Post by: vinodh on August 11, 2020, 11:23:50 AM
EVERY watch retailer I have been to recently has been an unpleasant experience.
When I walk into your ground floor store at a mall, I want to browse freely. I love Citizen/Seiko/Casio. The minute I walk-in though, the salesguy will jump up from watching youtube videos at his desk and tail me -- standing inches from my ass and staring at my face. Where is the fun in that?? And when I leave, they sigh a big sigh of relief. It's almost like they don't want any business because, you know, they will have to do some work. And this happens to me ALL the time. I honestly don't know what the deal is.
The only cool people I have met in the watch game have been grey market dealers at upper floor publika, sunway giza, starling mall and a shoplot in subang jaya. Everyone else, seriously, I don't know what to say -- lose the tired uncles smoking on plastic chairs outside your shop waiting for customers with a sea of two tone inside, the jaded aunties who are just passing time with no product knowledge -"you want or not???"" and if feel yourself unhappy with people coming to your store because you think, they are wasting your time -- consider having "by appointment only" for new customers and you can allow them to browse at leisure and try things on. Then you can focus more attention on marketing instead of selling.
This is the 2020s after all and not 1970. How things are now are different than how they used to be.
Post by: G.MAC on August 11, 2020, 06:11:54 PM
Post by: vinodh on August 11, 2020, 07:25:26 PM
Wow, thanks for setting me straight -- you 'da man.
Post by: dpkong on August 11, 2020, 07:38:58 PM
Maybe you look like someone who's got a sledgehammer stashed in your pants and will take a few watches away with it?
:Laughing_on_floor:
But seriously, most ADs now have young, eager salespeople who aren't well trained and do not know how to be close enough to answer your questions yet far enough so that they don't look like potential snatch thieves or pickpockets.
The only grey dealers I have visited are at Berjaya Times Square and they won't even open the door to let me in ... and those that do would give me the look that I should leave ASAP ....
:thumbsdown:
Post by: dualcarb on August 11, 2020, 08:52:31 PM
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Post by: Cocas on August 12, 2020, 04:11:00 AM
:thumbsup: the salesman follows you so close, you must be very rich man. :Dancing_banana:
Post by: acurusaragon on August 12, 2020, 11:40:57 AM
Post by: dpkong on August 12, 2020, 11:54:12 AM
Off topic a bit .... went to a Mercedes sales exhibition before the MCO and was intended to do the GLC for my wife ..... the salesman/person/boy just look at me with no interest and never approach me ...... maybe you need to dressed up and look $$$$$ to be treated with interest in this crazy world !!! ...... Ok ... sorry .... back to this topic !
It is all down to poor or no training.
Or the trainer they hired focus too much on appearance and assumptions.
Post by: aramis on August 12, 2020, 06:34:21 PM
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Post by: r3kahsttub on August 13, 2020, 01:07:32 PM
Post by: vinodh on August 13, 2020, 06:49:13 PM
But there is also a downside -- when you see the 16710 in person, it will haunt your dreams for the next few months ;)
Also alot of lower priced Seiko/Citizen are damned good value for the money -- you will never realize until you hold them in your hand. Especially those enamel dialed ones.
Post by: dpkong on August 13, 2020, 07:47:25 PM
The only thing is that if you don't browse widely in person, you miss out on a lot of cool stuff. Like, for me, the DaytonaC in person is just okay -- I thought it would be magnificent based on the pictures, but (personally) I thought it was so-so in the flesh. TT Daytona looked much better when I saw it in person -- when somebody else is wearing it, it just looked so fresh and elegant. Similarly, the newer Airking looks much better in person than in pictures.
But there is also a downside -- when you see the 16710 in person, it will haunt your dreams for the next few months ;)
Also alot of lower priced Seiko/Citizen are damned good value for the money -- you will never realize until you hold them in your hand. Especially those enamel dialed ones.
