advice needed: how to build a relationship with AD without spending a lot of $$

[dynamyte43]

TLDR:
been saving for GMT to celebrate second child and eventually pass it on to him/her and learned how crazy the SS market is. How do i build a relationship at AD without buying another watch?

a bit of a backstory (LONG):
I bought my first rolex when I got my first big raise and promotion. I bought a 1984 (birth year) TT DJ on Jubilee. I love the watch and it's my daily wearer. I've already made the promise that the watch will be gifted to my first born as it represents how hard work pays off. The last few years, I've been traveling a lot for work, leaving at home my infant and wife across many time zones. I've always been attracted to the GMT. Loved how they collaborated with Pam-Am and how they keep time across the timezones. 4 years ago, the BLNR was very common at ADs and i promised myself, second child, that's the watch i'm buying and that's the watch i'm going to pass on to him/her (you can see where i'm going with this...) and started to save up for it.

3 weeks ago, I found out my wife's pregnant with #2. I walked into an AD and learned just how crazy the SS rolex market is (still can't believe it). I think it's insane how the pricing of the grey's are and I don't want to be part of the problem. I've been to the AD now a couple times a week trying to chat up the sales folks. I get a different sales person every time and I get the same "no inventory, no list". I don't want to buy the BLNR, BLRO for an added $8k+ on gray (not to mention it's taken me this long to save).

how should I go about building the relationship with the AD? I can wait a couple of years for the watch since there's a special meaning behind it. The AD had a new deepsea on display and I thought about buying some hard to find models to flip just to build the relationship but I really don't want to promote the "flipper" culture that seems to be getting more common. Appreciate any advice.

[greenjuul]

I’ve found that just getting to know them and becoming friends with them is the best.

I went around my local ADs and just talked for a while with them about watches and life.

Gave them my contact info and told them to send me pictures of any pieces they think might be interesting.

Been getting lots of follow up calls for pieces including subs and sd explorer


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[Monte Cristo]

I have found that even as a customer with purchase history, there is no hope with an AD.

Some will agree with me others will not.

Good luck in your adventure and above all congrats on the incoming....child #2 that is.

[Quamby]

Good luck!

[brucethemanlee]

There are exceptions but no spend of $$$$ means no relationship= no gmt


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[Devildog]

Originally Posted by dynamyte43

TLDR:
been saving for GMT to celebrate second child and eventually pass it on to him/her and learned how crazy the SS market is. How do i build a relationship at AD without buying another watch?

a bit of a backstory (LONG):
I bought my first rolex when I got my first big raise and promotion. I bought a 1984 (birth year) TT DJ on Jubilee. I love the watch and it's my daily wearer. I've already made the promise that the watch will be gifted to my first born as it represents how hard work pays off. The last few years, I've been traveling a lot for work, leaving at home my infant and wife across many time zones. I've always been attracted to the GMT. Loved how they collaborated with Pam-Am and how they keep time across the timezones. 4 years ago, the BLNR was very common at ADs and i promised myself, second child, that's the watch i'm buying and that's the watch i'm going to pass on to him/her (you can see where i'm going with this...) and started to save up for it.

3 weeks ago, I found out my wife's pregnant with #2. I walked into an AD and learned just how crazy the SS rolex market is (still can't believe it). I think it's insane how the pricing of the grey's are and I don't want to be part of the problem. I've been to the AD now a couple times a week trying to chat up the sales folks. I get a different sales person every time and I get the same "no inventory, no list". I don't want to buy the BLNR, BLRO for an added $8k+ on gray (not to mention it's taken me this long to save).

how should I go about building the relationship with the AD? I can wait a couple of years for the watch since there's a special meaning behind it. The AD had a new deepsea on display and I thought about buying some hard to find models to flip just to build the relationship but I really don't want to promote the "flipper" culture that seems to be getting more common. Appreciate any advice.

