Another Independent loses Rolex

[phez]

My local independent who have sold Rolex watches for over 35 years have lost their Rolex contract.

Very disappointing.

Apparently Rolex are dropping several independents in favour of the larger chains.

Bang goes a friendly, more personal experience.

And I feel for all those on the waiting list for Daytona and GMT

[Harry-57]

Who are they?

If they invested in the premises overhaul two years back they have been properly stung. If they didn't, it's no shock.

[phez]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Who are they?

If they invested in the premises overhaul two years back they have been properly stung. If they didn't, it's no shock.

I’d rather not name them, but this AD did invest in an in-house workshop including paying to train a watchmaker.

The real pain is Rolex will only take repairs and servicing from recognised AD’s. Apparently Rolex are returning watches sent in by private individuals untouched.

[Harry-57]

Did they do the in store boutique revamp?

[vinny84]

Not surprised. I really think this is Rolex’s strategy moving forward for the sake of exclusivity

[Pboned]

That stinks.

[1William]

Such is the Rolex world.

[brandrea]

Sorry to hear Paul. It’s the Rolex way of business now it seems.

[7enderbender]

Originally Posted by phez

I’d rather not name them, but this AD did invest in an in-house workshop including paying to train a watchmaker.

The real pain is Rolex will only take repairs and servicing from recognised AD’s. Apparently Rolex are returning watches sent in by private individuals untouched.

Care to elaborate and is this only in the UK? I read here all the time that private individuals send in watches for service to the RSCs in the US. Has that changed?

I was going to send mine in later this year and was going to send it to Dallas even though I’m on the East Coast. The AD would send it to New York from what I understand.

[Wahlberg]

Somehow this feels like karma. I realize there are/were good ADs but some deserve this.

Everything small will disappear.

[Goochy]

Originally Posted by phez

I’d rather not name them, but this AD did invest in an in-house workshop including paying to train a watchmaker.

The real pain is Rolex will only take repairs and servicing from recognised AD’s. Apparently Rolex are returning watches sent in by private individuals untouched.

As far as I know, you can still walk in to Rolex HQ at Kings Hill as a private individual for repairs and service without going via an AD.

[phez]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Care to elaborate and is this only in the UK? I read here all the time that private individuals send in watches for service to the RSCs in the US. Has that changed?

I was going to send mine in later this year and was going to send it to Dallas even though I’m on the East Coast. The AD would send it to New York from what I understand.

Only in the UK as far as I know.

[phez]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Did they do the in store boutique revamp?

No they didn’t, just an installation of an in-house service centre.

[phez]

Originally Posted by Goochy

As far as I know, you can still walk in to Rolex HQ at Kings Hill as a private individual for repairs and service without going via an AD.

My AD did say, you can’t walk into St James in London and leave your watch for repair or service.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by phez

No they didn’t, just an installation of an in-house service centre.

Yeah. That tracks. If they did not do the boutique upgrade, then it was only a matter of time. The owner will have known the consequences and elected to lose the franchise at some point.

I don't profess to have any inside knowledge, but it seems logical that the lack of investment in the Rolex retail area is a good indicator of likely survival.

My AD makes a lot of money out of Rolex repairs and servicing on watches that are not sent to the RSC. Your ex AD will continue to earn from it.

[Bozack90]

happened here a while ago and it does stink but as you said it aligns with what seems like their new approach

[One Team]

I think this will happen to more and more small individual dealers.

[blufinz52]

Originally Posted by 7enderbender

Care to elaborate and is this only in the UK? I read here all the time that private individuals send in watches for service to the RSCs in the US. Has that changed?

I was going to send mine in later this year and was going to send it to Dallas even though I’m on the East Coast. The AD would send it to New York from what I understand.

I just sent my Sub to the RSC in Dallas, no need to go through an AD.

[rmwill]

Unfortunately, this will continue to occur. If you are attempting to build a relationship with an AD, make sure they have invested in the required showroom upgrades, or you are likely wasting your time and money.

[ninjin]

Originally Posted by phez

I’d rather not name them, but this AD did invest in an in-house workshop including paying to train a watchmaker.

The real pain is Rolex will only take repairs and servicing from recognised AD’s. Apparently Rolex are returning watches sent in by private individuals untouched.

Regards to servicing, I can let you know that in the UK you can walk into St James's Sq and deal directly with RSC. No need to go through an AD.

[jlovda]

...

[jlovda]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

My AD makes a lot of money out of Rolex repairs and servicing on watches that are not sent to the RSC. Your ex AD will continue to earn from it.

Will they be able to get parts?

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by rmwill

Unfortunately, this will continue to occur. If you are attempting to build a relationship with an AD, make sure they have invested in the required showroom upgrades, or you are likely wasting your time and money.

This is so true! And they are now doing the same with Tudor; major investments in Tudor branded store improvements are under request and planning within the AD network currently.

[Seddyspaghetti]

My condolences.

[Alex71168]

You can walk in to Kings Hill still for a service still!

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by jlovda

Will they be able to get parts?

If they have a parts account.

Again, only the ex AD will have the full picture of what they can and can't do. There is a repair centre not far from me which is not aligned to Rolex but has a parts account and uses Rolex equipment. They service and repair to OEM standard. They used to service and repair a wide range of brands. The last time I enquired they were taking Rolex work only.

[EndlessEight]

Sounds like March is when they are allowed to let their clients know.

These ADs who have status pulled knew months / a year ago. They've been milking their clients to buy additional non-Rolex things in the meantime.

[samson66]

More of the same. Like I've said before, all the fun has been sucked out of this hobby as far as Rolex is concerned.

[EndlessEight]

Originally Posted by One Team

I think this will happen to more and more small individual dealers.

There's nothing to think about.

It's clear Rolex has been pivoting towards the "boutique" experience as the "mom and pop" experience is now beneath their idealized service level experience.

I would not be trying to start a relationship with a "mom and pop" dealer at this stage in the game

[Chewbacca]

If I were Rolex I would cull small independents too. It’s smart from their viewpoint.

Today there’s no need for independents. The brand is known and sells every watch with RSC a fedex away. What they want now is the cash flow and credit of which only larger groups can supply. If they say we want you to spend $5m on a store in a store concept and only buy from our furniture supplier and displays they don’t want someone in Boise quoting their contract.

They simply want control and no pesky issues like car dealers vs manufacturers are going through with car brands and sales models.