Sales peoples comments based on your watch

[Flying Clog]

Am curious to see if others have had similar experience after a sales person notices your watch and is "not backwards in coming forwards" !

Mrs FC and I are currently on vacation. Didn't want to fly (I've done nearly 40 flights for work this year already) so took the car and are driving around Europe. Currently in Venice - beautiful city. However I digress . . . . .

We visited Murano today and went to one of the glass furnaces on the island. We wanted to buy a piece but wanted nothing too large / extravagant / expensive. Having looked at a number of pieces I asked what sort of deal we could do on one particular item. This was the Italian sales persons response word for word (imagine the italian accent . . . . )

"Signore please - when people understand and surround themselves with the finer things - for example your wife's two colour Rolex and your - that is the white gold Submariner is it not - do not tell me you cannot pay for this piece"

Similar experiences from others ??

We did walk away but unfortunately liked the piece so went back and purchased it but got a great discount.
The sales guy was actually quite a nice guy to be honest, and also had a nice black bezel 116710 himself which we talked about for a while after his comment - he was a bit of a Rolex fan.

[locutus49]

Nothing similar, but very interesting.

[Old Expat Beast]

Seems like a fair point from the glass seller. Italians love Rolex, and so easily recognise them. The guy who drove your vaporetto to Murano was probably wearing one too.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by Flying Clog

(imagine the italian accent . . . . )

"Signore please - when people understand and surround themselves with the finer things - for example your wife's two colour Rolex and your - that is the white gold Submariner is it not - do not tell me you cannot pay for this piece"

it's called the art of bargaining. in other parts of the world simply substitute the accent & item under consideration.

all things considered...you eventually returned, negotiated a fair price & it was a win-win for both parties.

[Snow-Dweller]

As Adam said, our Italian friends love their Rolex.

[traf]

Great story! I love that Italian sass. Would have paid him his asking price just for recognizing the watches !!


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[AK797]

Sounds cool to me, but spare a thought for the Patek owners who get this from the Lalique guys.

[Pandamonia]

BMW once asked why i wouldnt pay their asking price given that i can clearly afford the nice time pieces....

I told them thats why i can afford them because i dont pay you muppets asking prices!

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by Pandamonia

BMW once asked why i wouldnt pay their asking price given that i can clearly afford the nice time pieces....

now this particular sales floor example borders on the rude.

[eonflux]

Originally Posted by ref1655

now this particular sales floor example borders on the rude.

I've received similar comments before, and not in a rude manner, but more in jest, and I've responded similarly:

that not being foolish with money is why I can afford these watches

[GradyPhilpott]

In some circles that's known as apple-polish or buttering up.

I guess it costs nothing to try.

I don't recall anyone trying that, but I don't exactly exude refinement and high social status.

[Muzz]

We call that the luxury tax

[TickTopia]

Originally Posted by Flying Clog

Am curious to see if others have had similar experience after a sales person notices your watch and is "not backwards in coming forwards" !

Mrs FC and I are currently on vacation. Didn't want to fly (I've done nearly 40 flights for work this year already) so took the car and are driving around Europe. Currently in Venice - beautiful city. However I digress . . . . .

We visited Murano today and went to one of the glass furnaces on the island. We wanted to buy a piece but wanted nothing too large / extravagant / expensive. Having looked at a number of pieces I asked what sort of deal we could do on one particular item. This was the Italian sales persons response word for word (imagine the italian accent . . . . )

"Signore please - when people understand and surround themselves with the finer things - for example your wife's two colour Rolex and your - that is the white gold Submariner is it not - do not tell me you cannot pay for this piece"

Similar experiences from others ??

We did walk away but unfortunately liked the piece so went back and purchased it but got a great discount.
The sales guy was actually quite a nice guy to be honest, and also had a nice black bezel 116710 himself which we talked about for a while after his comment - he was a bit of a Rolex fan.

Glad to hear things were cleared up. Sounds like a little bit of Italian tongue in cheek.

[bde]

I had a sales manager at a car dealer once say to me while negotiating the price of the car we were looking to purchase, "The guy is wearing a Rolex and haggling me over $25 a month on the car." It was very tongue in cheek.

