AD Loyalty?

[SushiSean]

Those of you with more modest collections, such as myself. Do you try to stick with your favorite AD for your purchases, even if it means you might have to wait?

I wanted to build a good reputation with my local AD that I've bought a couple watches from, but when I was in Aruba I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to grab a Yachtmaster with Rhodium they had in stock and that I had been eying. Granted it's not the hardest watch to come by, but at the time I felt better to have it for sure then go home and hope to get it within a few weeks or months. I also quite like the idea of attaching a watch to a memory of where I was when I purchased it.

So, do you stick with your local AD even if it means a wait or do you buy it when you see it? They've already hinted strongly that they wish that I bought from them, to which I said I wish I did too but you didn't have it.

[wholecz]

No. I would rather manipulate AD and having them serve me.

[jvb.nc]

i buy from my guy exclusively. if i want a watch that he cannot get, he’ll tell me to go elsewhere. even if it’s not a rolex, i ask my guy first.

[Initial_J]

Originally Posted by jvb.nc

i buy from my guy exclusively. if i want a watch that he cannot get, he’ll tell me to go elsewhere. even if it’s not a rolex, i ask my guy first.

Does your AD take care of you in some way to be deserving of this level of loyalty?

[kieselguhr]

I try to buy from my favorite AD exclusively.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by SushiSean

Those of you with more modest collections, such as myself. Do you try to stick with your favorite AD for your purchases, even if it means you might have to wait?



I wanted to build a good reputation with my local AD that I've bought a couple watches from, but when I was in Aruba I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to grab a Yachtmaster with Rhodium they had in stock and that I had been eying. Granted it's not the hardest watch to come by, but at the time I felt better to have it for sure then go home and hope to get it within a few weeks or months. I also quite like the idea of attaching a watch to a memory of where I was when I purchased it.



So, do you stick with your local AD even if it means a wait or do you buy it when you see it? They've already hinted strongly that they wish that I bought from them, to which I said I wish I did too but you didn't have it.

ADs also sell to other customers as well, it’s a free market. I wouldn’t put all my eggs in one basket, unless the SA is a relative or good personal friend.


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[dchernikoff]

I was going to be faithful to my AD and get my next few watches from him. After all he did me well with my wife's TT DJ. But now when I come in to chat he's started mentioning how buying my wife some nice diamond or emerald earrings would "help the relationship" while I wait for that Hulk -- and he didn't mean the one between me and my wife. I'm thinking now that maybe he doesn't really care for me, just for my money. I'm hearbroken! I may have to do a "revenge buy" at another AD to get back at him!

-Dan

[uhren917]

Originally Posted by BumbleB

ADs also sell to other customers as well, it’s a free market. I wouldn’t put all my eggs in one basket, unless the SA is a relative or good personal friend.


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My "favorite AD" did help me acquire 2 relatively hard to get watches two years ago. But shortly thereafter the SA started telling me no more Stainless Sport watches for me, which was a bit of a turnoff. I did buy some jewelry and a two tone to show my appreciation, but I think the above statement of "unless...." is wise.

[Bizcut1]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

I try to buy from my favorite AD exclusively.

^^^ This. ^^^

[brucethemanlee]

i have bought all my Rolex watches from same AD for past 20 years

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by Initial_J

Does your AD take care of you in some way to be deserving of this level of loyalty?

yes.

[EdwardC]

Globally I met AD or boutique that they have genuine interest in your need but not your money. I have experienced less of that in US however.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by dchernikoff

i was going to be faithful to my ad and get my next few watches from him. After all he did me well with my wife's tt dj...

:)

[joli160]

I buy all over the place. If I "need" a watch I don't wait

[Manu74]

My AD treats me very well and gets me the watches I want within a reasonable time, so I am loyal to them.

[TswaneNguni]

I deal with many ADs.I do not take the hat in hand approach .Serves me well .

[grimps]

I've been buying Rolex's from the same dealer for 10 years , I was buying at least one a year in the days when I could have bought them cheaper from a grey dealer.
I've picked up a couple of other Rolex's while on holiday and in airports ect and have take them back to my local dealer to size for me.
Other than a little joke about how I should have seen them first they had no problems about it.

The problem is now that people are trying to start a relationship with dealers that had no interest in doing so when there was no money to be made from instant flipping , the ADs would still rather give loyal long term customers like me first refusal or someone that is prepared to spend a lot of money

[watchmaker]

I think it depends on your end goal. If you want an unobtainable watch most ADs will expect loyalty from you in advance. Rightly so.

