Tourneau--how are these people still in business?

[FrankNYC]

So, I'm strolling around the Tourneau looking at watches and decided to take a look at the GMT IIC. The woman who was helping me did not know the difference between the SubC and the GMT IIC! She even had to take out the book with the big pictures to take a look, and even then she still could not tell the difference!
In the end, she admitted that she can't tell the difference between the two and said "they're both the same watch"! Lady, how about the 24-hour bezel insert, fourth hand, and green writing!!!

Seriously?

[superdog]

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

So, I'm strolling around the Tourneau looking at watches and decided to take a look at the GMT IIC. The woman who was helping me did not know the difference between the SubC and the GMT IIC! She even had to take out the book with the big pictures to take a look, and even then she still could not tell the difference!
In the end, she admitted that she can't tell the difference between the two and said "they're both the same watch"! Lady, how about the 24-hour bezel insert, fourth hand, and green writing!!!

Seriously?

lol, agree.

how about how one is for diving and one is for flying?? lol.

[Chewbacca]

i've never heard a positive rolex story on tourneau...

[sea-dweller]

They are called "Turdeau" for a reason.

[psv]

Easy, they sell watches to tourists and people with a first bonus-check to blow and/or nouveaux riche who really doesn't care which watch they buy as long as it says Rolex on it. Sadly, the latter group is the makes up the bulk of Rolex purchases around the world, which is why the brand has bad reputation among people into haute horology.

[FrankNYC]

The most annoying part was each time I put a watch on, she would go: "Oh, that looks so good on you." Yeah, ok. You sell watches on commission; anything would look good on me. I should have asked to see a really blinged-out, mid-size gold Rolex to see what she would have said.

[subtona]

Did you close the deal and sell her a watch?

[Vaxe]

Originally Posted by psv

Easy, they sell watches to tourists and people with a first bonus-check to blow and/or nouveaux riche who really doesn't care which watch they buy as long as it says Rolex on it. Sadly, the latter group is the makes up the bulk of Rolex purchases around the world, which is why the brand has bad reputation among people into haute horology.

As sad as this is, I agree. If I could go back in time, my Rolex collection would be replaced by JLC, VC, and maybe even a PAM.
I'll sell when the MSRP increase goes up to the point in which I won't lose money.

[endwahl]

The Tourneau store here in SF has a separate Rolex storefront. It has a full length mirror for customers to use, all the jewel encrusted models are in the front window, and there are halogen lights all over the place to make the inventory extra blingy.

They also push financing(!).

[FrankNYC]

Originally Posted by Vaxe

As sad as this is, I agree. If I could go back in time, my Rolex collection would be replaced by JLC, VC, and maybe even a PAM.
I'll sell when the MSRP increase goes up to the point in which I won't lose money.

I used to think this way, so I got rid of my SS Submariner and bought a JLC. After a few years I bought a Sub again. It's really a great watch, and I don't care what people think at this point (though I still have a JLC in case I get accussed of wearing a Rolex because I don't know about the other brands).

[FrankNYC]

Originally Posted by endwahl

The Tourneau store here in SF has a separate Rolex storefront. It has a full length mirror for customers to use, all the jewel encrusted models are in the front window, and there are halogen lights all over the place to make the inventory extra blingy.

They also push financing(!).

I hate to admit that I gave these people business, but the 0% 1-year interest-free plus 10% back (in form of a gift certificate) was the only reason why I got my sub here. Not that I couldn't afford to buy it outright, but 0% for 1-year

[kymwatchlog]

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

The most annoying part was each time I put a watch on, she would go: "Oh, that looks so good on you." Yeah, ok. You sell watches on commission; anything would look good on me. I should have asked to see a really blinged-out, mid-size gold Rolex to see what she would have said.

and she will try to sell you the higher priced ones. i don't think she care if it REALLY looks good on u anyway

[DCgator]

The sales lady at the Arlington, VA store thought my DSSD was not a real Rolex because she has never seen one with a leather (cordovan) strap. I replied that I didn't know Rolex made fake watches. Just went over her head.

[submariner66]

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

I hate to admit that I gave these people business, but the 0% 1-year interest-free plus 10% back (in form of a gift certificate) was the only reason why I got my sub here. Not that I couldn't afford to buy it outright, but 0% for 1-year

I did the same deal Frank on my sub, and got my wife the Michelle watch she wanted for almost half off. Now two months later the account is just about paid. Great deal for me! But now I see a lot of AD's have finance plans.

If you go to Tourneau again ask for Larry K. - he is at the 53rd and Madison store the boutique. He is Rolex collector himself and seems to know a good deal about these watches- at least he can tell a GMT from a Sub.

[endwahl]

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

I hate to admit that I gave these people business, but the 0% 1-year interest-free plus 10% back (in form of a gift certificate) was the only reason why I got my sub here. Not that I couldn't afford to buy it outright, but 0% for 1-year

I think here in CA you can't have and expiration on gift certificates. So maybe you could use it for your first service?

