Unhappy experience after purchasing watch at boutiqu

[MichaelFlash]

Long post, I apologize:

OK, I was not going to post or mention this experience, however, after attending Watch Time NY yesterday I got pissed all over again. Here is what happened and tell me what you think:

I went to the Blancpain boutique in Manhattan in August with my brother and the kids to browse. I have wanted a Fifty Fathoms for some time and currently owned the Bathyscaphe. Anyway, while trying on the FF Grand Date, the salesman (whom I will not name) brings over the Bathyscaphe 1970s LE. He tells me they were surprised when they received it and that it was the absolute last 1970s LE available in the entire Blancpain network and that it was a better buy than the regular FF. I have liked the watch since I first saw it when it was launched and decided to purchase it, especially being the last one available. My brother and I even joked to the sales associate that we better not see another 1970s in the case and he assured me that would not happen and we all laughed. Well, as you may have guessed, a few weeks later I return to the boutique to look at the Barakuda prototype and I see a 1970s in the glass case. I was not happy but said nothing. Yesterday I see the watch at the show and could hold my tongue no more. I spoke with another sales associate whom I have developed a relationship with and told him how unhappy I was at the sales tactic used to move the watch. Why lie about it being the last watch in network? According to him, they have had that issue before and that corporate had presented the watch as being the last in network to the boutique and that all he could do was apologize and bring it up to the powers that be, especially knowing that that was my 2nd BP and that I was considering purchasing the Barakuda as a 3rd. Anyway, it really soured me on the brand. Am I wrong in being pissed? I feel like I was duped by a greasy used car salesman technique. Would I have purchased the watch anyway? I don't know, but to me that is not the point. The boutique is supposed to embody everything great about the brand no?

[locutus49]

The FOMO sales tactic worked. It would not sour me on the brand unless you knew corporate sponsored that technique and it sounds like they didn't. You said you liked the watch anyway, so whether it was the last in the world, or one of many, would it matter to you?

[BigAppleBill]

I’m usually dubious when it comes to such sales tactics. But in the end it’s a ‘limited edition’ watch and you wanted it, so you bought it. It’s not as if they’re making more of them. You understood you were purchasing watch #x of xxx. Seeing another one in the case shouldn’t matter. Salespeople can be real asshats. I hope you’re enjoying the watch regardless.

[Watcheroo]

If you like the watch and enjoy wearing it, so be it

[JR16]

You got a LE watch you really liked. I wouldn’t get too bent out of shape by a salesman. Always take what they say w a grain of salt.


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[GB-man]

Do yourself a huge favor and buy BP from an AD not a boutique. If you want a contact let me know. You don’t need to pay retail for BP.

[PeqFB]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Do yourself a huge favor and buy BP from an AD not a boutique. If you want a contact let me know. You don’t need to pay retail for BP.

QFT. I bought this LE watch from an AD and got a discount. Btw, it’s a great watch!

[MichaelFlash]

Yeah, I do like the watch and enjoy it. I also knew when I purchased it that I was paying top dollar for a watch I would most likely be able to get gray for much less but I made the decision anyway. That’s on me. I just don’t think they need to play that game to sell a watch. Maybe I naively assumed the boutique would be more forthright than an AD. Learned my lesson, none can be trusted. Still a great watch! Ps they invited me to a special event at the boutique with dinner at the St. Regis after, I decided to attend. I genuinely like the people I have met at the boutique so why not? Thank you all for putting it in perspective for me. My Cuban blood is still easily boiled and in my 50s!

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Do yourself a huge favor and buy BP from an AD not a boutique. If you want a contact let me know. You don’t need to pay retail for BP.

Thanks for the offer and I will keep it in mind. But I am now on the hunt for the Datograph up down!

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by PeqFB

QFT. I bought this LE watch from an AD and got a discount. Btw, it’s a great watch!

Now that’s just rubbing it in!

