Annoyed about AD experience

[bayerische]

Well. Something IS wrong.

Greys have all the good stuff. Only Rolex can put an end to this.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Well. Something IS wrong.

Greys have all the good stuff. Only Rolex can put an end to this.

i still contend the vast majority of their stock of hot models they are getting from private individuals like me or you flipping to them. Rolex/AD's are doing things like blacklisting flippers, only selling to locals/people they know like established clients, keeping warranty cards for a year, not allowing repeat purchases of the same reference, removing stickers, and even limiting the number of professional models you can buy in a year in certain locations.... and then everyone blames the AD for being too controlling.

They cant win and get criticized no matter what they do. They dont have watches and people complain. They try to curb flipping by adding restrictions so more people who actually want the watches can get them, and people complain.

[supersam80]

It's frustrating... Not because I can't have what I want (told 3 year wait for a black gmt by the boutique in Melbourne, Australia) but it's pushing me to look at AP and VC, which are a little more costly...

[Onikage]

Sorry state of affairs when you have to buy unpopular, doggy models at full retail to show you aren't possibly a flipper before you get to decent stuff. A Tag for the lady is cool though I doubt that alone would suffice. I'm sorry but I wouldn't play ball. No way I would have an AD unload their dogs at full retail on me to get to the Daytona I want. Sod that!

[train-time]

Originally Posted by jagwap

This current shortage should be temporary. However the attitude of this AD, and the others that are similar is the most unfortunate aspect of this shortage.

Rolex have screwed up a little with this shortage, and some ADs have screwed up a lot with their attitude. Vote with your wallet and buy something else. Go buy an IWC. They are more exclusive, but easier to get hold of.

Time will tell, but from what I am told by many different sources there is no screw up. It is intentional and could very well be the new order. I suspect current distribution will continue with little or no change. The members in the know that posted their knowledge predicting this new order where pounced on for expressing their opinions. Well, its come true and it's reality. Again, time will tell.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

I applaud your efforts at explaining these concepts to the naysayers that are coming onto this thread, but part of me thinks they are just being contrary for the sake of being contrary...

This is how it works guys. Sorry that reality is not what you think it is when it comes to acquiring select Rolex references.

Agree Fleetlord.

There are no doubt rude AD's just like every other profession. And I mean no offense to anyone, but running through many these posts is a sense of entitlement coupled with outrage at how capitalism works.

To be blunt: There is no constitutional or inherent right to buy a Rolex from an AD.

If someone is not happy with how they are treated by an AD, they can:

1. Try another AD.

2. Go Grey.

3. Switch to another brand.

Or, to quote the Eagles "Get over it."

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Sorry state of affairs when you have to buy unpopular, doggy models at full retail to show you aren't possibly a flipper before you get to decent stuff. A Tag for the lady is cool though I doubt that alone would suffice. I'm sorry but I wouldn't play ball. No way I would have an AD unload their dogs at full retail on me to get to the Daytona I want. Sod that!

being guided by whats popular proves you are a flipper in a lot of instances and for sure if the AD doesnt already know you. Id put an explorer II up against a BLNR any day of the week and id get the explorer II every time. Its not popular because its not flippable.

Thats the issue and then it sits in the AD's window sad and lonely and all by its self.

Making watches disappear makes them popular. You wouldn't buy it otherwise or most wouldn't to the extent they do now.

People are routinely buying whatever is offered to them. Want a black daytona but get offered a white... buy it. Want a D blue but get offered a Hulk... buy it... why do you suppose that is? Its our fault as much as the AD's fault for the situation of scarcity and hype and its probably more our fault then theirs as the customers are the ones who started speculating and buying as investments. We created this with the daytona and then AD's figured why not make a GMT or a Sub or a sea dweller scarce too and generate the same amount of interest in those as well. Just following our lead IMO.

[pickettt]

Want what you can't have? Welcome to the plight of the majority of the population. It's just that some people want to eat at least once a day, or a reliable used car to get to their thankless job everyday, or braces for their kids.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Mystro

This is why those that won’t play games run to forum trusted sellers. Build a relationship with them.

In this market, are the trusted sellers offering good discounts off their top prices to loyal customers? I got the feeling they are not.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

every AD has their own judgement on what constitutes a VIP but i can tell you with 100% certainty that my AD has daytonas, and every hot model from most brands in their safe most of the time. No waitlists and they are offered to clients who are great customers and who have expressed interest.

They keep them so they can reward loyalty and you know what... it works. I will never buy from another AD

AD's are constantly sizing up clients on future potential as well as past history. They look at these watches as hooks to keep the clients they want to keep.

They will sell these watches regardless, but strategically selling them to targeted individuals gives them a much greater long tern return.

