International M2M Sales - your experience?

[samsoniteman]

Hi all -
I'm new so apologies in advance if this has already been discussed. First off, love the forum. I've just recently discovered this whole rep watch world and am amazed at the incredible pieces I've seen.

I've always been a gen watch guy but seeing the possibilities here seriously amazes me.. opens up opportunities for me to "own" vintage watches that I would've never thought possible through the incredible builds I've seen posted here.

This brings me to the question - what has been your "real world" experience when buying another member's offer from another country? Is risk of seizure really high?
I live in the US and noted that most watches posted in the sales forum are from outside the US. What has been your experience?

I currently have 3 watches incoming from a TD - not as worried there as I assume the TD would replace any seizures. That said, I recently passed on a beautiful 1680 build from another member in France because I didnt want to risk being out $1k+..

Appreciate your feedback!

 

[p0pperini]

Welcome!

There's a lot of international M2M deals going on here and elsewhere, and the vast majority of them happen without customs interception. But there's always a small risk. So it's down to the individual to make up their own mind. Personally, I'm like you - I have a limit based on what I'd be comfortable with losing, should the worst happen - and I wouldn't risk $1000+ worth of watch passing through the system.

Having said that, over the past few years I've done quite a large number of international M2M deals into/out of the UK, buying and selling, and have yet to have had anything worse happen than one package get temporarily lost in transit (it eventually turned up at its destination a few weeks late). So my personal experience is one of 100% seizure-free trade to date.

 

[Feefo]

Hi, welcome to RWI!

When I first subscribed Here I remember my intention was to learn and buy from TDs. I remember someone telling me about M2M and myself thinking "nah, not for me, I prefer the "controlled" TD business. Then I began making friends and learning that this place is full of very nice people. Not to mention, eyecandy threads enticing desire for more pieces. So I began looking at the M2M section, just for curiosity first, but very soon I noticed that you could get access to pieces that are not readily available with TDs. Long story short, at some point I started buying M2M. Admittedly, I look preferably to offers in my country or in the EU to minimise risks. Just recently I made my first intercontinental purchase with a very solid member, waiting for it to arrive.
All my purchases until now went well, , just one or the other mishaps in temporarily losing track of the parcel, but everything arrived. I would stick to local offers unless the counterpart has a proven experience of mailing overseas. Still, seizure risk in these cases is obviously higher.

Plus, what @p0pperini said up here

Now, I don't know if you got the welcome speech yet, just to be sure, here it is:

Glad you found your way here.


Please take some time to read the sticky threads in the new members area (all subsections), learn the basic forum rules and get some very good advice in the process. A number of questions has already been answered there, this is just an example:


https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/you-are-welcome.10935638/post-11179738
Another good thread to read to understand where RWI comes from and some fundamentals is this:
https://forum.replica-watch.info/threads/the-first-constitution-of-rwi.51989/


For anything else, feel free to reach out to @eBoy or me, we're happy to assist.


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Enjoy the forum.

 

[P..DR..D]

My own experience:

• From a TD to EU, perfect, they do their thing.
• EU to EU maybe some small delays, but for the most part flawless.
• nonEU to EU = recently a tax bill depending on declared amount, usually small, but a pain nonetheless.
• EU to NonEU (mostly US, Canada, Oz) = very good
• NonEU to UK = Perfect, but delays.

It depends on the watch and pricepoint for me whether I want to risk it or wait for it to show up in my safe area.

All about your own risk appetite and as said above, set your limit, assess the seller (have they sent items to your area before), but at all times remember, that unlike most TDs (not all btw), you are not guaranteed anything if you buy M2M and the postal system decides to disappear it. Risk is on buyer.

Happy shopping & I see you're a Supporter (congrats btw) & changes coming soon to M2M, so worthwhile checking out this thread incase you missed it. Few other threads in the supporters area.

 

[samsoniteman]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Just pulled the trigger on a M2M post shipping from the EU. Fingers crossed
This is terrible actually.. I'm already 5 watches deep since finding this place a few wks ago, of which only 1 watch has been received lol!

I need to slow it down...

 

[P..DR..D]

Next stop @p0pperini territory

Swanky Rolex Submariner Watch Boxes by andybilsy

A note of thanks to @andybilsy for selling me the first four in a numbered set of his Rolex Sub branded watch boxes. They're beautiful, and really high quality - particularly considering the incredibly reasonable price...

forum.replica-watch.info

Best of luck with the tracking apps for the 4 incoming btw

My own advice, ignore them.

Give it a week or so and check.
No sense looking at it daily.
It's with the post gods now

P.s.

 

[samsoniteman]

Next stop @p0pperini territory

Swanky Rolex Submariner Watch Boxes by andybilsy

A note of thanks to @andybilsy for selling me the first four in a numbered set of his Rolex Sub branded watch boxes. They're beautiful, and really high quality - particularly considering the incredibly reasonable price...

forum.replica-watch.info

Best of luck with the tracking apps for the 4 incoming btw

My own advice, ignore them.

LOL easier said than done!
I've been checking incessantly and its paid off. ONE OF THEM (TD) just cleared customs as of an hour ago Fingers crossed it arrives safely the rest of the way...

I started checking @p0pperini 's signature links.. had to stop because thats just asking for more trouble... haha

 

[P..DR..D]

LOL easier said than done!
I've been checking incessantly and its paid off. ONE OF THEM (TD) just cleared customs as of an hour ago Fingers crossed it arrives safely the rest of the way...

I started checking @p0pperini 's signature links.. had to stop because thats just asking for more trouble... haha

He is to blame for alot of my purchases, so fair warning

 

[bangwang67]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Just pulled the trigger on a M2M post shipping from the EU. Fingers crossed
This is terrible actually.. I'm already 5 watches deep since finding this place a few wks ago, of which only 1 watch has been received lol!

I ordered 10 watches within a 3 month span lol so you ain't off to a bad start, welcome to the game buddy!
Shipping to the US with an TD is generally pretty safe if not the safest as they really know their stuff about shipping. Depending what port you are near especially and seasons of the year clearing those can be quick or sometimes a day or 2. Just have patience and enjoy your watches!
If you want a certain watch for your Christmas party or just gift to yourself I would order 3 months out. Longest waits for me were always the winter season especially since I lived in NYC.

 

[samsoniteman]

I ordered 10 watches within a 3 month span lol so you ain't off to a bad start, welcome to the game buddy!
Shipping to the US with an TD is generally pretty safe if not the safest as they really know their stuff about shipping. Depending what port you are near especially and seasons of the year clearing those can be quick or sometimes a day or 2. Just have patience and enjoy your watches!
If you want a certain watch for your Christmas party or just gift to yourself I would order 3 months out. Longest waits for me were always the winter season especially since I lived in NYC.

Thanks for the welcome lol! I'm also in the Northeast US so perhaps similar shipping times as you've experienced.
I updated my user avatar. Seems appropriate with whats been happening here so far for me