A foray into the wilds of China. Diary of a trip to GZ.

[trailboss99 994]

Day 1

 

For those who aren't aware, yours truly is on an epic journey to the home of reps!

Now whilst this expedition pales alongside the travels of Marco Polo, I'm sure it has some similarities.

 

So I arrived in GZ a few hours ago.

Hi speed train from HK, absolute luxury.

Disembarked at GZ station. 1st mistake! I got off the train!

Standing in the customs queue, I get pulled aside, as my "temperature is too high"

(BTW its super hot and humid, and I have just lugged a VERY overweight suitcase about 2kms...and I WILL be buying a new trundle version tomorrow)(They must be using laser detectors)

So I am sat down- temperature taken -"Too high"

"We take swab" Swabs of mouth and nose, after 20 mins "OK you go!"

 

Walk out of station and a guy says "You want taxi" Answer-"Yes"

An ancient mini bus appears, no taxi stickers.

I had preprinted the hotel name in Chinese for this scenario!

He says $200....No way....$100....no way....$50 (at about 6-1 thats sounds about OK) but then he presses me to pay him upfront. No Way!

Get out of mini bus!

He drives off with my hotel address!

So there I am in 35deg heat, trying to talk to cab drivers in Chinese, and tell them- "Liuhau Hotel!!!"

Finally find one who says 'other railway' and I know my hotel is near another station, so I take a punt and say yes.

30minutes and $50 later I eventually arrive....safely, (Although that is a matter of conjecture given the total lack of any known traffic rules)

 

Get to my room, open my case, to find my litre bottle of white rum purchased in customs in HK has broken! I won't detail the mess. Suffice to say there are a lot of clothes being sent to laundry.

Tidy that mess up and think - OK time for a drink.

Open the mini bar, it's empty.

Ring room service, but I don't speak Chinese, do I . So ring the front desk and finally thats sorted. Mini bar stocked. Then I ask for a bucket of ice. Now this is a 5 star upmarket pad, but do you reckon I could get anyone to recognise "Ice" Ring the desk again...finally sorted, and I ask the room girl if she can get white rum, as there is none in the mini bar.

She looked at me as if I was an alien. Long story short....white rum does not exist in GZ that I can see!

 

Not in the bottle shop, the hotel does NOT have a bar, and the cafe where you get drinks also thinks I am an alien!!! The cig and spirit shop in the arcade has little western stuff, and I wouldn't punt on whatever is in some of those other bottles!

So I find 2 cans of Carlsberg beer, now in the fridge, which is struggling to get cool.

DON'T CARE.... drank 'em warm! And now the 2 replacements are in a plastic bag out of the rubbish bin, in the sink with all the ice I previously got for my rum!

If this is hob nobbing in GZ, I'd hate to see how the natives live, but reckon I will tomorrow when I venture out.

Had asked for the optional room with Wi Fi but the connection was too weak. There is a LAN, but couldn't for the life of me configure it.

Ring reception!

That was an hour ago, no on here yet, but I have perservered and tried a couple of things and Bingo, I am online. Connection is very slow, but liveable,

(Just went and got a cold beer from the sink.....heaven is here! )

It is plainly obvious, both from what I have seen, and comments on the train, that every person here is grafting for a buck, anyway they can get it! Was told by 3 different people on the train, not to leave valuables out, as they will disappear. So the safe is getting a workout!

Westerners are fair game I reckon.

 

Well, down to the cafe to try some culinary delights..... the mind boggles!

 

Back again....hmmmm interesting menu. Thought I would go native - "When in Rome" sort of thing, so I tried the eel! Now it won't be on my list of "must haves" but it was edible.

 

Had a little wander around viewing the locals at play....just amazing...sights, sounds and smells are all to the fore.

