Sometimes the AD “Relationship” isn’t all bad

[bluestreak]

I’m a person that usually bristles at all of the AD hate here. I’m of the mind that SS sport watch demand outstrips supply by a fair margin at MSRP and that AD behavior is completely rational given those circumstances. I actually have a relationship with my AD that’s mutually beneficial. It’s not always about fleecing the customer.

I went to the AD with no spend history and inquired about some watches (Pepsi, Explorer 2, Milgauss). The SA gave me the usual spiel. It’s much easier to get a watch if you’re an established customer. Instead of getting offended, I thanked him and left.

I came back a couple of weeks later after researching the Tudor GMT and purchased it. This continues to be probably my favorite watch and obviated in my mind any need for a Pepsi. A few months later I bought a Nomos world timer from him (at a sizeable discount). I didn’t bond with it (lugs too long) and sold it for what I paid for it. A couple of months later he offered a Polar Explorer, which I bought and loved.

Later, I came in for bracelet adjustment and was looking at some JLCs. I mentioned I was looking at a boutique only piece vs one he had in stock. He recommended the boutique piece. He asked me to show him the watch when I bought it. When I came to show him the watch he asked if there was a Rolex
I wanted. I asked for a LV Submariner and he came through in a few weeks.

Since then, I’ve referred a couple of friends to him. I mentioned I was interested in a Zenith Chronomaster Sport, which he didn’t sell. He called up the SA at competing store and helped me get one at a significant discount.

When I wanted to get a specific Cartier for my wife’s birthday that was 3 days away he found one for me in my time frame, and gave me a discount even though he totally had me over a barrel. My wife loved it. He asked me if I wanted another Rolex and I said, I’m happy with what I have and we agreed to talk again after watches and wonders.

This is what a relationship is supposed to look like. We talk watches when I stop in, if I want a brand he sells, I go to him first. He’s helped me get some Rolex at MSRP. I’ve thrown him some referral business. He helped me get a big discount on a watch he doesn’t sell. He helped me find a watch he didn’t have in stock on extremely short notice for my wife’s birthday.

I feel like the relationship has been mutually beneficial. It doesn’t have to be one-sided and it doesn’t have to involve buying things I didn’t want.

This is my experience, and doesn’t reflect all ADs obviously, but I think it’s a good example of how things can work in an ideal world.

I’ve got zero problem with my AD. I realize other may think of this differently, but I’ve been happy. Gotten some watches at MSRP and haven’t spent nearly the amounts people claim are necessary to get these watches. I realize that it’s not a Daytona or a GMT, but I don’t want either of those. But I think I could probably get one if I did.

Just wanted to offer a different perspective.


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[maodonald]

I absolutely love my local AD as well. I feel that I have a very good relationship with a couple of the SAs there. They have come through numerous times for me since Superbowl 2021. What I have learned in the past few years since I have started this hobby is to be patient and genuine to yourself and to the watches that you love, and to your SAs that you are building a relationship with.

__________________________________________________ ___________
♛ Submariner 126610LV | ♛ DeepSea 126600 | ♛ Submariner 126619LB | ♛ GMT-Master II 126710BLRO

[JRell]

Same thing with me - my spend history is basically just the Rolex I buy. They even sourced a Rolex travel case for me I am picking up on Saturday. All about relationships and not the type you have to buy!

[Mike G]

I really like my local AD in San Jose. They are great and I got to build a relationship with couple of team members and they are absolute pleasure to see and talk about watches and from time to time purchase watches.

[1William]

Good story. Thanks for sharing.

[mountainjogger]

Good AD and good customer. Way it is supposed to work. Sadly, not always the case.

[Harry-57]

There are good, bad and indifferent ADs and just as much variation in customers. Different types from both sides can click quite randomly for no obvious reason. It's nice when you can get a good match that actually produces results as opposed to just words and speculation.

[TheWatchmen]

If both sides are happy, I think you could call it a good deal. I personally think the word “relationship” is strong, unless you are friends outside of the business of them selling you something however.

They are making money off of you at the end of the day, and that is in my mind strictly business.

[amh]

I've been offered several Tudors as well - I just don't want one. Must admit it was my choice not to foster this faux 'relationship' (ie. try to reach the required spending limit to gain the coveted 'allocation.') At the same time I understand it's completely driven by the Market and if I were the AD I'd likely be doing the same thing.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by TheWatchmen

If both sides are happy, I think you could call it a good deal. I personally think the word “relationship” is strong, unless you are friends outside of the business of them selling you something however.

They are making money off of you at the end of the day, and that is in my mind strictly business.

I’m not friends with the guy. It’s a business relationship. We both recognize that. I give him money and he gets me product cheaper/faster than I can get it elsewhere.

Business relationship is a term, isn’t it? I don’t think I’m making it up.

