benlee AP to consolidate sales... 24 September 2018, 11:19 AM
tyler1980 we have all seen it coming,... 24 September 2018, 03:43 PM
PJ S Contracts come and go, so the... 24 September 2018, 08:24 PM
ragsk Agree with that. Why make it... 24 September 2018, 04:23 PM
tyler1980 thinking its coming and... 24 September 2018, 04:27 PM
SMD My guess is whatever... 24 September 2018, 11:00 PM
V25V Unless the contract says they... 25 September 2018, 12:23 AM
SMD What am I supposed to read?... 25 September 2018, 12:29 AM
tyler1980 My AD got close to a year... 25 September 2018, 02:17 AM
SMD This also goes hand in hand... 25 September 2018, 02:56 AM
ragsk I know who you are referring... 25 September 2018, 04:24 AM
tyler1980 yeah. Not making a judgement... 25 September 2018, 04:49 AM
1William I don't think that it is a... 24 September 2018, 08:37 PM
marc12 My AD was telling me they had... 24 September 2018, 10:14 PM
wiswrist I assume AP thinks most of... 25 September 2018, 12:53 AM
mobster600 This is going to hurt small... 25 September 2018, 01:33 AM
daveo5 All for direct sales. I don’t... 25 September 2018, 02:15 AM
Mr.WorldTimer The amount of boutique only... 25 September 2018, 03:25 AM
crazymcmichael Would it hurt resale value... 25 September 2018, 07:29 AM
uniqueMR :clap: :clap: 25 September 2018, 08:27 AM
mobster600 Wont this be the only brand... 25 September 2018, 09:34 AM
HK Islandboy I am somewhat surprised that... 25 September 2018, 10:18 AM
Ichiran Not sure whether this is a... 25 September 2018, 10:56 AM
Mr.WorldTimer Half of AP's catalogue are... 25 September 2018, 11:59 AM
eal15 Here here! I’ve developed a... 27 September 2018, 02:58 AM
tng11 Well, good news for you,... 27 September 2018, 03:38 AM
eal15 [emoji4] thanks for the... 27 September 2018, 04:17 AM
Mr.WorldTimer Mr. Stern said something very... 25 September 2018, 12:02 PM
OH2004 I'm disappointed with AP and... 25 September 2018, 10:17 AM
Gh0st0 Inquired to my AD on this,... 25 September 2018, 10:57 AM
singe89 What’s worse telling ADs that... 25 September 2018, 12:03 PM
Doctock I completely agree with this... 28 September 2018, 05:33 AM
eal15 I’m also so waiting for this... 28 September 2018, 08:58 AM
V25V What if there is no boutique... 25 September 2018, 12:38 PM
Gh0st0 My issue, solution is to... 26 September 2018, 06:20 AM
Burlington Guess it’s easier done when... 25 September 2018, 02:23 PM
benlee AP is still selling very well... 25 September 2018, 03:41 PM
tyler1980 its a reverse mass market... 27 September 2018, 03:34 AM
benlee It actually make sense. All... 27 September 2018, 11:29 AM
Mr.WorldTimer I wouldn't say PP is "going... 28 September 2018, 09:35 AM
Wahlberg How open will AP be on their... 26 September 2018, 06:41 AM
R!$ A brave and bold step 26 September 2018, 07:46 AM
superstarmar Controlling msrp pricing and... 29 September 2018, 11:54 PM
SMD The issue I have with AP is... 28 September 2018, 10:57 PM
RolexZen While I had a deposit down... 29 September 2018, 12:31 AM
SMD I have purchased several in... 29 September 2018, 01:08 AM
SC11 AP UK logged my 407st... 29 September 2018, 01:16 AM
benlee They do share information,... 29 September 2018, 12:43 AM
eal15 : ( so after being told there... 2 October 2018, 05:19 AM
tng11 Too bad that's the response... 2 October 2018, 05:33 PM
79280_116520 AP is greedy and arrogant in... 2 October 2018, 06:01 AM
RolexZen Lol. 2 October 2018, 07:02 AM
benlee :thinking: Can't you just... 2 October 2018, 10:21 AM
GB-man Lol is right if he thinks AP... 2 October 2018, 10:49 AM
79280_116520 Actually I've dealt Patek... 2 October 2018, 11:57 AM
Starwalker Breguet will mail it to you! 2 October 2018, 06:04 PM
alonso 1984 I have a Breguet and got... 4 October 2018, 04:38 AM
Gh0st0 How bout the AP website? 2 October 2018, 11:36 AM
jdkrut I was told that AP is going... 12 October 2018, 03:46 AM
Rameez-Q Is this a UK move too? I... 15 October 2018, 07:19 AM
SC11 It’s an inevitable move... 21 October 2018, 09:21 PM
Rameez-Q bump for update on sales... 21 October 2018, 08:14 PM
ragsk Just been to Dubai. The AP... 21 October 2018, 08:37 PM
BLNR1 "Bennahmias said Audemars... 26 January 2020, 12:31 AM
GreenLantern Indeed.
