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#61 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NZ
Posts: 2,600
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Just do what this Dude did - bulk buy from a Grey - instant gratification.
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=692154 |
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#62 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: California
Watch: 114060
Posts: 442
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Save your time and money I am currently in the process of doing this and it has not been very successful. I'm not sure how the process works but I think I have spent $50k at least, constantly keep in touch with them, and still nothing. As opposed to my other AD who has offered me a White C Daytona, Blue skydweller, hulk, and the 126710blnr all in six months time if I bundle for them with a pm piece. Rather bundle and lose a couple thousand so I don't pay a crazy premium on the grey market then to lose thousands and be put on an imaginary list with the exact date of when you will get something you want.
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#63 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Yangon
Posts: 183
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I think playing the AD game does work like you said it does take time. I wouldn't build a relationship with Ben Bridges given how they have a big network of chain stores and from my experience, they aren't willing to work with you.
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#64 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 168
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Quote:
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk |
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#65 | |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: New Zealand
Watch: 114060
Posts: 2,630
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Quote:
You could of course just go gray and have all those watches tomorrow, but who wants to be cheap and easy? ![]() If they ask you where you bought your DJ, then tell them it was a special gift from the Pope or be honest and just say it is none of their business. |
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#66 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Chicago
Posts: 69
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Quote:
Even for a sub now...?? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk |
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#67 |
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: London
Posts: 978
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These are not business relationships as others also wrote. It's simply a salesperson selling you products to hit their number. Unless your are passing brown envelopes then they're just going to sell at preference to repeat customers. Like selling any luxury jewellery or bags etc. Try to keep the rational head on when buying from the heart!
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#68 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: UTC/GMT -7 hours
Posts: 1,672
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Quote:
In terms of PM pieces... Does TT count? lol |
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#69 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: California
Watch: 114060
Posts: 442
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Yeah two tone also counts but its hit or miss depending on the model. If it's a datejust then you are definitely doing them a favor but if its a skydweller or daytona then it can be a different story.
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#70 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Orange County, CA
Watch: 116500LN Black
Posts: 560
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Quote:
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#71 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,357
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If you have got years then try to find a small Mom and Pop style AD with whom you could build a watch friendship over the years, it's all very unlikely to pan out but if u won't go grey then this is the only viable option.
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#72 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Real Name: David
Location: here and there
Watch: too many!
Posts: 3,552
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#73 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Real Name: Louis Nick Ric
Location: Michigan, USA
Watch: Blnr, Expll, Subs,
Posts: 10,167
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Greetings... I used to live in the SF valley. It sounds like your going to have long and tough struggle ahead of you. I'd suggest looking for another stratedgy than Ben Bridge. It doesnt sound good. I wish i could help, sorry not trying to bum you out, maybe i should delete my post.
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk |
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#74 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: UTC/GMT -7 hours
Posts: 1,672
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Quote:
No worries. Just curious. Living in SFV did you end up buying gray? I think Ben Bridge in the Topanga Mall is really the only AD around there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
instagram: santiagowatchcollector |
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#75 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Real Name: Louis Nick Ric
Location: Michigan, USA
Watch: Blnr, Expll, Subs,
Posts: 10,167
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Quote:
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk |
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#76 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NWA, USA
Watch: BLRO/Daytona/OP41s
Posts: 5,160
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I’m in the No Way camp. I think by connecting with the right SA you might get the Sub within a reasonable time but going in asking for those four will result in an immediate snub.
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#77 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2
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I feel trying to build a relationship with an AD is a combination of alot of factors. I will detail my experience and purchase history including the $ value.
For me i first went in to my local AD to get my Omega Seamaster serviced - Ref 2230.50.00 This cost about $1,200 NZD in November 2018 Once i received that back i took my Rootbeer GMT for a Service - Ref 16753 This cost about $2,200 NZD (had to replace some internal parts) in February 2019 After that i took my Tudor Snowflake in for a Service - Ref 94110 This cost around $4,000 NZD (it was in super bad condition and need ALOT of work, also got a new bracelet) in November 2019 Last week i went in and purchased a Rhodium DateJust 41 - Ref 126300 (11,950 NZD). While i was in store i tried on various watches from Rolex and Tudor , but this was a reference i had been after for a while. I mentioned that i really also liked the Tudor GMT. After i had paid for the Datejust, the sales person, which i now presume was the sales manager, spoke to one of her colleagues, he then disappeared out the back and emerged with a Tudor GMT on Bracelet for me to look at, try on, and purchase if i so desired. It was very unexpected, she didn't have to bring it out or even let me know they had it. Needless to say i bought that also (6,100 NZD). While i was getting them both sized a man came in. The Sales Manager went out to the vault and came back with a Panda Daytona Ceramic. I did speak to him and he said he had been waiting a while for it, i don't know what his purchase history was, i just had a good look at his watch and congratulated him. So i think for me , they can see from my service history that i am a watch enthusiast from the $$ i spent to restore 2 vintage watches. Also i never try on any watches i have no intention of actually buying, and when i say i'm after a certain model, if they have it, i buy it, i don't mess them around. I do converse with them about watches and current events and i do pop in once a month to see what they have in store. I'm assuming from the fact they bought a watch out of the vault for me to look at, and purchase, that i am to some degree, in there good books. The Tudor Pepsi GMT on a bracelet sells itself, they don't need to offer it to anyone they don't want to. Obviously you need money to play the game, otherwise its going to be very difficult to purchase any hot model with no purchase history, but i think being a genuine watch enthusiast, them knowing you wont flip the watches, and just being a nice person in general goes a long way. I haven't spent any money in the store i didn't want to spend, and i do plan on purchasing more watches from them in the future. Anyway that's my experience for what its worth. |
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#78 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Far far away!
