AP Boutique v. Material Good?

[FrmrHoss]

A quick backstory - I used to have a local AD that carried AP and had previously bought from them. They lost their AP status in the great "AD purge" of two years ago or so, so now, despite a purchase history, I'm just any other noob off the street walking into an AP store and don't have anything real local to me.

A friend of mine has bought from Material Good in TX and introduced me to his connection there. I'm a little wary of my past experience and don't want to build a relationship with them in TX if it may be all for naught. On the flip side, the only AP boutique I get to visit with regularity is NYC as I go up there for work quite a bit and (a) haven't had the greatest experience there and (b) assume I will be the tiniest of tiny little fishies in their pool of clients. Anyone think my concern re: Material Good is overblown?

[macrowatch]

I have a bit of experience with both. My feeling is:

If you are a giant spender --> NYC Boutique
If you are a tiny spender, i.e. just trying to luck your way into a 15500 --> NYC Boutique

If you are a consistent middle fish --> MG JV boutique.

[FrmrHoss]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

I have a bit of experience with both. My feeling is:

If you are a giant spender --> NYC Boutique
If you are a tiny spender, i.e. just trying to luck your way into a 15500 --> NYC Boutique

If you are a consistent middle fish --> MG JV boutique.

Hah, touche. Had a friend get the seemingly impossible 15500 blue dial from the NYC boutique with no purchase history.... and, to the extent it's relevant, would be inquiring about a Code (GASP!).

Will admit I'm a little bit frustrated because I'm otherwise spoiled here in Charlotte - have a great AD that carries Patek here that has treated me very well, yet can't even seem to give my money to AP...

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by FrmrHoss

Hah, touche. Had a friend get the seemingly impossible 15500 blue dial from the NYC boutique with no purchase history.... and, to the extent it's relevant, would be inquiring about a Code (GASP!).

Will admit I'm a little bit frustrated because I'm otherwise spoiled here in Charlotte - have a great AD that carries Patek here that has treated me very well, yet can't even seem to give my money to AP...

I mean this in a sincere and not sarcastic way --> There are still odd unloved codes here and there. If just giving the money away to AP, I think it's still literally possible to get spend history for the sake of spend history. Not that I would recommend that route.

But with all the money swirling around, I think any reasonable easy entry (ROO, blue dial Code, etc) are all gone now.

FWIW, I feel that the NYC boutique has a mandate from corporate to bring new people into the brand. The problem is after the enter into the brand with the first purchase,then they are literally up against billionaires and centi-millionaries all with sizable history.

What year did your friend get the blue dial?

[FrmrHoss]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

I mean this in a sincere and not sarcastic way --> There are still odd unloved codes here and there. If just giving the money away to AP, I think it's still literally possible to get spend history for the sake of spend history. Not that I would recommend that route.

But with all the money swirling around, I think any reasonable easy entry (ROO, blue dial Code, etc) are all gone now.

FWIW, I feel that the NYC boutique has a mandate from corporate to bring new people into the brand. The problem is after the enter into the brand with the first purchase,then they are literally up against billionaires and centi-millionaries all with sizable history.

What year did your friend get the blue dial?

Just recently. Like a week ago (haven't seen him in a bit so haven't gotten the full story about how long he had to wait).

[huncho]

wasn't a big fan of material good. the nyc boutique is about as top tier as can be though but all comes down to luck, but at least they are nice about it lol

[911AP]

Material good is a joke. Don't do business with them.

[DJH1977]

I’ve had good experiences with Dallas boutique but am local. You can PM if you like. I know two of them including the manager.

[acaixguard]

My vote is for the boutique. They will at least consider your interest. My impression of Material Good is that they seem to get less inventory than the boutique, and only their top tier clients will get any of the desirable pieces.

[Xerxes77]

My advice is: start a new relationship with an AP Boutique and start with a CODE after that you can continue with a RO 15500 no blue dial.
More important is to start a relationship with AP Boutique because in 2-3 years AP will have only AP Boutique and other AD can disappear. Also on AP Boutique in worst scenario you will buy a CODE not jewelry who mean nothing for AP

[AperolSpritz]

AP controlled boutique or AP House all day, everyday, twice on Sunday - no question.

