Interesting AD tactics

[drm20]

I know there's been a lot of discussion about different AD tactics as of late, but wanted to share my little adventure yesterday. I received a call last week from my AD that a sub no date was just received and I was the next one on the list if I wanted it. I decided to pass (waiting for Basel and didn't want to pay full price as they weren't discounting it at all). Fast forward to yesterday when I was close by so I dropped in to see the stock. The sub no date wasn't there, in fact the only sub was a bluesy, which I did show some interest in as I think that will be my next acquisition. My normal rep wasn't there so someone else was helping me. We did discuss the no date and she mentioned "I may be able to get you one of those." I asked how soon out of curiosity as there weren't any in the case. She replied with, "oh, we don't put those types of models on display anymore, they're in the back." I was pretty shocked at this, and sorry if it has been discussed before, but makes me wonder if any other AD's do this? Definitely a turn off for me...just wanted to share. Have a great weekend everyone!

[JLM3]

I believe most AD's are doing this.

[doboy007]

Don’t think my ADs do that for no date and black GMT. .

[the_natural]

I'm hoping to be interested in Rolex again after all this nonsense goes away. Thankfully there's Tudor.

[Coop13]

My AD called me in December and said they had two sub dates and were holding them in the back for their dedicated customers. I could be biased because it was working in my favor in this situation, but I don’t have a problem with them doing this.

[Coop13]

Originally Posted by the_natural

I'm hoping to be interested in Rolex again after all this nonsense goes away. Thankfully there's Tudor.

I don’t think I could do the Tudor thing.

[Sprta]

My AD does not display any hard to get models. They are held for their best customers. However during a recent trip down South there were hard to get watches on display. So it appears to be an individual AD decision.

[tyler1980]

most AD's do this. IMO there is nothing shady. My AD only sells hot models no matter the brand to existing clients and when you come in to ask for one they will pull out of the safe if they have one. Popular Rolex, AP, Patek are never, ever on display.

If there isnt enough to go around they sell them to people who are not one time customers.

[Ravager135]

My local AD has a very poor stainless selection at the moment. I was making small talk with the salesman and we both touched on the fact that ADs are getting almost no stainless steel inventory right now. I think he understood very quickly by our conversation, the fact I was wearing an LV, and that I am always looking to purchase that I was serious customer. He didn't mention anything "in the back."

Now maybe he could care less or had other buyers lined up; but I have purchased from this AD before, I was in servicing another watch, and they know my face pretty well at this point. I've always judged this AD to be very upfront and honest about their lists, wait times, etc. I don't think ALL ADs are doing this.

I was recently in Maui and I got the same vibe from the AD there that stock is depleted and that there was little they could do about it. I am very certain this AD probably sells 90% to tourists so I don't think there was reluctance to bring things out of the back when we started talking about references I was looking to add.

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by Coop13

I don’t think I could do the Tudor thing.

To each his own.

Actually this tactic doesn't bother me as much as it did at first, and in many ways makes sense. It's the lying and the lists that irk me to no end.

[HL65]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

most AD's do this. IMO there is nothing shady. My AD only sells hot models no matter the brand to existing clients and when you come in to ask for one they will pull out of the safe if they have one. Popular Rolex, AP, Patek are never, ever on display.

Exactly

[Glidelock]

If I had a nickel for every time an AD has pulled a watch out of the safe to let me see it because it’s to hot of an item to go into the display case, I’d be able to buy an oceanfront property in Scottsdale, AZ.!

[drm20]

Originally Posted by Glidelock

If I had a nickel for every time an AD has pulled a watch out of the safe to let me see it because it’s to hot of an item to go into the display case, I’d be able to buy an oceanfront property in Scottsdale, AZ.!

I wish there was oceanfront property around here, I miss the beach!!!

[PLNYC]

A lot of AD’s do this. I’ve been to one where the AD had a Daytona C and BLNR in the back

[Wcdhtwn]

My AD tells me almost every SS they get is spoken for, so they don’t go in the display case. But if they received something not spoken for I can’t imagine they’d hide it in the back. If it can’t be seen it can’t be purchased. Last time I was there they had a GMT LN in the display case.


