Bad experience at Ben Bridge La Jolla - also noticed something potentially illegal.

[gwalker]

Originally Posted by Melanotaenia

Just like any other industry, if something show up as "new" in the store and has a defect, once the defect is repaired, it can no longer be sold as "new" but instead "reconditioned" or "refurbished"

Do these rules not apply to the Rolex/watch industry?

I have known AD's to remove a speck of dust from a new dial. The watch is still new. It hasn't been worn. The watch shouldn't have to be sold as "used." Rolex makes 800000 watches a year. There will be a few watches with issues that make it out. It is a very simple procedure to remove anything from the dial (unless its a DSSD.)

As for buying from AD's the 2 AD's I've used in the past have been wonderful. Especially the AD I purchased my Sub-C from last month. I have only been given attitude once at an AD and never went back. I am young (26) and usually the salesmen are more than eager to help me. I really hate to hear of this happening because most AD's out there are very kind and really know what customer service is. A few bad apples spoil the basket if you ask me.

[gmh1013]

I have no problem calling them a dumb F**k and told one a junior high school girl knows more about Rolex/Omega than you do...just the other day at Paradise Valley Mall

[43builder]

Originally Posted by gmh1013

I have no problem calling them a dumb F**k and told one a junior high school girl knows more about Rolex/Omega than you do...just the other day at Paradise Valley Mall

im 20, my ex girlfriend knows more about rolex then half of the people at one of the AD near me!

[hoops10]

Sorry to hear about your Ben Bridge experience, however I must say that my experience at BB in Hawaii has been exceptional. I have purchased about 6 watches in total from the same store and on each occasion they make me and my family feel as if we are their most prized customer. As a matter of fact my AD at this store assisted my wife in purchasing a RoseGold Date just for me at a great price then helped set up a perfect way to present it to me for a birthday surprise. I have gone in on numerous occasions just to look but have never been rushed while just looking. So I must say that IMHO you cannot beat the service of Ben Bridge in Ala Moana on Oahu.

[Mr JJ]

This i am afraid is the general state of affairs with retail not only with swiss watches but just about everything retail! here in Australia retail is really suffering, why? because the service is so bad and attitude. Everyone is buying online, they get what they want, when they want, and they don't have to deal with attitude.
I read an article in watchtime magazine where Nick Hyek Jnr had admitted that the Ad state of affairs in the USA was a shambles and he went onto say that service and knowledge of product was pretty poor, seeing as he is the CEO of the swatch group, he mentioned that Omega would be opening up Boutiques that are owned and operated by Omega exclusively, which will enable them to employ well informed staff who can serve the clients need more thoroughly..and sans attitude..Obviously this is why Rolex is ending its AD set up..To be honest the next watch i buy will be from the TRF trusted dealers..its that simple..

[watchdaddy1]

Originally Posted by perpetualman88

Rolex should not let Ben Bridges or Jareds have an AD license period.
anyone with me?

Here,here, Jareds is just plain insuting for a AD, most of the emplyees here in Az dont know what their talking about..
The BB in Scottsdale fashion Square mall r ok, the jeweler their is a member here & knows her stuff, the rest are dense bimbos w/ attitude....

Back to the OP sorry to hear your bad experience forgetaboutit

[ktmd]

[QUOTE=Mr JJ;2717917]... which will enable them to employ well informed staff who can serve the clients need more thoroughly..and sans attitude..QUOTE]

Yes, also sans discount.

I personally am willing to put up with a suboptimal AD experience to save 20% on a $10000 watch.

Screw the boutiques.

[watchdaddy1]

Originally Posted by gmh1013

I have no problem calling them a dumb F**k and told one a junior high school girl knows more about Rolex/Omega than you do...just the other day at Paradise Valley Mall

that is the worst store hands down in Az..

[Time2time]

Awful.

If you're potentially spending thousands then you, (or anyone for that matter), should be made to feel like a VIP.

Being treated as "special" is all part of the Rolex buying experience IMHO.

[buke45]

Many sales people just dont get it!!! Top bad for them.

[vmm]

Hit and miss experiences with this AD. I've bought and GMT IIc, Raymond Weil Tango, and my Tag Auto from them. They basically told me I had no chance at getting a SS Daytona and couldn't get me a 14060m even though I had bought three watches from them. They seemed annoyed that I had found a 14060m on the forums here and basically refused any discount below MSRP even for a Yachtmaster that had been sitting there for a long time. I did find a watch I liked and rather than seeming interested in telling me about it, the salesperson stated I should just buy it! I was one of 2 people in the store with about 6 salespeople, it's not like I was keeping people away from her. My brother has had awful experiences at the Turdneau's in SJ and SF. Only one newbie working behind the counter spoke to him and actually wanted to look at and talk about his Doxa.

