Trip to China - Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen

[robinstyler]

The AP Plaza "Fake Mart" in Shanghai is very interesting - its right at the Science & Technology museum subway stop - very easy to get to.
If you're obviously not Chinese someone will latch on to you and ask you what you're looking for and they'll escort you to a seller and get you into the back rooms.
The sellers give them a small commission to bring you in.
I haven't been there for 2 years but I found that the initial prices they quote are absurd. Figure about 60-80 US$ fir most watches - some much much less and a few more. Know what you're willing to pay and be firm - they're already making a decent profit at your prices.
I never seen any super reps there, mostly quartz movements.
The sellers are aggressive but in my experience nice and fun to joke with.
Here's a web site to compare actual prices:
http://shanghaishopping.org/fake-market-prices/

I was going to comment exactly this. Though the watches arent really all that high grade. Its better for clothes. You can also get a tailored suit there for around 80-100$

 

[seriph]

I've never had any hassles. I wore one and housed two in a watch travel case then had two others in my shoes. But the bottom line is that I doubt anyone would care seeing they allow the entire place to exist in the first place, merrily ripping unsuspecting travelers off with glee!

Or do you mean customs at your ultimate destination?

 

[seriph]

I'll be keen to know what you bought and what you paid )))

That said, TDs are the only way to go for me.

 

[dadog13]

I've never had any hassles. I wore one and housed two in a watch travel case then had two others in my shoes. But the bottom line is that I doubt anyone would care seeing they allow the entire place to exist in the first place, merrily ripping unsuspecting travelers off with glee!

Or do you mean customs at your ultimate destination?

Ultimate destination customs


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cceddlekid]

It looks like I will return with min. 5x super reps from my trip to China. Eventually if I see something that I like directly on spot I will be buying more. So far I have booked these 5pcs. from a dealer that I will meet face2face.

Since 5pcs is not a small amount, do you guys have any tips&tricks on how to smuggle them through customs?

So far I have been two times in this situation (once I even went through with 6pcs). I always put them in my luggage which goes in check-in and so far I have passed customs w/o issues. This time I am planning to take apart watch head from straps for 5pcs, "hide" them all over luggage and one of them will be with me on my wrist.

Any tips is highly appreciated even if it is an advice what to say if I get caught ))


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I usually wear 1 and have the rest stored in my bag pack covered with clothes (and underwear lol). But then again, I never brought more than 2 or 3 when I travel. As far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong), at least from what I have read, owning reps aren't illegal. Selling them are (if you get caught anyway). I won't recommend putting in your checked in luggage tho because some places (like the U.S) would open your luggage if you have TSA locks, or they would clip your locks which happened to me a few times. If they find that you have reps inside your luggage, they might have some questions to ask. Well, better be safe than sorry I guess. Another alternative maybe you can mail 2 of your cheaper reps to your final destination? that way if they get confiscated then that's just the end of it and you don't have to carry a lot of watches with you.

 

[noobfreak]

How do the prices in Shanghai compare to buying from a TD like Puretime? I would be curious to know a typical rep costing say $300 would be obtainable for how much in a watch market? I'm trying to justify the cost of a a trip to China

 

[tkingjr]

I usually wear 1 and have the rest stored in my bag pack covered with clothes (and underwear lol). But then again, I never brought more than 2 or 3 when I travel. As far as I know (correct me if I'm wrong), at least from what I have read, owning reps aren't illegal. Selling them are (if you get caught anyway). I won't recommend putting in your checked in luggage tho because some places (like the U.S) would open your luggage if you have TSA locks, or they would clip your locks which happened to me a few times. If they find that you have reps inside your luggage, they might have some questions to ask. Well, better be safe than sorry I guess. Another alternative maybe you can mail 2 of your cheaper reps to your final destination? that way if they get confiscated then that's just the end of it and you don't have to carry a lot of watches with you.

