Rolex South Coast Plaza....does anyone here have more info?

[GerardoG]

Now that the store has been open for some days (weeks), do we (as a forum community) have more information about it? We do know because of posts from fellow members that selection was very nice, but has anyone checked pricing and discounts? Is it worth the 'detour' from a business trip to L.A.?

Saludos!!!!

[DSJ]

I strongly suspect there are NO discounts, but I have not heard of more lately or of any TRFer buying anything there.

[msf]

Been there a few times. Gotta figure no discounts. Tons of watches - pretty much every DJ dial you can imagine. Many people dropping crazy amounts of money - saw one lady drop 70k (yup) on a two diamond LDJs. No WISes on any of my visits. One of the counter guys almost seemed relieved to talk with me when I got my watchgeek on. Really ugly leopard daytona and even uglier GMTiiC diamond thing on display.

I'd go (will do so again) and encourage you to dress a shabbily as possible as it's amusing to see the staff look at you funny until they get the clue you have a TRF powered Rolex IQ.

[Mrdi]

I've been 3 times
I go in shorts and sandals
Normal beach attire.
usually 15-20 clerks on hand on a Saturday
5 per customer
Last Saturday I had a good time with two very cute attendants
who were more than happy to entertain the questions I had.
They were very willing to glean any info I was willing to proffer.
I think it matters more what is on your wrist than what is on your back, although all of the male clerks were in suit and tie, and the ladies in similar attire.
The store is noisy, the acoustics are terrible, it feels like you are in a crystal goblet with someone tapping on the glass.
It is however a congenial place.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I'd just love to visit that store!

I'd be like a kid in a candy store!

And it's nothing to do with cleavages.

[Rockrolex]

I'm going out there tomorrow. I'll try to stop in between tomorrow and Saturday if I have some time.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Ed, if not too akward, please post some pics!

[GerardoG]

...and check out some prices (or a price) to see what is available (dollar wise)

[msf]

Hey, If you go on Saturday, maybe we can have a little meetup....

[timetravel125]

I have been at the store once--a week after they have opened. Wide selection and helpful staff.

You get good service, because its location is considred upscale. There are many people in the City of Irvine, who are millionaires, concentrated in a geographical area, according to a survey, a few years ago. Ergo, they can afford expensive wrist jewelry.

Discount? Absolutely, no discount. I already asked. Ask for Alberto. He's a WIS in training. Nice guy.

Cheers.

Louie

[-Subsevens]

Hello Everyone.. New member here. I live in Southern California, about half an hour away from the Rolex store. We, my wife and I, are by no means considered wealthy, but can't imagine being without a Rolex. (Sub for me and Oyster for her).

As for the store, we walked in with our jeans and t-shirt. The place was unbelievable and almost too much to take in! I thought I was going to pass out! Seeing that many Rolex watches in one place was just stunning!!! Talk about sensory overload....

The staff was friendly, courteous, and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed talking with them and didn't want to leave the store.

[GerardoG]

Thank you Subsevens; how about prices? Only MSRP?

[-Subsevens]

You know, I didn't even think of talking prices. I guess I was just too overwhelmed with the displays.

If your ever in the area, it is well worth a stop! The sales associate I spoke to was wearing his father's 1972 Submariner. He had quite a story behind the watch and I was more then willing to listen..

[Mrdi]

Originally Posted by -Subsevens

I'm sorry, I didn't even think about checking the prices...

Well worth the trip if your in the area.

Suggested Retail.

[timetravel125]

Subseven,

I admire your humility. Do you live in Irvine? Southcoast Plaza, is always packed with people, but not all are shopping. Consumer confidence, seems to be low, even with people with fat wallets.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by -Subsevens

Hello Everyone.. New member here. I live in Southern California, about half an hour away from the Rolex store. We, my wife and I, are by no means considered wealthy, but can't imagine being without a Rolex. (Sub for me and Oyster for her).

As for the store, we walked in with our jeans and t-shirt. The place was unbelievable and almost too much to take in! I thought I was going to pass out! Seeing that many Rolex watches in one place was just stunning!!! Talk about sensory overload....

The staff was friendly, courteous, and very knowledgeable. I enjoyed talking with them and didn't want to leave the store.

[-Subsevens]

Thanks Timetravel125! No, we don't live in Irvine. We actually live a about half an hour inland near the fine city of Corona.

Southcoast Plaza is definitely upscale. Your right, is always crowded. We were just there last week and it looked like business as usual. You really couldn't tell that there were any issues with the economy by the way people were shopping.

[msf]

-Subsevens: I commute from New Orleans to work at the NSWC. Funny to find a TRFer in the area...

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

Ed, if not too akward, please post some pics!

I tried, but Mall security stopped me, saying security policy prohibited pics of store fronts.

Where have we heard that before?

Originally Posted by GerardoG

...and check out some prices (or a price) to see what is available (dollar wise)

What do you expect, Gerardo. TT DJ's were going for upwards of 8K; the WG Meteorite Daytona on black strap was 26K; and no discounts.

Originally Posted by msf

Hey, If you go on Saturday, maybe we can have a little meetup....

Sorry, I didn't see your post till too late. I would have liked that.

It's a good sized store with a lot of help. The sales staff is very friendly and helpful. I didn't find anyone who was a real WIS, but I think I did talk to Alberto. (He asked me what a "WIS" was, so I assume that was him.)

They have lots of DJs and DD's. Not nearly as many sport models. They had 1 Coke and 1 Pepsi GMT-II, plus 1 GMT-IIc (SS if I recall). There is one case in the front of the store as you walk in with the "bling." Every watch in the case was iced, including a GMT-IIc, a Daytona, and of course DD's and DJ's.

There was a Leopard Daytona in the Window as well as the new YM.

All in all, a nice place to visit if you're in the area.

And when you get finished there, you can go down the Mall a bit to the Tourneau store. I will say the staff here was friendly and helpful (at least the nice young woman who I talked to. They have an incredible selection of Brietlings for anyone interested, and a small collection of PAMs.

[-Subsevens]

Originally Posted by msf

-Subsevens: I commute from New Orleans to work at the NSWC. Funny to find a TRFer in the area...

Hello MSF... Thats quite a commute you have! I actually bought my SS Sub at the Tourneau store at that plaza. The Rolex store is fairly new and was not opened at the time I purchased the watch in 2006.

[astcell]

I so need to go there when I am in town again!

[topcat30093]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

I'd just love to visit that store!

I'd be like a kid in a candy store!

And it's nothing to do with cleavages.

Me too.
I would love to go there.

[G M]

Kid in a candy store can't describe it. The shear amount of watches on display will floor you! If thats what heaven looks like...I want to go now!

Anyways, I've been in twice since they opened. I've had mixed experiences with the staff. The last time I dropped in was a great. Very curteous, and the female clerk who was shadowing me didnt hesitate to pull whatever I was only looking at out of the case, and put it on my arm.

If youre in town, its worth going if you've only seen limited stock with an AD experience.

Cheers.