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Old 27 January 2023, 07:48 PM   #1
One Team
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Ever Nearly Given Up…..And Suddenly….?

Having been on ‘the list’ for nearly two years I am getting to the point of thinking “f**k this” and either buying a different brand, going grey or just sticking with the watch I have.

Has anyone else ever got to that point and then all of a sudden you get the call from the AD?

Along with the other threads about mythical lists, buying jewellery and watches we don’t want I do wonder whether this does ever actually happen.
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Old 27 January 2023, 07:53 PM   #2
1AP
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Im sorry ive been buying Rolex for too long im not playing this stupid game.

If my AD can help, good. If he cant and I can afford/feel grey is worth it then thats that.
If im not in a rush then ill put my name down, like I did for a turquoise 36mm OP and dont really care if it lands or not.

Way too old for these dumb ass games for jewelry
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Old 27 January 2023, 08:01 PM   #3
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If im not in a rush then ill put my name down, like I did for a turquoise 36mm OP and dont really care if it lands or not.

Way too old for these dumb ass games for jewelry
This would be my approach as well.
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Old 27 January 2023, 08:15 PM   #4
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Gave up? No

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Old 27 January 2023, 08:17 PM   #5
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Gave up? No

Moved on? Yes
Perfect response.

My soul isn’t for sale.
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Old 27 January 2023, 08:55 PM   #6
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Given what they told you, I agree - time to move on.
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Old 27 January 2023, 09:34 PM   #7
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Played the AD game for a very short time….never again unless the stock is plentiful. At that point I’d imagine the we’ll be back to 2015/2016 type of market where the greys offer discounts. I won’t even walk in an AD at this point, and just figure in the cost of buying new from our trusted sellers if I’m in the market for a new piece.
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Old 27 January 2023, 10:01 PM   #8
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Put it this way, having your name on a waiting list for a watch you want is free, you've got nothing to lose. If you get the call one day, great. If not, doesn't matter, wasn't meant to be with that AD. There's the grey market with trusted dealers and prices have come down significantly since April 2022.
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Old 27 January 2023, 10:50 PM   #9
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Old 27 January 2023, 11:00 PM   #10
Harry-57
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My AD has always played straight with me. If I'm on a list I'm getting a watch at some point. If they can't list me I either ask again at a later date and repeat as necessary, buy it grey or forget about it.

How anyone approaches a situation like this depends on the AD, the quality of communication and the willingness of each side to speak frankly. Your AD needs to tell you straight. If I had no idea what the situation was and could not find out, I would write it off and go elsewhere. My time is not an AD's to waste.
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Old 27 January 2023, 11:44 PM   #11
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I've somewhat given up, won't be visiting the local ADs (very high spend requirement - lots of CA tech companies moving in and there are plenty of big spenders around here.) I still get "the text" regularly but it's always about more diamonds.

Waiting time for the one-and-done buyer is now years, not months. 2022 was going to be the year of the crash, it never really happened. Will it be 2023? Probably not.
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Old 27 January 2023, 11:50 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry-57 View Post
My AD has always played straight with me. If I'm on a list I'm getting a watch at some point. If they can't list me I either ask again at a later date and repeat as necessary, buy it grey or forget about it.

How anyone approaches a situation like this depends on the AD, the quality of communication and the willingness of each side to speak frankly. Your AD needs to tell you straight. If I had no idea what the situation was and could not find out, I would write it off and go elsewhere. My time is not an AD's to waste.
Exact same for me Harry
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Old 27 January 2023, 11:52 PM   #13
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I have a good story...

A few years ago, when the market was starting to really heat up, I was offered a gold Daytona. I thought about it for a day and I waited too long. it sold, FAST.

Then I was really on the hunt for a month or two and couldn't find anything near retail. I think closest was $8-10K over.

I casually mentioned it to a friend (out of town) and he said that he would ask his AD. He called back a few days later and they had one for me. I didn't hesitate and he picked it up for me.
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Old 28 January 2023, 12:00 AM   #14
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I am also in the camp if it shows up fine, if not, also fine. These are just watches which were sitting unsold in cases just a few years ago. Lots of other brands out there which sell watches which tell the time.
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Old 28 January 2023, 12:29 AM   #15
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I did end up going grey for a BLRO after not wanting to wait for much longer. I’m supposedly still on the list and will purchase if ever offered from my AD, though.
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Old 28 January 2023, 12:51 AM   #16
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It will definitely depend on how much you stop in and visit your AD, and connect with your SA. Just like any other connection between people, if you're a familiar face and they also get a sincere feeling from your interaction, they will remember you when the time comes. i.e. when a certain watch comes in. If you just go in, put your name on a list and they never see you again, then you can rest assured that they won't be calling you. Gotta "grease the skids" so to speak?

Yeah, it takes time and effort, and sure....you might end up with nothing in the end! Unfortunately, that's the "game" that is so commonly discussed everywhere. It's up to you if you wanna play it or not.
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Old 28 January 2023, 01:17 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JJGreen View Post
I have a good story...

A few years ago, when the market was starting to really heat up, I was offered a gold Daytona. I thought about it for a day and I waited too long. it sold, FAST.

Then I was really on the hunt for a month or two and couldn't find anything near retail. I think closest was $8-10K over.

