TJGladeRaider

I've only bought about a hundred watches from Josh. I talk to him like family, he always gives me great advice, he has always taken care of me after the sale in those few cases where I had a problem, but I don't expect him to cut his prices for me. Succinctly put, if Reps-R-Us offers WatchABCDE for $250 and Josh has the same spec watch for $270, it's worth the $20 to me even if I could know for sure that they were actually the exact same. With Josh, I have ALWAYS gotten what I paid for. Can you tell the difference between a gen ETA and the Asian ETA copy? I cannnot but I know for sure that if Josh says it's a gen Swiss, I get a gen Swiss (Ziggy can damn sure tell!). You buy enough reps from any source and you will have a problem. Let's say it's a $300 watch - even if you pay an extra $10/$20 a watch to know you have a dealer who stands behind what he sells, how many watches would you have to buy to cover the loss of that paperweight? I'm not pushing Josh - he's just the guy I have chosen to deal with. I'm just saying that it seems smart to me to pick any of our reputable dealers and stick with them. When a guy has sold you a lot of watches, any reputable dealer will try to work with you. Buy a few here, buy a few there, and buy a few elsewhere -- it's just not the same thing, and you cannot reasonably expect the same thing. Just my .02 Bill

Back when MBW offered the no date sub with the gilt dial, I bought one. I think they must be pretty rare because I haven't seen any mentioned on here. I have it and a couple of other MBWs I can part with. If you're interested in that, email me at TJGladeRaider@aol.com Bill

Here's my 1675 with a dial from MBW, gen crown and lugs drilled. I think Justin did a real nice job on this for me. I think I have it sold, but I wanted to post some pics. Bill

That's just fabulous. Bill

I just recently ordered a watch from one of our trusted dealers. They immediately sent me a tracking number. A few days later, I got QC pics (I think I am going to love this watch). This was a new drill for me, so I asked why I got a tracking number and then got QC pics several days later asking for confirmation that the watch should be sent. I was told that this is the new protocol -- which suits me just fine. I mention this because this may be what you are experiencing. I should add that the pics were not some kind of "file" pics - the watch was laying on the mailing label with my name and address and the tracking number that had been previously provided. I like this new system. Bill

Things do happen in the world of reps -- just today an expensive watch I just recently received from a friend died. A month or so ago, an expensive watch that I sent to a friend died within days of receipt. It isn't about problems, it's how we deal with them on both sides of the issue. It would sadden and disappoint me to hear that a guy with BK's reputation didn't extend himself to make things right for you under these particularly unfortunate circumstances; the fact that he's gone to unusual lengths to take care of you is news I expected and I am really glad to hear. I hope this watch turns out to be all you hope. Bill

Considering the Customs risk, the time related issues, and the fact that this particular glitch is pretty far down the inexcusable scale, this seems like the "no brainer" of reasonable solutions. Now, here's a question for the group, "If that watch is lost to Customs under these circumstances, who should have to absorb the loss?" If I were you, I have my watch smythe do the repair whether BK agrees to pay it or not. Please let us know how this resolves. Bill

What should I expect from a guy who vandalizes watches in the interest of authenticity. That's really gruesome Nanuq. Bill

Like so many of us, I have more watches than I could ever wear, but it isn't that I'm "kind" . . . I just have the unique skill set (thank you Liam Neeson) necessary to lend a total stranger a watch with absolute confidance that I will get it back - along with any expenses that I might incur along the way. Perhaps I should change my avatar to "Winston Wolf" from Pulp Fiction. Bill

Nanuq, one of these days, I'm going to get up there and come party with you! A few stiff drinks and I bet you're hysterical! Wanna come to Florida and get away from the cold this winter? When you're up there surrounded by women dressed like Eskimos, the little darlings down here are in thongs! We could take my boat out and celebrate my new found freedom -- can you believe I let so many of my precious MBWs go, and the little Latin crazy lady left last week anyway! Back to being a single parent again. So Help Me, I'm going to sell a watch and use those very funds for the Divorce Petition filing fee! Ya see dude, just chatting with you inspires me -- what a novel idea that was! Bill

