Got the Call I've Waited Years for... and Passed

[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by codecow

I am wondering if the right approach is like this:

OP: Excuse me. Excuse me? May I speak to you please? I asked for a white dial Daytona, and they brought me a black dial Daytona, and I said no black, NO black for the dial, but it had a black dial on it, big black dial, sitting under the glass...

AD: Very sorry sir.
[Under his breath]
AD: <censored>

OP: [as the SA walks away] And yes, I won't be leaving a good google review , 'cause I could... I could shut this whole AD down. Sir? I'll take my credit cards to a competing store. I could write a letter to your board of directors and I could have this place condemned. I could put... I could put... strychnine in the champagne. There was a black dial under the glass, a BIG black dial.

I'm getting Office Space vibes from this post.

[Akacoke]

Originally Posted by Daytona king

This location is no longer listed on the Rolex map as an AD. Would seem odd to me as they are only on a “pause”for a year.


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Wow. I could almost feel op's pain. While I had been very optimistic about his situation up untill this moment. As stated by other members. Many Rolex ads had gone thru construction and remained and AD while receiving inventories. One of the AD that I used gone thru construction last year and remained operational.

It's unlikely for AD to be delisted for construction. I hope the owner can do him right, transfer his profile to another location, grant him the panda and more future pieces.

[Cassian739]

Originally Posted by Daytona king

This location is no longer listed on the Rolex map as an AD. Would seem odd to me as they are only on a “pause” for a year.

Damn, was hoping for a better ending. Still hoping this works out for the OP!

[BlackandBlue80]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

There's many ADs across the states undergoing renovations to the new standards and they are still authorized and continue to receive regular deliveries.

That said, I doubt Lee Michaels in Ridgeland will return as a Rolex AD. OP's best bet is to contact the owner(s) directly and plead his case. Hopefully he can continue leverage his purchase history at one of their other existing locations.

This is a great idea! Call the owners and tell them that you want your purchase history transferred to another one of the stores they own that has Rolex. Be sure to tell him about the multiple investment homes you have in that city that you visit occasionally (wink wink). When they think they have whale on the hook you will get your watch!!

[MRBolton]

Update: I went by the AD today to get some jewelry purchased there cleaned. The GM was not there today, but I was mainly on a fact finding mission anyway. There is still Rolex branding outside, and there is a very scant selection of exhibition pieces (literally 5) with most slots empty. I saw someone picking up a Deep Sea purchase while I was in there.
I remarked to my SA that the selection of exhibition pieces were really low, and I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable when he answered, "This is all we'll have until we move into the new store."
He went on to say that they're moving to a nearby temporary location around March, and they're going to be knocking out the wall where the Rolex section is now and building it out to have a full Rolex room and private pickup room, a larger space for the Rolex watchmaker, and on the other side of the store knocking that wall out to expand further into where the parking lot is now to make room to bring in more brands, mainly jewelry.

He said that he was told that this expansion not only means more exhibition pieces, but they are expecting a much larger allocation of watches once the build out is complete. They're expecting to be done and moved back in around Christmas this year.

I asked if they will have Rolex at the temporary location, and the rumor proved true. He said no--they will not have Rolex here until they move back into the remodeled store. It was a bit of an awkward interaction, but it did put my mind at ease that I should expect for them to have Rolex again. It is an odd situation with them being taken off the Rolex website, but I imagine whatever their temporary location is will not be up to snuff for Rolex's expectations since the AD is unlikely to make a lot of investment into a Rolex section at a facility they'll have for 8-9 months.

I talked to the same friend after who's very experienced in getting tough pieces, and his advice was to hold out. He agreed I should check in with a reminder about the Daytona a couple times this year to stay on their mind, and when October/November comes around, start trying to dial up the pressure with the GM and remind him of my situation.
His thoughts were that the approaching the GM or owner right now would almost certainly result in an "I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do until Rolex comes back, and you're at the top of the list when it does." And that doing so would likely get on their nerves and make it less likely for them to want to call me.
I can kinda get that. They have a ton of customers that are now being delayed. If they pull a string at another store for me, it may set precedent for others. At the same time, I don't imagine many other customers have my story.

Now things are confirmed, would you guys just accept the year's wait, or would you try to make a case to an owner now to go through another store? Would you think it would likely sour the store here on me to do so?

I'm leaning towards my best path would be to reach out to the GM in a couple weeks as this settles down some for him and just say, "I was really hoping to keep to the February timeline. Here's how everything has played out from my perspective. Is there any way you could talk to an owner for me and see if he'd be willing to let me buy one from another store?" I think it wouldn't really hurt me a lot--more upside than downside.

[Daytona king]

———“They have a ton of customers that are now being delayed. If they pull a string at another store for me, it may set precedent for others. At the same time, I don't imagine many other customers have my story.

