Did I ruin my relationship with my AD?

[ItsThatKush]

I visited my local AD in a very wealthy town in Southern California. I developed a friendly initial relationship and registered my interest for some watches. They gave me a timeline and that was that. I came back a week or so later with my wife to see what size dials she’d like if I were to ever buy her one. She found the watch she liked and we registered her interest (DJ36 TT Wimbledon fluted jubilee).

I followed up a few days later to ask them what a timeline would be and if there’s any chance I could score one before our anniversary in November. The AD told me it wasn’t likely to get one that quickly.

Because the sheer amount of wealth in the area, I assumed I was never getting a call. I found her watch on the grey market for essentially retail price plus tax. Worked out the same for me anyway so I bought it with no wait. I didn’t want to risk missing out on getting the watch for her in time.

Of course less than a week after I purchased grey, the AD called me to purchase her watch. I felt sick I had to decline and miss out on building that purchase history with them. They said it was no problem and not to worry, but I feel like that was my only chance and they won’t call me again because of it.

Think I’m ever getting another chance?

[Calatrava r]

Hard to say. This was a good time to buy with it being end of August. It is generally slowest for watch sales this time of year. Too bad they did not give you a more optimistic outlook so you would have waited. That is on them, not you.

[Barada7]

Why not buy the new one and sell the one you bought gray?

[Dirt]

Time will tell so don't worry about it.
Under the circumstances you made the right decision to go grey with your wife's watch.
I assume you had an open and frank conversation with the AD around your decision to go grey on that one under the circumstances. They know you're a buyer and that you are an honest person.
Now you know the list is real and they have an eye on it.
Puting your watches through the dealer when it comes to servicing the watches at Rolex is another way to demonstrate your commitment to maintaining a relationship and goes to help getting those calls in the future
Good luck for the future and congratulations to your wife

[keyboardr]

You know what builds relationships more than watches? Jewelry for yourself or your loved ones in your life.

[Dave O]

There's not much of a way to sugar coat this. You visited/communicated with your AD/SA on three different occasions. Then, a week later they were ready to deliver you the watch you requested and you turned it down. If I were the AD/SA, I would drop you to the bottom of my list. They probably get close to a hundred of interested clients a week. Why would they waste their time with you going forward when they were ready to deliver what you requested.

Going forward, you need to decide if it's more important to build the relationship with your AD or you want instant gratification and go grey. Either way is fine, but to some extent you can't have it both ways. Had it been me, and it was important to build that relationship, I would have waited at least a few months before I gave up. That being said, continue to visit the AD and let them know you are still interested in obtaining the other watches on your list. Explain to them what happened. If you have another AD in the area you might want to start a new relationship with them as you may have burnt your bridges with this existing AD.

PS - And of course they said it was not problem and not to worry. What else are they going to tell you.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by keyboardr

You know what builds relationships more than watches? Jewelry for yourself or your loved ones in your life.

I have never done this. If you buy jewelry (or anything else) just to get a watch you might as well just go grey as it will end up costing you less in the long run.

[amh]

If you haven't already taken action it seems you have a couple choices:
1) Take the AD offer and get the 'free' champagne. Sell the Grey watch, but you'll lose some $$ for sure. Relationship preserved, FWIW.
2) Keep the Grey watch and tell AD, "So sorry, something came up, can't buy it at this time." If predictions come true and the market returns to normal you should have no problem picking up something else in the future.

It's a difficult line to walk since AD relationships are fragile. Will they ever call you again? Will the SA you worked with even be there? Will the dealer's Rolex license get pulled? How many "big fish" are ahead of you in the imaginary wish list?

Don't live in regret. I've had the same thing happen, bought Grey then AD called. We all have limited information to work with and AD promises are not reliable. Move on with life and enjoy the watch.

[77T]

Originally Posted by ItsThatKush

Think I’m ever getting another chance?

If they had more than the Rolex for your wife on your wish list, perhaps.

If they didn’t, then they’d have no reason to call.

