For the AZ folks - Rolex line pulled

[lakeros]

Ben Bridges in Chandler no longer sells Rolex and even lost their Rolex watchmaker. From talking to them it is due to Rolex wanting to open boutique stores (which is old news) just thought I would put it out there. They said the Scottsdale BB still sells them and has a watchmaker but she hinted that may be gone soon as well. Any one know of others who have lost the line?

I am not sure if this is going to be a good thing or bad thing being limited to just boutiques.

[seand442]

Just saw that on the Rolex site. Still one in the se valley. I only see the boutique model good for Rolex, not customers.

[wantonebad]

Hey Greg and John, I assume this is a good thing, right? Well for selection and eye candy, I guess I see it as a good thing cause I only buy gray, if you prefer buying from an AD then this is bad cause they won't discount like an AD.

[Chewbacca]

there's been a few. i think the BB in seattle stopped selling them in jan. the move to boutiques and pulling agreements is smart for rolex to control the whole process but may be bad for buyers looking for flex pricing and some personality on the sales & service side.

[Sunny Arizona]

It's weird because BB is the only Rolex Dealer in Phx who does not discount

[azguy]

I like BB at Fashion Square because of Vanessa

If I need AD type services, aside from the watch tech, I like Hamra in North Scottsdale. They are an independent AD with huge selection and right near my house

TRF is my AD for purchases.......

[HeyItsRaymond]

BB in Tucson (Arizona) is the ONLY AD left. Marshall's Jewelers and Jared Jewelers both stopped carrying the brand.

[karmatp]

That is a bummer to hear. I live in Chandler and it's nice to stop in from time to time and check out what they have in the case.

Vanessa in Scottsdale is fantastic and a friend, I would hate to see her out of a job. I need to give her a call and see what is new.

With the way Rolex is going, I don't see me ever buying another new watch from a AD, and I will not support the boutique if we ever get one in AZ.

[nauticajoe]

Seems to be a pattern with a few manufacturers. Thanks for sharing.

[Hairdude1]

Same thing happened here in Chicago bc of the new TWC store that opened up on Michigan ave

[w4rmk]

Bad move on Rolex's part in my opinion, they should have at least 3 or 4 dealers in a major city. Ben Bridge's here in Denver still have Rolex, at least as of 2 weeks ago when I was there. Jared here used to sell them up until last year. Making us drive farther with fewer choices is never a good thing. At least we still have some independent watch makers here that can do local service.

[RolexguyinSF]

It's a excellent move on Rolex's part actually. You have to look at it from Rolex's point of view, as a company, not from a buyers view (who's always looking for lowest price). 100% control over presentation of watches, control of sales technique, control of on site servicing, absolute control over discounts (meaning none), so for Rolex it's a win win.

Why would Rolex want any other AD's in the area? AD's might discount. If you don't like the Rolex boutique you may drive to the other side of town and buy from an AD. Rolex doesn't want that if they can sell to you in their own boutique. It's like Apple; they want to control the whole "ecosystem" of their brand (Apple stores are just like Rolex boutiques in a sense).

"Making us drive farther with fewer choices is never a good thing"

For Rolex it sure is.

" At least we still have some independent watch makers here that can do local service"

Another thing Rolex would like to end. Factory service only if possible.

Originally Posted by w4rmk

Bad move on Rolex's part in my opinion, they should have at least 3 or 4 dealers in a major city. Ben Bridge's here in Denver still have Rolex, at least as of 2 weeks ago when I was there. Jared here used to sell them up until last year. Making us drive farther with fewer choices is never a good thing. At least we still have some independent watch makers here that can do local service.

[w4rmk]

Competition is healthy.

[cid]

BB in Albuquerque stopped selling Rolex months ago. We're down to one AD in the city.