Ben Bridge Rolex inventory reduced...!

[Tudor66]

I visited al Ben Bridge in Carlsbad yesterday just to try on a EXPII 40mm polar. Well, I am here to report that their inventory of Rolex watches was very low- No stainless Steel sport watches at all. (Note that this store is not one of the stores that was recently robbed in Southern California).

I asked why the cabinets were so empty, the said that with the current economy they cannot afford to order so many Rolex watches....I wonder if Rolex is reducing their inventory, or BBridge is reducing their inventory. Anyone know what's going on here...

[2009C2S]

Probably the same thing as Jared, just my opinion.

I just picked up a Polar 40mm II at Jared at a great price. I personally like seeing the pull back, simple supply and demand for Rolex owners.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by Newbieone

I visited al Ben Bridge in Carlsbad yesterday just to try on a EXPII 40mm polar. Well, I am here to report that their inventory of Rolex watches was very low- No stainless Steel sport watches at all. (Note that this store is not one of the stores that was recently robbed in Southern California).

I asked why the cabinets were so empty, the said that with the current economy they cannot afford to order so many Rolex watches....I wonder if Rolex is reducing their inventory, or BBridge is reducing their inventory. Anyone know what's going on here...

You might want to visit Ben Bridge in Fashion Valley Mall and you will change your mind every location has its own kind of buyers.

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by justrolexes

You might want to visit Ben Bridge in Fashion Valley Mall and you will change your mind every location has its own kind of buyers.

Hey Tony, the AD's are purely a tire-kicking venue for me. I don't plan to ever buy from an AD- too high of a price, tax, etc...

By the way, on another note, remember all the questions I had about the GMTII's, well last week I picked up a 1984 submariner 16800 instead, and I am very happy...I'll contact you when I have cash in hand to see if you can find me an EXPII 40m Polar... which is my next purchase...

thanks,

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by Newbieone

Hey Tony, the AD's are purely a tire-kicking venue for me. I don't plan to ever buy from an AD- too high of a price, tax, etc...

By the way, on another note, remember all the questions I had about the GMTII's, well last week I picked up a 1984 submariner 16800 instead, and I am very happy...I'll contact you when I have cash in hand to see if you can find me an EXPII 40m Polar... which is my next purchase...

thanks,

Cool It will be my pleasure and congrats on the 16800

[scarab007]

Originally Posted by justrolexes

You might want to visit Ben Bridge in Fashion Valley Mall and you will change your mind every location has its own kind of buyers.

BB in Fashion Valley are bunch of clowns. Been there a few times just looking around and they are biggest idiots I have come accross. As one person said, simply kicking the tires is all BB is good for. Also, don't try to engage in a conversation with them as you more than likely post your bad experience on this forum minutes later.

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by scarab007

BB in Fashion Valley are bunch of clowns. Been there a few times just looking around and they are biggest idiots I have come accross. As one person said, simply kicking the tires is all BB is good for. Also, don't try to engage in a conversation with them as you more than likely post your bad experience on this forum minutes later.

X2 for the BB's in the Seattle area. Bunch o' clowns...

[kingSubTT]

Avoid BB. They offer the least discounts. ADs with only one store give better discount.

[z32turbo]

Originally Posted by kingSubTT

Avoid BB. They offer the least discounts. ADs with only one store give better discount.

Agreed!!

[Rooster77]

Originally Posted by kingSubTT

Avoid BB. They offer the least discounts. ADs with only one store give better discount.

Sorry to tread jack this but is the above ture? I live in a small city and only have BB and one other AD that only has one store. So I would be better off trying to get a lower price there? I'm a newbie and still learning. TIA.

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by Rooster77

Sorry to tread jack this but is the above ture?

BB has a company policy of little to no discount on Rolex unless you are buying a gold model. I've bought two Rolex SS watches from BB and never got a discount when I was thinking of getting a third I asked about a discount they said 1-2% was the best they could do on an SS model.

They said their hands are tied it's company policy...at least that's what they told me.

[brrrdn]

I bought my one and only Rolex from BB, SS GMT IIc. They did give me a 5% discount. The manager said he had to call the owner for permission.

[Randall24]

The Ben Bridge Jewelers in Baybrook Mall in Clear Lake - Houston, Texas has also stopped selling Rolex watches. Other Ben Bridge locations at the Galleria and in Sugarland still carry the Rolex brand. I believe sales are down and inventory is being consolidated at only few stores where the income and demand is greater. I will miss checking out the new models.

