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#1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: UTC/GMT -7 hours
Posts: 1,672
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Building relationship with AD / Building my collection over time
So, I bought my first Rolex (preowned DJII 116334 blue,oyster,fluted). I love it and wear it everyday. Though, I want to a collection over time.
I want to build a relationship with my local AD. Closest AD is Ben Bridge in Thousand Oaks, CA. How exactly do I build a relationship with them? I feel like If I chit chat then drop my wish list they will just laugh at me. If I go in there with my DJ they might ask where I bought it and when I say it's pre-owned I feel like they will look down at me. lol I want to just say like I understand this will take years to build this collection but it's a journey for me and I'm willing to wait and get them piece by piece instead of buying pre-owned/grey market. Here is the collection I want: Submariner Black (116610LN) Submariner Hulk (116610LV) Daytona Panda (116500LN) GMT Batman (126710BLNR) Any advice/recommendations is appreciated. Thank you in advance! |
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#2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Netherlands
Watch: 228235 ROMAN WHITE
Posts: 243
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Start with buying a lot of other brands, jewellery and gold models ...
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#3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: United States
Posts: 394
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Ben Bridge has a policy where they can only offer you 1 SS sports model per year.
So let's say you got a Sub today, next piece is going to take at least a year to put you on the list. |
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#4 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: UTC/GMT -7 hours
Posts: 1,672
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Quote:
Do you know if Ben Bridge has a policy where they want me to spend money on non-rolex stuff? |
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#5 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Real Name: Dave
Location: CA
Watch: es
Posts: 4,391
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Maybe try going into the store on a regular basis and just discuss watches without asking to be added to the list for a hot model. After establishing this more personal relationship and showing them your interest in watches, then express interest in specific models. Who knows, maybe they will ask you what you want next before you ask them.
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Instagram @dcash0615 2FA security active |
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#6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Real Name: Tom
Location: Honolulu
Watch: 116519LN
Posts: 3,828
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I would avoid Ben Bridge. Their network is huge and over the years I've purchased at least 8 watches and the best I've ever been offered was a 126711 CHNR.
And above post is correct that you can only get one a year. |
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#7 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Real Name: Tom
Location: Honolulu
Watch: 116519LN
Posts: 3,828
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Quote:
So when they receive a BLNR, all the SA will pick their "best" client and then beg the manager to let them sell it based on whatever sales history their client has. But the once a year thing actually makes it more fair, I guess. I hit the one year mark in about a week so we'll see if I get offered anything. Good luck and keep us posted! |
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#8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: san francisco
Watch: SS daytona, Hulk,
Posts: 1,297
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The best way to develop a relationship with an AD is to get to know the owner. Of course, you have to buy jewelry and other items from them. The point is be a good customer and make sure the owner knows you. Good luck.
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Watchdog (Woof) SS daytona,Hulk,DSJC,50th SD, SS SkyD, Zblue, YMblue, MoonPhase, Rootbeer Batman, Sub, Blk GMT, Pepsi,YG Daytona, TTSD, Batgirl, 5167/1A, Speedy, P01, OP, Kermit |
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#9 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: UTC/GMT -7 hours
Posts: 1,672
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Quote:
Anyone have AD recommendations in the greater LA area? |
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#10 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NWA, USA
Watch: BLRO/Daytona/OP41s
Posts: 5,160
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OP will never meet the owner of the Ben Bridge chain.
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#11 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2012
Real Name: CJ
Location: Kashyyyk
Watch: Kessel Run Chrono
Posts: 21,112
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What does build over time mean?
Your shopping list could get all those in a few days from the same TS who'd likely give you a very good deal. ![]() |
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#12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Real Name: Andrew
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,227
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Not to sound negative but your chances are probably as good as hitting the lotto. I’m in the same boat, I live in nyc where I just can’t compete with the big fish at an AD. Plus all you want are the ss sports models like everyone else so why would they sell to you with no history? Instead of trying to build a relationship and possibly wasting thousands of dollars on buying something you may not want, you might as well choose one watch that you really want and go grey.
But it doesn’t hurt to go to multiple AD’s and try to talk to them. It seems to work for people, at least here on TRF. Good luck.
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| 116234 DJ36 | 116610LN SubC | 116520 Daytona | BlackBay 58 Blue | |
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#13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Watch: Rolex, Omega
Posts: 256
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I can understand building a relationship and buying other goods but in today’s world it doesn’t matter how much you are willing to spend. There will always be someone who makes more money, spends more money and will be a more valued customer than yourself. Especially in locations such as LA.
