Never judge a book by it's cover

[C.J.]

The "Pre qualification to get some Rolex" thread by Rto reminded me of a story that I'll probably never forget. All of the talk about the poor judgment and tactics used by some of the AD's mentioned in that thread reminded me
of this, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Every year the Taj Mahal casino has a huge jewelry show with very high end pieces. At this particular show the cheapest piece was over $9000 US and the most expensive was well over $100,000. Trump would have his most exclusive and biggest players at a gaming tournament on the casino floor on the day of the show. Trump would give the players comps for the jewelry, the more they spent and lost over the previous year, the higher the comp would be.

During the show every thing was for sale, therefor it was openly displayed in the ballrooms on the second floor. Because of it's accessibility the casino wanted plain clothes, armed security. In NJ casino security can't carry firearms, so the vendors would hire us on the side.

During the show a guy walked in and began looking at some pieces. He appeared to have been in his mid to late fifties, heavy set, balding on top with long un-groomed hair on the sides of his head and was very sloppily dressed. He wore blue corduroy pants, they were at least two sizes too large and were so faded in the seat and the knees that they looked paper thin and almost white in color. In addition to this he wore a blue T-shirt with a small pocket at the left chest, which was slightly torn on one side. The shirt was to small and barely covered his belly at the bottom, it was also very faded and appeared as though it was almost white in some areas. On his feet were a pair of brown dock shoes that were so worn that the heels were almost gone and they had faded to a very light tan.

Due to his appearance several of the vendors wanted him removed, even though he was very well spoken and polite. I explained to them that it was an open show and that he had done nothing wrong. Any access he had to leave the room if he had attempted to steal something was covered and I would not escort him out, as of yet.

The vendors, of course turned their noses up at him, because of how he was dressed. feeling as though he was unwelcome he left. After he left the usual comments were made, "how dare he come in here", "what did he think
this was, a free giveaway" etc. , etc. A short time later the guy came back, but this time he was accompanied by Donald Trump. Trump introduced the
guy to all of the vendors and explained to them that anything the man wanted, regardless of price was to be given to him immediately and the bill was to go directly to Trump. it turned out that the guy was some billionaire that made it late in life off of some .com idea he had.

He was a pretty down to earth guy who just didn't change that much because he hit it big. He ended up buying a necklace for his wife, which was very modest in comparison to the price of most of the other items. The guy insisted on paying for the item himself and left the vendors a pretty nice tip even though they treated him like shite the first time he was there.

I'll never forget how the people there laughed at the guy and put him down after he left the first time, and how they instantly dropped to their knees and kissed his arse when they knew he had money. It made me sick. Just goes to show us that everybody deserves a little respect and some basic common courtesy no matter how they appear. Maybe some of the AD's I've read about here should take a lesson from this.

Sorry for the long post

[Rockrolex]

Good story, Craig. And you're absolutely right. Don't try to judge someone by what they're wearing at the time.

On the other hand, if you've ever gone into a Louis Vuitton store you'll know that the only way to get service is if you look Japanese. I've been in the Flagship store in Paris and the new store in DC. At no time did anyone offer to help, even though when I was in the DC store I was wearing a fairly expensive suit and my rose gold JLC. But all the Japanese in there were being served. The Paris store is even worse. It was though we didn't exist when we were in there. But the sales staff were fawning over the Japanese.

(This is not a dig against the Japanese - it is a statement about the damned French.)

I'm not supposed to say this, but I cheer at all the knock off LVs going around.

[Launch Mini]

That is so true Craig.
Same goes true for most of my clients. If you want a good easy/enlightening book to read, pick up " The Millionaire Next Door".
It is by two Phd authors who studied the "average Millionaire".
They are the guy next door in most cases. The guys with the "Flash" are generally high income earners, with NO Equity.
We always notice this when we are on holidays. Some places barely give us the time of day, where others don't care how we are dressed. ( reminds of one holiday in Maui, our daughter was 6 years old, this one jewellry store was pulling out rings OVER $100,000 and letting her try them on. A few doors down, one lady showing me watches would not let go of it while I looked)
Just My $0.02 Cdn

[dman]

Cool story Craig.

A very similar thing happened to my parents back in the mid 90's. Without going into detail, my folks got a bit lucky in a game that involves ping pong balls and the state.

