Playing AD game

[lawyerdude]

For those of you that play the AD game. In a situation when you are planning to buy your wife a watch from a different brand, how much of a difference in price is it worth to pay the Rolex AD for the watch without a discount vs a different watch AD that doesn’t offer Rolex but would give a discount. In my case $6600 watch that alternative AD is offering at $5800. It’s also possible (haven’t asked yet) that i could get the watch shipped from out of state and perhaps avoid sales tax. Is the Goodwill with the AD worth the money. After all the goal in buying AD is to save money vs Grey.

[Philadelphialawyer1]

It depends on what you're angling to get from the AD.

[WatchEater666]

With the way Rolex values are sliding, I would not really play many games.

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

With the way Rolex values are sliding, I would not really play many games.

This

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Funny, I’ve bought all my Rolexes at ADs but have never played a game so I don’t have a strategy to share with you. Having said that I would simply ask the higher AD if they have any room on the price of the non-Rolex watch because you would rather buy it from them. See what happens and report back.

[enjoythemusic]

Game? Have no idea what you mean. Are you talking about chess or backgammon, or card games like blackjack and poker?

[codecow]

Will it help you with Rolex? Maybe… probably not much at the dollar value you’re talking about. Buy some $50k diamond studs for her and then you’ll move the needle for sure.

[Travis29]

No games here. 4 pcs from my AD in past 4 years. DJ sub two Gmts

[GrailTime]

Originally Posted by lawyerdude

For those of you that play the AD game. In a situation when you are planning to buy your wife a watch from a different brand, how much of a difference in price is it worth to pay the Rolex AD for the watch without a discount vs a different watch AD that doesn’t offer Rolex but would give a discount. In my case $6600 watch that alternative AD is offering at $5800. It’s also possible (haven’t asked yet) that i could get the watch shipped from out of state and perhaps avoid sales tax. Is the Goodwill with the AD worth the money. After all the goal in buying AD is to save money vs Grey.

Ask the Rolex AD to match the price. Im sure that wont go against you.

As it is not a Rolex, there may be some wiggle room.

[BKScripto]

I bought my wife a Brietling from my AD for a special occasion. They had exactly what I wanted for her and I figured what the heck. I haggled around $700 off (retail on the watch was a little over 5k, for perspective).

A month or so later I got a BLNR from that AD. At the time BLNRs were still in the 18k range on grey market. So for me it was a win win. Could I have gotten her Brietling a bit cheaper somewhere else, sure. But it also saved me 7k on a BLNR.

The Rolex you want from the AD will not be guaranteed… but belly aching over the $800 seems a bit trivial in this case.

[Njkdog]

You know, even if the online company doesn’t charge you tax, you’re supposed to pay sales tax and report it.
There’s a spot for it on the tax packet I fill out for my accountant (not for watches specifically, just for large purchases that were not taxed)

[BroncoOne]

Originally Posted by lawyerdude

For those of you that play the AD game. In a situation when you are planning to buy your wife a watch from a different brand, how much of a difference in price is it worth to pay the Rolex AD for the watch without a discount vs a different watch AD that doesn’t offer Rolex but would give a discount. In my case $6600 watch that alternative AD is offering at $5800. It’s also possible (haven’t asked yet) that i could get the watch shipped from out of state and perhaps avoid sales tax. Is the Goodwill with the AD worth the money. After all the goal in buying AD is to save money vs Grey.

Just be friendly and upfront and visit when you happen to be in the area of the store.

As for shipping out of state, some certainly will and tell you, sometimes in writing, that you are responsible to pay the local state use tax since you aren’t paying a sales tax. Some won’t .

If you get a call, buy the watch if it’s one that you like.

I never bought jewelry or a watch that I didn’t want to be able to get a Rolex at MSRP from and AD. Just be someone that the AD wants to get a watch.

If you decide to sell a piece, offer it to the AD so that they can resell and make some money, even if you can resell to a gray for a few hundred more. A relationship is a two way street.

Other than that, there really isn’t a game. Just be normal and try to understand the AD’s business model

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

Funny, I’ve bought all my Rolexes at ADs but have never played a game so I don’t have a strategy to share with you. Having said that I would simply ask the higher AD if they have any room on the price of the non-Rolex watch because you would rather buy it from them. See what happens and report back.

I agree with this. I’ve bought watches from my AD and gotten discounts on everything other than Rolex and Tudor…

[Jack T]

Why does a grown man, who evidently can afford to spend $6,000 on a watch, need to go on a website and ask total strangers how to navigate a transaction to save $800?

[brandrea]

I wouldn’t tie the moment into anything other than your wife.

Buy her the watch, take her to dinner, make it all about her

[Calatrava r]

Save the money. No guarantees of anything from an AD unless they have the exact watch you want available for sale to you. Remember this is an industry where the dealers say they have no clue what is coming in. LOL

[Dave O]

I would buy it from my AD. You aren't saving that much money and in the end you are showing your AD your loyalty to them and they in turn may return that favor. It's not playing a game, but rather building a business relationship.

Case in point. Last year I purchased a Breitling Navitimer. My AD didn't have the one I was looking for in stock and I didn't want to purchase it sight unseen. I traveled to a Breitling boutique which was around 60 miles away so that I could see it in person (mint green dial). I fell in love, left the store and went straight to my AD to order it. I told them I had just visited a boutique, and could have purchased it then and there but wanted to support them instead. My SA was so pleased and appreciative that I chose to support them instead, even though I had the watch I wanted in my hand. Needless to say my SA/AD has been very good to me as I have been the same to them. No buying jewelry, no buying a watch I don't want, and not playing any games.