I casually mentioned it to a friend (out of town) and he said that he would ask his AD. He called back a few days later and they had one for me. I didn't hesitate and he picked it up for me.

Awesome outcome!


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Old 28 January 2023, 01:22 AM   #18
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No. If you’re dying from waiting, Buy grey. Then sell the new you might get.
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Old 28 January 2023, 01:56 AM   #19
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It will definitely depend on how much you stop in and visit your AD, and connect with your SA. Just like any other connection between people, if you're a familiar face and they also get a sincere feeling from your interaction, they will remember you when the time comes. i.e. when a certain watch comes in. If you just go in, put your name on a list and they never see you again, then you can rest assured that they won't be calling you. Gotta "grease the skids" so to speak?

Yeah, it takes time and effort, and sure....you might end up with nothing in the end! Unfortunately, that's the "game" that is so commonly discussed everywhere. It's up to you if you wanna play it or not.
IME four of the ADs I've visited have closed and of the remaining two available to me one SA left. All that 'relationship' straight down the drain. There are very few who have the stars align:
1. Lived in the same place for at least 15 years
2. Have a local AD remain in business
3. You have that 'relationship' with an SA....
4. You've managed to spend 50k on watches during that time (You reach "good customer" status)

Starting that from scratch takes either a lot of money or a lot of time. One poster here brokered a deal involving 4 watches almost simultaneously and was "allocated" a Sub. No thanks.
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Old 28 January 2023, 01:57 AM   #20
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I was working with one AD for the better part of 18 months with no end in sight, felt like my info likely went into the trash.

Went to another AD and a few days later realized I had a connection to the owner. Reached out directly and finally got my first Rolex. Don't plan on working with AD1 again
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Old 28 January 2023, 02:15 AM   #21
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The way I think about it. Do I want another Rolex, Yes. Do I need another, probably not.

Just need to play the long game or find other ADs.
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Old 28 January 2023, 02:22 AM   #22
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I think the perspective may be different for those waiting on a first or second piece vs those who have several already.
In my case our AD has been very good an honest with us over the years so when I request something I’m ok with a wait.
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Old 28 January 2023, 02:57 AM   #23
One Team
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Thanks for all the replies, some superb responses and advice. Seems a number of you have been in a similar position.

I’d like to think I’d wait a bit more, 2 years feels like a bit of a milestone to me, so will either go grey or just not bother. It’d be typical I get the call the day after going grey, but can always sell one I guess.

I do wonder if the market will ever change but there is no sign of it. 10 years ago my AD had various models in the window to buy there and then, how times have changed.
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Old 28 January 2023, 04:12 AM   #24
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I went into my AD 18 months ago to ask for a couple of things and I hadn’t heard squat. I had bought on the grey market as I figured I had zero chance. Then, out of the blue after Christmas I got a call for a 2 tone YM 40. Nearly fell out of the chair. I turned it down, but wound up wih a slate dial DJ41 I wanted. Now I am up for something bigger. He only advice I can give for what it’s worth is keep going back…keep going back….keep going back. In person, not calling. Go back…
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:08 AM   #25
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The way I think about it. Do I want another Rolex, Yes. Do I need another, probably not.

Just need to play the long game or find other ADs.
Well stated. They are great watches at MSRP. Wait it out.
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:18 AM   #26
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I recognise it's a strange situation when you have the money but can't buy the product.

However, I'm forever grateful for my AD being totally straight with me:

Sub? Yes, soon (waited couple months)
GMT? Hmm, yes - maybe not the pepsi, and it will be a while (got a BLRO after 8 months)
SS Daytona? No, sorry
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:25 AM   #27
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Yup! I lost an AD, drove 200 miles to the next one, total dooshes. Finally found a new one. I started this journey 4 years ago. Once the price rose again on jan1st I said F this the watch is over $1000 more then when I started just to wait! Then... 20 days later the call came. You just goto accept defeat and it'll come! I'm not happy I had to pay more then when I decided to buy it. But now it's time to start waiting for number TWO!
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:45 AM   #28
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Yup! I lost an AD, drove 200 miles to the next one, total dooshes. Finally found a new one. I started this journey 4 years ago. Once the price rose again on jan1st I said F this the watch is over $1000 more then when I started just to wait! Then... 20 days later the call came. You just goto accept defeat and it'll come! I'm not happy I had to pay more then when I decided to buy it. But now it's time to start waiting for number TWO!
Hmm. I have it on good authority from TRF reviews that even the next AD within driving distance are douches. After that, it's an 8hr round-trip drive to the next closest. I think I have better things to do than build such a 'relationship.'

If I need to travel for work I'll usually stop by a local new-to-me AD. (I can hear it now... "That zip code isn't in San Jose, that puts you at the bottom of the list" )
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:50 AM   #29
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No. If you’re dying from waiting, Buy grey. Then sell the new you might get.
Exactly
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Old 28 January 2023, 05:59 AM   #30
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I’ve almost always regretted going gray as it usually meant it was an impulse buy.

I have a nice relationship with my AD in part because I enjoy going in, BS’ing and trying on watches. Even watches I wouldn’t want/afford.

And I like waiting for watches. It’s the closest thing to the kid on Christmas morning feeling that I left so long ago.
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