AD info worth a read I believe

[dwjez14]

Some of this may have been discussed but I reached out to a guy who I have known for years. He would never discuss info with me until now
He worked for a multi chain AD

He told me some info that I feel is true I know the guy well.

1. Do not tell an AD your grail watch if you do you will wait forever. Let’s say you want blue sky d. He said do not tell them you want one. Tell them you want a Batman or something else you are more likely to get offered the blue sky d due to the AD thinking it’s not your grail watch. They want to milk you for every dollar. Your more likely to get offered a watch that isn’t your grail to try to keep you buying more and more.
2. When you give your address one of the first things they do is look you up. Look at the value of the house. They offer stuff based on what they think you can spend. ( house value is a starting indicator. We all know that does not matter but it is.
3 . They do have watches in safe. Typically this AD 20-30 they unload by being strategic with who they pick and where the quarters are. Your more likely to get a in demand watch at the end of the quarter if they still have one

4. They do serious profiling. Younger people , certain demographics ; and how you are dressed does affect your ability to get watches until they know your true story. I think this is a huge mistake

5 they do not have people coming and buying bulk watches. Rolex monitors bulk purchases. These days are gone due to Rolex tightening the grip

6 here is where it got interesting. He said rolex does have a flipper list. He said for example let’s say an AD sales to a flipper they can get strikes from Rolex.
He also said Rolex does monitor the market. There has been instances where they look for watches that are on secondary market with full stickers all that. If Rolex sees one they will often buy it. We know many get missed but Everyone noticed the lack of full sticker watches from a year or so ago ? Has to be some
Truth to this.
Rolex will take the purchased watch with stickers and
Make the selling AD buy it back from Rolex for the amount they paid and give time a strike

7 . Ads snitch on eachother. One instance they had a watch go out the door and ended up in another state a few days later someone trying to sale it
.The AD out of state called Rolex and said this watch just came into my store from let’s say texas. Then the selling AD got a strike from Rolex

8 end of quarters are the Best time to throw a Hail Mary and try to
Get the hard to acquire pieces some Ads trying to meet quotas. Let’s say they are a watch or 2 off. Well guess what they know they can sale a In demand watch

Now is all this true not sure but this was an honest convo with an ex employee of a multi chain Ad. I found very interesting. He also did confirm this AD sees about 2-4 pandas a year maybe a little more blue sky ds and so on

[SLWoodster]

I choose to believe it.

End of Q1 is coming.

[Etschell]

they have always done this type of stuff. the difference was it used to be how big could was the discount you could get. it was based on spend history and jewelry bought. the game hasn't changed - the line has moved.

[CarlOver]

Great info. Thanks for sharing!

[jb335]

Thanks for sharing all of that.

Some of this is common in any sales enviroment, and others may be true for that one speciifc AD he worked for but it does not mean these practices are common amongst all.

For example; I know #1 about the grail is not true for my AD (or at least my SA). I was very open with them about a GMT meteorite being a grail for me, and it did take nearly two years, but I got one.

Also, #4 would not work in my area. SoCal is full of extremely welathy people walking around dressed like bums in sweat pants. All sales reps here know this. I think this practice of judging people by their dress attire is far less common today than 20+ years ago.

I will say, years ago I worked in sales and we all did # 2. Not surprsing at all. And the EOQ push (or even EOM or EOY) is common just about anywhere as well.

But again, thanks for typing all of this up for us.

[ltmgeller]

Thanks for sharing but I think some of the things they're said are AD dependent. I told my AD what I want and usually end up getting it.

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

Thanks for sharing but I think some of the things they're said are AD dependent. I told my AD what I want and usually end up getting it.

Yeh who knows. This is a well known Texas chain. Have you spent big in past , so you own an expensive home , do you look the part , or do you have a friend within the AD. All stuff that pushes you to the top.

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by jb335

Thanks for sharing all of that.