I bought it from Maria back in the day. It's a very nice watch - and MUCH nicer now. Bill

An old guy goes to a retirement village, so they give him free run of the place to check things out. As he's strolling down the jogging path, enjoying the view, along comes this young female jogger, bouncing with each step, looking well beyond beautiful. The old guy responds and, seeing the effect she had on this octogenarian, the voluptuous young thing, in a fit of compassion, fixes it for him right there on the spot. The old guy goes back to the office and signs right up. The next day, while strolling down that same jogging path, the poor old guy falls down. Along comes some muscular young man of peculiar sexual preferences who sees his opportunity and takes full advantage of it. The old guy recovers from that scene from Broke Back Mountain, makes his way back to the office, and demands a refund. Required to provide some explanation, Charlie the Codger explains the events and says, "Honey, at my age, an erection is a once a year experience, but I fall down two or three times a day." Bill

I'm not trying to trample you - just make you understand how things go around here. It sounds to me like you were pushing for a rush job and you got one. From what I hear, BK generally turns out exceptionally good work. If that's you're only rep watch, and all you're worried about is having a nice rep to wear on vacation, the solution to your immediate problem seems pretty simple to me - assuming you are here in the US. If that's the case, email me your FedEx address at TJGladeRaider@aol.com - I'll lend you something nice that's tested to be waterproof. Bill

True story - funny story -- though no comparison to this situation intended other than a GREAT example of how things can go south qwik (but this mutt deserved it). I get a call from a family in Ohio - they need an expert witness on fraud. Billy Boy gets involved with one of these deals where they send you a bogus cashier's check and trick you into sending money back before you realize the check was bad. Billy Boy gets clever - he takes the position that if the "victim" was stupid enough to send ten times what he was supposed to, screw him. Billy Boy deposits the check and spends the money on all kinds of stuff for himself. Check comes back several months later as a forgery. The money is all gone and the bank presses criminal charges. Billy Boy tells his story but, since he cannot show that he was a victim (unlike the honest victims, he didn't send out the money, he spent it). Since he was the only one to benefit (they traced all his purchases), they indicted and arrested him. Family wanted me to come testify as to the fraud and how this sort of thing works, but they wanted me to see Billy Boy as an innocent victim and offer them a discounted rate . . . yeah right. I didn't go and they called later to see if I would reconsider if they could appeal (and try to make me feel bad that their precious Billy Boy is a convicted felon now) . . . tsk, tsk. Bill

Like I said, and I meant it - nothing negative or derogatory toward you intended. I've just seen so many cases where things blew up badly, . . . maybe I'm just getting old. Bill

Yep, this is a travesty and we need a stout rope. ANYTIME someone has a relatively minor issue with a member of good reputation and takes it to the list before that member has an opportunity to respond, . . . a long drop with a short rope seems like a happy ending. I "just" got the watch, I am "waiting" on an answer . . . you need to calm down. Just to be clear, I don't know BK, and never had any dealings with him at all. If he tells you to pound sand, you would get no sympathy or support from me, but for the fact that I can see you are brand new here, and haven't had time to get a feel for how things go around here. Reputation is all important here - there's a whole world of sordid, thieving garbage pervasive within this industry. Reputation and track record is all we have to go on, and all we have to offer. Like I said, you're brand new, and we have all been there, so we understand. I'm sorry your first experience with this was disappointing; Unless this little episode gets him thoroughly pissed off, I am sure he'll make this right. Bill

This sort of thing makes me cringe, but in saying that, I'm not meaning it in any negative way. I just see too much reality. Doo doo occurs. If doo doo occured, and anything went wrong, this would be a fraud case that would be very hard to defend. Best of intentions can result in felony convictions . . . I've seen it too many times. OTOH, since this was an option situation, where personal funds were available, the risk may have been minimal. Assuming he had the option to simply pay the money, everything might have been ok. Great story though. Bill

