GreatPilot@me.com
1847
Hi Fab
I understaaand your feelings and don’t necessarily disagree, the trust factor is a big deal for me also. The reasons I made the compromise are: 1. Business compassion and a second chance is a good thing if possible. 2. It’s business on both sides of the deal, my side is to hold them accountable, there’s is to make money. At the end of the day my business philosophy is “Never Burn a Bridge” if at all possible”. 3. In the past they did get me the SS 15202 and the titanium/platium chrono, two hard to get pieces so keeping the relationship was to my advantage for the future. 4. They are my local Boutique. 5. I have a solid email and assurances from higher ups the openworks will be delivered as promised. I run a benevolent company and am a benevolent person so although it was a sticky wicket and I complained/got advice from my friends, in the end I feel the people I’m dealing with know me better, appreciate my business and through negotiations we have built more trust...Jim
Bought the Code 11:59 Perpetual with a promise/news
Hello all, thank you all for the help holding my AD’s feet to the fire to get what was promised me, the SS Double Balancier Openworks. I did purchase the Code 11:59 but with a promise and subsequent follow-up email I would get the first SS Openworks they ...
Boutiques only means no discounts, which I like...
then they don’t have to produce more watches which goes to grey markets. All prices are fix and similar across continents so consumers don’t need to shop around and/or later regret prices dropped or lower in another place. I prefer this trend, but it’s ju...
Dont the discounts come from the ADs pocket anyways? Net Net AP makes the same via AD or Boutique if you take fixed costs into ac - maybe a bit more perhaps with full control. I..
think they cud get serious about pre-owned AP watches.
Yes, but if Boutiques sells directly to consumers, they will make even larger margin, hence my comment they don't have to make too many...
to get the same or better revenues/margin. I also feel if they allow trade-ins of their own or group pre-owned watches, I am willing to do the trade too, skip the middle man.
Honestly I like all the ADs I deal with
But I like AP’s overall company approach to make more $$ with less even though it will hurt the AD’s. It would be great if they would take trades but they haven’t went there with me...Jim
yes the discounts come
From the boutique or AD’s pockets but AP has a plan to use those discounts to enhance the customer experience, say a good customer gets a trip to the factory instead of a $7,000 discount or?...Jim
Hi Raymond
The informatioon I received about the limited number of Code 11:59 pieces across all 13 models came from both the boutique and regional manger I deal with, it is true. I think the way this will play out is the Code 11:59 will be a slow go for awhile but i...
This sounds like a fair compromise...
Your relationship is a business relationship: give and take, constantly open to renegotiation, mutually beneficial and honorable in your eyes and the boutique’s eyes too. Many luxury brands carry on with similar tactics. If every watch on the path to the ...
True to an extent however
I grew up being told “Life is not fair” so I learned the lesson early on “what have you done for me lately” is top of mind all to often, its business and if you want to remain on top you work harder...Jim
It was all over the press releases that the code series is a limited run to test the market.
And the rumours of AP going boutique-only has been circulating for a while.
yes that is correct and
Who knows how this will go. Hatching a new line/new movements does make sense and shows they are listing to their customers. After spending considerable time discussing their business plan I believe AP is trying to stay within their new business model for...
Thanks for the update Jim. That’s frankly what I would have *never* done, but I truly hope at this point you’ll really get the first SS openworks of 2020...
A year is very long, and if they again try not to keep their word in 2020, it will all revolve around how today’s email was worded and how (unlikely) actionable its content is. Again, not a route I’d like to take with an AD (or anybody else, for that matt...
Hi Fab
I understaaand your feelings and don’t necessarily disagree, the trust factor is a big deal for me also. The reasons I made the compromise are: 1. Business compassion and a second chance is a good thing if possible. 2. It’s business on both sides of the d...
Congrats!
I hope they come through for you. Let’s see a wrist shot of your new perpetual calendar 😁😁😁
Confused
Jim, I’m a little confused. Did you deal with an AP boutique or an Authorised Dealer. The reason I ask is I’ve never heard of a AD getting a SS openwork. How many SS open works did they get in 2019?
Best of luck Jim
I guess the silver lining here is that you actually really enjoy the 11.59 perpetual. If you would have still purchased it without the promise of the SS openwork double balance, then it is a no lose situation (even if you don't get the other piece). Hopef...
The plan is to shut all the AD’s down by the end of this year
According to what I was told...Jim
I believe I am the first USA buyer
For the perpetual so no discount on it but a solid promise , what I really wanted...Jim
Congrats on your new Perpetual Code
From the entire 11.59 collection, this is the only one I think fits the design perfectly and the best of the bunch. Also advance congrats to your SS Openworks. Me too has to jump thru hoops to get one despite and I am not sure if I will do it again. But I...
Ageeded that and the
tourbillion, openworked and the perpetual wil be sold out soon and I believe the chrono will be close behind. The basic models and the white dials IMHO will not be as popular...Jim
OMG the openworks is awesome! Thanks for the post
that is a great shot, captures the openwork perfectly, it is a grail for me. I can wait for it while enjoying the perpetual...Jim