This is why we used to organize GTG back then so we can see a variety of watches and hear about their owners opinions
Post by: dualcarb on August 13, 2020, 08:06:52 PM
Yeah...I agree...a get together is a place where you meet like minded ppl and get to talk watch, have a beer and try out really cool watches and see if there are some that would suit your wrist. There are so many “grails” out there that I wanted, till I tried them on my wrist. Then I find out that my wrist is weird and I can’t carry the watch that I like...The only thing is that if you don't browse widely in person, you miss out on a lot of cool stuff. Like, for me, the DaytonaC in person is just okay -- I thought it would be magnificent based on the pictures, but (personally) I thought it was so-so in the flesh. TT Daytona looked much better when I saw it in person -- when somebody else is wearing it, it just looked so fresh and elegant. Similarly, the newer Airking looks much better in person than in pictures.
But there is also a downside -- when you see the 16710 in person, it will haunt your dreams for the next few months ;)
Also alot of lower priced Seiko/Citizen are damned good value for the money -- you will never realize until you hold them in your hand. Especially those enamel dialed ones.
This is why we used to organize GTG back then so we can see a variety of watches and hear about their owners opinions
In any event...here are some of the pics of my last two get together...
I miss meeting up with these folks...no thanks to Covid
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200813/020a5bbe729cc766b53a48419b35a17b.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200813/b0c0da5acb045a4692be7d68e2a91bd4.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200813/0b5fd8b5b65751a425354f5712c6cd0b.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200813/550bb54d914dda8736470c81ae3abf16.jpg)
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Post by: dpkong on August 13, 2020, 08:12:59 PM
That looks like a ROLEX only gathering..
Post by: dualcarb on August 14, 2020, 07:37:50 AM
There were quite a few PP, AP and Tudors...I was not close enough to them to warrant a pic.
That looks like a ROLEX only gathering..
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Post by: avabobatea on August 14, 2020, 09:51:32 AM
Post by: dualcarb on August 14, 2020, 10:02:15 AM
i think the demand is so good they basically don't have to 'sell' you the watch. More like we beg them to sell to us. Unless they know you or Tan Sri or Dato or somebody lorFor Rolex, Tudor (some models) and PP(5711) only la...the other “not so hot” brands...they will be begging you to buy. Other brands are priced stratospherically to the point where average Joes like us can’t afford anymore. I remember a time when Rolex was priced where normal ppl can go buy when we plan and save accordingly. These days...overinflated
Post by: aramis on August 14, 2020, 10:59:05 AM
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Post by: rnsm1979 on August 14, 2020, 11:21:39 AM
i think the demand is so good they basically don't have to 'sell' you the watch. More like we beg them to sell to us. Unless they know you or Tan Sri or Dato or somebody lorFor Rolex, Tudor (some models) and PP(5711) only la...the other “not so hot” brands...they will be begging you to buy. Other brands are priced stratospherically to the point where average Joes like us can’t afford anymore. I remember a time when Rolex was priced where normal ppl can go buy when we plan and save accordingly. These days...overinflated
hi bro, this is so damn true
but i believe those sales person are not poorly trained, but they are just desperate to earn their commission during this bad period of time
Post by: bedazzle44 on August 14, 2020, 11:26:36 AM
Post by: vinodh on August 14, 2020, 11:28:06 AM
Post by: dpkong on August 14, 2020, 05:55:10 PM
Fuyoh, thanks for the GTG pictures. That GMT and that 2-tone maserati dial daytona are going to be the death of me.
I think that Daytona is a white gold racing dial model ...
There were quite a few PP, AP and Tudors...I was not close enough to them to warrant a pic.
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The idea of a GTG is to mingle with the crowd and get to know people you don't already know ... so if people just stay in their own group of friends, then the idea of a MWF GTG is lost.
Gtg sounds good. Hope I can attend one soon..
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The last big one was a long, long time ago and since then less people got interested and now with the new normal of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, I really doubt we will have any more of those large gatherings of people we don't really know. Too many risks and a hassle to organise.
