Maybe I'm crazy, but I made the lady mad at Mayors...

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by outtatime

I was out shopping for Panerai straps a few weeks ago. The sales girl said the watchmaker needed to see my PAM in order to "verify the size straps it takes". Huh? I said I would not be handing over my watch to her for any reason, especially one as ridiculous as that. She got very upset, and assured me they weren't just "any jewelry store" and "nothing would happen to it". I told her it was not coming off my wrist. She tried 3-4 times but eventually gave up.

Sorry, no. Not handing a stranger my watch, even if it is in an AD. Once I did yell at someone who picked it up without my permission (another sales person at a different store). I wrote their management about it as well.

That is pretty hardcore.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

That is pretty hardcore.

It's going to be quite a sight to behold when full service time arrives.

It may be the first full service performed while the customer, under anesthesia, is still wearing his watch.

Our resident anesthesiologist may find a secondary specialty among those who are inordinately attached to their watches.

[jumproductions]

Hey Guys ! It is obvious that this was all a distraction and that his watch was taken off his wrist and switched during this whole conversation without him knowing. This is a new strategy from all Rolex AD after they cut their margin 3-3.5%. The only issue is how to know the watch he is wearing now is real since if you take it to an AD to verify they may switch it again for an even cheaper replica.

Kidding, I understand it is probably one of your most priced possessions and you are protective but have a little more faith in the human beings, unless of course the sales person had a strange unexplained "twitch" then all bets are off.

[jumproductions]

Grady, that sounds like a good business plan but you have to look at the cost of anesthesiologist, bail reserves and all parties involved vs. the resale value of a stolen blacklisted Rolex. I would speculate without doing an excel spreadsheet that this business will operate at a loss. A better idea is to offer the client water and roofy them and just switch their watch for an authentic 1 year older.

[tranny]

My 2 cents... if a possession of yours brings you that much stress that the idea of another person holding it freaks you out, you don't own it... it owns you. The joy of ownership is well outweighed by the negative thoughts and feelings the object brings you (which are much more powerful and life-altering). Life is better when the thought of loss, breakage, or theft of your possessions doesn't bother you. Hate to say it, but maybe putting the Rolex in a safe and wearing something cheaper would make you happier.

[Reu]

I haven't read every respone to your post so aplogies if I'm reiterating whats already been said by various others.

I think that switching your watch however is the last thing on the store associates mind!!

[jerseyden]

If they want to clean it I let them. Saves me a job.

[Rjwareagle]

Again I think the point was missed. Some touching it doesn't bother me. Hell, it's a watch. I have no problem leaving it with my watch guy like some of y'all don't have a problem leaving it with your AD that you know.

[watchf]

I wouldn't take mine off too if I was in that situation. I wouldn't want a stranger to handle my watch.

[DARK_KNIGHT]

Originally Posted by gradyphilpott

It's going to be quite a sight to behold when full service time arrives.

it may be the first full service performed while the customer, under anesthesia, is still wearing his watch.

our resident anesthesiologist may find a secondary specialty among those who are inordinately attached to their watches.

lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol. Lol.

[KJacques]

Honestly, there are a few posters that probably should not own a Rolex watch. How can you enjoy any material item when you put yourself through so much stress over it?

When you start being rude to a sales clerk in a high end store who handles far more valuable items every single day than a stainless steel watch, it's time to start prioritizing things in your life. It certainly makes me very appreciative that I'm not afflicted with this kind of paranoia or manifest so many fears and worries over things I buy, be it watches, cars or whatever.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

It's going to be quite a sight to behold when full service time arrives.

It may be the first full service performed while the customer, under anesthesia, is still wearing his watch.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by kjacques

honestly, there are a few posters that probably should not own a rolex watch. How can you enjoy any material item when you put yourself through so much stress over it?

+1

[joleel7]

OP has a right not to remove his watch if he feels uncomfortable nothing wrong with that. Why is she so pushy? No means no

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by jumproductions

Grady, that sounds like a good business plan but you have to look at the cost of anesthesiologist, bail reserves and all parties involved vs. the resale value of a stolen blacklisted Rolex. I would speculate without doing an excel spreadsheet that this business will operate at a loss. .

Are you kidding? I am a loyal TRF reader...I know what HUGE profits there are in retailing Rolex watches! Not only can the AD make money with the additional services above but they should offer me a discount !!!!!

