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.

[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.

[JVM]

Unfortunately easy to buy and no BS because there is very little demand for their product. When it comes to the desirable pieces (Speedy Tuesday, Speedy "Ultraman") it might as well be a hot AP, Patek or stainless Rolex; same story.

Of those brands, I really like what I've seen from Cartier lately. Great brand history with a number of iconic models, and now some interesting movements built in-house. I think the "Drive" model with the complications is a stunning watch.

Originally Posted by Daytona116500

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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[rlx123]

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.

On the same token, you live in a city where there are many more bigger whales than you! They may have purchased many more time pieces from AP boutique than you. Be happy you got what you want and enjoy it.

[Vince KSA]

Originally Posted by Bryantto

On the same token, you live in a city where there are many more bigger whales than you! They may have purchased many more time pieces from AP boutique than you. Be happy you got what you want and enjoy it.

With all respect, I think you're missing the point here a little.

Being rude to a customer on a day he's laying out thousands of hard earned dollars and being told you don't deserve it would ruin the the big purchase day for 99% of people on here.

Indeed are you Susan in disguise?

[myporsche]

Originally Posted by Vince KSA

With all respect, I think you're missing the point here a little.

Being rude to a customer on a day he's laying out thousands of hard earned dollars and being told you don't deserve it would ruin the the big purchase day for 99% of people on here.

Indeed are you Susan in disguise?

This is true, its certainly very disrespectful. My path along with many others to AP was a very difficult one and I wouldn't want to be treated that way regardless of city, store, salesperson or the current state of watches.

[rlx123]

Originally Posted by myporsche

This is true, its certainly very disrespectful. My path along with many others to AP was a very difficult one and I wouldn't want to be treated that way regardless of city, store, salesperson or the current state of watches.

I am a business owner and at the end of the day what’s most important to my business is getting the job done and getting what I want. I have been waiting for the SS Daytona for two years and still waiting. If the AD calls me to sell me a Daytona, they can call me an SOB or what ever name they please as long as I get my watch. That is getting the job done. At the end of the day, i will enjoy my watch for many years to come and this memory of this rude transaction will be forgotten. If the OP was so offended by the way they treated him, then he shouldn’t have bought the watch and tell them that they are low-life sales people who don’t deserve his business. Sometimes you have to put your ego aside to get the job done.


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[S4one]

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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[HarryLime]

Originally Posted by AK797

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.

I agree, I'd do this.

Also, am I crazy but was there no TL;DR in this thread despite it being in the subject line?

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by AK797

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.

I agree

[Daytona116500]

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.

I get what you mean. $18K might be a lot to me or others but it's little to nothing to them. I am happy I got the watch in the end, trust me. But it also makes me think about in the future working with companies who appreciate my business in a manner which I find more acceptable.

[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?

[pgasparro]

Originally Posted by 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?

Met them all this past Saturday - I can not say enough great things about them. Great group of people, really personable. Allowed us to take multiple watches out of the cases, would let me and the people I was with handle and inspect them without giving you the normal stink eye and run around that you would get at the NYC boutique.