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Old 18 April 2019, 09:49 AM   #1
GMT Fan
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Martin Place Rolex in Sydney, AUS

I have read on the forum that stainless steel professional watches may be harder to aquire at dealers in Australia than they are to aquire some other places. I figured out why that is. It is because some of the dealers in Australia actually do not permit customers to even come in to the store. I was in Sydney last week. Had some time to pass so I thought I'd go toe Martin Place Rolex and look at their selection. When I got there, the door was locked. A security guard stuck his nose out and said I couldn't come in. Come back later, he said. Four or five days went by. I was walking near the store. I tried to go in and the same guy said I had to wait. I said I just want to look. He said I could not and stated that I had to stand on the sidewalk until a salesperson could help me. I did not see even a single customer inside. I left.
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Old 18 April 2019, 01:06 PM   #2
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That's the Kennedy's Rolex Store. Never been to their Sydney store, have been to their Melbourne store and their customer service, in my experience, was pretty poor so not surprised.
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Old 18 April 2019, 01:42 PM   #3
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Agreed ... .there's never any one in the Chadstone store!

..
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Old 18 April 2019, 01:44 PM   #4
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WOW unheard of. What is the purpose of having a store if customers are not allowed to come in? Switch to by appointment only. Still makes very little sense to me
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Old 18 April 2019, 02:11 PM   #5
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Really bizarre. Keeps getting weirder and weirder
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Old 18 April 2019, 02:16 PM   #6
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Just wow, some next level stuff right there.
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Old 18 April 2019, 02:16 PM   #7
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Perhaps you don’t look like a rich visitor from China who has no qualms about spending tens or hundreds of thousands at one go.

They love that 10% GST refund which really adds up on large purchases. Often, even the ones who aren’t eligible to claim it will find some way to rort it.

Ultimately Sydney is a major metropolitan city, it is natural that business is brisk and there’s nothing really on offer for the new customer.


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Old 18 April 2019, 02:33 PM   #8
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LOL - Ive been saying this for ages forget any Rolex in Sydney. Its a crap place to look for a watch.

Just go to HK and get them there. And dont even try to buy from gray dealers here they going to rip you a new one.
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Old 18 April 2019, 03:00 PM   #9
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Kennedy's is the name of the Rolex AD in Martin Place Sydney. They are in all kinds of trouble at the moment. They are featuring in the media - for all the wrong reasons. I'll get that in a second.

I took my Rolex in there to have it sized (after buying it overseas) and the in-house service guy - distinguished gent - was a real pleasure to deal with. As was one of their staff Jo. She was terrific.

Firstly, even if you made it into the store there are just rows of empty cases. They showed me everyone they had on display and there were only four watches (at best recollection). At the same time, four or five staff members were standing in the corner having a gossip. I can't work out what all these people do all day.

Secondly, they're in a legal dispute with suppliers - they supposedly owe $6 million. Those owed include Bang & Olufsen. Legal procedings have been put aside for now as they negotiate out of court.

https://www.theage.com.au/business/s...04-p511or.html

Finally, sacked staff are "talking legal action" according to the Herald Sun.

On the closed store/not allowed in front, I've was stopped from going into a store once in NYC - no explanation. They said come back in a while.

As I was leaving, the door opened and Paul McCartney walked out and got into a car. Fair enough.

If you were stopped only once, the celebrity, Saudi Prince scenario may have been it but twice is odd? Maybe staff were have a stop work meeting as I mentioned earlier.
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Old 18 April 2019, 03:53 PM   #10
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Quote:
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..Agreed ... .there's never any one in the Chadstone store!
Not true!
I actually walked in there today...and left 10 seconds later
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Old 18 April 2019, 03:55 PM   #11
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LOL - Ive been saying this for ages forget any Rolex in Sydney. Its a crap place to look for a watch.

