advice needed: how to build a relationship with AD without spending a lot of $$

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Devildog

You'll get a lot of differing advice and opinions on this forum depending on location and experience. Some will say it takes huge spend and some will say it doesn't.

But always remember, when all else is removed from the equation, it is much easier to sell something to someone you like and can empathise with.

My advice would be to find a smaller, independent AD, drop by in person from time to time and get to know the sales staff, be honest and tell them your story as you've told here. Don't have a sense of entitlement and be patient

Very good advice here.

Congratulations in advanced on child #2 OP.

[Bruce_Wayne]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

Kids nowadays don't give a rats ass about a watch they have a phone glued 24/7 to their hand.

If however you want a watch from an AD without spending a bob or two marry his daughter.

Remember the generation of children born during the quartz era? Do you think as they aged they still preferred quartz over a mechanical watch?
I get the point that you can never really predict if your children will share the same interest, but family heirlooms that carry their own history can supercede ones personal interest.

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[Halifax Daytona UK]

Just add your name to their waitlist

You can’t have a relationship with someone who doesn’t want one and if you keep going in and bothering the SA’s they may think you are stalking them or as per other posts , casing the joint.

Buy grey and spend the time you would have spent stalking an AD with your family

[rolexryan329]

Originally Posted by padi56

IMHO this so called AD relationship mostly only exists on internet forums and internet fantasy land.As all ADs are in business to sell as many watches to any Tom,Dick or Harry thats enters there premises with cash in there hands.

Thank you for having the only sensible reply here.

I was led to believe that I wouldn't get any watch that isnt an OP without having to form a relationship first and kiss the AD's feet. All I did for my ExplorerII was:

1.) actually want the watch
2.) walk into the AD, become friendly with the salesperson helping me
3.) express interest in the watch and ask many questions about it
4.) listen to everything the AD is telling me about it. Take a catalog and go home
5.) Pop back in 3 weeks later with cash in hand, put down a deposit
6.) Wait for the watch. Get the call, buy the watch

I think for some of the most popular models, yeah you may need a "relationship". But there are tons of stories on here of regular people walking in and getting their piece much sooner than you'd believe due to the misinformation being spread so easily. OP, go to your AD with confidence and be respectful and see what happens

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by padi56

IMHO this so called AD relationship mostly only exists on internet forums and internet fantasy land.As all ADs are in business to sell as many watches to any Tom,Dick or Harry thats enters there premises with cash in there hands.

Agree. Cos when the market goes bad, the ADs will be fending for themselves the same way we are on our own today.

[Vipes]

Getting a SS GMT without a prior purchase history is extremely difficult. Good luck in your hunt!

[jaychief]

I have tried for years no joy, bought 2 Rolex over 10 years ago was promised a Daytona... never got the call... I just go grey now...
However I was in a AD a month ago seeing were I was on the list for a Pepsi, after spending time with the manager she informed me if I bought a Patek I would get one sooner...
My response no problem can I have aqua naut or a nautilus then, you can imagine there response

[Mr.Rolex1]

You're better off going grey...especially in SF

[ap1]

Tricky puzzle to solve. Outcome unclear. I’d ask every dealer around. Maybe you’ll be there on delivery day.

[joli160]

Forget it, not going to happen. Gotta pay to play.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by Muxi

Agree. Cos when the market goes bad, the ADs will be fending for themselves the same way we are on our own today.

What goes around comes around.

[904VT]

Marry the owners daughter....

[Ravager135]

None of the advice given, including my own, is guaranteed to work. Assuming you aren't going to take the path of least resistance and spend a premium with a grey dealer or offer to buy a bunch of items you don't want to get one watch you do... Here's my best advice.

Use a family owned AD. You are more likely to strike up a personal relationship and/or get a more personalized experience. This is no guarantee, but it's better than using a Tourneau in NYC.

Tell them your story. They might not care at all, but I have seen some anecdotes of ADs helping out people who took the time to share their love of watches and wanting to do something nice for a first time customer.

If they give you the line that it's a 5 year wait for a GMT-Master II, ask politely for them to please take down your name and consider you if others ahead of you pass on the particular watch. Ask for the sales representative's card and maybe stop in a few weeks later to browse if you haven't been contacted. Just remain friendly and patient.