Some of this is common in any sales enviroment, and others may be true for that one speciifc AD he worked for but it does not mean these practices are common amongst all.

For example; I know #1 about the grail is not true for my AD (or at least my SA). I was very open with them about a GMT meteorite being a grail for me, and it did take nearly two years, but I got one.

Also, #4 would not work in my area. SoCal is full of extremely welathy people walking around dressed like bums in sweat pants. All sales reps here know this. I think this practice of judging people by their dress attire is far less common today than 20+ years ago.

I will say, years ago I worked in sales and we all did # 2. Not surprsing at all. And the EOQ push (or even EOM or EOY) is common just about anywhere as well.

But again, thanks for typing all of this up for us.

They do the research. Yes there is extreme wealth in your area but don’t think spending past , possible home value wouldn’t be in play ? SoCal I’m sure they would bypass the way a person looks but
In dallas probably not.

[dwjez14]

Most the stuff we knew but the Rolex buying watches I found most interesting out of all I posted

[ArtNouveau]

Some of it I believe, some of it not so much. I do believe RolexUSA scrutinizes their dealers. They don’t know who buys each watch but they do know when the AD sells it and starts the warranty. I certainly believe the profiling, at least to a point. I’m an older guy who walks in to a new AD wearing a Rolex and knows the lingo…I always get treated courteously.
I still don’t really believe most ADs hoarde watches in the safe. At least in the old days ADs had their “regular stock” models like quick selling DJ versions and probably standard Sub dates. When they sold one they would get another, so no incentive to hold them back.
And for the more in demand models, I believe they know at the beginning of the year how many to expect just not exactly when.
Of course dealers do not all receive the same amount and assortment of inventory. The year I got my black 116500, 2019, my SA said they would get 30 total, 15 of each color. Lastly I believe most chains receive their inventory at a corporate level so each store might be treated differently. I first met my SA many years ago at Tourneau, the New York flagship always got the most and best selection.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by dwjez14

They do the research. Yes there is extreme wealth in your area but don’t think spending past , possible home value wouldn’t be in play ? SoCal I’m sure they would bypass the way a person looks but
In dallas probably not.

Sure, all of that could be a factor. The industry you work in is more impactful - at least here. And/or your social media reach. ADs here give priority to people that are in the entertainment/influence industry because they are surrounded by other extremely wealthy people they could refer to their store and have millions of followers helps too. LA is full of Youtube influencers that make tons of money, I work with many of them and most have very good AD relationships. They also tend to not have the best "addresses" for a variety of reasons.

[BillA]

I can’t really blame AD’s for keeping little in the showcase.
They don’t want to be victim to smash and grab.

[Parapraxis]

Sounds legit

[dannyp]

6 is by far the most interesting, especially the part about forcing ADs to buy back flipped pieces (which I'm sure they in turn sell as pre-owned, so not much loss).

I've also wondered if this was part of the motivation for going with the electronically-activated warranty cards. If a listing shows the date of purchase, Rolex can probably narrow it down to a handful of watches based on location and configuration.

Even at nearly 1m watches per year, how many BLNR were sold in Canada on June 22nd, for example...

[Kiddodoc]

I have bought 10 watches in the past 2 years from my AD but last year, the manager told me that he can now sell only one watch per year to customers even me when I have spent well over 200K on watches. The do take all stickers off. He even asked me to bring the first 3 watches I purchased in for a photo. To confirm I had not sold them. They are clamping down quite a bit at my AD. Not sure if driven by the company or by Rolex themselves. An AD where I live, that I have not been able to get a watch from, did ask for my address so it may be for the reason you stated. So, I do believe some of what you stated as I have seen it myself.

