AP to consolidate sales channel to direct sales

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by SMD

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.

My AD got close to a year notice. Effective December of this year and for all of their locations... London, NY etc. .

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.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

My AD got close to a year notice. Effective December of this year and for all of their locations... London, NY etc. .

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.

This also goes hand in hand with not getting access to pieces that people want to buy. AP won’t allocate the hard to get pieces to someone they are terminating so the AD won’t push very hard to move undesirable pieces. Most ADs saw this coming a mile away.

[ragsk]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

My AD got close to a year notice. Effective December of this year and for all of their locations... London, NY etc. .

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.

I know who you are referring too. They don’t have AP watches displayed anywhere now I don’t think. About 4 months ago they only had 3 on display in an obscure corner before you go inside but it is not a front of shop window location. I think they have known for a while that this was coming. They however do push Patek and Rolex the most and likely always did. They are a great prestigious dealer.

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.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by ragsk

I know who you are referring too. They don’t have AP watches displayed anywhere now I don’t think. About 4 months ago they only had 3 on display in an obscure corner before you go inside but it is not a front of shop window location. I think they have known for a while that this was coming. They however do push Patek and Rolex the most and likely always did. They are a great prestigious dealer.

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.

yeah. Not making a judgement on AP's business decision, just that in the interim it gets a bit weird. AD's giving up isnt good for anyone.

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.