Am in need of some calming after a hard day, so I decide on a massage. For around U$30 equivalent I enjoyed a wonderful traditional Chinese massage-1 hour. (and NO, I didn't take up the offer of extras )

 

I will be off to the watch markets in the morning, so I'll try to give an update tomorrow nite,

 

Day 1 in GZ...Hopefully it gets better.

 

Offshore

PS I have just come from the HK watch fair, that is another story which I will try to detail when I return home....an amazing horological smorgasboard!

 

 

Day 2.

 

Woke to pouring rain, so packed an umbrella, which I regretted later.

Off to the markets, and it is absolutely mind boggling. Without a guide and someone who knows what is going on you would be very lost. There are thousand of stalls, and literally tens of thousands of Chinese, all trying to scam a buck out of watches. Specialist stalls for cases, bands, bracelets, display stands, hands, travelling cases,dials and of course tools. Also have seen many movements and various options, and some movement parts. (I got some 7750 stems, and ETA quartz circuits today)

If you spent 1 month here, you would see about 10% I reckon.

Everyone you speak to, or deal with is only finally after the best $ they can glean, which of course makes one very wary.

 

I am looking basically at the tools and parts side of the business, So it is mind boggling to see (for instance) stall after stall just dealing in crystals (or dials) one guy even just sold springbars! And there are tools to burn, both gen and copy, Bergeon, Horotec and their cloned brothers. I had an offer put to me on a large quantity of batteries, which I believe is either a mistake, or a scam attempt. The battery biz is pretty competitive, and I am doing pretty well on price, so I raised my eyebrows more than a little bit when I was quoted a figure which was 25% of my current price. Think I may go with “If it’s to good to believe†on that one, as it requires significant $$ up front with 50,000 batteries to be shipped by sea in the future.

 

However I did see some real deals on some watches in passing, A very good Tudor running a Miyota low beat at around U$50, and a DD MOP Rx for similar. I am meeting a couple of dealers tomorrow, collecting some watches, and hopefully going to a couple of factories. So maybe some better watch insight then. The prices I saw today basically were not a lot below our better board prices. For instance I was shown an ETA (gen) Omega, and the hagglin tarted at U$600. As I “walked away†it was U$330 !

Had a funny experience coming back from the markets, which are only a stones throw away. My taxi driver took me on a "cooks tour" and wanted 10X what the fare should have been. I was arguing in the cab with him, and the hotel staff came and pulled me from the taxi, and sent him away…. with nothing! I kept insisting I would pay the RMB 15 to 20 the fare was worth, however they ran him off. Looks like cabs are a real problem, as whenever you arrive at,or leave the hotel, you are handed a slip with the taxi number on it, so you can report it.(to what result I guess would be a mute point!)

 

Tried to arrange some more money for purchases, however the hotel doesn’t have a facility to dispense $$, so I had to get in yet another cab, and go to another hotel with an ATM machine! I seriously don’t think you would find this in any 5 star hotel, anywhere else in the world.

Also there is a huge problem with counterfeit money here. Any note over RMB50 (about $10) is scanned, and checked by 3 different people, who all sign a docket for management. Even the traders on the street check every note they get.(And I’ll bet pass off anything remotely suspect, very quickly. Sort of fitting really, in the home of reps!

It was distressing to see people sleeping on the streets, and to be confronted by beggars. Truly still a 3rd world country, no matter what we are shown and told. There are some very wealthy as well, I chuckled as a guy in a DB9 fought his way through the market area, amongst old beaten wrecks, trolley carts and the ever present taxis.

The traffic is horrendous, and I am amazed that there seem to be so few actual accidents. I initially thought that a panel beater here would be very wealthy, but for all the push and shove, very few actual altercations. Every cab driver I have been with certainly aspires to the F1 circuit (or is that circus?.. as that is what travelling in this city is like.)

My luggage grows by the minute, and I think I will need to send some home seperately by mail, as weight will be huge before I finish. And I bought a decent trundle case today to stop the body exertion and subsequent high temperature!

