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Audemars Piguet

Numbers game...

Mar 24, 2023,17:18 PM
 

I also think there is sadly a numbers game - if there are some ~100 points of sale, and 50,000 watches produced per year, it's literally only 500 watches of all models available per year per boutique. And with 5 to 10 sales advisors - we are literally talking 50 to 100 per year of all models per adviser, when they get just as many email and WhatsApp and phone calls in a day for requests. And, the crazier thing is for the hotter pieces there may be just one or two pieces per year for the entire boutique, so it should not be a surprise that they can be picky.

It's all a competition on both sides - and as a sales adviser it's probably better to establish a bonafide relationship in person. I'm sure there are some collectors who will be unfortunately missed and pissed in the process, but that's the convoluted market we are in today. It may be a reason why the secondary players are building storefronts and concierge services to capture this part of the market.

Anyway all first world problems. I wish today that AP could consider to put a
a system like Porsche where you can put a deposit for a watch, and see your watch being manufactured on a timely basis. I also wish for better boxes and papers for the newer models. Just noticed I have a closet full of the same green box in different sizes, with the same flimsy paper folder. Bring back the Survivor Case or EOD or CoS cases!!!

Peter



More posts: PorscheRoyal Oak OffshoreSurvivor Chronograph Limited Edition

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Do you seriously have to show up in person?

 
 By: m2 : March 22nd, 2023-16:24
I just called the AP boutique in NY and was told you need to show up in-person to "start a relationship". I'm in SLC/Vancouver, and neither place has a boutique. When I have been to their boutiques the sales people have not been that knowledgeable. Kind o... 

Same thing here in West Coast....plus your first piece need to be picked up in person too.

 
 By: Clueless_Collector : March 22nd, 2023-17:02
What can you do besides not to buy? Regarding the comments about buying grey, I think it is quite true if brands keep playing hard to get games, or asking for bundling and relationships etc... as many watches still depreciate like cars and other hobby ite... 

Insane...

 
 By: m2 : March 22nd, 2023-17:07
I imagine a lot of people that can afford APs are also working a lot unless they are retired? I dont really get the logic. Every other executive I know is too busy to go out of their way to visit a watch store...lol

Clearly

 
 By: myles721 : March 22nd, 2023-17:30
This is a marketing approach that revolves around hype and exclusivity. The question is how bad do you want to be in the club? I am not a collector. I purchase watches as a function of lifestyle and necessity, and therefore I don’t need to put up with tha... 

I know a couple independent watch dealers who will even come to you, delivering the watch personally

 
 By: cazalea : March 22nd, 2023-17:45
That way you both have the personal relationship, they get the sale, while the authorized outlet can play their games with someone else. It's only because they have more customers than watches that these things happen... Cazalea

Journe has the same policy except even fewer points of sale!

 
 By: BMR : March 22nd, 2023-19:04
In this digital age, I suggested an online meeting, but that’s not acceptable. Apparently it is necessary for me to take time away from my job, my family, and everything else going on to travel halfway across the US to “start a relationship”. I guess they... 

Exactly

 
 By: m2 : March 22nd, 2023-19:35
I'd assume a lot of us have demanding careers + family obligations, etc. I am not about to book a trip just to StArT a ReLAtionShiP

I don't want a relationship with a watch dealer who wants a relationship with me

 
 By: brauner : March 22nd, 2023-19:48
They just want to keep stalking you.

Think about this

 
 By: baufoam : March 22nd, 2023-19:57
Working an 80 hour week is simply NOT healthy. Wristwatches and all the other toys aside, your LIFE and your HEALTH are EVERYTHING. Buy a watch from someone who wants to sell you a watch. It is just not worth it.

I really like what I do, it's not a huge deal.

 
 By: m2 : March 22nd, 2023-19:58

For better or worse, it's an established fact that all popular brands (not just AP) can afford to pick their customers... If a business has 10 (or 100, or 1000) potential clients per item produced, *they* set the rules, whether we like it or not ;-)

 
 By: FabR : March 22nd, 2023-20:33
Of course, I do understand your frustration, and I also wouldn't fly across a continent just to be told that I can't buy a certain watch anyway! Conversely, it's also a fact of life that AP (or any other business, for that matter) will begin selling to *y... 

I think you have to have empathy for their position...

 
 By: patrick_y : March 22nd, 2023-23:01
And from their position... everyone wants to buy one of their watches and flip it for a profit of a few thousand dollars. So one way to combat this is to have you come in person and so they can look you in the eye and try to ascertain if you're likely to ... 

 
 By: m2 : March 22nd, 2023-23:44
I don’t get why they don’t just increase prices

Please allow me to chime in, and hope it doesn't breach the forum policy with regards to pricing discussion.

 
 By: jimmycool : March 23rd, 2023-00:14
AP MSRP have gone up a lot I think. I was surprised to find out ROO rose gold isn't too far from PP 5980 rose gold with leather strap. I'm not suggesting that the PP is better or AP should be cheaper or anything, I'm just saying that the price difference ... 

Again... You're lacking empathy... And an understanding in how the luxury industry works.

 
 By: patrick_y : March 23rd, 2023-03:30
Let's all be humble for a moment and realize that our simple answers might have not fit into the complex world as a whole. Sure, your solution works in a vacuum, but life isn't a perfect vacuum. You can't continuously increase prices. Because let's say yo... 

AP did have to drop precious metal watch MSRP 30% not even 10 years ago

 
 By: Dchang81 : March 23rd, 2023-05:41

I do recall...

 
 By: patrick_y : March 25th, 2023-06:58
Although I don't recall it was that substantial and the one I recall feels like more than 10 years ago. But regardless... This is rare. Especially in a major market. And it really did hurt the brand and perception of the brand. Past consumers swore AP off... 

you're right it was 17%, was Jan 2013

 
 By: Dchang81 : March 25th, 2023-17:30

Good to know! Thanks for checking!

 
 By: patrick_y : March 25th, 2023-19:06
Much appreciated.

I visited an AP Boutique in Frankfurt last week.

 
 By: Uncle Chico : March 23rd, 2023-14:06
One of our party had an RO on the wrist which she showed the doorman to prove she was a repeat customer. Sales rep asked if we wanted to be put on a waiting list before disengaging. It was a short visit.

Yes, if you want an AP . . .

 
 By: Mach : March 24th, 2023-00:38
That has been my experience. However, it was not just one visit, but multiple visits over the course of years. This includes the local AP boutique as well as others throughout the US. You need a profile in their system and you need to have a relatively cl...  

Standard operating procedure

 
 By: Horology75 : March 24th, 2023-06:41
Easier to meet and date a woman then to get an AP

Not sure if I’m missing something here but how does one exactly start a relationship with a boutique if not in person?

 
 By: Echi : March 24th, 2023-12:22
I suppose it’s not unreasonable to drop by a boutique and chat with a rep. Assuming there’s none nearby, then maybe just wait for a time when one is near the area and pay the boutique a visit. Please excuse the manner of my asking if i seem surprised as i... 

Numbers game...

 
 By: pfang56 : March 24th, 2023-17:18
I also think there is sadly a numbers game - if there are some ~100 points of sale, and 50,000 watches produced per year, it's literally only 500 watches of all models available per year per boutique. And with 5 to 10 sales advisors - we are literally tal...