Advice on getting "real" with my AD

[Harry-57]

Buy things from them, go grey, or just forget about it.

[datdude321]

This is why I highly value this forum, yall are REAL!! I appreciate all the comments and advice, even those jabbing me a little lol. Honestly, it's probably more about the "hunt" of this watch and trying to win this stupid AD game than anything for me. You know when you want something and search for it then finally get it, it ends up being more of a sensation of the hunt rather than the actual item. Anyways, I've got my plan in place and will now execute. Everyone have a safe, prosperous new year!

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by datdude321

I've got my plan in place and will now execute.

Interested to hear how this progresses.

[BigFig]

Since you're in Florida, I'd make the drive to Orlando and visit DavidSW.

[1William]

I assume that the AD purchase is about the price as there are many Trusted Sellers here on TRF that could have the watch to you tomorrow by lunch should you make a purchase. Three years is a silly amount of time to waste and if you paid any attention to the market you would have seen the watches go up and now back down. Maybe the same reason your AD has not gotten you a watch is the same reason you have not looked elsewhere. Not a serious buyer so why should they give you a watch. Too many factors not being known to completely speculate but how about just stepping up and buy the watch or let it go.

[EEpro]

I think you're out of luck. I commend your patience. DavidSW is also nearby. I'd go to him.

[jarecki]

If you want to get “real” with your AD, you need to start spending “real” money with them first on some non-Rolex merchandise! Doesn’t your wife like diamonds?

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by datdude321

Anyways, its been now close to 3 years since I've been going in and really feel like a lost cause.

Perhaps getting "real" would mean trying something else to buy a watch?

[sss205]

I introduced a friend of mine to my AD as a new client. With no purchase history, he asked to be put on the waitlist for a YM and was told 6 months. It arrived in 3 weeks.

Time for you to find a new AD.

[amh]

I'm in the same boat OP. Most of the ADs I've ever dealt with have closed. With the two remaining live leads I've already purchased a Rolex for my wife from each, that's as much 'relationship' building they're going to get. No longer visit and just reply "no thanks" to the occasional texts offering jewelry, Omegas and Tudors.

Will be going grey for my next watch. Reality: there are still enough big spenders willing to buy diamonds and us one-and-done buyers have little hope.

BTW, all the advice to "find a new AD" only works if those ADs are willing to deal with outsiders. My metro is rather balkanized, can't join their 'waitlist' with some other area code.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by joli160

There are plenty for sale, waiting three years to save a few bucks.
Really not worthwhile considering how many price increases on MSRP during this time ?

YM is great choice

I wholeheartedly agree with this ^^^

[Calatrava r]

This is not a hard-to-get watch. Three years and no watch. I would let them know you are going elsewhere and do not appreciate their lack of service to you. I really see the whole Rolex market opening up soon so you should be able to source one from another AD soon.

[Benzsiam]

Since the economy isn't doing good, the watch market should get better for the buyers.

You can shop around at other dealers also but no need to tell them about it, not too long you should be able to get one. If you decide to go with secondary market, the premium should be a lot less than before.

[worldofoyster]

obviously your AD is toying you around and not coming through. time to look elsewhere

[Tricolore66]

YM will be one of the first models to sell under MSRP on the secondary market as prices continue to drop, so time is on your side.

If you’ve been visiting this AD as often as you say without trying to buy anything else, they figure they can get more mileage out of another buyer. Visiting every 6 weeks borders on stalking if you’re not spending money. They aren’t looking for friends, they’re looking for profit.

[GeorgeK]

Originally Posted by jarecki

If you want to get “real” with your AD, you need to start spending “real” money with them first on some non-Rolex merchandise! Doesn’t your wife like diamonds?

This is nuts. He wants a watch, not to by played with.
I commend his patience. I would have stopped 6 months in for a none too popular watch.

[amh]

Originally Posted by GeorgeK

This is nuts. He wants a watch, not to by played with.
I commend his patience. I would have stopped 6 months in for a none too popular watch.

It is nuts but it's reality. Must spend at the AD if you want the "AD Experience" of buying that Rolex (ie. the 'free' champagne, manager greeting and warm handshake)

[Vince M.]

Depending how big they are, walk in and tell them you'll buy some diamond earrings ( sub 5k ) if they get you the Yacht Master. Put the earrings away for the wife's birthday or anniversary. 2 birds one stone.

[dtwer]

You have been going to the AD every 6 weeks for 3 years, doing nothing but chitchatting for 30 minutes?

