An evening at Torneau

[astcell]

Hi all. Well I am in Las Vegas, have been for a few days, and loving it! I went to all the Rolex dealers I can find so far except Wynn, and wear my GV. They all want to polish it for me and then they take out really nice watches to show me.

I recalled the bad experience I had at Torneau last time I was here and wanted to see if it was a fluke. I went in and the saleslady noticed my GV from about 20 feet away. She asked if I was interested in the DSSD. I told her I have seen it and had a shot at a few but it did not smile at me.

She then said she had a new WG sub available if I was interested, but only if I was seriously interested, as it was in the vault and she's have to go get it. I told her I had never seen one in person so I have no idea if I am interested. I figured this was a mind game moment and if I begged to see it she'd have the upper hand, so I casually looked over the watches on display (no Millies at all) and then she said,. "Let me go get the sub for you."

To see this watch we had to go into the little booth, I guess so you have privacy and do not steal it. I went in and she brought me the watch. Very nice! The WG looked just like the new SS bands and to me ought to be made in SS. The blue was lighter than smurf color. It looked faded as if from wear, like a 1950s pastel blue. Sticker price was a smidgen over $29k.

Now here came the interesting part to show we are in a recession. They made me an offer:

1. No interest financing for 24 months.
2. No sales tax (will be shipped).
3. First month's payment refunded that evening in cash.
4. $9,000 trade in for the GV on my wrist.

The last part is what got me. $9k for my GV?!?!?! They said yes, they know I paid less and this is my chance to make a few bucks on a trade in. So $1208 plus $9000 off on a $29k watch:

Total discount: 35%.


I passed on it. I actually like the GV better. And no one in Las Vegas yet has a Millie of any version on display. But it was an interesting day and wanted to share. I'll visit the Wynn this week.

[kcmo]

Interesting Robert.

I popped into Tourneau here on Saturday and was also offered the interest free payment plan with cash back. Wow! Couldn't believe they were actually including cash back....definitely a sign of the times.

[Tony-GB]

Superb post Robert.

I think I would have buckled at 35% off & gone for it.

[Howie]

well it's not really 35% off, the $9K is in exchange for your GV which has a market value of around $6K. So the total discount is really only $1.2K + $3K = $4.2K or 14% off list.

Also, I'm willing to bet they would price your pre-owned GV at around $9K for some sucker buyer. They are still pricing preowned LV's at $7K.

[chazha]

Interesting story. Especially about the last part. I believe the AD's waiting list on the GV is loooooong. That is not an bad offer however Ill be asking for 25-30% cash discount straight away.

ive seen this new sub myself. Dont really like the blue color it looks boring. This blue comes no near the TT Bluesy :-D

Good story and thanks for sharing

[Rolexshirts]

I guess things has changed a lot even in the city that is build on money las vegas very interesting story thank you for sharing.

[SLS]

Interesting story...I'm more impressed that someone actually spoke to you nicely at Tourneau! I recently saw the new WG Sub, I think its ugly with the blue color they chose.
~Scott

[chazha]

I just realised he used a very smart trick. He offered you ONLY 1st payment free. Which is 4.17% plus tax free. Well if you look at this offer it is really not much you got served since everyone should be at least having 15%+ discount on a solid WG watch.

What the smart thing he did was instead he offered you a good discount he said let me offer you 9000$ on you GV. That will make you even happier because he is paying more that retail. It is the feeling that strikes you that deal.

[mfer]

Well, I like it!

Love the smurfmariner!

I recently saw it. If they would make this in SS, I'd be all over it like JJ on TRF.

[eugenes]

wow, 14% off and interest free for 24 months!
That's more like 20% off... some awesome stuff.

[RandyS]

Originally Posted by astcell

Hi all. Well I am in Las Vegas,

probably the same lady that overheard me say to my son how unfriendly they are there, she said something obnoxious back to me...

i thought I knew all the abbreviations, GV ? anyway, i was struck by your description of the pale blue, it was one of the first observations I had when I saw pics of the watch (havent seen in flesh yet) and that the bezel seemed to be less than exciting compared to my ceramic gmt bezel...

i would have bet money that the new sub would have the ceramic bezel and i think they really missed the boat there, plus the pale blue, dont understand that either

may change my mind when i see it, dont know...thanks for the info.

[spogehead]

Very interesting, Milgauss are readily available in the UK except the GV. Did see one in a grey dealer with no price so I think times are a changing, either way you did good to pass on the smurf

[JGL]

I'll be in Vegas later this week, should I take my GMTII or GV ? Hmmmmmm

[ttannert]

Originally Posted by RandyS

i thought I knew all the abbreviations, GV ? .

GV is the green crystal Milgauss.

[ttannert]

Great story. It is cool that they wanted the Milgauss so badly.

[Lol-x]

It does seem that the observation that Milgauss are released in spurts is correct, a couple of months ago there seemed like quite a few new ones, but they seem to still be difficult to find today.

[bodybump]

Robert they want to scam you!!!!! hahahaha Stick with the GV Rob....the sub wg will come out soon.....

[Gaucho1]

My first post and a Tourneau Story:

Last weekend my wife and I stopped into Tourneau in Las Vegas and I'm sure the same sales lady who I've seen there the last 3 times I've been there showed us a GMT Master IIC and a small Yachtmaster for my wife. The sales woman is a total pro (I'm in sales as well) and told us of the promotion. These would have been our first Rolexes and our first high end watches as well. The promotion sounded too good to be true, especially the cash back part. We agreed on the sale and got to go in the little room for paperwork etc. We were declined for financing! We could have paid cash, but the 24 month interest free and cash back was the only reason to buy at Tourneau as far as I was concerned. 1 week back home and I have a GMT on my arm and my wife's Yachtmaster will be at our local AD on Friday.

