RahulR
205
Unfortunately consistent with my experience with AP...
I apologize if I may offend anyone, but I have quite a negative impression of AP boutiques. I have no doubt that the experience of buying a piece from the boutique would be great, but I am quite disappointed by the blatant tactics used to get a piece that you want.
What I have been noticing is that AP is taking a page out of RM's book and trying to mostly sell through their boutiques (which would explain why the most sought after watches are boutique editions). With RM it is quite straight forward which I appreciate (from my experience even though I have yet to purchase from a boutique), build a relationship and the popular pieces will come. Whereas dealing with a couple of AP boutiques that I have been to have left a bitter taste in my mouth. I also take 'boutique edition' with a grain of salt, as they are very readily made available to AD's if they're not as 'hot' as AP initially anticipated.
I like many others am a big fan of the Royal Oak. Seeing that they are reducing AD's and having all the sought after pieces as boutique editions, I started visiting a couple of boutiques once in a while. The staff are always great, charming, accommodating, and patient. I am told about waiting lists as long as 5 for popular royal oaks, which is fine (i understand how the game is played). I start looking at the new ladies Millenary on bracelet because I find them beautiful, and immediately I am told that if I buy it, they can arrange a steel 15202 immediately! I guess the 5 year waiting list had gone out the window 
In the end I decided not to, as I know the Millenary i can get from my AD (with a decent discount), and it would be the same thing as paying premium. I try to keep a personal philosophy that the most I would pay for a popular watch is the retail price, nothing more.
In the end I decided not to, as I know the Millenary i can get from my AD (with a decent discount), and it would be the same thing as paying premium. I try to keep a personal philosophy that the most I would pay for a popular watch is the retail price, nothing more. Another example was a bit more recent at SIHH. Seeing the novelties I noticed a couple of pieces I liked (platinum perpetual RO and the salmon 15202). I expressed my interest and was immediately responded with a proposal to package with a 11:59. I took another look at the 11.59 collection again and inquired about a couple of the pieces. I am guessing by that time the sales manager had noticed the overwhelming feedback on the WG salmon 15202, read my message, and just chose not to respond nor follow-up.
I understand the demand for the RO's is sky high, as they are for some of the RM's. But i very much appreciate the 'building a relationship' aspect at RM boutiques rather than the 'i can give you this, but only if you buy that' at AP. Maybe it is just my personal preference. In the end, it has turned me off AP, have me more focus on developing my relationship with my AD and Patek, and also look at starting an account at RM.
In any case, I understand what you are going through, and it is your personal choice. I chose not to succumb to these tactics. These are expensive mechanical marvels that should be loved and appreciated, and you should purchase it if you actually want it, and if you are ready to purchase it. No one should ever make you rush or feel forced to get something you are unsure of!
Rahul
More posts:
Code 11:59 Perpetual at the Boutique...
Now cones the time for decisions, this is one of those pressure sales that keeps promising me the SS double balance wheel openworks on a carrot. The Perpetual wasn’t supposed to show up until the end of the year but suddenly became available two week afte...
Don’t do it.
As you said, they can’t guarantee the 15407 (no one can). And the 26394 is nice but not ‘full-MSRP nice’.
Unfortunately consistent with my experience with AP...
I apologize if I may offend anyone, but I have quite a negative impression of AP boutiques. I have no doubt that the experience of buying a piece from the boutique would be great, but I am quite disappointed by the blatant tactics used to get a piece that...
Great summary Rahu
I agree wth “building a relationship’ with an AD but this particular boutiques doesn’t seem to care about that. I also tried another AP boutique and was treated basically the same way., your help and story is much appreciated...Jim
Anytime!
The way i see it, even if you don't end up getting what you really want. You can take comfort in the fact that you could have had it, but you chose not to get taken for a ride.
Totally agree with the previous friends. Never lose sight of the fact that buying a watch MUST be a pleasant experience, and that’s never the way you should accept to be treated by any AD.
These practices are just disgusting, and the exact opposite of what ADs should be doing to promote and reward genuine collectors. If you don’t want to cut ties with this AD, the most I would agree to would be buy the perpetual *at the same time as* the RO...
Good advice Fab
With outher AD’s if spend the kind of money as in this instance I can trust they will come through (keep their word) on the watch I actually want, not with this one but I will take your advice and draw the line...Jim
Put the perpetual to one side for the moment....
You have dropped some serious cash at this boutique in the past six months, why are they not bending over backwards to accommodate the watch you really want - the SS double balance open? Were the millenary and chronos you bought somehow tied to you gettin...
Hi NickO
Funny you should mentions other watches being tied to the SS openwork, Yes is the answer, I purchase the frosted Rose Gold Millenary Openworks on the bracelet form them this last Christmas (my wife does love it) with a promise I would get the next SS open...
Don't feel silly, Jim, you did it perfectly
Post with frustration, act with clarity. So much more productive than the other way around 😀 Best to you, NickO
I have been a huge AP fan for many years.
About 10 years ago I had a bad experience at a AP boutique and I moved my business to a AD. At the AD I worked directly with the owner and he always treated me like a special customer. About 5 years ago I notice more and more of the cooler pieces were bec...
Not sure what AP is thinking...
I get the boutique thing - control pricing etc. But AP closed a long-time AD here in the San Francisco Bay Area and have no local boutique. The nearest AP dealer (the Rodeo Drive boutique) is about 400 miles from here. Maybe AP doesn't realize this is Sil...
Hi Logan
Your are correct, how stupid not to have a store in the highest income area of Ca maybe even the USA! I’m heading to the Boutique on Rodeo Drive this morning to look at the 11:59 but have no intention on buying it unless I get the SS double balanicer I wa...
I think they are forgetting about customer service and relationships.
My boutique problem began when AP terminated the staff and brought in new people. From day one instead of taking the high road they wanted to change a deal that was already funded and documented.
Confused! You put down an initial deposit cuz you wanted the Code PC(carrot) OR you really only want the SS piece and caved-in in to the cross-sale (remorse)? What their sales goals n
tactics are shud be immaterial to a collector like you. You don't trust them - like you said - is a tell that you simply don't have a relationship with them per se. Unless you get what you want first( or at least simultaneously) why even put deposit for s...
Hi redcorals
Firstly I put the deposit down on the Code 11:59 perpetual because I wanted to see it and give it a chance, which I did yesterday, they will not accept a deposit on the double-balancier. The perpetual is a nice watch but I am not going to buy it unless I ...