Don't leave any of the reps in the packaging and have them fitted to fit your wrist. Then you can say you like to wear a different watch every day. I have bought most of my Gen Breitling's in Hong Kong. They warned me not to bring the packaging back to my hotel in SZ. If i was caught with the box I have no defense. It is not illegal to own reps. Just selling them is a crime. Or not paying the duty over $800 entering the USA.

 

[Hepasto]

Well,

As long as u dont trip to france u are safe.
In worst scenario ull lose them.

Ive heard that in france just for owning something fake u can get fine for even 300000 euro

 

[Seamusflood]

Well,

As long as u dont trip to france u are safe.
In worst scenario ull lose them.

Ive heard that in france just for owning something fake u can get fine for even 300000 euro

This is not true


Sent from the RWI App

 

[Seamusflood]

Well,

As long as u dont trip to france u are safe.
In worst scenario ull lose them.

Ive heard that in france just for owning something fake u can get fine for even 300000 euro

This is not true


Sent from the RWI App

 

[dadog13]

I will have at least 6pcs with me.

Some options that I have been thinking of :

For sure one of them will be attached to my wrist and one more will be with me strapless in my shoulder bag..
The remaining 4pcs will be either placed in the check in luggage, strapless and spread within my dirty laundry LOL and some other places in the luggage or I will check the option to ship 1-2 pcs by my business partner as some sample items..

I'll have to keep my fingers crossed that it'll be a good day once I will pass through local customs in my country..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dadog13]

How do the prices in Shanghai compare to buying from a TD like Puretime? I would be curious to know a typical rep costing say $300 would be obtainable for how much in a watch market? I'm trying to justify the cost of a a trip to China

Shanghai is not known to me for reps at least not for the good ones that we see on the forums. I know about the lower level ones that can be purchased on some markets in SHA but didn't ask about prices when I was there a couple of yrs ago.

I will do my watch shopping in Guangzhou. Already booked the watches which will be waiting for me..already got some QC photos and others will follow in the next couple of days..

It will be a challenge to bring everything back home. Will post for sure an update once I come back end of July being a good (hope so) or bad experience..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lukko]

You need to go here:

That's a "hidden" fake market palace that's seems a normal palace...

Inside you can find some floors with tons of little fake shops. You can find watches, some eletronic device (like high quality Bose headphones or Dr. Dre) , some shoes like nike, adidas, timberland, Vans, New Balance and others. Some travel bag (like swissgear). And some other brands like superdry, hollister, abercrombie, ralph lauren, polo ralph, tommy, lacoste, supreme, Ugg, stella mc marteney, Tods, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, etc etc

 

[dadog13]

You need to go here:

That's a "hidden" fake market palace that's seems a normal palace...

Inside you can find some floors with tons of little fake shops. You can find watches, some eletronic device (like high quality Bose headphones or Dr. Dre) , some shoes like nike, adidas, timberland, Vans, New Balance and others. Some travel bag (like swissgear). And some other brands like superdry, hollister, abercrombie, ralph lauren, polo ralph, tommy, lacoste, supreme, Ugg, stella mc marteney, Tods, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Ferragamo, etc etc

I've read that this market closed in 2016.
If you google it there is plenty of information about it..



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dadog13]

A short update.
I'm done with the visits to Shanghai and Guangzhou. This evening I arrived to Shenzhen.

Shanghai :
Visited AP Plaza one day. As for replica watches nothing interesting was to be seen. Prices compared to Guangzhou are higher (generally speaking for all replica items). I have seen some reps but nothing which is important to be mentioned. I bought overthere only some stuff for the wife

Guangzhou :
Watch market is alive but absolutely 0 high end reps displayed. From what I heard dealers are still trying not to attract eyes from the police on them ever since the raids occured a couple of weeks ago.
I asked only for some specific replica, some cheaper reps that friends inquired for or that I wanted to add to my collection. None of them were sourced mostly because thise were reps made years ago and long time ago put out of production.
I ordered my batch of 5x reps from my dealers and they were delivered to me in person at my hotel where I stayed.
2x AP from JF factory, Zenith from XF factory, Panerai 687 from ZF factory and a new released Bvlgari by JL factory.
I am pretty satisfied with all of them and now I have a sweet problem how to smuggle them over customs. I already have some ideas, keep you fingers crossed otherwise it'll be a huge loss for me.

