I still dont know how, but i got my first Rolex, a Batgirl, during the height of the craziness from watches of Switzerland. My only purchase history was a Pelagos 2 years prior. Be likeable, polite, and patient and you stand a decent chance of getting something
Exactly how I got my 6 Rolex watches including a GMT that I waited 3 days for. Building rapport w the store ownership is the key. The other big tip is to buy graduation gifts, Christmas gifts, birthday gifts from the AD. Stuff you’re gonna buy anyway! Referring friends and family is huge too. I referred a friend who spent $100k!
Marc - your story resonates with me. I walked in, small family owned jewelry and had no purchase history. Expressed myself as genuine Rolex lover and tried few models and wasn’t asking for the most popular ones, had a nice chat. Walked out with explorer 1 36mm - absolute classic and timeless watch IMHO. Have my name for no. date sub but not in hurry :)
Started at AD in Dec 2022 asking for a Blue OP for a gift. Changed my mind and got a Cartier Ronde May 2023. Asked for GMT (Batman and Rootbeer) and Bluesy Sub for upcoming Anniversary in October 2024. Bought Omega Worldtimer in March 2024. Offered bluesy in May😃. Had several visits in between every few months. Great video Mark.
Marc, you have a great smile and a big, welcoming personality. It doesn't surprise me at all that you could form your relationships with your AD so organically.
Great advice Mark! I did pretty much exactly this back in 2022 when I got my first Rolex. It was a mom and pop authorized dealer. I told them I was looking to get my first Rolex to celebrate turning 40. The timing was just right because it was the end of the month on a Saturday in November. I brought my wife with me which I felt helped because they know I’ll buy her jewelry from there in the future. It was raining and it was right when they opened up, so there were no customers in the store at all. I brought up interest in the Explorer 1, the explorer 2, and the submariner. After looking at other things in the store and talking with the salesman and hitting it off he ended up selling me an explorer one that day. I was shocked!
Marc, great tips. One thing I would add is to switch up the AD if you find a dealer doesn't seem to be getting you the watch you want. I started with a smaller AD close to home, after they sold me a Sub 124060 (which I still own) I couldn't seem to get an allocation of Exp 2 for a couple of years. I took the time to visit a larger AD in a big city and was able to get that watch pretty quickly with a new relationship. It pays to visit another AD if you're not having luck. GMT Bruce Wayne is my last watch to close out the Rolex side of the collection, hoping to get that call soon :)
That's what I got for my first Rolex in July of this year. It's a wonderful daily watch that is a bit easier to get. I think I waited 3 weeks after I asked for it. I did buy a Tudor GMT the previous year so I did have a small purchase history.
Thanks for the advice, Marc. I think it is helpful and valid. I just can't see jumping through hoops for the privilege of buying one of these watches at retail. That said, I still can't criticize anybody who takes your advice and is willing to put the time in. I think it's going to be the secondary route for me and I realize that I have to live with the trade offs to do it. All the best. -YZ
I have gotten a 36 green dial datejust and the SS GMT in the span of less than 10 months of knowing my ad. This video has a lot of good advice but I don't agree with not asking for certain watches your first time. Sure maybe don't ask for a new panda but anything else should be able to be asked for and my ad encouraged to have as many options as possible on my list. Asking for a airking or an explorer lol come on they are gonna think your not a high net worth individual if those are the watches you ask for the first visit. They want high net worth individuals
Marc: You have come my village, Orland Park and bought two Rolex watches in last two years. I have been trying for 3 years to get Rolex explorer from Orland Park AD. No Chance. Maybe I have to have a RU-vid channel to get any Rolex watch here. Too bad
What does “trying for three years” mean? How many times have you been to the store in those three years? What have you asked for? Who have you dealt with there? Every one of these counts so please let me know here so we can analyze this together.
Got a sub on my first visit to an AD but on that same visit I first bought an IWC Mark XX. Would keep going there but they pretty much want me to buy something else before I can get a Datejust. Would do that cause I will buy something else anyways but they're not willing to offer discounts on anything. I find that crazy when you can easily get a 10% discount on other non-hype brands. Guess it's time to find another AD...
