Safe sale... Really safe?

[Octagon Guy]

Been seeing alot of safe sales for AP. Is it really safe for both sellers and buyers?

For sellers :

Buyers might not be able to register online without the warranty card but they can do so at the Boutique during collection after they send in for servicing. From my understanding, anyone can send in for servicing but collection is by owner only. So either the owner, who is registered in the system, has to collect in person or the one collecting have to be registered as the new owner.

It actually defeats the seller's intention, isn't it?

For buyers :

It's always a risk to run into a scam. The seller might claim the timepiece as lost property? Since they are still legally the owner?

Am I missing something? Anyone care to share their thoughts?

[mickyd329]

I would never do a safe sale or a safe purchase. Too much risk on both sides. I would let my boutique know if I'm selling something. I would not likely purchase any AP in the grey market and rather request it through AP, unless it's a discontinued model. Even then, I wouldn't purchase anything without the warranty card in hand.

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

I would never do a safe sale or a safe purchase. Too much risk on both sides.

What's the risks you are referring to? And is there really no way AP knows as long as you sell without the warranty card? Or is the scenario of sending in by the new owner without warranty true as per what I was told?

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

What's the risks you are referring to? And is there really no way AP knows as long as you sell without the warranty card? Or is the scenario of sending in by the new owner without warranty true as per what I was told?

If the new owner sends in the watch to a boutique or service center for warranty work, that's when the cover gets blown. Safe sale only prevents the new owner from registering the watch under their profile because you need the warranty card to do it..

As for purchasing, I would never buy a watch without original warranty card or papers.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

If the new owner sends in the watch to a boutique or service center for warranty work, that's when the cover gets blown. Safe sale only prevents the new owner from registering the watch under their profile because you need the warranty card to do it..

As for purchasing, I would never buy a watch without original warranty card or papers.

Yeah, being able to register the watch and have it show up in the account correctly is a pretty good confidence boost.

[temporaltactix]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Yeah, being able to register the watch and have it show up in the account correctly is a pretty good confidence boost.

2020 Tokyo is a stunning piece. Did you get it from a boutique?

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

If the new owner sends in the watch to a boutique or service center for warranty work, that's when the cover gets blown. Safe sale only prevents the new owner from registering the watch under their profile because you need the warranty card to do it..

As for purchasing, I would never buy a watch without original warranty card or papers.

So the info I posted, which was told by my SA, is accurate. Thanks for the confirmation.

[Brit78]

You've raised some valid concerns. For sellers, the registration and collection process can be tricky, potentially defeating their intentions. For buyers, there's always the risk of scams and legal complications if the seller claims it as lost property. It’s definitely a grey area that requires caution. Would love to hear more experiences and thoughts from others!

[messikens]

Great question - if I'd buy from a reseller I'd never buy without the warranty card / papers

How much of a discount can one expect from a safe sale? Must be massive given the grey area you're moving in...? Can someone elaborate

[Broadbear]

Just wondering why can’t you register the watch with the serial on the back of the watch… I can’t remember if a warranty card is required. But I mean you can purchase a watch at a considerable discount, and if the card is kept with a trusted dealer and actually mentioned in the contract then I think it would be a win-win


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[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by Broadbear

Just wondering why can’t you register the watch with the serial on the back of the watch… I can’t remember if a warranty card is required.

You need both the watch's serial as well as the warranty card number to register.

[Broadbear]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

You need both the watch's serial as well as the warranty card number to register.

From memory I had to take photo of the card to activate AP service coverage, but can’t remember if it was needed to add the 3 extra years. Who cares really if the card is kept with a reliable 3rd party and mentioned in the contract (binding legal document)


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[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by Broadbear

But I mean you can purchase a watch at a considerable discount, and if the card is kept with a trusted dealer and actually mentioned in the contract then I think it would be a win-win


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Originally Posted by Broadbear

From memory I had to take photo of the card to activate AP service coverage, but can’t remember if it was needed to add the 3 extra years. Who cares really if the card is kept with a reliable 3rd party and mentioned in the contract (binding legal document)


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What if the sale is from an overseas dealer? It's gonna be complicated then.

[Broadbear]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

What if the sale is from an overseas dealer? It's gonna be complicated then.

So just dealer with a trustee local dealer… there are plenty. Couple of days back I saw a brand new 16202 2024 on moda for 65k which is a nice discount from regular price.


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[J.T.]

You aren't getting any discount on a safe sale. Safe sales are on the newest hottest models with substantial premium, ie.. the John Mayer perpetual that are trading at $375k+ currently

[7sins]

Originally Posted by J.T.

You aren't getting any discount on a safe sale. Safe sales are on the newest hottest models with substantial premium, ie.. the John Mayer perpetual that are trading at $375k+ currently

You are 100% getting a discount on a safe sale vs non. Go to moda, any watch that is a safe sale is at least 10-20%++ lower than a non-safe sale watch with warranty card. Always. It is akin to buying a watch without papers, there is a discount relative to market grey value, even for the hottest models, otherwise why would anyone buy one without the warranty card if the value was the same for one with.

[Gandor]

Safe sales are only for middle men to con owners into selling their pieces under the guise it won’t affect their AP relationship which it inevitably does.