So I am off out to dinner tonite, with a guy who is a potential new dealer @ RWG2. See what we do for our members! And there will be a sharing of the bill, so there are no inducements for a dealers spot!

More to come later.

Offshore

 

 

Day 3 dawns!

 

Just back from the buffet breakfast, so some quick observations are in order.

Breakfast seems to be a big meal in the day. An amazing array of choices, (today almost 30 options in hot colanders) although probably 80% would never appear on a Western menu, and you are a little loath to try a lot of them! However eggs , scrambled or omlette, (cooked while you wait), boiled, poached in a tray, all featured.

Precooked bacon (tough old pig), many varieties of bread/toast, (French, Honey- never seen this before, a quarter of a loaf about 1 ½†thick, fried in butter and honey,rolls-3 types, even garlic toast!)

Juice, cereal, yoghurt etc etc. The Chinese love of sweets is evident with probably 15 different cake style desert offerings…. A bit hard to front up to a French vanilla, oozing cream and custard, or a double choc and cream slice…at 7am! Had a coffee poured, and as I went to add milk from a small jug on the table, I checked that it was indeed milk. A deep coffee colour?? On sniffing it to make sure I had milk, I detected a distinct sewerage smell………Black for me today thanks!

 

Another interesting concept is the smoking policy. This is a no smoking in public places hotel, as you would expect. (Being a smoker I had booked a smoking room, and on check in I noticed 2 No smoking signs in my room. On querying this, a simple solution was found…pick up the signs and remove them! ) Now the café, attached to the main lobby area and all open space is in the public area! However it appears that some other rule exists in this area, as all tables have ash trays, and the mainly male Chinese guests are all sitting around, puffing cigarettes over breakfast! And a large pall of smoke drifts across the lobby area, like a low fog!

 

Had a nice dinner with a potential new dealer here (RWG2) last nite. He is a European guy living permanently here. A few observations fom our dinner chat.

He has real problems getting the truth of what movement is fitted to watches. I have suggested that if he does start to deal here, he post photos before offering, so members may comment on the validity of claims. Which somewhat alieviates an issue, although that doesn’t mean subsequent supply is identical!

So some level of QC would need to be undertaken, and he is speaking of value adding such things a WP testing and timing, checking that crystals are sapphire and such.This needs to be done on an each watch basis as in a town of deceptions, selling mass products of deception, the sales and ethical practises from suppliers, will always be deceptive.

On our way to dinner last nite, he pointed out many products FS...shoes, bags, electronics, you name it, everything which was for sale, was a copy! Their bloody cars are copies...Benz,Porsche,Rollers, anything at all which has "brand" generated sales is copied. My new Samsonite suitcase is a copy!

 

Even their money is being copied.((BTW, he told me last nite that anyone caught counterfeiting money, is executed on the spot...no trials...just dead!)But the crime continues.

I had asked him about his feelings of crime levels, and his personal safety.

He said with a wry smile, that it is very safe...no one ever hears about ANY crime!

So if you don't hear about it, it didn't happen. (He lives in a gated enclosure with security guards )

No drugs, no prostitution, no crime! Although I wondered at the young, and not so young homeless sleeping everywhere on the streets. A lot looked pretty spaced out to me, and I'm sure the line of girls standing on corners and gutters in skimpy, revealing outfits, aren't only trying to keep cool! No theft reported, yet I was told by various people on the way here to lock up my valuables!! And the contrasts between the wealthy and poor are huge.

We ended up last nite in the nite club district....miles of streets, seemingly endless, of nite clubs. In this area were thousands of young, all partying hard. And don't forget that each youngster is the only one in the family, and the parents dote on them.

 

Tell me how kids of school age, and young adults, can, in a city where the average monthly wage is RMB 800-1200,($160-240 )be paying RMB 40 for a drink, or RMB 250 for a bottle of spirits! And just about every table looked to have a bottle of spirits being shared! Daddy's money!

