Patek Philippe

I received a phone call from my local Patek AD offering me the Patek 5098 that they just got in contingent upon my buying another lesser expensive watch that they know I am also interested in. Is this a normal sales technique? If so, I find it highly offensive. Have you experienced this type of sales pressure from AD's of Patek? Thanks in advance for your input and feedback.

Hi

 

I would love to receive a call from my AD! It would mean my 5970G is ready!

To answer your question: It is not unusual to receive a wake up call if you have left the impression that you are in the market for some more. These well sought after watches are gone before you even see them in he shop, otherwise.

Eric09

 

 

I didn't like it.. bundling sales as I call it.  I ended up switching AD's.  It all boils down to your relationship with the AD.  You see, they have to buy the "portfolio" to get some good pieces.  Therefore, they want to move some of the harder to move pieces in return for rewarding you with a piece that you like that is easier to move.  Do you like the second piece?  If you like both, can afford and will eventually buy both watches, then maybe negotiate for a protracted payment over time to allow better cash flow management.  On the other hand, if you have no intention to buy the 2nd piece, then don't buy it, just for the sake of buying the 1st piece.  Switch to an AD that will work with you honestly.  Just my 2 cents.

have not gotten this sales technique from AD I go to. Think this is NOT a sales policy endorsed by PP unlike another watch company's official boutique policy(basically soured me for good from that brand). More like your particular AD's effort to not only move basic stuff thus geting more for what they can get out of premium goodies but to deftly circumvent being tagged as an AD that is 'selling above MSRP". Just my own two cents...

I'd write a letter to Thiery and complain..  If you are well spoken and articulate your concern, you can bet it will garner the attention of Patek's owners..  This is an unseemly way to sell a timepiece.  The AD is in too powerful position to abuse and invest (compete) against it's clients.

I can also call Patek in NY and that might do it. I agree that it is bad business practice and makes me not wish to ever have contact
with this Patek AD again. Thanks

I was shopping for a 5140 and 5146 recently and we all know it's almost impossible to get one pending PP's price revisions and stocking. But I did with a reputable, really reputable AD who 'happen' to have one of these so I was delighted and ready to part my money until I popped the question. "How much discount would I get this time?" He didn't say anything, just a 'price'. I know that was the list price so I asked him for the final price while taking out my credit card and he said, "that's the price." I was very curious as I thought I heard wrongly, nevermind, I asked about the price of another model and it came back as some figures well above the List Price, even though he has no stock but promised to 'dig up one' from somewhere if I really really wanted it. "Yes I do want one, but sorry man, I'm not willing to pay the price". I can understand if these askings came from unauthorised dealer, auction market, but from an reputable giant authorised dealer? I'm sorry but can someone explain to me if I should buy these .......?

AD is AD and grey market or un AD are another thing...

I won't buy at an AD a watch above the retail...The retail is the retail...And if you begin to mix the rules, it's the beginning of

the end...

I read Mr Philippe STERN in Patek Magazine about this topic.

He said that he totally disagrees with this kind of attitude from ADs...And that he will act to stop it.

That proves that what you said, mech, is true, and you're not the only one to report it, here...

Best.

Nicolas

5980 delivery or booking.......to be someone for them you "must" buy not always what you want.....

regards, Walter

unfortunately.

It seems that it is not unusual for ADs to try to sell it that way. If you search through other threads regarding AD practices, it seems that many Purists have experienced that.

i've been fortunate with my AD that he would even suggest NOT to buy because the price is too high. i have a pretty cool AD. It's not all about the "bottom line" to him. It's more about the client and the "after service" that makes many of his clients return... with confidence. It would be great if more ADs were like him but unfortunately it is not the case.

Of course, it comes down to this: if you want it and don't buy it, someone else will. So, the question would be, how bad do you want it? If you are waiting for your dream watch and it comes in, it is within your grasp, are you willing to pay the premium for it?

As for my relationship with my AD, I, personally, don't ask for a discount. If he wants to give me one, fine. But I don't ask for one. I'll do my research so when I go in, or when he calls me, I'll know what the retail is. If I like the retail, then I'll get it because that is what the value to me is worth. I don't haggle. If I believe it is a fair price, then I'll get it. It doesn't matter if others think differently if, to me, it is a fair price. I'm the one that will buy it. I'm the one that will wear it. I'm the one that will be happy with it, so, to belabor the point one last time, if I think it is a fair price, I'll be okay with it.

Sorry, looks like I got up on my soap box for a minute.

Thanks,

Bob

It is not for me the question of price. It is the question of making the availability of the watch to me contingent upon my purchasing another watch from them. Yes, it is true that if I don't get it someone else will. On the other hand, any mediocre AD can be replaced (as this one will be). The watch in quesion isn't even a limited edition and I've been contact by two other dealers  thus far (not AD's) who wanted to sell the 5098 to me at a big premium. That also I will no longer do (though I don't particularly feel that they are doing anything wrong by selling it at a premium). I have made the mistake of buying a watch at a premium before because I thought I had to have it right then. If I had waited a bit, I would have saved many thousands . I appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts and experiences on the subject I brought up. I think most agree with me that this AD did not treat me very well and did not behave properly. I have contacted Patek and they also agree that making the watch contingent upon my buying another piece was improper. I love Patek watches so this experience with this AD does not turn me off to the brand in any way.

I also agree that your AD's practice is not what I would call, ethical. That is why I stated that many Purists have experienced that same treatment.

For me, I've been lucky that my AD has such integrity that I really don't have to worry about paying a premium at all He will even guide me as to what the maximum I should pay for a timepiece i desire. Of course, I don't ask for a discount either and i do pay retail.

Unfortunately, it appears that many Purissts' ADs have not taken this approach. it seems that the ADs sees their clients as dollar signs. And I'm not so sure that Patek will do much about it or even if they CAN do anything about it. It's not like these types of practices have been done in a closet or is a new problem. There have been many Purists bringing this complaint forward and I hope that Patek WILL do something about it. Of course, there's still the gray market as well, and it doesn't seem that any action is, or can be, taken by Patek toward them either.

i don't think I would agree with you that there is "nothing wrong" with selling at a premium. If the retail price is set by PP, then their Authorized Boutiques/Dealers should honor that. I think it is wrong, but that is just my opinion. I think it is totally wrong to try to get you, or anyone for that matter, to buy a desired piece contingent upon buying another piece. I wouldn't be a happy camper either if that happened to me. Especially if it is not a special edition. But, again, if that is someone's dream watch and that is the only way they can acquire it, then it will come down again to how bad do they want it? Even though you may have previously bought your watch at a higher price, does it still give you satisfaction? I would guess that the answer is probably yes.

Until PP actively pursues in changing the way the ADs operate, I'm afraid that we will continue to see the ADs trying to pressure potential clients in unethical ways. It would be great if everyone stopped paying premiums so that there would be a surplus of stock that would drive the price back to retail or even lower. it's great that this practice does not deter you from your love of PP. The timepieces are still top notch and, IMHO, the best watches to own.

Thanks,

Bob

I received an offer to puchase a 5960p and had been serting aside funds for some time.  As noted by others, the AD would not sell unless I spend another large amount on anther piece.  This was not part of our arrangement.  I oferred to wire the ful amount for the one I first selected and then to wire the full amount to the other whenit was to arrive in a few months.  I was told no and must wire all now or loose the sale.  I asked for a couple weeks as most.  When I got back they had sold both pieces to someone else.  Belived the dealer could have had a long term relationship but was not really interested in one.