What has your AD done for you?

[Joey_V]

So we support our local ADs. Instead of spending less on TRF with the numerous sellers here, we chose to spend a little more on a local dealer for peace of mind, full warranty, full service, etc.

But what has the AD done for you?

Any free services?

Any free gifts (pics)?

[Sponon]

I haven`t bought any Rolexes at AD, but when I bought my Breitling I got a 10% discount. Nothing much, but better than full retail.

Two weeks later, I manage to make a scratch/nick in the sapphire crystal. So my AD ordered a new crystal, replaced it with the old one and performed a new pressure test. I only payed $60 for the pressure test/man hours..

Pretty good service if you ask me..

[Chipmunk]

Nothing although sometimes they offer to steam clean watch.

[mitchy]

Well when I went to my AD to purchase my first Rolex they offered me a job, my dream job to become a rolex technician :D that's a pretty good freeby if u ask me, not to mention my STAFF DISCOUNT :)

[Joey_V]

Man... I'm beginning to feel real lucky that I have an AD who treats me right.

Champagne, coffee, soda, water when I walk in.

They let me in even when they are closing.

I got a free polish (extensive) once already and I'm told that I get free polishing on my Rolexes any time I want.

Also, I have been given several gifts. I'll post pics tomorrow.

[Carlos98326194]

Your AD really knows how to take good care of you.
I remember before that when you mention the AD even let you try the Pam for a day.
You really are a lucky bastid for finding an excellent AD.

[TRW]

Other than our two watches,not s**t.As a matter of fact,they didn't survive the economic crises and went into bankruptcy

[PJS500]

I asked AD to keep an eye out for a used watch in good condition. After a few calls about used watches, he offered me a brand new one that was old stock. Priceless.

[esm]

i have been more than happy with my 2 ADs (one in North London and one in Lucern Switzerland).
- helpful staff
- gets regualr phone calls advising the item(s) on order/waiting list
- receives catalogues and goodies like polishing clothes, cleaning kits etc.
- able to bring in watches not in window display for me to try (provided they are not rare/difficult to get pieces)


most recent +ve:

- got me a new SS GMTIIC within a couple of days because of the minor issues i had with the serial number on their existing stock (the one i have tried)

- a call from Switzerland advising me the status of white SS Daytona waiting list, looks like there is a slight chance of it coming in earlier than expected, so i can arrange flights/hotel etc.

[Jimmieray]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

So we support our local ADs. Instead of spending less on TRF with the numerous sellers here, we chose to spend a little more on a local dealer for peace of mind, full warranty, full service, etc.

But what has the AD done for you?

Any free services?

Any free gifts (pics)?

2 free dial changes. No free gifts . I bought a new 116234 from them last March and had a full service done on my Bluesy a month ago.

[Mockingbird]

Let's see, an IWC hat, JLC notebook, (I lost it which is kind of depressing), an IWC bag, always drinks when I come in, a nice book about Carl F. Bucherer, a FREE bergeon tool! VERY large catalogues from all the brands annually, and they let me take a look at the price book. Oh and hefty discounts. Needles to say, I like this AD a lot.

Sadly they don't carry Rolex, so this is my non-Rolex AD, I don't have a specific AD I frequent for Rolex yet.

[mfer]

Give me really nice discounts on Jewelry (seriously good, and I do like to shop around).
Gave me a really nice watch winder.
Ship out of state for me.
Give me a small discount.
Treat me well and let me try on all the watches I want without questions.
Invite me to special watch events (like Panerai, Rolex, JLC, other jewelry shows he knows I like).
Said if I ever want a SS Daytona, just let them know.
Let me know if special watches come in.

So, worth the 5% premium I pay over a gray dealer.

[PeterT]

I bought an immaculate F serial GMT II black/black last year but the outer box and sleeve had biro marks on. I went into my AD and asked how much to buy a replacement and they gave me one for free!

Peter

[PeteNYC13]

Treats me well, gives me honest prices, treats friends that I refer with VIP treatment and courtesy.
I get a good discount on other jewelry I have purchased and the peace of mind of knowign that I am dealing with an hones business man who knows my name, my face & my addiction to Rolex watches.

I have recieved a few Rolex "trinkets" ever now and then ...but it's not asked for or expected, just a nice "thank you" since they know I enjoy collecting that stuff.