 

He believes this country has some very serious social issues brewing in the not too distant future, as the young won't and don't work, and the average employee is too silly(dumb) to care about their job. He cited production workers who start and stop by the clock, regardless of the situation of their task. (He has painters working for him painting small items, who will stop spraying on the bell, even leaving a job 1/2 painted, and when they return, having to clean off, or scrap the job, and start again!)

Enough on social and moral conscience, there aint any here!

As said, the land of the quick buck, and get rich quick.

 

Another interesting point discussed was “Minimum Order Quantity†The MOQ thing, (No one wants to build anything under 250 pieces) especially dials, means every version leaves its own fault in the market place. And as we have also seen, in a lot of cases, if a problem exists in V1, it sometimes runs thru all versions. He is of the view that the mistakes are a combination of lack of the English language and attention to detail, and a deliberate strategy, to not produce the "perfect" rep. He cited a number of cases where western companies have tried to prosecute, and the Chinese have thrown the cases out on minor technicalities. These guys at the heart of the process, are building in their legal defence from day one! And not berating workers for their mistakes!

No wonder the drop shippers have more than a few headaches!

Also this 250 item MOQ, (sometimes higher) means there are at least 250 V1’s to be sold, before any attempt at correcting it, -IF that is deemed desirable.

About to collect some watches from a dealer in the lobby. Then on to the markets for another "viewing" Wonder how much today will cost me

 

Offshore

 

So on to an update of day 3.

 

The 1st of my watches arrived (some for me, but most for people here.) UN Maxi limited blue.

Would you believe this is my 1st rep in 5 years! Great looking watch, this one QC'd and WP tested. Not really any cheaper than available here, although the QC & WP is a bonus!

 

So off for another day in and around the markets.

Today I had the pleasure of being guided by a lovely articulate Chinese lady, who sells in other places, and would like to be a regular here. If her professionalism displayed today counts, she would be a natural. As she has recently made application, she will carry my vote for dealer status!

I was initially taken to the "best" tool shop.

Prices were keen, quality very good, and a staff who were prepared to listen and act.

I was interested in some sets of screwdrivers, but as always, the blades were crap! So I was shown some very good replacement blades. Finally these were fitted to my sets for no difference in price....Wow, how do you generate this sort of action here, can't be my good looks and charm, so a pretty face and smile must have won the day.

 

Finally, relieved of a couple of k, I moved on to look at sapphire crystals.

Now it needs to be understood, that whilst these merchants know their own products, they have absolutely no idea what they fit! So if you want a single dome 32,5 sapphire, no problems, just don't ask for one for an Omega PO for example! Same applies for the movement people, and seems to be very common.

 

Whilst I knew what I wanted, after 5 booths and about 2 hours, we gave up.

I was then invited into the "inner sanctum", to view a wholesalers stocks of watch winders and display boxes. Blown away is the only description. Hidden away up a flight of stairs, and around a few corners, was an Aladdins cave of magnificently crafted timber and GRP boxes to suit every known prestige watch brand on the planet, as well as maybe 20 different styles of watch winders. As I had a few UN's coming, I asked to see some of those boxes.

Was shown 2 versions, both beautiful, and with $ equivalent prices around $24, which included inner, outer, and warranty papers and binder, just amazing. I did see exactly the same on the street a little late @$40! Now I happened to get a few snaps there, although I don't think it was allowed! So I will refrain from publishing here now...until I am clear of GZ

 

Now if you think the action on the street levels, which cater for the retail and some wholesale is fast & furious, I was taken by another guide and shown the rows of sealed offices, on the upper floors, where the "factory chiefs" conduct business. Lots of noise, discussion and bit of shouting, but unfortunately no introductions to the head honchos. Runners were back an forth at an incredible bat, carrying various watches from seemingly vast vaults, to the street vendors. Just a whirlwind of bodies scurrying to and fro. A real eye opener.

