Starting to get pissed at AP.

[PalmBeacher83]

I’ve played the game with AP. Gone into many boutiques, chatted with sales reps, I’ve put my name down for a RO, I’ve even bought a Code. Still, anytime I ask to buy a RO I’m told they don’t have any to sell me. I just left the boutique in London and I felt they weren’t even interested in talking to me. I had to lead the whole conversation. AP is going to seriously alienate customers soon with the sales tactics they employ.

[cosmoliu]

I scratched the AP itch with a 14790 I bought grey (of course) earlier this year. I have no interest whatever in playing their "journey" game.

[PalmBeacher83]

It’s not even a journey if everytime you go it’s a dead end.

[DVR]

I am so sorry for you. It's frustrating. I understand completely.

Why don't you ask directly why you can't buy the RO. Ask for transparency!

In 2019 I desperately wanted the then launched 15500 and ordered it at the AP boutique by email. They called me and we had some sort of "interview". I was deemed "worthy" because in 2022 I got the call. Still happy and grateful about that.

A few weeks later, so still 2022, I asked for the ROO in baby blue, Ref. 26238ST.OO.A340CA.01.
My boutique contact said she would put me on the list but we are now more than 2 full years further and nothing.

Thinking about it I believe I destroyed all my changes by arriving at the boutique in shorts, with my 3 young kids and wife. I was deemed "not worthy'" anymore. I accepted it and moved on. It is what it is.

It's a strange world and sometimes we just have to let it go.

[Jones.nl]

I’m also done with that crazy people. Just buy grey. The prices differences is short

[PalmBeacher83]

It has come to the point where I don’t want to have loyalty to the boutiques

[Steele]

Originally Posted by PalmBeacher83

I’ve played the game with AP. Gone into many boutiques, chatted with sales reps, I’ve put my name down for a RO, I’ve even bought a Code. Still, anytime I ask to buy a RO I’m told they don’t have any to sell me. I just left the boutique in London and I felt they weren’t even interested in talking to me. I had to lead the whole conversation. AP is going to seriously alienate customers soon with the sales tactics they employ.

I Feel your pain and the deal is there are amazing RO's at or below Retail I just found one waiting for delivery tomorrow

One thing to remember is that each Boutique gets like 1 watch a day to sell. also I had amazing luck in Spain and Italy for walk in watches

Get out there and Hunt my brother and Just make sure you are Texting your SA and stay in contact with them thats what has worked for me!

Cheers

[huncho]

if you're from florida what are you telling the boutique in london? if they know you're not local it's not really surprising that they don't really wanna put any effort into working with you. people always recommend just working with one boutique

[messikens]

Originally Posted by PalmBeacher83

I’ve played the game with AP. Gone into many boutiques, chatted with sales reps, I’ve put my name down for a RO, I’ve even bought a Code. Still, anytime I ask to buy a RO I’m told they don’t have any to sell me. I just left the boutique in London and I felt they weren’t even interested in talking to me. I had to lead the whole conversation. AP is going to seriously alienate customers soon with the sales tactics they employ.

If you don't plan on collecting multiple pieces, prices are back down to acceptable levels over retail for most regular ROs.

Pay today, get tomorrow, save yourself the "journey" / empty coffee talk.

If you are considering having a multi year sales relation, then I'd keep at it but make it clear that you've been quite consistent and would like to see / experience some reciprocity. Sometimes being honest about it (and also acknowledging you already bought a Code) can certainly help...

[rjohnston713]

I waited 2 1/2 years from our boutique here for a 15550 or 26715 only for the boutique to close completely this year. AP is opening another one that will be AP owned later this year but that would restart the process. Will most likely bite the bullet, buy grey, and move along.

My issue is I am having trouble finding anywhere around here I can actually try on a few different models to know which size I want before going grey. 37mm RO, 38mm ROC, or Jumbo

[Steele]

Originally Posted by PalmBeacher83

I’ve played the game with AP. Gone into many boutiques, chatted with sales reps, I’ve put my name down for a RO, I’ve even bought a Code. Still, anytime I ask to buy a RO I’m told they don’t have any to sell me. I just left the boutique in London and I felt they weren’t even interested in talking to me. I had to lead the whole conversation. AP is going to seriously alienate customers soon with the sales tactics they employ.

Originally Posted by huncho

if you're from florida what are you telling the boutique in london? if they know you're not local it's not really surprising that they don't really wanna put any effort into working with you. people always recommend just working with one boutique

In Spain I used my Hermes SA to set me up with the AP SA and worked like a charm I got 2 pieces RO Ceramic Music edition for the wifey 37mm and the 26420CE for myself then in Capri we got the Diver the blue one for my business partner

[cbalster]

I bought a 15202ST grey. I've dealt with the service center in FL for extra links and such. Has been great

[supernova]

You need to work with the one boutique/SA rather than several. Overseas boutiques will generally recommend you continue the relationship with your local, they are usually helpful if you’re just visiting and looking around though.