Like your local italian restaurant that gives you and your wife the free glass of wine, or an appetizer while you wait for your table, you can't beat good service and it will ALWAYS keep me a customer for life vs. a shopper who will go to the least priced option.

Damn, now I want a glass of wine and a plate of ziti!


-Pete

[Joey_V]

Ugh.... my camera is not with me.

Can't take pics.

Here's what I got so far:
1. Free polish (as said above).
2. More free polishes for anything (even for stuff I didn't buy from him).
3. Panerai JV strap 26mm (radiomir) for ardillon buckle - $320
4. Panerai JV strap 24mm for tang buckle (on special order from Panerai) - $320
5. Panerai Cashmere strap 24mm for tang buckle - $200
6. Panerai Black/Black Shiny Croc strap 24mm - $320

I have too many straps and no panerai... but as long as he gives, I accept!

Also I just recently got this... it was such a cool gift!

7. ORBITA Sparta Mini watch winder!

Also... I visited my AD today with my fiance and she was looking at some necklaces for the wedding. He then brought up the idea that I was free to rent anything in the store (within reason) for my fiance for the wedding day. And this included the $40,000 canary yellow diamond necklace she had on. I was shocked!! I may have to take him up on that offer!

It was funny... he started busting out the matching canary yellow diamond bracelet and earrings! I was like... whoa whoa whoa!!! I didn't feel comfortable "borrowing" $80,000 worth of jewelry!

I guess I gotta keep my AD relationship. I mean, I don't get super discounts like some of the prices I've seen quoted on TRF, but I get service and comps.

[Atl]

Let's see, I had to fight with my AD to pay for the damage they did to my new Subbie I bought from them, got so bad they basically said screw you, I called NY, and Allen Brill, the CEO of Rolex USA had a chat with the owner, Frank Brown, and they finally cut me a check to reimburse me for the work Dallas did to fix my watch. (no apology ever given) Rolex cut their account in half, losing them thousands in $$'s in profit. All over $300.00 in damage they admit they did. Screw them! It was Brown and Co. in Atlanta by the way. Thanks to Allen Brill, I am a Rolex customer for life, and Frank Brown is hopefully learning from his mistakes. I will not buy a "new" Rolex again. I have been lied to about the supposed "Daytona waiting list" from another AD, what a joke. The only good experience was at all places, Tourneau on Worth Ave. in Palm Beach Fla. at least the female staff was stunning, and free wine! I had a GREAT time! They brought tray after tray of watches to try on, I was in heaven! GREAT store! I would buy from them again, but not any AD in Ga. Period.

[Joey_V]

Originally Posted by Carlos98326194

Your AD really knows how to take good care of you.
I remember before that when you mention the AD even let you try the Pam for a day.
You really are a lucky bastid for finding an excellent AD.

I hear ya man..... I am pretty lucky.

[George Ab]

I love my AD, and I haven't bought any watches at my AD. The on-site watchmaker has done many things for me. Opened up a watch I purchased that I had no service history… handed back to me in a couple minutes and said, “your good for a couple of years, no service marks, but it is lubed and looks fne”. I told another watch enthusiast about my watchmaker who had purchased a watch off of one of the boards, and found that in a certain position it would lose massive amounts of time (someone selling their problem to someone else, rather than fixing). Hands it over, and goes to lunch and on his return, the watchmaker repaired by tweeking a bent hairspring……. no charge.

I tried to buy a Rolex there….. a SS Daytona and I really wanted to buy from that AD, but they wouldn’t sell due to availability. Yes, I love my AD for the service.

Reading this..... I'm remembering the free books that have been provided by a number of AD's.

One more thing I like about AD's is when they have the big watch shows and all the watch factory reps come.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

I hear ya man..... I am pretty lucky.

Joey,

I was in Chicago last week...Would have loved to have visited your AD. Stopped by Howard Frum. Not quite the experience I was looking for, but it was an interesting place!

[welem]

my local AD has never done much too me, they only tried to sell highly marked up pieces...

[GradyPhilpott]

What more can you expect from a retailer than to take your money and deliver the goods?

My car dealer has free bagels, donuts, and coffee, if I take my car in for service. When I bought my last three cars, they gave me a soda while I waited for my car to be prepped and the paperwork to get done.