[astcell]

Originally Posted by JGL

I'll be in Vegas later this week, should I take my GMTII or GV ? Hmmmmmm

If it is the old GMT, those are impossible to find too!

[archie42]

What a fantastic review! This is a gem of a posting.... one of the reasons I love this place....

I could almost smell the charm of this lady in the air.....

[toph]

Very interesting but I think you made the right decision

[smokerider]

I was in Las Vagas Torneau this past Sat. I walked in and asked if they had a Milgauss GV, they said yes- but it was reserved for their "special" clients. I said fine and that I hadnt seen one in person and asked if they would show it to me and was told no. I was in jeans, sweatshirt, and sporting a thiry year old Seiko diver.

[asadtiger]

Originally Posted by smokerider

I was in Las Vagas Torneau this past Sat. I walked in and asked if they had a Milgauss GV, they said yes- but it was reserved for their "special" clients. I said fine and that I hadnt seen one in person and asked if they would show it to me and was told no. I was in jeans, sweatshirt, and sporting a thiry year old Seiko diver.

I dont like it when that happens..I mean come on..its odd to be uptight when you are SELLING

[avusblue]

There's a full page ad in today's Wall Street Journal promoting this deal. Page A7:

"Choose one of our fine watches, and take advantage of fixed monthly payments with no interest for 24 months -- and Tourneau will give you your first payment back in cash on the spot."

Then you read the fine print:

"Excludes Rolex and Patek Phillippe" --> Huh?

Cheers,

Dave

[dominick32]

Wow, that Torneau dealer really tried to hook you up. If you have a minute, read my story about the Torneau in Long Island, NY. This was just last week:

I walked into the Torneau Rolex department in Nassau County, NY and tried on just about everything from sub to yacht master to presidential and I fell in love with the 16613 stainless + gold in the black face. I was going back and forth between straight stainless/black face or 16613 stainless/gold/black face...

Long story here if you would like to read, this was before I did my research on Rolexforums.com. The salesmen in the store tricks me into thinking it was a 2008 Model, but I could tell this watch was scuffed and tried on countless times, and I got a feeling it was an 07 that they just never sold. He first tried to offer me 300.00 below retail at 9000.00, than the manager brought it down to 8300.00 which came out to around 9015 with tax. I asked the salesman specifically with tax and everything what is my grand total? He said: 9015.00. I said DEAL!! So, I take out my credit card and give the salesman all of my information. I am about to walk out of the store with a 2007 rolex, worn and tried on a million times, but I loved the watch and wanted it so bad, he couldnt take it off me.

What happens next you will never believe. The salesman comes out of the back with the final paperwork and says, your credit card was authorized but.... I made a mistake on the grand total that I wrote down and quoted you on the bill of sale. It wasnt 9015.00, it was $9081 and change. I looked at him and first asked him politely if he was joking, his face turned blush red.

Than when I knew he wasnt joking, I asked him politely to ask his manager if he wants to lose a $9000.00 sale over 60.00 bucks? The manager looked at me and said thats the price in an angry tone, take it or leave it. I grabbed my credit card and drivers license and left the store, never to return again! For the sole reason of the way the manager looked at me, and basically yelled at me, a paying customer getting ready to buy a $10K watch from his beautiful store. LOL
But, I found my favorite Rolex hands down 16613 black face and that brings me to today, ordering the watch for 2000.00 cheaper without tax, but no official rolex warranty.

Sorry for the long rant!

[builtforspeed]

Dominick, I saw that 16613 tt in black this weekend. Never paid any attention to it until now. That is a fine looking watch. Wonder why it is that we can look at things for years before finally seeing them. Enjoy that watch.

Cheers,

Chris

[dominick32]

Originally Posted by builtforspeed

Dominick, I saw that 16613 tt in black this weekend. Never paid any attention to it until now. That is a fine looking watch. Wonder why it is that we can look at things for years before finally seeing them. Enjoy that watch.

Cheers,

Chris

Thanks man! I really appreciate that! Check out my other thread for pics, it just arrived tonight!

[B. Doggy]

I really need to go back to Vegas...soon!! I need a Daytona

[GBJIV]

That Torneau deal seems pretty good. The only negative is that it's Torneau...

They are not all bad. If you find the right sales person - it could be a good experience...

[astcell]

Originally Posted by smokerider

I was in Las Vagas Torneau this past Sat. I walked in and asked if they had a Milgauss GV, they said yes- but it was reserved for their "special" clients. I said fine and that I hadnt seen one in person and asked if they would show it to me and was told no. I was in jeans, sweatshirt, and sporting a thiry year old Seiko diver.

"Special" ought to meaning "paying." I mean, if they have a list of GV buyers it ought to be gone. They were pulling the alpha treatment on you. They rule, you suck. Gotta turn it around.

Originally Posted by avusblue

... and Tourneau will give you your first payment back in cash on the spot."

Cheers,

Dave

What if you opt for making just one payment?

Originally Posted by B. Doggy

I really need to go back to Vegas...soon!! I need a Daytona

I leave tomorrow.

Originally Posted by GBJIV

That Torneau deal seems pretty good. The only negative is that it's Torneau...

They are not all bad. If you find the right sales person - it could be a good experience...

First she said a buyer was coming in for the watch, then she said it was being mailed out, but then she shows it to me and wants to let me buy it. Scam!