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#14 | |
TechXpert
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: Scott
Location: London
Posts: 2,240
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Quote:
As others have said, you need to add other brands and/or jewellery to your list otherwise you’re likely ending up in the “here comes another one” category. |
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#15 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Real Name: Danny
Location: Mansfield , Texas
Watch: All of them
Posts: 2,381
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I tried this it didn’t work well at all. After 75-80k I didn’t get one hard to acquire piece. Your better off buying gray or finding a smaller Ad. Oh and also buy some diamonds your chances will be much better with that
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#16 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: H
Location: North Carolina
Watch: M99230B-0008
Posts: 5,675
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Agreed. OP you purchased your first Rolex preowned. Why the switch?
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#17 | |
Banned
Join Date: May 2019
Location: USA
Posts: 49
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Quote:
It is really nice that you have this mindset, most people don’t. Kudos! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#18 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: UK
Watch: GMT
Posts: 8,340
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Quote:
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#19 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: UTC/GMT -7 hours
Posts: 1,672
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Building relationship with AD / Building my collection over time
Quote:
I bought my DJ preowned because it was priced well below MSRP in mint condition. With the models I mentioned they are all selling at above MSRP preowned or grey. It would not sit well with me to know that I purchased above MSRP. I feel like it’s just throwing away money. I’d rather wait and enjoy buying them at MSRP from a dealer as they come even if it takes a lot longer. Like I said, I’m viewing this as a journey. Having said that, if one of these pieces do popup at or under MSRP preowned/grey. I will def consider. But that is unlikely Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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instagram: santiagowatchcollector |
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#20 | |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Real Name: Mayor Vaughn
Location: Shark City, FL
Posts: 456
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Quote:
Go with a TS on this site. You will avoid all the AD BS and have what you desire in a short amount of time. |
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#21 |
2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 831
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I'm afraid what you're asking is a tall order. The fact that you didn't buy the DJ from them will already set you back. The only way you will be offered one of the pieces on your list is to have significant purchase history of jewelry and/or non-desirable Rolex (other brand watches).
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#22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Los Angeles
Watch: Explorer II
Posts: 853
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#23 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Real Name: Roger
Location: ...
Watch: AP/Rolex/PP
Posts: 6,309
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Building relationship with AD / Building my collection over time
I really hate to break it to you - but the real days of building relationships with ADs and Boutiques are over. Unless you are prepared to drop some serious coin (which to get a modern reference of ANY brand isn’t worth it— just get with a TS here) Especially with that list. ADs get calls, emails, and visits for those references more often than they want - and they have a hard time filling the ‘orders’ they already have in the queue.
You’ve referenced every hot reference out there - minus the Sub date - but even that one is tough right now. I encourage you to try but again, that’s a tall order. Best of luck. If it was me - I’d buy another brand they sell - perhaps with some jewelry - lobby for the 116610LN....then go from there. Good luck!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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#24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: USA
Watch: 116500 black
Posts: 312
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Wow! Being in LA, I thought you would have to spend more. I'm in a small city and my local BB requires $50k purchase history to be on the "list" for the DaytonaC.
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#25 |
2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Real Name: Mike
Location: New York
Watch: Rolex
Posts: 21,987
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In my experience, you need to spend a certain amount of $ and develop a relationship with a salesperson. From what I understand management decides which highly sought after pieces get allocated to each salesperson, so you need to develop that relationship so that salesperson goes to bat for you with management. Or of course you can befriend management.
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#26 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2012
Real Name: CJ
Location: Kashyyyk
Watch: Kessel Run Chrono
Posts: 21,112
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Wow!
$10k rings. $50k in purchase... Pretty soon it'll be drop, bend and cough? |
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#27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Seattle
Watch: Casio digital
Posts: 1,076
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You are going to either waste your money or waste your time.
Avoid all of that, and go to reputable gray dealers, it will saves you time and money. |
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#28 |
Banned
Join Date: May 2014
Real Name: John
Location: La Jolla, CA
Watch: Platona
Posts: 12,194
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Your logic escapes me. Why spend tens of thousands of dollars to build a relationship so you can spend tens of thousands of dollars on watches?
Why not spend much less on a grey and get your watches without waiting. A Trusted Seller like OCrolexguy in LA can help you out. PM him. |
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#29 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Watch: Rolex, Omega
Posts: 256
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A thing I will add is that a relationship with an SA is also hit or miss. What if you buy from one and they’re a newer employee, they’re not going to get the hard to get pieces. The SA that’s been bringing in hundreds of thousands over the last 10 years will get to sell the Daytona to his VIP customer. You just wasted a couple of years and tens of thousands of dollars buying jewelry.
Save time and money and go the other routes mentioned previously. |
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#30 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Real Name: Jim
Location: UTC/GMT -7 hours
Posts: 1,672
|
Quote:
Thanks. I will pay a premium to get them from a TS here. It sounds like I would have to pay a premium through an AD as well via other jewelry or watches. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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instagram: santiagowatchcollector |
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