Weird NYC boutique experience TL:DR

[Daytona116500]

So I moved to NYC 2 years ago from LA. I went into the boutique one of my 1st weekends and asked to put down a deposit for a 15450ST-03 and was told at that time they were not taking names for that year and come back in January. I went back in January of 2018 after SIHH and again was told the allocations were less that they expected and so I didn't make the list. Pretty bummed of course, but I was determined to somehow get one and went back to the boutique a few times throughout the year to check out what they had in the case and chat with the sales associates.

Fast forward to this year, called the store manager Susan to see if I can get on this year's list and she again told me no. My son was just born this January and his initials are AP and I wanted to get him an heirloom I can pass down one day. Frustrated, I went back to the boutique to ask if anything what can I do. It just so happened their NA CEO was at the store that day and we came to find out we lived in the same area of Brooklyn. He instructed one of the sales people there to take a deposit for me. Obviously I was thrilled and was given a May timeline to receive the watch.

About 3 weeks ago I went back in to check the status of things and the store manager was kind of rude to me, she told me I was 5th on the list and I'm the last one to get the 15450 this year and I don't need to keep coming in and checking in, they would call me when it arrived. No BS!

I called the boutique over the weekend after sitting on how I was spoken to by Susan and wanted to give some feedback and the sales associate actually told me my watch was at the store and had been there for a week. Weird. No call, and I was told I wasn't getting one until the end of the year.

So, I went to pick it up today and after reading all about how some of you were treated when you got your AP's - champagne and company swag, etc I was feeling rally excited.

My experience picking it up was NOTHING like that. When I got there and asked how the watch came early - I was told I should have "never" gotten a watch, but I guess the NA CEO who is no longer there - allocated me a watch when the boutique wasn't getting that many so they had to find me one. Obviously I'm very appreciative of getting the watch and all that but it's not a good feeling to be told I should shave "never gotten it".

Furthermore, I asked about expanding my collection and adding a ROC or 15500 and they told me they probably couldn't get me either since many other customers have expressed interest.

They didn't offer to size my watch, no swag, I had to ask them for a bag to put the watch in since it was raining today - mind you this was at 11:30 in the morning and no one else was in the store.

Long rant I know, and I love the watch but it sucks knowing instead of building a relationship and more pieces now I have to go elsewhere.

[AJM914]

Shame i would be pissed as well

[NYG1121]

This is horrible and sorry to hear about your experience. I tried to get on their so-called list for a few years and was given the same runaround hence I stopped trying. Don't give them your business anymore. Being local doesn't mean anything especially when it comes to AP. Look elsewhere.

[Amiroo]

Originally Posted by Daytona116500

So I moved to NYC 2 years ago from LA. I went into the boutique one of my 1st weekends and asked to put down a deposit for a 15450ST-03 and was told at that time they were not taking names for that year and come back in January. I went back in January of 2018 after SIHH and again was told the allocations were less that they expected and so I didn't make the list. Pretty bummed of course, but I was determined to somehow get one and went back to the boutique a few times throughout the year to check out what they had in the case and chat with the sales associates.

Fast forward to this year, called the store manager Susan to see if I can get on this year's list and she again told me no. My son was just born this January and his initials are AP and I wanted to get him an heirloom I can pass down one day. Frustrated, I went back to the boutique to ask if anything what can I do. It just so happened their NA CEO was at the store that day and we came to find out we lived in the same area of Brooklyn. He instructed one of the sales people there to take a deposit for me. Obviously I was thrilled and was given a May timeline to receive the watch.

About 3 weeks ago I went back in to check the status of things and the store manager was kind of rude to me, she told me I was 5th on the list and I'm the last one to get the 15450 this year and I don't need to keep coming in and checking in, they would call me when it arrived. No BS!

I called the boutique over the weekend after sitting on how I was spoken to by Susan and wanted to give some feedback and the sales associate actually told me my watch was at the store and had been there for a week. Weird. No call, and I was told I wasn't getting one until the end of the year.

So, I went to pick it up today and after reading all about how some of you were treated when you got your AP's - champagne and company swag, etc I was feeling rally excited.

My experience picking it up was NOTHING like that. When I got there and asked how the watch came early - I was told I should have "never" gotten a watch, but I guess the NA CEO who is no longer there - allocated me a watch when the boutique wasn't getting that many so they had to find me one. Obviously I'm very appreciative of getting the watch and all that but it's not a good feeling to be told I should shave "never gotten it".

Furthermore, I asked about expanding my collection and adding a ROC or 15500 and they told me they probably couldn't get me either since many other customers have expressed interest.

They didn't offer to size my watch, no swag, I had to ask them for a bag to put the watch in since it was raining today - mind you this was at 11:30 in the morning and no one else was in the store.

Long rant I know, and I love the watch but it sucks knowing instead of building a relationship and more pieces now I have to go elsewhere.

You live in NY. There are so many businesses itching to have your business. I've purchased many APs from the dealers on 47th street. It's always a pleasure. I would be upset too if I was treated like you. Seriously, pop by sometime and talk to those guys.