We then traipsed back down to street level, to the ongoing noise and tidal wave of people and traffic which just continues to pulse through this whole area.

Today I gained an even better picture of the magnitude of what is here. You have an area of probably 1 km x 3/4 km, with 4-5 stories and a rabbit warren of floors, sub floors and basements. There are thousands of people within this area! Millions of watches, straps crystals, tools..if it is part of, or wraps, packs or services a watch, it's here.

 

Exhausted, hot and tired, we jumped a cab and headed back for a well earned drink and meal.

 

Later this afternoon, i was chatting with a guy who is commissioning a range of watches, and had just returned from the markets. He was elated that he had managed to negotiate MOQ on some dials, from 250 to 100, allowing a smaller run, less outlay and risk.

Tomorrow I hope to meet with some strap wholesalers, and see some samples of a range of custom straps which are being run. Also still on the agenda, is an inside look at a "factory", although the goal posts for this intro continue to move.

Have a few other items still on the shopping list, and few orders to collect, so time now to rest the weary bones!

Lights out on day 3.

Offshore

 

 

And so to day 4.

 

Just back from breakfast. When I got to the cafe, I noted the small cooking area for the eggs, was set up but unmanned. When I inquired, was told the cook had not turned up for work. It appeared to be the centre of much chat amongst the MANY wait staff. I gathered that he would be sacked, and that his work area would be left set up as an embarrasment to him for not appearing. Westerners would remove all the ingredients, and just make it appear that there was no eggs/cooking today! Just different cultures.

 

At breakfast today were 2 African guys.I have seen them around the last day or so. Now these 2 gents are REAL Africans, colored the other side of midnight, and with VERY African features.

They are the source of intense scrutiny and amazement for the Chinese, who just stop in their tracks, and stare as these guys walk by!

Now I have noticed a few stares myself, Westerner, 6-2", 18 stone, grey hair & beard...but nothing like the absolute fixation the locals have on these 2 guys.

 

So once again, off to the markets, let's see what surprises today brings!

 

Back at the hotel a couple of hours later!

Came across a ripping deal on accumulators for quartz watches, and ripped up a couple more k!

So out of money again, and will have to get the address again of the other hotel and find an ATM that works for overseas! Good thing the taxi fares are only RMB10-20 ($2-4)

Jumped a cab to come back, which requires a 8km detour to get on the right side of the expressway, or a 5 minute walk. Was too hot to contemplate walking, but the cabbie couldn't believe I wanted to spend the money! He rattled on for most of the trip, and when I tipped him RMB5 I'm sure he thought he had just transported an alien or Bill Gates!

So hving cooled off now in the aircon, I will go and replenish the wallet, and venture back to the markets once more.

 

I am back at the hotel because I am still struggling to withdraw money!

The ATM's just won't work.

I now go to the China Bank with my passport to see if I have better luck.

Have just spent 40 minutes walking in oppressive heat and tried about 6 ATM machines, Thankfully each returned my card!!!!

Can only guess at the dramas if it gets "swallowed"

To be continued!

O/S

 

 

Day 4 Pt2

 

So finally after calls to Australia to my bank to see WTF is happening, I again venture out into the heat and go to the bank and ATM. The 1st one I tap gives forth a supply of cash, so like a kid with the keys to the chocolate factory, off to the markets I dash.

 

Collect a strap order from a couple of days previous, and meet up with a colleague from GZ, to look at some custom straps. We are shown some wonderful croc skins and some made up straps..... just beautiful, and they can be had on day 3 day turn around for the price of a beer back home. Choose your style , stitching, colour, clasp, size of course.... Just design and build whatever you want! So an order for a couple for friends and clients is duly placed.

Then I am taken to the surprise of the trip! In a secured area, attached to the markets are a large number of rooms blanked off from view, and air conditioned and very well appointed. These are for the international and VIP visitors and are the next step wholesaler above the market stall holders.

