I complimented my long time customer on his submariner.....but should not have.

[np2016]

I would have said nice Rolex and left it that even if I knew it was 100% fake. No point in arguing or insulting someone they already know it's fake.

[Tim Plains]

I wouldn't care or say anything so long as he keeps paying with real money.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by np2016

I would have said nice Rolex and left it that even if I knew it was 100% fake. No point in arguing or insulting someone they already know it's fake.

Just happened to me at a cigar shop
I go to. Dude was clearly wearing a fake Tiffany dial 5711. So I made a comment “ so you are one of 170 lucky people who got one”. He clearly didn’t know wtf I was talking about and he said something oh yeah bought it a few years ago even though the 5711 was just recently released. I just left it at that and changed subjects could have gone awkward real quick. No need to embarrass someone else.


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[Wssszsss]

I actually like how chill your customer is while been spotted wearing fake. Nothing wrong with wearing a fake, as long as they enjoy it and not for showing off or something.

And you get good eyes and knowledge too, the fakes are very well made nowadays, good job!

[alphadweller]

Some people choose to knowingly lie to themselves. No need to start a debate with them.

[Bryan81]

Originally Posted by rolexjackson

You have to remember that everyone is on their own journey. You or I would never wear a fake watch. Clearly not everyone feels that way. And that’s ok

I don’t know that I’d really say it’s “ok”. Working in a tech industry that’s built on intellectual property, when I see fakes it just makes me think of violating trademarks, etc. Making money off someone else’s hard work building a brand and developing intellectual property isn’t ok to me.


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[Wssszsss]

Originally Posted by Bryan81

I don’t know that I’d really say it’s “ok”. Working in a tech industry that’s built on intellectual property, when I see fakes it just makes me think of violating trademarks, etc. Making money off someone else’s hard work building a brand and developing intellectual property isn’t ok to me.


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That makes sense, but I feel Rolex is the one to deal with the fakes, not customers

[Lex_Ordo]

The fact anyone wears a fake Rolex, to begin with is a testament to the brand. That being said, I compliment every Rolex wearer I see. If it is fake, I know they either can't afford it or they're trying to be something they are not.

Some people are also cheap, and think a watch is a watch, why not just buy a fake? I say, if a watch is a watch, then don't buy a fake. Get some cheap POS, that you have to replace a battery or buy again at some point.

I wouldn't be so concerned with your interaction.

[amh]

OP do you enjoy keeping this customer? I'd stop commenting on the Folex

[Carguy87]

Had a very similar interaction with a co-worker recently. We’ve worked together for years but his position is technically subordinate to mine. He knows how passionate I am about watches so he came into my office the other day to show me a fake he acquired somehow. I don’t know what reaction he expected but I basically kicked him out of my office as politely as possible (since he’s technically subordinate I didn’t want to be unprofessional by calling him an idiot or anything else). He has started wearing it around then dealership daily and it just bugs me every time I see it. I know I probably shouldn’t care, but I do and it bugs me.

This is my confession for the day lol.

[Chiboy]

My rules of thumb for commenting on someone’s watch:

1) Only make positive comments

2) If you don’t know them don’t say anything

[alex.cicollo]

My (thankfully former) boss was bragging about his ability to not spend money but yet display wealth with copies. I had a massive go at him… he was a very senior exec - board level for a large company - and I told him what I really thought of funding criminal activity…. He was fired for other reasons.

[Cambo]

There are so many nice watch brands out there that are good quality, cost effective and not a counterfeit. Many of them even have near-Rolex looks. Support the real players….any money going to knock-offs is money well wasted. IMHO, I respect someone with a Seiko (or any other real brand) that looks like a Rolex (homage) infinitely more than someone who wears an expensive fake.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Wssszsss

I actually like how chill your customer is while been spotted wearing fake. Nothing wrong with wearing a fake, as long as they enjoy it and not for showing off or something.

And you get good eyes and knowledge too, the fakes are very well made nowadays, good job!

Agreed.
It may have been the wearers intent to get the most bang for the buck and the fact that it had virtually fooled someone else until it was in hand, proved his point.

The customer may be of the opinion the OP is a fool for shelling out more than is necessary.
After all, he may be able to replace his watch entirely for less than the cost to service a Rolex anywhere.

I saw an article on the interweb just yesterday that was about the "Superfakes" that are out there.
I didn't bother to take the time to view it, but it seems it's becoming a real thing if it's being put out there

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

My rules of thumb for commenting on someone’s watch:

1) Only make positive comments

2) If you don’t know them don’t say anything

Good advise

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

My thoughts exactly. Here in Stockholm, as a normal watch nerd, I'm always drawn to take a look at a watch if someone's passing in a tee-shirt. I've never counted, but a casual walk into town for lunch must have me pass a hundred people, easily, wearing some kind of watch. I see a Rolex maybe once a month. (And I love it each time.)

I'd be lucky to see a Rolex in the wild maybe once a year and I couldn't tell from a distance if they were genuine.
In the last 25 years i know I've stumbled across 3 fakes.
One had a Quartz movement that a work colleague picked up while working in another country.
Another was on the wrist of an acquaintance that was up front with me about it when I complimented him on how nice his watch looked and the other is floating somewhere around the house that my wife(for some reason) had bought cheap in her travels many years ago before we met.
She wouldn't entertain the thought now.

