New Sub : AD possible or go through Grey?

[the dark knight]

For a new Sub Date, is it at all possible to walk into an AD with no prior relationship and get put on a legit waiting list? Or is going grey the only answer right now? I wouldn't necessarily mind waiting 6 months to a year if I do have a realistic chance of getting one. If not might as well pay the premium for grey.

FWIW, I'm in the SF Bay Area which I imagine is a ridiculously competitive market.

[Marcjvr]

It’s a bit like asking your friend at a bar “do you think that pretty girl over there will talk to me?”

There’s only one way to find out...

[klenboy]

Call them all up and work with the one that gives you the best answer.

[EndlessEight]

Yes, I believe there's a very good chance you could get one within 6 months to a year.

Explain to the AD you understand how hard the market is right now and that availability is sparse. You want to express your interest to obtain the piece for this _____ (insert life event here...birthday, graduation, promotion, etcc.) within the next year and it would be greatly appreciated if they consider you.

Buy a little something on your way out and pop in every other month or so to re-express interest. I guarantee you will get a Sub.

I've been able to acquire a Sub ND, SD43, and 2x BLROs this way.

I lucked into a Hulk in Hawaii when my wife walked into the Rolex AD with Louis Vuitton bags and they broke it out of the back room.

White dial Daytona is next but it's for the wife.

[turkeysub93]

Is water wet?

[Elzombo]

I’m in the same boat as you: ready to purchase my first Rolex and debating on which route to take. While I know I’m not “entitled” to any model, I don’t think I’m asking for the hardest to acquire model (SS black Sub). I just wish I could get an honest answer. Using the pretty girl at the bar analogy, you are correct that you never know unless you ask, but I can appreciate a straightforward, “No thank you.” rather than a completely ambiguous response. It is possible for an AD to be honest and say that unless you’re an established client the answer is going to be no. That way at least you know it means move along and explore the gray market to acquire your first Rolex.

[MacanS]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

It’s a bit like asking your friend at a bar “do you think that pretty girl over there will talk to me?”

There’s only one way to find out...

Best answer

[VonSomething]

Originally Posted by EndlessEight

Yes, I believe there's a very good chance you could get one within 6 months to a year.

Explain to the AD you understand how hard the market is right now and that availability is sparse. You want to express your interest to obtain the piece for this _____ (insert life event here...birthday, graduation, promotion, etcc.) within the next year and it would be greatly appreciated if they consider you.

Buy a little something on your way out and pop in every other month or so to re-express interest. I guarantee you will get a Sub.

I've been able to acquire a Sub ND, SD43, and 2x BLROs this way.

I lucked into a Hulk in Hawaii when my wife walked into the Rolex AD with Louis Vuitton bags and they broke it out of the back room.

White dial Daytona is next but it's for the wife.

Small note: the Hulk was bundled with a DJ36. Still a nice deal.

[kpinthebay]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

It’s a bit like asking your friend at a bar “do you think that pretty girl over there will talk to me?”

There’s only one way to find out...

So for me, the Rolex AD will say no way.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

For a new Sub Date, is it at all possible to walk into an AD with no prior relationship and get put on a legit waiting list? Or is going grey the only answer right now? I wouldn't necessarily mind waiting 6 months to a year if I do have a realistic chance of getting one. If not might as well pay the premium for grey.

FWIW, I'm in the SF Bay Area which I imagine is a ridiculously competitive market.

Tough call, AD prob not for years, grey, overpay!

[jb335]

For an LN? Yes

LV? Little chance

[PBJ1925]

AD is possible with a wait. If time is money, simply go grey. I'm also in the Bay and obtained my first 114060 by calling around, establishing rapport, stopping by, and with some fortuitous timing obtained my Sub. This maybe more of an exception, but with a little leg work, calls, etc.. you may land one by the summer.

Best of luck.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

For a new Sub Date, is it at all possible to walk into an AD with no prior relationship and get put on a legit waiting list? Or is going grey the only answer right now? I wouldn't necessarily mind waiting 6 months to a year if I do have a realistic chance of getting one. If not might as well pay the premium for grey.

FWIW, I'm in the SF Bay Area which I imagine is a ridiculously competitive market.

I think if you really want, $4k above MSRP is nothing, which is actually $3K about MSRP as you'll be skipping tax. Daytona started with similar but after a year, it went over twice MSRP.