I responded with a similarly tongue and cheek tone. "Yes I am, and that's why I can afford a Rolex."

He sold me the car for my price.

[RationalPragmatist]

I asked an AD what the normal service cost was for a Sky-dweller - he said, "if you have to ask, you shouldn't get it"

[SeaAndSky]

Lol. Kudos to the seller. I know I'll be in the minority here but I agree with him.

[Flying Clog]

Ha ha ha - ok ok thanks all. Yes I found it a little startling I guess - never had such a direct approach. But perhaps as has been said, it was just Italian "sas" and the guy pushing to try his luck.

[Anthon]

The Dutch are just not used to this kind of haggling :)
You made it too easy for him.
Good story though!

[adao]

I was there on last summer. Spotted a nice Datejust Quartz on the glass shop owner's wrist and we had good chatting about watch. He gave me nice discount for the goods as well. That is interesting experience to me



The shop



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[WJGESQ]

Originally Posted by Flying Clog

Am curious to see if others have had similar experience after a sales person notices your watch and is "not backwards in coming forwards" !

Mrs FC and I are currently on vacation. Didn't want to fly (I've done nearly 40 flights for work this year already) so took the car and are driving around Europe. Currently in Venice - beautiful city. However I digress . . . . .

We visited Murano today and went to one of the glass furnaces on the island. We wanted to buy a piece but wanted nothing too large / extravagant / expensive. Having looked at a number of pieces I asked what sort of deal we could do on one particular item. This was the Italian sales persons response word for word (imagine the italian accent . . . . )

"Signore please - when people understand and surround themselves with the finer things - for example your wife's two colour Rolex and your - that is the white gold Submariner is it not - do not tell me you cannot pay for this piece"

Similar experiences from others ??

We did walk away but unfortunately liked the piece so went back and purchased it but got a great discount.
The sales guy was actually quite a nice guy to be honest, and also had a nice black bezel 116710 himself which we talked about for a while after his comment - he was a bit of a Rolex fan.

Rude but right.

[brookish]

The point is not if you can afford it, I can afford to buy a Daytona Platona from an AD, but why would I when I can buy it elsewhere for a better price? If I can pay less for something, why would I pay more?

[997.2]

I was checkin out hamiltons at the mall and the sales lady was genuinely curious to check out my sub, only good vibes


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Seems like a fair point from the glass seller. Italians love Rolex, and so easily recognise them. The guy who drove your vaporetto to Murano was probably wearing one too.

[johnnyjazz]

Try asking for a discount in Capri, they will call the Police and get you thrown off the island.

[subtona]

Nice exchange and a Happy ending

[michael067]

Go Rolex shopping wearing a casio and you probably won't run into the same situation. Just tell them you are looking to upgrade, would love to hear the response.

[landroverking]

Glass or used car salesman, I can see it happening in South Texas.

[Furbo]

Originally Posted by Flying Clog

Having looked at a number of pieces I asked what sort of deal we could do on one particular item. This was the Italian sales persons response word for word (imagine the italian accent . . . . )

"Signore please - when people understand and surround themselves with the finer things - for example your wife's two colour Rolex and your - that is the white gold Submariner is it not - do not tell me you cannot pay for this piece"

Maybe you overdid the poor tourist act while flashing Rolex watches.
You're not the only one with feelings and nobody likes to be considered as stupid.

[iliketime]

Originally Posted by michael067

Go Rolex shopping wearing a casio and you probably won't run into the same situation. Just tell them you are looking to upgrade, would love to hear the response.

I sort of did that at Tourneau. Had just received my explorer II from ebay seller (i know i know ) and went to see if they would check if it was real. They told me they don't do that, but I asked what if im looking to trade in/exchange; they said that's different story, and I went from being offered water to champagne. I only had on my skx but the manager did take me over to the rolex section and was quite surprised when I put my skx in my pocket instead of on the tray.

[Tan]

Signore please... lol

Nice story and good to hear that you got the watch at a discount in the end.