If you are only ever picking models that are in stock everywhere, shop around for the best deal. There are great deals to be had on thousands of watches out there.

Loyalty goes two ways, so the business relationship needs to benefit both parties. If it becomes one sided my advice would always be to walk away (buyer or seller).

[Tavli3]

My AD treated me great even before I bought anything while other ADs treated myself and family members with scorn. So I will never buy a watch or anything else from the other ADs in my area. If I want a watch I'm ok waiting for it cause if my SA says she'll get one for me I know it's only a matter of time. So yes I think loyalty is important but others may have success being sort of a Free Agent. So whatever works best for you is the important thing.

[navbuhr]

My local AD in the city I live in does not show me love...so I gave my love to a friendly AD in another city - approx 1400km away - Seriously! I live in Adelaide and our local Rolex AD would not sell me a OP 34mm for my daughter! Not even something crazy like a Daytona. Called an AD in Sydney who I bought some watches from 5 years ago - he sorted me out pronto. Since then, I bought another OP39 from him. Thankfully my sister travels to Sydney for work quite a bit, so she collects it in person for me.

[Harry-57]

It's as much down to the AD to build a relationship with you as it is for you to build one with them. They need you more than you need them.

We have excellent relationships with a number of local businesses which have developed over many years. Because our local AD has been so professional, courteous and occasionally generous to us, we tend to be loyal to them. Or at least, we usually go to them first if we want something that falls into their sphere of supply.

They sell much more than just watches and many more brands than just Rolex. They might not be giving us a penny off a Rolex this year but they'll still match grey levels for other brands and do deals on jewellery, luggage, pens, accessories, etc.

It takes time. It takes a will on both sides and neither side of the relationship needs to beg the other. Maybe if we lived in or near a big city or more densely populated region we might have good relationships with multiple dealers. Where we live it isn't like that. Local is easy. Anything else is more of a stretch. If I want something badly enough I'll go any distance. Like the Sky Dweller I bought last year. But that was a special project, to secure something my local AD could not help me with.

[SDR581]

Originally Posted by jvb.nc

i buy from my guy exclusively. if i want a watch that he cannot get, he’ll tell me to go elsewhere. even if it’s not a rolex, i ask my guy first.

This! He takes care of me with discounts when he can...Otherwise I get small tokens of appreciation. This past weekend I got a couple of Rolex hats

[1William]

I have a great AD and he takes care of most of my watch needs for many different brands. He is also a collector and has great taste and offers spot on advice. I also buy, sell and trade with several of our Trusted Sellers. It has to do with getting certain watches my AD can not. I think you can have a good relationship with your AD but also look and buy elsewhere.

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by dchernikoff

I was going to be faithful to my AD and get my next few watches from him. After all he did me well with my wife's TT DJ. But now when I come in to chat he's started mentioning how buying my wife some nice diamond or emerald earrings would "help the relationship" while I wait for that Hulk -- and he didn't mean the one between me and my wife. I'm thinking now that maybe he doesn't really care for me, just for my money. I'm hearbroken! I may have to do a "revenge buy" at another AD to get back at him!

-Dan

I hope this isn’t as serious as it sounds and that you’re half-joking...

[brandrea]

I’m a one AD kind of guy. I really enjoy the atmosphere, the advice and the friendship.

I’ve never felt a burning need to own the latest Rolex just because it’s popular or what have you. When I want a reference though, and it happens to be a popular one, they have always come through for me.

I like to return that kind of loyalty in kind.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by SushiSean

AD Loyalty?

When an AD produces something I want to buy I produce my credit card.

Simple

[RHIII]

Yes, I have a long - fantastic - relationship with my AD - and have gotten every watch I’ve wanted from them — no need to go elsewhere.

[R_Rated]

Originally Posted by jvb.nc

i buy from my guy exclusively. if i want a watch that he cannot get, he’ll tell me to go elsewhere. even if it’s not a rolex, i ask my guy first.

This. I recently bought a pair; His/Hers. They had "mine" but not hers so it was an easy conversation to have them authenticate hers. They also asked what my top steel sports watch would be;)

[HONDABBQ]

Originally Posted by SushiSean

They've already hinted strongly that they wish that I bought from them, to which I said I wish I did too but you didn't have it.

Why wear it into the original AD? If you didn’t want to burn a bridge, why wear it there. Or was it to show them you were a buyer even though they wouldn’t sell?

[jburson250]

Yep, my six-digits are all from the same AD and same SA in nearby Portsmouth, NH. No reason to go elsewhere. My 5512 came from a long-gone Chicago AD.