Disappointing experience at a Pre-owned watch Retailer!

[Melong]

I would like to share my experience at a local watch retailer, Monster Time.

Today noon, I went to the shop to purchase a watch which I emailed earlier to their website to put on hold. A counter staff attended to me and showed me watch I wanted. After viewing the watch, I agreed to buy the watch. As the link of the watch is too short, so the staff ask me to take my lunch first and return back while he added some links for me. I asked him whether I need to make payment first, he replied not necessary.

However, when I returned back to the shop after lunch, there was a gentleman with the counter staff. The staff told me that the watch was already sold to the gentleman as the watch was reserved for him instead!

At that moment, I was disappointed and furious that I was play out wholesale! Apart from the waste trip and time loss, the worst is the feeling of disappointment going back empty handed!

I feel that it is unethical to do business in this way. The experience I received was totally different from the review posted on their website!

Anyway, I treat this as a lesson learnt and share with you guys on my mistake.

[Al's Den]

Were you there to buy the 18038? It was on sale according to their website a few days ago but now it is sold.

[Paneraii]

Aiya. I think it is a total miscommunication. Sometime the boss already sold the watch and you know. For example, the boss need not report everything to the staff, right? "Like may i sell this watch?"

[Melong]

This is not just mere miscommunication...imagine if I skip the lunch, paid the watch and go...different outcome!
In business, a deal must be honor so there will be trust from customers...
Imagine u r in my shoe, how would u feel??
Anyway, just blame it on my luck....

[pegasi]

Aiya. I think it is a total miscommunication. Sometime the boss already sold the watch and you know. For example, the boss need not report everything to the staff, right? "Like may i sell this watch?"

This is possible, as some customers like myself would contact the boss directly to reserve a watch. Might be that you turned up so early before the boss had a chance to inform the sales guy. It might be a good idea for you to give your feedback to the boss Alvin so he could look into it.

[breitling77]

Terrible experience. What a lousy shop! Is it very hard to have proper communication?

[wongcheok]

1st 2 posts here and you're already going for someone's jugular... I'll take it with a pinch of salt. Anyway lesson learnt, next time put down a deposit and get a receipt lor

[toffeesthings]

Yeah, take it easy bro! If it's any consolation, you'll probably find the piece that you want here in our sales garage eventually at the same or even lower price.

[Al's Den]

Don't worry, be happy! I'm sure there'll be other watches coming your way. Be optimistic :-)

[Ecadua]

Bro, at least you did not get scammed or anything, your money is still with you.

[Melong]

Received clarification and apology from the boss...it is a case of miscommunication
Sorry to have cause a stir...was in a heated moment yesterday
Mod...pls close this thread if need be..thks

[triton]

i agree that boss need not report everything to staff, assuming that staff has to consult boss on every single piece wanting to sell.

however, i feel that such incidents can be avoided by communication and/or better way of handling inventory.

if a watch is reserved by a customer, boss or staff should let either party be aware. the watch that is reserved can then be taken off the display if it was on display.

alternatively if boss and staff hardly see one another, putting an indicator on the watch to reflect the status - reserved could be an option.

good communication between boss and staff can ensure good customer service. a friend of mine was left fuming mad because junior and senior staff are communicated different information to my friend resulting in friend taking leave to attend a lunch and event only to realize that the lunch voucher cannot be used because of .......long story....

with good internal communication, it can prevent incidents such as this one experienced by thread starter.

For example, the boss need not report everything to the staff, right? "Like may i sell this watch?"

[toffeesthings]

Received clarification and apology from the boss...it is a case of miscommunication
Sorry to have cause a stir...was in a heated moment yesterday
Mod...pls close this thread if need be..thks

Can empathise with you Bro, especially if the piece extremely elusive or advertised at a very good price. I'd be pretty miffed too if I lost a piece I was after just because I was told to go to lunch.

[triton]

i agree with you. however, i have learnt that never to chase after watch. there will always be another piece. just a matter of time.

Can empathise with you Bro, especially if the piece extremely elusive or advertised at a very good price. I'd be pretty miffed too if I lost a piece I was after just because I was told to go to lunch.

[turboducky]

Received clarification and apology from the boss...it is a case of miscommunication
Sorry to have cause a stir...was in a heated moment yesterday
Mod...pls close this thread if need be..thks

Glad it's all over, Alvin is an honest guy & I am sure Monster Time didnt try to pull a fast one on you. I am sure a better piece will come along lah. Good luck.