[APhound]

Could only see it working between close friends/ family.


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[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by APhound

Could only see it working between close friends/ family.


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I somehow agree with your statement. These "safe" agreement works well with people you trust and won't play you out. I won't want to spend tens of thousands on a watch without warranty card BUT with restrictions on sending in for servicing, etc. Trusted local dealer or not.

[Shmoopy]

I was all set to purchase a Starwheel, then the seller disclosed that it needed to be a safe sale at the last moment.

I actually called my SA to ask her a few questions about re-registration. I told her that I understand their policy of needing the card to re-register, but would they really refuse to register if I were to walk into the store with the watch and a purchase invoice including serial showing I am the owner? (Or alternatively, doing the aforementioned when picking up after sending in for service aka to confirm authenticity.)

She would not give me a straight answer.

I mean, the warranty follows the watch, right? I can't imagine this hasn't been litigated yet... I am still planning on purchasing a Starwheel, so I'll try to update this thread accordingly.

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

I was all set to purchase a Starwheel, then the seller disclosed that it needed to be a safe sale at the last moment.

I actually called my SA to ask her a few questions about re-registration. I told her that I understand their policy of needing the card to re-register, but would they really refuse to register if I were to walk into the store with the watch and a purchase invoice including serial showing I am the owner? (Or alternatively, doing the aforementioned when picking up after sending in for service aka to confirm authenticity.)

She would not give me a straight answer.

I mean, the warranty follows the watch, right? I can't imagine this hasn't been litigated yet... I am still planning on purchasing a Starwheel, so I'll try to update this thread accordingly.

Personal experience. I helped my brother send in a ROO for servicing and my full details was taken down. Was told upon collection, either he has to collect personally or the watch will be re-registered in my name.

[Halothane]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

Personal experience. I helped my brother send in a ROO for servicing and my full details was taken down. Was told upon collection, either he has to collect personally or the watch will be re-registered in my name.

This company is just ridiculous. They have a way of alienating customers down to an art.


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[7sins]

Originally Posted by Shmoopy

I was all set to purchase a Starwheel, then the seller disclosed that it needed to be a safe sale at the last moment.

I actually called my SA to ask her a few questions about re-registration. I told her that I understand their policy of needing the card to re-register, but would they really refuse to register if I were to walk into the store with the watch and a purchase invoice including serial showing I am the owner? (Or alternatively, doing the aforementioned when picking up after sending in for service aka to confirm authenticity.)

She would not give me a straight answer.

I mean, the warranty follows the watch, right? I can't imagine this hasn't been litigated yet... I am still planning on purchasing a Starwheel, so I'll try to update this thread accordingly.

That is exactly it, the warranty goes with the watch not the owner, so any issue with the watch is covered by the warranty, regardless of the owner.

HOWEVER and very important, the 2 year watch theft protection goes to whom the watch is registered to. Should the watch be stolen, the police report needs to be in the name of the individual to whom the watch is registered to and you can not do this without the warranty card.

[messikens]

Interesting please do keep us posted.

Not saying they wouldn't release the card but what happens if (even if you have a contract and a sale) something after the purchase happens? Seller has his money, so are you really expecting someone to be so diligent and to keep a card safe for 2 addl years, and then remember to mail it to you? And what happens if they don't? Are you going to going to sue them for an old warranty card...

I just find the possibilities are not worth the savings

[temporaltactix]

If you ever want to sell the Tokyo I’d be very interested


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[mikef82]

Doesnt safe sale mean that you can't register the watch onto your personal AP account until 1 year of the original purchase date?

I would assume that there would be warranty cards and what not but you would agree not to register the watch until a later date, to avoid having the original buyer from being blacklisted from the dealer.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by mikef82

Doesnt safe sale mean that you can't register the watch onto your personal AP account until 1 year of the original purchase date?

I would assume that there would be warranty cards and what not but you would agree not to register the watch until a later date, to avoid having the original buyer from being blacklisted from the dealer.

Could be gentleman's agreement, could be the dealer keeping the card. Could also be more than 1 year.

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

Could be gentleman's agreement, could be the dealer keeping the card. Could also be more than 1 year.

The chances of using "gentleman's agreement" for a safe sale is almost nil, I believe. The seller have everything to lose when they sell at a lower than market price and almost certainly gets played out. Every buyer will want to register the watch to their profile as long as they have the warranty card on hand.

[VogelPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Octagon Guy

The chances of using "gentleman's agreement" for a safe sale is almost nil, I believe. The seller have everything to lose when they sell at a lower than market price and almost certainly gets played out. Every buyer will want to register the watch to their profile as long as they have the warranty card on hand.

At least one guy on Reddit was swearing up and down that he would never break his gentleman's agreement with a grey dealer. So this exists (to the extent that anything on Reddit is real).

[Octagon Guy]

Originally Posted by VogelPhoenix

At least one guy on Reddit was swearing up and down that he would never break his gentleman's agreement with a grey dealer. So this exists (to the extent that anything on Reddit is real).

He must be one of the rare ones, provided his words are to be trusted. Gentleman's agreement normally only works between friends.