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by joleel7

OP has a right not to remove his watch if he feels uncomfortable nothing wrong with that. Why is she so pushy? No means no

No problem with being annoyed by an aggressive sales person but to, in a public forum such as this, accuse the AD and the employee, with NO PROOF whatsoever, of conspiracy to commit fraud and theft in switching out his watch "because he knows it's done" is the very definition of paranoia. I feel bad that the OP seems like he really can't enjoy his watch.

Originally Posted by Rjwareagle

so you dont think that happens? ok, maybe i was overboard at Mayors, but i assure you it happens at other places...

"Paranoia: People with paranoid feelings have a constant suspicion, without justification, others around them have sinister motives and cannot be trusted. They tend to have too much trust in their own knowledge and abilities."

[kmleffler]

I do not believe that a Rolex AD would switch a watch. Nothing to gain. Switching diamonds is another story.

[Schmed]

The sales person was 100% wrong to push the issue. The OP is the customer, and the customer is always right. Always.

By pushing the issue, and pissing off the customer, she guaranteed a non-sale to the OP. Not very smart of her.

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Schmed

The sales person was 100% wrong to push the issue. The OP is the customer, and the customer is always right. Always.

By pushing the issue, and pissing off the customer, she guaranteed a non-sale to the OP. Not very smart of her.

No argument with this. His first "no" should have been enough. The woman is probably a very inexperienced salesperson. A seasoned professional salesperson would have left the cleaning issue and sparked up conversation on how nice the OP's watch was and had he seen or tried on the new........

[Reu]

Originally Posted by Schmed

The OP is the customer, and the customer is always right. Always.

To a certain extent I would agree with this - I mean within reason the customer is right, but ironically I don't think it's seen like that by many Rolex AD's in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Paladin

No argument with this. His first "no" should have been enough. The woman is probably a very inexperienced salesperson. A seasoned professional salesperson would have left the cleaning issue and sparked up conversation on how nice the OP's watch was and had he seen or tried on the new........

I wouldn't really refer to them as 'salesperson's'. I mean yes in terms of running a transaction through the till, but lets face it... they don't really 'sell' as such, it's a product that sells itself. If someone has already walked in to a store, there's already a certain level of interest before the person behind the counter has even opened thier mouths.

To be fair, if potential customers walk out irritated then it's testament to actually how bad the 'associate' actually is at thier job.

Thats another story though...

[azguy]

Originally Posted by Reu

I wouldn't really refer to them as 'salesperson's'. I mean yes in terms of running a transaction through the till, but lets face it... they don't really 'sell' as such, it's a product that sells itself. If someone has already walked in to a store, there's already a certain level of interest before the person behind the counter has even opened thier mouths.

Everything can be sold, I don't care how good, unique or special the product is. Maybe people confuse "order taking" and "customer service" with selling and I'll tell you what I guarentee I would sell more watches in one month that anyone else in the store guarenteed If people..ie..managers, owners, etc....did not think people could affect the sales process you could and would buy your Rolex on-line directly from Rolex themselves.

[Rjwareagle]

Originally Posted by KJacques

Honestly, there are a few posters that probably should not own a Rolex watch. How can you enjoy any material item when you put yourself through so much stress over it?

When you start being rude to a sales clerk in a high end store who handles far more valuable items every single day than a stainless steel watch, it's time to start prioritizing things in your life. It certainly makes me very appreciative that I'm not afflicted with this kind of paranoia or manifest so many fears and worries over things I buy, be it watches, cars or whatever.

Where did you get rude? I was polite like I said. Not sure where the rudeness is coming from????

[Reu]

Originally Posted by azguy

Everything can be sold, I don't care how good, unique or special the product is. Maybe people confuse "order taking" and "customer service" with selling and I'll tell you what I guarentee I would sell more watches in one month that anyone else in the store guarenteed If people..ie..managers, owners, etc....did not think people could affect the sales process you could and would buy your Rolex on-line directly from Rolex themselves.

Of course you need staff in-store as naturally this will affect sales. I’m in sales myself and yes people mistake order taking and telling with selling. As far as I’m concerned however if someone’s in your store then they have demonstrated the fact that they ‘may’ be in a situation where they will buy ‘something’ – Selling them a watch over a ring or a necklace is just ‘steering’ them.

