patrick_y[PuristSPro Moderator]
28307
Here's the beauty about wine... There are standardized tests for wine experts.
May 25, 2023,17:36 PM
Wine is easy to identify the trained people. They have Sommelier certifications. Either they've passed some WSET course or they've got a Sommelier Pin from the Court of Master Sommeliers. This is a clear standard. WHERE IS THIS in the watch world? Today, when I speak to someone with a Sommelier pin, I know they know the basics about wine. An Advanced or Master Sommelier pin would indicate even deeper knowledge. Especially the difference between an Albarino and a Pinot Grigio! It's hard to be consistent there.
I guess here's the standard... Today, if you go into a courthouse and tell the judge and jury, "I'm an expert in wine, I have a certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, etc." the judge, jury, and opposing counsel, will likely accept your expert testimony. Of course, opposing counsel will try to poke some holes, but there's not much they can do.
Today, salesperson X from Patek Philippe authorized dealer in a major city comes to a courthouse... I don't think that'd be a convincing expert witness.
I like using the "expert witness stress test" as my gold standard.
Wine, is one thing that I'm willing to trust the advice of an expert salesperson - especially if they've built the credibility by investing in themselves (ie. studying and taking the WSET or CMS exam). It's rare to meet an expert in the craft.
Watches... I rarely meet someone whom I think is even qualified to sell watches, they're almost always just really nice people who say "that looks amazing on you, you should get it" or some other way of selling on emotion rather than rarity. They may be experts at selling - but they're not experts on watches nor jewelry nor even fashion! Just experts on selling with emotion! Emotion only gets you halfway there salespeople! Half the brain is emotional. The other half is qualitative and technical. Gotta sell to both hemispheres of the brain!
People who buy these things really want experts. An executive generally surrounds himself with expert advisors who help him manage a company. I wouldn't want to spend too much time with unknowledgeable people - especially if they're trying to sell me something. But people have been accustomed to lower standards for a long time - it's retail, and generally retail employees aren't the ones from the top business schools. And consumers are desperate for product, they'll suffer through a timeshare sales presentation if it gave them the option to buy a Rolex Daytona.