anyone ever fooled an authorized dealer with a rep?

[If you see Kay]

@Op

Bahhh. Don't listen to all the paranoids around here. Take your rep to the AD if you want. I do all the time. I just don't take my entry level reps, nor do I take my reps to AD's that carry the Rollies, Pams, and Pateks, or same brand as I am wearing. I check out the knowledge of the staff first. Most of the time you can pull it off, but I don't go purposely doing it, and if I am asked to try on a watch, I'll try it on my other wrist without taking mine off.

Half the time the staff don't know sh!t about watches other then what they sell, some don't even know much about their own line of watches too.

 

[romulous]

I also agree that there was no good to come out of wearing your rep to an AD.
I also agree that even if the AD knew that the Omega was in fact a rep there was no good to come out of mentioning that to you.

Lastly I think that when something reaches such a high level as is the case with your Omega rep. Differences might only be noticed through side by side comparison.
It's loke buying speaker for your stereo. The $1000.00 pair sound realy great until you hear the $2000.00 pair.

 

[OI812]

MY experience with AD's is this.....

SOME are very knowledgeable and would spot a rep of most of the high end brands even if they don't carry them in their store. A really, really good rep would get by them if the caseback remains on the watch in most cases.

SOME are absolute idiots and care nothing more than selling watches and making as much profit as they can. They know less about watches than most Dr.'s do.....even the one's who sport a multi-thousand dollar watch...

MOST would spot a fake if it's got an obvious flaw....sunken date wheel, poorly made bracelet, lume, AR, etc. etc. etc. However, they would only spot a rep if it involved a line they carry and if the rep were a current model, etc. For example, Rolex has so many different versions of various models that a really well done vintage model would slip by virtually every single time as long as the movement isn't examined.

I can tell you this with 100% certainty, the WIS knowledge on this board amongst the truly knowledgeable will surpass that of most AD's almost every single time. Of course there are exceptional AD's who really do care about watches and have a tremendous love for them. IMOP most AD's care more about sales than a slight discrepancy in font, rehaut, etc. etc. etc. and would never spot it on a model that they've not carried in a number of years.

 

[JC7]

Bad stigma for the fora with reps and AD's but you weren't flashing it around being an ass... good story.

 

[mydnytrydr]

Never take your watch off for a dealer (rep or gen) so he can "check it out" ....... EVER!!

 

[d4m.test]

For & to Matt: "To err is human; repent, divine." Welcome to the forum. Although some members may sound "mean," they'll really not. Just want to protect our hobby & don't want indiscretions o draw attention to it from "authorities." After all, the reps really aren't legit.
Welcome to the BEST rep. forum around!

dave

 

[BADWIN BING]

For & to Matt: "To err is human; repent, divine." Welcome to the forum. Although some members may sound "mean," they'll really not. Just want to protect our hobby & don't want indiscretions o draw attention to it from "authorities." After all, the reps really aren't legit.
Welcome to the BEST rep. forum around!

dave

Agreed, a bit harsh on the noob guys. Simple error, that's all.

Welcome to the forum M4tt.......stick around.

 

[donaldejose]

I too wonder how many sales persons at a Rolex dealer would not be able to tell a BKLM/WM9 is fake: probably a lot.

BUT, if I go around testing it out, I just may get some ADs quite upset, especially if they can hardly tell the difference and they may call up Rolex demanding Rolex take more action to stop the reps.

All the Rolex guys have to do is find RWI with a web search of replica watches, order a few from US based (or overseas) dealers to get their addresses and then send them threatening letters.

That could such down the supply.
It wouldn't take much effort to scare people.

Therefore: it is wise to avoid irritating those who make a living selling the gens or those who spend a lot of money buying gens.
Remember that Rolex does have the cash to cause a lot of trouble for us so don't motivate them to use it.
Instead, let them focus on going after the obvious street venders and leave mail order alone.

By the way, I think this logic s the same in the sex worker industry.
The higher-cost so called "call girls" or "escorts" who are not on the streets are happy to keep a low profile and let the cops go after the so called "streetwalkers."
Guess we can all learn something from the smarter sex workers who manage to stay in business without getting arrested.

 

[appled]

I too wonder how many sales persons at a Rolex dealer would not be able to tell a BKLM/WM9 is fake: probably a lot.

BUT, if I go around testing it out, I just may get some ADs quite upset, especially if they can hardly tell the difference and they may call up Rolex demanding Rolex take more action to stop the reps.

All the Rolex guys have to do is find RWI with a web search of replica watches, order a few from US based (or overseas) dealers to get their addresses and then send them threatening letters.

That could such down the supply.
It wouldn't take much effort to scare people.

Therefore: it is wise to avoid irritating those who make a living selling the gens or those who spend a lot of money buying gens.
Remember that Rolex does have the cash to cause a lot of trouble for us so don't motivate them to use it.
Instead, let them focus on going after the obvious street venders and leave mail order alone.

Hi Donald - I agree 100%, why cause trouble for ourselves?

By the way, I think this logic s the same in the sex worker industry.
The higher-cost so called "call girls" or "escorts" who are not on the streets are happy to keep a low profile and let the cops go after the so called "streetwalkers."
Guess we can all learn something from the smarter sex workers who manage to stay in business without getting arrested.

