Great AD in NC is gone!

[GST15]

Sad to see Rolex eliminate another AD. This one in Cary NC. Great friendly and knowledgable staff where I purchased many Rolex over the years. They will continue with their amazing Jewlery and I hope that soon they will add a top tier watch brand to their store.

[jacowestt]

It’s always disappointing to see a trusted AD lose their Rolex account, especially one with a great team and strong relationships like the one in Cary, NC. It’s tough for long-time customers who’ve enjoyed their expertise and service over the years, it’s not just about the watches, but the people and the experience.

Hopefully, they’ll pivot successfully and bring in another top-tier watch brand to fill the gap. Brands like Omega, Grand Seiko, or even an independent like H. Moser or Parmigiani could be a great addition to their offerings. Regardless, it’s clear they’ve built a loyal customer base, and that kind of goodwill will serve them well moving forward. Here’s hoping they continue to thrive in this next chapter!

[Calatrava r]

What is the store's name?

[GST15]

Originally Posted by jacowestt

It’s always disappointing to see a trusted AD lose their Rolex account, especially one with a great team and strong relationships like the one in Cary, NC. It’s tough for long-time customers who’ve enjoyed their expertise and service over the years, it’s not just about the watches, but the people and the experience.

Hopefully, they’ll pivot successfully and bring in another top-tier watch brand to fill the gap. Brands like Omega, Grand Seiko, or even an independent like H. Moser or Parmigiani could be a great addition to their offerings. Regardless, it’s clear they’ve built a loyal customer base, and that kind of goodwill will serve them well moving forward. Here’s hoping they continue to thrive in this next chapter!

I would love to see them bring in Cartier. It would compliment their excellent jewlery selections!

[neurotichamster8]

Bailey's?

[GST15]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

What is the store's name?

JM Edwards

[Hodog16]

Agree good people who work there. Hopefully they can get something else in.

Would be nice to have an AP or Patek AD in this area, especially since AP is moving their big service center here.

[hellofromthebay]

That happened a few months ago. Makes sense given a new higher-end boutique is opening in Raleigh.


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[Masteryacht]

First of all, I fully admit this is a first world problem.
With that said, Rolex is really screwing some of us. I'm a collector and not a flipper. I also collect antique clocks so I value horology and it’s history. I’m in SC and my AD lost its account (2 locations) several years ago. I've gotten everything from them and they’ve been good to me. I’m not a wealthy client, but they were still kind enough to get me a 116500 shortly after it was introduced. I consider them friends and have been shopping there for years. I’ve never sold any Rolex I’ve gotten from them (5 total, including my wife's watches).

We don’t have many ADs in SC to begin with and now all of my history and relationship building is flushed down the toilet. I’ve tried another AD to no avail so I’ve given up. I’m very over it at this point. There are better things to occupy my time and money.

[racerx]

Originally Posted by Hodog16

Agree good people who work there. Hopefully they can get something else in.

Would be nice to have an AP or Patek AD in this area, especially since AP is moving their big service center here.

Gotta have a market for them first.

[train-time]

Originally Posted by GST15

Sad to see Rolex eliminate another AD. This one in Cary NC. Great friendly and knowledgable staff where I purchased many Rolex over the years. They will continue with their amazing Jewlery and I hope that soon they will add a top tier watch brand to their store.

We had a local AD that was a similar situation and when Rolex pulled out they thought the same thing, let's go and get some other high-end brands and they found out it wasn't easy without having Rolex any more. They tried them all and eventually got Longines and Seiko Prospex. None of other high-end brands were interested since they no longer had Rolex.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Masteryacht

First of all, I fully admit this is a first world problem.
With that said, Rolex is really screwing some of us. I'm a collector and not a flipper. I also collect antique clocks so I value horology and it’s history. I’m in SC and my AD lost its account (2 locations) several years ago. I've gotten everything from them and they’ve been good to me. I’m not a wealthy client, but they were still kind enough to get me a 116500 shortly after it was introduced. I consider them friends and have been shopping there for years. I’ve never sold any Rolex I’ve gotten from them (5 total, including my wife's watches).

We don’t have many ADs in SC to begin with and now all of my history and relationship building is flushed down the toilet. I’ve tried another AD to no avail so I’ve given up. I’m very over it at this point. There are better things to occupy my time and money.

