Mappin and Webb Regents Street London

[phez]

What a terrible experience!

Went in there today to enquire about a TT Daytona.

They could not have cared less, there were 4 or 5 sales persons wandering around and not one approached either my wife or myself.

Really glad we are on first names terms at my local AD.

And as for the availability of watches on display, no DD40’s, very few Datejust 41 and no Ladies 31mm datejusts. And you can forget about any SS sports watches!

[AK797]

I was in there a few weeks ago and had a nice time discussing Omegas... didn't even know they sold Rolexes, never caught my eye.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by AK797

I was in there a few weeks ago and had a nice time discussing Omegas... didn't even know they sold Rolexes, never caught my eye.

Your Spidy senses must have been way off Mr. Parker

[LPan]

Originally Posted by phez

What a terrible experience!

Went in there today to enquire about a TT Daytona.

They could not have cared less, there were 4 or 5 sales persons wandering around and not one approached either my wife or myself.

Really glad we are on first names terms at my local AD.

And as for the availability of watches on display, no DD40’s, very few Datejust 41 and no Ladies 31mm datejusts. And you can forget about any SS sports watches!

Out of curiosity what watches were you or your wife wearing? Reason I ask is that I'm finding ADs in general to be really crap at their jobs and not interested in the customer at all. Even Goldsmiths who arent a high end AD showed me little interest until they checked my purchase history with the Aurum group.
I've found that if they've seen me wearing a nice watch, it tends to change their tune a little...

[Amex4711]

It's always the same .... show me your watch and the salespeople notice you or not.

[TswaneNguni]

Its like Louise Vuitton ,yucky sales people.

[bradyb]

Never a surprise to hear stories like this.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by LPan

I've found that if they've seen me wearing a nice watch, it tends to change their tune a little...

I agree

I imagine that they try to gauge what you can and can’t afford based on what you’re wearing

(Kind of rude, but maybe it tends to work for them, I don’t know)

I think what you drive also matters...

I was at a jewelry store the other day, first time there, just walking around, seeing what they carry and all

A gentleman parked up front, driving an Audi R8...

One of the sales associates was in a HURRY to introduce herself to the guy. She practically rushed him as he walked in haha

I wonder if that gentleman gets tired of being rushed to because of what he drives?

[jaydav2306]

WOS on Regent St is the same

[Peter99]

The standards at Mappin & Webb Regents Street have obviously seriously slipped!
My visit two and half years ago enquiring of the availability of a SubC is quite memorable in that I received very attentive attention by a knowledge sales person.
But I did remove my baseball cap before entering the premises!
Might add ‘tho, the visit was abortive, closest SubC was 9 months away and I was relieved of £2000 as a deposit against my potential order.
This was subsequentially refunded when I located a SubC elsewhere.
But a pleasant visit nonetheless!

[phez]

Originally Posted by LPan

Out of curiosity what watches were you or your wife wearing? Reason I ask is that I'm finding ADs in general to be really crap at their jobs and not interested in the customer at all. Even Goldsmiths who arent a high end AD showed me little interest until they checked my purchase history with the Aurum group.
I've found that if they've seen me wearing a nice watch, it tends to change their tune a little...

I was wearing my PT DD40 and my wife had on her TT Datejust 31 with the factory diamond bezel!

[VegasMilgauss]

I find service in ADs varies greatly dependent on a lot of factors, vote with your feet (or in this case wallet). What others have said about appearence and what watch you have on being a factor I have found to ring true also.

[Fleetlord]

AD's can't win.

If the SA doesn't speak to a shopper when they enter the store and while they are "browsing", then the SA are awful snobs for ignoring "you".

If they speak to a shopper upon entry and talk to them while they are wandering around, then the SA are aggressively badgering them.

Why don't you just simply go ask someone about what you wanted to buy?

[Ian Macdermott]

I dress like a tramp and have always been treated well at any AD I have poked my nose in.
If they have a watch I'm interested in I tend to find asking an assistant politely if it's possible to have a look at it works quite well.

