For those who've hit high spending milestones with AD reps-

[daOnlyBG]

-what concrete changes have you seen in the way the AD treats you?

I'm sure they're more polite, soliciting you more watches and stuff, maybe even holiday greetings.

Do they offer you more allocation pieces? Pre-release information? Do they invite you to private/exclusive events, talks, and so forth? Perhaps they were willing to provide more substantial discounts after certain limits?

To be clear, I'm talking about the $100K milestone, $250K milestone, $500K, $1M, etc. For the average person (yours truly included), I'm sure most of us could only dream of having that money to spend on ourselves, nevermind on one lone hobby. However, I'm sure there's a small handful of people here who have spent that much over the years.

Chalk it up to curiosity- how have ADs treated you when you've spent so much?

[tbk]

I think I spent $150-200k last year with my AD. I got every watch I asked for, including a Pepsi and Daytona, but still waiting for a steel Sky Dweller. I also got a nice Rolex leather travel case and a gift basket with champagne and chocolates etc for the holidays. I feel like I'm a priority, but probably not the highest on the list by far.

Met the manager, met the owner of the store, sales person spends a lot of time with me and we talk all the time. Will be interesting to see how easy it will be to get some new basel releases if there's anything interesting.

[BumbleB]

I bought 5 Rolexes last year, including one for my wife:
- black GMT II
- black TT SubC
- white TT SkyD
- black SubC ND
- black DJ with diamond bezel

Am now on the list for BLRO which should arrive anytime and have been on the list for a SS SkyD blue since May last year.

Am not going to buy anything until I get those 2.

Got invited to Basel models Launch event, received a leather Rolex pouch and a Rolex metal pen.


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[timepieceluvr]

I got a trophy.....


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[jaisonline]

That is a lot to spend. I wonder if they don’t have “hot” models available for you since they likely are selling to gray dealers to move undesirable models and known flippers for a profit themselves. Money makes people do things...

Did they sell you any highly desirable SS models in the last year or two?

Originally Posted by Craigdwh

I recently got the shaft by my AD and was not given the opportunity to buy the new GMT meteorite dial and I’ve spend mid 6 figures over the last 4 years. And to be clear, not just on Rolex.


So how are they treating me? I mean, they are great guys who run an excellent store but clearly I didn’t spend enough to get the chance at buying that piece.


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[BumbleB]

The ‘threshold’ for VIP is different per store, depending on whether they carry other products or only Rolex, foot traffic, location etc etc.


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[dwjez14]

Last year I bought
2 tone root beer
Gmt stainless
Datejust 41 blue dial
Explorer 2 polar
2 tone sub blue face
And a Chanel j12
Even after all those they did not offer me what I really wanted which was a Pepsi or green sub. I stopped the games I now buy gray less stress

[dwjez14]

Originally Posted by Craigdwh

I recently got the shaft by my AD and was not given the opportunity to buy the new GMT meteorite dial and I’ve spend mid 6 figures over the last 4 years. And to be clear, not just on Rolex.


So how are they treating me? I mean, they are great guys who run an excellent store but clearly I didn’t spend enough to get the chance at buying that piece.


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This is the stuff I hate. That is why I buy gray now for every piece. Let’s say I buy a dd40 from ad and they give me a Batman. Okay now I go buy a dd40 from my gray and pay premium for Batman I still come out ahead due to dd40 discount even with Batman premium from gray and no sales tax. Plus I save the stress. I think it’s stupid ADs are like this. They will all miss us when the bottom falls out of this madness. I spent probably 20k last year just to try to get a hot piece and bought a watch or 2 I didn’t necessarily want. Just stupid by my part.

[Rags]

Sorry but I'm not kissing any AD's A$$ to own a watch.

[RHIII]

The ADs are having trouble getting inventory even for the VVIPs and the VIPs, let along the rest of the customer base they would LOVE to sell watches to.




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[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by dwjez14

Last year I bought
2 tone root beer
Gmt stainless
Datejust 41 blue dial
Explorer 2 polar
2 tone sub blue face
And a Chanel j12
Even after all those they did not offer me what I really wanted which was a Pepsi or green sub. I stopped the games I now buy gray less stress

I can't comment on the Chanel J12, but your all your Rolexes are allocation pieces with the exception of the Two-Tone Submariner, which (in all honesty) is easy for most AD salesmen to move.

I guess I'm trying to say that while you did spend money (and quite a bit, I might add), you haven't exactly bought something an AD would struggle to sell. I'm guessing your AD is waiting for you to help them out in that regard.

You do have fine taste though!

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I can't comment on the Chanel J12, but your all your Rolexes are allocation pieces with the exception of the Two-Tone Submariner, which (in all honesty) is easy for most AD salesmen to move.



I guess I'm trying to say that while you did spend money (and quite a bit, I might add), you haven't exactly bought something an AD would struggle to sell. I'm guessing your AD is waiting for you to help them out in that regard.



You do have fine taste though!

True, even the TT SubC Blue is now considered a high demand ‘professional model’ by ADs, which is typically gone in a matter of days if not taken by a regular.

I bought the black TT Sub and it didn’t give me any leverage over other pieces, more of a “you’re lucky we had it when you dropped in”


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[replicator]

I’m sure many of us would be spending more money at AD’s if there was anything to actually wanted to buy in stock. Unless you’re buying high end jewelry (non timepieces) or multiple PM pieces frequently(which are usually better priced in grey), it’s more costly to go the AD route for many than going grey and paying a premium.