You'll get a lot of differing advice and opinions on this forum depending on location and experience. Some will say it takes huge spend and some will say it doesn't.

But always remember, when all else is removed from the equation, it is much easier to sell something to someone you like and can empathise with.

My advice would be to find a smaller, independent AD, drop by in person from time to time and get to know the sales staff, be honest and tell them your story as you've told here. Don't have a sense of entitlement and be patient

[crazymcmichael]

I think you can forget it... Sorry.. If you try to get their attention by talking with them you just look like a hopeless freak thats constantly bothering them.

[42itus]

I think it all depends on the market where you live. There are so many wealthy visitors and foreigners that have a second home here that there is absolutely no chance at getting a hard to get piece without spending big bucks.
But you hear about people getting a hot watch with no purchase history so it really depends on how many whales that particular AD has. Definitely worth a shot as you won’t know until you try.
Good luck!


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[peterskinner]

First point, why would your second child want an old watch? We tend to assume that the next generation has the same tastes...but often they don’t.
Second, don’t demean yourself trying to make ‘friends’ with a watch salesman; they aren’t stupid. Probably best to just relax and forget it for a while; the market will ease, and then you’l get your chance.

[cardiel]

Originally Posted by peterskinner

First point, why would your second child want an old watch? We tend to assume that the next generation has the same tastes...but often they don’t.
Second, don’t demean yourself trying to make ‘friends’ with a watch salesman; they aren’t stupid. Probably best to just relax and forget it for a while; the market will ease, and then you’l get your chance.

I agree with this. Having a toddler myself - and spending increasing amounts of time around children - the chances of these little people having the same regard for watches that we do is slim.........this is a new millennium they are being born into. And anyway, shouldn't the OP conserve funds for the actual cost of raising a second child. I toyed with the idea of buying a nice watch to mark the birth of my son then I had a reality check.......telling the Mrs you are dropping 1000's on a trinket, when you could be saving, is never going to fly.

[Ian Macdermott]

Kids nowadays don't give a rats ass about a watch they have a phone glued 24/7 to their hand.
If however you want a watch from an AD without spending a bob or two marry his daughter.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by dynamyte43

TLDR:
been saving for GMT to celebrate second child and eventually pass it on to him/her and learned how crazy the SS market is. How do i build a relationship at AD without buying another watch?

a bit of a backstory (LONG):
I bought my first rolex when I got my first big raise and promotion. I bought a 1984 (birth year) TT DJ on Jubilee. I love the watch and it's my daily wearer. I've already made the promise that the watch will be gifted to my first born as it represents how hard work pays off. The last few years, I've been traveling a lot for work, leaving at home my infant and wife across many time zones. I've always been attracted to the GMT. Loved how they collaborated with Pam-Am and how they keep time across the timezones. 4 years ago, the BLNR was very common at ADs and i promised myself, second child, that's the watch i'm buying and that's the watch i'm going to pass on to him/her (you can see where i'm going with this...) and started to save up for it.

3 weeks ago, I found out my wife's pregnant with #2. I walked into an AD and learned just how crazy the SS rolex market is (still can't believe it). I think it's insane how the pricing of the grey's are and I don't want to be part of the problem. I've been to the AD now a couple times a week trying to chat up the sales folks. I get a different sales person every time and I get the same "no inventory, no list". I don't want to buy the BLNR, BLRO for an added $8k+ on gray (not to mention it's taken me this long to save).

how should I go about building the relationship with the AD? I can wait a couple of years for the watch since there's a special meaning behind it. The AD had a new deepsea on display and I thought about buying some hard to find models to flip just to build the relationship but I really don't want to promote the "flipper" culture that seems to be getting more common. Appreciate any advice.

IMHO this so called AD relationship mostly only exists on internet forums and internet fantasy land.As all ADs are in business to sell as many watches to any Tom,Dick or Harry thats enters there premises with cash in there hands.

[996marty]

They might think you are casing the place,I would think that all they would be interested in is $$$$ and if they aren’t selling to you then to someone that has got it now.

