This happens about once per year. And it
happened last night. But I swear on George Daniels’ grave- it won't ever
happen again.
The game is simple: a man in his late thirties calls to make an
appointment. To a logical and very servile question "which watch is of
interest?" he replies with a vague "I am not sure, what do you have in
stock?" My assistant suggests a visit to our website where our entire
(fairly modest) range of watches is listed in detail. Unfortunately, the
caller refuses to take up the suggestion, determined to make an
appointment to "discuss the matter in person" and inspect "whatever it
is in stock".
Of course, in most cases that is not a problem, I am happy to help. But
when that 'customer' arrives with a bunch of friends who are there to
'help', and when the crowd realizes that I am a small dealer who doesn't
have any steel Daytonas, Hulks, or Batmans - or for that matter any
watches on display - the buyer and his mates quickly become arrogant,
agitated, and verbally abusive.
The mob is always of the same appearance: three white males, aged 30-40,
wearing semi-designer clothes and Panerai, Hublot and Rolex watches.
Big mouths, always in a pack, trying hard to insert their dominance,
while faking disappointment.
Fruitless. Because trying to intimidate and frustrate a 57 year old,
chubby, glasses-wearing watchmaker is as cowardly as it gets. It serves
no purpose.
Over the decades I have had countless dealings with tens of thousands of
men and women, of all ages, status and social backgrounds. From
directors of multibillion dollar corporations, politicians, and bankers,
to man who wears firearms for a living, and those who can settle any
matter with one hit. With men of modest physique, but with great charm, a
sense of humour and sense for fashion. Sophisticated alpha males. Great
leaders. Decision makers. Tough men and women who work hard to make an
honest living doing mundane jobs. Men of integrity and experts in their
fields of activity - who all have one thing in common: a love for
watches. And that dealing was and is always, without exception, based on
mutual trust and mutual respect. Alpha males can achieve whatever they
want (which is always a win-win outcome) without resorting to
intimidation, abuse, aggression or cheating.
Men who gain pleasure by abusing the weak, who waste time, who get
'upset' over invisible scratches, men who are on a constant quest for
perfection - while so painfully obviously imperfect themselves - who
start the conversation with 'so what is your best deal' and who
send 10 emails to complain about delayed shipping - all those men have
one thing in common: they 'act' tough because they are impotent. And
there is nothing more pathetic than three impotent, anonymous, ignorant
men trying hard to intimidate a watchmaker.
The bad news is that joining a Rolex Forum or visiting local dealers and
watchmakers ‘doing rounds’ will not solve the problem. However, the
good news is that nowadays, erectile dysfunction can be treated with
non-surgical methods. Yes, it may cost a Hublot or two, or even a Hulk,
but if this is the price to be paid to sort out frustrations - it would
be worth it, for sure.
Until then: take your frustrations elsewhere, visit by appointment only,
and if you show up in a group of three or more – sorry, no entry.
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