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[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by DVR

Thinking about it I believe I destroyed all my changes by arriving at the boutique in shorts, with my 3 young kids and wife. I was deemed "not worthy'" anymore. I accepted it and moved on. It is what it is.

It's a strange world and sometimes we just have to let it go.

If you still want the ROO, I would ask again...when was the last time you stopped in to say hello?

I personally feel like sometimes we over think things with AP. The SAs and managers are normal people and most of the time, they are very nice people. When we picked up my wife's RO....they gave my kids stuffed bears and security was playing with them the whole time.

[7sins]

Originally Posted by supernova

You need to work with the one boutique/SA rather than several. Overseas boutiques will generally recommend you continue the relationship with your local, they are usually helpful if you’re just visiting and looking around though.


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This is exactly right, stick with one boutique and the same SA. Check in every quarter, you will eventually get an allocation.

[Eldad]

Originally Posted by PalmBeacher83

I’ve played the game with AP. Gone into many boutiques, chatted with sales reps, I’ve put my name down for a RO, I’ve even bought a Code. Still, anytime I ask to buy a RO I’m told they don’t have any to sell me. I just left the boutique in London and I felt they weren’t even interested in talking to me. I had to lead the whole conversation. AP is going to seriously alienate customers soon with the sales tactics they employ.

Dude It has two points of view. One is numbers and bottom line, if you go gray in today's market situation, it is much more profitable "than the journey" in the boutique. Buy a code for 30-40% less. Jumbo at 10-20% above and Royal Oak at more or less the retail price.
If you want company and personal attention AP house are the best in the business. You will receive the best service, conversation and swag in the market. Ultimately decide what is most important to you.


Ap 26315 panda - Ap code 11.59 - pp5167A - Daytona 116520 balck dial - 116520 white aph dial - daytona - 116500ln - Ap 15720 green khaki- submariner 1680 mark II

[soupy]

Where did you buy the Code? That SA is your assigned SA whether you like him/her or not. You can't just go to another one or a different boutique to purchase just because you want to. It's just not how it works with them and their stupid CRM and sales ops. You have to actually internally request a transfer to who/where you're assigned and reset your wishlists, otherwise what you're doing is simply "touring" and wasting your breath and time. The market is crashing so fast for AP anyway that eventually no one is going to want to even baghold certain ROs anymore that there's going to be no point to visit boutiques anymore other than to visit the parts and service people and eat their free chocolate.

[gretch6364]

Originally Posted by soupy

The market is crashing so fast for AP anyway that eventually no one is going to want to even baghold certain ROs anymore that there's going to be no point to visit boutiques anymore other than to visit the parts and service people and eat their free chocolate.

It is very apparent from some of the recent comments here that people that didn't get allocations are licking their chops hoping to see AP fail. Things are getting weird in China, but I just don't see some impending crash where no one wants to buy ROs.

I am all for a price adjustment and the ability to buy whatever AP I want...but the speculators and people that didn't really want the watch in the first place (just to make a buck) are the only ones that will go away.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by DVR

I am so sorry for you. It's frustrating. I understand completely.

Why don't you ask directly why you can't buy the RO. Ask for transparency!

In 2019 I desperately wanted the then launched 15500 and ordered it at the AP boutique by email. They called me and we had some sort of "interview". I was deemed "worthy" because in 2022 I got the call. Still happy and grateful about that.

A few weeks later, so still 2022, I asked for the ROO in baby blue, Ref. 26238ST.OO.A340CA.01.
My boutique contact said she would put me on the list but we are now more than 2 full years further and nothing.

Thinking about it I believe I destroyed all my changes by arriving at the boutique in shorts, with my 3 young kids and wife. I was deemed "not worthy'" anymore. I accepted it and moved on. It is what it is.

It's a strange world and sometimes we just have to let it go.

lol I know you must be joking but why would the boutique deem you unworthy because you brought your kids and wife and you were wearing shorts that’s just insanity - who thinks like that


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[Potawatomi]

I've been usher out of AP locations as I walked in while wearing a Royal Oak on my wrist. They don't want customers very badly. They sell everything they make already.

[dauster]

Originally Posted by Steele

In Spain I used my Hermes SA to set me up with the AP SA and worked like a charm I got 2 pieces RO Ceramic Music edition for the wifey 37mm and the 26420CE for myself then in Capri we got the Diver the blue one for my business partner

So the Hermes takeover is confirmed :) how in the hell does that work ?

Can I use my Loro Piana sales person to get me a Ferrari and an AP openworked ?


