How to best start a relationship with an AD

[SL BRABUS]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

There is no short cut. It's all about spending money and emotional bribery.

Originally Posted by sensui

Yeah people can dance around this all they want....95% of the time it's just how much you spend. Once in awhile you might have an exception but it comes down to business or network.

Originally Posted by jon_jon

The question is - after many years of buying from non-ADs, why switch now to an AD? Is it an attempt to get in-demand watches at list price? I don't know if it is worth it for that purpose alone. Especially in big cities like NYC, there are many customers who have spent millions at ADs. Also you need to get to know the AD owner or manager. AD salespeople come and go. Many AD owners don't even talk to new customers, unless it is a mom and pop jewelry store and with that, there is a risk they will lose their AD license in the near future if they don't sell enough watches or sell a lot through the back door.

This.....^^^......

OP you doing fine as is.... Why start establish relationship with an AD....

Unless you going to spend millions and looking to get an application pieces.....

[77T]

Usually spilling your poke works



And bring both...



$200K in gold and twice that in diamonds can have an influence.


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[onnomon]

whores and gigolos?







sorry

[Tay821]

Originally Posted by artschool

go round to the AD's parents house and ask their dad permission to go on a date.

first base - submariner none date
second base - deepsea
third base - gmt master
fourth base - Daytona.

Grand Slam - Rainbow

[patrolmi]

I really think if you are in a smaller market, something less than NYC, CHI, SF, LA, etc.. you have a better chance of working with the dealers.. I'm in Detroit and found our dealer to be very good and I'd never been there before.

[bronzeband00]

Let a watch conversation begin. Don't force it

[Left wrist]

I have always done the same.

I recently picked up a 5524g to start my journey with a new AD at a multi brand store. These days, I have learned you need to spend some money and wait for the pieces you want. It will work out well long term.

[V25V]

Originally Posted by bronzeband00

Let a watch conversation begin. Don't force it

sounds like dating advice.


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[Left wrist]

Originally Posted by V25V

sounds like dating advice.


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[321Forever]

If we assume that you have plenty of cash to burn, then it’s an easier matter to resolve. If you are like the rest of us, it is not so easy.

In my case, I purchased 9 watches over an 18 year period 1997-2014. I got these watches from the same dealer and individual. All at The Hour Glass (I’m in Singapore every year or so). They were a lot cheaper to acquire in Singapore than in the US so most of the purchases were made for other folks (family and friends). I ALWAYS visit the sales person (who is now a store manager) and keep in touch via WhatsApp.

Note that I got the opportunity to buy SS Daytonas and a 5711 White face and an aquanaut in 2014. I got the Aquanaut (should’ve bought all four watches). Before then, I had less dough and they were not readily available. I’ve been back to Singapore three times since then and have had no luck trying to get a 5711, 15202ST Jumbo, or SS Daytona. All that was in hand was a 15400 with white face.

So here’s the list, plenty purchased, but you see that it’s not a huge spend.

1997 16710 GMT Master II Coke $2300 (mine)
1997 Ladies datejust SS/18k with MoP dial on Jubilee bracelet
1999 Men’s datejust SS/18k with white dial on Jubilee bracelet
1999 Submariner date SS/18k with black dial on Oyster bracelet
2003 Hublot chrono
2005 16520 SS Daytona black face ($10K)
2014 5167 Aquanaut with bracelet ($19K) (mine)
2014 Ladies SS Cartier Solo
2016 Explorer II white face ($6700)

[KBM]

Originally Posted by jakemeister

If we assume that you have plenty of cash to burn, then it’s an easier matter to resolve. If you are like the rest of us, it is not so easy.

In my case, I purchased 9 watches over an 18 year period 1997-2014. I got these watches from the same dealer and individual. All at The Hour Glass (I’m in Singapore every year or so). They were a lot cheaper to acquire in Singapore than in the US so most of the purchases were made for other folks (family and friends). I ALWAYS visit the sales person (who is now a store manager) and keep in touch via WhatsApp.

Note that I got the opportunity to buy SS Daytonas and a 5711 White face and an aquanaut in 2014. I got the Aquanaut (should’ve bought all four watches). Before then, I had less dough and they were not readily available. I’ve been back to Singapore three times since then and have had no luck trying to get a 5711, 15202ST Jumbo, or SS Daytona. All that was in hand was a 15400 with white face.

So here’s the list, plenty purchased, but you see that it’s not a huge spend.

1997 16710 GMT Master II Coke $2300 (mine)
1997 Ladies datejust SS/18k with MoP dial on Jubilee bracelet
1999 Men’s datejust SS/18k with white dial on Jubilee bracelet
1999 Submariner date SS/18k with black dial on Oyster bracelet
2003 Hublot chrono
2005 16520 SS Daytona black face ($10K)
2014 5167 Aquanaut with bracelet ($19K) (mine)
2014 Ladies SS Cartier Solo
2016 Explorer II white face ($6700)

2k for the gmt... wow.

[AshAP]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Ideally first date would be like.. Dinner + late night movie and then some alone time!

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[sensui]

Originally Posted by V25V

sounds like dating advice.


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Man....as funny as this is.....I think it's really true. You need to show that you care but you don't want to be clingy/overbearing......need to develop a connection on a character/emotional level...can't go balls out jealous when he/she caters to another customer (one of your buddies gets a watch before you do) and have to play it cool......man this is both funny and sad as hell at the same time.

[dr35mm]

ADs are like strip clubs, the more you spend money and wont complain, the better treatment you’ll get.


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[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by Tz1983

Hello fellow watch nuts,

All of my AP/PP/Rolex have been purchased in the secondary market and I feel like it’s time to establish a relationship with an AD.

Any pointers on how To begin? Should it start with a trade of sorts? I’m in NYC and would love a referral as well.

Thanks all!



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That's easy....

In NYC this means a lot of MONEY $$$$$$$ !!!

You BS with the SA and manager and having a good rapport, showing you're not a flipper, and genuine love of watches will all help in your endeavor; however, at the end of the day spending buckets of money is the only way to get the watches you want.

[kultschar]

Will a 5164R work? I assume these are the least popular sport model

[tom2517]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

The question is - after many years of buying from non-ADs, why switch now to an AD? Is it an attempt to get in-demand watches at list price? I don't know if it is worth it for that purpose alone. Especially in big cities like NYC, there are many customers who have spent millions at ADs. Also you need to get to know the AD owner or manager. AD salespeople come and go. Many AD owners don't even talk to new customers, unless it is a mom and pop jewelry store and with that, there is a risk they will lose their AD license in the near future if they don't sell enough watches or sell a lot through the back door.

Yeah I am done with AD long ago (on Patek's), unless you care for name on the paper, otherwise it's cheaper and easier to go grey. Sure the likes 5131 or 5231 will run you 100k+ on the grey market but to get them at MSRP at ADs you will have to spend a lot more.

But of course if there are other Pateks/watches/jewelry you like (I don't care for 99% of what Patek makes) and you don't mind purchasing them to build the relationships, go for it.