[HAPConst]

I love getting sized up when I buy cars or watches/jewelry. I am the guy in the dirtiest clothes with rips and paints stains abound. I just got home from breakfast and a quick stop by the jewelry store. My wife made me wait in the car and took the kids into the jewelry store. Apparently I wasn’t dressed good enough. Size me up all you want.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by Kiddodoc

I have bought 10 watches in the past 2 years from my AD but last year, the manager told me that he can now sell only one watch per year to customers even me when I have spent well over 200K on watches. The do take all stickers off. He even asked me to bring the first 3 watches I purchased in for a photo. To confirm I had not sold them. They are clamping down quite a bit at my AD. Not sure if driven by the company or by Rolex themselves. An AD where I live, that I have not been able to get a watch from, did ask for my address so it may be for the reason you stated. So, I do believe some of what you stated as I have seen it myself.

Lol I can’t imagine being asked to bring in past purchases for a photo

I think your AD suspects you’re flipping


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[-94-]

Just a lot of talk talk talking. Enjoy the love of watches!

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by HAPConst

I love getting sized up when I buy cars or watches/jewelry. I am the guy in the dirtiest clothes with rips and paints stains abound. I just got home from breakfast and a quick stop by the jewelry store. My wife made me wait in the car and took the kids into the jewelry store. Apparently I wasn’t dressed good enough. Size me up all you want.

Shabby ok, but why go into a store (other than hardware store) in the “dirtiest” clothes?


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[huncho]

Originally Posted by HAPConst

I love getting sized up when I buy cars or watches/jewelry. I am the guy in the dirtiest clothes with rips and paints stains abound. I just got home from breakfast and a quick stop by the jewelry store. My wife made me wait in the car and took the kids into the jewelry store. Apparently I wasn’t dressed good enough. Size me up all you want.

weird flex

[train-time]

Originally Posted by dwjez14

Some of this may have been discussed but I reached out to a guy who I have known for years. He would never discuss info with me until now
He worked for a multi chain AD

He told me some info that I feel is true I know the guy well.

1. Do not tell an AD your grail watch if you do you will wait forever. Let’s say you want blue sky d. He said do not tell them you want one. Tell them you want a Batman or something else you are more likely to get offered the blue sky d due to the AD thinking it’s not your grail watch. They want to milk you for every dollar. Your more likely to get offered a watch that isn’t your grail to try to keep you buying more and more.
2. When you give your address one of the first things they do is look you up. Look at the value of the house. They offer stuff based on what they think you can spend. ( house value is a starting indicator. We all know that does not matter but it is.
3 . They do have watches in safe. Typically this AD 20-30 they unload by being strategic with who they pick and where the quarters are. Your more likely to get a in demand watch at the end of the quarter if they still have one

4. They do serious profiling. Younger people , certain demographics ; and how you are dressed does affect your ability to get watches until they know your true story. I think this is a huge mistake

5 they do not have people coming and buying bulk watches. Rolex monitors bulk purchases. These days are gone due to Rolex tightening the grip

6 here is where it got interesting. He said rolex does have a flipper list. He said for example let’s say an AD sales to a flipper they can get strikes from Rolex.
He also said Rolex does monitor the market. There has been instances where they look for watches that are on secondary market with full stickers all that. If Rolex sees one they will often buy it. We know many get missed but Everyone noticed the lack of full sticker watches from a year or so ago ? Has to be some
Truth to this.
Rolex will take the purchased watch with stickers and
Make the selling AD buy it back from Rolex for the amount they paid and give time a strike

7 . Ads snitch on eachother. One instance they had a watch go out the door and ended up in another state a few days later someone trying to sale it
.The AD out of state called Rolex and said this watch just came into my store from let’s say texas. Then the selling AD got a strike from Rolex

8 end of quarters are the Best time to throw a Hail Mary and try to
Get the hard to acquire pieces some Ads trying to meet quotas. Let’s say they are a watch or 2 off. Well guess what they know they can sale a In demand watch

Now is all this true not sure but this was an honest convo with an ex employee of a multi chain Ad. I found very interesting. He also did confirm this AD sees about 2-4 pandas a year maybe a little more blue sky ds and so on

Sounds about right, but an amazing amount of effort just to sell a piece of merchandise. So much that I can't imagine folks putting up with theses shenanigans just to spend their money. At the end of the day, the SA's probably tell stories about the various approaches used by customers coming into the store trying to score a piece and laugh at them. I'm sure that they have heard it all. Time to call it quits and move on to more enjoyable things in life IMO.