My AD gave me a bottle of apple juice while I waited for my Explorer.

Most oil change places have free coffee and maybe some pastries, if you get there early enough.

Some motels have a free breakfast.

For the most part though, I don't think that we expect retailers to shower us with freebees.

[Naples09]

Originally Posted by Joey_V

Ugh.... my camera is not with me.


Also... I visited my AD today with my fiance and she was looking at some necklaces for the wedding. He then brought up the idea that I was free to rent anything in the store (within reason) for my fiance for the wedding day. And this included the $40,000 canary yellow diamond necklace she had on. I was shocked!! I may have to take him up on that offer!

It was funny... he started busting out the matching canary yellow diamond bracelet and earrings! I was like... whoa whoa whoa!!! I didn't feel comfortable "borrowing" $80,000 worth of jewelry!

I guess I gotta keep my AD relationship. I mean, I don't get super discounts like some of the prices I've seen quoted on TRF, but I get service and comps.

Borrowing jewelry is not that uncommon (as long as the jeweler trust you...and has your credit card number on file ). They have insurance that covers them if anything happens to the piece. My jeweler let my wife use earrings, a necklace and tennis bracelet for our wedding. She picked out what she wanted to wear when we picked up the wedding bands. Then the jeweler overnighted the items to us the week of the wedding.

He also lets her wear items at home for a week before deciding to buy. Its a good ploy because once she has it at home, she doesn't want to send it back.

Sound like you have a great relationship and it does have some perks!

[NYStockboy]

Full list price for the GMTII C and the SS Sub date purchased so far at Wempe on Fifth Avenue in NYC. Free polishes for both for the foreseeable future. A soda each time I purchased. I get a phone call when anything comes in that Sofie, the saleswoman knows I have an interest in. Sofie held the Sub without a deposit for 10 days when I was away, without a guarantee that I would purchase. I am on the list for the SS Sub C and have a feeling that I will be called fairly soon.

Thanks,
Ken

[33JS]

My Rolex AD has always been attentive, kind, good with mild discounts and taken a pre-order for the new Sea Dweller (yet to be officially announced)

The Omega AD I used in Switzerland who sold me a 50th Anniversary (big box) Speedmaster concluded the deal over a few glasses of champagne and then said: ‘wait here, I have a few gifts for you’. He proceeded to come out with the following:

50th Anniversary Speedy press pack
50th Anniversary Omega book
Set of enamelled space mission pin badges
Set of cloth space mission patch badges
Omega hold-all
Silk Omega scarf for wife
50th Anniversary pen
50th Anniversary tin of mints
And: A black leather bomber jacket, embroidered on the back with the Speedy ‘hippocampus’ and ‘Speedmaster Professional’ in black thread. 1 of only 300 pieces.


Pretty good, eh?

[Speed]

Almost $2K savings off retail for a Rolex watch from TRF sellers...but alas, no ball point pen. I guess that's ok! ;-) JK

[tomchicago]

which chicago AD does this? cd peacock seems to only know how to put the high pressure sale on, threatening price increases, etc.

Originally Posted by Joey_V

Man... I'm beginning to feel real lucky that I have an AD who treats me right.

Champagne, coffee, soda, water when I walk in.

They let me in even when they are closing.

I got a free polish (extensive) once already and I'm told that I get free polishing on my Rolexes any time I want.

Also, I have been given several gifts. I'll post pics tomorrow.

[2th Dr]

Nuthin, absolutely nuthin!

[Dr. Robert]

The last time I bought a Rolex through an AD was in 1973.
Thank the watch gods for the trusted TRF sellers & trades w/ watch afficonados.

[hsfrank]

Originally Posted by TRW

Other than our two watches,not s**t.As a matter of fact,they didn't survive the economic crises and went into bankruptcy

x2

But prior to that I got great discounts on TTDJ for myself & my wife.

[Sixxgrand1]

My AD has always worked to ensure that I am satisfied with all of my Rolex watches - and I demand that Rolex maintains their credo "Obsession with Perfection" in the watches I buy.

He has an incredible relationship with senior Rolex contacts and 'can make things happen'..He and his staff are polite, attentive and a pleasure to both do business with and socialize with. I have no hesitation to refer him to anyone. One of the better relationships I have in the business world indeed.