flopi3
43
The entire interview reveals the arrogant hypocrisy of Mr. Schmid and his team ...
Jun 22, 2022,12:57 PM
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Mr. Schmid's view on collectors is only one questionable aspect of the story.
Reality is, that ALS turned into a very arrogant brand over the past years. There is another quote that reveals how they think: "You cannot build a business model with people who treat you like an asset class" - this is a real joke!
ALS treats customers excatly as this - as an asset class. It's by no means really geeting to know their customers. The focus is solely on the goal of increasing sales in boutiques through bundle deals.
I bought my first Lange 1 in 1996 or 1997 from an AD in Munich. Other watches followed, I visited Glashütte a few times and also regularly had talks with the folks of the ALS boutique in Munich. They knew that I am a collector for many years, anything but a flipper and from conversations over the years that I was very interested in a ALS sports watch. In the end, however, none of this facts mattered as I haven#t bought a watch in a ALS boutique so far. I was told in all seriousness in writing that I would first have to establish a relationship "to the Maison" before I would be placed on the waiting list for an Odysseus. And to establish a relationship, it is necessary at least to buy a watch like Lange 1 in a boutique (knowing that I already own a Lange 1, among other Langes) - ridiculous.
Without highly committed ADs who have made a significant contribution to the development of the brand with their customers for more than 20 years, ALS would not be where they are today. None of this matters anymore, because greed is gretaer and the word "appreciation" is often spelled out, but does not even begin to be reflected in action.
ALS is still manufactoring great watches but the behaviour of the management and sales team is an absolut no-go and THE reason not to consider this brand for the time being.