 

I have never heard this spoken of before! Through the good graces of my colleague, who is a well known client, we are invited inside, and shown the “wares.â€And what a display! These wholesalers have access to all the new release items, and even have preview catalogues of next years offerings, which I browsed for some time. They have contacts with at least 3 factories, and have an amazing range of very up market pieces, a lot of “presence†in many of these watches. I was also shown a new Porsche, released last week, which there is yet to be any mutterings around the boards about.

 

Another which caught my eye was an Asian driven Richard de Mille, and when I was quoted the price, I couldn’t get my wallet out fast enough. Had a chuckle about the 3 well heeled business gents from Europe, who were negotiating a deal on a very upscale model, Brequet or similar, and just wanted a new dial printed, with their companies name replacing the makers logo! Didn’t catch whether the deal was finally done!

Having been messed around and lost a few hours, I was running out of time and needed to get back to the hotel to collect some other watches, and EMS ship a large box of tools and parts I had picked up over the last days. So I jumped another cab, this one driven by Juan Fangios’ son!

 

My dealer friend arrived soon after with a gaggle of watches, and the EMS courier in tow, and we completed our transactions and said our good byes. This lady has been nothing short of magnificent in her attention these last days, and will be a more than worthwhile addition to our dealer group, once the vetting formalities are completed, and the admin team have had their input!

My colleague from the markets then arrived at the hotel with his lovely wife, and we had a quick meal and made arrangements for today as you can see above.

As I was fading fast, the virtuous couch again beckoned!

On arising today ( Tuesday), I really felt like I had been run over by a truck, just stiff and sore.

 

To dash off to the markets again would have been a 1 ½ hour sprint at best, so feeling as I did, I opted to rest for the trip home, and boy am I glad I did, even though now, I am only at HK airport!

 

The enticement to go back this morning, was that there is apparently a similar area to that describe above, which caters to the tool and parts clientelle. As much as I would have loved to spend some time there, I was just not up to it, so I have stored that one in the memory bank for my next visit…. Which will be a damn sight longer... about 3 weeks! Anyone planning to go there should allow a week at minimum and spend a day or two just wandering and getting bearings, before emptying the wallets and bank accounts!

My colleague, (earth 2172), collected me from the hotel late this morning,we had a quick lunch, and he deposited me safely on the bus which connects to HK airport. The train option involved multiple changes, so I chose the longer bus trip, to try to cut out the F*** around factor.

 

It didn’t!

 

When you arrive at the China –HK border, you disembark and go thru China customs. This entails health, passport control and customs. Then you go to an embarkation point, board a bus, and travel 800m to HK immigration.. where you repeat the process . FFS, this is the same country now! In the interests of both travellers, and the plain economics of the screening process, surely the same officer/s could handle each exit/entry! If 2 processes must be done, put them 50 m apart in the same building!!!

It feels like the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, with an 800m “buffer zone†in which to shoot escapees!!!

Finally the bus arrives at the airport and stops at the 1st parking spot, in front of terminal 1. On the way in I saw that Qantas was at terminal 4. Would the driver do another drop off? Not on your life! So not unlike Marco Polos travels all those years ago, I again hiked across 4 terminals with VERY weighty cases.

Thank God I bought the new trundle suitcase, or Qantas may have had one passenger in the cargo hold!

 

And so ends the Offshore tour of downtown China. Hopefully around lunch time tomorrow, I can stretch out on my own bed, and catch up on some much needed rest.

But it has been an experience and a half. Wouldn’t have missed it for quids!

And as (was it Macarthur ?-who said) We shall return (or was that Churchill?) Never matter, one of ’em!

 

I will separately in a few days time put together some thoughts on the country, the people, and the rep scene there as I saw it. Whilst it may all be fiction, I can only tell things as I see them, and with the advantage of the knowledge gained in my time spent around the rep scene from a forum perspective.

 

Travelogue ends.