That really sucks. I imagine it's hard enough to have to start again with a new AD, but if you aren't one of the TRFers who buy $200k/year of watches, it could take forever to "establish" yourself. I, too, would look for a new brand or a new hobby.

[1William]

Sorry this happened but such is business.

[brandrea]

Sorry to hear. More likely to follow unfortunately.

[mpkRolex]

If the ADs only sell to genuine customers and not the flippers and gray dealers they would keep their status. But may be there is more to it. Yes I agree that it is disappointing


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[m j b]

Originally Posted by hellofromthebay

That happened a few months ago. Makes sense given a new higher-end boutique is opening in Raleigh.

Oh really, where? I presume that Fink's still has their AD, so that makes me wonder...

I too was (am still) a customer of JME and am sorry to see them lose the AD status. I was in there last week to get a new battery for one of the wife's Snoopy watches and to get her something for XMAS, and that's when I found out about losing the AD. Their story was that Rolex was requiring them to build out their sales area, and it wasn't worth it to them since Rolex would not promise anything in return - like how long they would continue to be an AD, and I presume, how many watches they would get.

They did have a few (I presume) former demonstrators for sale, but they were priced at market, not MSRP, so I passed. I did give them some crap for not selling me the Skydweller demo, but I guess being #78 on the list doesn't count for much. I'm not a whale.

I'm not a minnow either. Perhaps a salmon?

I've bought two or three new Rolexes from them, several used watches (including a gold Daytona) and a nice diamond-encrusted DJ for the wife. As well as jewelry. But does that get me a phone call? Noooooooooooooooooo.

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by Masteryacht

First of all, I fully admit this is a first world problem.
With that said, Rolex is really screwing some of us. I'm a collector and not a flipper. I also collect antique clocks so I value horology and it’s history. I’m in SC and my AD lost its account (2 locations) several years ago. I've gotten everything from them and they’ve been good to me. I’m not a wealthy client, but they were still kind enough to get me a 116500 shortly after it was introduced. I consider them friends and have been shopping there for years. I’ve never sold any Rolex I’ve gotten from them (5 total, including my wife's watches).

We don’t have many ADs in SC to begin with and now all of my history and relationship building is flushed down the toilet. I’ve tried another AD to no avail so I’ve given up. I’m very over it at this point. There are better things to occupy my time and money.

If I am ever in this situation I will just go gray for a one and done watch


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[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by Masteryacht

First of all, I fully admit this is a first world problem.
With that said, Rolex is really screwing some of us. I'm a collector and not a flipper. I also collect antique clocks so I value horology and it’s history. I’m in SC and my AD lost its account (2 locations) several years ago. I've gotten everything from them and they’ve been good to me. I’m not a wealthy client, but they were still kind enough to get me a 116500 shortly after it was introduced. I consider them friends and have been shopping there for years. I’ve never sold any Rolex I’ve gotten from them (5 total, including my wife's watches).

We don’t have many ADs in SC to begin with and now all of my history and relationship building is flushed down the toilet. I’ve tried another AD to no avail so I’ve given up. I’m very over it at this point. There are better things to occupy my time and money.

The Rolex market has changed a lot in the least year or so. Most models can be bought online, in "as new, complete " condition from reputable secondary market dealers for retail or just above or below. The SS GMTs and Daytona's are still nuts to buy secondary, but for most people just wanting a watch they can wear there is a acceptable alternative to waiting years at an AD for anything. I still think, contrary to what some people may say or think, the bulk of these watches for sale are sold to the dealers by retail customers. Watch collectors can be fickle and many are always on the hunt for the next one. To continue doing it, they have to unload to replenish their funds.

[GreatScott]

What Rolex is forgetting is that availability leads to long term customers. The harder to get, the fewer customers who will care in 5-10 years which will lead to the ultimate failing of the brand. Customers cannot establish relationships with brands that are hours away from their home.

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[VictorGMT]

Originally Posted by GST15

Sad to see Rolex eliminate another AD. This one in Cary NC. Great friendly and knowledgable staff where I purchased many Rolex over the years. They will continue with their amazing Jewlery and I hope that soon they will add a top tier watch brand to their store.

I am sad to hear it...

