Good Relationship with AD????

[iazrollie]

Members here often attribute their ability to secure a hard-to-get watch or pay a price below what others have paid, to their relationship with their AD.

I understand this. I thought I had a good relationship with my AD. However, a recent experience with them caused me to question this belief. Maybe, i'm not as value a customer as I thought. So, to give me a point of reference, I'd figure I'd ask the forum:

What does it take to achieve status with an AD to get a hot reference without much wait time or get a good discount on the watch. Is it a matter of relationship length, number of watches purchased, total amount spent, etc? I'm sure it's a combination of these plus other tangibles and intangibles i haven't mentioned.

[ExplorerChris]

I'd say for most (sadly) it boils down to how much $$$ you've spent with them.
There are a few AD's here that have turned up their noses at me or made me feel less important and I know it's because I can't afford to drop any kind of serious coin.

I've always wanted a 16613 TT Sub Blue sunburst long before they were retired and I can't afford it. As soon as they can't smell money interest is lost and the way you're treated changes.

However I must say I was treated like a VIP at the Rolex Boutiqie in the Wynn Las Vegas
Their watch maker spent time with me discussing my Explorer II he got me a bottle of water a catalogue and a copy of issue one of the Rolex magazine.
I didn't purchase anything but if down the road I have the cash I would certainly go back there and purchae from them because of the way I was treated and how they made me feel.

[locutus49]

A lot depends on the size of the AD. Mine is very small, so they don't have the volume that would support steep discounts. But we have become friendly with the owners and small staff over the years so they do what they can for us.

[mjm800]

Here was my experience with my AD. I’ve bought six watches from them and never asked for a discount they are ruled by corporate and they will not budge on popular SS models.

I went in and talked to my guy I asked for a SS Daytona he said I can have on in a week, it came in four days. I did not get a discount but I got a free wolf winder and issue 01 and 02 of Rolex magazine.

I would have liked more goodies, but whatever. He got me as SS Daytona, a watch I have wanted forever very fast and I know some people have to wait or be on a list to get one.

[14060m]

Interesting
I don't understand the the entire "AD" experience thing
I guess because every time I've been to one it's only about the $, which I understand and expect. It's business and your in it to make money.

[Danny83]

Its about how much you spend pretty much.

[jon_jon]

Someone mentioned the amount of dollars spent with an AD as important. But also the length of time you have known the AD is important as well. There can be someone who spent a certain amount of money in 6 months of time and someone else who has been a customer for 6 years and spent the same amount of money. Especially for smaller family owned ADs, they want loyal customers who will refer other customers to them and return to buy other watches and/or jewelry.

Granted Rolex produces 1 million watches a year and if are willing to wait, you will be able to get the even in-demand watch in time.

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Its about how much you spend pretty much.

Right, but isn't 2 rolex + 1 PP within a year enough to warrant a reasonably quick location of a BLNR?? Maybe not.

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

Someone mentioned the amount of dollars spent with an AD as important. But also the length of time you have known the AD is important as well. There can be someone who spent a certain amount of money in 6 months of time and someone else who has been a customer for 6 years and spent the same amount of money. Especially for smaller family owned ADs, they want loyal customers who will refer other customers to them and return to buy other watches and/or jewelry.

Granted Rolex produces 1 million watches a year and if are willing to wait, you will be able to get the even in-demand watch in time.

i think you are on to something here. This is what i may be missing.

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by mjm800

Here was my experience with my AD. I’ve bought six watches from them and never asked for a discount they are ruled by corporate and they will not budge on popular SS models.

I went in and talked to my guy I asked for a SS Daytona he said I can have on in a week, it came in four days. I did not get a discount but I got a free wolf winder and issue 01 and 02 of Rolex magazine.

I would have liked more goodies, but whatever. He got me as SS Daytona, a watch I have wanted forever very fast and I know some people have to wait or be on a list to get one.

So, why not start buying away from them and start a relationship with another AD that will offer you more? I think 6 Rolex should differentiate you from the average guy on the strew that walks in and wants a Rolex.

[goog53]

Originally Posted by iazrollie

So, why not start buying away from them and start a relationship with another AD that will offer you more? I think 6 Rolex should differentiate you from the average guy on the strew that walks in and wants a Rolex.

I totally agree with you Ian. Definitely not trying to beat up on you Michael but 6 Rolex and no discount is unacceptable IMO. Goodies do not make up for cold hard cash and they get those items free from their reps. No discount on a Daytona I can understand but any other pieces has me puzzled. Even 5-10% is not much to ask and if you are paying in cash that saves the dealer 3-4% processing fee for a credit card. You should take your business elsewhere in my opinion. (Please don't be offended we are all family here)

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by iazrollie

So, why not start buying away from them and start a relationship with another AD that will offer you more? I think 6 Rolex should differentiate you from the average guy on the strew that walks in and wants a Rolex.

