Shreve no longer a Rolex AD in SF

[rolexandlange]

Only Tourneau remains in SF as a Rolex AD.

The new Kern's boutique on Post is imminent so I guess the writing was on the wall at Shreve?

Shreve retain their Palo Alto Rolex AD location it appears.

Sad for me to see many brands I like leaving an AD I like and have done enjoyable business with.

[Patekfinder]

They’re a giant and reputable dealer with MAJOR accounts that trump Rolex…. Like operating the standalone Vacheron Constantin boutique in Boston. They’re a heavy hitting retailer catering to the highest end clientele of haute horlogerie. Shocking they would lose their SF store, it must’ve been their choice and not Rolex’s. They’re just too large and reputable.


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[rolexandlange]

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

They’re a giant and reputable dealer with MAJOR accounts that trump Rolex…. Like operating the standalone Vacheron Constantin boutique in Boston. They’re a heavy hitting retailer catering to the highest end clientele of haute horlogerie. Shocking they would lose their SF store, it must’ve been their choice and not Rolex’s. They’re just too large and reputable.


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I believe you are thinking of Shreve, Crump and Low in Boston. In SF it is Shreve & Co which is a historic purveyor of fine jewelry in SF but is also somehow owned by a company in the Carolinas these days...

[njlam]

Didn't Shreve in SF lose Patek last year?

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by njlam

Didn't Shreve in SF lose Patek last year?

Yes they did. Top brands are now VC and JLC

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by rolexandlange

I believe you are thinking of Shreve, Crump and Low in Boston. In SF it is Shreve & Co which is a historic purveyor of fine jewelry in SF but is also somehow owned by a company in the Carolinas these days...

Their San Francisco location is no longer listed on Rolex.com

Their Palo Alto location is listed

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

Their San Francisco location is no longer listed on Rolex.com

Their Palo Alto location is listed

from my SA at Shreve:

Hi Don, it is true.
We are proud of our long-standing partnership and excited to announce that we consolidate all our Rolex operations to our Palo Alto location as of January 1st as we finish up building our new Rolex Boutique in Stanford Shopping Center. 
 
I will personally make sure your Rolex Wishlist is cared for at our Palo Alto location and I look forward to continuing to serve you and your family for all your jewelry and timepiece needs.
 
When a watch becomes available, I will let you know and set up an appointment with one of our Rolex specialists who will handle the delivery payment, etc.
 
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to grow with the brand!

[Patekfinder]

Originally Posted by rolexandlange

I believe you are thinking of Shreve, Crump and Low in Boston. In SF it is Shreve & Co which is a historic purveyor of fine jewelry in SF but is also somehow owned by a company in the Carolinas these days...

Ah, didn’t realize there were two Shreves.


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[SLWoodster]

Is Shreve in SF and Shreve, Crump, Low in Boston the same company?

Shreve in San Francisco is in a legal battle with a customer who was asked to buy over $200k of stuff he didn’t ask for to get a 5980. The allegation is that Shreve knew they were losing their Patek license but continued to tell him to build the relationship anyway.

Originally Posted by Patekfinder

They’re a giant and reputable dealer with MAJOR accounts that trump Rolex…. Like operating the standalone Vacheron Constantin boutique in Boston. They’re a heavy hitting retailer catering to the highest end clientele of haute horlogerie. Shocking they would lose their SF store, it must’ve been their choice and not Rolex’s. They’re just too large and reputable.


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[bostonjetset]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

Is Shreve in SF and Shreve, Crump, Low in Boston the same company?

Shreve in San Francisco is in a legal battle with a customer who was asked to buy over $200k of stuff he didn’t ask for to get a 5980. The allegation is that Shreve knew they were losing their Patek license but continued to tell him to build the relationship anyway.

They are different companies. The Boston company is considerably older (1796) and does not sell Rolex.

[Patekfinder]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

Is Shreve in SF and Shreve, Crump, Low in Boston the same company?

Shreve in San Francisco is in a legal battle with a customer who was asked to buy over $200k of stuff he didn’t ask for to get a 5980. The allegation is that Shreve knew they were losing their Patek license but continued to tell him to build the relationship anyway.

Amazing. I hope he wins.


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[Patekfinder]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

Is Shreve in SF and Shreve, Crump, Low in Boston the same company?

Shreve in San Francisco is in a legal battle with a customer who was asked to buy over $200k of stuff he didn’t ask for to get a 5980. The allegation is that Shreve knew they were losing their Patek license but continued to tell him to build the relationship anyway.

Amazing. I hope he wins.


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[brandrea]

Another one bites the dust.

[MikeT]

Good riddance! Most of the sales people there were terrible and this going back to the 90's when they were at their original location w/service center. My opinion, Kerns is so much better.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Good riddance! Most of the sales people there were terrible and this going back to the 90's when they were at their original location w/service center. My opinion, Kerns is so much better.

I concur, heartily


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[RustyW]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I concur, heartily


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Me too. I lived in the city from 2001-2006. Every experience I had in there was no bueno.

