How do you even get on a waiting list?.

[cerendigit]

Op stop wasting your time and find a reputable gray market dealer. Life is too short.

[Token74]

If you go to a large chain, you’re wasting your time. You are unlikely to get to the top of the list without buying other stuff.

You need to go to small independents, who often care about long term relationships and selling to ‘people’ rather than ‘cash’.

But you have to visit, not phone or email. I have a very good relationship with my local AD and I know and like everyone in the store. I buy all my wife’s jewellery from there, and if it’s a watch brand they stock (Rolex and Tudor) then I buy from them and would never go anywhere else.

But this didn’t help when I wanted a Nautilus. Luckily, a great forum member introduced me to a Patek AD but it was just an into, done by email. The Patek AD was pleasant enough in response but didn’t commit. I took a day off the next day and drove three hours to meet him. I’m self-employed so it meant losing a days wages, and it was based on hope rather than expectation. I then spent two hours talking watches, talking through my collection and watch history, and generally him deciding whether or not I was a genuine enthusiast or a flipper I guess.

At one point he did ask whether or not I bought a lot of jewellery, at this point I was very honest and said that I wouldn’t buy jewellery from anywhere else other than my local Rolex AD given my relationship with them. I figured this was the wrong answer, but I believe in being honest. However, I think he recognised me then as a customer that believes in loyalty.

I left a deposit and 15 months later I had a 5990 on my wrist. I would like a 5711 but haven’t asked the question as I’m not currently desperate enough to chase, but if he rang tomorrow then I would bite (unlikely I know, but hey, you never know).

I will repay the fact he sourced the 5990 by buying an Atmos clock from him despite the fact I could get it cheaper elsewhere. This is where loyalty and a mutually beneficial relationship comes in.

Long story but the bottom line is that I took the trouble to go and meet him in person, and didn’t just ring.


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[TempoKing]

Originally Posted by Odat

Hello guys, as some know, I put a 50% deposit down at the beginning of 2018 on a white Daytona. I kept checking in every couple of months and after 2 years waiting, they still kept telling me that they have no idea when one will come in so I canceled.
.

You are not the only one who gave half upfront ...that’s $6500
If we assume he has taken another 200 deposits and he only gets 6 Steel Daytona’s every year
it will take him 30 years to fulfill these orders !

Also don’t forget ...Grey dealers are willing to pay an AD $8,000 above retail

It means your AD must be super honest in order not to listen to the “luring sirens” offering
$8,000 above retail.

[gwozhog]

Call Nederland jeweler in Beaumont and they will most likely have your watch.

[ndrs63]

But other jewelry and/or watches from that AD first. Next gift to your wife, perhaps?


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[EGrunt]

Like you I want the same exact watches (Batman and Daytona with white dial). I would write a check today at MSRP if I could acquire them from a AD but that will not happen. I purchased a Deepsea Sea Dweller from a AD in December of 2017. The sales associate who sold me my Deepsea Sea Dweller is no longer employed with the AD. So the so called relationship is not even recognized for future purchases. Such is life. This past weekend I went to a AD in San Diego that opened up over the past two years in a local mall. I had a pleasant conversation with the sales associate and he quickly told me it could be possible to get a Batman if I buy another watch that is not as popular and getting the Daytona with the white dial is a "unicorn" and is virtually impossible to acquire. It is what it is, but I am not a fan of buying a watch that does not appeal to me just to acquire the one I want. It almost makes sense to spend more at the gray market to get the one you want instead of having one that will just sit in my safe. Good luck.

[ndrs63]

Ironically, if you had invested that money you could have bought a Daytona from greys by now (I know, there was a dip recently, but still)


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[s1mb4]

Biggest grip I have with hearing individuals share their story is how they are being basically 'laughed at' when asking for Sub or Daytona when visiting Rolex dealers.

Demand is there I get that but laughing or scoffing at someone ready to drop $10k+ boggles my mind

[0xalate]

I'd suggest looking around your AD and purchasing something else that you "quite like" and is available. The grey market premiums are so high, you might as well get another piece for the same price, while still buying the dealer for some of your grails.

[42itus]

Originally Posted by s1mb4

Biggest grip I have with hearing individuals share their story is how they are being basically 'laughed at' when asking for Sub or Daytona when visiting Rolex dealers.

Demand is there I get that but laughing or scoffing at someone ready to drop $10k+ boggles my mind

I think it goes to show you just how many people will drop $10K at the drop of a hat. ADs are spoiled and act this way because you have people basically begging you to take their money.
I would never shop at a place where they scoff at your request. That kind of reaction is beyond poor sales behavior, it’s straight up condescending and rude.


