# How do stores that sell extremely expensive items vet customers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 27, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640 "2022-11-27T19:57:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/41 "2022-11-30T15:39:50Z")
I could see why Tiffany’s would let someone try on a ridiculously expensive ring or necklace; sure, perhaps they’re realistically not going to buy a $200,000 diamond ring but they might spring for a $5,000 or $10,000 engagement ring. And better that Tiffany get that sale rather than some suburban jeweler. Plus Tiffany in particular likes to sell its brand (with those blue boxes, for example). There are other high-end jewelers but none seem as widely known as Tiffany. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/42 "2022-11-30T16:27:12Z")
In Marigot, the capital city of the French side of Saint Martin there is a Rolex shop in Port Royale. They have private security at the door that is impressive. One man in paramilitary dress uniform tailored to fit his crazy physique. No obvious gun, but he has a Belgian Malinois that is as fit as he is. Really impressive. Private security companies provide protection like this, usually named Something Sheriff (Speedy Sheriff, Vigilance Sheriff). Sure there are police, but if you have a silent alarm in your home that goes off it must be reassuring to know that you will have bulked up, dogged security showing up in under 5 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/43 "2022-11-30T16:49:24Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Me too but it was at a Zales jewelry store (or something like it…I forget). I think Tiffany’s would not treat me so well (although to be fair, I have not tried). Hah - yeah, we once went into a jewelry store at the local mall, to look at a 3k diamond solitaire ring. My husband had spotted it earlier and was impressed. We were not looking to purchase, he was just admiring it and wanted to show it to me. The sales clerk brought it out and let us touch it; she knew we were not looking to purchase anything, but I think was enjoying our enjoyment of the thing’s beauty (it was truly impressive). A lot of jewelry stores in the diamond district in Manhattan had doors that could not open except by someone behind the counter releasing it remotely. This was likely a general anti-theft policy. I never handled any truly pricy jewelry at the one where I did business (pearls, not diamonds) and was fairly well-dressed because I’d come from the office and this was back when Suits Were Worn. No clue how they’d have treated me if I’d shown up in my usual office attire nowadays (jeans); the fact that I’m a middle-aged white woman would likely tilt the odds somewhat in my favor. As far as luxury cars: no clue. The last time we test drove a car was a Honda CRV; we showed our driver’s licenses, but nothing else. I’d expect something similar if we bumped it up a notch and started shopping for an Acura or Lexis. As far as a really expensive vehicle (Rolls Royce, Ferrari etc.) - zero clue. It wouldn’t surprise me if the dealership ran some sort of quick-and-dirty check on us while we were doing a test drive - it would have had to be based on name and driver’s license only, since they did not have our social security numbers. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/44 "2022-11-30T19:50:40Z")
You may not be able go afford it _now_. There is a non zero chance that you will in a few years. Or know people who will. These guys are not so focused on the immidiate sale. 15 years ago as a baby lawyer I went into this shop which sold an assortment of high end goods. I went with my senior and a client, both long term customers. The sales people were all over me. Even though I couldn’t have afforded a trinket from there even if I sold everything I owned at the time. Move forward 10 years and suddenly I could buy stuff there. I have several times since. Not a lot, but I have. ---
**Author:** ![Sooner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sooner/32/7875_2.png) [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/45 "2022-11-30T20:25:42Z")
It must be a Fit thing, I paid cash for mine as will. It was recently totaled - sad day. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/46 "2022-12-01T19:16:42Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I could see why Tiffany’s would let someone try on a ridiculously expensive ring or necklace; sure, perhaps they’re realistically not going to buy a $200,000 diamond ring but they might spring for a $5,000 or $10,000 engagement ring. And better that Tiffany get that sale rather than some suburban jeweler. Plus Tiffany in particular likes to sell its brand (with those blue boxes, for example). There are other high-end jewelers but none seem as widely known as Tiffany. Surprisingly, I found Tiffany’s was remarkably affordable. I mean, they don’t sell $300 diamond rings, the the lowest price solitaire they showed us was IIRC about $1800. That’s certainly not in the $20,000-plus category. They don’t have the cheap SI big rocks. (Although my nephew, who flies jetliners, spent probably from the size of the rock about $15,00 to $20,000 on his wife’s engagement ring at Tiffany’s). My thought was that there’s not another store with the “name” Tiffany’s has, it appears in assorted things like literature, the movies, and popular songs. > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > A lot of jewelry stores in the diamond district in Manhattan had doors that could not open except by someone behind the counter releasing it remotely. This was a important part of the Adam Sandler movie _Uncut Gems_ - not just exit, but sort of an airlock system where you cannot get in or out unless the person inside releases one or the other door. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/47 "2022-12-01T23:32:38Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > 15 years ago as a baby lawyer Is that a lawyer for babies? How often do babies need lawyers? Or do you broker them? Were you one of those lawyers who arranged private adoptions? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2022, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/48 "2022-12-01T23:35:08Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > spent probably from the size of the rock about $15,00 to $20,000 on his wife’s engagement ring I would never be comfortable wearing a ring that expensive. Cripes, my wedding ring cost about $80, and it makes me nervous when I think about it. It would be so easy to lose, and I’d never notice until it was too late to backtrack. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/49 "2022-12-02T05:21:55Z")