On top of this, this practice also safeguards the AD with Rolex as if a VIP turns flipper, and many do after the initial buzz of getting the hard to find piece wears off, Rolex will accept this far easier than if a newbie does so. So the AD is also preserving his AD status too. Selling populars to newbies in this market is a crazy and suicidal business decision for most ADs, and those that do are probably in such quiet markets that they won't be ADs for much longer any way.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

being guided by whats popular proves you are a flipper in a lot of instances and for sure if the AD doesnt already know you. Id put an explorer II up against a BLNR any day of the week and id get the explorer II every time. Its not popular because its not flippable. Thats the issue and then it sits in the AD's window sad and lonely and all by its self.

Therein lies our entire Zeitgeist in one succinct sentence.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Mystro

This is why those that won’t play games run to forum trusted sellers. Build a relationship with them.

nothing against a TS at all, to each their own i truly believe. But, the day a relationship is needed with even a TS to get a watch is the day i quit. seriously

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

every AD has their own judgement on what constitutes a VIP but i can tell you with 100% certainty that my AD has daytonas, and every hot model from most brands in their safe most of the time. No waitlists and they are offered to clients who are great customers and who have expressed interest.

They keep them so they can reward loyalty and you know what... it works. I will never buy from another AD

AD's are constantly sizing up clients on future potential as well as past history. They look at these watches as hooks to keep the clients they want to keep.

They will sell these watches regardless, but strategically selling them to targeted individuals gives them a much greater long tern return.

And nothing wrong with this. But the AD in the OP could have easily said "oh, yea, this one is spoken for, but I can add you to our list" and probably sold the TAG on the spot.

[dnpina]

Originally Posted by AK797

You look like a flipper. You have 25K in cash for 40K of watches and guess what? Yup, you are choosing three popular watches that will be worth up to 50K tomorrow. That's why they don't deal with newbies any more, can't trust them.

If you want to really build a relationship with an AD buy some unpopular models, like the Tag, which you declined, thus cementing their belief of you. Otherwise it's the grey market.

You said that much better than I could have.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[codecow]

Originally Posted by jstan9

I feel for you guys. If you’re ever in San Francisco, go to Shreve & Co. on Post street near union square. I walked in last June (I’d bought my first Rolex in New York in 2000!) and spied a blnr In the case.

<snip>

Point is not ADs are bad. Though that does seem to be the exception these days, unfortunately.

Yep. The owners of the Shreve stores are great people and a great family. They always manage to get me what I'm after and if you get a complimentary Diet Coke it even comes in a glass; with ice.

As for the OP, I would guess if you found the right dealer the fact that you want to buy any Tag Heuer at all would put you in the call list for SS professional pieces.

[westsiderkg]

I love you guys…I really do...and agree to a extent this sucks, but how hard is it? Maybe I’m just more laid back in my approach. If you want it today, then you have to pay a small premium for it through a TRF trusted seller or other online trusted supplier. Blah, blah, blah…I will only pay MSRP. Well then fine, that’s ones prerogative, but don’t constantly complain then. You have relatively reasonable options other than AD’s! Personally, I have bought from all three AD’s local to me in the past. The Rolex relationship in my case is nonexistent and to be honest I’m not sure what that even means to others on here, but having bought at each local to me AD brick and motor stores at least a couple times clearly means nothing to them as I am a stranger each time I walk in, maybe once a year. Are they courteous to me, yes. Beyond that who cares and to be honest I question the constantly quoted members stating they have “established Rolex AD relationships” that get tossed around on TRF. Again, in my case this is rubbish perhaps unless I purchased say 50+ Rolex’s from an single AD within a 3-5 year period, but not many do that do they. My point is this, review your options…weigh the risk / reward, and either keep driving yourself around (and nuts in the process) to as many AD’s as you feel you need to or bite the bullet and locate a trusted online seller, it’s that simple. Personally, I have almost all but given up on AD’s as I’ve spent well more than you originally quoted over the years and all it ever got me was the smile, a handbag from the AD, a few bottles of water, and the stress of driving around the area looking for the best price…which was almost always MSRP, lol…waste of time and energy which to me at least is worth a few bucks! Best wishes.

[Rolex addict]

Currently, this is the market. People are still fanning the rumor flames of discontinued watches, cut in production, price increases, etc. AD's now have the power and are flexing their muscle. Like others have said, a lot of it does come down to relationships. It stinks for the newcomers getting into watches, but these are luxury goods.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by dannyp

And nothing wrong with this. But the AD in the OP could have easily said "oh, yea, this one is spoken for, but I can add you to our list" and probably sold the TAG on the spot.

I agree the AD was almost taunting, but I give them a lot more slack now I know what an awful day job most of them have now, as they are getting it from both sides, from Rolex and from the customer.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by AK797

I agree the AD was almost taunting, but I give them a lot more slack now I know what an awful day job most of them have now, as they are getting it from both sides, from Rolex and from the customer.

this is where the issue often gets off track. AD behavior and AD sales strategy. They are distinctly different and the arguments always mix the two.