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[HKBC]

Easy, pay with premier price.

[Dancingpriest]

Go grey.

[Onikage]

Banging the manager.

[77T]

Or vice versa


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[poliwog]

Originally Posted by s1mb4

Biggest grip I have with hearing individuals share their story is how they are being basically 'laughed at' when asking for Sub or Daytona when visiting Rolex dealers.

Demand is there I get that but laughing or scoffing at someone ready to drop $10k+ boggles my mind

Simple reason. Think of it from another angle. When you ask for a Daytona and are "ready to drop 10k+", by selling it to you they are effectively "giving" you another 10k. The moment you walk out of the store, the "10k+" you just paid has literally been turned into "20k+". If you're going to ask anyone else for 10,000 I'm pretty sure they'd laugh too.

[JSCP]

I am convinced they have to like you from the first minute of conversation. And they need to know the few out a here below.

For the dealer that I got In 2018 a PP5167a, then -Dec 19 I got the GMT within 2 weeks of asking. And then at that time allied if for my bday in june 2020c they made it happen! And then a week later I just bought a DD 41 SS. So they know I am relaxed, not a flipper. My taste growth but it’s clear and defined and I truly treat them with respects as I know they have many good clients, and I and not in anyway anything but true watch lover that highly appreciate them as people not as AD sales, they are people I can learn from and hopefully vice versus.

In other words at the end: show respect, be kind, and and anyone will appreciate it.

It will come back to you if you behave always with anybody that way, that is my motto. And if doesn’t happen then it’s ok too. There is always someone else that buys truly a lot more from them, I am just me, no drama,



Always:
- do not show you are desperate
- by putting your name in every “list”. Let them know it’s them you trust.
- make sure they can tell you are not a flipper (very important). I know they can tell I am not.
- I share that I am a collector thanks to parents, I shared inherited (the truth) that I got about 40 Watches from my parents And I am completing collection with new models.
- let them see exactly my taste is.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by poliwog

Simple reason. Think of it from another angle. When you ask for a Daytona and are "ready to drop 10k+", by selling it to you they are effectively "giving" you another 10k. The moment you walk out of the store, the "10k+" you just paid has literally been turned into "20k+". If you're going to ask anyone else for 10,000 I'm pretty sure they'd laugh too.

Subs are kind of like party favors for bundles. Buy a DJ or 2 at retail and you can probably have a sub that day. Subs really don't sell for much more at the Greys so I can't imaging much flipping going on. Daytona's are a whole 'nother matter. The AD is going to get their 10K one way or another. I doubt most care how but it's always nice to hear when one does. But walking away from 10k is tough.

[s1mb4]

Originally Posted by poliwog

Simple reason. Think of it from another angle. When you ask for a Daytona and are "ready to drop 10k+", by selling it to you they are effectively "giving" you another 10k. The moment you walk out of the store, the "10k+" you just paid has literally been turned into "20k+". If you're going to ask anyone else for 10,000 I'm pretty sure they'd laugh too.

Does it really matter if you are making money on it, they are still getting their cut at MSRP and are in customer service industry selling goods.

This isn't coming from Rolex itself, for most part the snobby and arrogant sales people at the stores are the ones to blame.

You don't have a Sub in stock and waiting list is insane, fair enough... please show me some decency and maybe that same person will pull the trigger on another model currently behind the glass showcase.

[Frank McKay]

Easy. Take a piece of paper, add a bullet point titled Rolex XYZ and
Add your name down. Hand it to your AD. You’re on the list now.

[DG123]

Originally Posted by s1mb4

Biggest grip I have with hearing individuals share their story is how they are being basically 'laughed at' when asking for Sub or Daytona when visiting Rolex dealers.

Remember that on the internet stories tend to be embellished for effect.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Odat

Hello guys, as some know, I put a 50% deposit down at the beginning of 2018 on a white Daytona. I kept checking in every couple of months and after 2 years waiting, they still kept telling me that they have no idea when one will come in so I canceled.

My anniversary is coming up and my wife is willing to buy me a Rolex so I’m trying to take full advantage :-). Also, I have to be nice to her until I get it :-). Without exaggeration, She called at least 50 Rolex ADs inquiring about the GMT II blue and black with the jubilee bracelet and they all pretty much laughed at her for even asking as she is not a previous customer.

