Etiquette on using ADs for small tasks on watches not purchased there?

[bioyuki]

What's the etiquette on asking ADs to perform small tasks, e.g. resizing/cutting bracelets, on watches that weren't purchased there? I buy on the grey market as I realistically will never get the chance to purchase the watches I want at retail. And I trust a Patek AD more than a local watchmaker for handling expensive pieces.

My thought process is that getting to be an AD these days is a bit of a privilege given Patek's push around consolidation, and routine requests like this comes with the territory as ADs are an ambassador of the brand. Am I offbase here with this thinking?

[GK12345EMAIL]

Originally Posted by bioyuki

What's the etiquette on asking ADs to perform small tasks, e.g. resizing/cutting bracelets, on watches that weren't purchased there? I buy on the grey market as I realistically will never get the chance to purchase the watches I want at retail. And I trust a Patek AD more than a local watchmaker for handling expensive pieces.

My thought process is that getting to be an AD these days is a bit of a privilege given Patek's push around consolidation, and routine requests like this comes with the territory as ADs are an ambassador of the brand. Am I offbase here with this thinking?

I went to Kerns in Burlingame to get a strap changed for a Calatrava I did not buy there. They were very nice to me.

[dchang81]

I have only bought two watches non pateks from my local patek AD, nothing that expensive. their service and people that work there are great, they do all that stuff for me no problem. sometimes I go and just chat for awhile waiting for dinner at a nearby restaurant. it honestly makes me want to buy more stuff from them since they treat me well regardless of my low purchase history, the main issue is they sell just about every reference and it's tough to get anything. my wife tells me im the worst customer, barely buy anything from them especially since I've been on an indie kick.

[GGGMT]

If it is service related, I believe they get compensated. If it is not service related, I believe they are incentivized to be nice from a business development perspective. Even though they have no watches to sell you. LOL.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[llngoc]

Ask nicely and be polite. A lot of places have a different staff in the service department than the sales staff anyway.

Unless you are taking a Patek to Tiffany. A couple of years ago when they still carry Patek, the SFO store told me they need to send my 5711 to NYC for taking out a link as they were not trained there to take out a link.

[Kliminator]

They will do it. I've had a bracelet sized at a local AD that I did not purchase there. I called and they said no prob - just asked me to come at an off peak hour to help me which I thought was reasonable.

[ts3]

No problem.

The local ADs have always been friendly and forthcoming when it comes to small stuff such as a pressure test although I haven't bought a Patek or other watch there as my AD is a few hours away. They all have a watch maker on hand for minor repairs etc.

[joli160]

I am not so sure that I would rather have a SA than a watchmaker touch my bracelet.
Just give them a call, probably they will not even ask where you purchased yours.

[GB-man]

I do it all the time. Mostly use them to send in watches for service as it’s easier.

[Calatrava r]

I would think any Patek AD will help you as best they can on anything. They would also gladly sell you any watch you want, if they had the inventory available. Never confuse a shortage of inventory with poor customer service.

[rolexandlange]

I've never had a problem. I've even taken a Royal Oak to a Patek AD for sizing and they did it. I always offer to pay and never been charged for small stuff.

[sampelligrino]

I didn't even know ADs could sell watches..

[SudiYunus]

Originally Posted by sampelligrino

I didn't even know ADs could sell watches..

LoLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

[PatekSF]

Originally Posted by llngoc

Ask nicely and be polite. A lot of places have a different staff in the service department than the sales staff anyway.

Unless you are taking a Patek to Tiffany. A couple of years ago when they still carry Patek, the SFO store told me they need to send my 5711 to NYC for taking out a link as they were not trained there to take out a link.

Tiffany SF wouldn’t even change the battery on my wife’s 24 ~ wanted to send it back to HSWA in NYC … ridiculous.

[RKunz]

That’s why they are there to service Patek Philippe clients regardless of whether they purchased there or not. Standard business!