Great thread, and all very true and very logical.
I have had some very dodgy and also some very good replicas, I once had a seadweller that was very waterproof and lasted for over 8 years with regular servicing only to be replaced with a deepsea.
It was buying the deepsea that I found quite by accident a really good dealer, who only deals with high grade products and offers all the various movements to each model so you can determine which suits you.
I get actual pre sale photos of the product with my name written on a note with the watch to prove it's genuine. The transaction takes about a week because he keeps the watch to ensure everything is ok and that it actually will work.
Now, while this is a very dodgy business to be in I really can't ask for better service than that.