Hi all,

I really thought this was going to be my next watch but my terrible experience with my local Omega boutique really didn't help as the last time I was in there trying to find out when they where due was bad as I was also looking at the First Omega in Space and the sales guy tried to push me into buying it there and then with some total BS about the 0% interest deal was about to end so I needed to act now to make sure I got it.

The only reason I hadn't bought one sight unseen was my concerns over the PCL's on the bracelet and the faux patina lume which I wanted to see to make sure I liked it before I bought it. Not only have lots of these been showing up all over boutiques in the US but also in the UK yet my Boutique which is in London hadn't got any in yet. In the mean time I got distracted by some Zeniths mainly the Vintage Rainbow Fly-Back and De Luca's (thanks to Darlinboy) and whilst looking at the new Rainbow at a jewellers in the same mall who are a Zenith AD the El Primero Red Ltd Edition 42mm really caught me eye from their window display and after trying it on and loving it two days later I went back and bought it and got a really good deal on it to.

So today I was shopping for food in the mall where the Omega Boutique is and decided I would go in to let them know to remove me from the wait list for the SM 300 and MK11 Rio to my amazement sitting there in the window display is a SM300 I mean WTF. So the manageress whom I had been dealing with comes over to me and says "we have it in now it arrived yesterday" and then she blatantly lies to me saying "I rang you yesterday when it came in" and said its Oliver right? er no wrong!!

So I told her that's not possible I didn't receive any call or have any missed calls or voice mails and my phone is on 24/7 and even if there is no signal it goes to voice mail and I had no missed calls or messages. I then told her that I'd only to come in to let her know to take me off the wait list as I have bought something else and showed her my El Primero. As much as I thought I wanted the SM 300 I do actually prefer the watch I bought instead as now I have seen one in the flesh I'm really not a fan of the PCL's and to me there is something a little off about the dial to it just didn't blow me away how I thought it would not saying it isn't perfect for anyone else just not perfect for me is all.

I don't know maybe she thought I wasn't really going to buy one but you should of seen her face when she realised I bought a more expensive watch and not an Omega it is little things like this sort of bad customer service that loses them sales or any chance of repeat business. Unlike the excellent service and deal I received from the Zenith AD before I even bought the watch. The manager who I dealt with knew not just about Zenith's but we also talked about the Tudor's and IWC's they had in stock and when I said I needed to think about it over night and asked if he would be in the next day and said he was off I said I'd be back in 2 days then and I was. It was a pleasure to deal with him and I received excellent service and would buy from them again without hesitation the same can not be said for even bothering to visit that Omega Boutique.

Marc

 

I've always had amazing service at my local Boutique; sorry that you had a poor experience. Which Boutique was this?

 

University Student Trick #472: I find they don't try to push sales on me when I'm wearing sneakers and a sweatshirt.

 

Funny last time i was in Dubai i had the Omega guys that ran around doing everything and changing bands, and when in the Zenith store that was also empty i had one lady who would not even chat other than price (over 4K overpriced)

Could not get in the Rolex or Patek store as packed every day.

 

Actually, it occurs to me, are you in the UK? I'm only familiar with US Omega Boutiques which are outstanding, but Boutiques in other countries are often privately owned and, from what I hear, provide a mixed service experience.

 

Sadly, I think a common thought in UK retail is "Customer Service? We've heard of that". While the incessant smiliness and have-a-nice-day-ness you get in some countries can jar to this wizened old (34 next month!) cynic, I do think we could lean a few things in this country (UK).

 

@Shem

Yes I'm in the UK and yes it is an Omega Boutique within a jewellery store the one is question is Goldsmiths Brent Cross and they are part of a large chain that includes Mappin and Webb and Watches of Switzerland before my father passed and after a late change of career he was both a watch manager for Mappin & Webb and then store manager at Knightsbridge and then Regent Street Mappin & Webb stores. So I do know and understand what good and bad service in that industry is. What really annoyed me more than anything else was the blatant lie of claiming to have called me and if and when I need anything Omega I will be finding a boutique in another location even if that requires some unnecessary travel to achieve it.

@JimInOz

Just for you my new watch

IMAG0112 by Marc Obermann, on Flickr

IMAG0110 by Marc Obermann, on Flickr

Marc

 

It happens from time to time unfortunately. Hopefully your next experience is well. My experiences have always been great at the boutique here until they realized who I really am....

 

Thankfully they have never asked me to leave but they no longer offer to show me their fantastic new pieces

 

I,ve also not exactly been blown away by Omega Boutique service here in Tx. I am seriously thinking of buying the SM300 as my first ever modern Omega (i have several vintage pieces). The SM300 I looked at, fresh out of the vault, was wrong - the dot on the bezel wouldnt line up with 12 o'clock - its not miles out, but it would bug me for evermore if I bought that particular watch.

i,ve asked them to order another one in for me - let see how long that takes

But they are being completely inflexible with the price - ie zero discount

Am I being unreasonable, asking for any discount on a newly launched watch, or should I just ask for other things - eg, an oem strap for example

Happy to learn and apply everyone else's tactics here

Cheers, paul

 

You're never going to get a discount at the boutique only at AD or other dealers. This release is not at the AD yet so you are at the mercy of the boutiques thus far.

 

An occupational hazard, no doubt.


Anyway, the experience didn't seem ideal, but honestly, it probably could have been worse. It's probably not easy selling at a boutique what with no discount room. Not saying they should lie, but I'm sure the salesperson was just pinning hopes on a quick sale and was disappointed. At least you ended up with something you wanted.

 

Sherbie, which boutique in Texas?

If you are not getting good service at a boutique call them out here by boutique and name. Omega does follow these things. They have fair turnover, take advantage of people who come in with watches that they don't know are valuable, etc. sounds like a car dealer AD will slowly disappear whether we like it or not. This is all in the name of taking care of the customer. A business model that we should all be familiar with. The customer is a means to an end.

 

Hey Dogmann your obviously not far from me (Watford) . The Omega boutique in the Harlequin centre is very helpful. Failing that my friend runs the Omega AD in Ruislip. I guarantee he'll beat any price the boutique quotes you.

 

As Kringkily so put it, don't be very surprised if you get a funny look at a Boutique like you have 3 heads when asking for a discount. In most scenarios your not going to get one unless you are a high volume buyer with them. Why is this, they don't have or need to. Simple as that. The boutiques are the flagship operations of Omega's sales face, they don't bargain unless they are getting something in return usually. One person for instance, a former NBA player gets a great discount...... He is also buying 5 watches at a shot, 3 or 4 times a year.
Maybe he likes Asian sales women too.......

Wayne

 

I am sorry to hear that because I have had an excellent experience at the King of Prussia Boutique. I would say if you still want to do business with them I would contact corporate an email letter and a follow up. If you need me to help at all please PM me.

 

Exactly! They have wide-eyed Omega fans that will pay full retail + taxes. What saps!

I looked in the mirror and saw one of these saps this morning! Oh well...