I commend you for having that much persistence but think doing that might have inadvertently made yourself not be taken seriously. What do you think the AD think whenever they see you by now? "Yeah, the one who comes in to spend money again" or "Oh, that guy who comes and wastes our time again?"

[Offshore]

Getting real (which should have been done around 30 months ago) would be asking for a likely timescale for you receiving your desired watch. If you get a brush off then perhaps be more specific. How many of that particular watch did they receive last year? How many do they anticipate receiving this year? How many people are in front of you in the queue? How many rolex watches of all types are they receiving every month? (hint - it's a lot more than you imagine)

These are all reasonable questions which any reasonable person should ask to avoid getting dicked around just as you would ask if you were considering ordering an item of furniture, a car, a boat or anything else which is not immediately available off the shelf.

How much stock they are getting and anticipated time for delivery is not confidential information It is a perfectly normal thing to ask.

If they start hinting about purchasing other items, be specific and ask the exactly what you would need to do and what result that would get. I think at this point it would be reasonable to ask if rolex approve of this kind of purchase experience given their reputation for quality and integrity. Emphasise that you are a local buyer and not a flipper from out of town and they are your local dealer.

Basically be nice but don't take any shit. It's just a watch and you don't need to stick your tongue anywhere you don't want to. If you give any sign you are willing to buy your way onto a list you will be at the bottom of that list while they watch you want either goes out of the back door or to someone who is clear that their business will go elsewhere unless the dealer can fulfill their order.

[Offshore]

Getting real (which should have been done around 30 months ago) would be asking for a likely timescale for you receiving your desired watch. If you get a brush off then perhaps be more specific. How many of that particular watch did they receive last year? How many do they anticipate receiving this year? How many people are in front of you in the queue? How many rolex watches of all types are they receiving every month? (hint - it's a lot more than you imagine)

These are all reasonable questions which any reasonable person should ask to avoid getting dicked around just as you would ask if you were considering ordering an item of furniture, a car, a boat or anything else which is not immediately available off the shelf.

How much stock they are getting and anticipated time for delivery is not confidential information It is a perfectly normal thing to ask.

If they start hinting about purchasing other items, be specific and ask the exactly what you would need to do and what result that would get. I think at this point it would be reasonable to ask if rolex approve of this kind of purchase experience given their reputation for quality and integrity. Emphasise that you are a local buyer and not a flipper from out of town and they are your local dealer.

Basically be nice but don't take any nonsense. It's just a watch and you don't need to stick your tongue anywhere you don't want to. If you give any sign you are willing to buy your way onto a list you will be at the bottom of that list while they watch you want either goes out of the back door or to someone who is clear that their business will go elsewhere unless the dealer can fulfill their order.

[1hoot]

"You only have to visit once, then keep in touch with text/email. That's what I did"

Me to, but I'm lucky enough to be in an area where there's multiple AD's. I texted once a month on the advice of one of my salespersons and it took almost a year before I got the first call. Of the four AD's I made contact with, three have offered me watches in the last two years. Two bimetal blue dial subs, a DSSD, SeaDweller 43, and a Sub Date. Of the five, I bought two and can't imagine buying something I didn't want to curry favor, just seems wrong.

[messikens]

Move on honestly...

Between asking for a lowly YM, waiting three years and multiple inance chitchats you have nothing to show for your effort.

At this point you could have paid grey and enjoyed a YM for over 2 years... Looking back at it, wouldn't it have been better money spent and time / aggravation saved?

Do it now before you still don't have a lowly YM in 2025 and are asking the same question again!!

[HERITAGE82]

By any chance are you talking about Leigh and Co jewelers in Vero Beach?

[temporarychicken]

To be fair, the OP's strategy will ultimately work.

At some point the market will be at or below retail again, and stock will be held at the AD for this piece.

Then they will sell it to him.

This could be three months or three years but it will eventually happen.

[NYMike]

This piece is selling basically at retail online. If you like it just buy aftermarket. You're not losing anything but time.

[Littletommy]

Originally Posted by BigFig

Since you're in Florida, I'd make the drive to Orlando and visit DavidSW.

This is your solution^^^

[S7gpt]

just buy an unworn YM on the Grey market, had you bought grey 3 years ago I recon it would have been cheaper than todays msrp given the frequent price increases

[Cigars&Watches]

If you are looking to build a collection I would try what some others have said about visiting other Ad's a little further away. The YM is a good starter piece to get your foot in the door for more in demand pieces down the road. If you go grey you'll probably always have to go grey.. forget about your local AD because even if they get you your YM they wont give you anything else without significant spend.

Good luck and keep us posted

[jgottsman11]

Go grey. Most models are going to be trading at retail or below soon if not already