Latest AD visit .

[mfm22]

Had some spare time so I figured why not take a ride. Get to the Dealer ,which is located in a large & affluent shopping area , park car and saunter into shop .

Greated immediately by security and several SA's. This shop is very professional and friendly . Always willing to discuss products ( they carry many luxury brands ). I tried on a few watches BB58, OP41 (display model ) , even got around to JLC counter to look at a reverso . All in all very pleasant experience as always . But then ...

I was walking by Grand Seiko counter and couldn't help hearing a patron explaining / extolling the virtues of his seemingly vast Rolex collection .
He must have mentioned 6 or 7 different models from Pepsi gmt to Daytona .
Was it passive bragging or just small talk ? Don't know but as I left the store and walked to my car I realized I'm a small fish in a big ocean !
Surrounded by Porsches , Maserati, Mercedes, etc . What are the odds this dealership would give 2 rats a$$ about my wanting a lowly OP.

Yeah I let it get in my head , never really felt intimidated like that before .
No one knows my net worth , how my portfolio is doing ( do I have a portfolio ?? Lol) etc. but I do know there are plenty of "heavy Hitters " with some large purchase history working for them .

I should have come to this realization the last visit , there was a standard Poodle in the store ( heavy hitters are allowed to have dogs in store ). Pretty sure the dog had a diamond studded collar & the woman holing leash had trouble lifting hands - multiple Cartier Bracelets weighing them down

[messikens]

Is there a conclusion / point / question to this or the realization suddenly hit you that you're not the richest person in the world (outside of Elon, neither are 8bn other people)?

If so - let me reassure you, neither am I.

[jets]

Some of the richest people I know walk around like average joes with decent clothes that have no labels. Most people with real wealth play it down while others flaunt what little they have as abundance. Even the biggest fish have to worry about bigger ones.

[dnd2984]

I have like 10 models and few GMTs and Daytonas... One of my good friend has 5711, 5712, and few other Pateks. We are all small fish in someones pond. Buy and live within your means. ADs hate bragging, at least mine does.

[Reikolexguy]

Was at a factory floor once to visit a client and there was a guy working on one of the machines that had broken down.

He was surrounded by a bunch of other engineers in the factory. They were clueless about what went wrong with the production line machine.

The guy was covered in grease and sweat by the time he was done.

Turned out to be the billionaire owner of the company. He actually fixed the damn machine.

Sometimes you just can’t tell when someone is loaded.


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[CarlOver]

I think the AD can appreciate and honest person looking for a nice watch. Those folks you described are just a bit difficult to understand. But for some, the one with the most x, wins.

[MRBolton]

I've knowingly met a billionaire only one time. I was in college working at a retail store called Orvis. The gentleman dressed like any other customer and bought some fly fishing supplies. I didn't think anything of it until my manager who was nearby overheard him say his name when I asked to bring up his customer profile.
As soon as he walked out, she was like, "DID YOU KNOW WHO THAT WAS?!" She told me, and I was very surprised because it didn't at all meet the profile in my head for who would be the literal wealthiest person in the state at the time.
Of course, we immediately looked his address up on Zillow/Google out of invasive curiosity. Per Zillow and satellite view, his house was nowhere near what I imagined someone worth that amount to live at. Yes, it was nice. I think at the time it was "only" worth about $1.5m at a time when a nice "normal" house would be $200k to $250k here. Still, people worth less than 2% his wealth had seemingly "nicer" houses.
I always made great efforts to try to treat all customers the same, but that happening really reinforced why I did that. As others said here, you never know. I met with a guy worth over $50m a few months ago, and he wore a pair of Levis and a shirt that may have come from Walmart.

That all said, that customer you saw with the dog in the diamond collar, her financial status may not be all that you think. Additionally, the "elite" seemingly 0.5% who are of that financial position aren't going to prop up the entire store. They need the "peons" like you that are more than likely the bread and butter of their revenue. Yes, a "big fish" is nice, but their $50k tennis bracelet purchase a couple times a year may not keep the lights on as much as the thousands of other transactions worth a fraction of that.