Rude or condescending behavior... bad
Sales strategy... good

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Sorry state of affairs when you have to buy unpopular, doggy models at full retail to show you aren't possibly a flipper before you get to decent stuff. A Tag for the lady is cool though I doubt that alone would suffice. I'm sorry but I wouldn't play ball. No way I would have an AD unload their dogs at full retail on me to get to the Daytona I want. Sod that!

That's why one should patronize an AD where Rolex is their entry or middle point, not their top line. Nobody says that your spend has to be on Rolexes.

Even if I could afford it, I'd never walk around in a YG Daytona or WG Sub. Just not me, and I'm not one for thick, sporty watches in PM. Now, on the other hand, if I could afford to drop $50k on watches, I would gladly add a YG 5119 and PL 5196 as dress watches. I doubt that ADs would care what you spend on, if you're a spender.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Columbia04

No AD had any SS whatsoever and only saw one YM2 and one white gold blue sub after going to 7 dealers!! Md Va area.

How do I develop a relationship if they won’t even sell me stuff they have in stock? I’m talking over 40k in watches. Just insane to me. Is this scenario the new norm?

All of the AD's in this area are bad, does not matter what you own or have bought.

I have many stories and have known many people that have come and gone. Just another retailer selling another product, don't take it personally they simply do not care and it shows.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by dannyp

That's why one should patronize an AD where Rolex is their entry or middle point, not their top line. Nobody says that your spend has to be on Rolexes.

Even if I could afford it, I'd never walk around in a YG Daytona or WG Sub. Just not me, and I'm not one for thick, sporty watches in PM. Now, on the other hand, if I could afford to drop $50k on watches, I would gladly add a YG 5119 and PL 5196 as dress watches. I doubt that ADs would care what you spend on, if you're a spender.

that is what i did. A wide range of brands and i dont have to start the relationship all over again if i switch brands. I never understand why anyone would buy from any brand's boutique or a mono brand AD. All you eggs in one basket is a recipe for disappointment.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

that is what i did. A wide range of brands and i dont have to start the relationship all over again if i switch brands. I never understand why anyone would buy from any brand's boutique or a mono brand AD. All you eggs in one basket is a recipe for disappointment.

True. However the 'boutiques' for some brands, like Rolex, and I think PP, are in fact concessions, and the owning dealer often sells other brands as well. I would assume that the relationship would carry over.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by dannyp

True. However the 'boutiques' for some brands, like Rolex, and I think PP, are in fact concessions, and the owning dealer often sells other brands as well. I would assume that the relationship would carry over.

yeah. The mono brand AD's are AD's and often have multi brand stores in the same cities. However i think you need a good relationship with your sales person too and they dont work at both. They are not making any money if you go to the other store to get a PP if they only sell Rolex at their location.

[V25V]

Where in VA are you? I am in Vienna and had pretty much all good experiences with AD's here, even one in MD I am particularly fond of who have been successful at getting me what I want, building a strong relationship with them because of that. Only ones I was completely turned off by were Tiny Jewel Box in DC and Finks in VA.

[Rrpdc]

[QUOTE=npalacio;8479380 Only ones I was completely turned off by were Tiny Jewel Box in DC and Finks in VA.[/QUOTE]

+1. Nova here. Same experience. Tourneau no discounts and depends on person whether they will even help you in store.

[rudestew]

It really Is not the money , some have spent more on one than I have on my entire collection but iv bought over years and always wear them when I pop in . Rolex seems to be very fashionable atm and with the chance of a quick buck you can’t blame them for their loyalty to loyal customers

[V25V]

Originally Posted by Rrpdc

+1. Nova here. Same experience. Tourneau no discounts and depends on person whether they will even help you in store.

Where in NoVA are you? Torneau is ok but yeah, ones you really want will not have a discount, I am OK with that honestly. But Tiny Jewel and Finks pulled that relationship crap on me which makes no sense, I am not going to buy something I do not want to "get the opportunity" to buy something I do. That just makes no sense..... another one I found in MD has been good to me thus far and in return, I will give them additional business when I want/need something for me or my wife.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by AK797

You look like a flipper. You have 25K in cash for 40K of watches and guess what? Yup, you are choosing three popular watches that will be worth up to 50K tomorrow. That's why they don't deal with newbies any more, can't trust them.

If you want to really build a relationship with an AD buy some unpopular models, like the Tag, which you declined, thus cementing their belief of you. Otherwise it's the grey market.

Bingo!

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by npalacio

Where in NoVA are you? Torneau is ok but yeah, ones you really want will not have a discount, I am OK with that honestly. But Tiny Jewel and Finks pulled that relationship crap on me which makes no sense, I am not going to buy something I do not want to "get the opportunity" to buy something I do. That just makes no sense..... another one I found in MD has been good to me thus far and in return, I will give them additional business when I want/need something for me or my wife.

Alexandria here. Tiny jewel box seemed rude unless you want a Patek or overpriced Cartier.

Finks- they made it clear, we only sale to people with prior relationship for ss pieces.