Patek Philippe

so, I was looking for a Calatrava 5226G or 6119G. I have visited five ADs in three different countries thus far. Here is a catalog of unusual questions they have posed to me: 1. This can only be a cash only transaction. No credit card payments for PP watc... 

and stop looking their watches.

Remember in law school classes, we had to defend both sides? Amanico, please play devil's advocate - I think we can agree that there is some legitimate reasons why retailers have to ask these annoying questions.

They did say “no” to Tourists especially Rolex but there are some PP pilots and WT 5230s that I can still buy, no such questions. Being able to travel to Europe and buy some nice watches used to be a fun experience and memories. I didn’t know things have ... 

go back home to Asia and purchase watches. Apparently that is a no go now for PP

it wasn’t always that way

well, what goes around will come around. Those AD offering discounts on SS Nautilus model won't that long ago. May come back again 😎

Sure, I could quickly complain that the store judged me, didn't like me, didn't like what I was wearing, or something else and say the store is judging me in some unethical way - but these would be claims with little supporting evidence. But, from a busin... 

When you have more customers than watches, and an arbitrage opportunity for bad actors, these kind of measures are understandable and even reasonable. Simply put, the brand wants to know who their dealers are selling their watches to. As easy as that. And... 

just because there are some crooks out there, u start treating everyone that walks through your door a criminal?

I totally understand how you feel. But, you are not considering empirical data nor are you giving empathy to the retailer's dilemma. A study was done, and watchmakers have access to said study, a fairly large double digit percentage of watches are bought ... 

so you are ok with those practices of certain ADs because some people resell their watches? would you go 'interview' for buying a watch? i believe that attitude is indefensible.

First of all, you're asking the wrong question. It's not about how I feel about the situation. Ask a judge or a lawyer or a mediator and it's never about how they feel. And for you to use the phrase "that attitude is indefensible" suggests you're very unl... 

money is in my pocket, put it crudely. U choose not to sell to me, I go somewhere else. But don't forbid me from bitching. And never ask me to do your work for u by coming up with a solution.

i believe it is more complicated than that. certainly ADs feel the pressure from PP to choose their customers well. but at the same time some of them (ab)use this situation and the artificial scarcity of PP sports watches (the others you can buy under ret... 

never thought it would turn into this serious a topic, where esquire and law school got thrown around. Like u said, it's just a watch 😅 That said, I'm beginning to see a trend here. Grey mkt. I should start looking into that. I will let others be "intervi... 

Rolex Patek Journe

H Moser, Parmigiani...

That sell used or NOS pieces where you don’t have to put up with AD bullshit.

one day I may start looking into that area

When they ask these kind of questions. None of their business. Save yourself a substantial amount and buy from a reputable third party / dealer. They sure know how to ruin what should be a special experience these ADs.

we just feel that those are quite impolite questions.

And have stopped going into Patek ADs as lost enjoyment visiting them. Another reason, I’m not interested in any production pieces the last few releases.

When i started my PP journey, got all sorts of questions asked - do you have a purchase record with us? - what are your existing collection? - what's your occupation? - Where's your residence? - Are you active on social media? Do you post frequently. - an... 

Cash only is wild…. Personally that alone would make me run

that's our only logical conclusion. but at a PP AD 🤔

My impression as well that they're trying to save on credit card fees. It's also a safety issue - stores are hit with a lot of credit card fraud - but they have insurance that covers this. One other distinction. When they said "cash only" are they expecti... 

Both conditions would be totally unacceptable to me.

my wife is more annoyed by missing all her airline miles 😅

that takes craziness to an even greater extreme.. Any cash received in a transaction by a US retailer that is $10,000 USD or more, must be reported by that retailer on a special form to the Internal Revenue Service. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the A... 

... as "cash" could mean actual paper bills and coins or it can also mean a wire transfer or check. The word "cash" has multiple meanings in some areas. Nobody wants the IRS paperwork. It's possible the authorized dealer meant "wire transfer" or "check" a... 

and merely wants to avoid bearing the 2/3% or so that the credit company charges the dealer.

your wife is totally right, those questions are intrusive and inappropriate and violate the customer-AD relationship's definition. i would have answered: when did you have sexual intercourse the last time? ::: ))) there are other watchbands with beautiful... 

cash only is a strange request. Who wants to walk around with tens of thousands of dollars ? On payments, I experienced being requested to use a different credit card in order to lower the transaction fee for my next purchase. I got the hint and was happy... 

I usually go in with TShirts and shorts (but the kind that is in and hard to get, if you are into streetwear) 🤣🤣 Oh they definitely asked for bundling. I thought that is a norm and don't bother to mention it here. A diamond watch for the Mrs is the min st... 

Patek on your wrist, you have a much better shot no matter what you wear !

i talked to a friend today who runs an AD for the swatch group brands. he told me that the PP ADs can showcase those behavioral patters because PP explicitly condones it. nautilus/aquanaut for diamonds/jewlerry is absolutely normal.

My former AD started bundling Nautilus/Aquanauts with diamonds/jewellery and the dealership was revoked.

...i know of two ADs who have been doing it for years. very openly. however, another dealership in the same town got their PP contract cancelled. it is all about on where the AD is in TS' grace.

This perhaps doesn’t happen in Europe but it definitely happens elsewhere with both Rolex and Patek. Bundling with other brands and diamonds jewellery is quite commonplace.

...  

My understanding is that they think this step will prevent ppl from buying in EU and flipping in US or Asia. Same is happening with purses at places like Hermes and Chanel. There’s a limit to how many each customer can purchase (if they have anything to s... 

...the tax refund. obviously i did not buy from them and went elsewhere.

But this directive comes from each company. The ADs don’t care. Or prefer to give the discount to sell something they can’t move.

...PP and rolex tell their ADs to make sure that al least 80% of the watches they sell go to local clients. the ADs then somehow manage that request - reluctantly - and prioritize regular non-local clients over others. although PP and rolex have no way to... 

I tried to buy a platinum president in Capri 2021 but was told that there’s no tax free. It didn’t make sense not to get the VAT back.

In Capri I was told that Rolex doesn’t allow tax back. Patek in Capri told me the same thing . In 2023 Rome Patek, Rolex and FPJ had no watches for sale. So it was a moot point to ask about tax back.