[brucethemanlee]

i can get whatever Rolex model i want at MSRP...(and have received them within 9 months - with some as fast as 1 week)

I don't need to frantically call them when the store opens after i see the watch at Basel. They will know to allocate me one and give me option to turn down.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

i can get whatever Rolex model i want at MSRP...(and have received them within 9 months - with some as fast as 1 week)

I don't need to frantically call them when the store opens after i see the watch at Basel. They will know to allocate me one and give me option to turn down.

That’s very rare. Good for you man.


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[Nikrnic]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

That’s very rare. Good for you man.


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Thats good to have that connection. I think i can have any hot piece i want as well. Ive never spent 100k and don't feel like im a big vip. Ive got all of the Rolex ive ever wanted and not into PM. I did turn down a Daytona last year but im looking at other brands now.

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[Fat_ninja]

I spent a lot...
They are nicer to us but I still don’t get every watch I want... yet to get a white daytona

[Ichiran]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

I spent a lot...
They are nicer to us but I still don’t get every watch I want... yet to get a white daytona

I spent way less than you but I got the white 500c.

[dnd2984]

I was told I hit the VIP status..... It doesn't mean shit.... I want to add no Date Sub to the collection and was told one year, 4 month ago. From the same AD I got my engagement ring for the wife, all her jewelry. Plus 4 watches last year.

I was going to give the same AD my business but might try a different AD. My wife is finishing her fellowship and I want to get her a TT DJ.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

That’s very rare. Good for you man.


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In this market.... it's about history, $$$$$, and relationship!

no different than any other hard to obtain item in our current capitalist society....(for right or for wrong)

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by dnd2984

I was told I hit the VIP status..... It doesn't mean shit.... I want to add no Date Sub to the collection and was told one year, 4 month ago. From the same AD I got my engagement ring for the wife, all her jewelry. Plus 4 watches last year.

I was going to give the same AD my business but might try a different AD. My wife is finishing her fellowship and I want to get her a TT DJ.

LOL, seriously? That is kind of funny and unfortunate. ND Sub they should have had for you in 48 hours.

[Bozack90]

my wife isn't big into jewelry so it will be a long time before I even think of spending some of the money you guys are talking about at the AD....I talk to the manager, bought my wife's watch there and a few small things...he got me a GMT BLRO after a year or so...nice guy but haven't asked for much more..but I always deal with the same person, have been in there a few times, and when I am going to get something they are my first stop, or if I find a better price on something I give them the chance to match it and make the sale.

[Fat_ninja]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

I spent way less than you but I got the white 500c.

Ramen boi!!!!

[Runfar]

Excellent question -and some surprising answers- nice!

[ArtNouveau]

I can’t imagine spending $100K+ a year on watches or jewelry...even if I could afford it. In the last two years I have received a BLNR, BLRO, and DaytonaC from my dealer by asking. Biggest reason is dealing with the same SA for over 20 years and also from being a nice guy, never demanding or feeling entitled to anything.
My SA says the store really only has one Super VIP/Whale, a guy who literally wants one of everything including Rainbow Daytonas and the like. Beyond that lots of “preferred customers” which I think depend more on history and relationship than some arbitrary spend level.

[brigadoonb]

Great thread and thanks for the VIP's for opening up. Definitely opened my eyes a bit.

[Wimbledon]

Originally Posted by tbk

I think I spent $150-200k last year with my AD. I got every watch I asked for, including a Pepsi and Daytona, but still waiting for a steel Sky Dweller. I also got a nice Rolex leather travel case and a gift basket with champagne and chocolates etc for the holidays. I feel like I'm a priority, but probably not the highest on the list by far.

Met the manager, met the owner of the store, sales person spends a lot of time with me and we talk all the time. Will be interesting to see how easy it will be to get some new basel releases if there's anything interesting.

Same here...I spent about $150K each year for a few years. I can get pretty much whatever I want...but there are still others who are higher on their priority list.

Here on the East Coast you need to be dropping at min $500K per year to be at the top. There are richer peeps than me obviously.

[kilyung]

Keep in mind that AD employees change over time so unless you have a relationship with the AD owner, no amount of money will guarantee favoritism. There’s always someone with more money so the personal relationship is more important.

[Wimbledon]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I can’t imagine spending $100K+ a year on watches or jewelry...even if I could afford it.

Well...here's the thing...most of the people spending the big money here on the East Coast are Arabs and oil money. From time to time they will buy out the entire store for their wives and children. They are the true VIPs. Most people who live around here know this and have seen it.

I thought $150K per year that I spent was a lot, but they spend 10-15 times more than I do.

I can get what I want, but they don't bend over backwards. To them $150K isn't a lot of money.

I got a hat and some other junk.

[sunnygps]

My AD has redefined their “VIP status” multiple times. Early last summer, it was based on the amount of money spent. I was good with that and got couple of allocated pieces. After summer, when I was picking up my SubC LN, I was told that they have changed their policy - each time they sell you an allocated watch, the spend counter goes back to zero! At that time I knew that I am not going to play along.

Last year in December, when I was picking up my YM, I once again inquired about the BLRO and was told that they are having a hard time catering to customer who are buying the PM watches. I’ll get the BLRO, I need to be a bit more patient.

Shows, how times have changed. The AD are trying to make the best of it, while keeping some of their customers happy. The ADs know that there will a time in not so distant future that the demand will soften and they will have to rely on their long term customers to keep the lights on. Tough spot to be in.