[brandrea]

Sounds like you’re buying other brands that you want, no harm in that

I’ve only ever bought from boutiques that handle one specific brand.

[TheWatchmen]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

I’m not friends with the guy. It’s a business relationship. We both recognize that. I give him money and he gets me product cheaper/faster than I can get it elsewhere.

Business relationship is a term, isn’t it? I don’t think I’m making it up.

Business relationship is definitely a term, and based on the shenanigans we hear about all the time on this forum, I’d say you found a good salesperson.

Either way, if you’re also wanting a GMT or Daytona or whatever, you have a better chance than most with that salesperson and that’s not a bad thing.

[Ichiran]

Rolex does not make enough watches for everyone and the AD wants to maximize their profit. That's why you see a lot of frustration from people who can't get the watch they want from AD. AD would want to sell you their watches too, if they have stock. That's capitalism.

[Watchesnguitars]

This is the way.. Have a great relationship with my AD.. Just being honest and laid back can get you a long way...

[aczaja10]

It all boils down to the individual people at the end of the day. People who are willing to help when they can and treat you decently. I’m a big believer in that everything in life boils down to people you deal with.

[amh]

Originally Posted by aczaja10

It all boils down to the individual people at the end of the day. People who are willing to help when they can and treat you decently. I’m a big believer in that everything in life boils down to people you deal with.

Uh huh. Where's the story of the TRF member who was told AD didn't have a Sub, and 15min later that Sub was sold to a friend/relative right before their eyes!

I've dealt with a lot of nice ADs but also about an equal number of ADs who immediately give the cold shoulder. They don't need to be nice, the watches sell themselves.

[train-time]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

I’m a person that usually bristles at all of the AD hate here. I’m of the mind that SS sport watch demand outstrips supply by a fair margin at MSRP and that AD behavior is completely rational given those circumstances. I actually have a relationship with my AD that’s mutually beneficial. It’s not always about fleecing the customer.

I went to the AD with no spend history and inquired about some watches (Pepsi, Explorer 2, Milgauss). The SA gave me the usual spiel. It’s much easier to get a watch if you’re an established customer. Instead of getting offended, I thanked him and left.

I came back a couple of weeks later after researching the Tudor GMT and purchased it. This continues to be probably my favorite watch and obviated in my mind any need for a Pepsi. A few months later I bought a Nomos world timer from him (at a sizeable discount). I didn’t bond with it (lugs too long) and sold it for what I paid for it. A couple of months later he offered a Polar Explorer, which I bought and loved.

Later, I came in for bracelet adjustment and was looking at some JLCs. I mentioned I was looking at a boutique only piece vs one he had in stock. He recommended the boutique piece. He asked me to show him the watch when I bought it. When I came to show him the watch he asked if there was a Rolex
I wanted. I asked for a LV Submariner and he came through in a few weeks.

Since then, I’ve referred a couple of friends to him. I mentioned I was interested in a Zenith Chronomaster Sport, which he didn’t sell. He called up the SA at competing store and helped me get one at a significant discount.

When I wanted to get a specific Cartier for my wife’s birthday that was 3 days away he found one for me in my time frame, and gave me a discount even though he totally had me over a barrel. My wife loved it. He asked me if I wanted another Rolex and I said, I’m happy with what I have and we agreed to talk again after watches and wonders.

This is what a relationship is supposed to look like. We talk watches when I stop in, if I want a brand he sells, I go to him first. He’s helped me get some Rolex at MSRP. I’ve thrown him some referral business. He helped me get a big discount on a watch he doesn’t sell. He helped me find a watch he didn’t have in stock on extremely short notice for my wife’s birthday.

I feel like the relationship has been mutually beneficial. It doesn’t have to be one-sided and it doesn’t have to involve buying things I didn’t want.

This is my experience, and doesn’t reflect all ADs obviously, but I think it’s a good example of how things can work in an ideal world.

I’ve got zero problem with my AD. I realize other may think of this differently, but I’ve been happy. Gotten some watches at MSRP and haven’t spent nearly the amounts people claim are necessary to get these watches. I realize that it’s not a Daytona or a GMT, but I don’t want either of those. But I think I could probably get one if I did.

Just wanted to offer a different perspective.


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Great story!! thanks for sharing your perspective and experience. No doubt, this is how it should be in today's world. I only wish there were more stories like this out there.

My experience from another local AD sounds more like extortion than a mutually respectful business relationship. What more can I say....

[Cigars&Watches]

I couldn't agree more with you. I have a great relationship with my AD as well

[HL65]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

I couldn't agree more with you. I have a great relationship with my AD as well

As do I thankfully and for over 20 years. Takes unreal care of me and has always done so. Relationships matter but form them with the right person as in owner of the store not a SA. They come and go but the owner stays!

