Panerai AD @ ion...bad experience...

[pegasi]

Its Richemont direct...... no discount - as such max $$ being retained by the greedy company.

Such name calling is uncalled for. If maximising profit equals greedy, then all corporates are greedy companies.

Selling at list price is just a business model of the (and most) watch boutiques, which are set up to also promote branding and brand loyalty which what a multi-brands AD isn't about.

[pegasi]

Perhaps you should check them out proper again. I've been there only a handful of times but they were always very helpful. The consultant that attended to me was Ida, maybe you could ask for her when you are there .

I don't think any guy who is served by Ida would complain...

[Paneraii]

Wah kaoz. Ida. She is like a doll = )

[Watcha]

All businesses would like to sell their products without discount.
As brand ambassador it would be bad example if they give discount anyhow.

So boutiques are for price insensitive, VIP, tourists who claim tax.

At least panerai churn out lots of SE every year for boutique to sell.

Think brands who don't do SE, LE, and no discount at boutique.

[patrickmaniac]

If you did not speak to her then she can appear to be quite "tao". But once you speak to her she's quite nice.
Prices for Panerai accessories like all luxury watch can be quite insane. I lost a small metal piece that was attached to the Leather Deployant and there was no way to replace that piece. A new Deployant is over $600...

I don't think any guy who is served by Ida would complain...

[pegasi]

If you did not speak to her then she can appear to be quite "tao". But once you speak to her she's quite nice.

If she is very approachable then all the male customers would go to her and the other sale guys would have nothing to do liao.

[Ruby98]

My opinion Is the design of the showroom is intimidating, sales staff all staring at you before u enter.. But I guess they are ok..

[gigantor]

It is always a NO WIN situation for the SE anywhere lah. If dun approach you, you said them too "dao". Approach u, kana said being pushy. At least, try to go inside and talk to them first before making the judgement lah. I was there last month wearing short and t-shirt. No problem talking to them...

[patrickmaniac]

provided your CO not with you!LOL!

If she is very approachable then all the male customers would go to her and the other sale guys would have nothing to do liao.

[patrickmaniac]

I think this has been discussed before but just to chime in my 2 cents.
service levels of AD according to my personal experience:
1) THG
2) Sincere
3) Cortina

Best place to go for THG :
1) Raffles Arcade
2) Taka
3) Tangs

It is always a NO WIN situation for the SE anywhere lah. If dun approach you, you said them too "dao". Approach u, kana said being pushy. At least, try to go inside and talk to them first before making the judgement lah. I was there last month wearing short and t-shirt. No problem talking to them...

[Dfive]

I think this has been discussed before but just to chime in my 2 cents.
service levels of AD according to my personal experience:
1) THG
2) Sincere
3) Cortina

Best place to go for THG :
1) Raffles Arcade
2) Taka
3) Tangs

For me it's THG then Cortina..... this way for 10 years for me.

[patrickmaniac]

wah 10 years. cortina must lub u leep leep. :-O

I forgot to add caveat:
the list is for most watches.
For AHCI, only THG@ION or Malmaison.

Sincere has it at MBS but limited selection and not much on display. Responsiveness is hopeless. Nv repsond for months on an enquiry...

For me it's THG then Cortina..... this way for 10 years for me.

[agong]

Also, one thing I notice (and sometimes it gets irritating) is that the first thing the SE looks at when they see you, is your watch. Once I walked in to the JLC boutique in Raffles Hotel, the SE gave a glance at my watch before even serving my requests. (Want to glance also dun so obvious ma!) lol!

I find it irritating sometimes because I am working in construction industry, and sometimes my work requires that I go to construction site. On those days I would not wear any 'decent' watches. Most prob I would be wearing my casio edifice. I'm sure if I would to wear a casio, they wouldn't even want to entertain me...... =(

Any similar experiences?

[invisibleman]

Just to share a lil bit of my experience with our local Pam outlet. I was served by Ida Wee and I must say she's very courteous and patience. I walk in without any idea which model I wanna get and yet she still go through with me which one is base and which is their in-house movement models. Oh, did I say I was only wearing my trusty G-Shock when I walk in. After trying a couple of models which she initiated to let me try, I told her I can't decide which one to get .. she still kindly ask me to take my time to decide. I told her I'm go Europe in a couple of weeks time and she softly whispered.. "it's cheaper over there" .. this kinda SE is BEST!!

I gotta agree to that I hate it when I walk into a watch shop, and the SE all start starring at your wrist before they start approaching you. Have a couple of experience with that in FEP tho.

[kt Lim]

Also, one thing I notice (and sometimes it gets irritating) is that the first thing the SE looks at when they see you, is your watch. Once I walked in to the JLC boutique in Raffles Hotel, the SE gave a glance at my watch before even serving my requests. (Want to glance also dun so obvious ma!) lol!

I find it irritating sometimes because I am working in construction industry, and sometimes my work requires that I go to construction site. On those days I would not wear any 'decent' watches. Most prob I would be wearing my casio edifice. I'm sure if I would to wear a casio, they wouldn't even want to entertain me...... =(

Any similar experiences?

Yesh experience before... That's why if I intend to try on watches at shop, I will take off my watch and keep it before I go into e shop....

So they don have anything to see and also convenient to try out other watch...

Cheers!