Lost the Love

[gm58]

Originally Posted by Son Goku

Totally agree and basically said the same. Don't get why some feel the need to feed a delusional narrative as the OP admitted he screwed himself out of a watch he wanted simply because he'd rather shoot himself in the foot than allow the SA to offer him the watch then and there instead of calling him first without him having to ask for the watch again. Good luck in life with that attitude and I'm sure a lucky person is now enjoying what could have been your watch.

dont think that is the point that OP was trying to make, he was merely sharing his thoughts and feelings on his AP experience... dont think there is any delusion here as OP admitted, he definitely lost out on the watch he wanted perhaps due to pride.

ultimately bad experiences can affect purchasing decisions, this is luxury we are talking about as well... everyone has different thresholds and so be it. From what I understood from OP's post is that the SA's service was not great which can be off-putting when you are putting down serious coin. Ultimately just bad customer service which may put some people off and some people wont be fazed

[1st amg]

Living in Canada, there are no longer any AP boutiques or authorized dealers. Very tough to source one unless I go grey or somehow at the end of a rainbow in my travels, an AP boutique in the States would sell me one.
I wrote an email to Ginny Wright who is one of the top directors for AP USA. She regretfully informed me to fly to the USA and build a relationship with one. She suggested the NY office as it is closer. Nice

[V25V]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Living in Canada, there are no longer any AP boutiques or authorized dealers. Very tough to source one unless I go grey or somehow at the end of a rainbow in my travels, an AP boutique in the States would sell me one.
I wrote an email to Ginny Wright who is one of the top directors for AP USA. She regretfully informed me to fly to the USA and build a relationship with one. She suggested the NY office as it is closer. Nice

Ginny is amazing.

[usmc_k9_vet]

Originally Posted by V25V

Ginny is amazing.

Yeah she sounds amazing telling a customer they need to fly to a boutique to build a relationship with the brand amazing.


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[messikens]

Originally Posted by usmc_k9_vet

Yeah she sounds amazing telling a customer they need to fly to a boutique to build a relationship with the brand amazing.


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What do you want her to do? Build a pop-up tent?

She was asked and has taken the time to respond (I'd imagine politely, even it is was a PA). I'm sure the boutique would at least be quite open if someone pulled out an email from the CEO and made the trip to NY...

[usmc_k9_vet]

Originally Posted by messikens

What do you want her to do? Build a pop-up tent?

She was asked and has taken the time to respond (I'd imagine politely, even it is was a PA). I'm sure the boutique would at least be quite open if someone pulled out an email from the CEO and made the trip to NY...

Oh I don’t know maybe think outside the box a little bit for a potential custom that is ready to drop tens of thousands of dollars? See this is the problem with AP is they’ve even got people thinking this is “amazing” or good customer service. She could have mentioned their nomad program. You’re asking me what she should do? I don’t know. I’m not the one who is U.S. President of AP or whatever her fancy title is. I would think to get to that position she would actually have to do some things that could remotely be construed as amazing, but I suppose such is the position AP is currently in as a brand where no one has to even attempt to go above and beyond because demand for their product is so high (for now).

I like how he says she suggests flying to the U.S. to visit a boutique and the response is “Ginny is amazing” What about that makes her amazing? Put me in coach, I could do that on day one with no training or experience.


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[V25V]

Originally Posted by usmc_k9_vet

Oh I don’t know maybe think outside the box a little bit for a potential custom that is ready to drop tens of thousands of dollars? See this is the problem with AP is they’ve even got people thinking this is “amazing” or good customer service. She could have mentioned their nomad program. You’re asking me what she should do? I don’t know. I’m not the one who is U.S. President of AP or whatever her fancy title is. I would think to get to that position she would actually have to do some things that could remotely be construed as amazing, but I suppose such is the position AP is currently in as a brand where no one has to even attempt to go above and beyond because demand for their product is so high (for now).

I like how he says she suggests flying to the U.S. to visit a boutique and the response is “Ginny is amazing” What about that makes her amazing? Put me in coach, I could do that on day one with no training or experience.


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I was not referring to what she did in this specific instance. Just saying that, in my experience with her, she is an amazing person and reason why I did not bail on AP a couple of years ago. I am not sure what this person wrote to her but clearly the story was not compelling enough for her to offer another solution.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by V25V

I was not referring to what she did in this specific instance. Just saying that, in my experience with her, she is an amazing person and reason why I did not bail on AP a couple of years ago. I am not sure what this person wrote to her but clearly the story was not compelling enough for her to offer another solution.