[cdmorenot]

I built a relationship with D'Amore - Lost their account. Rolex gone, built up a relationship with Lee Perla and Morre Lyons simultaneously....

Morre Lyons - Lost their account, Rolex gone

Lee Perla - Ghosted me - Too many people in my neighborhood with way too much money.

I don't want to have anything to do with ADs.

[amphr1]

I wish my AD also sells Omega, then I would have bought a lot more watches from them. But since my old SA left they're dead to me. My old SA was always polite and we talked about watches stock market school everything. I usually go in on the weekday in the afternoon when traffic was super light and I can relax and just chit chat and look at some other watches that I might be interested, but unfortunately never enough for me to actually buy, like the JLCs and the Brietling super ocean. The new new SA on the other hand has not made a good impression or take care of me at all. In fact, since the last email he basically ghosted me. So I went grey for my last Rolex in the collection and I don't think I'll be going to that AD ever again. Sorry still a lot of anger left in me haha.

[amh]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

I built a relationship with D'Amore - Lost their account. Rolex gone, built up a relationship with Lee Perla and Morre Lyons simultaneously....

Morre Lyons - Lost their account, Rolex gone

Lee Perla - Ghosted me - Too many people in my neighborhood with way too much money.

I don't want to have anything to do with ADs.

I see I'm not the only with all relationships down the drain. *oh well*

This is happening everywhere:
- Fewer Rolex ADs
- More people with money to spend compared to 2017
- ADs naturally selling to their best clients (ie. they receive whatever they ask for)

Add to this the speculation/flipping culture. It's not going to be reversed any time soon, if ever. The reduction in ADs alone is enough to fuel this trend.

[Greenwood_]

Good perspective OP.

I’ve had a bunch of bad experiences, some mediocre, and eventually found one great AD who has really come through for me.

If I didn’t find that one, no doubt I’d feel jaded about the whole situation.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

I’m a person that usually bristles at all of the AD hate here. I’m of the mind that SS sport watch demand outstrips supply by a fair margin at MSRP and that AD behavior is completely rational given those circumstances. I actually have a relationship with my AD that’s mutually beneficial. It’s not always about fleecing the customer.

I went to the AD with no spend history and inquired about some watches (Pepsi, Explorer 2, Milgauss). The SA gave me the usual spiel. It’s much easier to get a watch if you’re an established customer. Instead of getting offended, I thanked him and left.

I came back a couple of weeks later after researching the Tudor GMT and purchased it. This continues to be probably my favorite watch and obviated in my mind any need for a Pepsi. A few months later I bought a Nomos world timer from him (at a sizeable discount). I didn’t bond with it (lugs too long) and sold it for what I paid for it. A couple of months later he offered a Polar Explorer, which I bought and loved.

Later, I came in for bracelet adjustment and was looking at some JLCs. I mentioned I was looking at a boutique only piece vs one he had in stock. He recommended the boutique piece. He asked me to show him the watch when I bought it. When I came to show him the watch he asked if there was a Rolex
I wanted. I asked for a LV Submariner and he came through in a few weeks.

Since then, I’ve referred a couple of friends to him. I mentioned I was interested in a Zenith Chronomaster Sport, which he didn’t sell. He called up the SA at competing store and helped me get one at a significant discount.

When I wanted to get a specific Cartier for my wife’s birthday that was 3 days away he found one for me in my time frame, and gave me a discount even though he totally had me over a barrel. My wife loved it. He asked me if I wanted another Rolex and I said, I’m happy with what I have and we agreed to talk again after watches and wonders.

This is what a relationship is supposed to look like. We talk watches when I stop in, if I want a brand he sells, I go to him first. He’s helped me get some Rolex at MSRP. I’ve thrown him some referral business. He helped me get a big discount on a watch he doesn’t sell. He helped me find a watch he didn’t have in stock on extremely short notice for my wife’s birthday.

I feel like the relationship has been mutually beneficial. It doesn’t have to be one-sided and it doesn’t have to involve buying things I didn’t want.

This is my experience, and doesn’t reflect all ADs obviously, but I think it’s a good example of how things can work in an ideal world.

I’ve got zero problem with my AD. I realize other may think of this differently, but I’ve been happy. Gotten some watches at MSRP and haven’t spent nearly the amounts people claim are necessary to get these watches. I realize that it’s not a Daytona or a GMT, but I don’t want either of those. But I think I could probably get one if I did.

Just wanted to offer a different perspective.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

that's amazing ! indeed this is how it should be, unfortunately, most ADs SAs are fat and happy from the craziness of the past years and don't have to try. Most don't even care about watches. However, I do have a similar experience with my current AD but it took me a while and many attempts to get there.

[worldofoyster]

your AD is generous, many ADs are not.