Post by: G.MAC on August 14, 2020, 06:35:53 PM
Post by: Vinlee88 on September 22, 2020, 07:10:13 PM
Post by: bulletnos on September 22, 2020, 08:40:05 PM
One of the best is still the Jaeger boutique...especially Pavilion. Though I haven't pulled the trigger on any JLC's yet... :P
Post by: dpkong on September 23, 2020, 11:21:19 AM
I find one of the worst ones are Patek boutiques...really look down on you and scoff at you when you ask anything...
One of the best is still the Jaeger boutique...especially Pavilion. Though I haven't pulled the trigger on any JLC's yet... :P
You can't really blame the PP sales gang because most of the nice watches are are about the same price as a studio apartment or standard condo. They're too used to dealing with the high roller society or VVIP and have already learnt how to smell if you have money or not.
:Laughing_on_floor:
And you're spot on about the JLC boutique. Always a pleasant experience and it shows their training is done well.
Post by: c4all on September 24, 2020, 06:33:43 AM
Post by: bulletnos on September 29, 2020, 02:31:56 PM
Any perfume to recommend that smells like money?I find one of the worst ones are Patek boutiques...really look down on you and scoff at you when you ask anything...
One of the best is still the Jaeger boutique...especially Pavilion. Though I haven't pulled the trigger on any JLC's yet... :P
You can't really blame the PP sales gang because most of the nice watches are are about the same price as a studio apartment or standard condo. They're too used to dealing with the high roller society or VVIP and have already learnt how to smell if you have money or not.
:Laughing_on_floor:
And you're spot on about the JLC boutique. Always a pleasant experience and it shows their training is done well.
But yea, it’s similar to Rolex too when you ask for sports models...but I find Hour Glass still not too bad, but SWG is terrible...and I’ve bought Rollie’s from both of them...
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Post by: bimmerman on September 29, 2020, 05:14:53 PM
And what's with Tag Heuer Boutiques and their closed door policy lately? Part of the LVMH group policy? Does it really make a brand more exclusive by impeding one's entry? They've been closed door since before Covid.
Post by: W3ll on October 05, 2020, 07:30:25 AM
Followed a friend into a Patek boutique once and he was asking about an annual calendar model. The salesperson attending to him was welcoming and polite and we were serve drinks as well. Another person coming in asking for a 5711 or 5167 was met with a short "no stock" followed by the person walking away with a huff. The salespeople later were commenting about people only looking for these models to resell. I think this is akin to people walking into Rolex and only asking for the sports model.
so the salesperson are trained to treat those with the "reseller" look differently
Post by: c4all on October 05, 2020, 07:54:54 AM
Followed a friend into a Patek boutique once and he was asking about an annual calendar model. The salesperson attending to him was welcoming and polite and we were serve drinks as well. Another person coming in asking for a 5711 or 5167 was met with a short "no stock" followed by the person walking away with a huff. The salespeople later were commenting about people only looking for these models to resell. I think this is akin to people walking into Rolex and only asking for the sports model.
so the salesperson are trained to treat those with the "reseller" look differently
I do not think that there is a "training" which you are referring to. It is merely a common interaction of "sorry we have no stock for those" to let the inquirer know that there are none of the models that the inquirer wanted that are available in-store. If the inquirer was interested in anything else, the salespeople were ready to entertain. What i did not understand is why the huff by the inquirer. When told of the unavailability of stock, the inquirer huffed and stormed out. I would have just said thank you and moved on. The inquirer must be quite desperate for those pieces to be grouchy when told they are unavailable. Unlike the experience of one of the members here when buying his two-tone submariner, I never had a bad experience when actually making a purchase.
Post by: G.MAC on October 05, 2020, 08:04:47 AM
Post by: memphisto on October 05, 2020, 09:25:12 AM
Post by: kelv_w on October 06, 2020, 01:46:13 AM
VC just sent me this gift to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival. I think I would have to gift the Rolex AD instead just to get on their waiting list :P
(https://i.imgur.com/I31V1Z7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pnXTTwd.jpg)
and 3 weeks ago, another surprise gift to celebrate its 265th Anniversary.
