ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
13 February 2018, 12:54 PM | #151 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: SF, CA
Posts: 833
|
Maybe I have missed it in the thread, but throughout 5 pages I have not seen anyone mention a single source with concrete details. Did I miss something? I am aware that AP has been shutting down AD's all around, but certainly not that AP is closing shop on every single AD. Many AD's globally are titans for AP and closing them down would leave consumers empty handed.. Any sources? Anyone know if AP is keeping the high performing AD's?
Essentially if their goal is to eliminate grey dealers to retain full value, I can possibly see where they are going with this, however for everyone else this doesn't seem like it will fare well. |
13 February 2018, 07:19 PM | #152 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: AP
Posts: 3,825
|
...I’m surprised that Carlson is even allowed to keep the booth...it’s a wretched, low end shopping experience and their shop is about a block from a sizeable AP-branded JV “boutique”
|
13 February 2018, 07:35 PM | #153 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Stockholm
Watch: 15707CE
Posts: 1,989
|
AP is terminating the relationship with a few AD's in Scandinavia as well. Lindroos, Bjerke and Klarlund.
__________________
State of the union: 5066A,15400ST,15707CE,116610LN,26470OR and a few other… |
13 February 2018, 09:50 PM | #154 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 3,629
|
Quote:
However, I'm not sure holding AP is really a privilege anymore for ADs, more like a giant kick in between the legs. Invest $$$ into setting up a section, then get no stock except the scraps that AP doesn't really sell, with maybe a bone thrown in here and there. |
|
13 February 2018, 10:02 PM | #155 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 59
|
Quote:
|
|
13 February 2018, 10:05 PM | #156 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: AP
Posts: 3,825
|
Quote:
|
|
13 February 2018, 10:11 PM | #157 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 3,629
|
Despite your emoticon at the end, yes, it is kinda like being a Rolex AD these days.
You gotta love being an AD, being told you have to spend $750K+ to install a Rolex-only section in your shop while real estate ain't cheap these days, only to receive endless shipments of Datejusts and DayDates that languish in your inventory. For good gesture, you'll get one or two Daytonas and a few Subs, all while you're fielding dozens of calls and walk-in visitors every single working day for these models, who all end up leaving empty handed. |
13 February 2018, 11:05 PM | #158 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: AP
Posts: 3,825
|
Quote:
I would guess that 70%+ of sales are done over the phone / WeChat/ WhatsApp to pre-orders with the incoming pieces never making it onto the shop floor. In this environment, having a limited number of boutiques stocked with a reasonably complete set of models to try and to order makes sense and allows for a better representation of the brand. ...of course the AP boutiques I’ve been to don’t live up to that potential. While the staff are (for the most part) switched on, inventory levels are underwhelming and, as Ben alluded to in his post, if you aren’t spending vast money, you won’t get any excess of love and attention |
|
13 February 2018, 11:14 PM | #159 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 57
|
Very true. While I agree the retail model is broken, the boutique should treat a buyer of a SS 15400 and a buyer of a royal oak offshore grand complication the same. Unfortunately, we know they do not. In this case, we know which buyer would get first crack at a SS 15407..
|
13 February 2018, 11:21 PM | #160 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: AP
Posts: 3,825
|
Quote:
|
|
13 February 2018, 11:26 PM | #161 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Singapore
Posts: 266
|
Singapore is tiny spec on the globe, you can't even write "Singapore" without covering up the island and we have 2 boutiques and 4 ADS. How's that for disproportion haha...
Lots of mainland Chinese tourists come here though...that must be it. From what I gathered from FHB's SIHH interviews, its like a targetted assassination of non-performing stores boutique or ADs to better control distribution and likely the leaks into the grey market..... |
13 February 2018, 11:33 PM | #162 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 57
|
Quote:
I feel just as bad for the regular guy who doesn't know about TRF, other forums, watch websites, etc. and has lusted for a SS 15202 over the years and could never afford it. Now let's say he can due to the personal success you mention. He goes to his AD and that's a big time no go. He goes to the boutique and now he is either told no or he is at the end of what we assume to be a very long list. At the end of the day it just doesn't seem fair. Even though these are pricey objects, it still is just a piece of metal that tells time. |
|
13 February 2018, 11:48 PM | #163 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Real Name: Ash
Location: UK
Watch: AP Royal Oak
Posts: 4,544
|
For some reason people here (TRF) seem to think that it’s difficult to have a relationship with the boutique. Maybe the U.K. is different but the people at the London HQ/Office/lounge are very welcoming and when you talk about going on lists for in demand pieces there’s a very positive reaction.