LOL - I love the analogy!
I think I would like to learn something from a smarter sex worker!!!! :lol:

 

[sawalke4]

I call BS on the OP's story. I think he is just curious to see if an AD could tell if he was wearing a rep on a basis to judge the quality. This stems from scam sites pushing the selling point that their AAAA+++ reps are "So good that they can fool a jeweler!" and he wanted to see if any of us here have had experience doing this. Firstly, Ad's are around watches all day, they couldnt care less about your watch, especially if its a run of the mill omega PO etc....They would never ask to inspect your watch. IMO thats a little rude. I would never ask anyone to take off their watch so I could inspect it, much less if I was an AD or salesperson for an AD. Suppose someone said "nice diamond engagement ring, mind if I take a look?", and pulled out a loupe and inspected it? Do attempt to "fool" any gen affiliated person with your rep. Period. It will destroy our hobby.

 

[If you see Kay]

fine, I'll flash my gen Omega Seamaster or my gen Rolex Oyster date to the AD and see if they say the same thing.

I'm not too sure what reaction I'll get, but I'll let you guys know.

 

[tommy_boy]

Funny, I have yet to encounter an AD sales person who drew attention to MY watch.

They are more interested in drawing attention to THEIR wares.

 

[trksh-bzr]

I too wonder how many sales persons at a Rolex dealer would not be able to tell a BKLM/WM9 is fake: probably a lot.

BUT, if I go around testing it out, I just may get some ADs quite upset, especially if they can hardly tell the difference and they may call up Rolex demanding Rolex take more action to stop the reps.

All the Rolex guys have to do is find RWI with a web search of replica watches, order a few from US based (or overseas) dealers to get their addresses and then send them threatening letters.

That could such down the supply.
It wouldn't take much effort to scare people.

Therefore: it is wise to avoid irritating those who make a living selling the gens or those who spend a lot of money buying gens.
Remember that Rolex does have the cash to cause a lot of trouble for us so don't motivate them to use it.
Instead, let them focus on going after the obvious street venders and leave mail order alone.

By the way, I think this logic s the same in the sex worker industry.
The higher-cost so called "call girls" or "escorts" who are not on the streets are happy to keep a low profile and let the cops go after the so called "streetwalkers."
Guess we can all learn something from the smarter sex workers who manage to stay in business without getting arrested.

I do agree with you donald, but I however do believe that rolex and pretty much all the other brands are totally aware of what's going on, they know about RWI and all the other big or small rep forums.
If we found it, surely they did too, and they are here amung us, logged in and reading.

I also belive that your point on the hooker vs. call girl is spot on, cuz while the gen brands know that this is going on, hardly anyone else does.

So knowing that they can't stop it, they are better off keeping focus off the high end rep existence all together.
If they went out and claimed an open war on highend reps, the chance of them not getting it done with, is VERY high.
And the chance of them ending up making this declaration of war, serve only the function, of advertising for high end reps, would be VERY high

In general the reps do not steal a lot of market from gens, for several reasons, but again, if the best reps were common knowledge, the market taken from gens would still be higher.

 

[avenger007]

I call BS on the OP's story. I think he is just curious to see if an AD could tell if he was wearing a rep on a basis to judge the quality. This stems from scam sites pushing the selling point that their AAAA+++ reps are "So good that they can fool a jeweler!" and he wanted to see if any of us here have had experience doing this. Firstly, Ad's are around watches all day, they couldnt care less about your watch, especially if its a run of the mill omega PO etc....They would never ask to inspect your watch. IMO thats a little rude. I would never ask anyone to take off their watch so I could inspect it, much less if I was an AD or salesperson for an AD. Suppose someone said "nice diamond engagement ring, mind if I take a look?", and pulled out a loupe and inspected it? Do attempt to "fool" any gen affiliated person with your rep. Period. It will destroy our hobby.

The OP has already apologized and moved on. I suggest we all do the same. Not a whole lot left to say here.

 

[doogie]

Stick a fork in it the fat lady has sang!

 

[JC7]

The OP has already apologized and moved on. I suggest we all do the same. Not a whole lot left to say here.

+1

 

[Autobahn]

It's always good for a laugh when I take my entire rep collection into an AD and announce in a loud voice, "Fake watches for sale here! Come on down and get yer fake watches"

Even the security guys escorting me out of the store are usually chortling away with glee.

 

[drbollocko]

Had a good laugh on this thread. Some 'experienced' posters behaving like the snob WIS on some unmentionable GEN sites. Simple mistake give the lad a break!

 

[trksh-bzr]

quite a few members gave the guy a break
Anyway, never miss the chance of letting a thread grow into something entertaining.
basically this kindda thread is one of my favorite kind, the OP even had fun with this

 

[mbjoer]

I do agree with you donald, but I however do believe that rolex and pretty much all the other brands are totally aware of what's going on, they know about RWI and all the other big or small rep forums.
If we found it, surely they did too, and they are here amung us, logged in and reading.

I also belive that your point on the hooker vs. call girl is spot on, cuz while the gen brands know that this is going on, hardly anyone else does.

So knowing that they can't stop it, they are better off keeping focus off the high end rep existence all together.
If they went out and claimed an open war on highend reps, the chance of them not getting it done with, is VERY high.
And the chance of them ending up making this declaration of war, serve only the function, of advertising for high end reps, would be VERY high

In general the reps do not steal a lot of market from gens, for several reasons, but again, if the best reps were common knowledge, the market taken from gens would still be higher.

That makes sense to me. In addition they would also make many question the pricing of the Gens.

At the moment the Gen makers are able to charge hugely excessive prices based on a mystical aura of quality which mostly is not borne out in reality.

The existence of a quality rep market exposes all that.