I stopped into the Omega Boutique at the Short Hills mall with the intention of doing some window shopping, hoping that I would be allowed the space I needed to look around but not make a purchase. After taking a good look around I asked if I could see a watch or two and Andre took to helping me. I had no intention of making a purchase that day, and I didn't, but what I did was make a friend. Andre not only did everything possible to show me everything he could, he also treated me to refreshments, went outside for a walk with me to see how two watches look in natural light, shared with me stories about himself which I genuinely found of interest, and just gave me some VIP treatment as if I was a celebrity, which I'm not. The watch I wanted wasn't in the store and Andre said he would have it brought in within two days. I didn't want Andre to go through this process because I explained to him that I'm not sure I'm buying and I'm aware that the Omega Boutique will not be able to meet the discounts offered at authorized dealers. Andre was more concerned with me receiving an enjoyable and professional experience; the sale of the watch was clearly secondary to me feeling that Omega as a brand has highly talented and friendly ambassadors in their staff.
I came in to look at the watch on a Sunday after calling to see if it had come in. I was told the watch was in and that I could come and look at it. I was also advised that Andre was not in this day, which [at the time] I felt was a plus as it would allow me to look at the watch, reject buying it, and not feel guilty about all the excellent time Andre spent with me previously since he wouldn't be there. I arrived about a half hour after I called, and within the time I sat down and started examining the watch, Andre showed up dressed like a gentleman. He came in because the boutique advised him I was coming, so he came in just to see me. I spent likely two hours that day, because once again Andre was incredibly charming, entertaining, and engaging. I wasn't a fan of one of the aesthetics of the watch, but that didn't take away from the experience that day relaxing with Andre, trying on other watches, and generally feeling like this was my appointment which had been planned ahead of time. I told Andre that first I need to decide if this is the watch for me, and that if it was, the numbers that I was offered by an AD would compel me to buy it there. It was clear after detailed discussions that the Boutique could not make up the delta in price, and Andre encouraged me to do what is best for me but think of this experience at the boutique as representative of the brand. He accomplished this goal excellently. 3 days later I came back and bought the watch, at a higher price than I would have paid with an AD, because I was loyal to Andre as a boutique manager and ambassador to the Omega brand. I did not expect this level of personal touch, if I had any reservations about the price, or the color of the watch, I had zero reservations about the Short Hills Omega boutique because I wanted to buy a watch from Andre, so I did what I needed to in order to cultivate the friendship Andre extended. He convinced me without ever saying it, that buying a watch from Omega was unlike any other experience I would receive at any other brand or AD. I was convinced that I wanted the experience of purchasing a watch at this boutique, and with Andre, that this was paramount, and then the only question was which watch it would be. The money was already spent in my mind, and to date I have not experienced such a pleasurable watch purchase at any other place, including Omega Rodeo Drive where I bought my first Omega over 10 years ago. read more