Are WIS customers the worse?

[Phooi]

I saw this comment below from a watch site and wondered how much of this is true.

“WIS's are the worst customers to talk to. 97% of them are window shoppers. They get into watches deeply because they can't afford the one they really want, so they go on the hunt for 'The Value Proposition'.”

I personally don’t agree with this statement. All my watches were purchased from ADs, company boutiques (CB), or inherited. The watches I’m currently considering will be purchased from an AD or CB. However, I don’t consider myself a WIS or collector. I do consider myself a fan. I also don’t have a large collection.

So what are your thoughts on this?

[jvb.nc]

uhhhhhhhhh

well... truthfully i am not buying most of the time that i’m in a shop. admittedly that could be annoying to that particular dealer, as my pieces are always sourced from a different AD that isn’t in my city (some idiot many years hence decided i wasn’t their kind of customer and spoke fairly crappily to me, now i intentionally go to that branch wearing every new reference i acquire. and yes that’s petty.)

however, if i need a strap, or a winder or can’t adjust something myself, i always patronize the same fellow at my local AD. eventually i’m sure i’ll purchase something or other from him, just don’t know what.

your WIS type also tends to know more than the average salesperson; many salespeople will start their spiel on whatever and i’m like “what year did rolex cease production of the 5513?” that usually stops them in their tracks. if they answer without hesitation then i know i’m in the right place.

that’s happened once. that gentleman remains my AD.

[aczaja10]

Originally Posted by jvb.nc

uhhhhhhhhh

well... truthfully i am not buying most of the time that i’m in a shop. admittedly that could be annoying to that particular dealer, as my pieces are always sourced from a different AD that isn’t in my city (some idiot many years hence decided i wasn’t their kind of customer and spoke fairly crappily to me, now i intentionally go to that branch wearing every new reference i acquire. and yes that’s petty.)

however, if i need a strap, or a winder or can’t adjust something myself, i always patronize the same fellow at my local AD. eventually i’m sure i’ll purchase something or other from him, just don’t know what.

your WIS type also tends to know more than the average salesperson; many salespeople will start their spiel on whatever and i’m like “what year did rolex cease production of the 5513?” that usually stops them in their tracks. if they answer without hesitation then i know i’m in the right place.

that’s happened once. that gentleman remains my AD.

You're my idol! Love the post and the question you ask to vet your salesperson. I'm going to use it from now on myself.

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by aczaja10

You're my idol! Love the post and the question you ask to vet your salesperson. I'm going to use it from now on myself.

[daOnlyBG]

Originally Posted by jvb.nc

uhhhhhhhhh

well... truthfully i am not buying most of the time that i’m in a shop. admittedly that could be annoying to that particular dealer,

I think you'll find that it annoys most dealers, rather than just one.

Not that I'm any different, of course. I'm under no illusion that when I walk out of a store after asking a question or two, the salesmen roll their eyes. It's just the nature of the business.

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by daOnlyBG

I think you'll find that it annoys most dealers, rather than just one.

Not that I'm any different, of course. I'm under no illusion that when I walk out of a store after asking a question or two, the salesmen roll their eyes. It's just the nature of the business.

you’re probably right.

but in that case i intend to annoy that particular dealer.



my tattoos and long hair convinced them i wasn’t a prospective customer. my, how wrong they were.

i want them to suffer. bastards.



but yeah, overall you’re absolutely correct. some dealers won’t even come out of their offices to speak with you (hello richard mille los angeles, you twits).

[ganiccus]

what do you mean by value proposition? investment potential in watches? or best bang for your buck? while the first can be annoying to deal with, I don't really see a problem to chase value in a watch. That's what I did when I bought my Explorer I. I got a date function, second time zone hand and a case size that fits me well for a good price as far as Rolex pricing goes, and without having to wait several months for it.

[Phooi]

Originally Posted by ganiccus

what do you mean by value proposition? investment potential in watches? or best bang for your buck? while the first can be annoying to deal with, I don't really see a problem to chase value in a watch. That's what I did when I bought my Explorer I. I got a date function, second time zone hand and a case size that fits me well for a good price as far as Rolex pricing goes, and without having to wait several months for it.