Posts: 301
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Not all AD's are the same. I had only purchased one watch from my AD, which was a Panerai, and I was able to pick up a new Sub w/date and a new Batgirl. Since picking up the Batgirl in February, I've had two other AD's contact me offering the Batgirl that I have no purchase history from.
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#79 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Tennessee, USA
Watch: 16800
Posts: 517
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I have a feeling that a relationship with an AD will be of far less importance in the near future.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#80 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Boynton Beach, FL
Watch: Daytona Ceramic WH
Posts: 111
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Purchased at MSRP everyone of your choices thru AD, So its possible thru a good relationship and Time...
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#81 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: USA
Watch: 116500 BLRO SubLB
Posts: 280
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I think the good old rules will still apply especially with the luxury market. One has to build a relationship, I have picked up 4 Rolexes, 3 “hot” SS models only on the strength of the relationship with minimum wait times though most people who have bigger purchase histories have not been able it.
People work with people in the end. I’m sure there will be a sell off for a year or so...after that it will be BAU and new models and offerings will follow the same trend. Showing up once in a while, being polite and showing a genuine interest in the product worked for me across two AD’s. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#82 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 20,319
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Patience is rewarded, gentlemen. A most humble thanks to Nick @ Mayors Jewellers in Tampa as this just arrived.
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__________________ Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
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#83 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Real Name: Steve
Location: Katy
Watch: 12671
Posts: 379
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Quote:
All you can do is ask, and all they can say is no. If they try to finesse you for more business that is up to you to decide. |
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#84 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: DC
Watch: 126710BLRO, 116600
Posts: 7,869
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#85 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Real Name: KP Jimmy
Location: Singapore
Watch: R/AP/FPJ/Hermès/et
Posts: 6,597
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Quote:
Congratulations, Steven! Awesome ![]() How long did you have to patiently wait? Wear it in great health. ![]()
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#86 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Texas
Posts: 70
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Congratulations Steven!
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#87 |
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: on the road
Watch: ing shameless
Posts: 569
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To the OP’s question, there are no rules but here are some guidelines.
Best practices are frequent in person contact with many ADs. Talk watches with them. Make friends with the reps. Bring them business. Learn the management and owners. Make it be as much about building relationships with the people as it is purchasing the watches. If you go on a trip to an area they say they like to visit, bring them a souvenir and drop by after you get back to talk about the experience. Send them emails from time to time asking if they may have received anything you may like. Just be part of their lives and have them part of yours. And then, from time to time, you’ll get offered something you may want. |
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#88 | ||
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Real Name: Steven
Location: Glocal
Posts: 20,319
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Quote:
The wait was not too bad, a few years. To be fair, we moved many thousands of miles away a few years back and my previous ADs... one retired, the other had their partnership split up, so had to start a totally new AD relationship. Nick @ Mayors Jewellers Tampa now really knows me well and late last year he surprised me with an OMEGA 50th 'Buzz butt' i didn't even know existed! At first i (stupidly) passed, then that night my wife came back from a trip, she took one look at the OMEGA 50th and said it is the 'me' of watches (am a big NASA fan and coder) and i should get it. So yes, good AD relationships are worth it! ![]() Quote:
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__________________
__________________ Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory. |
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#89 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2020
Real Name: KP Jimmy
Location: Singapore
Watch: R/AP/FPJ/Hermès/et
Posts: 6,597
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Quote:
“A few years” wow! Hats off to your patience, Nick’s commitment, but especially, your wife for how thoughtfully she supports your love of watches. All my Rolex have come from Mayors, their customer service is exceptional. I’m somewhere on their list for the panda as well, and hoping it’s not a few years of waiting! ![]() ![]() Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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