Now things are confirmed, would you guys just accept the year's wait, or would you try to make a case to an owner now to go through another store? Would you think it would likely sour the store here on me to do so?

I'm leaning towards my best path would be to reach out to the GM in a couple weeks as this settles down some for him and just say, "I was really hoping to keep to the February timeline. Here's how everything has played out from my perspective. Is there any way you could talk to an owner for me and see if he'd be willing to let me buy one from another store?" I think it wouldn't really hurt me a lot--more upside than downside”- Mr Bolton ———


Just to answer your question above. If they were losing Rolex go to the owner. Since they are not, I don’t think they would make an exception for you when they have thousands of other clients in the same boat. The panda is a VIP watch. Let’s make that much clear. It just is. So you’re asking the owner/gm to bump a VIP down the list and take their allocation in order to fulfill a salesman’s empty promise. He said he thinks he can get it for you within a year. A SA has little to no pull. A VIP with real spending power behind them trumps all, with the exception of having a personal relationship with the owner/ GM.

I get why you say it’s doesn’t hurt to ask. But you yourself said you were not a whale. I wouldn’t want to bring my account to the owners attention to have him take a deeper look at it and possibly deem
My account not worthy. It’s your GM who is going to bat for you.

I say listen to your friend, sit tight. Go grey market if needed in the meantime. Sell if back to little to no loss when you get your panda in a year I think putting more
Pressure on them starting around October December Makes a lot of sense. They will probably forget by then what was talked about and discussed in January. Have some patience. Maybe look to grow your relationship at other ADs or their other locations.


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[Duke Nukem]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

Update: I went by the AD today to get some jewelry purchased there cleaned. The GM was not there today, but I was mainly on a fact finding mission anyway. There is still Rolex branding outside, and there is a very scant selection of exhibition pieces (literally 5) with most slots empty. I saw someone picking up a Deep Sea purchase while I was in there.
I remarked to my SA that the selection of exhibition pieces were really low, and I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable when he answered, "This is all we'll have until we move into the new store."
He went on to say that they're moving to a nearby temporary location around March, and they're going to be knocking out the wall where the Rolex section is now and building it out to have a full Rolex room and private pickup room, a larger space for the Rolex watchmaker, and on the other side of the store knocking that wall out to expand further into where the parking lot is now to make room to bring in more brands, mainly jewelry.

He said that he was told that this expansion not only means more exhibition pieces, but they are expecting a much larger allocation of watches once the build out is complete. They're expecting to be done and moved back in around Christmas this year.

I asked if they will have Rolex at the temporary location, and the rumor proved true. He said no--they will not have Rolex here until they move back into the remodeled store. It was a bit of an awkward interaction, but it did put my mind at ease that I should expect for them to have Rolex again. It is an odd situation with them being taken off the Rolex website, but I imagine whatever their temporary location is will not be up to snuff for Rolex's expectations since the AD is unlikely to make a lot of investment into a Rolex section at a facility they'll have for 8-9 months.

I talked to the same friend after who's very experienced in getting tough pieces, and his advice was to hold out. He agreed I should check in with a reminder about the Daytona a couple times this year to stay on their mind, and when October/November comes around, start trying to dial up the pressure with the GM and remind him of my situation.
His thoughts were that the approaching the GM or owner right now would almost certainly result in an "I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do until Rolex comes back, and you're at the top of the list when it does." And that doing so would likely get on their nerves and make it less likely for them to want to call me.
I can kinda get that. They have a ton of customers that are now being delayed. If they pull a string at another store for me, it may set precedent for others. At the same time, I don't imagine many other customers have my story.

Now things are confirmed, would you guys just accept the year's wait, or would you try to make a case to an owner now to go through another store? Would you think it would likely sour the store here on me to do so?

I'm leaning towards my best path would be to reach out to the GM in a couple weeks as this settles down some for him and just say, "I was really hoping to keep to the February timeline. Here's how everything has played out from my perspective. Is there any way you could talk to an owner for me and see if he'd be willing to let me buy one from another store?" I think it wouldn't really hurt me a lot--more upside than downside.

You’re being played and your passive nature is being taken advantage of. My previous recommendation still stands. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. I don’t think you’re going to get much further traction on this thread from others, as it has simply run its course.

[Akacoke]

Your course of action might not affect how they play their hand anyways. Your friend with experience def makes sense when your AD is coming back. But You will need to ask yourself 2 questions if the AD is really coming back and if the 126 panda will be your one and done or you will have other pieces you need. Imo if I were u, I either will wait it out till end of year and don't do or say anything at all till new store comes back. Or if I believe the new store is not coming back at all, I'll call the owner . Again calling the owner might still achieve nothing at all but burning the bridge completely.