[Merkaholic]

Had a very similar experience a few months back at the same AD. Apart from the doorman (good evening) not a single sales staff even bothered coming over. I was only after a datejust 41. I wasnt in my Sunday best but that is no reason to shy away. I had totally the opposite experience at WoS across the road. It was a shame they did not have my desired model in stock or i would have pulled the trigger.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

[Pauln]

Originally Posted by Fleetlord

Why don't you just simply go ask someone about what you wanted to buy?

This little known tactic always works for me too.

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by Ian Macdermott

I dress like a tramp and have always been treated well at any AD I have poked my nose in.
If they have a watch I'm interested in I tend to find asking an assistant politely if it's possible to have a look at it works quite well.

Same here. I always wear clean, new jeans and a nice T shirt.

Our (several local) AD's are located in a hoity-toity affluent area with many world travelers visiting all months of the year.

The AD I frequent is VERY used to this and treat all potential clientele with friendliness and respect. They have learned this from their decades of experience, plus they have a long term but small sales staff.

It is a pleasure to go there as I am always treated like I am important. Sometimes I buy something, sometimes just browse. Makes no difference to them; they are very laid back folk.

Unlike many posts I read regarding AD's, we are lucky to have at least one AD in our area who is not a snobby retail store.

[Nikrnic]

Sorry to hear of your shallow experience. It sounds like another bad case of being pre-qualified by an inept staff.

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[marc12]

Can't be as bad as Sidney Thomas in Boston/Copley.

Every time I go in I am met with almost extreme prejudice.

[envuks]

Originally Posted by Pauln

This little known tactic always works for me too.

Lol! I employ the same tactic myself. It tends to work for me

[Rolex fan 61]

If It was me I would have just walked out and taken my custom some where else.

[Seibei]

Thankfully I have better things to do/be concerned about than how I am treated by store clerks. My suggestion to the OP is to get over it.

[Burlington]

For me a hello upon entry then left alone until I have questions or want to try something on is my preference.

[Motofan]

Sounds like a terrible experience. I would not want to give my business to anyone that judges if I may or may not spend money based on appearance or what I drive. Sad that anyone is judged at all for any reason. I am sure there are many other ADs that would welcome the business or new relationship for potential business at a future time.

[Room 101]

When I have been watch shopping in London they've always been very good to be honest. But I have not been for years so perhaps it has changed. Perhaps they are sick of all the foot traffic for Rolex asking for models they simply don't have? It's poor for sure. Hopefully it was just a one off.

[Fleetlord]

The general public is so difficult when it comes this stuff.

Back in the day, when stores had commission based sales associates...."oh they are so pushy and they talk to me too much....it's terrible".

The market reacted, took employees off of commission and pulled back how many were on the floor...

Now it's

"The is nobody to help me"..."They didn't speak to me, so I am taking my business online"!

[jeffnnj]

Went to Sidney Thomas in Short Hills wearing tattered jeans, an old sweatshirt and my 228235. Asked the manager if he had any professional models in stainless. I probably would have bought whatever he had. He asked what I was most interested in and I asked if he had a Pepsi. He responded yes and asked if I wanted regular or diet because he didn't have the watch. He had jokes.

There's a reason why my family has spent well into 6 figures at Hartgers.

[marc12]

Originally Posted by jeffnnj

Went to Sidney Thomas in Short Hills wearing tattered jeans, an old sweatshirt and my 228235. Asked the manager if he had any professional models in stainless. I probably would have bought whatever he had. He asked what I was most interested in and I asked if he had a Pepsi. He responded yes and asked if I wanted regular or diet because he didn't have the watch. He had jokes.

There's a reason why my family has spent well into 6 figures at Hartgers.

Dude the Sidney Thomas in Boston tried telling me that their datejusts are being sold for double on the grey market and I would need to buy a PM piece before I could get ANY SS model

[rootbeer7]

Until their VIP lists start refusing pieces just to stay on VIP list the problem will remain. At the moment they don’t need to sell Rolex watches. When demand slows, someone will need to teach them to sell again. Ask estate agents in the UK.

[Rolex Essex]

Terrible experience???
All you have to do is approach one of them and ask for assistance.
It’s not the end of the world!