Once, I was questioned by their "watch technician" re: a Panerai I bought online. I asked them to size the bracelet but one of the pins was "off"/non-oem and the tech proceeded to question and chide me with a raised voice. It was the first watch I had bought sight unseen and used and was a learning experience.

The Shreve employee had no business speaking to me that way. If on the streets I would have broke him over my knee...anyway I took my business elsewhere.

[Auto16610]

"Shreve in San Francisco is in a legal battle with a customer who was asked to buy over $200k of stuff he didn’t ask for to get a 5980."


What kind of moron would spend $200,000
for a chance to purchase a watch.

[Cassian739]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Good riddance! Most of the sales people there were terrible and this going back to the 90's when they were at their original location w/service center. My opinion, Kerns is so much better.

Agreed, they were objectively the worst! I've never had one good interaction at either SF or Palo Alto locations. I have had multiple SAs openly tell me it's "pay to play"; we won't even consider you for a Rolex till you buy other watch brands and/or jewelry. I understand the concept of building a purchase history, but at Shreve, I just felt like I needed a shower every time I left the store.

[ThatOtherGuy7]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Good riddance! Most of the sales people there were terrible and this going back to the 90's when they were at their original location w/service center. My opinion, Kerns is so much better.

+1

I have only been to the Palo Alto location and didn’t have good experiences the few times I visited. The sense I got was a bit stuck up and stringing people along for Rolex watches. Surprised the PA location still has their AD status. Perhaps that location brings in a ton of revenue due to the more affluent clientele.

[Jack T]

The cost/benefit calculations didn’t work.

The cost of Level 8 glass in all the cases and showroom windows vs 6 DJ’s a month…

Does owning a Rolex make up for all the bs in acquiring one?

[TeddyBallGame]

They’re opening up a stand alone Rolex Boutique in Palo Alto, separate from the jewelry store. That Rolex boutique will be at their previous location (still under construction) in the Stanford shopping center and their jewelry and other watch brands will be else where in the same shopping center.

It seems that’s how Rolex is trying to position themselves by going the boutique route. You’ve got the Rolex boutiques at Valley Fair run by J. Licht & Son, Stanford run by Shrive and SF run by Kerns.

[Akacoke]

Here is my speculation:

Shreve Palo Alto is building their stand alone Rolex store that sells Rolex only nothing else. My SA hints this is pressure from Rolex corp. Seeing all these posts of ADs losing their Rolex . If a jeweler is not willing to invest in a stand alone store of Rolex only. Rolex will pull their license . I think Rolex wants to move away from a booth in a jewelry store type of setups across the board. Don't quote me on it. It's just my 2 cents.

[codecow]

The lawsuit settled.

I, for one, welcome my Palo Alto overlords. May they smile on me with a Lemans or gemset allocation!

[rolleyme]

Separating Rolex into its own store is a good move. No more, "hey, buy this diamond bracelet first, BS"

[PBJ1925]

They also lost their ALS status a year or so ago as well.

[Bxtek]

Originally Posted by MikeT

Good riddance! Most of the sales people there were terrible and this going back to the 90's when they were at their original location w/service center. My opinion, Kerns is so much better.

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

I concur, heartily


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Shreve SF SA's were always friendly and cordial each time I visited. They let me try on exhibition pieces, held great conversations about Rolex and other topics, also answered any questions I had as well. Granted, they never helped me get anything at all, but at least they made me feel welcome and as if they wanted to help me.

I cannot say the same for Shreve Palo Alto. That place is the model example of rude and bad customer service. You definitely get the feeling that they don't want you in their store while you're inside. I wish Palo Alto was location that was no longer a Rolex AD!

[JettyOne]

Palo Alto Sheves sucks balls.
I came in looking for 5960. Guy shows me 5905, then asks if I want to buy it? I said no, his exact words: “why not?”.

Glad Patek shut down that strip club.


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[t60]

Shreve PA was "nice" to me but that doesn't get a watch on the wrist. I have had my name down for a Sub ND for 2 years now and they will never call even after playing game and visiting. My colleagues at work have had better luck and have even been able to walk in and "get lucky" as long as they tell them they're turning 40 and looking for a birthday watch.

I ended up going to their closest competitor in Valley Fair and got my Explorer there, faster than they initially mentioned.

The whole experience of buying a Rolex is so off putting to me now. Love their watches, hate the buying process.

[bostonjetset]

Originally Posted by t60

My colleagues at work have had better luck and have even been able to walk in and "get lucky" as long as they tell them they're turning 40 and looking for a birthday watch.

Wow that IS lucky. I truly was looking for a birthday watch when turning 40 in 2022 and the Rolex boutique in Boston couldn’t have cared less. In fact their service was awful. I went in 6 months before my birthday knowing there was a wait. They still haven’t called me over a year and a half after my visit. I did finally get the watch from an AD in a neighboring state last month (3 weeks after turning 41 lol). Still took ages but at least this AD was nice.

[Cassian739]

And now looks like Shreve SF is liquidating. Palo Alto store and stand-alone Rolex boutique will remain.