KBH 7 Posted March 24, 2010 I got this post from one of the other forums (with full permission of the owner) and thought it was worth posting here. This is from Shroomfarmer on Rep Geek and hopefully he will be coming along to say hello soon. Expectations of a Replica Watch Since I have joined this forum last month, I have noticed a reoccuring theme. Dude buys a watch, but it does not meet his expectations for whatever reason and starts to ***** about it. Then follows an onslaght of replies from other members about how the watch is just a rep and there will always be flaws and imperfections. I just want to share some of my quick thoughts on this. It will never be perfect It is virtually impossible for a replica to be perfect and I am not just talking about the movement. Gen watches and rep watches are made in different workshops, technicians are of different caliber and as much as they try to copy the gen, it will never be the same. I also think it would be similar if the skilled technicians from Gen companies tried to copy watches from other companies, they would find themselves struggling to find the exact materials and processes to produce exact replicas. Quality will not be the same Obviously there would be differences in the QC processes of Rep workshops and Gen workshops. Do not expect ISO or sixth sigma practices in place. There is always a chance your hands will fall off, your bezel will be loose and your watch might just arrive at your doorstep dead. It does not mean if you pay $700 or $70 for your watch here it would make any different. Customer service varies So your watch is spoilt, or you are disatisfied and you want it fixed by the dealer, what do you do? More often than not, you are at the mercy of the dealer. He might not respond to you or take a very long time. Frankly he is not obligated to even entertain your demands. The watch did not come with a warranty or any 7 day money back guarantee. Remember these are not legitamate companies. Even if he decides to return your money back, or repair it for you, you would most probably lose your shipping cost. No customer service, warranties and quality control... WTF? Genuine watchs like Rolex charges 10-20 times the amount of a replica watch. Some of that money goes into a customer service call centre, service centre, marketing, technicians dedicated to just servicing spoilt watches, quality control procesees etc. A rep workshop is probably just a dodgy makeshift workshop with a handful of guys working furiously to churn out as many watches as they can before the next raid. Power of the people So are you powerless against the dealers? No. They make a lucrative trade selling replica watches on forums like this and trive on good feedback which translates to sales like any other company. That is the whole purpose of this forum, for people to band together and share feedback on good and bad experiences. So we do not have to learn from our mistakes but from others as well. If someone sells you a **** watch and does not take responsibility for it, then talk about it! Buying a rep watch does not have to be a gamble or a hit and miss affair. If everyone gives reviews and feedback of the watches they buy then everyone can make more informed decisions. Rep dealers will also be more responsible for their wares. Reasonable complaints Sometimes it is clear what defines a reasonable complaint. Hands falling off, dead watches, etc. Other times it is a grey area. Respect the fact that what may be ok for someone like a slightly loose bezel, might be a deal breaker for someone else. It is important that people ***** about these small details so everyone can make more informed decisions in future. If we keep lecturing people about how they should not complain then we will create a culture where people are not open to share their thoughts. Of course, compaints should be objective and pictures, videos should be given to illustrate your point. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 99 Posted March 24, 2010 Good stuff. Essential reading for newbies imho. Should be a sticky in the new members section, I think. Any objection if we move it? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg_r 99 Posted March 24, 2010 Done - well done Shroomfarmer! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shroomfarmer 0 Posted April 1, 2010 Hi I am here! Thanks for the nice feedback. Will check out this forum often. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebzen02 341 Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) Hi I am here! Thanks for the nice feedback. Will check out this forum often. Shroomfarmer.. Hmm..what kind of shrooms do you farm..and are they medicinal?? EDIT: I forgot about the content of this thread. I expect that damn rep to be near perfect when I get it, if not I get pissed, because I know my wife will be sitting next to me with a grin telling "I told you so!" I hate that. So far most have not disappointed, then again I have gotten better at ordering stuff that looks pretty darn good to me and I am not too OCD about it. Edited April 1, 2010 by ebzen02 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shroomfarmer 0 Posted April 1, 2010 Sigh... I wish I could farm shrooms. I had some very nice ones in Scotland back in the day when it was still legal. And yes I have had that experience before too.. wifes are annoying, but hey, we could have worst hobbies. Hi I am here! Thanks for the nice feedback. Will check out this forum often. Shroomfarmer.. Hmm..what kind of shrooms do you farm..and are they medicinal?? EDIT: I forgot about the content of this thread. I expect that damn rep to be near perfect when I get it, if not I get pissed, because I know my wife will be sitting next to me with a