I probably should try to dig it out one of these days when we're having a clean out and wear it as a total beater

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by jb335

I’m surprised you called him out on it being fake.


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Me too. It's usually never worth it. All it takes is "no it's not" and it gets even more awkward.

[AlabamaLawyer1988]

Was representing a client at a hearing a couple of months ago and he had on a fake day-date. Bad fake, too, as a lot of the “gold” was rubbed off. I said, “I like your day date,” just to see what his response would be and he said, “it’s a president..” Said he had it for years and it was his prize possession, then (unsolicitedly) proceeded to lecture me on how to spot a fake. As to give a fictitious reliance that his of course is real. I just digressed and moved the discussion to his case.

I opened the door for it…

DM


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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by Rolex1982

Why call him out? I would have stopped after the compliment. You had nothing to gain and everything to lose with this customer.

This.

Was his blanket a genuine Chesapeake?


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[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by AlabamaLawyer1988

Was representing a client at a hearing a couple of months ago and he had on a fake day-date. Bad fake, too, as a lot of the “gold” was rubbed off. I said, “I like your day date,” just to see what his response would be and he said, “it’s a president..” Said he had it for years and it was his prize possession, then (unsolicitedly) proceeded to lecture me on how to spot a fake. As to give a fictitious reliance that his of course is real. I just digressed and moved the discussion to his case.

I opened the door for it…

DM


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How’s he doing on paying your fees?


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[sski]

Originally Posted by AlabamaLawyer1988

Was representing a client at a hearing a couple of months ago and he had on a fake day-date. Bad fake, too, as a lot of the “gold” was rubbed off. I said, “I like your day date,” just to see what his response would be and he said, “it’s a president..” Said he had it for years and it was his prize possession, then (unsolicitedly) proceeded to lecture me on how to spot a fake. As to give a fictitious reliance that his of course is real. I just digressed and moved the discussion to his case.

I opened the door for it…

DM


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absolutely hilarious!!

[NYMike]

Originally Posted by Ohiorolex

I find it fascinating that I don’t see more Rolexes. I look at everyone’s wrists. If they sell a million a year and lots of people wear fakes, you think they would be everywhere. Now I see Apple Watches everywhere and there can’t be as many sold as they have only been around for ten years.

Try flying on just about any flight from NYC to Miami. It's hard to find someone who's NOT wearing one. It's like 80% of the flyers. The other 20% have Apple watches.

[Littletommy]

Does his blanket have a name?

[day_Date_786]

If I was him, that would be last time Id step foot in your laundrymat. That was outright rude and uncalled for. I'm surprised he just laughed it off. What's it to you if it's real or fake. He knows it fake, no need to take a jab at it for a 2nd time.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by Josunese1975

I own a laundromat and every few months a long time customer comes to drop off his blanket to be washed and dried. So couple of months ago he came in and from across the counter I noticed a two tone submariner on his wrist. I told him what a nice, iconic watch he had on. He said thanks and asked me if I had a Rolex myself. I showed him my Datejust and we chatted a few minutes. I told him I browse couple of watch forums and youtube channels to keep my hobby up to date. He left and came back couple of days later to pickup his blanket. Before leaving he takes off his watch and asks me what I think about his subamriner. Now, I'm no expert on submariners... I've owned only Explorers and Datejusts. But immediately I can tell something was a little off when I held it.... I told him gently it "might" to be a fake....which he then admitted it was a Chinese clone. He said he ordered it online. I didn't say much except "You're well off...why not get the real thing?" He's in his 70's, drives a Lexus SUV and did well as an insurance broker. He said "nah, nobody can tell whether it's real or not. No need to spend that kind of money". My response was "Okay". Not sure if I should have said anything else.... I figure there's no need to tell a grown man how to spend his money and on what. He came in again last week and I said "Did you go ahead and buy a Rolex?" His response was "No need to, I already got one". I said "Well no, not quite". He laughed and just left. Interesting interaction....

I would have thrown his blanket out on the street and banned him for life! Fake people wear fake watches and for an insurance salesperson that shows poor judgement and character! Imagine if he didn’t register all those insurance products and simply kept the cash.

Shame!!!! Shame!!!!!

[herts9]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

My rules of thumb for commenting on someone’s watch:

1) Only make positive comments

2) If you don’t know them don’t say anything

And I lean on #2, 99.9% of the time.

[sski]

my 2 cents--- Looking at a fake watch is like looking at the sun; you don't stare at it- too risky! You get a sense of it, then you just look away.

[TimekeeperED54]

To each his own if he knows it's a fake and feel comfortable wearing it...just don't say anything about it anymore...What matters is, he brings in real money.

[AlabamaLawyer1988]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

How’s he doing on paying your fees?


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Haha! He owes!

DM


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[omar10213245]

i tell ya, you wanna really make it REALLY weird, try complimenting a fella on his watch when you're standing next to him at the urinals in a public restroom.