Yeah, my wife’s ring was nowhere near that and she stopped wearing it to work when she lost the diamond, and had a half hour of panic before she found it. I get the impression my nephew’s wife only wears it on social occasions. They have 4 kids, so it’s probably not somethings she regularly wears. (Although she probably appreciated it very much, seeing that they now have 4 kids). ---
**Author:** ![Kelevra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/97f17d/32.png) [@Kelevra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelevra)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/50 "2022-12-02T20:25:23Z")
When my brother was first married he was very poor. For entertainment he and his wife would dress up and go test drive nice cars. Then they would drive said nice cars to the very expensive part of town and go through expensive houses that were for sale. Either the sales people were fooled or they just didn’t care. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/51 "2022-12-02T20:35:04Z")
> [@Kelevra](#): > > dress up and go test drive nice cars Huh. I’m pretty sure I’ve never done a test drive and not purchased the vehicle. Two Jeep Wranglers ago I was trading my old Wrangler in on a new Wrangler. A salesman brought the car to my work. I walked around the car and decided to buy it (we’d already talked $). He drove away in my trade. I drove my new Wrangler home without ever having “test driven” it. Maybe I’m wrong, but to me a new Jeep Wrangler drives like a new Jeep Wrangler. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/52 "2022-12-02T22:42:06Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > Surprisingly, I found Tiffany’s was remarkably affordable. And the bacon and eggs are quite good. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/53 "2022-12-03T02:58:35Z")
> [@Sooner](#): > > It must be a Fit thing, I paid cash for mine as will. > It was recently totaled - sad day. darn it … i must be the 5th Fit owner in this thread … bought it used but also in cash 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/54 "2022-12-03T03:03:32Z")
a propose… a very well written longform article of a non-watch affine women entering a Rolex-Boutique > **[We Sent a Complete Newbie Shopping for a Rolex. Here's What Happened.](https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/we-sent-a-complete-newbie-shopping-for-a-rolex-heres-what-happened)** > > At HODINKEE, we believe watches are for everyone – but we also realize that newcomers sometimes don't know where to start. To show how anyone can go from zero to watch enthusiast, we've asked a curious, hilarious writer to chronicle her adventures... ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/55 "2022-12-03T04:40:51Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Huh. I’m pretty sure I’ve never done a test drive and not purchased the vehicle. Heh, I’ve test driven many cars I didn’t intend to buy but was curious about and a few I thought I would buy and was completely turned off by the test drive. Heck, I had one car loaned to me for a day and I brought it back after about four hours because I decided buying a new car just was a terrible decision for myself at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2022, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/56 "2022-12-03T22:49:26Z")
Sadly, Honda has dropped the Fit. Just as I was thinking about replacing my 15 year old car. BTW, my wife and I dropped in to Tiffany’s one afternoon looking for a silver cup for our new grandson. They were surprisingly cordial for what was, by their standards, a small purchase (around $50, IIRC, 15 years ago). ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/57 "2022-12-04T03:26:18Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > darn it … i must be the 5th Fit owner in this thread … bought it used but also in cash 😉 Number 6 here! I’ve owned two, the first used, the second new (still driving it). Both cash! ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/58 "2022-12-04T03:41:36Z")
See, the thing is there are watches and then there are watches. Rolex is mainstream (although they certainly have some very, very expensive watches and none are what most would call inexpensive). The woman in your linked article was shopping Rolex in a jewelry store in a mall. Of course they will have all sorts of walk-ins. It’s a mall. Then there are watches like F.P. Journe or A. Lange & Söhne (to name some) which I would be surprised if you got through the door of their shops (hyperbole but still…they have a very elite clientele and chances are you (general “you”) are not one of them). And not just watches. I saw Jay Leno say [he doesn’t buy Ferrari because they make it such a hassle to buy a Ferrari.](https://youtu.be/VUPOvcolNZg) Jay Leno who seems to own every car known to man (and plenty wealthy) gets snubbed by Ferrari to the point he just decided to skip them. Hermès sells women’s handbags that cost a couple hundred thousand dollars to $2 million. I’m sure the list could be longer. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/59 "2022-12-04T05:19:18Z")
> [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > Number 6 here! Seventh. (Jeez, there’s an awful lot of us.) Apologies for continuing this Fit little hijack … we now return you to your regularly scheduled O.P. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640/60 "2022-12-04T05:44:03Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > And not just watches. I saw Jay Leno say [he doesn’t buy Ferrari because they make it such a hassle to buy a Ferrari.](https://youtu.be/VUPOvcolNZg) Jay Leno who seems to own every car known to man (and plenty wealthy) gets snubbed by Ferrari to the point he just decided to skip them. A car-crazy friend has mentioned the hassles involved in buying a Ferrari. Apparently, part of the sales contract states that you (the buyer) agree not to sell the car within two years of taking delivery. This is to prevent you from making money off reselling your Ferrari to somebody else (e.g. you buy yours for $250K and resell it six months later to somebody willing to pay $350K because they didn’t qualify for Ferrari’s ownership qualifications). In addition, you agree not to add anything aftermarket (including a paint job), with the possible exception of a radio/sound system. Although I have no reason to doubt this guy, who in all the time I’ve known him, has demonstrated that he knows classic and current cars, I cannot confirm what he says. Still, as he describes things, it sounds like buying a Ferrari is a lot different from buying your average Ford or Chevy as a daily driver. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-stores-that-sell-extremely-expensive-items-vet-customers/975640.md?page=4)