A friend gave me a contact there in 2021. JME got me a new Platinum Day Date in 20 days. Then a new Sub Date and two OPs for gifts in 2022. All via text, AMX, Fedex.

I've never been to Cary...

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

What Rolex is forgetting is that availability leads to long term customers. The harder to get, the fewer customers who will care in 5-10 years which will lead to the ultimate failing of the brand. Customers cannot establish relationships with brands that are hours away from their home.

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I've thought about that very point...I think you're right, but not regarding Rolex. The brand is just so incredibly strong.

It is arguably the most powerful brand in the world and people will go to great lengths to obtain ROLEX. In fact, the harder it is, seemingly the more people WANT it.

I know a guy who could be considered wealthy. Worked very hard at it..etc.

2yrs ago he couldn't care less about watches. Now he has Rolex fever and is spending a surprising amount of time and resources to acquire what he wants. It's a "challenge"...

So...for Rolex? They will travel.

[rohada]

I may be wrong (someone will correct me if I am), but I don't think anyone is replacing JME in the RTP area. At least nothing has surfaced at this point, as far as I know. Maybe later. I think NC is already low per capita with AD representation, so this won't help. Fink's at North Hills is doing a build out, so they will continue on as an AD. I have not been to the Streets at Southpoint, but I assume their location is building out for Rolex. I don't think Cartier watches will be in the cards for JME, unless multiple jewelers will be representing the watch line in the RTP area. Not sure how they go to market. Bailey's lost the line quite a few years ago.

[giucco]

Why did Rolex get rid of this AD?

[rohada]

Originally Posted by giucco

Why did Rolex get rid of this AD?

From earlier in the thread:

Originally Posted by m j b

Their story was that Rolex was requiring them to build out their sales area, and it wasn't worth it to them since Rolex would not promise anything in return - like how long they would continue to be an AD, and I presume, how many watches they would get.

[Watch_aficionado]

I'm curious if anyone has more info on the requirements for an AD to build out a sales area? If an AD agrees, how long do they have? And once they do, are they guaranteed anything or the right to be a AD for a specified amount of time?

Let's say a small AD buys the space next to them in a plaza and agrees to expand into that area and make a very large (to Rolex spec) space for Rolex only. This would of course be a huge financial cost to a small jewelry store, but to keep the Rolex brand should make it worth it. But I've also heard of AD's expanding and then losing their distributorship. This could in turn bankrupt a small family jewelry store.

[Masteryacht]

Originally Posted by GreatScott

What Rolex is forgetting is that availability leads to long term customers. The harder to get, the fewer customers who will care in 5-10 years which will lead to the ultimate failing of the brand. Customers cannot establish relationships with brands that are hours away from their home.

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This is spot on, IMO.

[Edwardfry3]

Sorry about this.

[pedersenkl]

While I never purchased at JME, they were always very professional. Sad to see another local NC AD go away. One less for me to tap when the time is right.

(Although, in hindsight …they never came through for me while other ADs did….so….)

[cascadez71]

Originally Posted by jacowestt

It’s always disappointing to see a trusted AD lose their Rolex account, especially one with a great team and strong relationships like the one in Cary, NC. It’s tough for long-time customers who’ve enjoyed their expertise and service over the years, it’s not just about the watches, but the people and the experience.

Hopefully, they’ll pivot successfully and bring in another top-tier watch brand to fill the gap. Brands like Omega, Grand Seiko, or even an independent like H. Moser or Parmigiani could be a great addition to their offerings. Regardless, it’s clear they’ve built a loyal customer base, and that kind of goodwill will serve them well moving forward. Here’s hoping they continue to thrive in this next chapter!

What on earth AI post garbage is this?

[cascadez71]

Originally Posted by rohada

I may be wrong (someone will correct me if I am), but I don't think anyone is replacing JME in the RTP area. At least nothing has surfaced at this point, as far as I know. Maybe later. I think NC is already low per capita with AD representation, so this won't help. Fink's at North Hills is doing a build out, so they will continue on as an AD. I have not been to the Streets at Southpoint, but I assume their location is building out for Rolex. I don't think Cartier watches will be in the cards for JME, unless multiple jewelers will be representing the watch line in the RTP area. Not sure how they go to market. Bailey's lost the line quite a few years ago.

Are there any Rolex dealers left in Raleigh area?