Originally Posted by Kiddodoc

I have bought 10 watches in the past 2 years from my AD but last year, the manager told me that he can now sell only one watch per year to customers even me when I have spent well over 200K on watches. The do take all stickers off. He even asked me to bring the first 3 watches I purchased in for a photo. To confirm I had not sold them. They are clamping down quite a bit at my AD. Not sure if driven by the company or by Rolex themselves. An AD where I live, that I have not been able to get a watch from, did ask for my address so it may be for the reason you stated. So, I do believe some of what you stated as I have seen it myself.

Amazing Rick, Madeline would never have asked this. Gone are the good old days!

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by jb335

Also, #4 would not work in my area. SoCal is full of extremely welathy people walking around dressed like bums in sweat pants. All sales reps here know this.

Originally Posted by dwjez14

SoCal I’m sure they would bypass the way a person looks but
In dallas probably not.

No, they still would, but it's just different. The sellers there have developed a keen sense of the difference between sweatpants that are $14 vs those that are $1,400.

Originally Posted by HAPConst

I love getting sized up when I buy cars or watches/jewelry. I am the guy in the dirtiest clothes with rips and paints stains abound. I just got home from breakfast and a quick stop by the jewelry store. My wife made me wait in the car and took the kids into the jewelry store. Apparently I wasn’t dressed good enough. Size me up all you want.

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Shabby ok, but why go into a store (other than hardware store) in the “dirtiest” clothes?


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Chances are that the Rolex buyer who walks around dressed like that never sets foot in a hardware store... Since they buy those supplies wholesale and have them delivered to a location of choice.

[Laostuh]

Originally Posted by jb335

Sure, all of that could be a factor. The industry you work in is more impactful - at least here. And/or your social media reach. ADs here give priority to people that are in the entertainment/influence industry because they are surrounded by other extremely wealthy people they could refer to their store and have millions of followers helps too. LA is full of Youtube influencers that make tons of money, I work with many of them and most have very good AD relationships. They also tend to not have the best "addresses" for a variety of reasons.

Its funny you mention that, when I was put down on the list at the Rolex boutique in LA they did ask me what "industry" I worked in. I've been only offered Datejusts from them, holding out for a LVC.

[Bxtek]

Some great and very interesting info! All makes sense. Thanks so much for sharing with us.

[Auric Goldfinger]

Originally Posted by dwjez14

Yeh who knows. This is a well known Texas chain. Have you spent big in past , so you own an expensive home , do you look the part , or do you have a friend within the AD. All stuff that pushes you to the top.

Bacendorf’s.

[Cigars&Watches]

Most of this we have heard before. Thanks for sharing OP and confirming.

[Seo]

That is interesting about the grail but guess this makes sense.

[casadecamporolex]

Originally Posted by Kiddodoc

I have bought 10 watches in the past 2 years from my AD but last year, the manager told me that he can now sell only one watch per year to customers even me when I have spent well over 200K on watches. The do take all stickers off. He even asked me to bring the first 3 watches I purchased in for a photo. To confirm I had not sold them. They are clamping down quite a bit at my AD. Not sure if driven by the company or by Rolex themselves. An AD where I live, that I have not been able to get a watch from, did ask for my address so it may be for the reason you stated. So, I do believe some of what you stated as I have seen it myself.

My new AD explained that RolexUSA is limiting purchases to one professional series per year. The photo thing is BS.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Never have I been asked for my address at an AD...

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Shabby ok, but why go into a store (other than hardware store) in the “dirtiest” clothes?


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This. I get shopping in comfortable clothes and not caring how they look. But who makes it a point to wear dirty clothes in public?