Your sales associate in there can relate more to you than he/she can to the "big fish." Befriend them, and you'll be in a good position hopefully. If they didn't value you, they probably wouldn't be so friendly.

[shaunylw]

Did you just now realize there are people with real money in this world, and things come easier to those people? Lol.


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[Watchsprings]

Never be intimidated by a poodle!

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jets

Some of the richest people I know walk around like average joes with decent clothes that have no labels. Most people with real wealth play it down while others flaunt what little they have as abundance. Even the biggest fish have to worry about bigger ones.

I can relate Mario. One of the wealthiest people I know dresses like a hobo, and drives a 2017 Silverado

[Bill11783]

I did not have any spend history at a similar store. Called them and spoke to a SA over the phone and expressed interest in a Datejust Wimbledon Oyster bracelet and smooth bezel. Received a call a month later offering it to me. I could not get down to the store for a few days and ended up passing. Regretted it later. Several months later I was offered a few other nice pieces and a sports model. Over the past year , my wife and I bought smaller items and now we established a spend history. Expensive cars all around, people with much higher net worth…does not matter at all to me. Good for them. I am not intimidated about what other people drive or how much money they spend. Put the request in for your OP. You never know. Good luck.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by Watchsprings

Never be intimidated by a poodle!

, no.

I learned something. I thought non-miniature poodles were just poodles. Never knew ‘standard poodle’ was the proper breed name.

I like cats anyway.

[teck21]

Contrary to what is often postulated on forums such as these, ‘heavy hitters’ are not the mainstay of the Rolex customer base.

It is comforting to think that ‘heavy hitters’ are responsible for the ‘average guy’ not being able to join the Rolex club, reality is far more nuanced.

Unless these heavy hitters enjoy buying and keeping the same watches year after year, there aren’t enough heavy hitters in the world to absorb Rolex’s annual production for any sustained period of time.


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[temporarychicken]

Not all the super rich will fill their walk-in wardrobes with Rolex.

You've got to be either an enthusiast collector or investor to buy a large amount.

Elon Musk could buy all the bananas in the world if he wishes. He has the resources.

But, he probably only wants one for his lunch like anybody else.

[stark1]

Not sure what the point of the post is, but PSA I guess: I've never had an issue bringing my corgi into any jeweler or AD anywhere, in any city, in any state. Every SA at my local AD in fact knows her by name and grabs treats for her each visit. I doesn't matter if you're a big spender or not, as it's more about being a "regular", nice and upfront person to them.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I can relate Mario. One of the wealthiest people I know dresses like a hobo, and drives a 2017 Silverado

Well, except for the Chevy thing, he has good sense in vehicles.

[mountainjogger]

Sorry OP. But are you just coming around to the fact that, for the most part, people of average financial means do not shop at AD's?

[skipstar]

I am plankton when it comes to comparing to fish in the sea, what I do have is a great personality and a great relationship with my SA and she is outstanding to me and my wife. All my watches are from the same SA except my 1st Sub 24 years ago. You to my friend can get what you want with a little patience. Good luck!

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by mfm22

I should have come to this realization the last visit, there was a standard Poodle in the store (heavy hitters are allowed to have dogs in-store). Pretty sure the dog had a diamond-studded collar & the woman holding leash....

Are you sure you were at a timepiece AD and not an upscale S&M store?

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

Are you sure you were at a timepiece AD and not an upscale S&M store?

Do they have waitlists also?

[1William]

Such is life. Someone is always bigger, richer, better looking, etc. No competition except with yourself. Be respectful of yourself and others and go and do as you please. Enjoy the watch hobby. Easy.

[EEpro]

If truly rich someone else would have been following her around holding the leash. Amateur.

[Calatrava r]

Its why hot Rolex watches are so tough to get in the last few years. It is not the flippers, never was, but all the wealthy "collectors" hoarding every model they can get, and their funds are limitless.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

I’ve had two stealth billionaires as clients in my work life, one was decent, the other was humble, both were reserved. The guy in the store talking about all his watches was none of those things. You on the other hand we’re all of them. Who do the think the SA appreciated more?