Just go to HK and get them there. And dont even try to buy from gray dealers here they going to rip you a new one.
You mean HK ADs can help out with SS models?
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Old 18 April 2019, 04:29 PM   #12
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There must have been a reason? I go there often and I find it pleasant.
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Old 18 April 2019, 04:32 PM   #13
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BO breached their deal with Kennedy. So Kennedy rightfully sued.
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Old 18 April 2019, 05:21 PM   #14
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BO breached their deal with Kennedy. So Kennedy rightfully sued.
Then i'll correct that. In dispute over $6 million with B&O.
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Old 18 April 2019, 06:24 PM   #15
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You mean HK ADs can help out with SS models?
Of course they will .. u just need to cough up the dough for the PM piece first ... u will not find SS in any AD in Asia
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Old 18 April 2019, 07:09 PM   #16
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They must be really thriving when they can reject potential customers...
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Old 14 May 2019, 02:47 PM   #17
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I can't agree more and the staff are condescending to the point where they think they are better than the customer , the place is run by clowns who should be reviewed by Geneva about their AD . Someone should alert Rolex Geneva
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Old 14 May 2019, 02:50 PM   #18
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On the next occasion when you talk about Rolex you should warn others not to support bad representation like Kennedy's , let them dwindle and fade away as a AD and post feedback to Rolex Geneva so that they know how bad it is in Sydney with this lot
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Old 14 May 2019, 05:08 PM   #19
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worst Ad I have walked into. Rude, stuck up and lets face it, they work in retail FFS!
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Old 14 May 2019, 05:16 PM   #20
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Does this AD also have a store at the Star casino? Is that location any better?
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Old 14 May 2019, 05:41 PM   #21
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Quote:
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Does this AD also have a store at the Star casino? Is that location any better?
I literally just walked past there a few moments ago.

Stopped to have a look at the display in the window. Nothing that caught my eye. Definitely no SS sports, but who knows what’s out the back

It’s pretty small, and never appears to be anyone in there on the very few occasions I have been past
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Old 14 May 2019, 05:42 PM   #22
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Does this AD also have a store at the Star casino? Is that location any better?
Martin Place in Sydney, Star City Casino and Melbourne Crown Casino stores all owned by Kennedy
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Old 14 May 2019, 05:56 PM   #23
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Swiss Concept has a lot better service, just popped in today to look at a few Glashutte watches. I mentioned to the sales rep about how Rolex sales were going and long story short this is what she said. 'We are at a stage where a customer can't even acquire an SS model by bundling.'

Honestly i already find Rolex's strategy extremely off putting, but when she told me the above i just flat out laughed. She also told me the only way to get desired SS models were through greys, i mean this i also didn't expect to hear from an AD. This is how bad it is down under. The positive part of this is i get to experience other great watch brands.
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Old 14 May 2019, 06:40 PM   #24
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Jo at Rolex’s Martin Place is a fantastic lady and the only one I have ever been interacting with at the store. I never got blocked from the store even walking in in short and crocs shoes :)
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Old 14 May 2019, 07:24 PM   #25
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Martin Place in Sydney, Star City Casino and Melbourne Crown Casino stores all owned by Kennedy
Thanks for the info! I’ll be in Sydney in August. Maybe I’ll skip the AD and check out Sydney Watch Exchange instead. Are there any other preowned dealers worth visiting?
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Old 14 May 2019, 07:36 PM   #26
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Thanks for the info! I’ll be in Sydney in August. Maybe I’ll skip the AD and check out Sydney Watch Exchange instead. Are there any other preowned dealers worth visiting?
The Strand Arcade has two.
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Old 14 May 2019, 07:48 PM   #27
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The Strand Arcade has two.
That’s not far from my hotel. I’ll be sure to check it out. Thanks Monte!
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Old 14 May 2019, 08:30 PM   #28
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The dealers in the Strand make David SW look cheap.
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Old 14 May 2019, 08:56 PM   #29
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That’s not far from my hotel. I’ll be sure to check it out. Thanks Monte!
Just look dont buy. You wont get any deals in Australia. In fact the grays dealers in AU will price gouge you on each and every model.

Just buy locally from David or one of the US trusted sellers when you get home.

Enjoy your time in Sydney its a beautiful place - just not for watches. LOL
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Old 14 May 2019, 08:56 PM   #30
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Thanks for the info! I’ll be in Sydney in August. Maybe I’ll skip the AD and check out Sydney Watch Exchange instead. Are there any other preowned dealers worth visiting?
Try Sydney Vintage Watches or Kalmar Antiques (in the QVB).
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