That crapola makes me feel like Robin Hood. An extensive collection of reps, contacts that can service them, and I ain't gotta be saying, "Thank you Sir, may I have another." Besides which, if anyone went out and bought gens like my reps, they should have bought a really nice house instead! This modded H Factory Luminor Submersible on my wrist is PERFECT . . . when you can buy the perfect rep for this kind of money, you know what the manufacturer's actual cost must be. None of that for me - ever. Bill

My first car was a 66 Fastback 2+2 -- that was one wonderful ride for a high school student. I wish I had that car today. The Boss 302 is an impressive offering, but you know that dealers are going to "Market Adjustment" the bottom line into Sillyville. Why pay stupid money for the Mustang when Cehvy is selling the hot Camaros without all the price bump nonsense and the Corvette is the king of residual value. Also, TORQUE is all important these days. Horsepower sucks fuel, as we all know, but TORQUE makes it possible to get great mileage. My Corvette gets 26MPG on the Highway and I average 21MPG all the time -- you cannot believe the mileage between 45 and 55. The reason is the gearing and aerodynamics. Gobbs of torque and good aerodynamics make it possible to use very tall gears so the Corvette tach is almost at idle when cruising down the boulevard. Conversely, this Mustang has to have a 3.66 1st gear combined with a 3.73 rear axle to make the car move. Thanks, but I'll stay with the Vette, especially since the residual value per dollar is so much better. You can buy a Vette now at a discount off sticker, or pay a dealer pump to buy this thing - drive both as your daily driver for five years and see what the resale values are. Seriously, you want to see some grim reality: 2007 Shelby Cobra Supercharged 500HP . . . that car the dealers were getting RIDICULOUS money for. If you paid $70,000+ for this thing, and put 100,000 miles on it, the trade in value is $22,600. http://www.kbb.com/ford/mustang/2007-ford-mustang/shelby-gt500-cobra-coupe-2d/?vehicleid=83704&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=100000&pricetype=trade-in&condition=excellent ABSOLUTE BASIC 2007 Corvette Coupe -- NO OPTIONS. If you went for cheap, and spent about half what that Snake version of the Mustang would have cost you on the absolute basic Corvette, and put 100,000 miles on it, the trade in value is $21,100. http://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/corvette/2007-chevrolet-corvette/coupe-2d/?vehicleid=83532&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=100000&pricetype=trade-in&condition=excellent Now, you really want to get sick, carry it out a few more years and see how the Corvettes hold their values compared to Mustangs. Those souped up Mustangs they offered back then aren't worth much of anything anymore. Anyone want to trade a ten year old Corvette for a ten year old [Anything with a Mustang Emblem]? LOL Bill

From me, yes, that's all I can say. I'm an investigator by profession - it is for others to do with the information as they will. Bill

My involvement in this matter is concluded. Those responsible have been identified, they have acknowledged the evidence, admitted their actions and proffered written assurance that this will not happen again. Beyond that, I cannot comment. Bill

If that's what you're looking for, why not buy the Seiko 5 Limited Edition 40th Anniversary Diver Titanium SKZ205K they put out some years ago with the carbon fiber dial? I have one NIB that I bought new as a collectible when they first offered them. It is incredible - the dial has a 3D effect you cannot appreciate from the pictures and the lume makes everything else out there look weak. Bill

Hey Jeremy, I have been meaning to mention that your check bounced, but that's OK . . . just send the watch back. Bill

You got that right Freddy. This situation is being investigated. It's a sad day when a dealer thought to be reputable goes to this much time and trouble to have a third party hacker trash the competition. When said "dealer" is dispositively identified (and you will note that I did not say, "if,") what should the penalty be? Bill