Are WIS customers the worse?

[42itus]

Originally Posted by 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.

I agree. I get no pleasure in showing them up. If the SA is misinformed and starts spewing things that he has no idea of what he's talking about I usually just nod and smile and don't engage. I don't have the energy.

[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

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by RyanJ

Your temper proves my point entirely. Thank you.

oh i’m giggling.



you clearly have no idea what a temper is.

carry on.

[jvb.nc]

what’s good for the goose...

we ALL DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

unless you harm someone; none of us is wrong.

live and let live.

[billfredericks]

To add: I’m equally annoyed as a customer when I have a list of models that I’m interested in, but nothing’s in the case and an SA tries to sell me a garbage watch.

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by billfredericks

To add: I’m equally annoyed as a customer when I have a list of models that I’m interested in, but nothing’s in the case and an SA tries to sell me a garbage watch.

also this.

[Mr DateJust]

Nothing wrong with window shopping/trying on. That’s the purpose of the AD store. If you want to look at a watch you are considering you have to try it on first. Same as test driving a car. No point of obsessing over and saving for a watch you haven’t actually seen in the metal. I’ve had great experiences in a lot of places. One Patek AD spent about 30 mins with me and I had already made it clear I was simply browsing while waiting to meet my father for dinner and couldn’t afford a PP. Let me try the annual calendar I mentioned that was my favourite. If sales folk don’t like that then they are in the wrong business. Sales is about building relationships as much as it is about selling. If I get attitude or bad service when time comes to buy the piece I’ll be going elsewhere. Maybe down the line I’ll be able to get a Patek who knows but if I was I know I’d be going straight to that AD who was welcoming.

However I would just go in, ask to see the watch I want, try it and take it from there. I understand it’s just a job to most of the folks working there. Unless they engage me about watches (or I know the specific sales person is actually really into watches themselves) then no point. What I really don’t like though is sales associates who know absolutely nothing about what they are selling. Like nothing whatsoever. You have to have a little knowledge to sell properly.

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by Mr DateJust

What I really don’t like though is sales associates who know absolutely nothing about what they are selling. Like nothing whatsoever. You have to have a little knowledge to sell properly.

[wappinghigh]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a WIS consumer.
The internet has changed everything when it comes to purchasing and anyone - particular in bricks and mortar sales - needs to wake up that the world has changed.

Do salespersons in Rolex AD's seriously believe someone looking to purchase a SS wouldn't know what's "going on" at Rolex AD's?

Of course we are WIS's...

So please don't waste our time...

[jvb.nc]

Originally Posted by wappinghigh

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a WIS consumer.
The internet has changed everything when it comes to purchasing and anyone - particular in bricks and mortar sales - needs to wake up that the world has changed.

Do salespersons in Rolex AD's seriously believe someone looking to purchase a SS wouldn't know what's "going on" at Rolex AD's?

Of course we are WIS's...

So please don't waste our time...

[Danny83]

Rolex does not need us anymore lol

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by billfredericks

To add: I’m equally annoyed as a customer when I have a list of models that I’m interested in, but nothing’s in the case and an SA tries to sell me a garbage watch.

That’s their job. If you owned the business you would expect that same effort out of your sales staff.

[wappinghigh]

^ LOL well sure but Rolex should stop putting their AD's under so much pressure by making and supplying them watches the market wants rather than all this other rubbish...
Also Rolex should police their AD's and stop them onselling to Greys..
It's not the informed consumers problem.. It's Rolex

Cheers

[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!

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by 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.

When I ask questions I don’t do it on purpose.

But I do feel that sales people have a responsibility to know about the product they are selling.

When looking at a Speedmaster, I knew that one is hesalite and one is sapphire

I was holding one of each, with crystals that looked different

But I myself was uninformed about which was which

So I asked the sales guy

He said “they are both sapphire, omega doesn’t use hesalite anymore” and I a very one it all voice



Found out later which one was which

————————————


I also asked if a watch hacked once, dude didn’t know what I was talking about

Yes I couldn’t asked “does the second hand stop ticking when I pull the crown to the 2nd or third position?”

But it’s A LOT easier to ask “do you know if this watch has a hacking movement?”

