How has Covid Changed your relationship with AD? any changes?

[Rags2Rolex]

Since malls & stores are back open, I recently popped into my AD to see if any of the new watches had rolled in. Had a good relationship & bought my 1st submariner from this AD & a 2nd GMT from another AD in Toronto through the help of friends here on TRF. What is your current relationship like with your AD? has Covid and not being back in the stores changed anything for any of you? curious to hear some feedback! AD was not the same, he saw the newer watch and suddenly taken back and being a prick and gave me a song & dance about how he got 3 new sets of GMTS and only sold to collectors, then gives me a business card & then tops off with " if you want any of the new watches you gotta sign this clipboard" They had a clipboard with other peoples names/phone numbers/addresses & emails in plain sight. I guess you can't wear your watch you didn't buy from the same AD and expect to get any loyalty, but downright jerky? seems a bit classless I guess! RIP my inbox.

[JRell]

My AD has been open, just have to wear masks. Was closed for a little bit, by appointments only, but now open with caution.

[Chewbacca]

My retail relationships consist of ‘take my money, give me what I’m paying for’. I’ll be back and recommend if I’m satisfied and you say thank you.

Anything requiring more than that encourages me to look elsewhere. It’s how I got to know other car brands, watches, insurances, doctors, etc... and yes, there's life beyond Rolex.

[42itus]

That doesn’t sound like it’s related to Covid to me. Sounds like he thinks you need him more than he needs you. I would move on from this kind of “relationship”.


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[Rado63]

I hear Rolex telling AD's to work with their preferred clients for steel sports. Whatever that means?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

My retail relationships consist of ‘take my money, give me what I’m paying for’. I’ll be back and recommend if I’m satisfied and you say thank you.

Anything requiring more than that encourages me to look elsewhere. It’s how I got to know other car brands, watches, insurances, doctors, etc... and yes, there's life beyond Rolex.

This!


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[mikeps2006]

Originally Posted by 42itus

That doesn’t sound like it’s related to Covid to me. Sounds like he thinks you need him more than he needs you. I would move on from this kind of “relationship”.


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I agree


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[DESH]

stronger than ever.

[garyk]

I’ve been in there twice in 6 months.

[ArtNouveau]

Mine was closed for a couple of months, I’ve been in their twice since they reopened. Business as usual but masks and only four customers in the store at a time.
They’re having an invitation only trunk show of the new models this Wednesday and Thursday. My viewing window is Thursday afternoon.

[Adri4n.]

I think what does/should constitute a relationship has definitely changed in light of COVID-19 and the SS craziness, but by no means does that allow AD's to be downright rude.

At this point, I think all you can really do is to keep the lines of communication open with your SA and follow through when you commit to a purchase. Obviously being gracious and understanding when it doesn't immediately work out can't hurt.

This approach has been reasonably successful for me over the last few months with a call for a blue dial DJ41, BB58 on bracelet and I was able to successfully source of SubC Date for a friend. Obviously this is low hanging fruit but it's slow and steady progress!

[David5807]

My original SA left his position

[desmomini]

My SA kept in touch by text. Expressed his frustration during the closure. I expressed my frustration on my long wait for my grail.

Then he called and told me a white Daytona SS was waiting for me.

Definite upside to the pandemic.

[BillA]

It is probably a mixed bag....some people who have lost their jobs don’t visit or buy from their AD, others who have money and not affected by the pandemic, it is business as usual.

[inadeje]

I have a personal relationship with my AD. He knows the watches I want, but we still chat frequently about other things outside of watches.

[Ungucpho]

Not really. Didn’t call with availability before Covid. Hasn’t called with anything new

[Pw92676]

I have not been in store to my local preferred AD.

The SA I had a relationship with at that location was terminated for some sort of selling to Grey. No idea about what else is going on as I haven’t been in. Have to go in soon to get some jewelry engraved. Looking forward to seeing some friendly faces.