Another small market AD closed....Van Cott Jewelers in upstate NY

[brucethemanlee]

i think it's just a sign of the times not just in the watch industry but overall business for consolidation, bigger, more efficient, etc

Gone are all the small mom/pop electronic stores, either closed up due competition or bought out by bigger players. Think Best Buy (at least in US)

Gone are many of the small regional banks and credit unions. Again closed or bought out by bigger banks. Think Citi and Bank of America.

Gone are smaller pharmacies and drug stores. Now we have Walgreens, Walmart, and CVS

Gone are the smaller coffee shops (although I love them dearly). Enter Starbucks and other big chains

Similarly with Rolex. Gone are the small mom/pop jewelry stores selling watches. Consolidating into larger and grander stores in larger markets. Think WOS, Bucherer/Tourneau.

If the city/town is populous enough then some of these big box stores will set up shop. Unfortunately, if not then they're gone. Its all about efficiencies, economies or scale, and purchasing/buying power which will ultimately = more money

[rhallmcp]

this is disturbing!!!! Van Cott no longer sells Rolex??? thats where i get mine... son of a bi....

[Bozack90]

all of the smaller dealers are gone here, some of them were reportedly very good, I also liked that model but apparently it isn't aligned with their new strategic direction

[101031-28]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Up until 5 years ago, most references were attainable and my collection was assembled over 45 years.
My recent purchases, WG sub and blue dial SkyD, were watches I acquired July and December 2019.
I showed an interest in Rolex with this AD in 1973, buying my first.
What was originally a desire for a quality product, turned into a passion, all made possible through 4 decades of purchasing from Van Cott Jewelers.
My gravy train of access has ended.
I don’t need a new Exp/ExpII or arty dials on DJs for now anyway.

My kind of Rolex collector

[ROBERT1183]

Its sad to see them closing the small family ADs, as most are truly about the customer and establishing relationships. Not just pushing for higher profit margins like the big chains. Its not everyday a business can say they've been in business for 50 years. Surviving all the ups and downs over the course of 50 years.

[Seddyspaghetti]

Rip

[Sublovin]

Small AD’s are going the way of the independent hardware stores. Soon, you will be buying your Rolex online and it will be delivered in a hermetically sealed container direct from Switzerland.
It’s sad but the days of personal relationships as they relate to most consumer goods seem to be numbered


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[superpop]

I suspect this is all part of Rolex's effort to go more upscale. Big chains are very predictable with regards to location, aesthetic and experience. They do not want the little mom and pop shops where they may be also selling watch winders or other nick knacks. Most of the indy AD's I have been in are small, family owned shops that for the most part look very old. Showroom looks nice but it is not the same as a big chain store. Bummer as it reflects the changing landscape of America, kind of like when Walmart arrives on the scene.

[rhallmcp]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Just visited with my long time AD. The Levine family has been a partner with Rolex nearly 50 years and were told that Geneva’s marketing policy was being re-vamped. Knowing the owners moral compass well, I’m certain it was the Rolex decision not based on bad selling practices, but just clicking the channel.
As a charitable entity, Rolex is clearly showing their compassion by closing small family owned retailers in the midst of a Covid pandemic, especially those who basically bankrolled the company in 2008.

I have over 20 Rolex watches, many bought from The Levine’s.
Most likely, I’m done with the brand as I won’t pay gray or play the games.

When did they officially cease sales? must have been in mid april sometime

[casadecamporolex]

Originally Posted by rhallmcp

When did they officially cease sales? must have been in mid april sometime

Rolex came in one weekend and dismantled their store in store.
As unfortunate as it is for them and all their customers, RolexUSA wants boutiques in larger US markets.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by nyc10ken

Congrats on the collection.

Curious what about Tudor at these small ADs losing Rolex, will it stay there or go too? If the idea is that Tudor is the more attainable luxury tool watch you would think that should stay.

All I can cite is one example, here in the Chicago area. There's a two-store Jeweler that used to have Rolex at both its city and suburban locations. The city store lost the franchise, but retains Tudor. I can only assume that this was about the location's sales or management's willingness to spend on the Rolex decor, vs. shady dealings, which may make a difference.

[rhallmcp]

I can vouch for Van Cott not doing any shady deals. they were very adamant that they would not sell to anyone "flipping" watches. they knew i wasnt a seller, so they had no issues offering me very desirable watches. Sadly i went in there back in december and they offered me a very very hard to get watch, but my wife had just totaled her car, and i wasnt in the best position that week to make the purchase... plus i was getting the rolex i bought my father for xmas sized for him... now i regret it even more

[rhallmcp]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Rolex came in one weekend and dismantled their store in store.
As unfortunate as it is for them and all their customers, RolexUSA wants boutiques in larger US markets.

very sad... they were the only dealer within 2 hours of me. now i guess i need to build a rapport with the dealer near my daughters college...

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by superpop

I suspect this is all part of Rolex's effort to go more upscale. Big chains are very predictable with regards to location, aesthetic and experience. They do not want the little mom and pop shops where they may be also selling watch winders or other nick knacks. Most of the indy AD's I have been in are small, family owned shops that for the most part look very old. Showroom looks nice but it is not the same as a big chain store. Bummer as it reflects the changing landscape of America, kind of like when Walmart arrives on the scene.

I think it's about willingness to update the "Rolex area" to spec. These same shops you're talking about are often moving other very high-end merchandise (think: biggest loose diamond dealer/custom jewelry maker in a "stealth wealth" town). However there aren't flashy brands, and these items aren't in the cases.

[rmwill]

A few years ago I went to a small AD near me in search of a Milgauss. Empty cases. They told me Rolex only went to their best customers and I need to buy this Tag Heuer to even be considered. I said no thanks and left. They lost Rolex a few months later.

About a year ago I went to the large AD to buy some links for a few watches I bought grey, and registered interest in a Coral OP41. Still haven't got a call for the OP, but have bought a 226570 Polar Explorer, and have been offered a Date Sub, and a Sea-Dweller. I declined those, but they said they would continue to offer me watches as they can because the wait for the OP has been so long. Love this AD.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by rmwill

A few years ago I went to a small AD near me in search of a Milgauss. Empty cases. They told me Rolex only went to their best customers and I need to buy this Tag Heuer to even be considered. I said no thanks and left. They lost Rolex a few months later.

About a year ago I went to the large AD to buy some links for a few watches I bought grey, and registered interest in a Coral OP41. Still haven't got a call for the OP, but have bought a 226570 Polar Explorer, and have been offered a Date Sub, and a Sea-Dweller. I declined those, but they said they would continue to offer me watches as they can because the wait for the OP has been so long. Love this AD.

And since you probably bought the least-profitable-to-flip of the three offered, I suspect they recognize your genuine interest and will keep offering you attractive watches since they know you're only going to buy what you plan to keep.