With all due respect, she knows my purchase history and to add, about two months after her suggestion to fly to NYC, I instead went to the AP boutique at Bal Harbor in Miami. I told them the conversation with her and showed them the email to no avail. Basically, put your name in a list and that’s that. So I tried to reach out numerous times after that to tell her about the Miami visit and received no response. That is poor.
I have written to the head of FCA North America, a company that is probably 100 fold larger than AP and received responses, directions and results more than once. So no, Ginny is not a good person. Tim Kuniskis on the other hand, CEO is cool.


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[V25V]

You wouldn’t be disrespectful to me by disagreeing on liking someone, fine by me. My experiences with AP have not been great and I’ve voiced that on here in the past. She did right by me however and my experiences with her have been very different from yours.


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by V25V

You wouldn’t be disrespectful to me by disagreeing on liking someone, fine by me. My experiences with AP have not been great and I’ve voiced that on here in the past. She did right by me however and my experiences with her have been very different from yours.


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That’s great for you! Now go and put some loud miles on that epic GT3RS. BTW, the pic you showed with the large decal removed is sublime.


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[SpeedyTuomas]

I only have positive things to say about AP House London.

[Token74]

Originally Posted by Son Goku

Totally agree and basically said the same. Don't get why some feel the need to feed a delusional narrative as the OP admitted he screwed himself out of a watch he wanted simply because he'd rather shoot himself in the foot than allow the SA to offer him the watch then and there instead of calling him first without him having to ask for the watch again. Good luck in life with that attitude and I'm sure a lucky person is now enjoying what could have been your watch.

Sorry for the delayed responses, I’ve not been on the forum for a long time due to stuff going on.

Not sure why you’re questioning my attitude?

AP House was supposed to be all about service and experience, and service is really important to me when buying premium goods, it’s part of the justification for the premium and the very reason I bought from my local AD when I bought my first Rolex back in the day when it was a lot cheaper to buy grey. That was a long time ago and we have enjoyed an excellent relationship throughout that period.

As for shooting myself in the foot, not really. I’d expressed interest in the watch in question and wanted to see it in person, and probably would have bought it had the experience been better, but I certainly don’t have any regrets about not buying it, I have two other Offshore references so it’s not a big miss. Not buying it also meant I had the funds to buy a birth-year Submariner for my recently born first grandson, which means far more to me than any birthday watch for myself.


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[John Doyle]

Good on you to focus on real watches like Rolex and Patek.

[SRG89]

Sorry to hear OP.
It’s such a shame, we all loved the brand at one point or another to overlook their shortcomings. I agree with you though, I myself have had a number of problems across 4 different watches in the past 18 months and it really does leave you questioning the reliability and build quality.
Also nothing boils my blood more than being offered a watch that is in stock when I catch up with an AD that I’ve previously been on a wait list for. It just encourages you to hound your SA because you know your ROI is BS.
I’m also not buying the growing pains thing anymore, they’ve had enough time to sort this out yet they do not care.
Prices continue to go through the stratosphere whilst we hear customer service levels dropping continually.
They cut a lot of gifts at Christmas in UK for collectors - I’m not bothered about it but it was always nice to receive as you felt like you were being thought about.
What’s left feels like a very transactional relationship so if that’s the case I think it’s fair to start holding them to account over servicing and QC issues too

[Vivalas]

Originally Posted by Token74

Sorry for the delayed responses, I’ve not been on the forum for a long time due to stuff going on.

Not sure why you’re questioning my attitude?

AP House was supposed to be all about service and experience, and service is really important to me when buying premium goods, it’s part of the justification for the premium and the very reason I bought from my local AD when I bought my first Rolex back in the day when it was a lot cheaper to buy grey. That was a long time ago and we have enjoyed an excellent relationship throughout that period.

As for shooting myself in the foot, not really. I’d expressed interest in the watch in question and wanted to see it in person, and probably would have bought it had the experience been better, but I certainly don’t have any regrets about not buying it, I have two other Offshore references so it’s not a big miss. Not buying it also meant I had the funds to buy a birth-year Submariner for my recently born first grandson, which means far more to me than any birthday watch for myself.


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Birth year for your grandson Vince is a lovely thing and as you say will have a great meaning to him. Bought both my sons Rolexes for their 18th - they’ve both moved to London following University so don’t wear them up there. They wear them back home when they visit and once settled in the future will have them permanently.

[messikens]

Thread is a year-old Token74...

No need to resurrect old stories.

If you're still upset a year later (and needing to revive the same old thread) about at the end being offered a watch you actually did want, you have bigger problems in life

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Good on you to focus on real watches like Rolex and Patek.

Here we go again.

Ok Mr. Expert, pleas do share with us your wisdom and vast experience with these 3 brands so that you can put some substance and credibility behind your posts.

Which pieces do you own from each brand and what personal experiences lead you to your stance? Or are you just another keyboard warrior spouting out things you've read or watched on the internet?

