Went to Cartier in Chicago to have a look at the panther watch and when I tried it on, I loved it and wanted to buy it. The sales rep then went to the table to start the purchase process. When I asked him if there was a brand new watch we could get, he said that the watch I tried on was taken from the bottom of the display shelf (not on display) and that it’s new. This Cartier boutique doesnt store anything “in the back” and all stock lives on the floor. When I went to Cartier in Sydney, they had brand new stock in the back and the bracelet I was sold wasn’t what I tried on and no one has tried it. Should I be a Karen and return the watch or trust them that it’s new when they say it’s new? What has your experience been?
Buying at Cartier: brand new stock question
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Thanks! When I visited the same Cartier a few weeks ago to try on the Panther watch, they also let me try on a watch from the bottom of the display shelf so I’m just paranoid that others could have tried on this watch that was from the “bottom” of the display shelf. It’s a big purchase of $10k so I just want to make sure the item I’m receiving is actually brand new and others haven’t tried it on.
I think both are true. In my experience, popular items are on the floor. When they have a one off (sometimes it is an order or return maybe?) they go to the back to pull it. My love, juc and tank watch were from behind the counter. I can’t speak for other items as they were gifts.
Unless you saw scratches or signs of trying on, I don't think it really makes a difference. Save yourself the hassle and love what you got.
Thanks! I think what bothers me is that when you’re paying thousands for a watch, i was expecting to get like a brand-new-out-of-the-box-no-one-has-touched-it watch vs new from the bottom of the counter. When I went to try the watch a few weeks ago, they let me try a watch from the bottom of the counter as well so for all I know, it could be the same watch from a few weeks ago that many other people could have since tried on before they sold it to me today as new. Does that make sense or am I going OCD crazy and just let it go?
I used a flashlight and don’t see any signs of scratches from my naked eye. I do see finger prints all over it but I’m not sure if that’s from me trying it on today or from other people trying it on. Are there any other signs that I should look out for?
I totally empathize because I have this tendency too but I think you should let it go. I'm learning to let these things go. The end result is the same--no scratches, condition is new. These things get fingerprints if you just look at them so I bet they are from you.
There's no guarantee in any store that anything you buy has never been touched or tried by someone else, be it a $50 or $50k item. Even something wrapped or out of a box may have been tried/handled before.
If you have checked for scratches and see no damage and cannot accept that it was/may have been tried on, probably best to avoid purchasing expensive items in the future.
Let it go imo
Enjoy your purchase…. If you use a flashlight looking for flaws you may find one.
I agree with others, most probably it’s new and you should try and enjoy the purchase if you can. However, if you cannot get past it and enjoy, probably better to return it before it’s too late, I’d hate for you to be stuck with an expensive purchase and not being able to enjoy it.
With that, I think that as long as there are no scratches or visible signs of use, it is normal if the item was tried on before you. For example, I don’t think they have a big stock of $500k necklaces, so when someone wants to purchase a really expensive high jewelry item, it’s safe to assume it’s been tried on. Nothing wrong with it IMO.
Thank you all for your help and reassurances! I will trust all your input and the SA when he said it’s new. I think I was just spoilt with getting a brand new Love and JUC bracelets from the vault in Cartier Sydney that I was expecting the same with the Panthere watch but it seems like my Sydney experience was the exception than the norm.
If there are no scratches and nothing else is wrong with a new item, I'd have a preference for the one tried on and then had chosen. The 'one from the back' as sight unseen may not be the better.
Display models notwithstanding. I also wonder at 'us'. Plenty of people try on stuff they don't go on to buy. Are Cartier (and others) then to throw away these tried-on watches? How does that work for 'sustainability'? Ultimately, are Cartier going to say people can't try on unless the person buys first? I know that De Beers already has policies that if the client is unknown, a cabinet will not be unlocked never mind a piece tried on.
Display models notwithstanding. I also wonder at 'us'. Plenty of people try on stuff they don't go on to buy. Are Cartier (and others) then to throw away these tried-on watches? How does that work for 'sustainability'? Ultimately, are Cartier going to say people can't try on unless the person buys first? I know that De Beers already has policies that if the client is unknown, a cabinet will not be unlocked never mind a piece tried on.