Relationship Between JLC Boutique and Authorised Dealer

Feb 28, 2010,05:13 AM
 

I've always been wondering, in places where an actual JLC boutique exists, what do you think the purpose of such boutique? Of course I know it exists to sell watches and to make money. But what I'm getting at is, do they actually see ADs as their 'competitors'? Or do you think they exist for a 50/50 purpose of selling JLC watches but also as a place where people can see most of JLC collections in flesh?

What I also wonder is, I think boutique (not only JLC but other brands as well) doesn't really give discount, so do people actually buy watches from them, and do they actually make money from a particular boutique? (not as a company in a whole, but as an independent branch). I imagine it must be hard to survive as a store when you only sell one brand of watch and also not flexible in pricing.
I also wonder whether the staff from the boutique would be offended if I looked at the watch from the boutique but bought them at an AD... What do you guys think?

For example, last month I enquired about Omega Hour Vision from an Omega boutique, and was served by this very nice and very knowledgeable gentleman who was very helpful to me. But as much as I liked him and would love to buy from him, but considering that he was not allowed to discount the watch, it will be very hard for me to get it from him when I can just go to my usual shop and get a decent discount for the watch. Of course if the watch is cheap I wouldn't mind not getting a discount, but the watch is quite pricey, so it makes a difference. I left the store feeling a bit guilty because I knew that I wouldn't be getting the watch from him.


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Good question.

 
 By: amanico : February 28th, 2010-05:43
A Boutique and an AD are 2 very different things. While an AD sells watches from different brands, a Boutique only sells watches from her brand. A Boutique is a " vitrine " ( a window ) of the Brand, an " Ambassade " in a certain way. Why d you go to a Bo... 

well said, Nico...

 
 By: FanFrancisco : February 28th, 2010-07:22
my 2-cent worth thought is that at the end of the day, Boutique and AD are targeting for different type of customers. if someone is cost concerned, he/she will go for a shop that can offer better discount. but someone as you said, he/she will stick on the... 

Unfortunately that is not my experience...

 
 By: moc : February 28th, 2010-07:56
Where I am if you want to see a high end JLC watch(Duometre,minute repeater,Skeleton and so on..),you have to go to high end ADs. JLC boutique has a very modest range similar to the one of an airport.Its sad but that s the way it is. I always wondered why... 

Very good information...

 
 By: InHavenPro : February 28th, 2010-13:35
I haven't yet purchased from a boutique shop as the watches I had weren't special editions or something similar. I definitely agree that it comes down to what kind of watch you wish to buy. If it was a unique, rare piece the extra money you spend at a bou... 

Boutique shop vs. AD...

 
 By: Blue_Orca : February 28th, 2010-06:32
In some countries, boutique shops are sometimes run by local ADs. For example, Rolex boutique shops in Hong Kong are owned by a local watch & jewelry retail group. You can pretty much consider them as ADs that carry only one brand. To decide whether t... 

Different Location Different Experience

 
 By: Chew82 : February 28th, 2010-17:14
hi, in my case, i got more Discount when purchasing from Local Boutique Stores, and i get more WARRANTY Time and Service~!!! the Warranty and Service Of My JLC Watch saves ME alot Of Money, if you buy from a retailer at my Location, you only get 1 Year's ... 

Citizen

 
 By: djmm : March 1st, 2010-00:46
I'm traveling tomorrow and this time I am going to wear my Citizen to go to ADs and also visit JLC boutique. Let's see if they take me seriously or not, shall we? haha...