Annoyed about AD experience

[chuynh1109]

[Ravager135]

My opinion might be unpopular, but I can't help but agree with OP on this matter. I can appreciate an AD holding pieces for repeat customers, but if an AD tells me flat out that a model isn't reserved and that it is not available for purchase for any good reason, I am immediately done with them. Maybe I have just had relatively good experiences with ADs, but this sort of behavior is a real turn off.

I only have 1 or 2 steel pieces I am considering adding to my collection and neither are big "in-demand" models. If it becomes an environment, where I have to pay MSRP or a premium to a grey dealer I'd rather do that than get jerked around by an AD. I know there are many on this forum who have excellent relationships with ADs, money talks, etc, but most here aren't buying $100,000+ in watches. If the average customer can't have a decent relationship with an AD after buying a piece or two, then there's a problem.

I have had two solid relationships with family owned ADs formed over stainless steel purchases less than 10k. Again, maybe I have been lucky.

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by Raza_actual

For the sake of argument, let’s say you’re completely correct, with no equivocations.

Are you okay with this business model? Because this is similar kind of discrimination I’ve experienced all my life and it disgusts me. I have one Rolex right now—it was the second watch I bought from my AD. This AD treated me wonderfully, like a VIP from the moment I walked in to buy my first watch from them—a Black Bay that I got at a deep discount. I drove 35-40 miles to the AD when there’s a huge AD less than 10 minutes from me by Uber. Why not go there? Because that AD has, time and again, treated me like garbage whenever I’ve gone there. I don’t expect to be treated like garbage anywhere I go, let alone at a store where I’m the customer buying a luxury item that costs more than the average household takes home in a month.

If you’re okay with your assessment of how things are, that’s fine. That’s up to you. But it’s not okay with me. And it’s not enough to say “go gray market” because I don’t buy gray over a certain price point. And that’s just the practical aspect. I’ve been discriminated against all my life; I see a lot of hidden discrimination in this behavior. But hey, if you’re a privileged white guy, then I’m sure it’s fine by you. Your money’s worth more than mine, apparently.

I don't think we need to turn the heat up on this thread; it's plenty warm, where it is.

I can dress scruffily on the odd occasion, and if that coincided with a bit of watch glancing, it would have resulted in me been treated as a "tyre kicker" at a non-familiar AD.

I've got a bunch of experiences (bad and funny) to balance the treat-like-a-vip ones.

It's all nonsense, so why worry?