Does frequent contact with ADs amount to anything?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by DG123

A watch is not worth more than one's dignity.

+100000000000000000


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[rohada]

It has worked for me to get a Pepsi GMT without any purchase history. I drop in every few months or so. Too frequently may be weird and uncomfortable. I have developed a very good rapport with the SA. My SA actually records the visits in my file on her iPad (or she may be playing Candy Crush). Regardless, it did result in a Pepsi GMT.

I would also say it depends on the AD, the SA, part of the country (or world), the watch you want, time of day, weather that day, the day of the week, color of your eyes, etc. I deal with a regional chain and I deal with only this one location within that chain. The others are not convenient to me. I wish you well.

[GST15]

I believe in face to face contact and establishing a level of trust. Others may feel differently, and maybe its because my AD is a small family owned establishment. I had no purchase history, and since my first Rolex, I have purchased a few Jewlery items, but things I would have purchased elsewhere. In three years, I have purchased five Rolex watches at retail.
So I stop in whenever I am in town to share a cup of coffee and talk watches. No pressure. Sometimes I bring in coffee or lunch, and sometimes they give me some Rolex bling. It is how I live my life, and it works for me.

[S.Explorer]

I think it worked to obtain an OP as a starter without prior spend (it's very difficult in the UK). Now whether I'll be able to get another Rolex on my wishlist is a mystery.

[kegan]

Originally Posted by amh

This is the truth.

Frequent purchase of non-Rolex product will get some attention. Rolex is the reward for loyalty.

Probably right, full on pathetic is much more successful than “kinda”pathetic.

[amh]

Originally Posted by kegan

Probably right, full on pathetic is much more successful than “kinda”pathetic.

[D3R3K]

I'm fortunate to work a couple of blocks away from my AD. I stop in once every other month or so just to chat and talk watches. We've developed a good rapport and I feel that there is mutual enjoyment to our conversations. I was able to get a submariner date within a few months and I'm hopeful that I will be able get a Pepsi GMT in the next couple of months.

[CarlOver]

Be patient. Let them know what you want and that you don't need other watches. Plenty of folks have received the watches they want without purchase history. Best watch at MSRP.

[Travis29]

Originally Posted by amh

This is the truth.

Frequent purchase of non-Rolex product will get some attention. Rolex is the reward for loyalty.

I think it’s subjective- I’m always in the area where my AD is located. Made sense to say hi while there. Dropped in 5 times landed 2 watches. 40% success rate. Each was “oh I was going to call you.”

[Shmoopy]

Originally Posted by Cigars&Watches

I would certainly go back semi frequently and show your face when convenient for you. I think this will show them you are a serious buyer and a watch enthusiast for popping in as opposed to the dozens who just message..: Talk watches and other mutual interests.. bringing in friends/referrals who are also into watches is helpful I think.. check out if there are any new exhibition models and other lines.. ask questions but don’t repeatedly ask for the piece and pester them.. good luck

Spot on. This would be my suggestion.

[MinMay]

Once a year should be fine but warm up to your favorite SA each time. Just let the SA that you’re still interested even if it takes 5 years. By then you should have a free Rolex from investing your money elsewhere.

[Hardtimes]

IMO I would say ONLY if you are spending money. Its a business, they dont care if you come in to chit chat unless your wallet is open.

[Laostuh]

I'm going to say it depends on the SA you encounter. I've visited numerous AD's in the LA/OC area. I recently encountered one in LA whos already offered me something although not in my exact configuration. Mind you its only been a couple weeks since our first interaction. I'm hopeful that "its happening".

[train-time]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I met my SA in 1997 when he was working at a multi-line watch only store. We hit it off well and I consider him a friend. Over the years I always visited with him from time to time, we talked watches, cars, hobbies, families, vacations, etc.
When I’ve asked for a watch he gives me a time estimate but I still check in regularly to see how things are going. All this may seem like TMI but my advice is to drop in occasionally to chat, you will get your watch sooner.

Great story here and this is the best advice!

I met my SA about 20 years ago and we have stayed in touch along the way. Back then they were not a Rolex AD but they had most other brands. Along the way I was considered among their "friends & family" group of customers. They got Rolex a little over 10 years ago. He's always been a straight shooter and has become the manager of the store. It's a big store with countless watch brands and I always got the best deal on anything I needed.

