Bad salesmanship?

[NorthernPike]

Originally Posted by BlueHeron

It was fun as always, but as I tried on and lovingly admired the Batman, my 114060 sitting on the …

Third, she did not refer to my 114060 as what it is, she just said "your current Rolex".....which I think speaks to the general lack of knowledge that so many watch salespeople have.

And you call a watch a Batman! No sympathy here.

[Substeve]

Originally Posted by BlueHeron

Are there really no salespeople on this forum? Or sales executives? I'll reserve my follow up comment and give someone, anyone, a chance to make the case for why this salesperson blew it on several levels. This goes beyond watches, but the passion that is watch collecting only amplifies the issue.

I work as a Manager in high end prestige car sales and we get faced with many customers who want to come in and have a look around. Sit in the new models and compare them to what they have now. We always welcome these people even if they aren't buying there and then, the sale can be a long process and they will more likely come back at a later point if you look after them early on. I don't see any issue with you spending time in the showroom trying watches on that you may not want to buy straight away.

However, they are a business and are entitled to attempt to make a sale by asking questions.

In my opinion a good salesperson should ask questions as part of the process, I really cannot see where she may have gone wrong!?

I have many customers that have several nice cars who could easily make a purchase without parting with an existing car.. but I can't recall one ever getting upset if we asked them if they wanted to trade in.

If a customer turned up in a 1967 E-Type Roadster it's unlikely we would ask if they wished to part exchange it, but if the customer turned up in a 3 year old car of the same brand we sell we would certainly ask if they wished to part exchange.

Like cars watches are often a passion, I myself cannot afford or justify a collection of expensive watches. So I will only ever own one at a time, and always sell or trade when I buy my next watch.

By the sound of it she was doing her job and hoping to make a sale, earn some commission and make a nice life for herself.

What other levels did she blow it on? I'm slightly confused, please elaborate!

[meganfox17]

Originally Posted by BlueHeron

saleswoman said
"You know, if you're tired of your current Rolex you can include it in exchange for the GMT...

Megan's Social Psychology Experiment version 1.0

Identical Scenario,Same Comment, Different Saleswoman.Possibly Different End Results

[hnn17]

Op said he left his watch 114060 on the felt tray in all its glory, sounded like he just want to show off his watch, but was offended when the saleperson failed to appreciate it's glory.

Suggest that op swap current 114060 to right wrist and try on gmt with left wrist implying attachment and no interests in a trade-in.

[Rebel]

Wasn't she just trying to make conversation...open the door? I think she was doing her job. Sign her up on TRF.

[T4ME]

Is this why some people think Rolex owners are pretentious?

[Chiboy]

I think the only more unanimous thread on TRF would be if someone posted, "I'm thinking of getting a really expensive, beautiful Rolex that I have been admiring for a long time. I can readily afford it, and my significant other approves. A local AD is giving me a price on a new one that is so good, it is below what Trusted Sellers ask for used ones here on TRF. Should I do it?"

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I think the only more unanimous thread on TRF would be if someone posted, "I'm thinking of getting a really expensive, beautiful Rolex that I have been admiring for a long time. I can readily afford it, and my significant other approves. A local AD is giving me a price on a new one that is so good, it is below what Trusted Sellers ask for used ones here on TRF. Should I do it?"

[sager]

Originally Posted by T4ME

Is this why some people think Rolex owners are pretentious?

Lol... Good point


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[Onx]

I dont think she meant any harm. She might understand that the subC might move easily preowned thus the offer.

[smith one]

With all due respect to the OP. When did we start being so sensitive that every statement becomes an attack. I'm sorry I don't understand. I just think the sales person was doing what sales people do. She was just giving you another option.

[Bluside]

I don't get the original post. Sounds like business as usual. Sorry the OP got his feelings hurt for some odd reason.

[padi56]

Sounds to me someone making mountains out of molehill IMHO,afraid today many think that by having a Rolex somehow exalts them to a higher status,but in the real world it's just a watch nothing more..

[ratty]

So OP, what were you actually expecting to happen which didn't?

[Old Geezer]

I understand where you might take her comment as a slight even though it probably wasn't intended that way. If you step back though, think about how many people visit the AD that don't have the means to collect watches but have acquired a Rolex. For many, maybe the majority of those people or even non-WIS, trading is a viable option to obtain something newer or more appealing. Her offering up that option doesn't automatically mean she didn't think you could afford to add another piece.

[Maiden]

You are way overreacting. She did nothing out of line IMO

[HoustonRoo]

Probably the most ridiculous thread I've seen in awhile.