That said, none of... 26 January 2020, 07:03 AM
|
24 September 2018, 11:19 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Real Name: Ben
Location: SIN & JKT
Watch: Rolex, AP, PP
Posts: 9,874
|
AP to consolidate sales channel to direct sales
I guess this has been open secret for a while but now they have made it official I guess.
https://in.reuters.com/article/watch...-idINL5N1VS4IR Just sharing.
__________________
Follow me on Instagram : benlee789 |
24 September 2018, 03:43 PM | #2 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 17,622
|
we have all seen it coming, however playing that card 3-5 years early and what is a current AD's incentive to push or try to develop the brand in the interim? none
If i was an AD there is no way i would steer my customers to something i wouldn't sell in a few years. What if my customer liked it? Then they would shop elsewhere. No sense whatsoever... the making it official part, not the overall strategy, but i dont really like that either however i can understand it.
__________________
Instagram: tyler.watches current collection: Patek 5164A, Patek 5524G, Rolex Platinum Daytona 116506, Rolex Sea Dweller 43 126600, Rolex GMT II 116710LN, AP 15400ST (silver), Panerai 913, Omega Speedmaster moonwatch, Tudor Black Bay (Harrods Edition) |
24 September 2018, 08:24 PM | #3 | |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 3,990
|
Quote:
It’s for them to steer their existing clientele towards the brands whom they will have renewed contracts with, and there’s absolutely no guarantee that they aren’t already shopping elsewhere for a brand that particular AD doesn’t stock. You’re tarring others with the same brush as yourself, which is why you’re making more of an issue of it than it is in reality. |
|
24 September 2018, 04:23 PM | #4 |
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 1,505
|
Agree with that. Why make it official policy 3 to 5 years early? Big retailers probably will align away from AP and push other brands more.
Maybe they all know it’s coming anyway... |
24 September 2018, 04:27 PM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 17,622
|
thinking its coming and knowing its coming is different. I suspect a lot were worried it might happen, but now they just might abandon ship. AP was making AD specific LE's last year (not sure about this year) so it was some mixed messaging so they probably all didn't know for sure.
__________________
Instagram: tyler.watches current collection: Patek 5164A, Patek 5524G, Rolex Platinum Daytona 116506, Rolex Sea Dweller 43 126600, Rolex GMT II 116710LN, AP 15400ST (silver), Panerai 913, Omega Speedmaster moonwatch, Tudor Black Bay (Harrods Edition) |
24 September 2018, 11:00 PM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Real Name: SMD
Location: LGA/EWR/ORD
Watch: AP/PP
Posts: 3,701
|
My guess is whatever contracts they have have a notice period if they are going to be canceled (of they have contracts for a fixed term that coincides with 3-5 years). Its not like you can just willy nilly terminate a dealer contract without cause.
|
25 September 2018, 12:23 AM | #7 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 4,406
|
Unless the contract says they can.....
|
25 September 2018, 12:29 AM | #8 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Real Name: SMD
Location: LGA/EWR/ORD
Watch: AP/PP
Posts: 3,701
|
|
25 September 2018, 12:40 AM | #9 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 4,406
|
Sorry, I didn't mean for you to read. . I just meant if the contract was written in a way where AP could pull out whenever they wanted, and the AD agrees to that, then they could. And if I'm an AD, I'm not sure I wouldn't agree to such a contract just to carry the brand. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
25 September 2018, 02:17 AM | #10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 17,622
|
Quote:
They have had AP non prominently displayed since they got notice. They moved them from the front window immediately. Moved them again recently when they started pushing GP. IMO knowing the end is coming absolutely has an effect on what they decide to sell hard, suggest to clients, etc.
__________________
Instagram: tyler.watches current collection: Patek 5164A, Patek 5524G, Rolex Platinum Daytona 116506, Rolex Sea Dweller 43 126600, Rolex GMT II 116710LN, AP 15400ST (silver), Panerai 913, Omega Speedmaster moonwatch, Tudor Black Bay (Harrods Edition) |
|
25 September 2018, 02:56 AM | #11 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Real Name: SMD
Location: LGA/EWR/ORD
Watch: AP/PP
Posts: 3,701
|
Quote:
|
|
25 September 2018, 04:24 AM | #12 | |
Banned
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 1,505
|
Quote:
The flip side is that certainly the London branch is about 30 steps away from the AP lounge. So I don’t think AP need them given locations so it was a logical one to cull. |
|
25 September 2018, 04:49 AM | #13 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Houston
Posts: 17,622
|
Quote:
I always know what i want to buy but most dont. I remember the JLC my wife has was suggested to her by my AD. He pushed it, she liked it, and she bought it. I know nothing about women's watches so i wasn't much help. Its a great watch, but she didn't discover it by herself. To me thats how most sales probably go down, and what brand is getting pushed does matter.