In general, be courteous and use common sense. You might get lucky, you might not. I do all these things in every business dealing I pursue. I don't think you need to bring gifts, buy things you don't want, or should wait years to get a mass produced item. You might very quickly learn that even after doing all of this, you'll get a much better sales experience with a grey dealer (along with instant gratification). I've said it across many threads, it sucks right now to be a new Rolex customer.

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Monte Cristo

I have found that even as a customer with purchase history, there is no hope with an AD.

Some will agree with me others will not.

Good luck in your adventure and above all congrats on the incoming....child #2 that is.

Unfortunately this is so true. Its more about timing than anything. Lists are really meaningless. I am hearing more stories of AD backdoor sales to the resellers. Really a shame.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by rolexryan329

Thank you for having the only sensible reply here.

I was led to believe that I wouldn't get any watch that isnt an OP without having to form a relationship first and kiss the AD's feet. All I did for my ExplorerII was:

1.) actually want the watch
2.) walk into the AD, become friendly with the salesperson helping me
3.) express interest in the watch and ask many questions about it
4.) listen to everything the AD is telling me about it. Take a catalog and go home
5.) Pop back in 3 weeks later with cash in hand, put down a deposit
6.) Wait for the watch. Get the call, buy the watch

I think for some of the most popular models, yeah you may need a "relationship". But there are tons of stories on here of regular people walking in and getting their piece much sooner than you'd believe due to the misinformation being spread so easily. OP, go to your AD with confidence and be respectful and see what happens

I'd be interested to hear how your 6 step process works for you to get a BLRO or Daytona SS v

[904VT]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

I'd be interested to hear how your 6 step process works for you to get a BLRO or Daytona SS v

Very true. Wouldn't work at all. The Exp2 are in the safe in the back usually even today. Heck one or two BLRO or SS Daytona I'd wager as well saved for a big combo purchase at most larger ADs.

Building a relationship is real (of course only holds true if you buy watches on the regular). My AD is very willing to get me anything outside of the BLRO and SS Daytona if I'm willing to wait a few months in today's market. They know a serious purchaser and even better a longer-term multiple watch client goes a long-way. The first time purchasers are in a tough position today, but from what I can tell based on my and friends' experiences as well as here on forums, Rolex can still put the watches in the hands of regular longer-term clients if we have some patience. The fact is so many want the instant gratification, just have some patience imo. Want a SS BLRO or Daytona imo just save for the PM first and buy now, get your SS when the market settles and you'll be first in line. Enjoy the PM in the meanwhile. Win win

[rolexryan329]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

I'd be interested to hear how your 6 step process works for you to get a BLRO or Daytona SS v

I did say that it may be necessary to have some relationship for those models but it isn't a myth for a GMT: There are quite more than a handful of incomings recently that describe the person going to an AD, putting their name on a list for a BLNR or a BLRO despite being told the wait is 1-1 million years but they end up miraculously walking away with one 2 months later.

The daytona is an exception because I haven't seen any incomings about how they got a call for one with no history

[WatchThinker]

For you more experienced members - I was talking to an AD the other day and he mentioned, several times, his customers putting down deposits. Is this a normal thing?

[Bizcut1]

My advice? Forget the cynical, bitter attitude and go introduce yourself to the local AD and have a chat. You know, just a conversation. Chances are, they won't be snickering at you, or looking past you for a whale or any such nonsense...regular people like me score watches all the time by just being nice. By being a customer. Put down a deposit? On a Rolex? Sure! I did for a Porsche and a boat. It's a transaction. Just...transact. I can just imagine some (some!) of the angst-filled types around here trying to get past their own egos in a Rolex boutique. Feel kind of sorry for the SA's that have to deal with that.

[PeterC4]

A genuine thoughtful gift. But like others have said, hard to predict what the future trend will be. Do you think a small stock portfolio of some growth prospects like Google, or Microsoft (these are examples not recommendations) might end up being a more valuable gift at the end of it all? It is a watch worth about $10,000 - that's a almost $20,000 pre-tax dollars at the top bracket. If you bought $100 worth of Apple stock in 2002 it would be close to $11,000 today. So a $10,000 investment, (assuming you could achieve the same returns) would get you $1.1 million. That will likely get your son into a good school or give him a head start in a business of his own. Even at half the return. And there are some interesting dynamics to invest these days.

