%#*! Tourneau

[MYK]

So I just got back from a wonderful 2 week trip to New York. A week of it was business and the rest was pleasure and I really enjoyed it. During those two weeks, I faced no issues at all and experienced nothing but excellent customer service, from the high end retailers to the hot dog stands in the streets. Zero discrimination or racial attitude (I'm an Arab).

Until I walked into Tourneau on 5th Avenue. I was greeted by a friendly host who guided me to the upper floor where the Tudor watches were on display. As I got there wanting to enquire on the release date of the blue pelagos, I look around and find 2 sales reps serving 2 customers so I patiently waited looking around the Tudor section. The sales lady next to me was showing a customer some of the used watches and told her (literally) 4 times, "ask for me when you come back". So there's no doubt that they are motivated enough to sell. She was an Asian sales rep who apparently spoke Chinese as well. As soon as she finished she looked at me in a weird way and walked away. So I call and say "excuse me", she looks back at me acknowledging that she heard and again walks away. I was shocked really. So I ask her "do you work here?" And she says yes but I have a Chinese customer waiting that needed translation and I look around and there was no one. So I ask her and she says that person and points to someone being served by another sales rep, who was also Chinese! So I tell her who can help me, is there a manager I can speak to and she says its okay I will help you. At that point I left and was very upset.

I came back later to ask about them pelagos and complain and when I went up there was the other Chinese guy standing by the elevator resting on a table so I ask him about the new blue pelagos and he says you mean the blue black bay? I said no pelagos, he said no that's not available we only have it in black. So I ask him can I see it? He says "I have a customer" so I smile and look around and there was just one guy 6 feet from him looking around and when I asked him who, he pointed at him and said that guy. At that point the guy who was listening looks back and says "me!?, no I'm fine just looking around thanks". You would figure he would move his a$$ and show me the watch but instead he looks at his watch and turns around. Wanting me to ask again if I want to see the watch.

I have a couple of theories. They have had many Arab customers ask around without buying or they have an issue with Arabs. Either way I think the attitude is uncalled for and now know why I read a lot of bad comments about Tourneau. Thank god for dealers!

[texex91]

Don't take it personally--that's the excellent service everyone receives there.

With a thousand other places to shop in NYC so you should have skipped them.

Glad you enjoyed your trip and don't let one bad experience ruin it.

[SearChart]

That is indeed very bad, I'm sorry to hear about your experience.

[GerardoG]

I have mixed experiences with T. Many years ago, I found a great salesman in Houston that worked with me and helped with several purchases, but other than that, only pushy and not informed staff, some even asking for deposits in order to 'look at a BLNR'

[locutus49]

Blatant racial bias. But that is Tourneau. I was not impressed with their service and I'm white.

[subtona]

Been in nearly all the stores in Nyc over the years never had an experience like that, I would not be happy about it either.


one thing I have noticed, if I wear a Patek the salesperson show a bit more effort.

[azguy]

Originally Posted by MYK

or they have an issue with Arabs.

Seriously, come on.......... I'm sure middle eastern people are in there dropping thousands on gold Rolex's all the time.... You either just want to complain or are waaaaaay to defensive. You said twice yourself they are in the business of selling watches...

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by subtona

Been in nearly all the stores in Nyc over the years never had an experience like that, I would not be happy about it either.


one thing I have noticed, if I wear a Patek the salesperson show a bit more effort.

Its the only way to watch shop lol treated well everywhere even in gym clothes

[Highland Ranger]

I'm from NY and work in the City. We dislike everyone - don't take it personally.

Kidding aside, we have plenty of everyone here, no one cares.

I'd bet it had more to do with the way you were dressed or something else to do with them sizing you up as a potential sale.

I was going to go into the new one on 42nd and 6th, but their reputation precedes itself and I don't feel like being annoyed. If I make it over there I will report back, but old white guy in a suit wearing a Daytona, sporting a look of general annoyance -> probably not a good test case.

[Gaijin]

I just cant imagine how they stay in business and how any of our members who do any research have anything to do with shopping there.

Tourneau.

[wisguy]

All their locations suck, the worst sales tactics, people that know very little about watches.