The Batman and the Daytona are really the only 2 Rolexes I’m interested in but if I can’t get either, I would rather her keep her money than spend it on any random Rolex I don’t like.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get on a waiting list to get one from a dealer that will actually deliver at some point. I know they are other watch brands but I would really like a Rolex to mark this occasion. Grey is not an option. Do I just give up and move on?.

Honestly, this is why AD dealer lists exist.

For them to sell you one of those watches is a waste of "scarce" resources.

The reason is that you haven't been a previous customer, buying from them throughout the years, which usually means you WON'T be future customer either. Selling you a SS Daytona or Batman takes that away from a "loyal" customer who does repeat business with them. Having those watches available keeps their clients buying. Selling to you is a dead end. The AD can't have that happen, so somebody loses out...and unfortunately it will be you in this situation.

If you won't buy grey to obtain the watch(s), then move on from them.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Honestly, this is why AD dealer lists exist.

For them to sell you one of those watches is a waste of "scarce" resources.

The reason is that you haven't been a previous customer, buying from them throughout the years, which usually means you WON'T be future customer either. Selling you a SS Daytona or Batman takes that away from a "loyal" customer who does repeat business with them. Having those watches available keeps their clients buying. Selling to you is a dead end. The AD can't have that happen, so somebody loses out...and unfortunately it will be you in this situation.

If you won't buy grey to obtain the watch(s), then move on from them.

Agree completely.
Also I think some people base what they “desire” on what’s “unavailable”. If tomorrow Datejust deliveries dried up and windows were full of sports models, guess what? People would join waiting lists for, and lust over Datejusts

[Token74]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Honestly, this is why AD dealer lists exist.

For them to sell you one of those watches is a waste of "scarce" resources.

The reason is that you haven't been a previous customer, buying from them throughout the years, which usually means you WON'T be future customer either. Selling you a SS Daytona or Batman takes that away from a "loyal" customer who does repeat business with them. Having those watches available keeps their clients buying. Selling to you is a dead end. The AD can't have that happen, so somebody loses out...and unfortunately it will be you in this situation.

If you won't buy grey to obtain the watch(s), then move on from them.

About sums it up.


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[Codik]

Originally Posted by s1mb4

Biggest grip I have with hearing individuals share their story is how they are being basically 'laughed at' when asking for Sub or Daytona when visiting Rolex dealers.

Demand is there I get that but laughing or scoffing at someone ready to drop $10k+ boggles my mind

Got that experience this weekend. Very strange. I moved to a different country and thought I’d try the local AD (and the sea dweller started tickling me). Silly mistake, they won’t see me again. I take it they’re probably employees paid by commission that are frustrated they won’t make a sale, resentful of your spending power, and desperate to exercise a little power. Terrible for business though - buying a luxury watch is also an experience. Looks like my AD on the other side of the world is safe with my business.

[barters]

It almost looks like AD sales people don’t make commission or at least very low commission on the SS models. Therefore they use them as a tool to sell other models.

Glad I have my SS sub date on my wrist that I bought a decade ago before all this changed.


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[Onikage]

Happy with my 16710. I dread to think what you'd have to do for one if they still made them. You can't even get coloured aluminium washers for them anymore.

[VacherObsessive]

I’d sooner get a used PM daytona than a grey priced SS ceramic. That’s where the value is

In fact I’d sooner go to your AD and pay the premium for a PM daytona, and that will get your relationship going so to speak to perhaps get a GMT in the future (still wouldn’t get you near a SS daytona..)

[shawn13ca]

Me, I phone and phone and phone and phone every week. They get that I am very motivated.

[VacherObsessive]

Originally Posted by shawn13ca

Me, I phone and phone and phone and phone every week. They get that I am very motivated.

I think you’ll find they probably hate you

[ccyip]

So I went to a local AD and spoke with the salesperson whom I knew and spent over $50K Cdn from at his store in the past 15 years over the past weekend (with the last Rolex purchase, an Exp II 216570, back in 2014). I was looking to get an SS SD43 or a Deepsea and asked for availability.

Long story short, the guy kept whining he had so many customers asking for SS models and how limited quantity Rolex is supplying these days and there is no "wait list". And I do get his point - he hinted to me the only chance I can get hold of any of the SS models is to spend $$$$$ to get other stuffs from him and by then he might be able to offer me something.

Ironically, on the same evening I bumped into a guy who was wearing a 116500 and we started talking. I told him about my story earlier in the day and he commented to me saying that he asked for the 116500 at the same store, and was simply turned away despite spending over $200K there previously. At the end he made the purchase elsewhere.

This is really sad. Even if you thought you had good relationship with the salesperson and the store it just doesn't count anymore these days.