 

Offshore

[Luthier 1]

Today I had the pleasure of being guided by a lovely articulate Chinese lady, who sells in other places, and would like to be a regular here. If her professionalism displayed today counts, she would be a natural. As she has recently made application, she will carry my vote for dealer status!

This lady has been nothing short of magnificent in her attention these last days, and will be a more than worthwhile addition to our dealer group, once the vetting formalities are completed, and the admin team have had their input!

 

AND... WHO THIS MAGNIFICIENT LOVELY LADY COULD BE...???

Hehehe...

 

Great re-post, thanks, Col.!!!!!!!!!

[houndoggie 58]

Nice read... what was the timeframe of this trip?

[Luthier 1]

Nice read... what was the timeframe of this trip?

 

Day 4 Pt2...

[Member X 91]

I'm extremely jealous - I'd love to do this, but funds are never going to turn up for it...

 

If the dealer is the one I'm thinking of then it's good that she's getting more business - but I do hope that she's not going to get overloaded and turn into any other dealer with hit-and-miss QC and broken promises due to having so much work to deal with

[JohnG 41]

Anyway, interesting read, but no pics?

[trailboss99 994]

Posting pics of the rep trade while siting in an hotel in GZ was not considered a great idea. Pics will be forth comming soon since OS returned to our sunny shores today. Going down tomorrow to find out what goodies he return'd with.

 

 

Col.

[JohnG 41]

So when are the sample 1:1 cases arriving? Or do they just have to order the full 100 @ $300 per unit?

[offshore 0]

John.

Your time would be much better spent, either trying to offer something positive, or alternatively wallowing in your own crap , in your own threads!

This thread is about my experiences in GZ, not about a potential 1:1 case set!

The 1:1 scenario, is a hypothetical one, based on ability, and desirability, not production/sales performance. (FFS, a specific model , was never even mentioned!!.)

It achieved exactly the reasons it was posted, (aside from attracting a couple of shit stirrers!)

Should this project proceed, it will do so, ENTIRELY funded by those who put it forward.

And then, when samples are available, they will be offered, for those interested, to display an interest in the product. At which time, a logical funding commitment from the buyer, a set time frame for performance, and delivery abilities would be set out! (maybe you have never heard about trying to positively contribute)

Can I suggest that you go and re read the original post, you may then obtain some insight in to the art of comprehension.

Any supply, pricing, or performance considerations, CANNOT even be contemplated at this time.

 

This thread, was posted by TB, with my OK, to try and give some members an insight into what I experienced in GZ. I spent some valuable time to post it. (that's called positive input)

It had NOTHING to do with the 1:1 post, which is entirely another question I was asking.

 

Again... go and read my initial 1:1 post!

 

So you have crapped on the GZ thread @ RWG.cc , crapped on the 1:1 thread at RWG.cc, crapped on this thread, and started your own piece of verbal diahorrea, to maintain your average!

You know, I rarely pre judge anyone, and always give them the benefit of the doubt, however in your case I make an exception.

 

To totally clarify your thinking with regard to my longevity on these fora.

The original RWG, started by Blade, was with not a little assistance from yours truly.

I was, I believe member #7 on that forum, and worked extremely hard, to assist in building it to what it became. (This was about the time you were a source of pressure, in your fathers' ball sack)

 

After it was abandoned by its founder, and only when it had degenerated to the cesspool that it finally ceased life as, did all its supporters reinvent it, with the new version. which now, some years later, has been able to rebuild some of the knowledge base, which was lost. (With + 21000 members!)

Do not contest the credentials of the true supporters of RWG, aside from its founder, who disappeared into the ethernet, as most who seek to take profit from these places do.

Many of us have continued to offer this place, much support, and will continue to do so.

However when we see Johny come Latelys', crapping for its own sake, the hackles rise!

 

And you certainly are....Johnny...CUM..lately.

 

 

Offshore

[Luthier 1]

Ouch...

