Ever had an AD salesperson ask for your credit card "just to show the manager"?

[JBat]

Originally Posted by kotsos

There is a logical explanation people, although it is quite rude. A request for a credit card OR an ID by a Dealer means that they are going to run a CREDIT CHECK. This means that they can find out in about 5 minutes whether you are capable of buying such an expensive watch. I cannot really blame them because there are lots of people who may waste the dealer's time by looking and trying on watches only to walk away in the end since they did not have the money to buy one to begin with.

Also there is a logical explanation why this is only in the USA and not in Europe. The EU has no such system in place so there is no need for a credit check. And for those of you who think that you are more secure by giving your ID instead of a credit card THINK AGAIN. In the USA older IDs or Drivers licences still have the social security number instead of the taxpayer number. If that gets copied or lost you will be in a lot of trouble. Take it from me. I know.

I can blame them and do. Running excessive credit checks can adversely affect your credit score and they have no business doing that. I wouldn't be surprised if it's against the law. If someone can't afford a watch, that's going to come out when they try to pay for it.

And no drivers license from any state I've ever lived in had my SSN printed on it.

[ippon20]

Originally Posted by kotsos

There is a logical explanation people, although it is quite rude. A request for a credit card OR an ID by a Dealer means that they are going to run a CREDIT CHECK. This means that they can find out in about 5 minutes whether you are capable of buying such an expensive watch. I cannot really blame them because there are lots of people who may waste the dealer's time by looking and trying on watches only to walk away in the end since they did not have the money to buy one to begin with.

Also there is a logical explanation why this is only in the USA and not in Europe. The EU has no such system in place so there is no need for a credit check. And for those of you who think that you are more secure by giving your ID instead of a credit card THINK AGAIN. In the USA older IDs or Drivers licences still have the social security number instead of the taxpayer number. If that gets copied or lost you will be in a lot of trouble. Take it from me. I know.

Another reason why I pay cash, don't need to know my credit history if I bring that in. Not that it's bad, but if I don't give you permission...why risk the ding for the inquiry?

[TheDude]

Sounds to me like a rather coarse way of qualifying the prospect. I guess they don't want to be bending over for a discount if they don't think you're a buyer.

I agree it's unconventional and probably creates more bad than good. Put it this way though - if the guy hands it over and doesn't walk out, they probably know they have a live one.

[galloman]

I know some ADs ask for ID to show some watches, or to take out more than one. However, Credit Cards ????? that's a new and insane thing for me.

The ADs I've dealt with have never asked me for an ID or anything of the sort. I would have asked a reason as why they would do this.

[hennabav]

I think it's discrimination and is against the law. I mean just by running a credit check doesn't mean they don't have the money to buy the watch. They could pay cash right? That's no different than somebody who's dressed in casual jeans and T-shirt walking into a store and buying a Rolex and declining them just b/c they don't have a suit on. That's why I try to avoid going into stores who have arrogant sales reps. I have a business of my own and I can definitely tell you this is the formula for disaster.

[Jocke]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

You think that's bad, I hear they strip search you if you want to try on a Patek.

So when I see a nice looking PP salesgirl is it just to went in and say I want to buy one?
Then she can investigate me nice and easy.

[kotsos]

Originally Posted by JBat

I can blame them and do. Running excessive credit checks can adversely affect your credit score and they have no business doing that. I wouldn't be surprised if it's against the law. If someone can't afford a watch, that's going to come out when they try to pay for it.

And no drivers license from any state I've ever lived in had my SSN printed on it.

Agreed, as I said it is rude and actually I do believe it should be against the law unless they explicitly told you that they will run a credit check. In Virginia the SSN was printed on the Driver's license until 7 years ago.

[BASSETHOUNDS]

Originally Posted by Yume-sama

You think that's bad, I hear they strip search you if you want to try on a Patek.

I doubt that my credit card would handle a " tour de l'ile " P.Patek

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by kotsos

There is a logical explanation people, although it is quite rude. A request for a credit card OR an ID by a Dealer means that they are going to run a CREDIT CHECK. This means that they can find out in about 5 minutes whether you are capable of buying such an expensive watch. I cannot really blame them because there are lots of people who may waste the dealer's time by looking and trying on watches only to walk away in the end since they did not have the money to buy one to begin with.

