Advice on switching boutiques - moving cross country

[Vince_76]

So I’ve been trying to get an AP for over 2 years now. Had what I would say is a decent relationship with my SA, but unfortunately the stars didn’t align. I finally recently pulled the trigger on a piece and went grey, but I want to continue the AP journey (hopefully) with the boutique.

I’m moving cross country for work, and want to stop by the new home boutique to introduce myself and get my piece sized. I’m an avid enthusiast of the brand and watches in general, so hoping that we’d break the ice fairly well.

Any advice on how such a switch should happen? I assume I need to have a talk with my SA and let him know I’m moving. What happens behind the scenes in terms of your profile? Will my current SA make a connection to a new one, or do I go ahead?

Any advice would help. It’s been a bit frustrating to be so enthused by the brand and not be allocated for a few years. I paid a premium and went grey, and hope that they appreciate this fact and it bolsters my profile

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

So I’ve been trying to get an AP for over 2 years now. Had what I would say is a decent relationship with my SA, but unfortunately the stars didn’t align. I finally recently pulled the trigger on a piece and went grey, but I want to continue the AP journey (hopefully) with the boutique.

I’m moving cross country for work, and want to stop by the new home boutique to introduce myself and get my piece sized. I’m an avid enthusiast of the brand and watches in general, so hoping that we’d break the ice fairly well.

Any advice on how such a switch should happen? I assume I need to have a talk with my SA and let him know I’m moving. What happens behind the scenes in terms of your profile? Will my current SA make a connection to a new one, or do I go ahead?

Any advice would help. It’s been a bit frustrating to be so enthused by the brand and not be allocated for a few years. I paid a premium and went grey, and hope that they appreciate this fact and it bolsters my profile

No need to talk to your current SA. Introduce yourself to your nearest boutique and let them know you have moved and want your profile moved as well. They should assign you a new SA. Hopefully, your new SA can work harder for you and get you allocations. Good luck!

[l_chissle]

Hoping you're not moving to Dallas and getting the guy this poster had here!: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=902158

[Atmwireless]

Have the new store register your ap to your profile. This will help you with future purchases.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

No need to talk to your current SA. Introduce yourself to your nearest boutique and let them know you have moved and want your profile moved as well. They should assign you a new SA. Hopefully, your new SA can work harder for you and get you allocations. Good luck!

Thank you! This makes it easy. Fingers crossed

Originally Posted by l_chissle

Hoping you're not moving to Dallas and getting the guy this poster had here!: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=902158

Ha not quite! Moving to Orange County

Originally Posted by Atmwireless

Have the new store register your ap to your profile. This will help you with future purchases.

Alright thanks. I already registered the piece on my profile. Do you mean the backend CRM that SA’s use?

[Vince_76]

Also, if anyone has a strong relationship with someone at the SCP boutique, would much appreciate a referral.

[l_chissle]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Also, if anyone has a strong relationship with someone at the SCP boutique, would much appreciate a referral.

For someone who's quite clearly an AP enthusiast, hopefully someone on the forum can help you out here!

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by l_chissle

For someone who's quite clearly an AP enthusiast, hopefully someone on the forum can help you out here!

Thank you! I really hope so… it’s unfortunate how many 50th and brand new pieces were flipped while enthusiasts like us were on the sidelines.

[watchaser]

Welcome to Orange County!

Although being based here in OC, I have an out of state "home store" but every time I stop by the SCP boutique, Daniel's always been a pleasure to engage with.

Good luck!

[psm11]

Wish I could help Vince.

I have been going to SCP for almost 2 years now but haven't had any luck with anything other than a CODE. I switched to Daniel back in September of last year. Our meeting was great and he seemed like an awesome guy. However, I have not heard from him since (and have sent periodic follow ups).

[Overwatch]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Thank you! I really hope so… it’s unfortunate how many 50th and brand new pieces were flipped while enthusiasts like us were on the sidelines.

We're all enthusiasts so if it was based on just that we'd all be getting allocated. Unfortunately, that's not how this works. Best of luck on your AP journey, I've personally have had a tough time getting allocated anything besides the two I have but its par for the course. There's more at play than enthusiasm and knowledge of the brand.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Overwatch

We're all enthusiasts so if it was based on just that we'd all be getting allocated. Unfortunately, that's not how this works. Best of luck on your AP journey, I've personally have had a tough time getting allocated anything besides the two I have but its par for the course. There's more at play than enthusiasm and knowledge of the brand.

I respectfully disagree. Not everyone walking into a boutique is an enthusiast. One only needs to look at the secondary market and see how many brand new and stickered pieces there are (not to mention 50ths). There are many flippers in the fray and the term “enthusiast” applies to varying degrees (e.g., can someone just recite a few reference numbers or do they know the brands history and exude passion?)

I do agree, however, that there is more play, than simply enthusiasm and knowledge.

Also, didn’t you get a royal ok as your first piece?

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

Also, if anyone has a strong relationship with someone at the SCP boutique, would much appreciate a referral.

SCP just went through a management change not long ago. I hear the experience is much improved. Daniel has been recommended many times. I suggest making an appointment with Patrick to get your new watch sized. I think he's the one that does resizing at the BT and not sure he is an SA. Patrick is a total watch geek. I spent an hour talking watches with him while getting a watch resized. If you guys connect on the enthusiasm for the hobby level, maybe he can direct you towards a good SA. Maybe an angle.

[malba2366]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

I respectfully disagree. Not everyone walking into a boutique is an enthusiast. One only needs to look at the secondary market and see how many brand new and stickered pieces there are (not to mention 50ths). There are many flippers in the fray and the term “enthusiast” applies to varying degrees (e.g., can someone just recite a few reference numbers or do they know the brands history and exude passion?)

