Bal Harbour OP Boutique Experience

[advocatia]

Visited the Bal Harbour boutique this weekend. Not that it shold matter but was dressed in jeans and a golf-type windbreaker. Was sporting my 422, which was purchased there less than six months ago. I wanted to try on the Amagnetic sub.

No greeting. No welcome. No "may I help you". I had to approach the sales clerk after being ignored for ten minutes and ask about the watch. To my disbelief, he shook his head "no" without uttering a word, all the while with a smile on his face as if he was thinking why I was dare asking for such an unobtainable watch. Never offered to show me any other pieces (a dumb-ass sales move), never asked if I was interested in a waiting list, nothing/zip nada. It was as if I was bothering him. Too bad for him because I was carrying about 15k in cash on me which was burning a hole in my pocket.

There was no effort on his part to talk about the brand, to inquire what I might be looking for or about pieces I may have. You know, the normal small talk which can often lead to valuable information and a sale. Here's yet another concept... sir can I show you a different and beautiful new piece we just got in?

I understand that everyone can have an off day and I am a people person who always shows respect and kindness toward others but I was left with the distinct inpression that Panerai Bal Harbor is either not training their staff properly or is so caught up in their effort to be perceived as an elite watch brand that they risk alienating their base. In sum, the snoootiness level was beyond palpable.

My past visits to the boutiques in Palm Beach and Boca Raton were far more pleasant. Warm welcomes, good conversations, cordial help.

[FLB03TT]

Good folks @ Palm Beach.

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by FLB03TT

Good folks @ Palm Beach.

agree

[advocatia]

Question...these OP boutiques are privately owned or corporate or a mix?

[s14roller]

I would have taken the time to show him the $15K cash and do a "pretty woman" scene...

Off topic, but next time you walk around with the wad, let the rest of us know what route you are taking.

[Lgear080]

If you're looking for sales help bal harbor shops
Is not the venue. Tons of snotty people in all of the
Stores.

[alexlt730512]

did you see the guy with beard?

i strongly agreed with you about my previous experience at bal harbor shop. they're very business like and didn't care about their customers since i was told they got enough visitors at this particular place; therefore, i guess they don't need to greet to anymore potential customers to increase the sales #s for this store.

also, when i was there during my last visit to FL, one of the customers walked in and asked the lady there if he could buy the strap that was mounted on 113, which was green alligator strap. Guess what she said to him, no you can't unless you wanna buy the watch too. that customer was like why not, you've more straps you can put on this right. so he walked out and never looked back.

[bimmerboy]

This is why I refuse to buy from any ad same scenario I've received at many dealers throughout US and Canada. Id rather spend my cash on the second hand market zero attitude and snootiness.

[mwatch]

My phone ordering experience with them (which actually happened today) was the opposite, the lady was nice and helpful. Maybe this guy has an attitude problem or so.

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by s14roller

I would have taken the time to show him the $15K cash and do a "pretty woman" scene...

Off topic, but next time you walk around with the wad, let the rest of us know what route you are taking.

Rest assured the "wad" is accompanied by a Kahr Arms compact 45 but we won't talk about that here.

[p_mcgee]

Yeah I didn't have much luck there either. The guy didn't ignore me, but I tried to order a strap for my wife and he never called back. Guess it wasn't worth his while. Some beautiful pieces there nonetheless.

Nice thing about Bal Harbor is that there are so many watch boutiques there you are bound to have luck somewhere. I had good experiences at at AP, IWC & especially FP Journe (where the salesperson was nice & happened to look like a model).

[Limassoul]

this is the worst thing you can do as a salesperson, especially when sales around the globe are not so high as they used to be.

disgrace..

[7sins]

Originally Posted by advocatia

Visited the Bal Harbour boutique this weekend. Not that it shold matter but was dressed in jeans and a golf-type windbreaker. Was sporting my 422, which was purchased there less than six months ago. I wanted to try on the Amagnetic sub.

No greeting. No welcome. No "may I help you". I had to approach the sales clerk after being ignored for ten minutes and ask about the watch. To my disbelief, he shook his head "no" without uttering a word, all the while with a smile on his face as if he was thinking why I was dare asking for such an unobtainable watch. Never offered to show me any other pieces (a dumb-ass sales move), never asked if I was interested in a waiting list, nothing/zip nada. It was as if I was bothering him. Too bad for him because I was carrying about 15k in cash on me which was burning a hole in my pocket.

There was no effort on his part to talk about the brand, to inquire what I might be looking for or about pieces I may have. You know, the normal small talk which can often lead to valuable information and a sale. Here's yet another concept... sir can I show you a different and beautiful new piece we just got in?

I understand that everyone can have an off day and I am a people person who always shows respect and kindness toward others but I was left with the distinct inpression that Panerai Bal Harbor is either not training their staff properly or is so caught up in their effort to be perceived as an elite watch brand that they risk alienating their base. In sum, the snoootiness level was beyond palpable.

My past visits to the boutiques in Palm Beach and Boca Raton were far more pleasant. Warm welcomes, good conversations, cordial help.

I had the SAME exact experience when I was there with the bearded salesman. Granted I am only 25 but I was wearing a 351 and could easily afford most of the watches there, just wanted to try on a few radiomirs and was treated as if I was homeless.

You would think I would get some respect as a fellow beardsman, guess not.

[nishant]

Should have told him .. BIG MISTAKE !

[Survivor]

Amazing!!!!!........the Beverly Hills Boutique, where one might assume would be extremely snooty, happens to be one of the best retail experiences you could have.

You should have said something to the salesperson when you left and let them know you came in to buy a watch but now, you'll go somewhere else.

[advocatia]

Originally Posted by alexlt730512

did you see the guy with beard?

Bingo !

[RUpanerai]

NYC, LA, WBP have all been good to me... don't go back if they treat you like that.

[Yanks213x]

I've noticed a lot of places, not just watch dealers, haven't been caring too much about making a sale. The economy isn't good enough for these places to just brush people aside.

[alexlt730512]

Originally Posted by advocatia

Bingo !

WOW!!! it's amazing that most of the people had same exact problem with the beardman.

[shafran]

They were great at the NY boutique. Offered drinks and helped me with ll their watches.

[Travelller]

Write a letter to OP.

I was looking forward to visiting that boutique on my next trip to Miami; it will be a personal trip (not business) and I won't have a suit with me...

...but at least now I know to avoid anyone with a beard...

[Bruce123]

Thanks for sharing. I'm going down next month. Will avoid the bearded man.