[Daytona king]

Originally Posted by Akacoke

Your course of action might not affect how they play their hand anyways. Your friend with experience def makes sense when your AD is coming back. But You will need to ask yourself 2 questions if the AD is really coming back and if the 126 panda will be your one and done or you will have other pieces you need. Imo if I were u, I either will wait it out till end of year and don't do or say anything at all till new store comes back. Or if I believe the new store is not coming back at all, I'll call the owner . Again calling the owner might still achieve nothing at all but burning the bridge completely.

Very sound Advice imo


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[Daytona king]

Originally Posted by Duke Nukem

You’re being played and your passive nature is being taken advantage of. My previous recommendation still stands. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. I don’t think you’re going to get much further traction on this thread from others, as it has simply run its course.

I don’t disagree with this, but how would he speak with the owner and get his point across to get his panda and not throw everyone under the bus? I think he stated this was his ultimate grail but he still wanted other watches from this AD.


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[Tenzing]

Yikes I'd never have this kind of self control

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

Update: I went by the AD today to get some jewelry purchased there cleaned. The GM was not there today, but I was mainly on a fact finding mission anyway. There is still Rolex branding outside, and there is a very scant selection of exhibition pieces (literally 5) with most slots empty. I saw someone picking up a Deep Sea purchase while I was in there.
I remarked to my SA that the selection of exhibition pieces were really low, and I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable when he answered, "This is all we'll have until we move into the new store."
He went on to say that they're moving to a nearby temporary location around March, and they're going to be knocking out the wall where the Rolex section is now and building it out to have a full Rolex room and private pickup room, a larger space for the Rolex watchmaker, and on the other side of the store knocking that wall out to expand further into where the parking lot is now to make room to bring in more brands, mainly jewelry.

He said that he was told that this expansion not only means more exhibition pieces, but they are expecting a much larger allocation of watches once the build out is complete. They're expecting to be done and moved back in around Christmas this year.

I asked if they will have Rolex at the temporary location, and the rumor proved true. He said no--they will not have Rolex here until they move back into the remodeled store. It was a bit of an awkward interaction, but it did put my mind at ease that I should expect for them to have Rolex again. It is an odd situation with them being taken off the Rolex website, but I imagine whatever their temporary location is will not be up to snuff for Rolex's expectations since the AD is unlikely to make a lot of investment into a Rolex section at a facility they'll have for 8-9 months.

I talked to the same friend after who's very experienced in getting tough pieces, and his advice was to hold out. He agreed I should check in with a reminder about the Daytona a couple times this year to stay on their mind, and when October/November comes around, start trying to dial up the pressure with the GM and remind him of my situation.
His thoughts were that the approaching the GM or owner right now would almost certainly result in an "I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do until Rolex comes back, and you're at the top of the list when it does." And that doing so would likely get on their nerves and make it less likely for them to want to call me.
I can kinda get that. They have a ton of customers that are now being delayed. If they pull a string at another store for me, it may set precedent for others. At the same time, I don't imagine many other customers have my story.

Now things are confirmed, would you guys just accept the year's wait, or would you try to make a case to an owner now to go through another store? Would you think it would likely sour the store here on me to do so?

I'm leaning towards my best path would be to reach out to the GM in a couple weeks as this settles down some for him and just say, "I was really hoping to keep to the February timeline. Here's how everything has played out from my perspective. Is there any way you could talk to an owner for me and see if he'd be willing to let me buy one from another store?" I think it wouldn't really hurt me a lot--more upside than downside.

Just out of curiosity, you didn't mention to your SA at all about the Daytona? On how you have been very patient, on how hard it was to pass on the black, but was banking on his word, hoping that the white would be offered to you by this time? I would have reminded him about the 1 year/February timeline as well. With this last interaction and info you found out, it sounds as if it will be a minimum additional wait of another year! This is very disheartening.

At this point there is obviously not a whole lot you can do. However, I personally wouldn't wait until October/November before putting at least a little (friendly) pressure on. I like your last plan of action. However, I would first ask your SA if he can approach the GM and see if some strings can be pulled. With this way, you are going through the right channels and nobody is going to get upset. I'm sure your SA remembers his promise, knows how you feel, and would love to try and make this happen for you if he can!

It's good that they will have a temporary location. I personally would continue to stop in when you are able to on a casual basis. If on one of those visits, you run into the GM, I would do exactly as you were planning to do and explain your story and request to him. As I mentioned in a previous response here, it would be the best scenario if both the GM and your SA were together while you plead your case. Once again, I feel that is going through the correct channels and nobody has a reason to get upset.

Normally, doing something like this will get you nowhere. However, since you have a unique case, I think you might have a good chance! Bottom line is if you don't ask, you definitely won't get. I believe in the "squeaky wheel", but don't get too "squeaky"! Best of luck.

[4 Aussies]

High-ticket jewelry purchasers and special occasion whales will always be rewarded before you; considering that, you're in for a multi-year disappointment ride, it's time to get off the train and seek out a trusted seller.