Well my parents are both very succesful anyways, so not a ton changed but more things were paid with cash. Let me paint a picture of my Father, being from Hawaii to the heart, a formal occason for him is wearing socks.

Well one day he and I walk into the local Cadillac dealer (my Mom only drives American cars, don't ask) and two younger salesmen basically ignore us. I was just a teenager, but my dad was wearing some jeans, slippers and a T-shirt. They literally looked him up and down, failed to acknowledge him when he asked them a question and walked on.

Well all my Dad was doing was looking for a certain person. I was unaware of what was going on, but the guy he was looking for was the owner of the place, one of the biggest dealers in Washington state. As soon as he found him the guy basically hugged my father, it was an instant sale and the dude knew it. Literally as long as it took to pull out and write a check, Mom's new car was being brought up front.

The owner was told why we weren't brought to him sooner and did a really cool thing, he introduced us to the guys and told us, in front of them what type of commision they missed out since neither one could take credit for helping us.

Don't judge a book by it's cover.

[JJ Irani]

Good stories, guys. In most of my life as a sales person back home in Bombay, I've seen this a million times. Very true, never judge a person by his outward appearance or dress. Looks can be deceiving!!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Good stories, guys. In most of my life as a sales person back home in Bombay, I've seen this a million times. Very true, never judge a person by his outward appearance or dress. Looks can be deceiving!!

JJ, working the cash register at your local supermarket does not make you a sales person.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

(This is not a dig against the Japanese - it is a statement about the damned French.)

Well have to agree with you on that part Ed,but think its world wide now.

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Good story, Craig. And you're absolutely right. Don't try to judge someone by what they're wearing at the time.

On the other hand, if you've ever gone into a Louis Vuitton store you'll know that the only way to get service is if you look Japanese. I've been in the Flagship store in Paris and the new store in DC. At no time did anyone offer to help, even though when I was in the DC store I was wearing a fairly expensive suit and my rose gold JLC. But all the Japanese in there were being served. The Paris store is even worse. It was though we didn't exist when we were in there. But the sales staff were fawning over the Japanese.

(This is not a dig against the Japanese - it is a statement about the damned French.)

I'm not supposed to say this, but I cheer at all the knock off LVs going around.

Maybe it's cuz you were and American in Paris.

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Atomic

Maybe it's cuz you were and American in Paris.

Yeah, and we all know that Americans are poor but poverty stricken.

Nah, I just think that the French, as a society, are a$$holes. On the other hand, individually, there are some very nice French people. It's mostly the ones who work in sales in the high fashion shops that have the "attitude" and as a result miss out on a lot of sales. Oh well, their loss, not mine.

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

Yeah, and we all know that Americans are poor but poverty stricken.

Nah, I just think that the French, as a society, are a$$holes. On the other hand, individually, there are some very nice French people. .

Funny... that's what the rest of the world says about the 'ugly American tourist'. LOL Not that you're one Ed... just razzin'.

I don't think the French, as a society are a-holes, any more than Americans, Canadians (everyone loves us), or English. They're just very different in terms of societal values from what Americans are used to. Hell, I see it every day when I deal with Quebecois here at the office, and when I cross the river.

I think the bigger thing here is greed. Sure, you may be a well to-do American tourist... but the Japanese tourists in high-end shops have a reputation for not buying an item or two, but for HUGE purchases. Is it wrong they get more attention at high-end shops than people of different nationalities? Absolutely, but that's greed for you. Why give you any service when you may buy a LV purse for your wife when these Japanese tourists will drop five figures on complete luggage sets?

It's wrong, but that's life. I've mentioned before that I've been blown off in Toronto ADs by Chinese sales clerks the instant a Chinese patron walks in the door, despite having a Rolex on my wrist and being well dressed. C'est la vie. All we can do is not give them any business and give it to someone who will work for your hard earned money.

[Rockrolex]

You're right, John. I just recall being very frustrated when we were in the LV store in Paris and were being completely ignored, when I knew I could buy and sell any one of those sales people 10 times over. It's been a good 5-8 years since that happened and I still haven't forgotten it.

By contrast, we walked into the Rolex Store in London and another high end AD there and were treated very well. We had a great time talking to the gentleman in the Rolex shop and came away with the current catalog, including a complete UK price list (to which I remark, Good Grief!!).

[Earl]

Paulie your a MEANIE!!!!!!!!!!!!! take it back :op