Forbidden from taking wrist pics at AD

[PPcollector]

Why is it that a customer cannot take a wrist shot of a watch when trying it on at an AD?? Was told not to take a picture of a 5524R when I tried it on…ridiculous if you ask me. What’s the rationale for forbidding clients taking wrist shots when trying on a watch?

[srvrf]

Originally Posted by PPcollector

Why is it that a customer cannot take a wrist shot of a watch when trying it on at an AD?? Was told not to take a picture of a 5524R when I tried it on…ridiculous if you ask me. What’s the rationale for forbidding clients taking wrist shots when trying on a watch?

I've always asked about pictures at multiple ADs throughout the US and have always been told "of course" so I'm guessing this is an exception rather than a rule.

[samuel019]

Same at my Rolex A D. Well I know the manager for over a decade so I can take em but not post em anywhere on social media. Guess they dont want to get flooded with phone calls or inquiries if they found out the "where"

[PPcollector]

Originally Posted by samuel019

Same at my Rolex A D. Well I know the manager for over a decade so I can take em but not post em anywhere on social media. Guess they dont want to get flooded with phone calls or inquiries if they found out the "where"

Agreed that may happen with a “HOT” watch…but a 5524?? Come on….

[felfyre]

Originally Posted by PPcollector

Why is it that a customer cannot take a wrist shot of a watch when trying it on at an AD?? Was told not to take a picture of a 5524R when I tried it on…ridiculous if you ask me. What’s the rationale for forbidding clients taking wrist shots when trying on a watch?

Let me guess, Indonesia boutique?

[szabo_martin]

Don't get why you need pictures? Try it on, if you like it buy it. Then you can take all the pics you want. Maybe they don't want people on social media claiming to own watches they don't own... its their watch till you buy it.

[TimepieceRPP]

Originally Posted by szabo_martin

don't get why you need pictures? Try it on, if you like it buy it. Then you can take all the pics you want. Maybe they don't want people on social media claiming to own watches they don't own... Its their watch till you buy it.

+1.

[77T]

Originally Posted by szabo_martin

Don't get why you need pictures?

One reason could be “The Minister of Finance” needs to see a picture before an impulse purchase is made.


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[PPcollector]

Originally Posted by felfyre

Let me guess, Indonesia boutique?

Actually AD is in the US…

To those that seem to think taking pics is ownership…who would post pics of watches at the AD unless it was purchased. I’m there to try them on and want to take a pic for PERSONAL information and not to post on some social media platform. This whole mentality of “exclusivity” around Patek to the point of not allowing clients to take wrist shots when trying it on is on the cusp of lunacy. Besides…it was a 5524….Pilot watches that are seen every day in AD display cases!

[cascavel]

How about because the AD wants to take being an ass to a new level? The AD experience isn't crappy enough as it is and they are trying to be as off-putting as the boutiques?
Maybe they don't want it to get around that they have ANY watches?

[brandrea]

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always thought it’s rude behavior to take pictures inside of a store. YMMV

[214270Explorer]

What Brian said above.
As for me, I would never have the audacity to randomly start photographing in a privately owned store, nor would I even ask.
It is simply Rude and Arrogant behavior.
Some folk have no common sense anymore. (Yeh I am an old guy.)

[TimepieceRPP]

Originally Posted by 77T

One reason could be “The Minister of Finance” needs to see a picture before an impulse purchase is made.


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[dauster]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

What Brian said above.
As for me, I would never have the audacity to randomly start photographing in a privately owned store, nor would I even ask.
It is simply Rude and Arrogant behavior.
Some folk have no common sense anymore. (Yeh I am an old guy.)

ok can the rest of the society then also adhere to the rules of Downton Abbey? sometimes I also dream about being a gentleman but then I walk to my ad and people wearing random shit - mainly gym clothes and then I forget the downtown abbey code of honor and start taking wrist pics again

[2nastie]

I don't see any issue in either direction. If the AD says no, not a problem. If they don't mind, I don't see what's wrong with snapping a pic either.

With all the watches out there in the market (especially when you are not buying a hot model that typically won't be in the display case anyways) there is no harm in taking a picture and comparing it to other brand you are considering. It's not like you can try a Lange beside a Patek or a Rolex beside an Omega anyways. Only best option to compare visually before making a decision is having a wrist shot.

It shouldn't be an offensive question to ask nor should it be looked down upon for doing it. You just have to base your purchasing decision on the information you have.

[LJubel328]

What if the sales associate is the one taking a photo of you and your new watch haha :deepthought:

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by PPcollector

Why is it that a customer cannot take a wrist shot of a watch when trying it on at an AD?? Was told not to take a picture of a 5524R when I tried it on…ridiculous if you ask me. What’s the rationale for forbidding clients taking wrist shots when trying on a watch?