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

I’ve had two stealth billionaires as clients in my work life, one was decent, the other was humble, both were reserved. The guy in the store talking about all his watches was none of those things. You on the other hand we’re all of them. Who do the think the SA appreciated more?

Well said.

OP, you can get one from an AD. Visit with them. Develop a relationship. Be yourself. Hopefully, that includes some humility. That one specific, ingredient can serve us well.


Just another WIS who loves to trade.
IG @bladeandwatch1

[joa]

one explanation for the guy talking about his collection is that he wanted to demonstrate to the AD that he is a collector, not a flipper.

[10XRolex]

Mike, since it shows you are from NY. I will take the guess and say you are speaking of London Jewelers Manhasset location.

Not the store itself or the employee's; they are all fantastic and down to the earth that I stand on; even the owners. But the mall itself and a large population of the customer base is definitely on a whole different wtf financial stratosphere. It could be a bit overwhelming per say but at the end of the day, your pants go on the same way as theirs do.

Enjoy wanting an OP. And if that's what you want, go back in when it's not a crazy day and tell them that. I'm sure they can make it happen for you.

[10XRolex]

Originally Posted by stark1

Not sure what the point of the post is, but PSA I guess: I've never had an issue bringing my corgi into any jeweler or AD anywhere, in any city, in any state. Every SA at my local AD in fact knows her by name and grabs treats for her each visit. I doesn't matter if you're a big spender or not, as it's more about being a "regular", nice and upfront person to them.

I might have a bit of an issue going into an AD. I have 3 Corgi's.

[MSL]

Millionaire next door:Timex

[train-time]

Originally Posted by mfm22

Had some spare time so I figured why not take a ride. Get to the Dealer ,which is located in a large & affluent shopping area , park car and saunter into shop .

Greated immediately by security and several SA's. This shop is very professional and friendly . Always willing to discuss products ( they carry many luxury brands ). I tried on a few watches BB58, OP41 (display model ) , even got around to JLC counter to look at a reverso . All in all very pleasant experience as always . But then ...

I was walking by Grand Seiko counter and couldn't help hearing a patron explaining / extolling the virtues of his seemingly vast Rolex collection .
He must have mentioned 6 or 7 different models from Pepsi gmt to Daytona .
Was it passive bragging or just small talk ? Don't know but as I left the store and walked to my car I realized I'm a small fish in a big ocean !
Surrounded by Porsches , Maserati, Mercedes, etc . What are the odds this dealership would give 2 rats a$$ about my wanting a lowly OP.

Yeah I let it get in my head , never really felt intimidated like that before .
No one knows my net worth , how my portfolio is doing ( do I have a portfolio ?? Lol) etc. but I do know there are plenty of "heavy Hitters " with some large purchase history working for them .

I should have come to this realization the last visit , there was a standard Poodle in the store ( heavy hitters are allowed to have dogs in store ). Pretty sure the dog had a diamond studded collar & the woman holing leash had trouble lifting hands - multiple Cartier Bracelets weighing them down

I know exactly what you mean Mike. I have been a customer of a local AD for nearly 20 years and have purchased dozens of watches and referred many people to this store. I am well known there, and I always thought they considered me a good customer. I was there not too long ago and was relaying a story to the manager about a guy that posted having spent in the neighborhood of $165K on jewelry and he thought that may get him a SS Daytona at his AD. The manager of my AD, who I have known for my nearly 20-year relationship with them responded that a spend of that amount at their store was not considered sufficient to warrant a SS Daytona at retail. To add insult to injury as they say, he said that $165K on Jewlery was a relatively small amount for their client base.

He then went on to say, "what really worries them is the customer that negotiates a price on $225K diamond ring and when that are ready to close the deal, the customer comes back and says he would like one of those "Daytonas" at retail also." He said they hate being held hostage on an important sale after they agreed on their best price.

I guess all the expensive cars parked next to my Subaru Forester should have been a clue to me.