Will you tell your AP SA that you're buying from grey?

[onthewaitlist]

I was having coffee with a collector when we raised an interesting conflicting opinion about this.

Imagine this.

You want to buy a piece from your AP boutique but after waiting an entire year - they told you "sorry not your turn". (Even though the piece isn't a RO and it doesn't have a grey premium)

Naturally, you'll start looking into the grey market and you found a piece at 20% off.

Let's say you decided to purchase that piece.

Would you go and tell your AP SA that you bought it from grey?

The reason why this question comes into mind is that my collector friend was thinking of buying extra strap for this timepiece - but can only be acquired through the boutique.

He has a profile with the boutique which means the SA will know whether he buys through boutique or grey.

What's your thought?

[Becweb]

I don't think it should matter. "Collectors" typically have multiple avenues for obtaining watches and are not restrained by specific boutiques, ADs or even brands. Hard to answer straight without knowing the boutique and the relationship of your friend with them, but I don't think it should have an impact - on the opposite, I think it would demonstrate that he is serious about purchasing and collecting.

[felfyre]

Originally Posted by onthewaitlist

I was having coffee with a collector when we raised an interesting conflicting opinion about this.

Imagine this.

You want to buy a piece from your AP boutique but after waiting an entire year - they told you "sorry not your turn". (Even though the piece isn't a RO and it doesn't have a grey premium)

Naturally, you'll start looking into the grey market and you found a piece at 20% off.

Let's say you decided to purchase that piece.

Would you go and tell your AP SA that you bought it from grey?

The reason why this question comes into mind is that my collector friend was thinking of buying extra strap for this timepiece - but can only be acquired through the boutique.

He has a profile with the boutique which means the SA will know whether he buys through boutique or grey.

What's your thought?

The saying "it was business, nothing personal" comes to mind. Providing that the boutique or the SA couldn't provide your friend's piece (business), then it is justified for him to find another route to obtain one. The boutique shouldn't be taking it "personally" by your friend's decision, as they failed to provide the piece. Moreover he has profile and waited for a year already, the boutique should/have to be able to understand.

[Bourbon]

Sure, I'd absolutely tell them. There is a huge supply/demand issue.

[Seddyspaghetti]

I wouldn’t care volunteer that information. I’d just order the straps with no explanation. If they keep pressing me for some reason, i’d say i just feel like buying this extra strap now for when “the piece does come in”

[1William]

I would just order the strap and when it came in I would have them put it on the watch for me. If they ask where the watch came from I would say AP. No time for games or silliness.

[macrowatch]

Pretty sure the straps still help them hit quota. They could care less about the source IMHO.

[BogdanS]

Originally Posted by Becweb

…but I don't think it should have an impact - on the opposite, I think it would demonstrate that he is serious about purchasing and collecting.

This


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[AK797]

Originally Posted by 1William

I would just order the strap and when it came in I would have them put it on the watch for me. If they ask where the watch came from I would say AP. No time for games or silliness.

Yes, and I doubt they would ask this over a strap unless just for general chit chat and not as a gotcha, you can say it was a gift.

[danicasi2002]

Why would this matter to The SA if he/she is able to sell an accessory. Your friend does not need to tell the SA that he bought it from grey unless the SA asks for the information. As you said, if the SA wants to find out about it then he/she can search the database. Just my humble opinion.

[yOyOYoo]

I asked my AP rep this same question: whether they would care if I purchased an AP from a grey dealer. I was told that it made no difference where I got the watch, the important thing was that I joined the AP family.

[Sulituan]

They could have also purchased the watch from their friend, not a grey.

[supernova]

SA in AP House recommended I went grey when I said I didn't want to wait 1 year+ for a 15500ST and wanted one for a special event (wedding).

Got one since and still visit the AP boutiques no problem and no judgements.

[cascavel]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

I wouldn’t care volunteer that information. I’d just order the straps with no explanation. If they keep pressing me for some reason, i’d say i just feel like buying this extra strap now for when “the piece does come in”

Here you go. Treat them the way they treat you; little or no information.

[JF100]

100% tell them. If they are failing at providing the service they should then grey all the way. These 'sales associates' behave like professional footballers in a college bar.

[DeeTee]

You typically need the serial number to get straps

[Mini2]

Originally Posted by yOyOYoo

I asked my AP rep this same question: whether they would care if I purchased an AP from a grey dealer. I was told that it made no difference where I got the watch, the important thing was that I joined the AP family.

This is a lie

[Mini2]

Originally Posted by supernova

SA in AP House recommended I went grey when I said I didn't want to wait 1 year+ for a 15500ST and wanted one for a special event (wedding).

Got one since and still visit the AP boutiques no problem and no judgements.

I feel the opposite - froze out