Then again, maybe a GMT will be worth a lot of money too. I know where I would put my money.

[Frank McKay]

Put it this way, you’re not getting a hot watch with zero purchase history in a big city AD. You can walk in there every week with a big cheesy smile and talk watches, it’s not going to land you a Daytona, Sub, BLRO KD Hulk. Not in a big city at least.

You may be able to pull it off in a smaller city with lesser demand and VIP’s.

[SpeedyTuomas]

Originally Posted by kevlar

I may have been lied to, but recently visited a large UK AD and registered my interest it did feel like an 'interview' two assistants sat with me.

In talking i noticed they were looking at my watch, i then said i'm just building a small collection and started talking about it 'omega speedmaster'...they wrote it on the card, I then said I have a sub, they then said oh thats very good and it will help you you in buying...I was honest and said I didnt buy from you, but they said it didnt matter the fact I already had a Rolex was plus for me....and they wrote it on the card, it was very obvious im not a flipper I had my little girl with me and part of what I told them was they were investments for her one day.

May have been BS, but they actually felt genuine and the fact they wrote many details down made me feel these are things they really are looking for...time will tell i suppose!

And where did these "notes" go? Sounds like nonsense to me.

[Xelorpepsi]

Originally Posted by kevlar

I may have been lied to, but recently visited a large UK AD and registered my interest it did feel like an 'interview' two assistants sat with me.

In talking i noticed they were looking at my watch, i then said i'm just building a small collection and started talking about it 'omega speedmaster'...they wrote it on the card, I then said I have a sub, they then said oh thats very good and it will help you you in buying...I was honest and said I didnt buy from you, but they said it didnt matter the fact I already had a Rolex was plus for me....and they wrote it on the card, it was very obvious im not a flipper I had my little girl with me and part of what I told them was they were investments for her one day.

May have been BS, but they actually felt genuine and the fact they wrote many details down made me feel these are things they really are looking for...time will tell i suppose!

Could you please share the name of this AD with us, happy to receive a PM too...

Based on my experience, it’s a function of two things in the UK:
- how much you are willing to spend including on less popular models / brands in one go
- how much you’ve spent to date with the AD
- and in some cases if you are recommended by an important client

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by SpeedyTuomas

And where did these "notes" go? Sounds like nonsense to me.

Complete garbage beginning to end. It’s either made up or the sales staff were just playing silly games for fun. No purchase history, no big purchases in a bundle.. no BLRO, no daytona. Simple as that

[illiguy]

Be genuine and be prepared to wait.

[GB-man]

Put a private eye on the owner of the AD or the store manager. Wait a few weeks and collect.

[vesnyder]

I disagree that you have to spend big money to establish a relationship. I stopped by my local AD and made sure that I saw the same sales rep each time. We eventually got to the point of exchanging emails and she appreciated that I was an enthusiast and not a flipper. I first got on the wait list for the bluesy and then changed my mind and got on the wait list for the CHNR. I was only on the list for less than a month and it came in. She was understandable that the timing was not ideal but I bought it any way. I just got on the list for a Sub - and that will probably take a year or so. Maybe it depends on the market - Cleveland is a smaller market than NYC or SF!

[t65tampa]

Start dating one then get married. It works. My AD got her husband a white ceramic stainless steel Daytona. I think he liked her independent of the Rolex AD status though.


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[TswaneNguni]

Buy the AD.Simple

[bobbyandy]

Congrats on your second child. I agree with the small AD/be genuine/tell your story advice. It worked for me anyway. I'd guess that if you have a 2 year window, you can likely get the GMT you want from the small AD.

I'd also suggest you get the watch you want and wear and enjoy it through the years building memories with your growing family. When the time comes to pass the watches along, it will matter less whether or not your kids got the watch bug and more that these objects are a cherished memento of years of good memories for them, whether they end up wearing the watch or sticking it in a drawer with their other cherished artifacts. They'll love it because it was from you. Good luck on your journey!