How to best start a relationship with an AD

[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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[thomaspp]

Buy a 5204 or 5270


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[Fat_ninja]

Buy 3 get listed for 1. :)

[Sprta]

Buy a non watch item then start a conversation about watches.

[Calatrava r]

it is much easier to buy a used watch on-line for a premium, than get the watch new from an AD with your name on the papers. I suggest you buy the used watch, pay the premium, and wear it into the AD and perhaps they will see you are a real buyer and the relationship will grow from there.

[benlee]

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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Try to buy some pieces that are available on display to initiate business. Then drop by often and chat with your sales rep, impress upon them that you are a serious collector and not flipper and then hope for the best if they finally agree to put you their so call wait-list for a hot watch. Making references helps too though not so much nowadays as they have no shortage of willing buyers. To continue getting allocation of future in-demand pieces means you have to keep buying. Once the buying stops, so does the relationship.

Frankly, that's actually tiring and a lot of work. I have done that in the past and I think I have a decent enough collection by now so I can't be bother to keep up with this.

[ap1]

Two words, strap watch

[Tz1983]

Originally Posted by benlee

Try to buy some pieces that are available on display to initiate business. Then drop by often and chat with your sales rep, impress upon them that you are a serious collector and not flipper and then hope for the best if they finally agree to put you their so call wait-list for a hot watch. Making references helps too though not so much nowadays as they have no shortage of willing buyers. To continue getting allocation of future in-demand pieces means you have to keep buying. Once the buying stops, so does the relationship.

Frankly, that's actually tiring and a lot of work. I have done that in the past and I think I have a decent enough collection by now so I can't be bother to keep up with this.

Yeah figured I’d have to troll the store. Ok


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[Tz1983]

Originally Posted by ap1

Two words, strap watch

This went over my head. Strap watch?


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[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Tz1983

This went over my head. Strap watch?

I'm guessing non-sport, non-Naut Patek.

[Tz1983]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I'm guessing non-sport, non-Naut Patek.

Oh yeah I don’t imagine I’ll walk in buy a calatrava and have them offer me a 5712 although that would be nice


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[Maxy]

How to best start a relationship with an AD

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

[Ichiran]

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

[patrolmi]

My first time ever to our local Patek dealer I asked to get a 5168G or a 5167G and within 2 months, the 5168G arrived. I was shocked, but I guess it goes to show you never know, and you should not be afraid to ask for what you really want. IDK how they vet customers etc.... but apparently an individuals background or job or something might help.... I think one thing they really don't want is a flipper so they try to weed them out.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by Ichiran

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

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.

[Helmi]

Precious metals and don't ask for discount. Eventually you can also get steel

[Playinwittime]

I bought six Rolexes from my AD over a couple of years and I’ve been on the Pepsi “waitlist” for >1 year and I’m still waiting. The conclusion is that, if there are bigger fish for that AD beyond your spending, it doesn’t matter what the number of specimens or amount paid was.

[RHIII]

It’s a very different playing field than it was 10-15 plus years ago. Actually is is about a different one almost completely. The established relationships and rapport that are and have been in place are tough to replicate.

Best advice would be to steer clear of the hyped up references. Buy something more obscure (but DEFINITELY something you want). Some good examples already made - and look at other brands.

What a lot of the WIS community is falling peril to these days is going into AD x,y,z and asking for a BLRO or a Daytona, or a 5167. While not impossible to find that way. Fairly improbable. Talk - let them see you’re interested and buy a cpl references and go from there. Ben pretty much hit all the high points as well.

But - if you’re solely trying to access the hyped references. I’d say it’s almost not even worth it - as a relationship is not solely about spending a lot of $$ in an AD. You don’t need to build any kind of relationship to do that - and it is another approach.

Or- stay the course with the grey or trusted seller path.

Good luck!!!!


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[beshannon]

Originally Posted by Tz1983

How to best start a relationship with an AD

What kind of a relationship are you looking for?

Perhaps try lunch and see if there are any sparks. If so exchange contact info and wait three days before calling.

Good luck!

[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.

[Brew]

Buy stuff, especially jewelry.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Brew

Buy stuff, especially jewelry.

Ask them what has the highest margin in the shop, and then buy three!

[Brew]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

Ask them what has the highest margin in the shop, and then buy three!

Should getchya a DJ in no time at all!

[ap1]

Originally Posted by Tz1983

This went over my head. Strap watch?


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Yes, something on a leather strap (not bracelet) and something dressy that’s sitting in the case. And expensive like a AC or PC

[calatravato]

I posted this previously:

would suspect the formula goes something like this:

IF:
X*(Market Price of desirable piece - MSRP of desirable piece) <= cumulative profit from customer

THEN:
Customer is eligible to buy that desirable piece at MSRP

Where X is some factor related to how nice the customer is, whether or not local, likeliness to flip, potential for meaningful future business in non-hot pieces, and referrals, etc.

[Calatrava r]

Go into the AD you select and make a purchase. Its as simple as that. A cash purchase is always preferable than attempting some kind of trade. I have always found ADs flat out do not make a market in used watches, i.e. do not take trades or will low-ball you. If you want a trade/cash deal work with a reputable used watch dealer like the trusted sellers here.

[Dr Watches]

Buy your wife whatever diamond adorned women's model they have in the case.

[Chrislec]

My trick: I always walk in with a Rolex on unusual strap (Bond, Nato, or anything leather). When trying on whatever Datejust that's my ice-breaker, the conversation ultimately comes to my straps, which is unusual for them and gives me the opportunity to start a story to show them I'm really a WIS.

In the part of the world I live in (China), there are much bigger fish than me around, only buying Rolex for showoff. I realized the ADs look pleased to break the routine and really talk watches, instead of talking fashion accessories to show wealth.

Most of the time we talk more than half hour. And most of the time they end up showing me what they really have in the safe.

They are just like other human beings. They sometimes like to feel their job is also about passion and legacy, instead of being treated like waiters 99% of the time.

[CamSLC]

Originally Posted by Maxy

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

Coincidentally mine did start over dinner.

We met when the bug was weak and I was a one Rolex guy. A few months later I was getting my first Nautilus.

[jon_jon]

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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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.