We only have one AD in Honolulu and two Rolex Boutiques. The rest are watch dealers, that have used Rolex but they are not AD's.

My problem is that while I have bought six watches I did not purchase all six from the same person. They have high turnover and there are always new salespeople. If I had bought all six from the same guy or if the store was locally owned I think I would be more of a preferred customer.

I'm done for at least a year anyway. I think my next watch will be an older sub so my AD will be TRF!

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by mjm800

I'm done for at least a year anyway.

I've heard that line before.

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by goog53

I totally agree with you Ian. Definitely not trying to beat up on you Michael but 6 Rolex and no discount is unacceptable IMO. Goodies do not make up for cold hard cash and they get those items free from their reps. No discount on a Daytona I can understand but any other pieces has me puzzled. Even 5-10% is not much to ask and if you are paying in cash that saves the dealer 3-4% processing fee for a credit card. You should take your business elsewhere in my opinion. (Please don't be offended we are all family here)

They cannot discount, it's Ben Bridge, from what I understand they have a firm no discount policy on popular SS sports models. He even said to me if you want a white gold Daytona I can take 10k off the price.

So, I could have got a discount just not on the watch I wanted. I'm not super rich but honestly it's not about the money. I just want to be in and out and I don't like waiting for UPS. Goodies and nice and I'll take a free winder and be on my way.

I'm not offended, I didn't read anything in your post that was even slightly offense.

[ChadCrocker]

I've bought 3 from my AD and the relationship has been excellent. I told him that I was going to buy a SS white face Daytona for my 40th birthday (which was about 14 months away at the time, and he went ahead and got one for me. He won't even put in the showcase. It stays in their vault with my name on it. Every time I go in, he smiles and says that he knows I can't hold out that long. He is correct. I'm going to get it this week. Point is, he could have sold it easily, but didn't.

[superdog]

I've bought a few at my local AD. But I buy most from David. And they know it

But everytime I'm in their mall, I visit. No pressure. I look at watches and chat with them. I know them all by name and I treat them the way I want them to treat me.

The minute they get something new in, they call me.

But they don't go above and beyond to search and find.

[bridgs]

I have spent thousands over the last decade with my A.D. and sometimes when I go in there, I am completely ignored. Sometimes I am treated with the red carpet treatment. I have stopped trying to figure it out. Seems to work better though when I go in there with the wife and kids.

[brandrea]

As with many business transactions, a lot of it just comes down to good old fashioned likability
To the OP, I'm not suggesting you're not likable. Perhaps something happened on the day you went to pay them a visit that you're unaware of. I'd go back again, and see if they have a different approach with you in a week or two

[tkerrmd]

Ian I think all the factors plus more play a part

But when push comes to shove and my AD "has to call the Rolex VP to see" all they know is how many watches I have bought so.....

[redsubby]

I've known my AD for over ten years, bought 4-5 Rolex and 2 PPs from him, he did get my SS Daytona and some discounts on my purchase, but nothing over the top. I'd like to get some goodies, which I never gotten.

[viper9669]

AD staff some are good at customer service, some only want to close a sale.

I am fortunate to be able to speak candidly with my AD managers often, known them for a couple of years. They are polite, patient and professional.

I dislike impatient ADs who just want to make a quick sale with very little discount.

[Muzz]

I have a decent relationship with the ADs I deal with. Discounts vary from model to model. I do buy the majority of my higher end pieces from my trusted seller in Singapore who is not an AD.

I am never rushed at any of the ADs I frequent. Additionally they take great care of my wife and make her always feel welcome.

In terms of goodies, eh, not overly interested in them. I pretty much just care about the watches.

[NEW]

Be patient grass hopper. I walked into a Small AD In Laguna. They had a lot of hard to get pieces. I told tell what I was willing to pay for a BLNR GMT or a Sub. It's was a better deal on the sub but I choose the GMT for 10% off and no tax. I guess it was fair for a new BLNR GMT

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by NEW

Be patient grass hopper. I walked into a Small AD In Laguna. They had a lot of hard to get pieces. I told tell what I was willing to pay for a BLNR GMT or a Sub. It's was a better deal on the sub but I choose the GMT for 10% off and no tax. I guess it was fair for a new BLNR GMT

This is my point! Why waste time cultivating a relationship with an AD, when you can walk in off the street and get a relatively good deal on a relatively hard-to-find watch.