As for other replica items the market is full of clothing, shoes, sunglasses, bags,..you name it they have it! Again my lady will be super duper happy with the items I got for her. For myself I got a pair of MMM Future sneakers and a pair of Nike Powermax. Overall nice quality and affordable price.

Shenzhen :
I've just arrived to the hotel. Tomorrow I have a free day. Going to hit the markets but I don't plan to buy stuff since my luggage is already full. Anyhow, there is always the option to get another luggage filled with stuff. LOL

A couple of photos. The light is bad, will retake them during daylight.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[spursian]

Glad to know you got your stuff mate. I visited the same watch markets as you and managed to hook up with one dealer who took out some high end reps from his black bag, though his prices are not much better than our TDs. Yeh, they were quite careful and secretive because of the recent raids. Not just the watch markets, even the Baiyun leather goods building was filled with cops. Managed to meet one leather goods dealer and he brought me up to a secret unit in the building, filled with high end leather replicas. Managed to cop a nice LV pocket organizer. It's an interesting experience, which makes it easier for me next time to source for high end reps such as shoes, clothes, bags etc.. [emoji16]

 

[dadog13]

For sure high end reps (watch) can be obtained. I was not that much looking for them since I already had my order placed. Would be meaningful just to ask for high end reps only for asking and looking at them with no intention to buy. I know the prices for what I'm interested in. It would not be fair to disclose them here due to forum TD's but let's say I got some nice deals.

Seen the stuff you are speaking about. I am not that crazy for branded stuff which is not watches. Seen and bought something for the wife, an extremely nice leather bag from Rick Owens. The leather is amazing and the price was good one as well - after 5-6x trips to China and dozens market seen, I'm know how to get the best prices..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dadog13]

Daylight videos to reveal the real beauty of these reps..

https://youtu.be/Qnz_ThSYiGg
https://youtu.be/VqsfZqN5UZ8
https://youtu.be/El_I1ZJJcJg
https://youtu.be/HzS95BxE330
https://youtu.be/PQrW3fE-jpQ


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dadog13]

Shenzhen update :

I was going through one of the shopping malls in Shenzhen today wearing my AP Grand Prix FC by JF and two sellers noticed it and approached me with a similar entry line "I see you like/have good quality replica, come inside the shop we have them as well". Black bags being opened and a show off of JF AP's, Noob Rolex, different factory Panerai reps, Hublot, etc. One of them had serious stock of JF AP's, easilly 20+ pcs.

I have been offered some good prices for the watches I inquired for but I've let them know that since I had already bought 5pcs. I had no serious intentions to buy more despite some caught my eye and I was with myself like, a 6th one could not be such a problem to take through customs back home?! Lol




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tkingjr]

Shenzhen update :

I was going through one of the shopping malls in Shenzhen today wearing my AP Grand Prix FC by JF and two sellers noticed it and approached me with a similar entry line "I see you like/have good quality replica, come inside the shop we have them as well". Black bags being opened and a show off of JF AP's, Noob Rolex, different factory Panerai reps, Hublot, etc. One of them had serious stock of JF AP's, easilly 20+ pcs.

I have been offered some good prices for the watches I inquired for but I've let them know that since I had already bought 5pcs. I had no serious intentions to buy more despite some caught my eye and I was with myself like, a 6th one could not be such a problem to take through customs back home?! Lol




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi dadog, Can you tell me what Mall you were walking through when the rep guys found you ? If not the mall and significant landmarks or hotel near ? I can figure the location. I am heading to Shenzhen in a couple weeks. Thanks