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[Balance]

Originally Posted by Eldad

Dude It has two points of view. One is numbers and bottom line, if you go gray in today's market situation, it is much more profitable "than the journey" in the boutique. Buy a code for 30-40% less. Jumbo at 10-20% above and Royal Oak at more or less the retail price.
If you want company and personal attention AP house are the best in the business. You will receive the best service, conversation and swag in the market. Ultimately decide what is most important to you.

I agree with this 100%, couldn't have said it better myself.

The only pieces in the journey that will give significant numbers advantage are ceramic, but if you aren't already a multi year customer of AP you have no chance of getting one.

[Balance]

Originally Posted by Potawatomi

I've been usher out of AP locations as I walked in while wearing a Royal Oak on my wrist. They don't want customers very badly. They sell everything they make already.

I would be very surprised if this was a company owned boutique. And if it was, might have been an appointment only location.

AP usually do the luxury experience well and to their credit do an amazing job of entertaining the hoards of looky-lous and wannabe flippers.

[Potawatomi]

Originally Posted by Balance

I would be very surprised if this was a company owned boutique. And if it was, might have been an appointment only location.

AP usually do the luxury experience well and to their credit do an amazing job of entertaining the hoards of looky-lous and wannabe flippers.

I think it was appointment only.

[Napaswar]

More info needed here. Where did you buy Code and what model RO you asked. There are many cases you may not get RO after buying a single Code if those models are Jumbo, Oepnworked, Ceramic or low production models. Also, if you buy Code grey or from different house, that would be a bit more difficult to get RO from the other house. Not sure you talked to them first which RO you want before buying anything and let work on it how to get that piece.

[PalmBeacher83]

Originally Posted by soupy

Where did you buy the Code? That SA is your assigned SA whether you like him/her or not. You can't just go to another one or a different boutique to purchase just because you want to. It's just not how it works with them and their stupid CRM and sales ops. You have to actually internally request a transfer to who/where you're assigned and reset your wishlists, otherwise what you're doing is simply "touring" and wasting your breath and time. The market is crashing so fast for AP anyway that eventually no one is going to want to even baghold certain ROs anymore that there's going to be no point to visit boutiques anymore other than to visit the parts and service people and eat their free chocolate.

I bought the Code a Geneva on a vacation. Now the closest dealer to me is say I will have to only deal with Geneva and I’m like “I was only there one time”. The restriction that AP places on consumers is getting to the point that brand loyalty should suffer

[PreferHackingSeconds]

Originally Posted by PalmBeacher83

I bought the Code a Geneva on a vacation. Now the closest dealer to me is say I will have to only deal with Geneva and I’m like “I was only there one time”. The restriction that AP places on consumers is getting to the point that brand loyalty should suffer

Have you tried requesting to transfer to the closest boutique near you?

From my experience, every boutique / house I visited recommended me to stay with my home boutique! Some boutiques were busy and asked me to make an appointment otherwise the service has always been excellent.

Might be worth writing to your nearest boutique and request a transfer. Or check in with the Geneva boutique about continuing your collection there?

[gretch6364]

You also have to think about why the local boutique would put it on you to deal with. If you were a salesperson and someone swooped in and took a client from you without the client making the request…you would be pissed. It is likely respect or company policy so everyone plays nice.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by PalmBeacher83

I bought the Code a Geneva on a vacation. Now the closest dealer to me is say I will have to only deal with Geneva and I’m like “I was only there one time”. The restriction that AP places on consumers is getting to the point that brand loyalty should suffer

so you bought a code in geneva while on vacation, your location says florida and then you also visit the london boutique expecting something

that's not really "playing the game". you need to pick one boutique and have a talk with them and possibly request a transfer like someone suggested. this isn't the kind of brand where you just walk in and try to chat up SAs in different countries and expect something to come of that. AP is just trying to keep things fair for locals and since they're boutique only it doesn't make any sense for different locations and SAs of the same company to share clients. that's not even common in regular businesses

[messikens]

Originally Posted by PalmBeacher83

I bought the Code a Geneva on a vacation. Now the closest dealer to me is say I will have to only deal with Geneva and I’m like “I was only there one time”. The restriction that AP places on consumers is getting to the point that brand loyalty should suffer

According to your other posts you have also have a ROO 43mm taupe with minute creep? Was this also an auction buy / grey buy or did you buy it from a boutique?

Assuming you bought both at grey , I am guessing that
1. Not sticking to one boutique but doing boutique and SA hopping (all of which btw is logged into their CRM every time you visit)
2. Always asking for a RO
3. Buying pieces grey under MSRP but the wanting premium pieces at MSRP

doesn't necessarily make you the target customer for an SA to get you what you want...


I may be off here but if it's a final RO you want and you already have a Code and a ROO... Why not save yoursf trouble abd buy it grey also?