Buying A Rep - Do's and Don'ts

Don't buy from an unknown website / seller. Make sure you can verify the seller you're considering. If you can't, move on.

Do use a reputable seller. Lists of currently vetted sellers are available on all the various replica forums. Use a trusted dealer (TD) to ensure you get what you pay for. Make sure they are currently listed and they're in good standing.

Don't buy from Aliexpress, DHGate, etc, unless you have specific knowledge of the trustworthiness of the seller. Numerous sellers on these platforms claim they are selling superreps, Noob, ZF, Clean, VSF, etc, when in fact most people receive junk watches that could have been bought for 1/4 the price paid. That's not to say that there aren't reputable sellers on those platforms, there most certainly are. That said, don't be a guinea pig unless you can afford to loose money or you enjoy disappointment.

Do know what you are buying. If you are unclear as to makers, quality, price point based on quality, movements and reliability, etc, READ READ READ the forums. Even a quick search can reveal a latest, quality piece at the price point you'd like to spend, in the model you are looking for, from a seller that actually delivers.

Don't assume that you are getting what someone else got from the same seller. Ask questions, confirm your purchase any way you can, i.e. request photos, descriptions, etc. We have had numerous people order a watch from a recommended seller, one that someone else used / verified, believing they ordered the exact same thing, only to find that they received something other than what was expected. While this is usually a communication issue, things like an updated model released, out of stock substitutions and movement discrepancies are usually the most common.

Do understand movements. At least the difference in the grades, like the superclones, eta clones, Japanese, Chinese, etc, and the build quality within the various grades. Just because the 21J version looks exactly the same as the 2824 version of the same model, TO YOU, does not mean they are the same. Again, a list of what to expect of each movement you'll find in reps is readily available on various forums so you don't end up disappointed with your purchase. We have also compiled list here: Buying A Rep - Movements

Don't buy from anyone, anywhere that tells you they're watch is Swiss built, AAA, etc. It isn't. They're lying to you. Further, unless you know what you are looking at, do not believe a seller that claims a Swiss movement, even one that carries the branding. Assume that the movement is also a Chinese clone and you won't be disappointed. Could it be a genuine, say, ETA 2824? Sure, but 99.9% of the time it is not. An individual in a forum marketplace may be selling one that's been converted, a higher end modder dealer may be selling one, etc, but it is not the norm.

Do consider spending more money. While this does not apply to all buyers, if you're looking at a cheap $150 rep, I'd tell you to keep your money. Why? Because we service a ton of them. Why buy junk? Save a bit more, expand the budget and get into something with a better power plant for enhanced accuracy and longevity.

Don't pay in cash. If you can, use a payment method that allows some sort of recourse should your purchase go sideways.

Do be patient. Everything in the rep world takes time. Sourcing non-mass-produced products and parts from China takes longer than most other online purchases. Even the larger dealers are not Amazon, they are not shipping your package next day and they are not going to overnight it to you. Expect 2-3 weeks on average (in the US) and longer internationally.

Don't use the words replica when dealing with payment services like PayPal, or during a dispute, etc. This can lead to issues on both parties sides, including loss of use of service for the seller and credit revocation for the buyer. If used when shipping this can lead to confiscation of the package.

Do consider the marketplaces on the forums. There are great watches sold daily on the forums, person to person. This is a great way to find a watch you are looking for; Sometimes at a great deal.

Do understand that there is usually a language barrier. This isn't always the case but it happens quite often that something is lost in translation.

Do remember that 90% of TD's are half way around the world (so to speak). They may not respond to you tonight. Or tomorrow. Or the next day. If they are reputable, they will respond. See Do be patient above.

Do consider servicing your watch. Replicas are typically dirty and dry. If you want it to last, take care of it.