Omega becoming Rolex?
Now this may be a totally fluke incident today with a pretentious sales person in one of the shops here, but boy; was I pissed off...
The model depicted was in the window, so I went in and looked around. I've never been in that store before and was glad to see they had a nice selection of Bulgari, Omega and other brands. When the saleswoman approached me and asked me if I was looking for something special, I told her I really liked the Speedmaster 57 in the window, but I had to save up for it. She immediately said that the model was not available and that the one in the window was an exhibition piece... Say what? That sounds familiar! And then she said it:
"You have to buy other items in the store before that model becomes available for you, there is a list"
Now I know my Spanish is mediocre, but that was loud and clear... I thanked her and left.
I really don't know what to think about this. It seems so wrong to blackmail your clients like this! But apparently they can get away with it. It makes me sad.
Dutch guy living in Gran Canaria, Spain. Started way back to collect Bulova Accutron, but sold them all (but one...) when moving to Spain. Started over again, because, well... You know! Impressed and...
Value for money, IMHO Omega is better than Rolex.
No, that is ridiculous. Every interaction I've ever had with Omega ADs and Omega Boutiques has been incredible. In the past, I'd go in and they would geek out over watches with me!
That has got to be a total fluke!
Sad state we watch lovers are in these days. Nonetheless, the is a badass watch. Hopefully that is an isolated incident in the omega world. Apart from the moonswatch of course! 😂
You should pull rank and tell them you’re in the WatchCrunch community. That’s instant street cred.
In all seriousness, I have not heard this from an Omega AD. My experiences have always been good; e.g. trying on items, chatting about how awesome they are, etc. Sorry to hear about it.
Value for money, IMHO Omega is better than Rolex.
Yeah, but they're doing their best to eat into that margin. With rising prices, that value lessens. And while I haven't had this experience, it wouldn't surprise me if things were going that way. Omega wouldn't hate being a brand that no longer has to sell itself and gets to turn people away instead.
That is the boutique's issue, not Omega's. The model is still scarce since it is relatively new but that Rolex approach is too much lol
In my place, there is an option to pre-order online for this model from Omega's dealer here.
"You just lost a $10,000 sale. Bye."
My language would be a bit saltier than that.
God I hope not. Sounds like the salesperson was confusing the 57 for a Rolex. Ditto to what others have said. I've never had this experience with any Omega boutique or AD (and I have seen a few 57s that were definitely for sale).
Guessing...it was a Millennial with a job. 'They' don't want to work, hence they suck at it.
Hey, stop putting down Rolex! I walked into a Rolex AD last week for the first time and walked out with a new Rolex on my wrist! True story.
My omega boutique actually offered me this watch and a green SMP even tho I’ve only ever bought one watch from them. In my experience omega don’t do ‘exhibition’ pieces. Maybe this is from that specific store trying to drive sales knowing of the scarcity of the 57.
That sounds like a boutique problem not a widespread issue.
https://topperjewelers.com/collections/watches/products/omega-speedmaster-57-master-chronometer-40-5mm-332-10-41-51-11-001
Topper here in the SF Bay Area offers a small deposit pre order for the piece. It's definitely supply constrained but 100% possible to get.
Maybe that AD is trying to be like a Rolex AD
I've never experienced that. I'd never walk in that store again
I knew this would happen I KNEW IT. Sooner or later Omega will also become as greedy as Rolex and betray their loyal customers. It's inevitable. When a brand feels like they can get away with stuff like this they will go all in on. The main reason is there are too many blindly loyal fanboys to the Omega brand online hyping up the brand. This is how these "luxury" watch brands become annoying to your average consumer.
"You have to buy other items in the store before that model becomes available for you, there is a list"
I literally would have laughed at her. "Is that so?"
Sorry to hear that, it's unacceptable for sales staff to treat anyone that way. I think they need reminding they are there to serve the customer!
For what it's worth, I can't say I've ever had an experience like that. What I have experienced however is a longer wait list time for Omega than Rolex.
I enquired about an Explorer and a Green Seamaster 300m at approx the same time from the respective ADs. I now have the Explorer, but I'm still waiting on the green Seamaster. Go figure!
That sounds like a Rolex AD experience. I’m not sure that your sales person understands the free market lol. We as enthusiasts have many many options, but the dealer not the watch they say. Hence why I won’t consider Rolex as it’s been a pretentious snobby experience whenever I’ve tried. I really hope Omega does not try to replicate this as they have a better value proposition in my opinion but not to the point of being treated like a potential Rolex customer
What a bummer to be treated like that. But as said above this must be an AD thing. A rotten apple in the basket that hopefully don’t ruin the Omega experience.
😕
You really posted this huh?
Yup. Facts are facts for a reason. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers, but the fact remains.
Yup. Facts are facts for a reason. Sorry if I ruffled any feathers, but the fact remains.
I see you're new here, so I'd just like to reiterate the welcoming nature of WC. Toxic and negative comments, especially when neither solicited nor even contextual to the original post, are typically frowned upon.
I don't know who would respond positively to such a sales experience, and can't imagine that anyone would be so desperate as to go along with the "blackmail." Well... OK, maybe I can imagine it for a moment, as that is a stunningly beautiful watch!
I knoiw there is a short waitlist for that watch here at my AD...But they were right up front with me and Im sure they will call me as soon as one is available. Most other times I go in we talk watches and they bring out what they have available and then...I end up taking home another watch LOL...
You mentioned other brands.....is it safe to assume this was not an Omega Boutique?
That sounds like a boutique problem not a widespread issue.
https://topperjewelers.com/collections/watches/products/omega-speedmaster-57-master-chronometer-40-5mm-332-10-41-51-11-001
Topper here in the SF Bay Area offers a small deposit pre order for the piece. It's definitely supply constrained but 100% possible to get.
I think the Omega distribution channels are also at fault here, as there are some models which were released to influencers mid last year which still have not shown up in dealers, like Toppers, to this date. I know.....I put $500 on the Terracotta AT there at Toppers. :)
Maybe that should be reported to Omega. Then, see their reaction.
You mentioned other brands.....is it safe to assume this was not an Omega Boutique?
No, it was a general dealer.
That sounds like a Rolex AD experience. I’m not sure that your sales person understands the free market lol. We as enthusiasts have many many options, but the dealer not the watch they say. Hence why I won’t consider Rolex as it’s been a pretentious snobby experience whenever I’ve tried. I really hope Omega does not try to replicate this as they have a better value proposition in my opinion but not to the point of being treated like a potential Rolex customer
👍👍👍!!!
They don't deserve your custom. Shop elsewhere.
lets just hope this was a bad worker having a bad day or something. maybe you were like the 10 person in an hr to try in on and she woke up late and didn't have coffee or something. b/c i love that Omega doesn't seem to care or try to just sell their name for an inflated price and chose instead to sell great watches at reasonable prices. Management has seemed to have played it smart over the year but long time successful companies have a way of shooting themselves in the foot then dying a slow death. there might even be a connection between all the examples....lol