Also there is a logical explanation why this is only in the USA and not in Europe. The EU has no such system in place so there is no need for a credit check. And for those of you who think that you are more secure by giving your ID instead of a credit card THINK AGAIN. In the USA older IDs or Drivers licences still have the social security number instead of the taxpayer number. If that gets copied or lost you will be in a lot of trouble. Take it from me. I know.

They can't run a credit check without your authorization.

Europe has privacy laws that the US does not, correct?

It's an unacceptable practice, regardless of the reason.

[kcmo]

Absolutely absurd! I would NEVER hand over my cc to an AD for 'inspection'. It's enough to turn any customer off.

[Timber Loftis]

On the one hand this seems weird.

On the other hand none of us flinch when a bartender takes our CC to open a bar tab.

[OPK]

That's absurd. Never happened to me and, if it did, I would politely refuse. If they insisted I'd find a new AD to do business with - of course after telling them where they could stick it.

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by kotsos

There is a logical explanation people, although it is quite rude. A request for a credit card OR an ID by a Dealer means that they are going to run a CREDIT CHECK. This means that they can find out in about 5 minutes whether you are capable of buying such an expensive watch. I cannot really blame them because there are lots of people who may waste the dealer's time by looking and trying on watches only to walk away in the end since they did not have the money to buy one to begin with.

Also there is a logical explanation why this is only in the USA and not in Europe. The EU has no such system in place so there is no need for a credit check. And for those of you who think that you are more secure by giving your ID instead of a credit card THINK AGAIN. In the USA older IDs or Drivers licences still have the social security number instead of the taxpayer number. If that gets copied or lost you will be in a lot of trouble. Take it from me. I know.

They can't run a credit check without your permission, and besides, what if you don't plan to use credit to purchase the item?? A lot of people may not have the credit worthiness to buy the watch but can pull a wad of cash out of their poicket.

[kotsos]

Originally Posted by Thomas

They can't run a credit check without your permission, and besides, what if you don't plan to use credit to purchase the item?? A lot of people may not have the credit worthiness to buy the watch but can pull a wad of cash out of their poicket.

Yes they actually can and THEY DO run credit checks without the client knowing. It has happened to me many times when I lived in the USA and I was actually informed that they run my credit after the fact. You are sadly mistaken if you think that they will ask you every time although the law states that they should ask for your permission. There are some who may argue that the fact that you are PHYSICALLY handing them you ID or credit card is approval to run a credit check.....oh well go figure.

Also about the cash. Have you seen many people walking around holding 5000 to 10000 dollars cash? I haven't and even if you can provide an example, that would be the exception to the rule.

The moral of the story is be careful. There is a good explanation why they may ask for your credit card even if you are not planning to buy. Do not give them any information at all and always be suspicious.

[rob]

Run Forest Run!

[Nick1959]

Two ADs I usually go do not do those things. They actully encourage me to try these toys. Never asked for CC or anythig.

[zak98]

never a credit card.. but hv been asked to lay down my license on the display case while i am handling their watch.

[Max]

They wouldn't run a credit report on you, probably just try to auth your card for the amount of the watch. It costs money to run run a credit report, they wouldn't do that for every customer that walks through the door to look at a watch. Either way, leaving was the right choice.

[mb hawaii]

Lol....it could be due to this recent incident. A corporate memo might have gone out to all the AD's. I still don't agree with that practice though. The watches are insured and the risk is part of the business. Common sense will tell you that asking for payment info before the deal is poor sales etiquette and can be insulting.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=99620

[GoldenBear]

Doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me. You hand them a credit card or ID and they hand you a $6,000 watch. I bet their insurance requires some sort of protection.

[snowbird]

Interesting thoughts on this everyone!

Several people mentioned either a crooked salesman or a means of qualifying me as a buyer, seems like one of those probably. I did ask the guy specifically if he was going to run the card to authorize the price of the watch and he said no. Also he commented on the Rolex I was wearing so I would think he knew I was a plausible buyer.

He brought the watches out of the case and asked if I wanted to try them on without me even asking, so he didn't seem too worried about the security of the watches, though I certainly understand why any AD (or jeweler in general) needs to be aware about security.

Anyway it does seem like a strange way to run a business.

[chopperboy]

The only question I was ever asked from my AD, was "have a made a large purchase like this before using my debit card". Which I think he was looking out to avoid an uncomfortable situation for both!