__________________
Instagram: tyler.watches current collection: Patek 5164A, Patek 5524G, Rolex Platinum Daytona 116506, Rolex Sea Dweller 43 126600, Rolex GMT II 116710LN, AP 15400ST (silver), Panerai 913, Omega Speedmaster moonwatch, Tudor Black Bay (Harrods Edition) |
|
24 September 2018, 08:37 PM | #14 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Watch: Rolex/Others
Posts: 47,801
|
I don't think that it is a good strategy to announce before you are ready.
|
24 September 2018, 10:14 PM | #15 |
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2016
Real Name: Marc
Location: NH
Watch: Blue Steel SD
Posts: 614
|
My AD was telling me they had an idea this was coming, because AP hasn’t sent them anything in 2 years almost. It’s a real crap way to treat your distributors
|
25 September 2018, 12:53 AM | #16 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 1,086
|
I assume AP thinks most of their customers follow the brand. So if your local AD no longer carries AP, you'll still want one and will purchase it some other way. For now this seems a little premature as there are not boutiques local to many people but once they being e-commerce into the picture it won't be a problem at all.
__________________
@wiswrist |
25 September 2018, 01:33 AM | #17 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: USA
Watch: Yes
Posts: 1,509
|
This is going to hurt small jewlery stores. AP is a significant brand to have retail rights to. People will lose jobs, not that we care but that will happen.
|
25 September 2018, 02:15 AM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Las Vegas NV
Watch: 14060M COSC
Posts: 1,337
|
All for direct sales. I don’t need a middle person to advise me on a watch purchase. If it means lower cost (Ha, ha), great.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro |
25 September 2018, 03:25 AM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: no fixed location
Posts: 72
|
The amount of boutique only pieces they have... it was only a matter of time. After I read about this, I went looking for Patek's standpoint on this issue and I think they have a good point AP is glossing over. AD's know their local market better than any company based in Swiss ever will. Not only do they know how to deal with their community but have also built up a stronger customer base over many years. The one good thing AP have implemented with this new change is the registration system to extend warranty. At least this way, it does not matter where you shop so much (at least comparatively to before), because all your purchases are registered on a centralised system.
|
25 September 2018, 07:29 AM | #20 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Here
Watch: Sub 114060, 216570
Posts: 2,157
|
Would it hurt resale value too?? I guess might be more easy to aquire the piece you'd like than?
|
25 September 2018, 08:27 AM | #21 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: USA
Watch: P A T E K
Posts: 4,706
|
__________________
A. Lange & Sohne | Audemars Piguet | F.P.Journe | Omega | Patek Philippe | Rolex | Tudor | ...and Othersss |
25 September 2018, 09:34 AM | #22 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: USA
Watch: Yes
Posts: 1,509
|
Wont this be the only brand to go with out AD's? No other watch brand does this currently.
AND.....there is no way AP is going to have as many locations as there are AD's How can this be a good thing for visibility and accessibility? I guess I shouldnt second guess AP, they probably know a thing or two more then I do on this...LOL |
25 September 2018, 10:18 AM | #23 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: AP
Posts: 3,825
|
Quote:
|
|
25 September 2018, 10:56 AM | #24 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Real Name: Michael
Location: Near beach
Watch: PB1967
Posts: 8,165
|
Not sure whether this is a good way for AP to move forward. People build relationship with AD because they carry a variety of brands, and having a relationship would enable them access to all the popular models of these brands, particularly Rolex and Patek.
I get that some people only like AP, but most people I know enjoy multiple watch brands. I find it tiresome to build relationship across different watch boutiques if that is the way forward (I think and hope not). |
25 September 2018, 11:59 AM | #25 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: no fixed location
Posts: 72
|
Quote:
|
|
27 September 2018, 02:58 AM | #26 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Real Name: Everett
Location: GTA, Canada
Watch: Audemars Piguet 15
Posts: 789
|
Quote:
Here here! I’ve developed a good relationship with some AP folks. I purchase when traveling and those APNA folks set me up with the boutique staff for sales or service. I’m in the Toronto area but even service is a pain. The only AD I can’t stand and have had questionable dealings with them since they carried Panerai a decade and a half ago. Plus they scratched my AP, which they offered to polish out. Obviously I went back to AP for that. I so want a boutique in Toronto. Even for strap changes every few months or so. I just remembered the AF does do free strap changes but afterwards I was at the Ottawa service location (an example of a non AP location that clearly does all the proper training) and he said the AD over tightened the screws. Anyway, again, I long for a boutique. I formed a great relationship with the new Panerai boutique in Toronto as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
|
27 September 2018, 03:38 AM | #27 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 3,634
|
Quote:
|
|
27 September 2018, 04:17 AM | #28 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Real Name: Everett
Location: GTA, Canada
Watch: Audemars Piguet 15
Posts: 789
|
Quote:
thanks for the awesome news! They have some Ro’s and Roo’s at times but it’s pretty bare for sure. I’ll be contacting my contact shortly for details lol. Also, not having a boutique in the area is one of the reasons I don’t wear my AP daily since my last service. That’s about to change. Now I can pick up another and wear my diver daily. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
|
27 September 2018, 07:10 AM | #29 |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: USA
Watch: addiction issues
Posts: 37,356
|
Thank you jesus. Hopefully the pricing is in line with the states because the bloor street stranglers had msrps in the clouds.
__________________
|
25 September 2018, 12:02 PM | #30 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: no fixed location
Posts: 72
|
Quote:
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX