A few (possibly silly) questions about the risks of buying a rep

[JoeyTate 1]

So i have been doing some reading around the site and I'm still not sure I  fully understand some of the risks. Figured I should just ask the more experienced members. 

Lets say I'm based in the UK and buying a single rep watch. There is the obvious risks: that it is seized, doa or has some other problem.  I'm actually okay with each of these - happy that using a TD and doing your research will minimize the risk and it is a fixed monetary amount you could lose (the price of the watch) ...

But:

• I read somewhere that customs could fine you up to to retail value of the rep if you are caught. Does this actually happen and if so how likely is it and how can you try to prevent it?
• I have myself ended up with a surprise customs import bill when GW ordered a dress from China ... months after it arrived. Made the whole purchase no longer worth it. Do you get these from having a rep shipped? I read the TDs may label them as parts - does this avoid the problem or is there some other way they prevent it?
• I also read you could end up with your address blacklisted if caught - how often does this happen and what does it actually mean?
• Is there a risk you could end up with a criminal record or in other legal trouble? ... has this ever actually happened to anyone? ... what is the worst case scenario here? More importantly how can you prevent it getting that far?

Thanks in advance - and if any of the above are silly questions then feel free to tell me I'm being a paranoid tit!

 

Joey

[PostMaster 3,665]

All your questions are silly, your being paranoid. Please read more then sleep, then wake up and read more.. then eat then read more.. now your in 2020, with some knowledge and about to buy a watch from a TD. 

Start by reading here :

Season Greetings 

 

[Glaude 1,615]

I'm not a UK specialist, and can't guarantee how customs exactly works here, but I gathered some infos after some time and return from members, more experienced UK members will pop up in there to tell you more but :

36 minutes ago, JoeyTate said:

• I read somewhere that customs could fine you up to to retail value of the rep if you are caught. Does this actually happen and if so how likely is it and how can you try to prevent it?
• I have myself ended up with a surprise customs import bill when GW ordered a dress from China ... months after it arrived. Made the whole purchase no longer worth it. Do you get these from having a rep shipped? I read the TDs may label them as parts - does this avoid the problem or is there some other way they prevent it?
• I also read you could end up with your address blacklisted if caught - how often does this happen and what does it actually mean?
• Is there a risk you could end up with a criminal record or in other legal trouble? ... has this ever actually happened to anyone? ... what is the worst case scenario here? More importantly how can you prevent it getting that far?

1. They could fine you, but they'll only do it for repeated offenders and if they can prove that you are indeed an offender, as getting a package with your name on it isn't a proof of the offence. I've never seen it happen or no one here ever spoke about a situation like that.
2. This is a little surprising but could have to do with the declared value of the item, eventually the shipping company used but that usually happen before you get the product. What was the billing for, there must have been a reason for it. TD will usually indicate a low value of items.
3. That's scaring mongering tells, the blacklist exists for custom matters at airports but it's usually when the passengers are directly caught with something forbidden and it's more a surveillance list rather than a blacklist. It usually means that if you were to get caught again, they would investigate more and perhaps a fine you, but very unlikely to happen
4. I'm not knowledgable enough on the UK laws to tell you that, but it seems unlikely to go very far, at least not more than a fine and a clear statement as to not doing it again

Be aware that the UK is used as "safe" way to make reps enter the UE, so I think that's telling to how much they are concerned by individual reps

[PostMaster 3,665]

18 minutes ago, Glaude said:

I'm not a UK specialist, and can't guarantee how customs exactly works here, but I gathered some infos after some time and return from members, more experienced UK members will pop up in there to tell you more but :

1. They could fine you, but they'll only do it for repeated offenders and if they can prove that you are indeed an offender, as getting a package with your name on it isn't a proof of the offence. I've never seen it happen or no one here ever spoke about a situation like that.
2. This is a little surprising but could have to do with the declared value of the item, eventually the shipping company used but that usually happen before you get the product. What was the billing for, there must have been a reason for it. TD will usually indicate a low value of items.
3. That's scaring mongering tells, the blacklist exists for custom matters at airports but it's usually when the passengers are directly caught with something forbidden and it's more a surveillance list rather than a blacklist. It usually means that if you were to get caught again, they would investigate more and perhaps a fine you, but very unlikely to happen
4. I'm not knowledgable enough on the UK laws to tell you that, but it seems unlikely to go very far, at least not more than a fine and a clear statement as to not doing it again

Be aware that the UK is used as "safe" way to make reps enter the UE, so I think that's telling to how much they are concerned by individual reps

Legend 

I may add that it’ll all change when Brexit hits UK. 

[fatarms 7,843]

Valid concerns for a first time buyer.  But I'll tell you that I've only heard of #2 happening a few times and for nowhere near the value of the watch.  Again, all depends on the declared value, which most TD's list as very low.  Just order your first rep from a TD and you'll see how easy the whole thing is.  Then, prepare to lose all your spare money

 

Welcome.

[Kernow 33]

3 hours ago, JoeyTate said:

So i have been doing some reading around the site and I'm still not sure I  fully understand some of the risks. Figured I should just ask the more experienced members. 

Lets say I'm based in the UK and buying a single rep watch. There is the obvious risks: that it is seized, doa or has some other problem.  I'm actually okay with each of these - happy that using a TD and doing your research will minimize the risk and it is a fixed monetary amount you could lose (the price of the watch) ...