[BarkMaster]

Originally Posted by kotsos

Yes they actually can and THEY DO run credit checks without the client knowing. It has happened to me many times when I lived in the USA and I was actually informed that they run my credit after the fact. You are sadly mistaken if you think that they will ask you every time although the law states that they should ask for your permission. There are some who may argue that the fact that you are PHYSICALLY handing them you ID or credit card is approval to run a credit check.....oh well go figure.

Also about the cash. Have you seen many people walking around holding 5000 to 10000 dollars cash? I haven't and even if you can provide an example, that would be the exception to the rule.

The moral of the story is be careful. There is a good explanation why they may ask for your credit card even if you are not planning to buy. Do not give them any information at all and always be suspicious.

No, that does not happen. The credit card does not contain the information needed to run a credit report and the AD has to much to lose breaking the law anyway...

They could possibly do a temporary authorization against the credit line of the card (like gas pumps do), but if they didn't immeidately cancel it, they would have some very irate people jumping down their throat, since temporary authorizations are deducted from available credit until reversed or timed out (up to 7 days).

Regardless, I would not do business with them whether they wanted my ID or my credit card just to look. It is an insult.

[Lamone]

Today, thieves are everywhere.
It literally takes a second or two to make a copy and/or a clone of your credit card.

[Pep04]

Its not as bad as people are making out. A local AD in area does that but its so silly. It's not store policy just the way the guy does it. He's an ex car salesman. So he thinks that if he walks into the managers office with a CC it shows you are ready to make the deal. Hence, giving you the best possible price.

Silly sales tactic and also gauges how serious you are about the watch.

Next time, tell him that your not buying a car just a watch and to stop being so dramatic. At least thats what I did. I bought the watch and laughed about his cheese ball ways and now we're buddies!!!

[Art 1]

Strange, I've handled $100,000 watches without being asked for any ID.

[Strut99GT]

One time I had a car salesman ask me to sign a piece of paper indicating I'd buy a car just for looking up the price for me. Needless to say I bought elsewhere, and was seriously pissed!

[ingoodtime]

I was at a Hamilton Jewelers with a relative. They were contemplating purchasing a rose and SS Datejust. I was getting antsy and started looking around as it was a good size store in a mall. I found a WG Sub in the window display with baguette cut diamonds and blue sapphires on the bezel top and bottom spaced in reverse order. It was a $68000.00 dollar watch. I asked to try it on and they let me. That baby fit like a glove. I think I was wearing my TT sub with serti dial so they knew I was a Rolex lover. I went to take it off and hand it back and the salesgirl said, IT'S OK, YOU CAN WEAR IT AWHILE!I was like freaking out. I joked with her and asked if she was a good runner cause I was. She laughed. meanwhile, my relative negotiated and bought two watches that night, both DJ Rose and SS. One for him and one for his son. Fortunately or unfortunately), I was not like the guy in the video in another thread on this forum that did a grab and bolt. I did give the watch back to the salesgirl but my heart was broken. Now, I know I have said in the past that I am not WG type of guy, but, that watch was stunning. They said they sold the YG version to a guy that wears it while riding his Harley. Isn't life grand(for him!)

[dannyp]

As stated, a CC doesn't contain enough information to actually run a credit check. However, running the card could give them an idea of your purchasing power. I don't think it's a question of wasting their time, rather gauging how serious you are.

IMO, the reason for them to do that is to know whether a substantial discount will make you buy the watch or not. It's not in their interest to offer 20% off on a stainless watch to someone who isn't serious. They don't want that reputation. If your card has a $600 limit on it, that doesn't make you as serious a buyer, and they're not going to risk getting in trouble w/Rolex to offer you a great price. I think it looks/sounds sleazy, and I don't approve, but I think I see where they're coming from.

[Pep04]

Originally Posted by dannyp

As stated, a CC doesn't contain enough information to actually run a credit check. However, running the card could give them an idea of your purchasing power. I don't think it's a question of wasting their time, rather gauging how serious you are.

IMO, the reason for them to do that is to know whether a substantial discount will make you buy the watch or not. It's not in their interest to offer 20% off on a stainless watch to someone who isn't serious. They don't want that reputation. If your card has a $600 limit on it, that doesn't make you as serious a buyer, and they're not going to risk getting in trouble w/Rolex to offer you a great price. I think it looks/sounds sleazy, and I don't approve, but I think I see where they're coming from.

You can get 20% off a SS? I thought only gold could get anything anywhere near that.