Given the way things have been over the past couple of years he has been as fair as he could be, although I suspect there is more going on behind the scenes with the allocation of pieces given the demand.

It would be interesting to be behind the scenes at an AD and have to deal with the "customer" and know what reality actuality is. I once told him that his life as an AD was akin to being Willie Wonka in "The Candy Man." I can hear the theme song in my head now.... He didn't get it!

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Hardtimes

IMO I would say ONLY if you are spending money. Its a business, they dont care if you come in to chit chat unless your wallet is open.

That's a bingo.

Sure, there are some great, feel good stories here and there about getting the Rolex of ones dreams as a first time customer, but odds are really against that happening...

You really just need to buy stuff and not be too neurotic. Of course, the more one spends, the more odd WIS behavior an AD will tolerate...

So, just be a cool dude who organically buys lots and lots of blended margin items and your Rolexes will start flowing to you easy peasy.

[bluestreak]

Originally Posted by DG123

A watch is not worth more than one's dignity.

I am glad that my self-esteem and sense of self-worth is high enough that my sense of dignity is not offended by going to a store quarterly or semiannually and treating a salesperson (high school education or no) as if he were an actual human being on my level.

Hell, there are enough anecdotes in this forum that people have lucked into a watch just by walking in at the right time, that popping in occasionally might get you what you want.

[jb335]

I stop in every 6 weeks or so for just a quick hello, look at exhibtion pieces, talk shop, Rolex rumors, new watch releases etc.

I never ask if my watch is in beacuse I know if it was, he'd tell me!! And never text or email.

I'm usually in there for 5-10 minutes.

Like most things in life, you need a balance. Don't be a pest but you also have to show face and remind them you're still around and still interested.

Not sayng my approach is perfect but is working okay for me. I get 1 or 2 watches a year fron my AD.

[Vince M.]

Buy a little bit of jewelry. This helps tremendously, especially if you are local.

[Greenwood_]

Yes - I think building a genuine business relationship with your SA makes a difference when it comes to allocations.

Buying the jewellery and watches we like is a large part of this, but we also call past when in the area every few months to catch up.

Another bonus is visiting the AD for events and exhibitions - it’s a great opportunity to see interesting and uncommon watches that I’m never likely to own (this is amazing DD!).

[Spoonage]

I would say not necessarily frequency but the quality of the communication. In my case I would visit the store and talk to my SA and also the staff. When we talked it was not just watches it was more casual and I never went in demanding or expecting anyone to bend over backwards to get me a piece. Almost jokingly one day I asked what the wait on a white SS Daytona was (I did want one but figured the multi-year list). The Manager said she'd get back to me and a couple days later she said I'd have one in a few months. She went straight to the owners and said I deserved it and they said yes. Never put on a list, first time I asked about the Daytona, I am far from being a whale. All I did was be nice to all of the staff and honest with what I wanted. This was pre-covid but goes to show that being nice paid off.

[SS Oyster]

Maybe ... depends.

[2loaded]

yes, empty wallet.
You've been warned.

[archer1021]

I really do understand the comments about dignity and not kissing anyone’s dear for a “watch” and I also share that opinion. However, the watch market of the past in terms of a few key brands is simply gone. It has become this way because so many more people now want and care about these watches. (Probably due to social media).

That state of the watch market is, that it is a allocation based model at this point and going forward. Much like Ferrari will not allocate you a new release or hard to get release unless you have purchased multiple cars from them. Would one say a Ferrari collector is not a car enthusiast because they play the same game many of us play with Rolex and patek?

I have purchased quite a bit of hard to find pieces from my AD and at this current state of the market, a purchase relationship does kind of matter if you want fairly easy and quick access to the most desired timepieces on the planet at their retail price. Do I like it? Not really. Have I done it? Yes.


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[Langeholic]

Originally Posted by kegan

Probably right, full on pathetic is much more successful than “kinda”pathetic.

Referring directly to other members in this very thread as being “full on pathetic” is just classic unhindered internet rudeness. Do you speak like this to people in person? Or is it just internet anonymity allowing you to act like this?

