AD: did I commit a party foul?

[Guybrush]

My takeaway from this thread is that there’s little or no consistency—it’s all down to the individual AD and probably a whole host of factors you can’t predict or control. From this thread and others, I gather that some folks have had to spend big $ to get a call on ss, while others have simply asked and gotten what they want with no purchase history. (To be clear, that wasn’t the nature of my original query: I was just wondering if I’d screwed up whatever chance I had by trying to broaden my options.)

[supernova]

Rolex ADs are not a franchise, you can't brush them all with the same stick. Each is opened by a different individual with their own set or priorities and ethics.

For OP, I would go back to the AD and give a set "wishlist" of 3 SS sports watches you like and go from there.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by RM23_Q8

So, if I spent $20k in purchase at my local AD, what are my chances in getting a SS sport model?

Ask them.....in many places 100k a year makes a VIP

[alllexandru]

If I'm the owner and I get 2 subs / monthly and 10 DJ knowing that the subs will sell out anyway, then I will try to sell first the 10 DJ's :)
Why to keep same old stock of DJ's

This is a summary of all businesses.

Rolex is not feeding them with Subs all over, each one gets xx amount and only AFTER they register the sale with Rolex and activates the warranty, this being valid for the hot models I guess for sure for the DJ's they can order 10 pcs and receive all of them once.

[David5807]

I would have specified personally because then it won't seem as if you're just chasing the stainless steel hype train.

[joli160]

You indicated what everybody else want, free money from an AD to buy a hot model. They get customers by the hundreds with the same question.

To whom your AD would sell, you or a regular spending customer ?

[MauiRolex]

Originally Posted by RM23_Q8

So, if I spent $20k in purchase at my local AD, what are my chances in getting a SS sport model?

Really doubtful. But totally depends on where you are or where you consider to be your AD. Smaller towns outside of major centers will have fewer daily customers. What makes you a VIP in NYC is totally different than more remote areas. Places like Maui have a small local population but every Rolex collector who vacations there, plus everyone else who has feels like treating themselves after a few dinner drinks create a completely different environment. Find a smaller more remote AD and get to know them. But that brings me to my earlier point, if you really only want one SS sports model, just buy it grey... the premium is much less than 20k.

[Dan Pierce]

I can't believe y'all put up with this BS. The inability to reasonably source a reference from an AD would sour me, regardless the brand.
dP

[MauiRolex]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

I can't believe y'all put up with this BS. The inability to reasonably source a reference from an AD would sour me, regardless the brand.
dP

Collecting vs Buying. Different expectations.

[Guybrush]

Originally Posted by joli160

You indicated what everybody else want, free money from an AD to buy a hot model. They get customers by the hundreds with the same question.

To whom your AD would sell, you or a regular spending customer ?

Right---to be clear, with my post, I wasn't soliciting such info, as I'm quite capable of understanding this, and there must be hundreds (many hundreds) of posts on this site and elsewhere making the exact same point. It's an unfortunate situation for those not in a position to whale our way into a strong AD relationship; I'd say it's also an unfortunate position for the ADs, who I'm sure wish they had more supply to meet their demand. Some if it is scarcity marketing, to be sure---the same kind of madness that forces beer shops to ration Pliny the Elder, I guess---and some if it is the reality of a factory trying not to oversaturate their market and also dealing with the realities of a pandemic. All well trodden ground.

All I was worrying over was whether in my hamfisted attempt to seem flexible (since I really would consider any of the stainless GMTs and Subs), I blew what (already minuscule---I really do get it! ) chance I had. But after my second conversation with the AD, I'm feeling better about it. I probably still won't ever get a call, but it won't be because of any faux pas. It'll just be because I'm not the ideal buyer for all of the reasons mentioned. If I were the AD, I'd probably not call me either. But at least the guy took my info---and on the second call I was able to confirm that he really did---he wasn't just doodling. :) Previously, every place I'd ever called very politely told me it wasn't even worth bothering to try.

This gamesmanship is indeed off-putting---it reminds me of chasing girls in high school ("I like her, but I can't let her know I like her!")---but I don't blame the mom & pop ADs.

[Guybrush]

Also, if it's not too much to ask: all you Rolexheads in the Mid-Atlantic, can you go ahead and decline any ss sports watch offers you get from your ADs until I sound the all-clear? Thanks a million! :)

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Guybrush

Also, if it's not too much to ask: all you Rolexheads in the Mid-Atlantic, can you go ahead and decline any ss sports watch offers you get from your ADs until I sound the all-clear? Thanks a million! :)

There is always hope