So start talking to them as well as multiple ADs - or do as you did and stay with the secondary market.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Akacoke]

First of all enjoy your watch and congratulations. At this point it's too late now. it's a lot of should've , would've and could've. Me personally would've called the ad moment when I buy that watch from grey to be taken off list. Either you tell them it was from grey or another ad . They would want your business from that point on. What happened here is you got them to like you and everything then that trust is broken. It's not about the amount of money you spent at this point. On the other hand seems like you won't have a chance for any hot professional model without spending 50to 70k where 8 live anyway so don't sweat it.

I had somewhat similar experience with AP boutique . I really hit it off with my SA. I visited him in person 3 times each time 1 hour plus conversations. I had a list of watches and dial configuration on the list which is completely opposite of Rolex. Rolex want you to have 1 to 3 on your list. So 2 months in I get offered a watch I want but not the dial I want. It's a ROO . 41k plus tax. I explained and respectfully declined. He said all good and He will have a piece for me very soon and all. Fast forward I checked in with him twice 2 months apart on both his work and personal cell phone without reply. It's been 8 months radio silence. Am I mad ? No. I still have my money. Since then. I added 2 watches from Rolex and Omega for not even 1/3 of the price of 1 AP that would get me in the door for something I really want for them.

[Fleetlord]

I have spoken to AD staff at various stores about this situation and they were all quite candid.

If they get a watch that YOU requested and you back out, there won't be another call.

Perhaps that will change if the market goes the way the pundits are predicting, but they can choose who they want to deal with as you can choose not to follow through.

[puma1552]

Did you tell them you were declining because you already procured it?

And if so, did you tell them you went gray or got it from another AD?

I probably would've waited at least a little longer before going gray, but once I did I would've called them to take me off the list, and I probably would've just said I was new to the brand so I cast a wide net with multiple ADs given the market and another AD came through first; it's just business.

[Polyesterpig]

The only relationship you need to worry about is the one with your spouse. The AD store employees come and go. Especially now with Rolex buying Bucherer. Things are about to get interesting. Rolex probably realized the CPO program was a failure and switching gears.

Bravo for getting your wife what she wanted!

[GradyPhilpott]

They won't have to sit on that watch very long, so it's all in a day's work.

Don't sweat it.

[Watchsprings]

Congrats on getting the watch for your wife. SoCal is a tough market, I would assume you will not get any future calls.

[Philadelphialawyer1]

lol

[CarlOver]

I think what can ruin your relationship is asking your AD if you can score a watch.

[Michael T]

Originally Posted by Barada7

Why not buy the new one and sell the one you bought gray?

This^.

[likemyrolex]

Originally Posted by ItsThatKush

I visited my local AD in a very wealthy town in Southern California. I developed a friendly initial relationship and registered my interest for some watches. They gave me a timeline and that was that. I came back a week or so later with my wife to see what size dials she’d like if I were to ever buy her one. She found the watch she liked and we registered her interest (DJ36 TT Wimbledon fluted jubilee).

I followed up a few days later to ask them what a timeline would be and if there’s any chance I could score one before our anniversary in November. The AD told me it wasn’t likely to get one that quickly.

Because the sheer amount of wealth in the area, I assumed I was never getting a call. I found her watch on the grey market for essentially retail price plus tax. Worked out the same for me anyway so I bought it with no wait. I didn’t want to risk missing out on getting the watch for her in time.

Of course less than a week after I purchased grey, the AD called me to purchase her watch. I felt sick I had to decline and miss out on building that purchase history with them. They said it was no problem and not to worry, but I feel like that was my only chance and they won’t call me again because of it.

Think I’m ever getting another chance?

You went grey a week after having an AD put you on the list??

[BillA]

You bought your wife’s watch. You have many avenues to purchase yours (go to another AD or buy gray and have it tomorrow). AD’s are not you friends. They are there to make money off you. Do not worry, the watch the AD had for your wife will be purchased by someone else. You don’t even know if you were the first person on their list. Another posted above said if they call you on a watch you request, and you don’t buy it they will not call you again. I do not buy that. You are there for them to make money, why would they not call you again?