But:

• I read somewhere that customs could fine you up to to retail value of the rep if you are caught. Does this actually happen and if so how likely is it and how can you try to prevent it?
• I have myself ended up with a surprise customs import bill when GW ordered a dress from China ... months after it arrived. Made the whole purchase no longer worth it. Do you get these from having a rep shipped? I read the TDs may label them as parts - does this avoid the problem or is there some other way they prevent it?
• I also read you could end up with your address blacklisted if caught - how often does this happen and what does it actually mean?
• Is there a risk you could end up with a criminal record or in other legal trouble? ... has this ever actually happened to anyone? ... what is the worst case scenario here? More importantly how can you prevent it getting that far?

Thanks in advance - and if any of the above are silly questions then feel free to tell me I'm being a paranoid tit!

 

Joey

I’m UK based and I’ve never had any happen to me. 

 

1 & 2: highly unlikely to happen. If you receive anything from customs just ignor it. The watch will likely be returned to sender in China. Then contact your TD and send them a copy of the customs paperwork and they’ll reship the watch. The TD’s have their own way of sending and labelling their goods so don’t worry. 

 

3: it’s actually happened to a friend of mine (his address was blacklisted) , but not for a rep watch, but repeatedly bringing in tobacco duty free by post  with watches unless you’re bringing in hundreds then there is probably 0.000000001% chance of it happening so don’t worry  

4: the worst case is you’ll lose a nights sleep needlessly. No one is going to pursue you over a rep or two. Refer to answer 1 & 2 above.

Now go and pick your favourite rep and place an order with the TD and sit and wait for delivery.

 

[trailboss99 997]

4 hours ago, PostMaster said:

All your questions are silly, your being paranoid. Please read more then sleep, then wake up and read more.. then eat then read more.. now your in 2020, with some knowledge and about to buy a watch from a TD. 

Start by reading here :

Season Greetings 

 

 If all you can do is be rude don't say anything at all, mmmkay? 

The only silly question is the one not asked, end of story. 

[JoeyTate 1]

From the replies so far it seems I was being a bit paranoid - feeling better about the whole thing already so thanks guys! 

[BadPickle 2,802]

There’s a lot of U.K. members here ordering watches regularly so no need to worry. 

The TD’s know how the system works and mark parcels accordingly , in my exp, the worst that can happen is a 30quid import tax bill and the customs guys don’t even open the package.

good luck  

 

[Jibuti 958]

7 hours ago, PostMaster said:

All your questions are silly, your being paranoid.

Even if you are paranoid id does not mean you are not being followed and monitored sometimes... lol

[Moondustesp 137]

I had an import tax bill something like £20 or £30 and packaging was unopened. Generally all good experiences. This is why it is best to use a TD because they know what they are doing. 

[narikaa 129]

Worst possible scenario (which hasn't happened in some years now) is UK Customs have a joint exercise with the agents of large rights holders (read ROLEX) and they declare items to be fake (or not) and then deal with the recipient via their appointed legal people who extort a 'naughty boy fine'.

 

Then, of course, you might be living in a Muslim controlled area of the UK and subject to some stone age law...might cost you a hand or some other appendage

 

[PostMaster 3,665]

3 hours ago, trailboss99 said:

 If all you can do is be rude don't say anything at all, mmmkay? 

The only silly question is the one not asked, end of story. 

Apologise my humour came across wrong.. but being rude I was far from that. If I offended you @JoeyTate I apologise.. Your in good hands. Every Trusted Dealer here when you buy will answer your questions about shipping etc etc. It’s a hobby and a fun one.

[Jibuti 958]

26 minutes ago, narikaa said:

some stone age law...

[narikaa 129]

Hublot smuggler

[JoeyTate 1]

Ah that's fine @PostMaster ... I didn't take offence and no apology was needed  

[JoeyTate 1]

@narikaa thanks for the honest and realistic reply. Any idea how much the 'naughty boy' fines were?

[narikaa 129]

They were dressed up as fees from the lawyers (in lieu of threatened court action) from memory £300

 

But there were ways around it

 

& as I said not currently a M.O.

[RussP 22,671]

1 hour ago, narikaa said:

Worst possible scenario (which hasn't happened in some years now) is UK Customs have a joint exercise with the agents of large rights holders (read ROLEX) and they declare items to be fake (or not) and then deal with the recipient via their appointed legal people who extort a 'naughty boy fine'.

 

Then, of course, you might be living in a Muslim controlled area of the UK and subject to some stone age law...might cost you a hand or some other appendage

 

Does the old 'stoning to death' still draw crowds over there in the Motherland, Reg ?

[narikaa 129]

I believe they attract a council subsidy in Bradford

 

[PostMaster 3,665]

7 minutes ago, narikaa said:

I believe they attract a council subsidy in Bradford

 

I would laugh at this but I may come across rude 

[deju 1,890]

Not much to worry about really, the bigger couriers like to add on import tax some times to extract their administrative fee. 

TD’s tend to know what routes and companies are to be avoided at certain times. 

Certainly bringing in a single watch shouldn’t red flag anything. 

As Reg mentioned it’s been a while since they have actively pursued anyone. 

When they did the fact you have no control over who or what is sent to you in the mail, makes prosecution only possible if you openly admit it. 

Chances over the Christmas period will be even silmmer, they just don’t have the man power with the influx of packages from China.   

[Jibuti 958]

this became another quality thread at RWG, just as it should!

[JoeyTate 1]

1 hour ago, narikaa said:

I believe they attract a council subsidy in Bradford

 

Doesn't surprise me - feckin councils are generally useless and always out to fill their coffers!! 

Didn't know you were from Bradford Reg - I used to live just up the road in York (few years ago now tho) 

 

[narikaa 129]

Nah

 

Used to fly over it in Helicopters back in the day