I can’t advise other than buy the one that you like the look of the most. Spending on a gen dial and bezel will cost a fair amount and I’d not bother until you’re sure that it’s really what you want to do. These reps are generally great out of the box.
As above.
If if they are not in the trusted dealers section we won’t recommend them, as we have no control or influence if things go wrong. There are a few good dealers who are not in the TD list here but are on other forums, but again we can’t recommend them.
I think that reps, both low and high end are becoming more accessible. Cheap = DHGATE and the likes and our TDs for the higher end stuff. One thing that niggles me is that the factories build in issues, be it the wrong font or the colour of the second hand but I’m (almost) sure it’s deliberate. And yes the prices are too high for the movement quality.
Packages sent to the UK are not tax free. Customs sometimes let things slip through so you’d not pay tax, otherwise you’d be charged (or item confiscated).
If you’re EU and it’s delivered to the UK you’d still have to pay for onwards shipping though.
If Joshua (or any other TD) is misrepresenting what they are selling they should be pulled up on it. They are on the forums as we trust them to supply high quality replicas; which would include a clone movement if they state so.