Great comments Tony. From my experience, it’s all about finding the right Sales Rep to work with. My Sales Rep never pressured me and after patiently waiting for my first Rolex purchase at the AD, my Sales Rep really went to bat for me getting me one of those models that required ‘management approval’ as you say, plus a few more. On top of that, he extended me an invitation to an exclusive Rolex event. Now I feel like I’m part of the family at my AD. It all started with finding the right Sales Rep that I genuinely now call a friend.
Sorry but I don’t understand why we can’t just walk into a shop and buy something if we have the cash. We have to have the right attitude and personality for the ad. It’s all very pretentious. Just imagine the sales they would get from the grey market if they just let people buy something they want!
@@talkingtimepieceswithtony I never said anything about not being cool with someone. But unfortunately it’s not just “being nice” that will get you a watch, your face has to fit
You could go to a breitling boutique and pay full price. You would be treated like a king there. 1.) Champagne, coffee, even meals on the house 2.) Free "breitling" branded swag goods sent to you and when you visit 3.) People to kiss your a** Back to your question of "why"? Because in this monetized world, anything worth more has a higher demand, hence no lack of costumers who are willing to do more than your average attitude to get to the end goal... a rolex watch.
Tony which watch in the entire Watch world is you? The one you look at and say “this watch is who I am… this is the watch equivalent of Tony Gamble?” Love the channel brother!
If you click with the salesperson, you’ll get whatever piece you want when becomes available 😅 There is no waitlist. At least, that has been my experience.
Tony speaking the truth and reality. As you said if you want certain watch and not willing to spend at AD just go on grey market. Some people are unreasonable. Plenty great watches out there it’s not all about Rolex end all and be all.
Great advice and completely true. Sometimes I just enjoy trying on different watches and chatting to the sales assistant. I always get treated with respect and they always get me a cold beer, soft drink or a nice coffee with a chocolate or biscuit. Be cool, be humble and be patient.
Walked into my out of state AD (my 2-3x year vacation spot). Told him what my wife wanted, he appreciated my candidness and made it happen that same day! Exact configuration btw. Contacted him two months later with my DJ 41 Wimbledon white rolesor request. I picked it up 30 minutes after the request! You are spot on Tony, just be yourself and be cool. He also hooked me up with Rolex hats for the entire family!
Thanks Tony. You made perfect sense. I’m late to getting into watches but I’m going to take your advice, be cool, show interest and most of all be respectful.
Amen, brother! I learned many decades ago that people prefer to do business with people they like. A lot of entitled folks don't get this. In 2021, when Rolexes were very scarce at ADs, I was able to get a DJ41 in a configuration I wanted only 3 weeks after meeting my AD for the first time. A few months later, she got me a Starbucks Sub. My family and friends have all been able to get Rolexes from her. All because she likes me. None of us had any purchase history until I bought my DJ from her. Treat other people the way you would like to be treated. It is really very simple. And it works. And find the right AD, as some of them won't give you the time of day no matter how nice you are.
I think spend history is important but also a little overrated. If you go into an AD with a buddy with a big spend history as he’s picking up his watch he waited a year for-you show interest in the watches, strike up a conversation with the AD and you spend a couple grand in jewelry for the wife-they’ll add you to the list and they’ll call eventually.
I don’t understand people who complain about not being able to get a watch if they have the money. That’s an entitled attitude, IMHO. Like you said, even if someone has the money to buy an aquanaut, they need an entry point into the brand first. Supply and demand. I’d love a snoopy speedmaster, but guess what? Supply and demand. I can’t get one right now. It’s just the way it is. Great video, Tony!
Rolex makes enough watches to satisfy demand. What's going on is these Rolex AD are selling their allotted pieces to gray market dealers. Every watch Rolex AD sell directly to a customer, they lose money. Rolex can stop this practice by selling directly customers, this will make their manufacturing more efficient. Rolex will know exactly how many number of the popular and unpopular models they need to produce. The stores can serve as a pickup location. Knowing I'm #1050 on the Rolex waiting list for a Green 126000, I ok with that.