This is how some of the comments in this thread, including yours, reads:

“With regard to visiting the shop once in a while to increase your chances of getting the items you want—your actions are contemptible and so are you. You are beneath me.”

Honestly, I find the lack of empathy and respect in the aforementioned comments in this thread to be appalling. In the private watch groups I’m in, nobody talks like this.

[kegan]

Originally Posted by Langeholic

Referring directly to other members in this very thread as being “full on pathetic” is just classic unhindered internet rudeness. Do you speak like this to people in person? Or is it just internet anonymity allowing you to act like this?

This is how some of the comments in this thread, including yours, reads:

“With regard to visiting the shop once in a while to increase your chances of getting the items you want—your actions are contemptible and so are you. You are beneath me.”

Honestly, I find the lack of empathy and respect in the aforementioned comments in this thread to be appalling. In the private watch groups I’m in, nobody talks like this.

Also internet rudeness is singling someone out by clearly not reading through the post and taking them completely out of context. If you were to do that you would see that I directly referred to no one and the poster I was quoting clearly took it as the joke I meant it to be,at least I think that’s what this means. By the way I do speak plainly to others in person and regularly call out b.s. when necessary. It’s a highly successful means of communication. Thanks for asking. That being said there also a lot of truth to what you have pointed out and I will apologize if I have offended anyone and I will try to less of my flawed self in the future.

[4rnold]

Originally Posted by DG123

A watch is not worth more than one's dignity.

Great quote, great qoute

[Ichiran]

My AD has everyone's recent spending in their database and the management allocates based on cold hard figures. If you really like your AD as a friend, by all means talk to them, but watch allocation has a different set of rule - $$$$$.

[CFR]

Originally Posted by Driver8

Maybe a restraining order?

I was going to post something similar but you were funnier and pithier. You win!

To the OP: The two things we know with certainty are (1) there is no clear answer to your question and (2) we don't live forever. So if you don't actually enjoy visiting your SA and schmoozing with them -- if that feels like a chore and if you have to go out of your way to do that -- then save yourself the time and uncertainty by going gray/preowned as long as you can comfortably afford any premium.

Also, don't be too hard on yourself for passing up that earlier opportunity. Everyone who has been into watches for a while has had multiple experiences like that -- the regrets that make us cringe when we think about them.

[amh]

Originally Posted by kegan

Also internet rudeness is singling someone out by clearly not reading through the post and taking them completely out of context. If you were to do that you would see that I directly referred to no one and the poster I was quoting clearly took it as the joke I meant it to be,at least I think that’s what this means. By the way I do speak plainly to others in person and regularly call out b.s. when necessary. It’s a highly successful means of communication. Thanks for asking. That being said there also a lot of truth to what you have pointed out and I will apologize if I have offended anyone and I will try to less of my flawed self in the future.

I took your comments as rather humorous!
To note:
- No TRF user in the current thread was named or refereneced.
- We were talking about hypothetical behavior at an AD. That's what the whole thread is about!

And yes, in general the internet is more unguarded & rude than people in real life.

Originally Posted by CFR

I was going to post something similar but you were funnier and pithier. You win!

To the OP: The two things we know with certainty are (1) there is no clear answer to your question and (2) we don't live forever. So if you don't actually enjoy visiting your SA and schmoozing with them -- if that feels like a chore and if you have to go out of your way to do that -- then save yourself the time and uncertainty by going gray/preowned as long as you can comfortably afford any premium.

Also, don't be too hard on yourself for passing up that earlier opportunity. Everyone who has been into watches for a while has had multiple experiences like that -- the regrets that make us cringe when we think about them.

Your post should be a sticky. My wife & I share some good memories of picking up a watch from a good AD (unfortunately closed.) These days however the experience is very different and my BS meter is constantly pegged, wife won't even step foot in an AD.

[Tim Plains]

Originally Posted by Travis29

Yep, 2 pcs in 5 months

Your one off many wanting the same model. consistency is key, build a relationship. I dropped in monthly to say hi or ask about updates. Dnt expect them to chase u down.

And you have never bought anything else from that AD?