(https://i.imgur.com/qwg2BNq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mW93IWI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7DTJpvQ.jpg)
Post by: W3ll on October 06, 2020, 02:47:37 PM
Post by: kelv_w on October 06, 2020, 04:18:00 PM
A box of red packet was given to me during CNY this year.
Similarly, I was given one last year by another VC boutique elsewhere when I walked in for a chat, the manager gave me a whole box as I was about to leave. :D
(https://i.imgur.com/2OIycvf.jpg)
Also mid this year during the lockdown. VC sent a box of suprise through the post as a gesture of kindness during these uncertain times. Would be cool if it was VC branded but I'm not complaining. So I guess if you look further afield and not just hype brands/watches, it is a world of difference.
(https://i.imgur.com/Yc9TJwX.jpg)
Post by: shzrn on October 14, 2020, 12:14:56 PM
Post by: dennis.T on October 14, 2020, 03:13:06 PM
Same when property sales person or credit card promoters in shopping see me, almost always they don't even give me a second look.... Maybe I always wear slippers with tshirt and shorts only... Lol
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i prefer like that leh.... less hassle and can roam around freely... lol
Post by: dennis.T on October 14, 2020, 03:15:39 PM
Fuyoh, thanks for the GTG pictures. That GMT and that 2-tone maserati dial daytona are going to be the death of me.
I think that Daytona is a white gold racing dial model ...
There were quite a few PP, AP and Tudors...I was not close enough to them to warrant a pic.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
The idea of a GTG is to mingle with the crowd and get to know people you don't already know ... so if people just stay in their own group of friends, then the idea of a MWF GTG is lost.Gtg sounds good. Hope I can attend one soon..
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The last big one was a long, long time ago and since then less people got interested and now with the new normal of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, I really doubt we will have any more of those large gatherings of people we don't really know. Too many risks and a hassle to organise.
ask the superman chris to arrange....
Post by: dennis.T on October 14, 2020, 03:19:44 PM
A room full of strangers, expensive watches and risk maybe one reason why people stick to groups in a GTG. Whilst you will never get to know people if you don't mix around, sometimes you are also worried to trust others. Myself included. It is a chicken and egg situation. Attended a few GTG before and realized that the aim for some attendees isn't about the watches but their own personal agenda and benefit instead. In my case, it was a few cases of hard-selling and refusal to take a negative answer. Sure saps all the fun from the gathering when you have to be tolerant and polite in that situation.
last time is purely for passions... now wealth planner, property agent, car agent and whatever agent join the GTG with personal agenda... :Blue: no offense to the above profession but just that you shouldn't ride on the GTG...
Post by: Cocas on October 14, 2020, 05:59:52 PM
I've stopped visiting any Rolex ADs anymore now since there's not much to look at and tbh it has starting to look the same. The whole game puts me off the brand too. Tbh it made me look at other watchmakers and there's so much more options out there. I'm an advocate for Vacheron Constantin and if you guys ever wanted to check it out, the boutique SA are top-notch even if you're just browsing. I've never felt so welcomed. I would say the same for JLC too. Although VC watches are not for everyone since it's a lot dressier generally.
VC just sent me this gift to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival. I think I would have to gift the Rolex AD instead just to get on their waiting list :P
(https://i.imgur.com/I31V1Z7.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pnXTTwd.jpg)
and 3 weeks ago, another surprise gift to celebrate its 265th Anniversary.
(https://i.imgur.com/qwg2BNq.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/mW93IWI.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/7DTJpvQ.jpg)
Wow... It's really a super vvip treatment.
I like :thumbsup:
Post by: FourRings on November 21, 2020, 08:06:21 PM
When you list down, the answer is no :Laughing_on_floor:
When you go to grey market places they will think that you cant afford pulak.
Been to this shop in midvalley cant remember the name. Took out a roman dial blue face datejust to ask whats the market price for now,
Fella look at me atas bawah, quoted me 10k below retail price and laughed. Wrong person wrong day, kena maki he apologized so many times. Damn rude.