[CPTL]

BB in Honolulu still has plenty--they have two locations in Ala Moana Center. BTW I haven't bought a watch from there, but I had my wife's DJ serviced at the BB Timezone and they've done a couple other odd jobs (putting bracelet back on my DJ and taking it off my Exp-II; cleaning my DJ) for free. My wife's DJ wasn't keeping great time about six months after the service, and they were also super helpful about taking it back in for regulation. The staff there are very friendly and surprisingly knowledgeable--my wife was wearing my Exp-II on a pink NATO and the sales lady immediately recognized it for what it was and commented on how cool and unusual it was to see an Exp-II on a NATO, and especially worn by a lady. Shocker for a BB, but every time my wife and I have gone in to the store they've been super friendly and not pushy about buying anything. My Sub is due for a service soon, and I know where I'll be taking it.

[mjm800]

Originally Posted by CPTL

BB in Honolulu still has plenty--they have two locations in Ala Moana Center.

When were you there? I go just about every week BB Timeworks is low on SS models I don't go into the other location.

[mjm800]

I noticed the same at my local BB. I went in and saw very few SS models. When I asked they, of course, said it's because they are selling like hot cakes.

[Rooster77]

Good info, thanks Michael

[TheVTCGuy]

I was at BB in UTC yesterday and they had plenty... It's probably a store by store basis.

[stockae92]

people are disappointed with the stock market and start buying rolex as "investment" :)

[snowbird]

I was in another BB a few weeks back and that one has stopped carrying Rolex entirely.

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by Newbieone

I visited al Ben Bridge in Carlsbad yesterday just to try on a EXPII 40mm polar. Well, I am here to report that their inventory of Rolex watches was very low- No stainless Steel sport watches at all...

Went back BB today, they now have Rolex watches in the cabinet, even a few stainless steel models, though not the sub and EXPII I was looking for...

And yes, I also visited Freddie at Timekeepers, he fixed my nato strap, great guy...

[GradyPhilpott]

My AD told me that SS Subs were going to be as rare as hen's teeth a few weeks ago.

He didn't have the 14060M in stock that I wanted and I was willing to wait, but I got impatient yesterday and put down a 50% deposit and there will be a one with my name on it arriving in about four weeks.

It should be noted that when I've ordered before, that four week estimate turned into about ten days.

I don't know what exactly the reason is, but there does seem to be a shortage of SS Rolex watches and stock is down in my AD, too.

[Tudor66]

Another BB store told me that no Rolex watches are received from mid Nov. to December 31st because Rolex shuts down.

Sounds like a pressure sales tactic, or perhaps there is some truth to it...

[btinl]

BB and Tourneau are the kings of sales tactic BS.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Newbieone

Another BB store told me that no Rolex watches are received from mid Nov. to December 31st because Rolex shuts down.

Sounds like a pressure sales tactic, or perhaps there is some truth to it...

It sounds like utter BS to me.

[dddrees]

Could it be things are getting tighter as more inventory is moving to China and ADs here in the States are being consolidated?

[520Matt]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Could it be things are getting tighter as more inventory is moving to China and ADs here in the States are being consolidated?

X2

I randomly stopped in to our area's only BB about 3 weeks ago and was surprised at the low inventory. I mentioned to the sales person that Jared's had lost their AD license and she didn't really react to that-- she only said. "Rolex is shipping everything to China and that is why their inventory was low".....

[Like To Watch]

Ok thanks.

[azguy]

I think it's where you live and the financial commitment your local AD is going to make towards Rolex. Out here in Scottsdale, an AD down the street from me has 200 Rolex's in his case. every color, shape, size etc...SS Daytona's, Sub C's anything you want in SS they have 2 of, at least. Plus, he has at least 2 dozen fantastic pre-owned ones too

Now, the BB AD in our mall has much less of a selection than the above AD, but they still about 60 watches and they are having an evening event in a couple of weeks and told me that they would have their entire holiday inventory in the store for that and that EXP II's would be in there. They were expecting about another 100 watches for the party.

[Actsulb]

The BB that I visited in Orange County, California had quiet a few in their window and 30+ Rolexes in their display case inside the store. The salesperson told me they sell a good number of Rolexes and that is why they have a high number in
their inventory.

The BB salesperson went on to
say they have more Rolexes than other locations because they sell more. He said that BB's that sell more Rolexes get more Rolexes diverted to them from other BB that have a lower sales volume.