[Halothane]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

With all due respect, she knows my purchase history and to add, about two months after her suggestion to fly to NYC, I instead went to the AP boutique at Bal Harbor in Miami. I told them the conversation with her and showed them the email to no avail. Basically, put your name in a list and that’s that. So I tried to reach out numerous times after that to tell her about the Miami visit and received no response. That is poor.
I have written to the head of FCA North America, a company that is probably 100 fold larger than AP and received responses, directions and results more than once. So no, Ginny is not a good person. Tim Kuniskis on the other hand, CEO is cool.


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I agree with you that she is not a good person. She should go back to selling face cream.

[Halothane]

Originally Posted by messikens

Thread is a year-old Token74...

No need to resurrect old stories.

Token74 - how dare you reply to your own thread? Now you've ruined the AP fanboys afternoon as they must come out in force to try and convince people AP is not a crap company

[gaheris]

Originally Posted by Token74

Sorry for the delayed responses, I’ve not been on the forum for a long time due to stuff going on.

Not sure why you’re questioning my attitude?

AP House was supposed to be all about service and experience, and service is really important to me when buying premium goods, it’s part of the justification for the premium and the very reason I bought from my local AD when I bought my first Rolex back in the day when it was a lot cheaper to buy grey. That was a long time ago and we have enjoyed an excellent relationship throughout that period.

As for shooting myself in the foot, not really. I’d expressed interest in the watch in question and wanted to see it in person, and probably would have bought it had the experience been better, but I certainly don’t have any regrets about not buying it, I have two other Offshore references so it’s not a big miss. Not buying it also meant I had the funds to buy a birth-year Submariner for my recently born first grandson, which means far more to me than any birthday watch for myself.


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This is absolutely wonderful. Great choice.

[John Doyle]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

Here we go again.

Ok Mr. Expert, pleas do share with us your wisdom and vast experience with these 3 brands so that you can put some substance and credibility behind your posts.

Which pieces do you own from each brand and what personal experiences lead you to your stance? Or are you just another keyboard warrior spouting out things you've read or watched on the internet?

Hi Mickey, i'm no expert that's for sure, i only give my opinion.
For rolex i purchased an exp 1 36mm, exp 2 and datejust 31mm blue dial fluted bezel for the wifey 2 years ago within 7 months time. The AD offered me a vtnr, 2 tone daytonas, plat and yg dd and some other pieces i don't want since then so i haven't purchased anything from the boutique since then - still "waiting" on a steel daytona or titanium yachtmaster. Even being a mass produced timepiece, i see rolex as a great blend of brand recognition, quality of build and overall pleasant to the eyes design.
For patek i purchased a 5235r in 2022 and 5212 in 2023 - still waiting on a nautilus unfortunately and the boutique only says the wish is well noted - proably doesn't mean much but i'm in no rush. I like the fact that patek has so many different watches one can chose from.
For AP i purchased a 15400sr back in 2018 after owning a grey diver in steel. I was in love with all things AP until i realized they didn't value my business, were changing their song randomly when i was visiting the boutique, were offering me pieces that all looked the same and not related to what i wanted to buy next etc. I just don't like the direction this brand has taken. Love my 15400sr but it it keeps less accurate time then my 40 year old cartier santos despite going back for service twice.

[Andad]

I made one approach to AP and based on that interaction I will never consider them again.

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Hi Mickey, i'm no expert that's for sure, i only give my opinion.
For rolex i purchased an exp 1 36mm, exp 2 and datejust 31mm blue dial fluted bezel for the wifey 2 years ago within 7 months time. The AD offered me a vtnr, 2 tone daytonas, plat and yg dd and some other pieces i don't want since then so i haven't purchased anything from the boutique since then - still "waiting" on a steel daytona or titanium yachtmaster. Even being a mass produced timepiece, i see rolex as a great blend of brand recognition, quality of build and overall pleasant to the eyes design.
For patek i purchased a 5235r in 2022 and 5212 in 2023 - still waiting on a nautilus unfortunately and the boutique only says the wish is well noted - proably doesn't mean much but i'm in no rush. I like the fact that patek has so many different watches one can chose from.
For AP i purchased a 15400sr back in 2018 after owning a grey diver in steel. I was in love with all things AP until i realized they didn't value my business, were changing their song randomly when i was visiting the boutique, were offering me pieces that all looked the same and not related to what i wanted to buy next etc. I just don't like the direction this brand has taken. Love my 15400sr but it it keeps less accurate time then my 40 year old cartier santos despite going back for service twice.