Post by: c4all on November 23, 2020, 08:38:59 AM
Post by: pleasuresaurus on November 23, 2020, 09:13:09 AM
Post by: G.MAC on November 23, 2020, 09:56:23 AM
I suppose the interesting (and perhaps maybe perplexing) thing is that despite that attitude, they still do have business. They can afford to behave the way they do.
They have regulars who get the best treatment I suppose.
Post by: bulletnos on November 23, 2020, 09:57:56 AM
Never bought from that outlet, though I did mentioned I got one before from another SWG outlet
Post by: kinteru on November 23, 2020, 10:33:48 AM
Post by: dennis.T on November 23, 2020, 12:01:06 PM
A room full of strangers, expensive watches and risk maybe one reason why people stick to groups in a GTG. Whilst you will never get to know people if you don't mix around, sometimes you are also worried to trust others. Myself included. It is a chicken and egg situation. Attended a few GTG before and realized that the aim for some attendees isn't about the watches but their own personal agenda and benefit instead. In my case, it was a few cases of hard-selling and refusal to take a negative answer. Sure saps all the fun from the gathering when you have to be tolerant and polite in that situation.
sad to hear that... i was once approach by insurance or property agent very direct in a watch events... dnt like that feeling...
Post by: DrSyazli on December 13, 2020, 07:40:01 PM
Post by: kelv_w on January 19, 2021, 12:05:03 AM
(https://i.imgur.com/0radXBx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/5KYJfhF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/TmqDqGw.jpg)
Post by: kelv_w on January 23, 2021, 12:59:53 AM
Definitely a much better treatment than Rolex ADs :D
L to R: Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve, Johnnie Walker Legendary Eight, Talisker 8 Year Old & Mortlach 21 Year Old
(https://i.imgur.com/LW87L66.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QlktqQY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yaRRzpP.jpg)
Post by: bulletnos on January 23, 2021, 12:57:56 PM
Another nice surprise from the Vacheron boutique being posted today. A box of Fine & Rare Scotch Whiskies to sample at cask strength ;D
Definitely a much better treatment than Rolex ADs :D
L to R: Royal Lochnagar Selected Reserve, Johnnie Walker Legendary Eight, Talisker 8 Year Old & Mortlach 21 Year Old
(https://i.imgur.com/LW87L66.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/QlktqQY.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/yaRRzpP.jpg)
Post by: dpkong on January 23, 2021, 08:22:39 PM
Post by: kelv_w on January 26, 2021, 06:04:13 PM
must have paid full retail for a gold complication piece to be getting all these goodies...
Quite the contrary, I did purchase full price but it's a boutique edition ;) no complications though ;D
Post by: kelv_w on February 10, 2021, 02:10:32 AM
Another lovely surprise from VC today. I thought the whiskies were to celebrate CNY but this came through the door as an addition.
(https://i.imgur.com/vUqgoBy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/RdzZZIo.jpg)
I have no idea what it says here haha. But it's pretty cool that it flips out as you lift up the lion head.
(https://i.imgur.com/3P7ueIm.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/m9pze2J.jpg)
Post by: Cocas on February 11, 2021, 04:41:11 PM
Post by: dpkong on February 12, 2021, 09:52:36 AM
VC dedicate VIP treatment really is invincible. :thumbsup:
Likely only for a select few.. and this thread had become a VC promo more than anything else...
might I suggest a new thread for this as it doesn't look like the goodies are stopping anytime soon.
Post by: G.MAC on February 12, 2021, 11:17:00 AM
Post by: kelv_w on February 12, 2021, 05:08:11 PM
I don't foresee that they would continue to send gifts unless if I buy another watch lol but it's a nice gesture nevertheless. Sorry it's only VC that has been sending gifts as my local Rolex AD won't even give out a bottle of water :laugh:
Breguet has been nice, they sent a bunch of 7 magazines/books when I only wanted one copy.