Victoria

NO SUCH THING HAS EVER HAPPENED AT GITMO!!! And Abu Ghirab was just a figment of our disgusting imaginations!

Unfortunately, Abu Ghraib was all too real during Saddam's time. I think cavity searches classified as foreplay then. Or maybe his sons thought prisoners were secretly concealing AP RO's in rose gold within their persons.

to be 100% honest, i have no idea what other detail you are referring to....

could you PM me too?

deltatahoe

(aka noob4life)

I feel like the class dunce telling the smart kids the answers to the quiz!

I fear if I PM you, I'll be deluged with questions asking the same thing. So here goes, in RWG morse code: Matryoshka.

Copy, 10-4, roger and out, Delta?

Check your PM ....

I know there is one of you out there that read this and said, "And your PMS too". I know who you are! :gun2:

Hehe.

P.S.: Deltatahoe, guess what? The kid never PMed me back! He just sat waiting for responses, so I'm not even sure he knew he had to refresh to get a private message, with more sensitive info. Me, 1 month ago. Good times.

Vic, a sisterly word of advice, let the cheap genes rule when shopping for a rep designer hand bag, OK?

But when it comes to watches, as you already know, even in the best of circumstances, s**t happens, and when it happens it's really good to know that your dealer will come through for you.

With Paul it really isn't worth the aggro and apres purchase teeth gnashing.

Rima, isn't it?

I called you Riva at RWI, by mistake, argh, sorry!

Thanks for your sisterly advice. I wish I could say this is my last purchase from Paul, but I can't. It will most probably be the last for a good long while though. Having other options, even the Member trade areas, really widens one's horizons.

Anyway, thanks for listening to me! I feel like the kid who wanted to cancel his Rolex order last night, and we all secretly laughed, and teased him a bit -- but something inside us realises, hey, we were once "there" too.

Couldn't agree more. Eddie has earned the respect he gets for a reason. He always comes through

Really? I heard he was almost out-of-the-business, semi-retired, etc.

I feel the same way. I really haven't bought anything from him since the Perfect Clones site went up.

Before that, he was my go to guy

Everyone establishes a personal relationship with this or that dealer, I've noticed. Some prefer Josh, some Andrew, some Ruby, some EL.

I have awesome chemistry with Andrew. For me, he's perfection as a collector. I'm sure there are others who will form a queue to tell me otherwise. It's just the way things are in life.

I recently bough from Paul and had a pleasant transaction. First time I went to him in 3-4 years

You couldn't meet a nicer guy than Paul. Until you get your first bad rep, and then...and then...well, then he's still I'm sure a nice guy. But business is about professionalism.

If my post helps one newbie avoid my problems, it'll have been worth it.

Paul drop ships, so there is no QC from him. That you got any post-sales service is perhaps a minor miracle.

With Paul, you drop your dollars and take your chances. If you want a watch in the mail, you'll get one.

If you want post sales service, that comes at a premium. It's an insurance policy if you like, but of course, it's not free. C'est la vie.

I'm calming down reading all your replies, even the ones which give him a kindlier opinion than I have of him, now. After all, I'm just one person out of possibly thousands of otherwise satisfied people. Maybe it's a fluke...

So thanks, Cornerstone.

The problem is, I LOVE bargains. That's why I went to Paul in the first place. I adore Andrew, and Joshua has been stellar, but at the end of the day my cheap genes kicked in.

Really, I have no else to blame but me. Meh, I suck.

sorry about the rant on my collecting theories. what was your issue again?

LOL, that's alright, Delta. We all have our pet peeves, and issues with this or that service.

Look, my problem is a question of approach, as well as quality control. A watch arrived in bad repair, I asked in endless emails that it be rectified, and was given the runaround (12x emails asking to restate the problem, TWELVE. I got 'em saved) until finally he sent the replacement.

In that original order, not only did the fantasy mini-Fiddy come with a broken CG/bridge, but my $35 Meisterst

VBarrett, do you know offhand what the average annual income is globally? I've read that it's something like $200.

Wow, if true, Nanuq of the North.

But no, sadly I don't know. Try this fun site, though:

http://www.globalrichlist.com/

The site is a little preachy, and morosely lefty (despite the Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson sponsorship, heh)...but at least I found out that I am in the 0.01% bracket. How that is, since I ain't rich by a long shot, dunno, so you could be on to something, Nanuq.

SWAMI TeeJay! What a write-up, baby!

I was expecting a half of this effort, and no where near as crisp, luscious pics as presented (going by the earlier photos in the Wrist-Check. *gg*)

Thoughts:

First, I don't see any difference from this lower-priced rep than to the one's contrasted below, by others. The quality seems to be almost the same, and by far my favourite photo was the closed clasp one -- where you can see the high-end aspect of its design.