[Fat_ninja]

Sorry you got that treatment bro... yeah it gets upsetting when people lie to you. Bright side is u still enjoy the watch and you know not to be suckered again. These days I only work with people I like...

[Jay (Eire)]

Sorry to hear that. It’s just dirty and as you say results in the customer having a sour taste in their mouth. Whether the individual in question was playing the game (which some may say is “doing their job”) or was genuinely misinformed I’m not sure you’ll ever know.

What you were told did, it sounds, influenced your decision on that day (and that’s fair). Because of that I think you should make that known to whomever runs the Boutique and the N.A. Head.

Unfortunately it’s virtually impossible at any point of sale to not encounter some level of sales tactic. The amount of crap I’ve heard or been told is mind blowing and with certainty less informed buyers are being sold a bunch of crap in many cases. But that’s the case from the sales floor to the HQ.

[mongrelnomoad]

I have only had one single good experience trying, or buying, a watch of late, when the salesperson chatted casually about watches, didn’t mind that I was in jeans, a t-shirt and non-designer trainers, had no prior sales history. I was floored when he told me flat out that he would not let me buy the LineSport as it was far too big for my wrist. He was absolutely right. I have taken his name and fully intend to return if they carry anything I find interesting. Unfortunately he has proved the exception, rather than the rule.

Otherwise, I get attitude even from stores where I have spent vast sums over the years, most recently a few weeks ago when the salesperson at Lange told he “didn’t know” if there were any sports watches in the pipeline after calling me “family” for having purchased my Lange 1 MP from them previously. I feel like a chump and I don’t want to set foot there again. Honesty, dignity and decency should be the foundation of every single interaction, but they just seem incapable...

All the shady salespeople have migrated from used cars and real estate to the watch boutiques.

I have needed multiple showers each and every time.

[astewartconst]

There has been a 1970 sitting in a case in Chicago for a long time. I would be mad also if I were you


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[MichaelFlash]

Hi, I’m here to browse some watches...

[1665fan]

It will never a daytona or something selling over retail....that being said they played you which is not right

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Sorry to hear that. It’s just dirty and as you say results in the customer having a sour taste in their mouth. Whether the individual in question was playing the game (which some may say is “doing their job”) or was genuinely misinformed I’m not sure you’ll ever know.

What you were told did, it sounds, influenced your decision on that day (and that’s fair). Because of that I think you should make that known to whomever runs the Boutique and the N.A. Head.

Unfortunately it’s virtually impossible at any point of sale to not encounter some level of sales tactic. The amount of crap I’ve heard or been told is mind blowing and with certainty less informed buyers are being sold a bunch of crap in many cases. But that’s the case from the sales floor to the HQ.

I was thinking of writing a letter. I may just do that, not that it will do any good!

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

I have only had one single good experience trying, or buying, a watch of late, when the salesperson chatted casually about watches, didn’t mind that I was in jeans, a t-shirt and non-designer trainers, had no prior sales history. I was floored when he told me flat out that he would not let me buy the LineSport as it was far too big for my wrist. He was absolutely right. I have taken his name and fully intend to return if they carry anything I find interesting. Unfortunately he has proved the exception, rather than the rule.

Otherwise, I get attitude even from stores where I have spent vast sums over the years, most recently a few weeks ago when the salesperson at Lange told he “didn’t know” if there were any sports watches in the pipeline after calling me “family” for having purchased my Lange 1 MP from them previously. I feel like a chump and I don’t want to set foot there again. Honesty, dignity and decency should be the foundation of every single interaction, but they just seem incapable...

All the shady salespeople have migrated from used cars and real estate to the watch boutiques.

I have needed multiple showers each and every time.

Agreed!

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Sorry you got that treatment bro... yeah it gets upsetting when people lie to you. Bright side is u still enjoy the watch and you know not to be suckered again. These days I only work with people I like...

Good advice!