[AK797]

Take your wife in when she's showing and explain together why you want to buy the watch, it will make you seem more genuine and if there are like minded souls in the place then they may make more of an effort for you.

[TswaneNguni]

Another relationship builder thread .......

[bondtoys]

Go to Ben Bridges, buy a Daytona bundled with 10K diamond jewellery and then return the jewellery after some days.

According to a recent post here, this has worked.

[TswaneNguni]

Originally Posted by bondtoys

Go to Ben Bridges, buy a Daytona bundled with 10K diamond jewellery and then return the jewellery after some days.

According to a recent post here, this has worked.

[SpeedyTuomas]

I would not use my limited time on earth sucking up to watch-ADs. It's their business to sell watches and they should "pamper" you as a (potential) client, not the other way around.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by dynamyte43

advice needed: how to build a relationship with AD without spending a lot of $$

So you want them to sell you what you want without doing anything for them?

[VacherObsessive]

If I was working in an AD and someone frequently kept walking in to try and make friends and hint at buying a long waitlist model, and not ever buy anything, I’d be more inclined to take a mental note to ensure I don’t spend too much time with him and pretend I’m busy with something else to avoid any chit chat

There are people who have spent a tonne of $$$$ in the AD and are waiting in a long queue for certain pieces. Going in there and trying to chat the guys up thinking you can jump the queue with mere charm is really stupid.

If you don’t pay you shouldn’t expect to play.

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by TswaneNguni

Another relationship builder thread .......

Crazy, isn’t it!

[GoingPlaces]

Bring them coffee every morning.

[dxbtousa]

Visit them every day asking for a GMT allocation, spend at least an hour each time

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

If I was working in an AD and someone frequently kept walking in to try and make friends and hint at buying a long waitlist model, and not ever buy anything, I’d be more inclined to take a mental note to ensure I don’t spend too much time with him and pretend I’m busy with something else to avoid any chit chat

There are people who have spent a tonne of $$$$ in the AD and are waiting in a long queue for certain pieces. Going in there and trying to chat the guys up thinking you can jump the queue with mere charm is really stupid.

If you don’t pay you shouldn’t expect to play.

[kevlar]

I may have been lied to, but recently visited a large UK AD and registered my interest it did feel like an 'interview' two assistants sat with me.

In talking i noticed they were looking at my watch, i then said i'm just building a small collection and started talking about it 'omega speedmaster'...they wrote it on the card, I then said I have a sub, they then said oh thats very good and it will help you you in buying...I was honest and said I didnt buy from you, but they said it didnt matter the fact I already had a Rolex was plus for me....and they wrote it on the card, it was very obvious im not a flipper I had my little girl with me and part of what I told them was they were investments for her one day.

May have been BS, but they actually felt genuine and the fact they wrote many details down made me feel these are things they really are looking for...time will tell i suppose!

[YGRLX]

same way you do it with a pro. Let me know when you figure it out.

[Sydny2]

It’s hard, but it’s possible. Goodluck! :)

[BSG75]

IMHO, the best thing to do is give your children the gift of your time, rather than a gift that tells the time. Be the best father that you can be to your children.

Honestly, it doesn't matter if the watch is a GMT, Patek, Hamilton, Steinhart, or a Seiko. It's the sentimentality attached to the watch, not the price or the brand that will make it important.

[Bigblu10]

If you reside in San Fran one of the most expensive places in the USA to live, you most certainly can/should be able to afford the grey market premium on a SS GMT Rolex. You have JustRolexes and OCRolexguy in your state. Two very well known forum sellers with thousands of watch sales. Forget the AD experience. There are too many chasing watches there and you are wasting your time

[nuts070]

I've proven it in 3 ADs that I frequent, one is even overseas, that only by spending that you build a rapport that gets you your watch, otherwise you are just friends with your SAs. You'll get a relationship but not the kind that suits your intent.