Mayors — Local services in Sarasota

Recently I sent in a 1960's vintage family Rolex Oyster for service through my local authorized dealer (AD) Mayors. I was advised of a few things from the start which was informative and appreciated. Typically service is $800 and this can take a few months. Additionally, that Rolex will provide a list of various services you may choose or deny and each service will have the associated cost provided for review/approval. Finally, I was advised that as a result of the watches age they might not offer any service at all (which while disappointing, isn't unreasonable given the vintage).

Watch was shipped off and months go by, somewhere in there I'm notified that Rolex will require an evaluation fee for the watch of approximately $300 which doesn't line up with the free evaluation I was initially promised. The cost of the evaluation however will be applied to any service or parts I decide to select once the evaluation is completed. I agreed, fully intending to rehabilitate the family watch.

Finally, I receive a call from my local AD (Mayors) with the line by line evaluation (client service estimate) of the watch. The estimated $800 service has increased to $2,786 which is an increase of 248.25 percent. Which is significant, but what's even more egregious is the approximate five month turnaround time (in addition to four months wait for the evaluation) AND the fact this will only be a PARTIAL REFINISH.

I gave it some thought and determined that at the age of the watch and given it has very nearly reached the end of life for service according the AD and Rolex (since they're unable to provide full service) It might be wise to upgrade. I had decided to refinish the case, crystal, etc. and replace the bracelet with a Rolex leather band. The watch ran when I sent it out so I wasn't terribly concerned. I figured it will still be a beautiful piece to hand down to my son and I would simply add another Rolex to the family watch collection.

Reached out to the local AD, advised them of my decision and was informed that Rolex may not be willing to attach the bracelet since I was selecting a partial service (only wanted the case refinished and strap replaced). I was informed that they have routinely procured replacement bracelets/straps from Rolex and they didn't foresee any issue with installing it in the show room if Rolex declined to install the new leather strap. Sounded good to me.

A few days later I receive another call from the AD. Rolex refuses to refinish the case and they refuse to sell the new leather strap since I haven't accepted the entire service (even though they only offered a partial restoration).

In conclusion, Rolex and the AD (Mayors) have left me exceedingly unimpressed. This doesn't appear to be in line with the first-class service Rolex claims to be committed to offering. Service of this nature reflect poorly upon both Rolex and Mayors. After today's interaction I have changed my mind and will not purchase an additional Rolex. There are many other luxury watches with superior service and beautiful reputations.

Goodbye Rolex, you're dead to me.

UPDATE Picked up the watch from Mayors and they decided not to charge me the evaluation fee. I can only conclude this was a result of being alerted to my...

I had contacted Mayors in Sarasota since Summer of 2021, when I moved to the area, for a Rolex GMTII 126710BLNR on oyster bracelet. I had kept in contact with the Mayors sales managers since then. In spring of 2022, I received a email from whom I thought was Mayors initially, however, it turned out that Mayors IT security system had been compromised by a hacker, and the hacker had all of my information including the watch I wanted which was apparently available. Suspicious of the email because of certain red flags found in the email, I had then immediately contacted the manager whom I was working with at the time, Brad Smith. Brad was very surprised at this, and wanted me to help Mayors company and IT to help their security team regarding this because of the security breach. Also, the hacker apparently reached out to others too, however, I was told that I was the first person to alert Mayors. Brad then stated that I would be receiving my wanted Rolex watch much sooner like in the next few months if I helped Mayors regarding this situation. I then took time out of my day to help Mayors. Brad then shortly left Mayors, and then I worked with the next sales manager, Kimberlie Summers. Kimberlie also knew about the IT security breach, assured me that the next watch with my name on it would be mine. Kimberlie them left Mayors, and then the new sales manager, Melissa Shaffer started. Melissa also immediately knew about the previous IT security breach. I then explained my watch situation to her however she has completely ignored my emails, nor has she followed up with when I would be receiving my watch. It is very clear they if you are only a high spender at Mayors, only then they will play the game of getting you the watch you want. While I was not a large spender at Mayors, I did help them with the security breach which they have now supposedly implemented better IT security, however, apparently money talks and they did not keep their promise even though I followed through with their requests. I am a member of online watch forums so I am very familiar with the types of games AD’s play, and I am not happy about my situation. I can guarantee that they have received multiple watches of the one that I want since my initial request, however, I’m still waiting for my watch. I may update this review once I receive what was...

Mayors To make a long story short, this story has two parts……Part 1, For approximately 10 years I have been attempting to acquire a very specific watch since it became available to the public. The subject watch is available on the secondary market, but due to the unique nature of the timepiece, there is a registration process that must be facilitated by an authorized dealer as well as a registration requirement from one of the federal agencies. Therefore, acquiring the watch new from an authorized dealer was necessary. Mayor’s Johnathan Gailloux not only was able to procure the subject watch, but was able to get the watch in the requested reference number. When I went to pick up the watch, Johnathan presented the watch with all the unique accessories and documentation. Part of the process of taking possession of the watch included required training and security acknowledgments. Additionally, Frank Knickerbocker facilitated the governmental and manufacturer agreements and registration. Bottom line, a complicated acquisition process was seamlessly conducted by the team of Johnathan Gailloux and Frank Knickerbocker. Part 2…… Three weeks later, with a 10 year anniversary one week away, I was searching all over the west coast of Florida for a 18/18 Yacht Master. I called Johnathan to inquire and lo and behold, Mayor’s had one in stock. I took my wife to Mayor’s the day before our anniversary to buy the Yacht Master. She didn’t like the Yacht Master. What she did fall in love with was a Yellow Daytona Rolesor with a rare Panda Dial. Bottom line, another grand slam thanks to Mayor’s. My wife could not be happier. Thank you Johnathan, thank you Frank and thank you...