[WatchingAustin]

You need to relax. I am positive she knows what a Sub-C is, they probably sell one every day. No need for her to exalt you for owning one.

I'm in sales and I must say sometimes there is no way to deal with a poor attitude.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by T4ME

Is this why some people think Rolex owners are pretentious?

Yup, and this forum's near unanimous response to the OP to get a grip is to our credit. Always try to stay classy and don't give in to paranoia... and stop watching the opening scene to Resevoir Dogs.

[JasonKrick]

Originally Posted by BlueHeron

Are there really no salespeople on this forum? Or sales executives? I'll reserve my follow up comment and give someone, anyone, a chance to make the case for why this salesperson blew it on several levels. This goes beyond watches, but the passion that is watch collecting only amplifies the issue.

Dude. Just let it go.

But I agree with the old 'the customer is always right' adage.

The customer has the right to go somewhere else. Rather than be enfuriated with a single person's actions that 'you' perceived to be offensive. Just go to another store to do your business that won't offend you.

If someone, anyone, is unusually disrespectful to my team without reasonable cause. I escort them out the door. If they have spent money already, I immediately refund their money and will give them three addresses that may suit their needs better.

[Tony64]

Here's another way to look at it.
Imagine if the sales lady had presented two additional GMTs for the OP's inspection, one with the "Pepsi" and one with the "Coke" and suggested that he might like to purchase all three (in addition to his own SubC, of course).

I would find that approach a bit pushy, and I'd probably feel a little uncomfortable. While I'm sure there are some on this forum who would not, it's not for a sales lady to assume that every customer is a collector, regardless of his/her financial means.

Would the OP have been more accepting of the above scenario, or would it have been similarly off-putting? Inquiring minds want to know.

[KDS777]

Like another recent poster to this thread I have sold the rarest and most expensive exotic and production automobiles to the wealthiest and most demanding clientele in Canada for over 2 decades.

You are blowing what is a normal part of the process waaaaaay out of proportion. In fact had you verbalized this concern to me in my showroom (because I did not say would you like to exchange your 2008 Mercedes Benz S63 as opposed to your current Mercedes) and you continued to do so after polite discussion I would have passed you on to someone else to deal with.

[charger]

Originally Posted by houstonroo

probably the most ridiculous thread i've seen in awhile.

x2

[codecow]

OP I think you're right on this one.

Her offer suggests that the BLNR is an upgrade over your existing reference thereby placing them in a hierarchy with the BLNR on the top and your SubC beneath it.

I have prepared these diagrams to illustrate what I suspect was happening:




In the forum here there was a thread that attempted to determine the relative popularity of the models:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=80630

The result was 296-289 for the Sub date. I suspect the forum skews more towards the GMT Master than the general public; so why would the saleswoman do this?

For me this is a mystery...

[jmiicustomz]

Car dealerships do the same. Most people don't own multiple "luxury" watches, cars, etc. For most of the general public of the world these are once in a lifetime or one at a time purchases. We are the odd few who own several at once. Don't sweat it and once she sees you a few times she will know better and quit offering such CRAZY options! Like someone would really ever sell a ND sub! Gosh, the nerve of the guy who sold me mine, was he nuts? Lol

To know the future is to be trapped by it

[904VT]

She probably assumed that you were serious about purchasing a new watch being that you were there trying them on and already own another Rolex. I think she was bringing attention to the fact they offer a trade-in program, which not all ADs offer.

Now if you were serious about buying and not just wasting time, then I think you'd have a little more concern if said rudely, but can't really complain too much about trying on watches for free.

[sea-dweller]

I don't think it was bad salesmanship, just starting conversation to make a potential sale with a potential lead.

[REFZ]

@BlueHeron
Who or what is Batman?
Is it something related to Rolex?

[coralfarmer84]

although I agree with the masses here on the general idea that this shouldn't have rubbed the OP the wrong way, I will take a minute to play the opposite side of the fence.

I don't think any saleperson should use negative connotations on any product they sell. I'm in retail and I get annoyed with my staff if they say things like "let me know if you see something you can't live without" or in this case "if your tired of your old rolex" That could put a subconscious idea in the customers head that hey maybe I don't need a new watch because I'm just going to get tired of it...

Clearly thou I don't think the OP should be the one upset, more than owner of the establishment for potentially creating a negative concept about rolex the brand in general.

Am I reaching for this a bit, sure. Would the salesperson move more product by changing her wording... I think so. Something more along the lines of, if your interested we can offer you a credit on your current rolex if your looking to upgrade to this model.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by T4ME

Is this why some people think Rolex owners are pretentious?

Yes.