[martinr]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Sorry to hear that. It’s just dirty and as you say results in the customer having a sour taste in their mouth. Whether the individual in question was playing the game (which some may say is “doing their job”) or was genuinely misinformed I’m not sure you’ll ever know.

What you were told did, it sounds, influenced your decision on that day (and that’s fair). Because of that I think you should make that known to whomever runs the Boutique and the N.A. Head.

Unfortunately it’s virtually impossible at any point of sale to not encounter some level of sales tactic. The amount of crap I’ve heard or been told is mind blowing and with certainty less informed buyers are being sold a bunch of crap in many cases. But that’s the case from the sales floor to the HQ.

Completely true and it doesn’t matter if it’s a boutique or an AD you have a “relationship” with. What have you done for me lately is the way it is in my opinion. So, buy the watch not the brand. Just my opinion.

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by MichaelFlash

I was thinking of writing a letter. I may just do that, not that it will do any good!

I think you should.

We are likely all thinking that it’s a pointless exercise but it’s what you should do. Make sure you cc everyone that’s relevant along the BP N.A. chain and Richemont. I’m sure a little bit of digging will find you the right people/names.

Good luck.

[bigfatpauli]

So a sales person wasn't completely honest and you are surprised?

What's next, discovering that politicians lie?

Did you only buy it because it was the "last one"?

[AK797]

I would not be impressed with this hard sell and such a blatant lie so I would do something about it, be it a letter or going back to the store and naming names. I just don't like people thinking they can get away with crap like this. As has been said I would not tie in the brand with the staff, I just went to Harrods and the guy at Rolex used to be at Omega and the girl at AP used to be at Breitling so they all shift around, so I would just go after the salesperson, not the brand.

[MrBenF]

I can almost relate to that. I was intent on buying an ALS from my AD but because of his attitude and less than complete transparency I have decided not to do business with him (& his company). Now I’m looking at a FPJ instead.


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[Justindo]

Originally Posted by JR16

You got a LE watch you really liked. I wouldn’t get too bent out of shape by a salesman. Always take what they say w a grain of salt.

This.

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by bigfatpauli

So a sales person wasn't completely honest and you are surprised?

What's next, discovering that politicians lie?

Did you only buy it because it was the "last one"?

Not speaking for the OP but if you were told that “this is the last piece in the world” it would influence your decision in some way, consciously or subconsciously. I just can’t believe it wouldn’t.

And yes, we deal with liars every day but that doesn’t mean you don’t call it out. In this case it may have been the sales person, it may have been corporate, who knows.

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Not speaking for the OP but if you were told that “this is the last piece in the world” it would influence your decision in some way, consciously or subconsciously. I just can’t believe it wouldn’t.

And yes, we deal with liars every day but that doesn’t mean you don’t call it out. In this case it may have been the sales person, it may have been corporate, who knows.

Exactly. I don't get the so they lied to you at the boutique, so what? attitude. Sorry, but I think a corporate owned boutique should be a representative of the brand's identity and core values especially in the luxury goods market. Fluff all you want about how great the watch is, why it's a great value, how their brand is better etc. that is salesmanship. An outright factual lie from a brand boutique rep is something else IMHO.

[asiparks]

If that's what motivated you to buy if you weren't about to anyway, that's down to impulsive decision making on your part.
Sales guy is selling. "Its the last one" is the oldest trick in the handbook, whether watches, sofas, sneakers.

You have a beautiful watch, there are very few of them out there, honestly, why care if the boutique gets in another 4, would that diminish the enjoyment ?

[locutus49]

Now that your Cuban blood pressure is back to normal, how about showing some pictures. That is the smaller version of the FF, right? And it still has the sapphire bezel (a lovely feature), right? Pics or this thread does not exist. lol

[MichaelFlash]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Now that your Cuban blood pressure is back to normal, how about showing some pictures. That is the smaller version of the FF, right? And it still has the sapphire bezel (a lovely feature), right? Pics or this thread does not exist. lol

It's the Bathyscaphe 1970 not a FF LE so same size.