and a good discount in Singapore plus peace of mind. He will also find me what I want as best as he is able and he always gets what I'm looking for still wrapped in the shipping casket;

Champagne and peace of mind in London; and,

Champagne in Cardiff, shoved to the top of the list for my D-Blue and peace of mind. If I wanted a Daytona Ceramic, I doubt I'd get the first one but I'd have one of the first five.

The difference in the two UK ADs is that I was made to feel a bit more special; that's not a slight on my AD here, it's more of a complement to the UK ADs. It was just a shame that some knothead in the London AD pissed me off when I was hunting for my D-Blue and I'd think twice before going back; I guess I could reconsider and not hold the knothead against the entire boutique but it would depend if they had what I wanted and how badly I wanted it.

Due to be over in Singapore soon for work. What sort of discount should I be aiming for at AD? I am used to getting zero in London

[tomallen]

A lot will depend on the AD. My AD started as a small family owned jeweler and has grown into five or six stores here in New England. They treat me well with discounts on Rolex watches. I get invited to in store shows and parties, free stuff like polishing cloths, books, magazines and catalogs. Fancy coffee, tea and champagne. That is just good marketing and all their customers are treated as such. What I enjoy is the good service. On top of the watch discounts I have been given extra stainless steel links, a dive extension, two TT Submariner links. I get a discount on RSC repairs. I have been in other ADs in the area and been treated so so, one asked for my drivers license before he would show me a watch. I have bought Rolex watches on the grey market and never had an issue and got some very good deals, but it's here is my money here is the watch take it or leave it.

[gtnator]

Swag, pens, magazines, jackets, etc., meeting Apollo astronauts and other famous people during special events. Depends on if that is more important to you or just getting the lowest absolute price. Both are equally admirable, just depends on you.


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[HoosierRolexFan]

After getting the watch bug about 2 months ago, I was excited to start the search for my first Rolex in Indy; but after being treated like a used Kleenex by the AD, I vowed to myself on the spot that I would return that favor by using them as my showroom (when they actually have the models I want to test drive). I refuse to buy from them and after buying my first 2 from a trusted custom jeweler in NYC, I will only buy from him or a Trusted TRF seller. If the AD actually added any value sans the laughable condescending attitude, I always prefer to do business locally. This AD's model certainly is not the way I run my businesses - they must have taken Sandler sales training - what a joke...

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by gtnator

Swag, pens, magazines, jackets, etc., meeting Apollo astronauts and other famous people during special events. Depends on if that is more important to you or just getting the lowest absolute price. Both are equally admirable, just depends on you.


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Well said!

[adawil2002]

With my 1st purchase at my local AD, I received Rolex Magazine Issue 1 about the Daytona. A year later I bought the D-Blue and received the companion The Last Frontier book.

[tvo7]

Originally Posted by gtnator

Swag, pens, magazines, jackets, etc., meeting Apollo astronauts and other famous people during special events. Depends on if that is more important to you or just getting the lowest absolute price. Both are equally admirable, just depends on you.


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That might be worth it. Meet famous people, get their autograph and sell it later and now your rolex is even cheaper

Did you have to buy many watches to get invited to those special events?

[GasMD]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

forget the discounts for a second...

if you can afford it, buy your first from an AD. its one of life's moments that generally doesn't break the bank and it feels good to do business like an adult in a world of lowest price conditioning.

but, if you only buy on price, buy used.

i buy new and used depending on the watch and budget but i very much enjoyed my 3 AD experiences.

I agree with this. For your first Rolex the AD piece of mind is good to have. Buy all others from the trusted sellers here.

If you plan to sell or trade this watch anytime soon go through a trusted seller. Rolexes are like luxury cars. Once you are out the door your new toy just depreciated by thousands. If you buy from a trusted seller you don't take that hit.

[michael067]

The Wynn in Vegas will pop a bottle of $30 champagne for you.

[Blown Wide Open]

I purchased new from AD once. It was such an underwhelming experience, I can't remember a thing about it.

I'm at the he point in my life where I flat out refuse to pay retail for anything. I also negotiate for a living so I'm a little biased.

[MCO1]

The opportunity to pay retail and tax and the occasional Rolex magazine and catalog. I generally get the latter when I am just looking though. Some argument could be made with your first Rolex that an AD is worth the experience, especially if it is your one and only and you don't get hooked. However, with trusted sellers like DavidSW I just cannot see purchasing new.

[jon_jon]

For most people, when you purchase your first Rolex at an AD, you won't be getting the best price nor any special perks. Rolex ADs, like most businesses, value return customers a lot more. When you make subsequent purchases, you will get better pricing and service IME. But if you plan to buy additional watches in the future, it is a good idea to develop a relationship with an AD.

Some people have the mistaken idea that buying from an AD equals paying retail. It may be true in certain instances with a BLNR or a SS Daytona. But pricing really depends on your relationship with the AD.

[twilcox]

I just purchased a DJ2 in St. Thomas and received 2 Masters baseball hats like what the caddies are wearing.