Dusseldorf great and Oyster Yachts not so..

I've just stumbled upon this thread, bit late I know. I used to work for Oyster and as one of the office staff part of my job was to work the front desk of the London Boat Show and also Southampton.

Everyone is welcome to come onboard at the shows, BUT we have a limit on the number of people who can go onboard at one time as what would be the point of taking a look if all you could see were the people around you and not the actual boat? Yes they are large yachts, yes they are expensive and yes everyone wants to take a look around the the biggest/most expensive yacht at the show and this was at the time nearly always Oyster. If you look closely, you will see that there's someone at the main desk, someone on the platform, someone in the cockpit and then at least two staff below, all working together to monitor the amount of people on the boat at any one time.

Anyone can book an appointment to take a look at Oyster in advance, regardless if you are going to buy one or if just want to take a look. If you are serious then call the sales team before the show and arrange to meet them. We had appointments free every day, but 30 mins into the show all the appointments were taken. That means trying to squeeze people on throughout the rest of the day and sometimes that's just not possible.

As for how you tell a potential buyer apart from anyone else - you can't. There are Oyster owners who are dripping in diamonds, watches and smell of money, but most just look like your average Joe but they have worked hard or been lucky and made lots of money.

I have been called all things when working on the front desk even a racist, but what can you do? My tip, be nice and people will be nice to you and do what they can so you can have a look, if that means making an appointment for later, then is that so bad? The people working on the stand can't afford an Oyster, they are just doing their job the best they can. I am sure that the member of staff who has been called rude would apologise given the chance, knowing the people who work there, I am sure it was not intentional.
 
Many years ago, a wealthy aquaintance was at the Earls Court Motor Show, where Ferrari were displaying the Testa Rossa for the first time. He was told that he could not see it without an appointment, and in any case it was £170K - he was not too smartly dressed at the time. A couple of hours later, he returned with a Securicor bod, with £170k in cash, and asked again to see the car. He was refused! Later, the MD of Maranello, heard the story, and sent him an airline ticket to come down from Aberdeen, and buy the car.
On arrival, he was taken to lunch, and returning to the MD's office, was handed a pen to sign the contract. His hand hovered over the paper, put the pen down, and said....."nah, changed my mind" and walked out!!
 
nicho said:
Many years ago, a wealthy aquaintance was at the Earls Court Motor Show, where Ferrari were displaying the Testa Rossa for the first time. He was told that he could not see it without an appointment, and in any case it was £170K - he was not too smartly dressed at the time. A couple of hours later, he returned with a Securicor bod, with £170k in cash, and asked again to see the car. He was refused! Later, the MD of Maranello, heard the story, and sent him an airline ticket to come down from Aberdeen, and buy the car.
On arrival, he was taken to lunch, and returning to the MD's office, was handed a pen to sign the contract. His hand hovered over the paper, put the pen down, and said....."nah, changed my mind" and walked out!!
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Sounds like 3 ********s to me: the guy who refused him (not for doing his job but presuming because of a mans dress code he was poor and mentioned the price as if he could not afford it, just look at Steve Jobs dress code!!!) , the MD for not banking the cash first before flying him down and your mate for wasting their time and his too, just so he could tell the story. Actually he is the biggest ********.

The thing he could have done was just made an appointment, risen above a minions comments, apologise for his dress code and returned at a later time dressed accordingly.
 
OR4751 said:
1. Why would he have to apologise?
2. Who decides what's appropriate?
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1. Apologise, for not researching the type of company it is and etiquette expected so as to not offend and in doing so embarrass both parties.
2. The person on the day decides: as to his reasons, you would have to ask the guy.
 
Jamesuk said:
Apologise, for not researching the type of company it is and etiquette expected so as to not offend...
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As a slight aside, do you have any idea about the number of kit changes recommended for the SBS? And does anybody know if they provide changing rooms?
 
sailorman said:
Yes get changed aboard a cheaper AWB :cool:
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Got it, so after I've seen the electronics section in my black polo shirt I'll use a Macgregor 26 to change into my new red pants.

Now all I have to do is sort out my somewhat common accent and I'm ready for the "yachts"!
 
Here's a selfie I took this morning - you'll get on anything at the boat show if you follow my lead and get yourself some stylish new threads.

5db2499ab96da6418abf617697ce4679.jpg
 
How do you know the rep has not followed this forum.
If he has it would whittle the numbers down a bit quick!
I mean, lets face it , if one was an advocate of ,say, an Anderson 22, would you give him a look round or a swift kick
The potential buyer would clearly be used to something a lot more luxurious & faster than an Oyster
 
JumbleDuck said:
Customers have to conform to sellers' notions of etiquette?
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Sure. Supermarkets don't allow people in without at least wearing footwear, shorts and t-shirt.

As for the Internet: all a seller wants is to be paid within a short period of time from moment of sale and not defrauded.
 
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