I don’t get why everyone is being so negative given that you’re likely to be successful in your own right and possess the skills to forge strong relationships with people. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
13 February 2018, 11:58 PM | #164 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 57
|
Quote:
|
|
14 February 2018, 12:02 AM | #165 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Real Name: Ben
Location: SIN & JKT
Watch: Rolex, AP, PP
Posts: 9,873
|
Quote:
__________________
Follow me on Instagram : benlee789 |
|
14 February 2018, 12:08 AM | #166 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 3,629
|
Quote:
I have seen many mainland tourists walk in and pick up what's on the floor in the display case, but it really seems for locals, most people have pre-ordered their pieces and they never make it to the floor. The sad part of this is how much real estate is wasted on having duplicative boutiques all while sales staff are just playing games on their cellphone. Yet, they were one of the major forces in driving retail rents through the roof, such that many local businesses couldn't stay afloat, which led to the hollowing out of Hong Kong's shopping culture (IMO). |
|
14 February 2018, 12:10 AM | #167 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,431
|
Quote:
Second, I don't want to "build a relationship" with people selling me material items. That's not to say that I am not friends with some sellers in the watch world or that that doesn't inure to my benefit now and then, but I'm busy, I don't want to chat up or send cards to or pop by a store so that I have the ability to have them take my money. If anything, it should be reversed. |
|
14 February 2018, 12:12 AM | #168 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 57
|
Quote:
|
|
14 February 2018, 12:13 AM | #169 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Real Name: Ben
Location: SIN & JKT
Watch: Rolex, AP, PP
Posts: 9,873
|
Quote:
__________________
Follow me on Instagram : benlee789 |
|
14 February 2018, 12:14 AM | #170 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: N/A
Posts: 3,629
|
Quote:
It seems bass ackwards that I have to brown nose salespeople so that I can have the "privilege" of dropping $40K or $50K to get a SS watch. |
|
14 February 2018, 12:19 AM | #171 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,304
|
Quote:
Yes, I do think it's a shame that the retail experience is dying, but this is just how the techo world is progressing, and I think in future people will place more of a premium on being able to just get a watch and showing it off online than on how they buy it. It's nice to have a salesman or two be respectful of you but fades to nothing compared to thousands fawning and lusting over your new luxury watch. It already happens here on TRF altho we have a bit more substance than the Instas etc, and social media has played a huge part in the higher turnover and flipperitis that is helping to surge demand on popular pieces that are bought now not only to flip for money but to display on Social Media. |
|
14 February 2018, 12:26 AM | #172 | ||
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Real Name: Ben
Location: SIN & JKT
Watch: Rolex, AP, PP
Posts: 9,873
|
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
Follow me on Instagram : benlee789 |
||
14 February 2018, 12:28 AM | #173 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 57
|
Quote:
|
|
14 February 2018, 12:30 AM | #174 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 57
|
[QUOTE=benlee;8277790]Agree. It's easy. Walk away. They are many great brand and watches out there.
You are right. So many fantastic brands out there. It doesn't pay to be so closed minded. |
14 February 2018, 12:36 AM | #175 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,304
|
Quote:
|
|
14 February 2018, 12:37 AM | #176 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Boston
Posts: 1,431
|
Quote:
|
|
14 February 2018, 12:42 AM | #177 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,304
|
Quote:
|
|
14 February 2018, 12:43 AM | #178 |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Neil
Location: UK
Watch: ing ships roll in
Posts: 59,304
|
|
14 February 2018, 12:43 AM | #179 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NJ
Posts: 57
|
Quote:
|
|
14 February 2018, 01:31 AM | #180 | |
2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: USA
Watch: addiction issues
Posts: 37,004
|
Quote:
When demand dies the companies can’t cut production to nothing. They have employees to feed.
__________________
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.