hk45ca said:
yes, that is correct. in many cases the prices have been artificially manipulated from the factory to your dealer. even if your dealer is a non cartel dealer, the customer is paying an even more artificially inflated price. this is the main reason i haven't bought anything since last october, i am not going to be a party to this any longer.
You know HK... this may be the 1st (or 2nd...) time I've ever seen eye to eye with you... :shock:
I personally haven't purchased a new rep watch since November of 07' (I did recently acquire one off the 2nd hand market though...) The overall price-hiking combined with no change in quality control or customer service has pushed me into the Gen markets...
Like you said, I was also spending the neighborhood of 1k or so a month on this hobby... now I just get a new watch a few times a year from an AD and don't have to mess with the drama that I've watched unfold.
My first rep came from Andrew, the watch shipped quickly, arrived safely and was exactly as described. Couldn't be happier with the watch, in fact I still wear it. I've also purchased many from Josh. His communication with me has been top-shelf. I don't think I've ever had to wait more than an hour for a clear concise reply. Never had a problem buying from either. The "little white lies thread" and Cartel mess occurred and I re-evaluated my choice of dealers...
I got burnt by TWP in November and that was my final straw... Took some time off from the forums and still haven't started buying reps again.
I have somewhat rediscovered my rep-addiction and would love to find a dealer I can trust... both to deliver as promised, but to also be a good productive member of the rep forums. I'll have to do a bit of research before I buy another rep from a dealer... Am I the only one that misses EddieLee? :?: