Horological Meandering - The boutiques ... love or hate them ?

The boutiques ... love or hate them ?

I'm trying to find 1 thing why I would have to answer 'I love the brand boutiques'

But I'm afraid I can't

2 years ago I went to the PP boutique on Place Vendôme. I wished they could show me some nice chronographs which I could never see at any AD. I think a boutique should at least be able to show you these watches... Seems I was wrong they could not show me one single chrono. Only some Calatravas which you find at every AD

In another boutiqe, won't name the brand the staff was not what you should expect. Their knowledge was poor and they were not very kind.

More sought after pieces are more available at a boutique and harder to get at your AD. When you happen to know your Ad for several years and you do have a good relationship that sucks big time. At a boutique you're a newbie or just a number.

Forget about a good price these boutiques seem not to make a difference between an new or a good client

And most off all they screw the AD. Best pieces go mainly to boutiques and they put the AD's mark up in their own pocket.

So it's all about money ?? Selling via a boutique is better than selling via an AD

I DO NOT like al those boutiques

Does perfection exist, Bruno?

By: amanico : August 27th, 2010-03:11

I had different experiences, with the Boutiques. They are good days, and bad days, in every Boutique. As well as at some ADs. I can tell you a story wich happened to me more than once, where the salesmen, at some ADs, didn't make the difference between a ...

ofcourse

By: Bruno.M1 : August 27th, 2010-03:36

there are good and bad days ... I'm having a bad one today ... could be part of the reason why this posts sounds not so nice ;-) But there will almost always be a problem with being a less important client unless you're rich enough to buy a lot of watches...

the logical angle to look at it

By: aldossari_faisal : August 27th, 2010-07:56

you know sometimes disappointment let us drift bit my dear. long ago i used to think so of some AD or boutiques but once they got what i wished to buy or see that thought would get washed off . Faisal

Sorry for your experience. We appear to be quite lucky in NYC.

By: boa2 : August 27th, 2010-06:42

I go to the boutiques quite often, and find them to offer knowledgeable & attentive service. I've spent hours at Patek Philippe (at Tiffany), GP, FP Journe, Panerai, Blancpain, Breguet and AP. I frequently make a Saturday afternoon out of it, and it's...

I used to stay clear of Boutiques..

By: ocwatching : August 27th, 2010-08:14

due to their pricing and their intimidating (at least to me back then) aura. However, I have gotten to know the staff at the Boutiques thru the GTGs and various events and I can totally see the boutique concept working for a brand. The service is great an...

The boutique should be about promoting the brand..

By: mrsnak : August 27th, 2010-18:49

...and the line - first and foremost. It should be the best presentation a brand can do, and staffed by passionate people. It was sad to see the Omega Boutique in Beverly Hills get canned because it didn't bring in the sales and because they treated it li...

When you're trying to sell Omega and you can't discount...

By: mkvc : August 27th, 2010-22:01

Each of us has his or her price. I can see paying a bit more in a boutique in order to secure the perquisites (if there actually are any) of being a boutique customer. For Rolex or Patek, where I would expect only a nominal discount from an AD or even the...

wow..that's news..

By: ocwatching : August 28th, 2010-17:50

the Omega boutique is shutting down?

It turned into a Tourbillon store

By: AnthonyTsai : August 30th, 2010-20:32

which is owned by Swatch Group. - AT

Boutiques are generally a waste

By: emastalir : August 27th, 2010-11:41

I agree that the intent is to try and sell you something at full retail and to keep prices artificially high. I like to visit them (like AP in NYC) since they have a great selection and to use them to drop off things for repair (like Panerai in Beverly Hi...

Neither...

By: Duke2Earl : August 27th, 2010-12:53

I don't hate them. In my limited experience, they are nice places to view a brand's watches. Their staff is generally knowledgeable. If one needs service, they can be convenient. But, I don't see myself ever buying a watch at a boutique. I do not think I ...

Opposite experience here.

By: Dave G : August 29th, 2010-00:10

At least at the JLC boutique in Kuala Lumpur. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, and service focused. The inventory is very good including the more complicated stuff and they are quick to bring out some of the rarer pieces (repeaters) to handle. I was...