Now if you got someone off the street, invited them in and sold them a watch they didn’t know they wanted or didn’t realise they needed – This is a SALE!!

Sorry to the OP for hijacking the thread.

[Schmed]

Originally Posted by Reu

I wouldn't really refer to them as 'salesperson's'. I mean yes in terms of running a transaction through the till, but lets face it... they don't really 'sell' as such, it's a product that sells itself. If someone has already walked in to a store, there's already a certain level of interest before the person behind the counter has even opened thier mouths.

To be fair, if potential customers walk out irritated then it's testament to actually how bad the 'associate' actually is at their job.

That's a good point.

Let's call that the Retail Salesperson's Hyppocratic Oath:

"First. Try not to screw up a sale."

[Paladin]

Originally Posted by Reu

I wouldn't really refer to them as 'salesperson's'. I mean yes in terms of running a transaction through the till, but lets face it... they don't really 'sell' as such, it's a product that sells itself. If someone has already walked in to a store, there's already a certain level of interest before the person behind the counter has even opened thier mouths...

I think I may disagree here on several points. I think the difference between an associate and a sales person is most objectively defined by how much of the employee's income is guaranteed salary and how much is performance based commission.

Additionally, while the Rolex product may "sell itself" to all us WIS's here in the Rolex forums, to someone walking in off the street looking to buy an upscale watch but not knowing much abut the choices or having given much thought to what they really want and need, there is a lot of selling...ie educating the customer and directing them to the product that best fits their needS and budget. The mark of a true professional salesperson is a lack of buyers remorse when the customer gets home with the purchase as well as the return of the customer should the need arise to buy again.

I would love to hear some industry professionals comment here on what percentage of foot traffic in an AD are lookie loos and what percentage are qualified prospective customers walking in to buy. I suspect that it is probably 80/20 or 90/10.

[Reu]

Originally Posted by Schmed

That's a good point.

Let's call that the Retail Salesperson's Hyppocratic Oath:

"First. Try not to screw up a sale."

Haha thanks.

Sales I am involved with is corporate but it’s a rule across selling generally, consumer, corporate, whatever.

If you’re selling a product like Rolex, then you’ve got an easier ride – fact. Apologies to anyone involved at retail level who is a member here.

[Reu]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I think I may disagree here on several points. I think the difference between an associate and a sales person is most objectively defined by how much of the employee's income is guaranteed salary and how much is performance based commission.

Additionally, while the Rolex product may "sell itself" to all us WIS's here in the Rolex forums, to someone walking in off the street looking to buy an upscale watch but not knowing much abut the choices or having given much thought to what they really want and need, there is a lot of selling...ie educating the customer and directing them to the product that best fits their needS and budget. The mark of a true professional salesperson is a lack of buyers remorse when the customer gets home with the purchase as well as the return of the customer should the need arise to buy again.

I would love to hear some industry professionals comment here on what percentage of foot traffic in an AD are lookie loos and what percentage are qualified prospective customers walking in to buy. I suspect that it is probably 80/20 or 90/10.

Income and how someone who sells is incentivised has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with whether you’re a sales person or sales associate - That’s just different title terminology given by the employer.

Yes, selling includes educating the punter so they can make a more informed choice and yes, return business is naturally a sign of a decent sales person.

If however someone get’s home and has remorse after purchasing something, that’s got nothing to do with the sales person. There are many reasons as to why people buy what they buy, 'need' is invariably low on the reason list – whatever, it’s the sales persons job to tap in to that and sell. Someone might get home after having spent 9k that day they hadn’t anticipated spending and feel a little concerned – This doesn't mean they are not happy with the purchase. It does however mean the sales person has done their job!

[ersnyder]

Gotta throw in my 2 cents! I would refuse the cleaning service in a store I didn't know but it would be more concern about what might happen to the watch rather than a "switch out." If the sales clerk kept on about the cleaning, I would probably chuckle a bit about their lack of tact.

[harry in montreal]

great post

i hate using parking valets and getting massages. i just dont like people touching me or my stuff.

however, if the associate at mayors was really hot, i would have handed it over. valets and masseuses are never hot enough to get me to comply.

too much labeling in this post. the OP is not paranoid, these things DO happen. i understand were he is coming from. sounds like the mayor-ette was a pushy moron that didnt understand no thank you.

[Rjwareagle]

^ thanks man. Finally someone got my point!!