I do agree, however, that there is more play, than simply enthusiasm and knowledge.

Also, didn’t you get a royal ok as your first piece?

Anyone who wants to get into the watch flipping game can watch a couple YouTube videos and appear to be an enthusiast of the brand, no real way for an SA to determine the difference. Also, the SA doesn't really care if you are an enthusiast, they just want to sell the most watches. Your chances of getting a Steel Royal Oak (especially in Blue faces) or a much higher if you buy a PM piece or a Code first.

[In-N-Out]

Send me a PM. I’m with SCP and can give you an intro. I’m not a high roller though, so not sure how much my referral would matter lol

[Commandopat]

Wish I could help. I’m moving from Japan to the US and intend to keep my SA in Tokyo because I suspect it’s unlikely I’ll connect as well with a new SA as I seem to have with my current one.
Yes that’s a little crazy and obviously stopping by the store to talk to her wouldn’t happen, but she said she didn’t mind, and given the Yen to $$ exchange rate, the savings would make the plane ticket worthwhile.

But I’m probably an extreme case.

[APWorldTour]

Originally Posted by Commandopat

Wish I could help. I’m moving from Japan to the US and intend to keep my SA in Tokyo because I suspect it’s unlikely I’ll connect as well with a new SA as I seem to have with my current one.
Yes that’s a little crazy and obviously stopping by the store to talk to her wouldn’t happen, but she said she didn’t mind, and given the Yen to $$ exchange rate, the savings would make the plane ticket worthwhile.

But I’m probably an extreme case.

Did you end up informing her about the sale of your Offshore? If so how did that go?

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

Send me a PM. I’m with SCP and can give you an intro. I’m not a high roller though, so not sure how much my referral would matter lol

PM’d! Got me craving In N Out

[Rickkk]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

PM’d! Got me craving In N Out

They had a pop up in London once. Had queues going round the block like swatch

[J.T.]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

I paid a premium and went grey, and hope that they appreciate this fact and it bolsters my profile

Not a chance in hell likely. I've done the same and spent mid-6 figures in the grey market on some unique and limited pieces, that I still own, and it got me nowhere with the boutique, 2 actually, in the 18 months I've been trying to throw money at them.

[lmcgbaj]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

No need to talk to your current SA. Introduce yourself to your nearest boutique and let them know you have moved and want your profile moved as well. They should assign you a new SA. Hopefully, your new SA can work harder for you and get you allocations. Good luck!

So in the profile, there is an SA assigned to you and a Boutique as well?

[impactplayer]

Originally Posted by J.T.

Not a chance in hell likely. I've done the same and spent mid-6 figures in the grey market on some unique and limited pieces, that I still own, and it got me nowhere with the boutique, 2 actually, in the 18 months I've been trying to throw money at them.

Weird. I had purchased one watch grey after starting a relationship with my local boutique and my SA said it helped my profile as it showed a real interest in the brand.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

So in the profile, there is an SA assigned to you and a Boutique as well?

Yes that’s my understanding

[mickyd329]

Originally Posted by lmcgbaj

So in the profile, there is an SA assigned to you and a Boutique as well?

Yes, that is my understanding.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by mickyd329

SCP just went through a management change not long ago. I hear the experience is much improved. Daniel has been recommended many times. I suggest making an appointment with Patrick to get your new watch sized. I think he's the one that does resizing at the BT and not sure he is an SA. Patrick is a total watch geek. I spent an hour talking watches with him while getting a watch resized. If you guys connect on the enthusiasm for the hobby level, maybe he can direct you towards a good SA. Maybe an angle.

Appreciate that angle. I’ll see if I can make an appt with Daniel or Patrick (I believe Patrick is an SA)

[Commandopat]

Originally Posted by APWorldTour

Did you end up informing her about the sale of your Offshore? If so how did that go?

I have not. It’s still in my AP profile when I log in.

[J.T.]

Originally Posted by impactplayer

Weird. I had purchased one watch grey after starting a relationship with my local boutique and my SA said it helped my profile as it showed a real interest in the brand.

That's what they tell you yes, and it may be true, but it has not equated into a call from the boutique saying "I have a watch to sell you" in the 2 years I've been trying to buy from them.

[911AP]

Originally Posted by Vince_76

So I’ve been trying to get an AP for over 2 years now. Had what I would say is a decent relationship with my SA, but unfortunately the stars didn’t align. I finally recently pulled the trigger on a piece and went grey, but I want to continue the AP journey (hopefully) with the boutique.

I’m moving cross country for work, and want to stop by the new home boutique to introduce myself and get my piece sized. I’m an avid enthusiast of the brand and watches in general, so hoping that we’d break the ice fairly well.

Any advice on how such a switch should happen? I assume I need to have a talk with my SA and let him know I’m moving. What happens behind the scenes in terms of your profile? Will my current SA make a connection to a new one, or do I go ahead?

Any advice would help. It’s been a bit frustrating to be so enthused by the brand and not be allocated for a few years. I paid a premium and went grey, and hope that they appreciate this fact and it bolsters my profile

You finally pulled the trigger on a piece at grey prices? I bet everyone would love to see pictures.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by 911AP

You finally pulled the trigger on a piece at grey prices? I bet everyone would love to see pictures.

Soon!

[neal.jy]

Originally Posted by impactplayer

Weird. I had purchased one watch grey after starting a relationship with my local boutique and my SA said it helped my profile as it showed a real interest in the brand.

It depends which boutique, in my experience... one of the boutiques told me that it actually hurt my chances - apparently since I already had a Royal Oak registered under my name (which I bought via grey market), I needed to diversify my collection before they'd allocate me a Royal Oak. On the other hand - it did help me with the boutique through which I ultimately got my ROC allocation.