So I also feel that sales people should know a bit of watch vocabulary

Now I would never show up and ask anything too crazy either, but I just feel that basic questions, they should be able to answer

[AK797]

Most demanding but then the most rewarding, as with most things in life.

[SPMN]

Imagine the horror at having to deal with an informed customer! Customers aren't as likely to fall for the BS lines that used to work for them.

[Nikrnic]

I have a pretty good connection going on with my AD for a few years now and for the most part its my only stop. I'll go in once a month to say hi and show my face. If the manager, wis as well has got the time he'll ask me to come in his office for coffee. I never push for anything but some conversations have led to making a deal or two on some nice pieces. Ive sold, bought and traded, dropped over 50k easy on Rolex there alone. I'll occasionally will go to some off site cigar type meet ups where some new models are launched, that also attracts a lot of other wis type collectors showing off their stuff. They know im into watches only, no jewelry but i did take my wife in once to meet everyone and she ended up getting an LE Seiko Tuna. I've made some nice SS Rolex buys and trades on new and used including my new Blnr and a one owner 16710 back to back that they sold new and took back on trade and offered to me as they knew I've been looking for one. It's been all good finding the right AD as far as I'm concerned.

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[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Mr DateJust

What I really don’t like though is sales associates who know absolutely nothing about what they are selling. Like nothing whatsoever. You have to have a little knowledge to sell properly.

This is the classic sign of poor management. One can blame the SA for not having sufficient product knowledge, or poor selling skills, but the people responsible for selecting, managing, training, coaching (which is not the same as training), developing and assessing them are who should be called to account. Some are unconsciously incompetent, many (IMO) simply don't care. If you think you can ever afford to be rude to potential customers, you are deluded.

[wappinghigh]

Originally Posted by Nikrnic

I have a pretty good connection going on with my AD for a few years now and for the most part its my only stop. I'll go in once a month to say hi and show my face. If the manager, wis as well has got the time he'll ask me to come in his office for coffee. I never push for anything but some conversations have led to making a deal or two on some nice pieces. Ive sold, bought and traded, dropped over 50k easy on Rolex there alone. I'll occasionally will go to some off site cigar type meet ups where some new models are launched, that also attracts a lot of other wis type collectors showing off their stuff. They know im into watches only, no jewelry but i did take my wife in once to meet everyone and she ended up getting an LE Seiko Tuna. I've made some nice SS Rolex buys and trades on new and used including my new Blnr and a one owner 16710 back to back that they sold new and took back on trade and offered to me as they knew I've been looking for one. It's been all good finding the right AD as far as I'm concerned.

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...

LOL then your wife bought a Seiko....

That's funny..

Appreciate your passion mate... I'm just like that and that is precisely what my wife would have done as well !!!

It's just a pity we WIS folks here in Aus can't seem to have a relationship like you do with our AD's.. they just don't seem to be like you have described over here..

[wappinghigh]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

This is the classic sign of poor management. One can blame the SA for not having sufficient product knowledge, or poor selling skills, but the people responsible for selecting, managing, training, coaching (which is not the same as training), developing and assessing them are who should be called to account. Some are unconsciously incompetent, many (IMO) simply don't care. If you think you can ever afford to be rude to potential customers, you are deluded.

Nah..calling them to account and training them to tell the truth about the SS "shortage" would just prove to the customer what's "really" going on...

[wappinghigh]

So I have enormous sympathy for the AD sales assistants.. must be hard spinning all the excuses and BS for the so called SS "shortage"...

[schoolboy]

To add...

When I bought my Seiko turtle, the lady offered me a warranty on the battery

I politely declined

Then it took 3 different people to size it

3 people and about 30min of constantly trying it

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by Phooi

“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'.”

Charming. This speaks volumes of their prefered clientele.

[Phooi]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Charming. This speaks volumes of their prefered clientele.

It makes me wonder whether this person works for large or small AD or a company boutique.

[MickCollins1916]

As in all things, context is likely king. I suspect it’s a mixed bag for the sales professional.

When I was selling suits at Brooks Brothers, I loved talking to educated customers. That’s my fondest memory from the job, actually, the interesting people I got to meet.

