San Francisco AD closed

[amphr1]

Well, it wasn't a total surprise to me. But I doubt I will get any more watches from them.

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[Calatrava r]

Interesting take on it. Their note seems to say just the opposite.

[Stan Cooper]

My guess is that rather than spend two small remodeling fortunes in both stores to satisfy Rolex's boutique requirements, they chose to remodel just the Palo Alto store since it's actually more convenient to get to and avoid S.F. traffic and parking hassles, and is an easy drive from S.F.

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

My guess is that rather than spend two small remodeling fortunes in both stores to satisfy Rolex's boutique requirements, they chose to remodel just the Palo Alto store since it's actually more convenient to get to and avoid S.F. traffic and parking hassles, and is an easy drive from S.F.

I live in the East Bay so not an easy drive for me at all. I'm now down to the Walnut Creek location and starting a relationship with the Stockton location even though it's much further away I have relative that live there and we visit often enough that it's worth reaching out for me.

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[omar-rye]

I’d be happy if I received an email like that

[piratfisk]

So you have to drive a bit farther, but your SA will still treat you the same & your "place" on the "list" doesn't change? What's the issue, extra time in the car?

[amphr1]

It's over 2 hrs extra driving round trip. So I won't be visiting in person anymore.

I guess some of you see this more positively than I do. I hope you are right.

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[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by amphora001

It's over 2 hrs extra driving round trip. So I won't be visiting in person anymore.

I guess some of you see this more positively than I do. I hope you are right.

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I get that. But for me, waiting over a year for some references, the 2 hour drive seems minimal when the alternative is creating a new relationship.


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[enjoythemusic]

Good to know they're keeping track of things during this transition. If the drive is really that bad, you could move closer to the new location. It could (also) be the perfect reason to move to Florida, or Texas, or closer to home how about Las Vegas.

[whiskyrolex]

Kerns is opening a Rolex and Patek boutique in downtown SF so this isn't a huge surprise.

[Ravager135]

My AD is moving into a larger location and is constructing a boutique within their store per Rolex requirements. I have been told by sales staff on two occasions that they will not get new watches shipped to them until this is completed. If you shop at a family owned AD that has counter space for Rolex, but not a separate boutique (however Rolex defines that), be prepared for similar changes.

[soldes]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

My AD is moving into a larger location and is constructing a boutique within their store per Rolex requirements. I have been told by sales staff on two occasions that they will not get new watches shipped to them until this is completed. .

Can attest to the above stated information. Have a high traffic Rolex AD in the North east region of the US, that told me last month, that they too are undergoing and expansion of their physical dwellings; and during this time, they will NOT have incoming Rolex watches until the construction is complete. This AD owner said "we will have a 1 year Rolex hiatus, until the expansion is done".

[amphr1]

Wow, so a global stoppage of sort is happening. I assume most stores have not transition and needs some time to budget and implement.

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[codecow]

Allocations are likely handled through their corporate HQ I suspect so it will not matter for existing customers.

[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by amphora001

It's over 2 hrs extra driving round trip. So I won't be visiting in person anymore.

I guess some of you see this more positively than I do. I hope you are right.

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Dude, I would drive 2 hours if my AD called & said that I could buy a piece I was after at MSRP. I wouldn't write them off just yet. I think a lot of other people may have had the same reaction you did (too far, don't wanna deal with them anymore), but if you stick with them, you may be rewarded.

[amphr1]

Originally Posted by piratfisk

Dude, I would drive 2 hours if my AD called & said that I could buy a piece I was after at MSRP. I wouldn't write them off just yet. I think a lot of other people may have had the same reaction you did (too far, don't wanna deal with them anymore), but if you stick with them, you may be rewarded.

True. But like most long distance relationships, it has high risk of not working out.

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[piratfisk]

Originally Posted by amphora001

True. But like most long distance relationships, it has high risk of not working out.

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You're not wrong. Maybe your "drop in" visits become less frequent, but if they're interested in keeping you (it seems like they are if you take the email at face value), they'll let you know when one of your wishlist pieces arrives. Then your long distance relationship just turned into a long trip to the store. Thinking positively :)

[RCC watches]

I was bummed about this. I work in SF so was an easy stop and was able to get a couple watches from them, including a Tiffany OP31, by random visits.

[Gebbeth]

Not an easy drive at all, and during some times of the day, an absolute nightmare.

I'm not sure if there is a greater percentage of high net-worth individuals in the mid-peninsula area vs SF and adjacent towns, but that's questionable at best (remember that along with SF, the tradition residences of the old-rich in the Bay Area, there are also nearby towns of Tiburon and Mill Valley across the Bridge).

Perhaps tech bros gravitate more toward Rolex? Who knows.

I think, as another person stated, it's the cost of running two independent Rolex boutiques. There's probably more space to expand in Palo Alto and staff accordingly.

[trout_thumper21]

Not a surprise, the city is a disaster.

[Greenp]

Originally Posted by trout_thumper21

Not a surprise, the city is a disaster.

Yeah, that's why Kern's is opening a PP boutique.

[Submariner868]

Originally Posted by trout_thumper21

Not a surprise, the city is a disaster.

You live in SF Bay?

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by amphora001

I live in the East Bay so not an easy drive for me at all. I'm now down to the Walnut Creek location and starting a relationship with the Stockton location even though it's much further away I have relative that live there and we visit often enough that it's worth reaching out for me.

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Stocton AD is a good one. Never been to Walnut Creek one, though.

Kat


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[amphr1]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

Stocton AD is a good one. Never been to Walnut Creek one, though.

Kat


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Stockton AD is so small. I'm afraid they'd be next to get the axe.

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[ArtNouveau]

For what it’s worth distance has not hurt the relationship I have with my AD. I moved to a different state 2 1/2 years ago. Right before I left I dropped in to see my longtime SA and the manager also came over to say “you’re still our customer.”
I am visiting my old hometown a couple times a year and usually drop by to catch up. They have supplied me with two watches since I left. The fact that your SA sent that message says to me you’re still in good. A 2 hour drive to pick up a new watch is not bad.

[TudorDXB]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I’d be happy if I received an email like that

Me too mate! In Dubai we only have one AD and all the waitlist / wishlist are closed especially for the GMT Master II, Datejusts, Subamariners, etc. There is one AD in Abu Dhabi and they wont even talk about any rolex models with me as I have no purchase history with them.

[PBJ1925]

A shame, they were also one of the oldest ADs of Patek which they lost a couple years back, along with A Lange the prior year.

[Rolexcellence]

I’m Pretty shocked to find out there’s an AD in Stockton