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[tng11]

AD closest to me doesn't do this at all. Most hot pieces (except the Daytona and Blue SkyD) go into the display case, first come first serve.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=584269

[Glidelock]

Originally Posted by Glidelock

If I had a nickel for every time an AD has pulled a watch out of the safe to let me see it because it’s to hot of an item to go into the display case, I’d be able to buy an oceanfront property in Scottsdale, AZ.!

Originally Posted by drm20

I wish there was oceanfront property around here, I miss the beach!!!

C’mon Dave it’s there...have they been telling you it’s not there? Just well hidden is all...North East of town a little, over a hill next to some Cacti, and just passed a dune!



Now if you’ll buy that I’ll throw the Golden Gate Bridge in for free!

[train-time]

Same thing just happened to me last week. The local AD had a Sub without the date in their case. I commented that I knew some that was looking for a Sub Date at which time the sales associate excused herself and went to the back of the store and returned with the Sub Date from the safe.

[Rad22]

I witnessed an AD show a customer a blue deep sea, after the customer decided he didn’t want it they packed it back up into those little plastic coffins and took into the back somewhere. I was very surprised when I saw this, you’d figure they would want to move as many watches as possible.


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[drm20]

Originally Posted by Glidelock

C’mon Dave it’s there...have they been telling you it’s not there? Just well hidden is all...North East of town a little, over a hill next to some Cacti, and just passed a dune!



Now if you’ll buy that I’ll throw the Golden Gate Bridge in for free!

My AD must own that property!

[Spartacus]

I prefer they keep the good stuff in the vault. Tire kickers waste everyone's time.

[Tangier11]

I was flat out told that the AD I dealt with actually looks at how long and how much money you have spent and the hard to finds are offered to the best customers in order of loyalty.

[GFONG]

People keep complaining about the ADs. I found that the problem is the so-called potential buyers. Everyone put their name in multiple ADs. Even they bought the watch or decided not to buy anymore, they won’t inform the ADs. Just leave their name in the list. How the AD know who is a genuine buyer? If ADs reserve the watch for their regular customers, they are blamed. If ADs ask for deposit, they are also blamed.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Tangier11

I was flat out told that the AD I dealt with actually looks at how long and how much money you have spent and the hard to finds are offered to the best customers in order of loyalty.

thats actually a sign its probably a good AD. They are telling you what most won't. Its what happens almost universally, and they are being honest about it.

I cant imagine an AD having a waitlist that operates in a linear fashion and a client who spends 100's of thousands wants a watch and they dont jump the queue. They do every time. Their business is more important to keep.

[Jim Smyth]

Glad my AD (DavidSW) doesnt play those games..........

[drm20]

All great feedback everyone, thanks for the comments!

[Glidelock]

Originally Posted by Glidelock

C’mon Dave it’s there...have they been telling you it’s not there? Just well hidden is all...North East of town a little, over a hill next to some Cacti, and just passed a dune!



Now if you’ll buy that I’ll throw the Golden Gate Bridge in for free!

Originally Posted by drm20

My AD must own that property!

Oh...he definitely owns it! And his best customers not only get all the Daytona C’s, Blue SkyDwellers etc. they want at discount, but also get to use the AZ. Beach house for weekend getaways! I’ve been more times than should be allowed really...so beautiful!

[Ticknaway]

Sure seems like buying a Rolex is becoming a pain in the ass! I hope Rolex’s management understands the principle of diminishing returns. A lot of other brands are starting to look really attractive right now!

[EDL7]

It would be kinda funny..if Rolex told all their AD's..if you want the "hot" watches in your store...the steel cuties that is...you will only get a 20% discount on those models..not the usual 38%..
Rolex could do it in a heartbeat..and the AD's..would have to suck it up..lol..
That would kill the greys..and keep prices steady...
Not good for buyers..but good for them...
But they would actually have to supply the watches..

[scoot4nat]

If there's a waiting list then why would they put them on display?

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