[CashGap]

Originally Posted by Melanotaenia

Just like any other industry, if something show up as "new" in the store and has a defect, once the defect is repaired, it can no longer be sold as "new" but instead "reconditioned" or "refurbished"

Do these rules not apply to the Rolex/watch industry?

I'm not aware of any industry where this applies.

I hope you have never purchased a car. Quite a few are repaired (including paint) at the dealership.

I think this falls into the "Anything I don't like or don't understand is illegal" department.

[Oyster1982]

Originally Posted by CashGap

I'm not aware of any industry where this applies.

I hope you have never purchased a car. Quite a few are repaired (including paint) at the dealership.

I think this falls into the "Anything I don't like or don't understand is illegal" department.

When I was in college I worked at a car dealer part time. I took out a brand new Altima out to swap it at another dealer, and on the way there I got into a car accident, the Altima needed 10k worth of work. The car was fixed and still sold as new, however it had a damage disclousure in its folder which a customer saw when they bought the car. As long as a car is not titled to a consumer its a new car. I bought a demo car for 7k less than sticker with 6k miles on it, the warranty started the day I bought the car. Also it got a new car inspection sticker before I drove off. With watches it should be the same, any watch that has not been sold is still new eventhough it has been repaired. However they might need to tell you the watch was serviced by Rolex.

[Keeperoftime]

Sorry to hear of bad service. I have dealt with a BB in Texas, which had excellent service. I do know, there are many with horrible service like what you described. I know it is common practice for BB to move models from one store to another---I have heard from other dealers, this is not allowed by Rolex.

It's like every business, the rules can be bent depending on the amount of cash.

[Puffy]

just buy from Tony aka Justrolexes, he's based in the La Jolla area

[never2late]

Originally Posted by perpetualman88

Rolex should not let Ben Bridges or Jareds have an AD license period.
anyone with me?

I agree . . . by the way, Jareds is owned by Kay Jewelers. Just saying.

[Melanotaenia]

Originally Posted by CashGap

I'm not aware of any industry where this applies.

I hope you have never purchased a car. Quite a few are repaired (including paint) at the dealership.

I think this falls into the "Anything I don't like or don't understand is illegal" department.

1. Electronics (computers specifically)

And yeah, I do buy new cars, but with VW, I order them, so when they are delivered from port they are still wrapped; pretty difficult to repair a car that was wrapped in Germany :)

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by CashGap

I'm not aware of any industry where this applies.

I hope you have never purchased a car. Quite a few are repaired (including paint) at the dealership.

I think this falls into the "Anything I don't like or don't understand is illegal" department.

If I knew that the AD removed a speck of dust from the dial (breaking factory seal, etc.) or a car dealer repainted a door, I would certainly not buy the watch (or car). I would also not buy a watch at an AD which is missing the plastic stickers since there is a chance that it was purchased and returned by another customer. That's just me. For me, new means fresh out of the factory ... open, repaired etc, it's not new anymore.

If they disclose it and I can make an informed decision, then it is a different story.

[RolexSA]

Unfortunately the poor service at Rolex outlet's is not exclusive to the United states , trust me . I tried a couple myself over the last 6 months before buying a pre-owned Rolex from an independent dealer earlier this summer . You seem to be "weighed off" at first and if they finally find some time to show you some models and explain you the workings of the watch , make sure you do not commit the unforgivable as inquire if they would have a preowned model in store .. run for your life .

[threemonkeys]

I will never visit BB ever again. I'm too tired of the tacky sales pressure. It's always been unpleasant for me.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by masterserg

If I knew that the AD removed a speck of dust from the dial (breaking factory seal, etc.) or a car dealer repainted a door, I would certainly not buy the watch (or car). I would also not buy a watch at an AD which is missing the plastic stickers since there is a chance that it was purchased and returned by another customer. That's just me. For me, new means fresh out of the factory ... open, repaired etc, it's not new anymore.

If they disclose it and I can make an informed decision, then it is a different story.

What factory seal its just a steel screw case back with a rubber seal just like on many products like on a jar. And if opened with the correct tool know one would even know its been opened and if opened the watch will not explode or go bad.And as for the bit of plastic on the case back well its not rocket science to replace that its just a bit of clear plastic.

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by padi56

What factory seal its just a steel screw case back with a rubber seal just like on many products like on a jar. And if opened with the correct tool know one would even know its been opened and if opened the watch will not explode or go bad.And as for the bit of plastic on the case back well its not rocket science to replace that its just a bit of clear plastic.

True. Anyway, my only point is that I want something that wasn't previously handled, that's all. Just personal preference.