[prestigewatchco 2]

Yes OS it is hard work buying in GZ most people think you can just turn up and find the Rep hypermarket with every rep that has ever been produced on sale!

 

The reality is somewhat different buying involves chasing your tail around for hours on end more often than not without a satisfactory result.

 

To find what you are looking for will involve hours of looking around and endless "We have that" only to be disappointed.

 

The watches are there but finding them is an art.

 

You would need to be in the market there 7 days a week to get what you are looking for regularly.

 

I hate it there to be honest so much so we employ a guy to sit there all day and buys for us, I find it so much easier and time saving not to mention economically viable while you are marching you can't be fighting so time spent chasing around GZ is better spent selling watches rather than buying.

 

I still have to go there once or twice a month but now thankfully I usually meet the factory representatives in Hong Kong or more often recently in Bangkok.

 

Since the last crackdown about 6 months ago it seems to have all changed for the better with factories adopting a more normal approach to business with representatives available and samples physical

 

You could spend a month in GZ and still not see 10% of what is available there.

 

As a road trip it's a fascinating place and at a glance you could be forgiven in thinking that everything is available easily it is only when you get serious about buying that you find it's not as easy as it appears.

 

As described by OS there are literally 1000's of vendors all over the place at price that are very attractive .

 

But unless you can get invited to the offices on the upper floors you will never get to see the cream of the crop at the best prices .

 

Getting into the VIP/Volume buyers areas is a feat in itself and for anyone not buying in 1000's the best it gets these guys are the wholesalers that supply the biggest part of dealers with stock so you are really at the head of the well there.

 

As an adventure it is a must to see and should be included in any trip that takes you anywhere close to it.

As a source of regular supply for a serious business venture it needs careful monitoring and an enormous amount of time devoted to.

[Industril 0]

That story is simply amazing. What a wonderful read. Although I hear and read a lot of posts about the GWM, can anyone provide some sort of location marker? Like a map or a street name? haha :P I would like to travel there and check that place out for myself. It sounds truly like a rep collector's heaven.

[Brightlight 0]

That's a great travelogue OS. Sounds truly exhausting but no doubt fascinating.

[debian 0]

Great story. :P I would like to see pictures from the trip.

[Del 4,463]

That was an enjoyable read :P.

[mulder 0]

I honestly thought this was the best topic ever. I loved reading this report.

I would have liked pictures BUT you wrote descriptively enough that I could imagine what you were doing. Congrats great read.

David

[mondeov6 0]

Very interresting to read for a "noob" like myself!! :P

Makes you realize it is a lot of hazzle for and work done buy our

trusted dealers to provide us with our reps! Hat's of for you guys!!

[Dr Yan 8]

Brilliant read OS . thanks fo rposting, very informative and an interesting insight into the world of where our reps actually come from.

and regarding thread crapping, as we say over here in Ireland " fuck the begrudgers"!

[Tressles61 0]

Thanks OS! What an insightful look into the world of China. Very informative indeed.

[bob bean 0]

Mate, what an fantastic read.

Thanks for the insight into the chaotic world of the rep markets and GZ on the whole.

Hope your enjoying the regenerative characteristics of some quality rum.

 

 

BB

[wat44 0]

yeah - when you know Offshore - the desperate search for rum is quite understandable!

 

lol

[watchguy23 0]

Great write-up, very interesting info!

[michael9 0]

Loved reading this and found myself totally absorbed. My small experience of Chinese business culture has been that there's always a steep learning curve with lots of insecurity about what's happening and what did just "really" happen, coming to understand the requirement to courteously cultivate relationships and then the absolute reliability and longevity of those business relationships. I would prefer to deal with the Chinese over many other groups. This was great reportage and congratulations.

[mspangl 0]

thought the 3 word story was the best thread but now its definitely that one.. thanks for writing this down.. must have been a lot of effort :lmao:

[Tinstar 0]

I, for one, found this very interesting! Thank you for sharing!