You are basically categorizing every Rolex AD into the same hole. Some AD’s sell to Grey, but most do not. If there were enough watches to satisfy every customer then there would be no inflated Grey market prices.
I don't know what the commission is on each sale. But if you can pocket 1-2k on each selling to Grey, wouldn't you do it? I doubt the Rolex AD make that much salary.@@talkingtimepieceswithtony
Tony, I understand what you are saying with regards to Rolex. In order to get the great relationship I did, I was very lucky to build a rapport with the sales rep at a particular store. Prior to that i tired a few AD's that didnt even want to meet me when I rang up (as I dont have a local AD in my area). I think the first step is to be a genuine, cool person. With some AD's that will work, with others it wont. I think if you are not persistent you could just tarnish all AD's with the same brush but as you know that is not the case.
The problem with the Grey market for the average Joe is that they can't put it on a credit card and paynit if slowly and you don't sometimes trust its real or not tampered with. It shouldn't be about walking into an AD and try to win a cool guy contest. There needs to be a better way.
When demand exceeds supply, there are waitlists. You have to be patient. If patience isn’t one of your virtues, buy grey or move onto something else. I refuse to pay over retail.
Well Tony I guess I’m one of those that has to eat crow. Thinking my AD was never gonna call I had about given up. Long story there as they are the only AD in town and the sales staff has turned over and over the last 2 years. Anyways the new SA calls me and ask me to come in later today. He’s got a Sprite available for me if I want it. Honestly it’s not my first choice but it’s too 3. So later today I’m heading in to take a look but I’m thinking it’s coming home with me. My first Rolex. I spent a little time talking with this new SA so maybe we finally did connect. Great content Tony keep it up. And no more complaining from me about my AD.
So I’ve owned and sold many Rolex over the years. Recently had a few Rolex (Pepsi, Cermit, polar). Ended up purchasing the JLC Polaris Date Green boutique edition while in Japan and decided to sell my Cermit… those Rolex sports models are so similar and just felt like they were all repetitive. Especially wearing the Pepsi to the submariner. Thinking of getting a two tone bluesy to switch things up a bit.
@@talkingtimepieceswithtony thanks and yes I’ve been eyeing this green dial boutique only version but never came across one in the stores until this last trip. One of those watches where photos don’t really do it justice and couldn’t pass up on it.
Great advice Tony, that’s exactly what worked for me. Got the DJ41 first before I got the Submariner but luckily I like the DJ and wear/enjoy it often. Hope all is well, looking good - you’ve lost some weight, looking more chiselled 👍🏻
Watch Ball question; . I always thought that I would end up with a Hamilton felid watch but heard about the Shinola brand built in Detroit. The brand is not that old and uses Swiss movements but sure if its worth $1,500 for a 38 mm, non automatic watch that also seems susceptable to magnetic fields. . Does the watch ball think Shinola makes good watches?
I don't understand, if you want a Submariner why not buy it in the grey market to begin with? I wouldn't have a problem buying an expensive guitar used from another guy, why would I have a problem buying a Rolex from a second hand dealer?
Sorry but you're being a bit naive. What you say may be true at your location but not necessarily everywhere else. In my neck of the woods you have to have multiple thousands of spend history just to get a basic entry-level Rolex unless what you want is a two-tone or some other less desirable piece. It doesn't matter how nice you are. I waited 3 years but never got the call so I just went grey. In my part of the country there are international biyers dropping tens of thousands of dollars on jewelry most likely to launder their cash. Being surrounded by massive pockets means zero allocations for normal people.
I have done plenty of videos on the subject, and I state clearly it all depends on your AD and rep. If you’re nice and friendly you have a better shot than if you’re a jerk. There is nothing naive about what I’m saying. I’ve been to plenty of boutiques in many different states and countries. There are no guarantees anywhere.
