AD vs GREY POLL.......

[Canforfair]

Who here plays the AD game waiting patiently on the list sometimes not getting the watch.
Who here plays the GREY DEALER GAME pays over the odds gets the watch quickly .
If you play neither which would you go for if wanting your next watch....


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[SteelSubmarinerGuy]

It depends, sometimes AD sometimes Grey, however my AD is starting to want the customer to buy other watches in order to get the allocated pieces, so if mine is going to that I’d rather just pay the grey dealers price, at the end of the day the AD is feeding the GD anyway...


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[ckwong]

I just recently got into Rolex and have been very lucky in acquiring BLNR and SD43 at MSRP from two different ADs. But I do have one or two more that I am interested in getting so I will wait patiently from the AD that I got the SD43 from.

[rolexinfl]

I have never in my life bought from an AD, only TS's.

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by Canforfair

Who here plays the AD game waiting patiently on the list sometimes not getting the watch.
Who here plays the GREY DEALER GAME pays over the odds gets the watch quickly .
If you play neither which would you go for if wanting your next watch....


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The way the UK market is, without strong AD relationships and buying history, you’re pretty much wasting your time on :

Blnr
HULK
James Cameron
Blue skydweller
Daytona Steel
New SD43.

You could wait years as the chronological lists don’t really exist anymore, with VIPs always skipping the lists and reduced supply now.

If I had no AD relationships, I’d either pay grey, or switch brands and buy something else (or a Datejust)

[Helmi]

I use the AD route as I refuse to pay premium. I would rather put that money in another watch I enjoy instead of throwing them in the grey dealer's pocket. However, recently it is becoming very frustrating game

[SFBAY]

I purchased my two Rolex watches from a trusted seller on this site (I wouldn’t go true grey market) and am awaiting my 3rd from an AD in hopefully a few weeks. I have a deposit down.

[FSUGeoff]

I used grey (Trusted Sellers) back when they were cheaper, would prob go AD on a new purchase these days

[Wools]

AD only here.

Unless it’s truly vintage, don’t be sucked into paying over the odds at inflated prices.

[Gary.]

I bought my Sub, Explorer and Explorer II from ADs in London and my BLNR from Tourneau in NY. All were walk-ins. All were 2016 or earlier before the silly-season started.
My most recent additions were both from my local AD in my adopted town in Italy. Both hard to get (SD50 and BLRO) and I was first on their list both times. They are a traditional AD that has been there for decades and they do things properly. They'll take your name if you are local on a first come, first served basis. No jacking prices or making you buy something else. They do not sell to greys or out-of-towners who phone in.
Honestly, I'm so happy that I found these guys. They are a class act.

By the way, if anyone fancies a weekend away in a beautiful little Italian seaside town, I was in Castiglione della Pescaia and the local AD had a nice SS collection in the window. Sub, with date and without, GMT II, both DSSDs. Not something I've seen for a while.
I'd rather spend a little money on a flight and hotel than use it to line the pockets of a grey dealer and the AD that supplies him at the expense of ordinary buyers.

[kanderson1965]

I don’t do grey, I don’t do waiting lists, I simply go to an AD and if it is in stock I will buy it. If it isn’t, or they will not sell me it on my terms, I simply walk out. My money, my rules. Another watch is something I might like, not something I need or must have.

Don’t be sucked in by marketing, Rolex are mass produced watches.

[Enoch]

The way I look at it, is it’s just a watch... yes, I’d love a new Daytona, and I have my name down, but if it doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world...

I have other nice watches I can enjoy, so I’m not happy paying a premium just to get the latest and greatest.. in fact I think that if I did pay a premium, it would spoil my enjoyment of the watch, so it’s AD only for me..

I would buy second hand from non AD’s though, but not at a premium..

[Jimbogigolo]

unfortunately I am playing the AD game. Grr

[StuartG]

Originally Posted by Enoch

The way I look at it, is it’s just a watch... yes, I’d love a new Daytona, and I have my name down, but if it doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world...

I have other nice watches I can enjoy, so I’m not happy paying a premium just to get the latest and greatest.. in fact I think that if I did pay a premium, it would spoil my enjoyment of the watch, so it’s AD only for me..

I would buy second hand from non AD’s though, but not at a premium..

This is the most sensible post I've read all month.

[toneafficianado]

I'm currently interested in an Explorer 39.
None in stock in ADs in Sydney.
None can say when they will have one or even whether it will be this year.
DSW has one though.
Simple.

[scombs263]

I have used both, however now I prefer AD for the warranty card with my name on it and in this market at MSRP, versus the Grey market at a premium.

[Quailhunter]

I’ve been fortunate enough to get the watches I wanted without a wait. But, I don’t have any interest in the Daytona or the other really hot watches. I’ve turned down a couple of the 2018 releases as they just didn’t appeal to me.

My two biggest disappointments were the Sub Date and the SD43. The Sub wasn’t comfortable and the SD43 was just too big for me.

I’ve been a very long term customer, but certainly not a “whale” level purchaser. I have a high respect for my salesperson. Perhaps, that respect is reciprocated.

[DESH]

AD- all the way for me. My AD have been very generous with me.

[bp1000]

Apart from vintage I’ve never paid over rrp and never will.

Usually AD for me. Grey if they have the piece I want at discount where my AD doesn’t have it in.

[Nikrnic]

I've used both, my last 3 new Rolex were all new and from ADs with discounts including a 7% off my SubC last nov.

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[judson]

I purchase new from my local AD and used from trusted sellers. I am not a big spender but my local AD has been good to me.

[GMT Aviator]

I only buy from Greys if the price is cheaper. I’d never pay more than MRSP for any Rolex. Ever! As for buying other references in order to secure a place on the list for an in demand reference....that’s a mugs game as well. I’d rather not bother and won’t play that game either.

[ckwong]

[QUOTE=
I'd rather spend a little money on a flight and hotel than use it to line the pockets of a grey dealer and the AD that supplies him at the expense of ordinary buyers.[/QUOTE]

[GoingPlaces]

AD only so far but am open to a trusted seller if warranty card has my name on it.

[droptopman]

Back in the pre internet days, I only used AD. Once some non AD dealers were established online I was more likely to use them as it is just more convenient. I do not live close to an AD. I still lean towards TS but with the market the way it is, I may go back to the AD. Have not really wanted anything new for a while so have not had to find out.

[nikesupremedunk]

Only my first piece was from an AD and rest were from TS. I would buy from AD if I could and if it’s cheaper (ex. Ss sports) but if not then I’d rather go TS and save money.

[lenfried29]

I recently purchased two Rolex watches from AD. One being DSSD with 10% discount and other BLNR for MSRP. I'll buy from AD only, otherwise I'll be paranoid for watch authenticity.

[Ravager135]

I've purchased from online grey dealers, private grey dealers, ADs. I really make no discrimination. For me it all depends on the reference, the seller, the price, and the current market for the piece. I've purchase several Panerai from Jomashop simply because no one could match their prices. I've purchased a couple Rolex references from DavidSW due to the fact that he had availability of pieces I wanted and at another time he was willing to take a watch in trade. I've purchased IWCs and Omegas from lesser known grey dealers who gave good prices on pieces. I've impulse purchased and ordered Rolex watches from ADs in the past based on relationships.

For me it's all a formula. If I were to get a stainless steel Rolex these days, I'd likely go to an AD. I won't pay above MSRP (though I understand why some do). Other brands I can get at significant discounts from greys. It all depends.

[FTX I]

The one who sells for less.

[subtona]

ADs have not been able to produce like grays.