[Triggerfish]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

High-ticket jewelry purchasers and special occasion whales will always be rewarded before you; considering that, you're in for a multi-year disappointment ride, it's time to get off the train and seek out a trusted seller.

But there are certainly no guarantees, I've read the stories of people with big spend histories getting passed up for a "favorite customer".

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by 4 Aussies

High-ticket jewelry purchasers and special occasion whales will always be rewarded before you; considering that, you're in for a multi-year disappointment ride, it's time to get off the train and seek out a trusted seller.

Normally, I would say that you are 110% right! However, in this scenario the OP has a unique case. By his own testimony, he is NOT a whale and he did receive the call for this hard to get piece. With the promise of the SA to get him the one he really wants and ultimately convincing him to pass.......I believe the OP has a good chance to get one. While there are no guarantees, I would fully exhaust this option before going the TS route. I am truly keeping my fingers crossed for the OP.

Originally Posted by Triggerfish

But there are certainly no guarantees, I've read the stories of people with big spend histories getting passed up for a "favorite customer".

This is true!

[cloud_flare12345]

Good luck to OP! I was told I was “next” at a small AD, but they lost their franchise starting Jan 1. So that’s never happening

[Daytona king]

Originally Posted by cloud_flare12345

Good luck to OP! I was told I was “next” at a small AD, but they lost their franchise starting Jan 1. So that’s never happening

Man, that sucks. I wonder if any ADs have been pulled mid year or are they all done right before the 1st.


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[HMHM]

I am going to be honest here - I think you should be careful with what your SA says about Rolex returning to the fold during Xmas this year.... I know of ADs who had remodelling done, and they were not removed from the AD database on Rolex website. If you are under a large group AD, chances are that the particular store you frequent may no longer be a Rolex AD, but in another location they still carry Rolex. I hope I am wrong for your sake, just be careful if they are trying to push more stuff to you to "improve" your chances of getting a white dial Daytona.

[time_and_cars]

My friend i stuck with what i say time ago …. You make a mistake let it go the black dial Daytona for sure

Second no Rolex AD should lost the status because of a remodeling (i know for fact that don’t happen, because my Ad is remodeling the Store and rolex are still in display even tho the store is full of workers outside)

Third if youre friend with the owners why you would spend 1 second talking with the SP or the Manager … don't makes sense at all


Sorry if im a little bit harsh but you make a mistake and you know it is true …..

[SVH]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

Update: I went by the AD today to get some jewelry purchased there cleaned. ... I saw someone picking up a Deep Sea purchase while I was in there...

this is almost painful to read. I agree with the above posts, it sounds like you are getting played and the high rollers and whales will still be ahead next year.

does this remind anyone else of pining after a girl who is just not into you? it's bringing back long-forgotten high school crush memories.

Buy a full set from a trusted seller and move on. If you can pay retail for the watch, you can pay the grey likely without trimming the daily expenses much if anything.

[Chazzrolex]

I admire your honest explanation and I wish you get the White one soon.
Its time to spend your hard earned money in what you REALLY want and not feeling guilty or being fool for taking " what arrived".
The patience is the weapon of the warrior!!!

[GONZO2LR]

Dude, get the Rolex YOU want....not what they offer you!!

If you were to get it and It's not the white face one.....after the new wears off...you will look at it and say.........Damn....it's not the white one.....GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

[Rolexnabzy]

Originally Posted by GONZO2LR

Dude, get the Rolex YOU want....not what they offer you!!

If you were to get it and It's not the white face one.....after the new wears off...you will look at it and say.........Damn....it's not the white one.....GRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

I think the consensus with many of us here is that while the black dial was not his particular choice, given the known incredible difficulty in obtaining either the Panda or the black dial Daytona, the OP could have rolled the dice with the black dial and if after sometime he still craved the Panda used the black dial watch to trade for a Panda in the gray market. Also, a year ago when this all started the price difference between both dials in the gray market was fairly negligible, although these days that gap seems to be widening.....

And while the OPs stance on not flipping watches even to obtain other watches is admirable, there is a game we are all playing here and there are reprocussions of not taking advantage of such situations, fact of the matter is not only are we almost one year out from the original post but now the ADs Rolex future status is in question....lessons to be learned I guess....

Anyways, like the rest of us I do wish the OP all the best in obtaining his elusive Panda....

[fskywalker]

OP hope you do get your white dial Daytona but seems may not happen anytime soon


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[BlackandBlue80]

It has been over 3 weeks, any updates? Did you get to talk to the manager or owners? Keep us updated!

[maveric]

This sounds like an example of a proverbial saying.

[arrey]

Originally Posted by mobster600

I would call your SA tomorrow and tell them you slept on it and will take the black dial. Just trade it with a reputable dealer for the white. The white might never come. You got the call its yours, its a no brainer

+1
Exactly!