Hey great video! I wanted some advice from you on this subject! I have a good relationship with a family owned Rolex and, I have on order a Starbucks sub ,let me be clear I'm not on a waiting list my sales associate that I deal with told me at the end of the working day after meeting with her she put my order into Rolex. Just a little history this is my 5th Rolex bought from them and also one grand Seiko,my issue is that I've been waiting for 10 months and no watch yet! I do go in and visit them from time to time, do you think I should continue to wait for the sub or go back and buy something else like a yachtmaster with the rhodium dail? I value your opinion ,thanks Ron
In my opinion, "I love watches" and "buy it to have it" is not enough. I think AD wants to hear a good reason for it, like buying one for a wedding, to celebrate promotion/achievement or to wear it at a new job, etc
Interesting video, but with the Rolex and watch marketing collapsing, I dont see people lining up around the block to buy a Rolex anymore. Plus the secondary market has seen prices plummet so actually you can buy current model Rolex watches for close to AD prices now without the need to suck up to some spotty sales person. Trying to create a relationship with some kid that works at a Rolex AD isnt really my thing I am afraid. The last time I went into the local AD they basically said I had to buy a number of Tudor watches and other jewelry to demonstrate a "considerable" purchase history (even though I had already bought a Tudor off them) before they would consider selling me a popular Rolex watch at list price. Not interested in playing games, they can keep hold of their stock then or sell to their mates to try to flip, but I am not falling for this anymore. It is only a watch. Somehow Rolex AD think they are somehow special to the rest of the world. I will stick to my current Rolex watches and get a nearly new watch on Chrono24 at a great price when I see a decent deal pop up.
Marc I bought my first rolex sub date from J and S orland park. I still have it with documentation. Do you think its worth trying to contact them for another piece I no longer live in Chicago but have had little luck with local AD’s Thx
All that BS isn't worth it. I'd rather just pay secondary market prices for something I really want or just skip Rolex. Jump all of those hoops for a f******g watch? Forget about it.
Marc, please, just stop! Stop my friend. Its okay to be an authentic person who is pleasant with the owner of an AD. Placing them on a pedestal is out of the question. Yes, the AD woukd like to know you so being a good guy/gal is way cool. But, (beginning with a contraction here) butt-kissery ain't gonna happen for anybody. They'll see you as a beta male simp.
Have a good buying history at my family AD. Put in the request for a steel Daytona over 3yrs now. Marc, any suggestions? I know you waited this long too.
Marc, your videos on forming a relationship with your local AD is how I got my Rolex watches. My first watch that I bought at the AD was a Tudor GMT. Then, about a year later I bought a Batman on oyster bracelet. Then, I showed a lot of interest in the no date sub. About 6 months later, I went in to the AD for a visit wearing my Batman and I was looking at the expedition models in the store and my AD was sort of feeling me out about the Sub. That day as we were talking watched, he offered me the no date Sub, and I left with it on my wrist and my Batman in the box for the ride home. Point is, the forming of the relationship part with the AD is what I learned from you and I feel it is your best videos for us watch enthusiasts. Thank you!
"feeling me out" wtf does that even mean? You guys are pathetically desperate people that need validation. It's proven by the fact that you guys are willing to play these games lol. It's sickening and sad.
"feeling me out" what does that even mean? You guys are pathetically desperate people that need validation. It's proven by the fact that you guys are willing to play these games lol. It's sickening and sad.
"feeling me out" what does that even mean? You guys are puhtha tic desperate people that need validation. It's proven by the fact that you guys are willing to play these games lol. It's sickening and sad.
"feeling me out" what does that even mean? You guys are a pathetically desperate group that need validation. It's proven by the fact that you guys are willing to play these games lol. It's sickening and sad.
"feeling me out" what does that even mean? You guys are a such a desperate group of people that need validation. It's proven by the fact that you guys are willing to play these games lol. It's sickening and sad.