[S4one]

Ya that's horrible. You should get Susan's full name and post it here. That's BS

[SMD]

Buying from the NYC boutique is nothing special. Never gotten anything other than the watch of course and I am not about to ask. Was offered water though.

Susan (the manager of the boutique) is brusk for sure.

[wiswrist]

Sorry to hear that. Your experience seemed like quite the opposite of mine. I’ve always been treated well by all of the people I’ve encountered at the NYC boutique and it’s not like I’m some big spending VIP. With that being said, I have never dealt with Susan.

[csj]

Sorry to hear your bad experience. Definitely should have been better! Having experiences both at AP NYC and Material Good (AP AD in Soho), I would strongly recommend Material Good over the Boutique for you when considering another AP. Ask for Yoni! Customer service is amazing there.

[T3F]

That's an absolutely horrible experience and you should rightfully be pissed. I'm glad I'm not alone in having bad dealings with boutiques recently. I can't wait for them to start selling online, which the CEO said they'd be starting relatively soon. Material Good treated me much better, but they still wouldn't sell me much without doing some pretty heavy bundling, which is annoying. I've played the games for the last 18 months or so, but I'm really getting tired of begging people to take my money. At this point, if I want an AP, I think I'm either just going to wait it out or buy from the greys. I was told I needed to be at $300k to get the ceramic PC or a 15407 -- yes, "or," not "and" -- if I want both, I'll have to keep bundling. I see why resellers are getting the markups they're charging -- it makes way more sense to pay a $30k premium, which is what it seems to be for most hot APs and PPs, than to spend hundreds of thousands on watches you don't want to be able to get what you really want at retail.

[blacke90]

I know other buyers who didn’t get any swags at the NYC AP Boutique. Why let these small things get to you? You got the watch you wanted my man! At the end of the day, the 15450 is an entry level AP piece.

Your experience with not being able to get on the list is similar to others as well bc the boutique ran out of the allocations given to them. At least this was my experience last fall for the 15400, they told me to check in with them in early 2019 when they’ll find out more about the RO.

When it comes to personality fit, we can always switch to a different SAs. I had one very cold (can’t say the SA was rude) SA at Wempe showing me a few watches. I didn’t get along with her and proceeded to talk to a different SA the next time.

Once again, Happy you got the watch! No swags and etc at NYC AP Boutique is normal. No champagne for me there when I bought mine.

[blacke90]

Fyi, I’m not saying it’s ok for anyone to be rude for buying entry level items at any store.

[watchaser]

Sorry to hear about your experience. I had a similar experience here at the BHB in terms of the customer service. Nothing on display, no inventory, no longer taking names or deposit on any pieces. Other than a beautiful store, what’s the point!!?? There was absolutely nothing they could do or be willing to do to help me acquire anything that was somewhat popular. Since these AD experiences I’ve had much pleasure and top notch customer service dealing with many of the sellers here.

[s_haverford]

I am sorry to hear about your experience! It does not make for a good image seeing all these stories. While I love AP and I too want to acquire a 15450 at some point, getting the run around like that is unprofessional.

Has anyone here had a chance to meet the staff at the Boutique in East Hamptons?

[cascavel]

Go over to Maison Du Chocolat and buy a box of chocolates for around $200, maybe even more. Bring it to the A/P Boutique and give it to Susan and tell her how grateful you are that she got you a coveted 15450 and buy, or order, any Code 11:59. In two months go back with another box of chocolate and, while you're there buy some other watch that no one wants, maybe something with diamonds on the bezel. Try not to spend less than $50K. Then ask Susan if they can get you a ROC. I'll bet her attitude will be more favorable.
Or, go over to 47th st and pay the premium and you can have your ROC that day.

[Fat_ninja]

Not going to lie... I don’t really enjoy going to the AP boutique... they think they sell Pateks...

[Seaborn]

Sorry, man. That’s disappointing. End of the day, you got the piece you wanted.

[1William]

Not a good story and if it is indicative of the ownership experience to come, I would move on. I would hate to deal with them on a service or other issue. AP has never done much for me and there are a lot of watches brands that offer quality and service as a rule.

[maciej]

For what it's worth, and that's not to discount the experience you've had...

I've spent quite a bit of time at the New York City boutique and had the opportunity to sit down for some lengthy conversations with Susan and the staff just discussing the industry as a whole and it's pretty crazy the things that they go through and the positions that they're put in. Due to the current craze associated with the steel sport models and the highly desirable ones like the skeletons and the ceramic perpetual calendars its really been bringing out the worst in people. While in years past there was a bit of naiveté and optimism on the staff's side when they heard people's stories, in the past year or two it's gotten quite preposterous with regard to the lengths that people will go to in order to get their hands on desirable pieces to flip. I heard a story that another boutique manager was asked for a steel skeleton because it was the dying wish of the client's friend that had a terminal illness and they wanted to give them the chance to wear it for a few days prior to their inevitable demise, another new trend is that clients that have a lengthy purchasing history are being targeted and befriended in order to have them ask for a desirable piece and then it gets flipped.

