Yes, There Is Hope

[Davis&Co]

This is my first post. I have a message of HOPE for anyone that in trying to buy from an AD.

I bought my first Rolex from DavidSW in December 2016, a brand new HULK with stickers for $8,300. Soon after that the prices skyrocketed.

When the CHNR (Rootbeer) and the BLRO (Pepsi) were released my wife liked the CHNR and I liked the BLRO. But, we did not try to purchase. From what we were reading it seemed impossible and the grey market prices were outrageous.

Fast forward to December 2020. A week before Christmas I decided that we were ready and that it was time to try to get started creating a relationship with an AD. I knew either watch would probably take a long time to acquire.

I started with a targeted email to 6-8 AD's. I tried to avoid the big cities, including my own and focused on smaller city and town AD's that were anywhere from 200 to 500 miles away round-trip. I only emailed those in my own state.

I heard back from all of them, but some replies seemed like they were form replies. I noticed that two or three of the replies were not boilerplate replies, and, were actually under the name of the store owner.

I responded to those with a personal email, emphasizing that I was not a flipper and that I was looking for a CHNR for my wife for Christmas. I knew this was not going to happen, but I was willing to wait my turn. I told them a little bit about myself and tried to make some connection to their town or city. I told them I was looking for a Rolex AD to be my lifetime AD, etc, etc.

Jumping forward, the end result:

I was offered and purchased the CHNR January 30, 2021 from a large family owned AD about 450 miles away round trip. All my email contacts were with the store owner. I followed up with a nice thank you email and an invitation to call me and go out for coffee when he was in my city to see his daughter. I included family and other information that gave me some connection to his area of the state. I told him that I wanted a Pepsi for myself and was now totally loyal to him and his store and that I was willing to wait my turn.

On February 26, 2021 I got an email telling me that he had a Pepsi and a Batman and I could have either one, my choice. So on March 1, 2021 we drove the 450 miles round-trip to the store and picked up the Pepsi. I believe I could have also purchased the Batman, also, if I wished.

The AD was a very large jewelry store in a town of about 120,000 people. He was getting about 30 watches from Rolex per month and was selling everything within a day. So, from start to finish I ended up with a nice email relationship with an AD, a total of about 4 emails from me, in a little over 2 months. I had no "in" with the AD, a total random shot in the dark. I am not a celebrity or known person.

So...here is what I think made the difference.....other than a big dose of LUCK:

1. I focused on AD's in smaller town and small cities in my state.

2. I was willing to drive 200 to 500 miles for pick up in person. This was important to the AD, they did not ship.

3. By random chance I somehow ended up communicating with the actual store owner.

4. I made my emails very personal and emphasized that I was NOT a flipper and how much the items would mean to us and someday our kids.

5. I had a very specific watch I wanted each time, first the CHNR and next the BLRO. The AD told me that they just totally ignore anyone that has a list of watches they will take or says they will take any SS......flippers.

6. I think the first watch being a gift for my wife made a difference.

7. For some reason, my offer to meet up for coffee when he was in my city made a difference. In his reply email he said he was now putting me on the priority list. I replied thanking him and telling him that I was more than willing to wait my turn and I would be a very loyal customer for life since he helped me get the CHNR for my wife.

8. I have been a small business person in my past life, but unknown to the AD, and perhaps I have some feel for dealing with business people, especially in a smaller market.

9. When we picked up the first watch I was impressed with the quality of the store and especially the staff and we talked about "family businesses" and the next generations.

10. I was very sincere and open and meant every word of what I communicated to him in every email.

11. I asked him why I got the first watch and he said they have every Rolex spoken for in every delivery, but, they do like to try to balance the old customers with developing new customers.

12. I genuinely liked the AD and made it clear that he had my business for life, anything to do with watches or jewelry. I strongly prefer to deal with a local family owned business.

13. The AD was a good guy.

and

LUCK, LUCK, LUCK.

BUT....for anyone looking to buy a watch from an AD, even a hard to get watch. I have a message of HOPE.....it is possible.

[ROLEX*]

Thumbs up

[vh2k]

Congrats and very thoughtfully summarized.

[goodolejr]

Congrats! Always enjoy reading these stories.


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[afmars]

Congrats and thanks for sharing the journey with us

[Benzsiam]

Congrats on your gorgeous timepieces!

Always love to read a good news like this.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Congrats

[rolexperfect]

This is amazing. Congrats on the story. Seems like he's a great guy. I just developed a relationship with one AD, but then realized they were selling some of the desirable pieces in the grey market and decided I will stop it with them, as they offered me that in the future I'd have to pay 25k for a Daytona if they get one. I started one relationship with another one and got allocated for a crazy piece (5168g) two days after I got a Bluesy from them, and they're very reputable (almost 100 years old).

So yeah, I agree here, find a couple ADs to reach out to, talk to them, state that you're not a flipper and that you're into horology and show your passion, and you will be rewarded.

Btw, when you can, would be great to see some photos! :)

[maodonald]

Thank You for the story and the inspiration!

[kieselguhr]

Congratulations

[brandrea]

Congratulations, sounds like you hit it off with your AD

[Alfa2109]

Great story! Thank you for sharing it and congrats on your AD relationship. It’s really terrific.

[Rafeeq]

Great story, and congratulations!

[ltmgeller]

[jitdc]

Great story! We need some pics too it’s make the thread so much more fun to read.


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[Hx2]

Good to hear, in what have become bleak times, congratulations.

[cjwhitey]

A grey story with a happy ending! Congratulations to both you and your wife!

[Davis&Co]

I have been reading this forum and others with Rolex content for a few years now. I thought a message of HOPE might be nice for those that think it is impossible to get a watch through an AD at the official list price.

My main thing...be sincere, be personal, dont be afraid to be a real human, and if possible deal with the owner.

Here are our 4 Roles watches. The BLRO and CHNR that are in this message. Plus, my HULK and my wife's HULK that were both purchased for the same price in December of 2016.

Yes, she had to have her own HULK since she does not like to share jewelry and she will NOT let me wear her CHNR.

[Avs Fan]

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

[Boaters]

Wow I like those kind of stories so cool. Big congrats to patience and just being that person that someone would like to help.

[dnd2984]

Appreciate you taking the time and sharing your experience.

[stark1]

Impressive story. Thanks for sharing, as it seems evident your description seems to be a perfect combination of strategy and luck. Well played.

[Daytonaman799]

Great story

[Davis&Co]

Actually, it was a shock to get the call on the Pepsi so soon. I was expecting that it would take perhaps a year to get the call on that watch. I had to move some money around to do that deal, but, I could not pass it up

[Ftech1]

Congrats! Great story. Looks like they get used and are not safe queens.

[DESH]

Congratulations �������� enjoy in good health

[Jonah10]

Solid!


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[42itus]

Thanks for sharing and giving hope! It probably helps that you seem like a very solid guy.


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[Vigilante24]

Love hearing stories like yours. Really happy for you. Congrats on the purchases. Nice change from the typical content about SS availability.

Currently typing an email to every Rolex dealer in 500 mile radius. J/k

[10XRolex]

Pay attention class and take notes. This is how you do it. No secret or magic. Just simple sincerity and common sense in knowing how to conduct yourself when it comes to good ol conversation.


Bravo! Well done.