My experience trying on a watch today. 🤔🤨
With finally getting a weekend off work, thought I’d have a nice day out shopping. The main thing I wanted to do was try on a Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition.
This is a watch I’ve wanted since it’s release but I plan on getting it as the watch purchase for the end of the year. I had to go try on the different sizes… so off to the dealership I went.
Upon arriving at the dealership today I asked to see the watch and stated I wasn’t buying today so there was no need for drink offerings etc.
After coming back with both watches, the guy serving me said “there’s nothing really to say to you as you clearly know what you are after”
So I tried on both sizes, the 37mm:
And then the 41mm:
In the end I stated I love the look of the 41mm as it looks a lot more tool watch like compared to my other Hamilton models. This felt like a watch I could take on any quest to the shops or venture through a forest and it could take any beating.
Unfortunately I felt like my experience was ruined after the dealer started to pressure myself into buying it. Followed by being questioned of WHY I wasn’t buying today! He started to say I should split the payments on a credit card (I don’t even own a credit card! 😂) even after saying I am not interested until the end of the year. To top it off, he stated it was the “last one in the whole company” whilst I literally had it loaded on his website with MULTIPLE IN STOCK!
It didn’t take me long to walk out of there.
It’s a shame really as I loved trying on the watch, but it has to be ruined by some stuck up dealer.
In positives though! I think the 41mm suits my nicely 😂😂😂.
22yr old watch collector based in the UK. Used to be a watchmaker/repairer and jeweller for 4 years. Sucker for field watches lol!
The good news is you can jump online and buy it for much less without dealing with sales tactics. Glad you found which worked for you.
Advice to anyone approaching a salesman, never tell us you're "not buying today." We know you may or may not, it's a given in our profession. When you say it outright, it starts the interaction off with a bad tone.
Doesn't matter if you're looking at a watch, a bicycle, an automobile, necklaces, shoes. Don't start the conversation with a real person who wants to help you with... "I'm here to completely waste your time"
The ‘last one in the company’ is really played out. They need to come up with a new one.
Good for you on being upfront about your intentions. It’s a nice watch and looks good.
Sounds like this guy was applying too much pressure and stretching the truth, but... It is literally his job to sell you a watch. Especially if you're on the fence, he's gonna see if he can get to that yes. Particularly since you wanted to try stuff on, for all he knows you're gonna try it on in the store and then buy online, taking his commission with you.
Maybe don't support that dealer, but if you want brick and mortar shops in any hobby, you gotta support a dealer.
Don’t really sound like he pressured you too much. Why arnt you buying it today is a pretty normal question for a sales person to ask when someone says I want an item but not going to buy it today. It’s his job to try to get you to buy it and it’s a pretty normal follow up question lol. Also if you don’t have a credit card you should get one ASAP. Firstly you need to build good credit in life to do anything. Second when you open a new card are going to get a sign on bonus. Your sign on bonus will probably be enough to cover 50-100% of the watch depending on what card you get. Litterly for free by doing nothing.
I use my credit card for every purchase I make and pay it off that day on the app. You build credit and are going to get a lot of points and cash back.
Don’t really sound like he pressured you too much. Why arnt you buying it today is a pretty normal question for a sales person to ask when someone says I want an item but not going to buy it today. It’s his job to try to get you to buy it and it’s a pretty normal follow up question lol. Also if you don’t have a credit card you should get one ASAP. Firstly you need to build good credit in life to do anything. Second when you open a new card are going to get a sign on bonus. Your sign on bonus will probably be enough to cover 50-100% of the watch depending on what card you get. Litterly for free by doing nothing.
I use my credit card for every purchase I make and pay it off that day on the app. You build credit and are going to get a lot of points and cash back.
I didn’t go into too much detail of the pressuring but I declined the opportunity to purchase multiple times yet he still kept trying. I have a good credit score without having a credit card but thank you so much for the advice in regards to getting one! Thank you for commenting! 🤗
Sounds like this guy was applying too much pressure and stretching the truth, but... It is literally his job to sell you a watch. Especially if you're on the fence, he's gonna see if he can get to that yes. Particularly since you wanted to try stuff on, for all he knows you're gonna try it on in the store and then buy online, taking his commission with you.
Maybe don't support that dealer, but if you want brick and mortar shops in any hobby, you gotta support a dealer.
Thanks for commenting!! I found it annoying that he still tried to push the sales multiple times even though I stated that I wouldn’t be buying it today and merely wanted to see it for size. I used to be a watchmaker and used to sell watches, I understand that there’s commission involved (I never got commission with the company I worked for) however I never pressured my customers in any way.