grin telling "I told you so!" I hate that. So far most have not disappointed, then again I have gotten better at ordering stuff that looks pretty darn good to me and I am not too OCD about it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 61 Posted April 1, 2010 Hi I am here! Thanks for the nice feedback. Will check out this forum often. welcome to the nuthouse. Awesome post and glad you are here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Relayman 0 Posted April 1, 2010 I have had a handful of watches arrive with technical difficulties but they were the exception. Since sticking with the Trusted dealers the problem watches have been only a couple. And one of those was mechanically OK but it had this giant greasy finger print on the inside of the crystal that was just driving me crazy. Well I obviously need some more experience removing the stems in the various types of movements and then getting them back in correctly. It was an inexpensive watch and I now have a few more good parts to make future repairs with. Personally, I do expect my watch to be able to at least keep time with a reasonable amount of accuracy. After that, it is all part of the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted April 1, 2010 I have to say, only one of my watches runs markedly slow/fast, and that's nothing a servise wouldn't cure! I'm very impressed so far Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Silverspeed 10 Posted April 1, 2010 Excellent first post.... You'll have so much more fun with this hobby if you have realistic expectations. A rep is a rep and thus a rep has flaws. Besides there are many that are so nitpicky about reps that they will even find an endless list of flaws if you post a pic of gen.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredrick 0 Posted April 5, 2010 Excellent first post.... You'll have so much more fun with this hobby if you have realistic expectations. A rep is a rep and thus a rep has flaws. Besides there are many that are so nitpicky about reps that they will even find an endless list of flaws if you post a pic of gen.... Good topic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebzen02 341 Posted April 5, 2010 Besides there are many that are so nitpicky about reps that they will even find an endless list of flaws if you post a pic of gen.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NSK 0 Posted June 27, 2010 I agree, when ur not paying £2,500+ you're not going to get that perfection and class but I still believe the dealers we have recommended here and give awesome replicas which will serve us well and be a tribute to their originals which we will one day own/already do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luthier 1 Posted June 27, 2010 I expect that damn rep to be near perfect when I get it, if not I get pissed, because I know my wife will be sitting next to me with a grin telling "I told you so!" I hate that. Zen, are you married Swiss girl from Rolex CQ team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nunu78 1,744 Posted June 27, 2010 I dont know y some ppl have same expectations of high standard as of a high standard branded watch,when they r not paying high standard price. Funny stuff is ,when i try to sell one of my replica watch on a local website for £80 ppl often asked me " is it a genuine watch'' yeah offcourse itz a genuine watch and im an idiot . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fijishams 0 Posted July 7, 2010 Funny stuff is ,when i try to sell one of my replica watch on a local website for £80 ppl often asked me " is it a genuine watch'' yeah offcourse itz a genuine watch and im an idiot . lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 0 Posted September 21, 2010 reasonable complaints, thats just about you guys i think (excuse me im a noob, not 1 of u yet ) browse 1 shop to other, comparing that huge pic details, stares, bought one, browse again for fellow's pics. then, i shud buy that better version later. once gain, excuse my 1st post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RacingSnake 2 Posted January 27, 2011 (edited) Gens aren't impervious to flaws anyway! I have a gen TAG Monaco (Steve McQueen model) for around £3,500 and the second hand fell off. It went back to TAG on a separate occasion because it stopped altogether. Back to TAG twice in a year... has been fine since. Edited January 27, 2011 by RacingSnake 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Horncastle 0 Posted June 25, 2011 Hello guys, This is John Horncastle a very new guys here. Really very informative topic and I am appreciated here. Thanks a lot John Horncastle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellibranch 0 Posted July 19, 2011 I think replica watch is ok, though sometimes it does have some shortcomings. However, replica watch can be as fashionable & practical & formal as brand watches. www.iwantotbeaspammer.com I ordered this watch 3 weeks ago and it arrived today. It is unique, compact and creative antique bronze trombone shaped. The only downside is that the background dials don't work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dingle 61 Posted July 19, 2011 I think replica watch is ok, though sometimes it does have some shortcomings. However, replica watch can be as fashionable & practical & formal as brand watches. www.iwantotbeaspammer.com I ordered this watch 3 weeks ago and it arrived today. It is unique, compact and creative antique bronze trombone shaped. The only downside is that the background dials don't work. welcome to the gulag...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Member X 91 Posted July 19, 2011 haha! Sweeeet, another inmate to play with Share this post Link to post Share on other sites