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by endwahl

I think here in CA you can't have and expiration on gift certificates. So maybe you could use it for your first service?

This is an interesting point about gift cert. not expiring.. I know here in IL they cannot as well. I wonder if Tourneau knows this

[cross]

Originally Posted by FrankNYC

I used to think this way, so I got rid of my SS Submariner and bought a JLC. After a few years I bought a Sub again. It's really a great watch, and I don't care what people think at this point (though I still have a JLC in case I get accussed of wearing a Rolex because I don't know about the other brands).

actually , if one is secure enough and know that you've got a very reliable tool watch and not some fancy jewelry. who cares what other people think?

just take a look at financier/investor Arpad Busson , Tycoon Carlos Slim, Ferrari Chairman Montezemolo...they are not 'ashamed' of wearing Rolex...and these are people who have plenty of watches and know about watches.

actually for WIS ,there are many schools of thought regarding all things mechanical. Be they watches or cars, etc.

some would approach them from an aesthetic appreciation (patek & lange) while others would look at them from a reliability point of view (rolex, etc).

Rolex is neither too expensive nor too cheap, it is neither too detailed nor too shabby....but it is one tough, reliable watch. One that becomes more endearing as years go by because it is a faithful reliable and versatile 'companion'...a life long partner :)




just my opinion.

[wokafu]

wow...im dying to visit and get some of these story 1st hand..lol..

[Dr. Robert]

The big T doesn't care about watch afficionados....they cater to the great unwashed.

[cross]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

The big T doesn't care about watch afficionados....they cater to the great unwashed.

that's true I fully agree...I once entered their forum shops at ceasar's. They were very courteous no doubt :) and very friendly. But many of their staffs don't know much about watches.

I ended up explaining to 2 males staffers regarding the el primero chronograph movement because there was a father and son client asking about the zenith's in their display.

I should have gotten part of their comm's. had that sale pushed through!

But they were friendly no doubt and very entertaining..the Japanese looking saleslady was very kind as well, taking out the watches I asked about knowing full well I wasn't there to buy :). I told them that right from the moment I went into their shop. :)



cross

[wuyeah]

She must not be your type....you didn't eve bother to show off with your Rolex knowledge. When she say "Oh, that looks so good on you." you could of flirt a little....

[CharlieSF]

Here in San Francisco, there are a couple of really solid employees at the Tourneau Rolex boutique. Ryan Torres is a young guy but really knows his watches. There is a young woman by the name of Micah who's great as well. The others can definitely be a mixed bag.

[Number3]

Originally Posted by DCgator

The sales lady at the Arlington, VA store thought my DSSD was not a real Rolex because she has never seen one with a leather (cordovan) strap. I replied that I didn't know Rolex made fake watches. Just went over her head.

Brilliant!

[beshannon]

I have made the mistake of going to that store not once, but twice.

Never again

[Vincent65]

probably why she'll likely never wear one herself

[FrankNYC]

Originally Posted by endwahl

I think here in CA you can't have and expiration on gift certificates. So maybe you could use it for your first service?

The certificate expires in a year, so I plan to use it to service my Sub Red (swap inserts, pressure testing, replace gaskets, etc and maybe an alligator skin band for my JLC)

[mikeinalexandria]

The Tourneau store in Pentagon City near DC has a used SS Daytona with a white face. The sales lady let me try it on. They sell here for under $10k (it was a D serial I think). She was asking $14k! I almost burst out laughing.

[landroverking]

Only once have I bought a watch from them. Omega Speedmaster ordered and shipped USPS. Dead out of the box!

[The GMT Master]

Sadly, it is the way with most big chains - the staff are disposable, and don't get the training needed to do the brand justice. Speaking from the point of view of someone who has "been there, done that," don't judge all salespeople based on one bad experience. With most jewellery chains, you get people who specialise in watches, and others who specialise in jewellery - I, obviously, was a watch guy, but I was still expected to sell jewellery. I admit right now that I didn't have a fraction of the depth of knowledge that some of my colleagues had on jewellery, but I made up for that by having a near encyclopaedic knowledge of watches. One of the most important things I learnt (and it seems quite a few salespeople need to learn this too) is to say "I'm sorry, I don't know, I'll find you someone who does know" - using BS to get a sale comes back to bite you.

To the OP, if you ever think that a salesperson doesn't know their stuff, ask to see the manager or the resident watch specialist. Sadly, your average salesperson won't care enough to build up the knowledge necessary to contend with us WIS types, but they should at least know the individual models if they are allowed to handle the stock. Maybe that's the issue of commission rearing it's ugly head again - it may inspire salespeople to get results, but far too often it is at the cost of good service

[Kingair]

They can still change their name in Tournedos . . .

Than they can sell meat ;-)

HAGOne