On December 26th, however, I wanted no part of a 45-minute conversation about what Martin Greenfield’s suitcraft entailed, or the merits of Zenga threads versus some others. I was all about cranking as much volume as I could those days, as I was trying to pay bills.

My best customers knew and understood that, and knew I’d take phenomenal care of them when I wasn’t in the midst of a feeding frenzy. I always did and that fed the mutually beneficial, long-term relationship.

At the end of the day, the educated customers were by far my most loyal, and they expected a lot, but my goal was to deliver. A demanding customer was an opportunity to rise to the occasion, not a problem.

I’m not sure I know enough to be considered a WIS, but I get the fact I am dealing with a mix of people on the other side of the transaction, some of whom share my passion, some of whom might just want to move product to get paid.

The ones who share my interest know I expect a lot in return for my money, but those are relationships built on the principle that transactions don’t need to be a zero sum game. I’m also loyal as can possibly be to those parties and steer everyone I can to do business with them.

The ones who aren’t, no problem, but I’m also not looking to waste anyone’s time. It’s ok for a transactional relationship to be based on each party gaining the most benefit they can from the transaction.

Sometimes I pop into watch shops, announce I am looking and not buying, and am cool with whatever the result of that is. Sometimes, they have time for me, sometimes, notsomuch. I’m not trying to keep people from opportunities to make money on a prospective sale to another customer to educate me for free on something I might have an interest in, since I’ve been there, and it’s not a nice thing to do to sales people.

There are sales pros who’ve likewise been up front with me and said, “look, if you’re not standing here in the flesh, ready to drop $X amount of money, or to deal with whatever other absurd requirements I have, I have no interest whatsoever in talking to you,” and I’m good with that too, because I know not to bother with them ever again. It’s frank and I am fine with that.

I guess it’s both ok for a salesperson not to be interested in discussing the minutiae and for those who want to pick apart the finer details to exist and it’s on each party to recognize the other party’s views and motivations, or it’s unlikely to work out for everyone.

[dnpina]

Originally Posted by 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.

True and funny

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[Jona]

Originally Posted by billfredericks

To a salesperson, anyone who doesn’t buy is annoying.

I agree. I am done buying as I am now retired and make less $, so, Rolex prices are beyond my means. I don't get mistreated at the AD but I don't get the same treatment when I was buying often.

[Muxi]

Originally Posted by schoolboy

When I ask questions I don’t do it on purpose.

But I do feel that sales people have a responsibility to know about the product they are selling.

When looking at a Speedmaster, I knew that one is hesalite and one is sapphire

I was holding one of each, with crystals that looked different

But I myself was uninformed about which was which

So I asked the sales guy

He said “they are both sapphire, omega doesn’t use hesalite anymore” and I a very one it all voice



Found out later which one was which

————————————


I also asked if a watch hacked once, dude didn’t know what I was talking about

Yes I couldn’t asked “does the second hand stop ticking when I pull the crown to the 2nd or third position?”

But it’s A LOT easier to ask “do you know if this watch has a hacking movement?”

So I also feel that sales people should know a bit of watch vocabulary

Now I would never show up and ask anything too crazy either, but I just feel that basic questions, they should be able to answer

I agree. Basic, reasonable questions, they must. Mislead or divert, that would annoy me. But I will not expect them to know every obscure trivia about a brand or reference. The same can be said of us with regard to topics we are unfamiliar with.

[EDL7]

Anyone in sales of high end items of this sort..
Not just watches..
Will avoid the "Expert"..all day long..like the plague..
And want to sell to the "Sucka"..24/7..
Why you ask..
Because the Sucka..will actually buy the watch right then and there for the asking price..
Whereas..the Expert..will hem and haw..and kick the tire a few times..and try to get a discount..and hem and haw some more..and yada yada..it goes on and on..
The Sucka..will put the watch on..and whip out the card right away..and leave as fast as they came..a retailers dream..
The WIS/Expert..probably wont buy..and end up shopping the internet for the best deal..to save $5 bux..thats the truth..
So..potential WIS to AD buyers..act like a nice dumb lil Sucka..and you may actually get a good deal..as they will feel sorry for you..lol..
And trust me..sales people dont give a ratz azz about you..they really just want you to buy fast and leave..so they can sell to the next guy and the next..ad infinitum..