I sincerely think that if you went in on a day where it's slow or dropped in a little more often to visit and strike up conversation that they'd open up to you, especially if you show them that you're truly passionate about the brand and horology as a whole, because right now everyone is highly suspicious of anyone asking for desirable pieces because they're actively trying to thwart flippers.

Just my opinion...

[AK797]

Originally Posted by blacke90

Fyi, I’m not saying it’s ok for anyone to be rude for buying entry level items at any store.

Not only is it wrong but AP pride themselves on good service so this manager needs to be brought to account, I would contact AP directly and complain, this woman has no business representing this brand.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by cascavel

Go over to Maison Du Chocolat and buy a box of chocolates for around $200, maybe even more. Bring it to the A/P Boutique and give it to Susan and tell her how grateful you are that she got you a coveted 15450 and buy, or order, any Code 11:59. In two months go back with another box of chocolate and, while you're there buy some other watch that no one wants, maybe something with diamonds on the bezel. Try not to spend less than $50K. Then ask Susan if they can get you a ROC. I'll bet her attitude will be more favorable.
Or, go over to 47th st and pay the premium and you can have your ROC that day.

Rewarding bad behaviour is absolutely the wrong move, always. There are many polite and professional ways to tell customers of the current situation which we all know favours sellers, and this woman did neither on multiple occasions, she should be out on her ear.

[Daytona116500]

Originally Posted by NYG1121

This is horrible and sorry to hear about your experience. I tried to get on their so-called list for a few years and was given the same runaround hence I stopped trying. Don't give them your business anymore. Being local doesn't mean anything especially when it comes to AP. Look elsewhere.

Yeah, between this and Rolex, the last few years haven't been the best in terms of watch collecting. I always ask myself could I be happy with IWC, Cartier, Breitling, Omega, etc - easy to buy no BS.

[Daytona116500]

Originally Posted by Amiroo

You live in NY. There are so many businesses itching to have your business. I've purchased many APs from the dealers on 47th street. It's always a pleasure. I would be upset too if I was treated like you. Seriously, pop by sometime and talk to those guys.

How is Avi & Co? I see them on Chrono24 a lot

[Daytona116500]

Originally Posted by S4one

Ya that's horrible. You should get Susan's full name and post it here. That's BS

Ha, I'm sure it's not hard to find. I didn't mean to put her on blast specifically, but just between her telling me to stop coming in like I'm bothering them by just asking a status and then when I finally picked up the watch that "I was never supposed to get it to begin with" wasn't really great customer service for a $18K purchase

[Daytona116500]

Originally Posted by csj

Sorry to hear your bad experience. Definitely should have been better! Having experiences both at AP NYC and Material Good (AP AD in Soho), I would strongly recommend Material Good over the Boutique for you when considering another AP. Ask for Yoni! Customer service is amazing there.

That store is beautiful - they have some truly incredible vintage watches too. I will try to go through them for the next one, although I am guessing very limited supply of any hard to get models.

[roxobox]

Originally Posted by Daytona116500

Long rant I know, and I love the watch but it sucks knowing instead of building a relationship and more pieces now I have to go elsewhere.

I remember when I posted my rant about my experience in this forum people basically attacked me. I realize I am *definitely* not alone in my experience. At least you got a watch :)

I have been fortunate enough to find an AD since then who had no problem allocating me a 15500 black dial, no thanks to the boutiques though. It arrives today, I'm very excited! The experience with the AD was nothing but a pleasure and I even got swag.

[GB-man]

Sorry to hear you had such a poor experience. I have not had that experience but then again I had bought from them before all this madness began. Now it is like nobody gets treated well unless you are blood relatives lol

Take solace in the fact you really pulled one off with the executive there that day. What an awesome move

[masterserg]

Originally Posted by maciej

I sincerely think that if you went in on a day where it's slow or dropped in a little more often to visit and strike up conversation that they'd open up to you, especially if you show them that you're truly passionate about the brand and horology as a whole, because right now everyone is highly suspicious of anyone asking for desirable pieces because they're actively trying to thwart flippers.

Just my opinion...

This has been my experience at a diff boutique (Bal Harbour). I am not a big client by any stretch ... just bought a 15400 and a couple straps. But I always try to stop by for a chat and to take a peek at some amazing watches. Always a great experience which I truly enjoy. They've been nothing but awesome with me ... including getting me said blue 15400 and a few very nice gifts ... and yeah ... I am always wearing ratty shorts, t-shirts and flip flops ...

[sokoloka]

Originally Posted by Daytona116500

How is Avi & Co? I see them on Chrono24 a lot

Bought a brand new 26400SO off them last year; was a good deal and a smooth transaction. Definitely would buy from them again.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by sokoloka

Bought a brand new 26400SO off them last year; was a good deal and a smooth transaction. Definitely would buy from them again.

I agree. I've done some business with them and have no complaints. Excellent selection of watches, too.

[Vipes]

I’m an AP fan but this craziness is turning me off to the brand.