[BraveBold]

Unless evading taxes that difference is moot. Your choice there.

I know what I’d do - try and negotiate best pricing at my AD and buy from them if difference is immaterial. Buying from out of state has its own hassles that I’d prefer avoiding anyways if the difference were small.

[rmwill]

This.

Originally Posted by Jack T

Why does a grown man, who evidently can afford to spend $6,000 on a watch, need to go on a website and ask total strangers how to navigate a transaction to save $800?

[kopi-c]

Originally Posted by lawyerdude

For those of you that play the AD game. In a situation when you are planning to buy your wife a watch from a different brand, how much of a difference in price is it worth to pay the Rolex AD for the watch without a discount vs a different watch AD that doesn’t offer Rolex but would give a discount. In my case $6600 watch that alternative AD is offering at $5800. It’s also possible (haven’t asked yet) that i could get the watch shipped from out of state and perhaps avoid sales tax. Is the Goodwill with the AD worth the money. After all the goal in buying AD is to save money vs Grey.

Playing the AD game, some lose and some win...

It all depends and you would really need to talk to the sales person or manager at the Rolex AD and try your luck at other locations if possible.

[enjoythemusic]

Thought the holidays were over.

m.jpg

[dlddrrr]

If the price to pay is just $800 more to build a spending history with the Rolex AD and get in their good books, it’s worth it in my opinion. That $800 could save you $8000 from going grey on a Rolex.

[gerry100]

patience

[dauster]

Originally Posted by BroncoOne

Just be friendly and upfront and visit when you happen to be in the area of the store.

As for shipping out of state, some certainly will and tell you, sometimes in writing, that you are responsible to pay the local state use tax since you aren’t paying a sales tax. Some won’t .

If you get a call, buy the watch if it’s one that you like.

I never bought jewelry or a watch that I didn’t want to be able to get a Rolex at MSRP from and AD. Just be someone that the AD wants to get a watch.

If you decide to sell a piece, offer it to the AD so that they can resell and make some money, even if you can resell to a gray for a few hundred more. A relationship is a two way street.

Other than that, there really isn’t a game. Just be normal and try to understand the AD’s business model

100% this is it !!!!

[KatGirl]

Ask your AD if he can price match. All he can do is say No, or give a lesser discount. If trying to build a business relationship, in hopes of getting a Rolex, it’s a smart move. Good luck.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Benjack]

Originally Posted by dlddrrr

If the price to pay is just $800 more to build a spending history with the Rolex AD and get in their good books, it’s worth it in my opinion. That $800 could save you $8000 from going grey on a Rolex.

Exactly! I will pay the $800 for the future purpose.

[VCoupe376ci]

Originally Posted by lawyerdude

For those of you that play the AD game. In a situation when you are planning to buy your wife a watch from a different brand, how much of a difference in price is it worth to pay the Rolex AD for the watch without a discount vs a different watch AD that doesn’t offer Rolex but would give a discount. In my case $6600 watch that alternative AD is offering at $5800. It’s also possible (haven’t asked yet) that i could get the watch shipped from out of state and perhaps avoid sales tax. Is the Goodwill with the AD worth the money. After all the goal in buying AD is to save money vs Grey.

Are you sure the Rolex AD won't match the discounted price? I was looking at a Seamaster 300 Black Ceramic at my Rolex AD and they met me about 25% of the way between MSRP and the jomashop price (which was well under MSRP). It's definitely worth an ask to see if they will price match before shopping elsewhere.

[lawyerdude]

I went with the AD. They didn’t match. But, did give me a couple bucks and say she appreciates my loyalty to them. My thought in the end is I dont want to buy something I dont want to get the Rolex I want, but if its something I am buying anyhow I would continue my investment in the AD relationship and see if it pays off. I have requests for watches that are 50% over MSRP on the grey market, so if I get even one and this helped it’s worthwhile. This is as opposed to a Speedmaster i ordered Grey to save over 20%. The AD doesn’t carry Omega and I am not sure i would pay $1900 more.

A lot of people comment about getting what they want without buying things, but I think that’s fine if you have had a long time relationship. Newbies need to start somewhere.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by lawyerdude

I went with the AD. They didn’t match. But, did give me a couple bucks and say she appreciates my loyalty to them. My thought in the end is I dont want to buy something I dont want to get the Rolex I want, but if its something I am buying anyhow I would continue my investment in the AD relationship and see if it pays off. I have requests for watches that are 50% over MSRP on the grey market, so if I get even one and this helped it’s worthwhile. This is as opposed to a Speedmaster i ordered Grey to save over 20%. The AD doesn’t carry Omega and I am not sure i would pay $1900 more.

A lot of people comment about getting what they want without buying things, but I think that’s fine if you have had a long time relationship. Newbies need to start somewhere.

In my opinion I think you made the right decision, continuing to build a better business relationship. And I believe congratulations are in order as well.

[3sheets86]

Originally Posted by Dave O

In my opinion I think you made the right decision, continuing to build a better business relationship. And I believe congratulations are in order as well.

Agreed. We're a family garage with sales and workshop and we can't always price match but we do what we can if a customer asks but we guarantee service if they ever need us which some just buying on price alone will never experience.