No clue. Interpret it as you wish. Saw this comment on a watch site and thought it might be an interesting topic to discuss.

[Michael V]

What is a WIS ?

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by Michael V

What is a WIS ?

Watch Idiot Savant

[Calatrava r]

Originally Posted by jvb.nc

Watch Idiot Savant

A good term to be retired and forgotten.

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by Calatrava r

A good term to be retired and forgotten.

i wholly agree.

[AF_Rob]

I'd say most people are window shoppers. I'm sure most people at ADs are used to "tire kickers". I make it known I'm only looking, so they don't waste their time on me. Also, I'd say most WIS are able to afford what they really want, they are just know other ways to make a smarter purchase. Most WIS I know only pay full retail when it's the only option and they want the piece bad enough.

[Zakalwe]

Since the quote seems to be from the perspective of a watch salesperson, I’ll respond as such.

WIS clearly are the worst customers, to talk to and otherwise. If you’re on commission, you don’t really want to waste your time talking with someone unless you’re going to make money out of them. You want to sell watches at the end of the day. Also, WIS are harder to BS and more likely to complain if service and aftersales are not top notch. Finally, you probably can’t “upsell” a WIS or get them to buy any old tat you want to get rid of. All-in-all if my livelihood depended on selling watches, I’d want to swerve WIS like the plague.

The gross generalisation about the buying motivations of a diverse and vast group of people is so ridiculous as to not warrant a response.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Since the quote seems to be from the perspective of a watch salesperson, I’ll respond as such.

WIS clearly are the worst customers, to talk to and otherwise. If you’re on commission, you don’t really want to waste your time talking with someone unless you’re going to make money out of them. You want to sell watches at the end of the day. Also, WIS are harder to BS and more likely to complain if service and aftersales are not top notch. Finally, you probably can’t “upsell” a WIS or get them to buy any old tat you want to get rid of. All-in-all if my livelihood depended on selling watches, I’d want to swerve WIS like the plague.

But on the other hand, on a slow boring rainy day, a guy that comes in and loves watches and knows a fair bit is a nice distraction to talk to. And he may be a better client in the future than someone who says "oh you can't mean that watch is $35,000, I though it was $3500.

How can a watch be $35000?????

[Zakalwe]

Originally Posted by Blansky

But on the other hand, on a slow boring rainy day, a guy that comes in and loves watches and knows a fair bit is a nice distraction to talk to. And he may be a better client in the future than someone who says "oh you can't mean that watch is $35,000, I though it was $3500.

How can a watch be $35000?????

True. Certainly if you, I or many others on here were doing the selling.

My limited personal experience though is that most watch SA’s have little actual interest in and knowledge of watches and the experience of trying to talk to them about the hobby is like trying to engage my three year old in a conversation about astrophysics whilst she keeps doggedly returning the subject back to Peppa Pig.

[vgs]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

True. Certainly if you, I or many others on here were doing the selling.

My limited personal experience though is that most watch SA’s have little actual interest in and knowledge of watches and the experience of trying to talk to them about the hobby is like trying to engage my three year old in a conversation about astrophysics whilst she keeps doggedly returning the subject back to Peppa Pig.

I’m constantly surprised how many topics return to Pepa
Pig. All of them. If I talk about Pepa Pig, she will talk about different Pepa topic haha

[zorinindustries]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

True. Certainly if you, I or many others on here were doing the selling.

My limited personal experience though is that most watch SA’s have little actual interest in and knowledge of watches and the experience of trying to talk to them about the hobby is like trying to engage my three year old in a conversation about astrophysics whilst she keeps doggedly returning the subject back to Peppa Pig.

Well put.

This, however, annoys the crap out of me. I cannot stand it when a SA knows nothing about the watch they’re trying to “sell” me. Most of the time, I just keep my mouth shut because I know what I want, and I’m either there to try on a watch I’m considering or to browse.