Should go to a Rolex AD. You won't have the problem of the salesman trying to sell you a watch. 😉
Salesman gonna sell I think. I don’t think you’re wrong to feel that way at all but consider the world from the salesman’s eyes. They’re just sitting around minding shop and in you come. You are looking to buy another day but it’s very likely that salesperson gets paid via commission so coming another day means they’re going to shepherd you through the sale and then miss out on the sale when you come in another day when they’re off, or worse yet go try something on and buy from another place online. Both are fairly common outcomes.
Again, I don’t want to tell you you’re wrong to feel that way but the guy behind the counter is a person too who probably has a manager who wants to see sales numbers. I’d try not to let this turn you to online shops and hopefully you continue to support brick and mortar stores or we’re gonna lose the last of them.
Advice to anyone approaching a salesman, never tell us you're "not buying today." We know you may or may not, it's a given in our profession. When you say it outright, it starts the interaction off with a bad tone.
Doesn't matter if you're looking at a watch, a bicycle, an automobile, necklaces, shoes. Don't start the conversation with a real person who wants to help you with... "I'm here to completely waste your time"
Thanks for commenting! I used to be a watchmaker and sell watches at a jewellers. In my experience if customers stated that they weren’t buying, I’d still give them a great treatment (no different than those buying). This was because if you made a kind first impression without the push of sales, there’s a good chance they might come back to you as a seller when they decide to purchase. I personally found this very successful and it’s nice to just help those who need it when it comes to decision making etc.
The ‘last one in the company’ is really played out. They need to come up with a new one.
I sometimes think that they forget “check stock” exists on their websites 😂😂😂😂
The good news is you can jump online and buy it for much less without dealing with sales tactics. Glad you found which worked for you.
Absolutely! So glad I still went in to see which size I wanted! Can’t wait to pick it up later on in the year!
Good for you on being upfront about your intentions. It’s a nice watch and looks good.
Thank you!! I think it looks incredible and I can’t wait to pick it up this year at some point!
Thanks for commenting!! I found it annoying that he still tried to push the sales multiple times even though I stated that I wouldn’t be buying it today and merely wanted to see it for size. I used to be a watchmaker and used to sell watches, I understand that there’s commission involved (I never got commission with the company I worked for) however I never pressured my customers in any way.
Absolutely. Sounds like he lacked the soft touch.
Thanks for commenting! I used to be a watchmaker and sell watches at a jewellers. In my experience if customers stated that they weren’t buying, I’d still give them a great treatment (no different than those buying). This was because if you made a kind first impression without the push of sales, there’s a good chance they might come back to you as a seller when they decide to purchase. I personally found this very successful and it’s nice to just help those who need it when it comes to decision making etc.
I try to as well, but nothing quite sets the tone wrong as someone who tells me this right away. I've found they are often more confrontational, less open, and drive their own experience. Not always, plus they do sometimes buy anyway, but my advise still stands. Not a great way to start your conversation with someone who just wants to help you find something you'll love and enjoy
Im surprised your surprised 🙄
You talk to a salesman about something he sells then dont like him being a salesman and trying to sell you something your interested in and also something he sells 🤣🤣🤣
I personally dont like the hard sell, but i wouldn't go into a shop and engage a salesman if i wasnt buying.
Advice to anyone approaching a salesman, never tell us you're "not buying today." We know you may or may not, it's a given in our profession. When you say it outright, it starts the interaction off with a bad tone.
Doesn't matter if you're looking at a watch, a bicycle, an automobile, necklaces, shoes. Don't start the conversation with a real person who wants to help you with... "I'm here to completely waste your time"
I agree , it's better to say " I'm looking for a future purchase " at least then then the salesperson can be invested in the interaction and provide a nice experience with the hope of the customer actually returning. Better to build a relationship rarther than a transaction. that's what I say to customers anyway :)
I agree , it's better to say " I'm looking for a future purchase " at least then then the salesperson can be invested in the interaction and provide a nice experience with the hope of the customer actually returning. Better to build a relationship rarther than a transaction. that's what I say to customers anyway :)
Exactly! Build a relationship, not a transaction, get to know a professional in an industry you also enjoy. Watch salesman aren't always watch enthusiasts... but they often are.
I'd be the same as you. I'd want to be upfront about not intending to buy and politely asking not to be pampered with drinks etc. It's a shame your 'journey' into buying the watch has been slightly adversely affected but you did come out with the positive of knowing which size you like.
Good luck going forward. Lovely watch. 👍