For $3K more, I don't think waiting a year or two makes sense!

[brandrea]

We’ve seen quite a few incomings here since release and some of those are first timers like yourself, so I’d say yes

[EndlessEight]

Originally Posted by VonSomething

Small note: the Hulk was bundled with a DJ36. Still a nice deal.

Thank you.

I’m not ashamed to admit the bundle aspect as per my thread. It was a walk in acquisition but I can see how it is misleading to the “dreamers”

[TimeAZ]

Allow me to interject some reality.

You will not get one from any AD. Especially in your area. Not going to happen.

My advice: Buy from a trusted seller. You'll thank me later. Get the watch, enjoy it, form a bond with it, form memories, celebrate whatever it is you want to celebrate, and most importantly: you get to keep your dignity and not deal with any BS. That's easily worth 5k, at least.

Then, if you are really set on trying to get one at retail, continue your little quest to get one from the AD. If you somehow do (spoiler: it wont happen without you spending on a bunch of other stuff), then you can sell one of them to recoup most of your premium on the initial secondary market purchase.

[sond86]

I been to all the bay dealers and
I think try a gentleman’s approach express interest without showing frustration
Indicate it’s your first purchase what you dreamed of and like someone above said make polite courtesy follow ups and probably have a pretty decent chance.

Some dealers I been seem less than caring but some have been welcoming

[TswaneNguni]

In the 5th largest economy in the world ,grey shouldnt be a problem.

[supernova]

Realistically, 6 months to 1 year wait for a brand new customer is not realistic. Some obscure AD, maybe, definitely not in the Bay Area

Go grey and pay the premium, which isn’t too much for a Sub.


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[ArtNouveau]

I think a random walk in buy is unlikely but asking nicely and being willing to wait a while, I’d say yes. My advice is to always visit in person, AD’s get dozens of phone calls everyday.

[YoyoGift8]

I think it’s very possible if it’s the LN. Now if it’s the LV, Blro, blnr, ss daytona or skyd it will be a different story.

[rjack19]

yes it is possible! I walked in an AD here in vegas to show my face and develop a relationship. asked about new 2020 subs. was initially to none were available. handed the salesman card. he came back with a new sub!!! no prior purchase history and first time in store

[rmags]

Difficult, probably...impossible, no. I’m obviously in the minority, but I walked into a Bay Area AD last November and was able to purchase a 124060 without any previous history. The SA had already put me on the “list” when he asked me to wait as he walked over to his manager. The manager remembered my name from previous emails I had sent him several weeks prior. He leaned over and told me they had one for me.

[JebM]

Go in and give it a try. They’ll be making them for a while.


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[kizerman]

Don't buy from a grey, it's not that difficult. Stop by and AD, express your interest and stop in occasionally being polite and non pushy. you'll be surprised how well it works. These are mass produced watches and the availability is greater than you think.

[r_afficionado]

You asked so, in my opinion do NOT go grey. By doing so one only feeds the beast. Take your time to visit AD's. Being from the SF bay myself, I know competition is fierce especially when competing with the unlimited funds of the turist market. But now may be the time to go chat up a few AD's around you. I would also hit up Dublin/Pleasanton, San Jose, Los Gatos wait scratch out Los Gatos... all joking aside, go talk to them, bring them into your story as to why do you want it, to mark an achievement, special occasion or simply starting a collection as a collection starts with one and the one you want to start with is the Sub. I would not ask for the K2, BLNR, BLRO, DAYTONA etc. But would ask for a submariner date or none. No need to kiss up, but yes be genuine as to why you want the piece. At least that is what worked for me...

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[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

It’s a bit like asking your friend at a bar “do you think that pretty girl over there will talk to me?”

There’s only one way to find out...

Exactly

[Sprta]

Try the AD route give it some time, if that doesn't work out you can always go grey. I would recommed using grey only as a last resort.

[Benzsiam]

You should try your luck by going to Rolex boutique/ADs. If you are pretty lucky, you will get your watch in a reasonable wait time.

I am very lucky with Rolex, I got all my Rolexes from boutique/AD in a very short time.

[4 Aussies]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

It’s a bit like asking your friend at a bar “do you think that pretty girl over there will talk to me?”

There’s only one way to find out...

Love it!!! 100%