Yet another AD question (or two)

[stark1]

This is in no way an attempt to stir up the “go grey or go AD” conversation. I’m simply curious to find out more about how AD’s with multiple locations in the same state operate, and whether or not some members here have insight to share, anecdotal or otherwise. I realize businesses are run differently with numerous factors at play; I’m not in any way trying to compare a mom and pop jewelry store with the likes of Tourneau.

Here's the hypothetical backdrop: someone wants a SS Sub, but has no purchase history with any AD’s in the area. This person has all the time in the world and doesn't mind playing "the game", researches and finds that there is an AD that operates 3-4 stores in the area (within an hour of each another). The several stores are family operated and has roots in the communities they serve. Before setting off to meet the SA’s at each of these stores to inquire about said watch, the individual wants to know the following to maximize efficiency and chance of success:

1. If the 3-4 locations are serving different communities, is it plausible to assume that they are independently managed with little to do with one another? I’d assume there's a general manager or owner that oversees operations across all locations, but would assume that this person would not be dug into the minutiae of individual customer requests and whatnot.
2. Do each of the stores get separate shipments of watches (vs watches all get shipped to a centralized location for the AD, then gets distributed to each of their stores)?
3. Is there usually a centralized database of clients across all locations they share? For example, if you buy something at one store, then go to another and buy something else, can they make that connection easily?

Boiling it down: is there a point to developing a relationship with multiple of these stores, or more advantageous to stick with just one? Conventional wisdom would indicate that the more locations one “schmoozes”, the higher one’s chances. But could it actually be counterintuitive and a total waste of time?

I realize a lot of the above is case by case, and super anecdotal; I’m not attempting to blanket statement anything, or find any clear-cut answers. But I figured that there’s likely a wealth of experienced members here that have something to say about the above questions.