Hey Tony love your videos nice honest and down to earth 😊. Could you please let us know according to you what would be a good time frame to follow up with AD and not being too pushy for example if this is my 1st Rolex from them? Thank you in advance and more power to you bro
Great advice as usual Tony. You nailed it, the process starts with a potential buyer being Cool and nice. If you’re going in whining, angry, or entitled, no soup for you. The only other ways to get a Rolex from an AD is to have someone who has a relationship buy a Sprite for you😂 Also there’s the having a big time client of Rolex vouch for you. In my opinion PT only attracts negative people to his site. His advice will get you on the bench but not in the game. As usual Tony you have the best watch collector site on RU-vid. Rock on brother👍
Great topic, I have been on Bhindi wait list for 14 months for a 40 mm explorer 1 and think its really luck of the draw. Its kinda like a first date, it's all over in the first 15 seconds if you dont have chemistry . I have only visited the store twice (confirmed I am still on the list and been told it should be a problem) I have said I was a collector and had a lot of stuff on my wish list to try and communicate my interest and ability to start a buy history..Im not even interested in the top end watches so its kind of funny that a relatively easy to get watch is only available to certain people. The problem is a never got a connection or a good conversation. I do think the market has changed in that the grey market premiums for some models are way down so why would someone wait a year and half to get something they could spend $700 more and get it right away. For me, I was never in big hurry and looked at this as a journey but after a while you do have to move on with your life. - Still love your channel even if the AD likes you a lot more than me.
It seems to be a long game to build a good rapport. The sales staff are people like you and me and deserve respect. If someone comes in being a dick then why would they sell them a Rolex? These watches sell themselves so they'll just ignore the douch bags! Looking forward to the new watch next week!
I bought an oyster perpetual 36mm almost 5 years ago for my graduation. I only visited once again after 3 years or so, they at least said they recognized me again. Probably also because my gf bought a blackbay 32 in the meantime. Next year I’d like to purchase a 36mm date just Wimbledon. They told me I’d get one within a year. After that in 2 or 3 years I’d like to buy a gmt master 2 pepsi and my guess is, I will get it within a shorter timeframe than I think at the moment. Edit: the first time I visited to make my interest known for the 36mm op I got immediately offered a z blue milgauss. So either we get along, or I was just plain lucky. Maybe they know me as the guy who declined a milgauss for a 36mm op at a time, where everybody asked me why I would buy a womens watch instead of something else 😅
I'm very tempted to stop by and pay a visit to Juan. I put my name down at 3 ADs already and I'm not sure if I should add my name to the list for another one. Looking to buy s explorer 2 or sub-date black
Great advise 👍👍👍as usual new subscriber. I want gmt pepsi . Polite to my local AD no spending history. Cross my fingers. Who is reputable gray market?? if you can answer that question thank you
Hi Tony do you think if your AD has rolex and patek and you have a decent spend history (coming up on 6 figures) and you've been allocated some nice rolex pieces, you can jump straight to an aquanaught or nautilus?
@jchong. My experience is no. Your spend history and bona fides as a non-flipper will get you in the PP door. But, for the PP models you want, it’ll be your spend history and demonstrated dedication with PP specifically that will be the determinative factors.
I love it when the people who are nowhere near as wealthy and special as they want to be start mouthing off in the AD. Staff kiss their fat arses, but in their head they are all thinking what a cock they are. 100% laughing to themselves and then with other staff when they leave 😂
I’m not sure what I just watched. Lol. It sounded like a kid getting up in front of the class to give a report but didn’t prepare at all. It was all over the place, rambling, and I’m really not sure what the point was. Sorry, most of your videos are good, but this one was a fail.
We’re very simpatico on this issue, so nobody appreciates your quasi-rant more than me. That said, maybe it’s time to close the book on this topic? Not b/c you’re wrong; you’re not. But b/c these hillbillies are never going to get it. You could explain this 7 ways to Sunday, and they still won’t recognize that they’re the problem, not the system or the game.