No idea as it has never happened to me anywhere.

[scurfa]

Hilarious!


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[JR16]

Originally Posted by 2nastie

I don't see any issue in either direction. If the AD says no, not a problem. If they don't mind, I don't see what's wrong with snapping a pic either.

With all the watches out there in the market (especially when you are not buying a hot model that typically won't be in the display case anyways) there is no harm in taking a picture and comparing it to other brand you are considering. It's not like you can try a Lange beside a Patek or a Rolex beside an Omega anyways. Only best option to compare visually before making a decision is having a wrist shot.

It shouldn't be an offensive question to ask nor should it be looked down upon for doing it. You just have to base your purchasing decision on the information you have.

My thoughts as well.
The only time I was ever told “no”when asking if SA minded if I took a wrist shot was when I was shown the Odysseus at the NYC Lange boutique when it was first announced. And as others have said, it is completely reasonable to want to compare one watch to another and/or reflect upon watches you’ve tried on to see how they fit , days or months later while deciding which watch to spend tens of thousands of dollars on.


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[PPcollector]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

What Brian said above.
As for me, I would never have the audacity to randomly start photographing in a privately owned store, nor would I even ask.
It is simply Rude and Arrogant behavior.
Some folk have no common sense anymore. (Yeh I am an old guy.)

For your information…it was not a random act of taking my phone out and taking a selfie with a wrist shot. I asked the SA if it was ok to take a picture of the watch on my wrist since I was still on the fence on the reference. The SA basically said, “ we do not allow photographs to be taken of watches unless purchased..”. I just walked out after that…. Btw, the AD is an authorized Patek dealer, not some grey selling Patek watches.

[Sheldor]

Never been told at any ad not to take pics except I was told it was an RM policy.

[Jmaster]

Originally Posted by PPcollector

For your information…it was not a random act of taking my phone out and taking a selfie with a wrist shot. I asked the SA if it was ok to take a picture of the watch on my wrist since I was still on the fence on the reference. The SA basically said, “ we do not allow photographs to be taken of watches unless purchased..”. I just walked out after that…. Btw, the AD is an authorized Patek dealer, not some grey selling Patek watches.

I think it depends on the AD and the specific SA. My PP AD allowed me to take pictures of 3 different watches on my wrist, which ultimately help me decided on which one I wanted. Granted they are no Hot models so maybe YMMV…

[Emery]

Not unheard of, but I always ask beforehand just to be safe.

[qrc36]

Well, at many Hermes shops it's forbidden to take a photo of an item in the store even after you've decided to pay for it (and before they take it away to wrap it up)....

But I've never had that problem with any watches that I've purchased from Patek or other brands.

[DanMdR]

Security issue maybe? If you keep your arm with the watch above the counter though I don’t see an issue. I wouldn’t reach into my pocket to grab my phone with the watch on. That could seem sketchy. Weird though.

[IBDOC]

In my experience they can ask for no photos in cases where a certain watch has already been sold. Don’t want proof of other people fondöomg the watch before it goes to the new owner

[Divingdeep87]

Maybe i’m old (34 haha) I could never make myself do it.. But i can’t take a selfie either haha.

[bonsai-man]

I think it’s probably to do with privacy/security, most watches have the serial number visible on the front or back. Also it may help to prevent fraud as some may try to use the pic as proof of ownership or report it stolen/claim insurance with fake receipt. Finally it may be to protect customers identity/anonymity which I am OK with, especially from some types of “shoppers” taking pictures of people they can approach when they leave the store.

If they allow one picture, before you know it it’s out of control so blanket ban is probably best.

[George58]

taking pics of inventory gives intel to smash and grab s..t heads criminals nothing worse to RA or smash and grab an AD when there is nothing of value to take

[PPcollector]

For everyone’s information, the watch I wanted to take a picture of was a 5524 which was ON THE WRIST while trying to see how it fits and the look. From my understanding, there is NO serial number info on the dial of the watch. Furthermore, the watch was in the display case so it was not a SOLD watch. It was also one of the ONLY WATCHES in the display case for men’s watches at the time because most other references were sold out. Basically, this AD lost out on a potential sale by telling clients not to take photos and I will never step foot again inside that snobby store. They think they are above everything and we, as peons, are there to bend over backwards in order to buy watches…. Can’t believe this establishment exists at all and as an authorized dealer for Patek.

Patek believes watches need to be worn and looked at…not ordered ONLINE. They cherish in person relationships yet this AD is making it difficult for clients to evaluate purchases. Go figure…