A few times, especially at the boutiques, I encounter SA’s who love the watches they sell and I can spend an hour chatting about whatever comes up - be it their brand or not. Either they were terrific salesmen or real enthusiasts - who knows?




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[kieselguhr]

From a communication perspective, I imagine WIS customers are the equivalent of google doctors in the hospital setting.

[Nurseford25]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

From a communication perspective, I imagine WIS customers are the equivalent of google doctors in the hospital setting.

This 1000%

[dtwer]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

From a communication perspective, I imagine WIS customers are the equivalent of google doctors in the hospital setting.

Lol I know what you mean!

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

From a communication perspective, I imagine WIS customers are the equivalent of google doctors in the hospital setting.

That's about right...

[Harry-57]

I might be a WIS compared to a sane person, but I don't know if other WISs would consider me knowledgeable and committed enough to be a WIS. For the sake of argument, I'll assume I'm a WIS (possibly a probationary WIS).

Regardless of if I'm on a list or not I will usually pop in to say hello if I'm passing. I will not bother if the shop and/or all the SAs are busy. They like a chat when they are not actively selling and there is always something to talk about or something in a display cabinet, a safe or cupboard to show me. You never know what might magically appear.

The only time I would go in and wait to speak to someone before leaving, even if everyone was busy, is if I'm going to buy, order, or seriously enquire about something. Which may or may not be a Rolex watch. We have a long standing relationship. They know us. They also know that if I'm just visiting socially for a natter and another customer walks in or the phone rings, I shut up and they greet the punter or pick it up. Assuming there are no other SAs available.

Same with my car dealer, HiFi dealer, accountant, property agent, solicitor, Post Office, etc. There may be an element of self selection here. Most of the SAs in my AD behave like WISs. My car dealer is full of petrolheads and my HiFi dealer is so passionate about music it could be a religion.

[Fat_ninja]

I buy the Seiko 5’s cause I can’t afford the watches I want lol

[MTdweller]

Probably. I’m sure we window shop way more than the average customer.

[Tavli3]

I would venture to say that WISs are no more annoying than the general public. When I have been at shows or foreign ADs I have gotten the best treatment after I showed I knew what I was talking about for a particular watch. It's been my experience that most dealers appreciate someone who appreciates some of their nice pieces they have for sale. Plus I never try to BS them and make believe I'm interested in buying something if I'm not and they appreciate it. Except if and when I go to one particular chain then I treat them as badly as they have treat me and my family.

Sometimes I have to try and cut off the conversation cause I run into a guy or gal that just loves to talk on and on about a watch and I have a whole entire show to go look at. I have to say I've met some really really nice people by just showing a little appreciation and some knowledge. You get the occasional Ahole dealer just like there are Ahole customers. Not sure it's fair to categorize either one.

[wappinghigh]

"OK Boomer" ....(....so you think your sitting on an absolute gold mine with your vintage Rolex tool watch?)

Well done! (Aren't you a lucky boomer...!!!)

(Yes I'm a WIS)....

[Bozack90]

the more companies charge the more particular I figure people will be. I can see sales associates feeling this way as with non enthusiast customers they most likely buy whatever, don't pull out a loupe, and don't make similar demands enthusiasts do around things like stickers, warranty cars, and shipping materials...

[RyanJ]

Generally speaking...

So sad when a "WIS" thinks it's funny to show up a salesperson by stumping them with watch questions. You think you sound smart but really just look like an ass.

Must be some psychological thing as these "WIS" know they are powerless as this "stupid" salesperson decides if they get a watch or not and holds all the power.

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by RyanJ

So sad when a "WIS" thinks it's funny to show up a salesperson by stumping them with watch questions. You think you sound smart but really just look like an ass.

Must be some psychological thing as these "WIS" know they are powerless as this "stupid" salesperson decides if they get a watch or not and holds all the power.

if the salesperson is an ass, why shouldn’t i enjoy some fun as well?

i dont give a rats ass about thinking i’m smart. i’m a complete idiot. but i also don’t like some moron preaching to me about why this Hamilton belongs on my wrist.

i don’t have these conversations with the people that i do business with.

but thanks for your terribly witty insight.