Choosing a Recommended Seller or Trusted Dealer
Recommended Sellers and Trusted Dealers are listed above.
Remember, TD’s do not make the watches! They are simply the middle men between you and the Factory (VSF for example). Mostly, the TD’s do not have physical contact with the factories or watches, they simply order them, then a courier will drop off a bulk order to them. Then the TD will issue QC photos.
Please do not think they walk to the factory to buy your watch and collect it, it’s not how it goes. This is also how delays in QC’s happen, as a TD could be waiting for a batch of a certain watch to be made, thus, delaying your QC. Some TD’s will have 24 hour QC stock on hand, which you can ask for a list of. Usually however this is previously RL stock or something they have bought in bulk to offer as discounted.
Trusted dealers have earned their way to that status – trusted – because they have a large customer base and are willing to go through investigations through the forums that have a tough and active moderation team (RWI, RWG, etc) if a sale goes awry.
Trusted dealers get not a ton of dough from your sale, but they almost all offer a customs guarantee – you will receive a replacement watch for free if customs seizes it. Be nice and remember that they are doing work for you and should be compensated for that time.
2. Choosing Your Watch and/or Factory
A mid to high tier watch is built by a specific factory. Examples will be: CF, VSF, ZF, BP, GMF, EWF to name a few.
There are also watches that are classed as Not Worth Buying In Gen (NWBIG).
All reps have tells. There is no perfect rep, so RESEARCH first and decide on which flaws you can live with.
3. Purchasing a Watch
Now that you have decided on the watch you want, it’s time to buy. There are typically three ways to buy. I will list in the order I believe to be the easiest, and how to go about it. I will also give a mock example where applicable. Be aware it is always common practice to check the factory still exists and are still making the watch you require. This to a TD is referred to as “In Stock”.
Option1. WhatsApp (or WeChat etc)
Find the correct WhatsApp number for your chosen TD. (The TD links have already been listed in section 1). Message the TD:
(You) Hi, can you source me a (VSF 116610LN) please, are they in stock at the factory still? How long for QC and how much ? Thanks.
Now, there are such things as time zones, so if you don’t hear back from the TD in ten mins or so, consider they may be sound asleep. Allow anything up to 12 hours for a reply. Some Td’s have massive inbox queues and it could take 24 hours to receive a reply during busy times. The Td will then reply for example:
(TD) Hi, $568 free shipping. In stock 3 day QC.
It’s as easy as that, next you will need to issue payment (see section 4) and give your Name and Postal address. The TD may require an email address to send your QC link to, Some send the QC and deal solely on whatsapp.
Option 2. Purchasing via TD’s website.
It is imperative you email the TD before you go this route to check the watch is still being produced. A lot of watches on websites are no longer available as they barely maintain their websites by removing old stock. It is also a great way of taking your money and getting you to switch to something else.
You’ll have to make an account on the website and/or fill out your details, then, once you have checked out, the TD will contact you for payment (see Section 4). Do not upload any credit/debit card details if asked. Email is a slow process and it could take 3 days to receive payment details. Some Td’s only use email, so this is one of the pitfalls of going this route, especially if you encounter a problem once you receive the watch. QC will likely take longer and in general be a slower process than whatsapp. You Have Been Warned!
Option 3. Direct Email/DM via forum.
Some TD’s (Sead from supermirrors for example) are only contactable this way. They will list their current stock on their forum page. You will then have to DM or Email them your requirements the same way as mentioned in option 1. This is another reasonably slow process.
You can simply send a photo of a watch you are after to a TD and they will tell you if it can be sourced.
Option 4. Direct from DHGate
Platforms like DHGate have a payment facility which includes a dispute system and more. More details here.
4. Payment
Most TD’s will help guide you through the payment process. Here are some of the ways you can pay.
Wise or Western Union
Easiest way?: install the respective apps or visit the official website, create an account and enter the details provided by the TD. Then issue your payment. Best exchange rate is via Wise and it is easy to use. You can even link the TD’s confirmed payment via whatsapp with Wise. Guides on how to use both are on their respe websites.
Paypal F&F
Some, if not most will require previous transaction history before they dabble in Paypal with you. Some like Mirotime and Geektime usually accept payments this way first off.
Crypto
Obviously if you pay this way you’ll be sending your crypto to a TD’s wallet. You’ll probably have knowledge on how to use wallets etc. Be sure to record/track the transaction via the blockchain.
4. Credit/Debit card
I would advise against paying via credit/debit card UNLESS you are using a one time use created card number. Many CC company’s will provide this. Remember you are dealing in a counterfeit organization ran predominantly (in the eyes of the law) by criminals. Your TD may be Trusted but the third party they use to take payment may not be. Don’t risk being cloned or charged for other fee’s.
5. QC (Quality Control)
QC photos can take anything from a matter of hours to weeks. It’s all dependent on the watch you bought and if the factory are producing batches. Sometime a TD will have stock in hand. Raids, public holidays and batch times can effect the waiting times. If you haven’t received QC within 2 weeks ask your TD for an update. It’s down to your resolve on if you want to swap to an available watch or require a refund.
Once QC photos are received you should generally get good help over at r/RepTimeQC if you follow the template used there. I would advise to look up previous posts of the watch you ordered to grasp the common QC issues that can arise. Do not be lazy and write “looks good” for everything..
6. Shipping
It can take anything from a week to 2 months to receive a package depending on where you are on the planet. 17Track is a good app to use for keeping an eye on your parcel. Most TD’s have a customs seizure warranty and will replace any watch taken by customs. If this happens, do not reply to the letter you receive and contact your TD. The consensus is just wait it out, it will get there eventually.
7. Receipt of Package/Watch
- Remember you have bought a rep made in a low wage factory. The finish may have sharp edges and will need the bracelet adjusting. Buy a decent bracelet removal tool and screwdriver to undo the bracelet screws.
- Movement. Now, although replica movements have improved vastly in the past few years, you cannot expect it to be running at +/- 2 secs a day accuracy unless it has been Serviced and properly regulated! Running a non serviced replica is fine, but if its running +30secs a day fast or slow when you receive it, then it’s actually acceptable. Yes, your Seiko or homage shitter may be more accurate, but it was assembled in much cleaner conditions, correctly oiled, and assembled in a gen watch factory.
- When setting dates, forward your hour hands first, so the date changes, then move to 6 o’clock. Now change your date. Automatic watches can be hand wound, so google “how to hand wind an automatic watch”.
- Water Resistance. Assume your watch is not water resistant, and get it tested. It is your choice if you want to ride bareback into the waters. Do check the case back for tightness and the crown is screwed in tightly. Source
