The Breitling Watch Source Forums

Specifically, I haven't been impressed with Alvin Goldfarb's customer service. My Chronomat B01 came from them back in mid-2009. When I called them up and said I was ready to put money down on a Navi 01 (a couple days prior to the official press release), they didn't know anything about the watch, but said they'd call when they knew more. I never received a call. The people in the store are not knowledgeable about what they sell and have a very arrogant attitude. I think the attitude stems from the owner, as I've gauged he's a very pompous, vain person. I usually have an unpleasant experience in the store, which is why I only go in if I want to see something in the metal. It's worth a stop if you're in Seattle, but don't drive all the way up just for AG.

-Craig

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Chronomat 01- Sierra Silver/Steel
Navitimer 01- Limited Edition #1337/2000

Thanks for the insights, Craig. Man, it bugs me when I end up having to correct a salesperson about something they should be educating me about, but given that I'm a research junkie, that's usually the case. In most instances, their reaction is more quizzical or sheepish, rather than arrogant, so it doesn't tip my pissed-ometer. If I got attitude from them, though, I think that would be enough for me not to go back. That's another point in George's favor. That guy knows watches. He even writes a Breitling blog, and I find myself learning stuff from it frequently. He also calls back when he says he will. And he's just plain nice.

[quote="JacksonStone"]Thanks for the insights, Craig. Man, it bugs me when I end up having to correct a salesperson about something they should be educating me about, but given that I'm a research junkie, that's usually the case.[ /quote]


Since I've been on this site almost every new piece I've learned of here has been news to my AD contacts. I think I got an email ONE time that had an LE I hadn't heard about. Every other email or phone call has been about something I already knew about. And I consider my contact at my current Breitling AD pretty knowledgeable.

Fellas, those of us on this site reside in the Ling Inner Sanctum, the Breitling Star Chamber, the 01 Skull and Bones Society, the Free-swag-Masons. Give the sales folks a break. They have several brands to deal with and in the end are totally reliant on their regional distributor rep for the hottest breaking news.

Good God, most of them spend as much time selling.......JEWELRY!!! as watches. My current contact knows a lot about Breitling models and history, but not as much as 90% of the members of this site. Every visit she wants to find out something I know that she doesn't. And usually, because of this site, I have something to tell her.

And why we're at it, why doesn't BS have a secret handshake? Something!

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SHARKMAN

Absolutely a fair point, and if we're talking really rarefied information, I'm in total agreement with you. I was referring to more basic information, such as dimensions of a given model, whether or not a model comes in a given color combination, whether or not it is COSC certified, or even what COSC specs are in the first place. To me, there's a difference between a generally knowledgeable sales rep who just doesn't happen to be up on the latest red-hot development, versus one who is generally clueless and is just there using up precious oxygen and contributing to carbon emissions. I was referring to the latter, not the former.

I'm all for a secret handshake, just so long as it doesn't involve one person's middle finger rubbing against the other person's palm.

Oh, you mean Tourneau. Well that's a differnet matter entirely.

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SHARKMAN

I was gonna say that, but I resisted the urge.

Sharkman, Jackson, and Bozman are all spot on. The level of detail we know and understand is actually remarkable and you can't fault most AD's for not knowing. The issue I see is that good salespeople don't rely on in-depth technical knowledge to sell things, they try to relate to you on a personal level and learn just enough detail to highlight points of interest. Nothing more. (Think "Tommy Boy" - We're David Spade, they're Tommy Callahan Jr.)

We are the rare few who have even a remote understanding of what's going on inside that hunk of metal on our wrists.

I think this extends into life outside the AD. I've not found anywhere else where I can have such detailed discussion about watches and not feel like a wierdo. Even folks I know who have some serious watches just don't seem to care beyond the brand. I find it difficult to have a cursory discussion about watches. It's a messiah complex, I want to save everyone with the truth!

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“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once.” - Albert Einstein

This. If I'm dropping four figures on something (anything; a watch, a purse, a car, whatever) I like to do my research beforehand and have some idea of what I'm buying. It's very frustrating when you follow that up with a store visit, hoping for more information and personal insight, only to find out the salespeople know less than you do. I understand that for us this is a hobby, so we're going to have a greater level of interest than someone who is only doing it to pay their bills at the end of the month, but it does reduce consumer confidence, and that's never a good thing.

If anything, the internet has shown me that for every possible consumer item, there are enthusiasts. Surely it would behoove most stores to try to find salespeople who are enthusiasts of whatever it is they're selling rather than the first dude who walked in the door with the gift of the gab? I'd certainly much rather buy from someone who had knowledge and passion than someone who had a clever sales patter and a slick demeanour.

I'm glad I'm not a woman, because if I were, I just know I'd be buying four-figure purses.

I have a 4 figure Hartmann briefcase. Now really, is there a difference??

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SHARKMAN

How many of those do you have? There's your difference.

I figure the briefcase probably has a combination lock? I've yet to see a purse with one of those.

(And alas, Jackson, most of the really nice high-quality, hand-made purses are, indeed, in that price region... and above. A "basic" (palladium hardware, calf leather) Hermes Birkin retails for over $10,000. The crocodile ones with diamond finishings run about $70k, I think?)

Except this - the vast majority of fine watches are sold to people who could care less - they go in wanting to be sold on something they think looks good and costs a lot. So the egghead who can educate likely ends up selling fewer pieces than the lounge lizard. That's not to say knowledge and salesmanship are mutually exclusive. But if I owned a shop and faced a choice between the extremes, I'd go with the one who sells more watches given the purchasing public at large.

In other words - I guess I would be Tourneau.

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SHARKMAN

My body literally shook when I saw that. Suddenly my ex isn't looking so bad.

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SHARKMAN

Like I said.