So based on 2 Rolex, 2 PP, and 1 AP ownership, you state that Rolex and PP are real watches and not AP? It seems you are more sour on your experience with AP more than anything else? So I guess if someone had a bad experience with PP, they can just as well say buy a real watch like a Rolex or AP and not PP? That just doesn't make any sense to me. I just think your posts come off as matter of fact instead of opinion. If you dislike AP so much, why bother surfing this subsection so often only to posts one line comments like "buy a real watch like Rolex or PP"? If you don't like the brand anymore because you have not been able to get an allocation or you've been treated poorly at a boutique, I totally get it. But that does not make the watch itself a bad watch. Bad experiences happen at all brands, it's not exclusive to AP. My worst experiences have been at PP AD's over the years until I found my current AD. I don't like the direction of PP currently, but I don't sit here and bash PP as a terrible watch at every opportunity just because. I think everyone here is well aware of your dislike of AP. You've gone as far as raining on some NWA threads to make your point. I don't think we need to be reminded all the time of how much you dislike the brand because I don't think most of us here care. Just my 2 cents.

[PattayaHammerTime]

Different experience here when I collected my watch from London AP House that had been in for service the other week, I was asked when arranging to go collect whilst I was there do I want to see any watches in advance so they could have them ready for me...

it did seem like the usual sales people there were just returning from holidays from the new year which makes sense as even though we are in London nobody I have spoken to is actually English there which to me is no issue just an observation!

[messikens]

Originally Posted by Halothane

Token74 - how dare you reply to your own thread? Now you've ruined the AP fanboys afternoon as they must come out in force to try and convince people AP is not a crap company

Dude I wasn't defending / being an AP fanboy.

All I'm saying is that if a luxury watch purchase and the perceived "slight" of not getting it naws on you so much that after a year you need to return to unearth your own thread only to start complaining about it again.... You have bigger issues than AP

[impactplayer]

Originally Posted by messikens

Dude I wasn't defending / being an AP fanboy.

All I'm saying is that if a luxury watch purchase and the perceived "slight" of not getting it naws on you so much that after a year you need to return to unearth your own thread only to start complaining about it again.... You have bigger issues than AP

I didn't really take it that way. Seems like OP just logged back in after being away for a few months (six to be precise) and had some notifications in his inbox about responses to this thread and he just followed up with a single message in reply to those. It doesn't strike me as something was gnawing at him or that he is even complaining, he seems to have moved on.

[GW44]

Originally Posted by PattayaHammerTime

Different experience here when I collected my watch from London AP House that had been in for service the other week, I was asked when arranging to go collect whilst I was there do I want to see any watches in advance so they could have them ready for me...

it did seem like the usual sales people there were just returning from holidays from the new year which makes sense as even though we are in London nobody I have spoken to is actually English there which to me is no issue just an observation!

Thanks for sharing.

What watches are you going to see/check out?

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by John Doyle

Hi Mickey, i'm no expert that's for sure, i only give my opinion.
For rolex i purchased an exp 1 36mm, exp 2 and datejust 31mm blue dial fluted bezel for the wifey 2 years ago within 7 months time. The AD offered me a vtnr, 2 tone daytonas, plat and yg dd and some other pieces i don't want since then so i haven't purchased anything from the boutique since then - still "waiting" on a steel daytona or titanium yachtmaster. Even being a mass produced timepiece, i see rolex as a great blend of brand recognition, quality of build and overall pleasant to the eyes design.
For patek i purchased a 5235r in 2022 and 5212 in 2023 - still waiting on a nautilus unfortunately and the boutique only says the wish is well noted - proably doesn't mean much but i'm in no rush. I like the fact that patek has so many different watches one can chose from.
For AP i purchased a 15400sr back in 2018 after owning a grey diver in steel. I was in love with all things AP until i realized they didn't value my business, were changing their song randomly when i was visiting the boutique, were offering me pieces that all looked the same and not related to what i wanted to buy next etc. I just don't like the direction this brand has taken. Love my 15400sr but it it keeps less accurate time then my 40 year old cartier santos despite going back for service twice.

you spent over $100K at PP and they still won't give you any indication as to when you will get the watch you actually want...and yet you think this PP experience is superior to AP's? you also bought 3 Rolex watches and they won't be giving you a steel Daytona anytime soon lol

[John Doyle]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

you spent over $100K at PP and they still won't give you any indication as to when you will get the watch you actually want...and yet you think this PP experience is superior to AP's? you also bought 3 Rolex watches and they won't be giving you a steel Daytona anytime soon lol

To clarify, i only buy what i want - i'd like a nautilus amongst other amazing references the brand makes.

Yes the experience is much better than with AP.

I'm in no rush to buy specific models regardless of the brand.

[PattayaHammerTime]

Originally Posted by GW44

Thanks for sharing.

What watches are you going to see/check out?

I didn't look at any as not in a position at present, moving house and funds are all tied up but they were keen to give me the service if required