[agsstructures]

Material Good is a typical retail store in SoHo, they act like they are doing you a favor. The NYC boutique is great, always had good experiences.

[AG_Watches]

Originally Posted by DJH1977

I’ve had good experiences with Dallas boutique but am local. You can PM if you like. I know two of them including the manager.

I found the Dallas boutique to be repulsive. Will sell you anything but what you want and even if you purchase a code they wont promise anything. I dealt with Bal Harbor via phone and had a 100x better experience and got what I wanted without buying something I didnt want. Vs. multiple visits to Dallas boutique fruitless.

[DJH1977]

Hmm I can’t imagine what the issue could have been. All I can say is that is not my experience. Glad you connected with a boutique that could help you.

[AG_Watches]

Originally Posted by DJH1977

Hmm I can’t imagine what the issue could have been. All I can say is that is not my experience. Glad you connected with a boutique that could help you.

Glad you had a good experience! I’m going to keep trying as I would prefer a local relationship, but hasnt been easy thus far.

[acaixguard]

Just curious if anyone knows how Material Good is so closely tied to AP. They co-own the AP boutique in Manhassat (and perhaps others as well). Seems like AP can open boutiques on their own, so why are they giving MG co-ownership of those stores?

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by DJH1977

Hmm I can’t imagine what the issue could have been. All I can say is that is not my experience. Glad you connected with a boutique that could help you.

DJH1977, the only logical explaination is that you bought the watch AG Watches wanted! Lol.

[Vipes]

Originally Posted by AG_Watches

Glad you had a good experience! I’m going to keep trying as I would prefer a local relationship, but hasnt been easy thus far.

I’ve had similar experiences with Dallas boutique. They’re always pushing women’s models when I ask for something.

[acaixguard]

Back to MG, is there any reason one would shop for an AP there over the boutique? As tough as it is to get a standard Royal Oak, it seems like the boutique is way more willing to try for a new customer than MG is.

[macrowatch]

Originally Posted by acaixguard

Back to MG, is there any reason one would shop for an AP there over the boutique? As tough as it is to get a standard Royal Oak, it seems like the boutique is way more willing to try for a new customer than MG is.

To be clear, do you mean MG itself or the MG JV boutiques?

[acaixguard]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

To be clear, do you mean MG itself or the MG JV boutiques?

Well, either. In a city like NYC, why would one go to MG when there is the boutique nearby. If the only boutique near you is also co-owned by MG, then obviously there's no choice there. But then that raises the other question of why does AP need MG to co-own their boutiques?

[Mbbgysam]

Originally Posted by AperolSpritz

AP controlled boutique or AP House all day, everyday, twice on Sunday - no question.

From what I understand the new NYC AP House in Meatpacking will be operated by MG rather than AP. Makes no sense to me at all...

[7sins]

Would not touch MG with a 10ft pole, had a very underwhelming experiencing with a preowned Richard Mille purchase with them.

[acaixguard]

Originally Posted by Mbbgysam

From what I understand the new NYC AP House in Meatpacking will be operated by MG rather than AP. Makes no sense to me at all...

That's what I heard too. Which begs the question, why in the world does AP need MG to operate a boutique for them? I am starting to think the CEO of MG must have very close ties to the AP CEO or something of that sort.

[strettyend]

Originally Posted by Mbbgysam

From what I understand the new NYC AP House in Meatpacking will be operated by MG rather than AP. Makes no sense to me at all...

Is this still going forward? I know this was initially announced pre-COVID

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by 911AP

Material good is a joke. Don't do business with them.

I've heard this too from a few friends and on various forums.

[macrowatch]

Deleted - wrong topic.

[FrmrHoss]

Thanks everyone for the feedback - think you've helped me make my mind up

[RyanO]

Recently had an amazing experience at the NYC boutique, and was allocated 15500 grey dial with no purchase history.


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[Waybach]

I’m kind of surprised to see the dislike for MG now. When I asked for suggestions on which boutiques to express interest with last year the feedback I got was NYC, Miami, and MG were the best. I dealt with both MG and NYC after the recommendations and MG was able to get me my first AP (15500) in 4 months. A friend of mine was also able to get a 26331ST the same day I referred him to them.