I looked at a used Calatrava and their asking price was MORE than it is new!!

When I asked the guy how come thay offered a used watch with no B&P for more than MSRP he just rolled his eyes... they are clueless and to me is a miracle they are still in business.

[rr-nyc]

Don't take it personally. I've lived in the city for 16 years and you can tell you that you will get great service and really bad service... It has more to do with their own attitude than you, your race, and your appearance.

[lavaman]

Had their service dept. do wonders on my Breit. And took good care of my TAG. Their prices are very often ridiculous though. The sales folks at Dallas store have been nice, SA too. There was one redhead sales manager that I swore rode a broom to work in Dallas, but they finally tossed her.

[Dyim]

My guess is Chinese drops more $$$ than Arabs over there?

They don't want to lose time on someone there just to 'look' instead of 'buy'?

Don't get me wrong. I am not defending them. IMO, just poor sales at T in your case. Not an infrequent complaint on here.

[FTX I]

Sad to hear. I had a great experience there with my wife this feb.

[J!m]

Crappy experience and sorry you had to endure that (twice!!).

But for wha it's worth, the blue Pelagos will be released in July.

[yjfang]

Tourneau is a great place to window shop. I like to go in there looking like a bum so that their sales people would avoid me but unfortunately my ethnicity is one that they are currently targeting.... :(

[Presa canary]

Ur thinkin about race too much man...

[GradyPhilpott]

Bad service is an equal opportunity curse and I think that too many people get too upset about it.

In the grand scheme of things, no one, not even sales people, owe anyone anything.

The best response to bad service is to just quietly leave and go somewhere that has better service.

I've seen people get all hot and bothered in restaurants over bad service and create a scene.

When I'm seated in a restaurant, I look around and make a fair estimate as to how long I should wait for service.

If I'm not served in a given amount of time, I just leave and go elsewhere.

[simongpaez]

That is why I don't shop there regardless of the city.

[Trouble15]

Originally Posted by SearChart

That is indeed very bad, I'm sorry to hear about your experience.

x2

[BLACKHORSE 6]

They've been overpriced every time I've been in there anyway. Add that to the horrible service and its a wonder that the place has stayed in business.

[Rogdogg]

Originally Posted by J!m

Crappy experience and sorry you had to endure that (twice!!).

But for wha it's worth, the blue Pelagos will be released in July.

My AD tells me November/December if I remember correctly

[malarky_hk]

I don't think its any personal my friend. I went into several Patek ADs recently and all provided me with the same sh!t level of service. Most sales staff are junior level employees without a lot of training.

[Cru Jones]

I've never heard anything good about Tourneau, but a corporate racist policy is a new one. Far be it for me to put myself in OP's shoes, but, I have to think something else was going on.

[Bangel]

Pretty terrible service, but I wouldn't take it personally.

[Demosthene]

Originally Posted by azguy

Seriously, come on.......... I'm sure middle eastern people are in there dropping thousands on gold Rolex's all the time.... You either just want to complain or are waaaaaay to defensive. You said twice yourself they are in the business of selling watches...

It's common enough.
I see it with a number of friends of mine who routinely have difficulties with salesmen that I would never have.

[melons]

The Tourneau on 5th Avenue is the worst... once had a sales guy there ask me if I could afford the watch i wanted to see.

[1William]

Tourneau is the worst major company in the watch business in my opinion. They are consistent as every store I have been in from the north to the south to out west, the behavior is the same. I ask myself how they stay in business and the answer has to be deep pockets and uninformed consumers. One of the other posts said don't take it personal. I don't agree. It was personal and you were the one that received it. I would say don't get mad, get even, by the power of the consumer. Don't spend your money with them and tell everyone about your experience. I will never step foot in the store again, even to look, and I will share your story with others. My personal interaction with them, while not rude, is consistent with yours. Other than this event I'm glad you had a good visit.

[Touring]

Originally Posted by azguy

Seriously, come on.......... I'm sure middle eastern people are in there dropping thousands on gold Rolex's all the time.... You either just want to complain or are waaaaaay to defensive. You said twice yourself they are in the business of selling watches...

Originally Posted by Presa canary

Ur thinkin about race too much man...

Agree.