[amh]

Listen to Poleyesterpig. Wife > AD.

[Mathematoxic]

Originally Posted by likemyrolex

You went grey a week after having an AD put you on the list??

I think nothing wrong with this since ADs doesn’t promise nor commit nor gave a positive outlook to get the watch before his anniversary and he chance upon one at MSRP. It’s no one’s fault, it’s just a choice

[Mystro]

It a retail sales. Let’s get some perspective. You got your wife the watch she wanted by acting proactive and getting it done. Maybe if your AD acted faster you might have purchased it from them but it was THEIR fault they could not produce a watch fast enough for your needs. You are the one paying and you have all the power.

[likemyrolex]

Originally Posted by Mystro

It a retail sales. Let’s get some perspective. You got your wife the watch she wanted by acting proactive and getting it done. Maybe if your AD acted faster you might have purchased it from them but it was THEIR fault they could not produce a watch fast enough for your needs. You are the one paying and you have all the power.

I agree, but he told the AD he needed it 3-4 months later, then waited only one week to go grey. Of course he can do what he wants and he got the watch he wanted, but should not then be concerned with an AD relationship.

[ArtNouveau]

I once turned down a watch I asked for but I’ve known my SA for 25+ years. He told me to let him know when I was ready and I picked it up around a year later.
Since you were a new customer OP, I don’t think you’ll get another call.

[NiJaRo1225]

The way I see it - we do what we have to do when AD’s have their little games they play.

Some AD’s care, some don’t - but I can’t be bothered with worrying about their feelings. These are business transactions and nothing more. If they can’t commit to telling you if they can get you a watch, you do what you have to do. If they’re upset about it, find a couple more AD’s and start to build new relationships.
Easier said than done, I’m aware, but speaking on principle here.

Most importantly for your situation:
Happy wife, happy life.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I have never done this. If you buy jewelry (or anything else) just to get a watch you might as well just go grey as it will end up costing you less in the long run.

Ding ding ding! And you’re going to get better jewelry away from some AD selling you overpriced crap.

[sj24k]

Pretty much why I don’t even bother dealing with ADs any more. I don’t purchase enough to stand out, my wife could care less about expensive jewelry, and when I do decide I want something, I don’t want to wait for it.

To me, the secondary market just better suits my approach to the hobby.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ItsThatKush]

Thanks to everyone for your feedback, definitely makes me feel better about it.

And for those asking, I waited a few weeks after they said they won’t have it in time for my anniversary before I went grey. The reason I went grey is actually because I found a matching pre-owned Wimbledon in 41 for myself in mint condition and I knew it wouldn’t last long. So I negotiated a good price for both watches from that grey dealer. It was a week later that the AD called.

The reason I didn’t purchase it is because I already bought 4 other watches this year and didn’t wanna tie up another $14k to hopefully sell online and get my money back. I didn’t want to lose any money on the transaction just to hopefully maybe get a Daytona or GMT at retail one day.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by BillA

You bought your wife’s watch. You have many avenues to purchase yours (go to another AD or buy gray and have it tomorrow). AD’s are not you friends. They are there to make money off you. Do not worry, the watch the AD had for your wife will be purchased by someone else. You don’t even know if you were the first person on their list. Another posted above said if they call you on a watch you request, and you don’t buy it they will not call you again. I do not buy that. You are there for them to make money, why would they not call you again?

Why would they not call you again? Because this AD is in a very wealthy town according to the OP. They probably get a 50-100 people a week expressing interest in a Rolex that would buy one in a heartbeat if offered. So if someone turns down a Rolex that they specifically asked for one week prior it was just a waste of the SA's time to even reach out to them. The SA/AD has hundreds of other customers they can deal with that would take the watch in a heartbeat and not feel like it is a waste of their time.