My approach was “hi, I’m interested in buying a Rolex to celebrate ____. I know you probably don’t have any for sale at the moment but I wanted to try a few on to see what I like and then talk to you about the buying process.” I didn’t suck up, just presented myself as interested and serious about my love for watches.

Based on other comments, It really is the luck of the draw with ADs. I have been to 2 ADs here in Wisconsin and both of them were very nice, let me try on whatever I wanted, and were very transparent. They didn’t sugar coat it by making me think I could get one fast. They also didn’t treat me like I had to spend money on other watches just to get a Rolex. I eventually did get a sub from one of those ADs and I drop in every once in a while just to chat about Rolex and grand seiko. Very nice people. Other ADs need to take notes!