I would also like you to know that if it doesn't speak to YOU, it does speak to me ON YOU, since that wrist-shot photo looked made you look so elegant, I can't even express how much.

I personally think this watch is the kind a man could easily wear on his wedding day: a watch which states quietly, but impressively, "I'm special".

But it does nothing for you, and that's ultimately, sadly what counts. I can only imagine that 6 months from now, maybe around Christmas time, I will open the Trade Section and see you flogging this beauty to the highest bidder. Shame, TeeJay.

Give it some time. It may grow on ya!

Again, thanks for the enormous effort in bringing this invaluable review to RWG.CC. It's professional, print-ready reviews like this which make this place so very special...

I agree - I bought my first few reps from Paul back in the Abay-eshop days and they were great, and the service was great. From what I've read he's gone downhill fast since then. There are too many great dealers to deal with an iffy one like Paul.

Yes. The moment we had our first problem (well, first problem I brought to his attention...ALL his reps to me have had some kind of problem) he was no longer as polite, or attentive, by a long shot. It was like I was a burden to him.

Perhaps so. But you can't be in this business, facing the competition of true merchants like Andrew/Joshua, and expect to survive by being so bush league.

Is this similar to the Eddie Lee story??

Tell me what you see wrong in this PAM 199, just got this moment from Paul/Wo-Mart/Pam111.com?

1-

2- (With Flash)

3- (No Flash)

Explanation:

I only ordered the PAM 199 because Paul was sending me the new crown guard for the fantasy Mini-Fiddy which had arrived broken on 3rd July.

(edit: Original Prob, http://www.rwg.cc/members/My-First-PAM-arr...th-t36629.html)

After endless, sometimes incredibly cynical emails back-and-forth since then, I finally got a casing replacement. Note, he also sent me a new Mont Blanc pen (La Boheme) because the original one was sent USED, RUSTED, and a ridiculous rep copy worth probably U$1 if NEW, let alone used...

Since I was piggybacking on the order, I also ordered an Hublot Big Bang in Gold/Black (the cheap one). That was my way of showing him that though we had a problem, I'm trying to work with him, and give him some of my money, as usual.

So how can a merchant willfully try to lose a customer like this, someone who potentially could be worth thousands of dollars to him, just because he doesn't quality control his items EVEN WHEN BEGGED to do so, after the first problem arose? How?

I am so disappointed, I can't even say. This is beyond the usual retort of "that's the rep biz, Vic".

There comes a time when that is a very lame excuse, if you'll pardon me for being so blunt...

Tomorrow: VC Retrograde Calender

We have this watch in white gold! (Mum bought it from Josh, for dad to wear)

Gorgeous, isn't it? I think it looks very authentic even in gold. The only give-away that it's a rep is that there isn't a tiny leap-year indicator near the 3 (edit -- and also the year doesn't go up to 2100, or what-have-you, but stops at 2014!).

I know Pix has a beautiful thread on his own VC.

Bugatti Veyron....Pagani Zonda....Ferrari 250 GTO....

Keep your eyes peeled!!!

Mmm, Bugatti. Nice taste just for referencing that, b16a2.

I say it's a new Tramontana!

And remember, some of us may be resentful of the goodies of the truly rich, but there's always someone in this world poorer than us.

Would you like it if they thought "Frikken rich people!" about YOU?

Blimey. Don't know if I should admire it, or go to the nearest fallout shelter and hide!

Great composition, Neal.

Ahhhhh .... KOS , what a paradise !!!! Beatifull island.

Went there as a kid, when KOS was THE "in" place to go to, in the late 80s. This year, it's Beijing and Rio...

Jimminy Cricket, it's my favourite RWG Thread Series!!

WEDNESDAY:

My fantasy mini-Fiddy on the new GeF black strap. And just as I took the photo, who should happen to appear but this little guy? If I had V's strapmaking skills, he would SOOO be on my wrist by now.

THURSDAY:

A more prosaic shot of the PAM 111h on the stunning Mario Paci OF in "Noce" (a mix of mocha and smokey grey). And also a sneak peak at Narikaa's Breguet Tourbillon 1801, below!

But the real star of this post is that little cricket who I so cruelly wished to ixnay, to make a killer strap. Just kidding little buddy!

(SONY digicams rock! Just don't ask me the model. I'm a total duffer about such things. It's cute and small. That's it)

So i should tell Josh to cancel my order...? I thought there have been other people here on this froum from the US that have bought rolex reps from out of the the country(China). guess i am wrong...

Waffles, people here and in other forums order Rolexes all the time. Of course, do as you wish, but I think you'll be fine.

By the way, Joshua is FAMOUS for wrapping his presents in such a way, that surely they could survive a meteor hitting Mother Earth...

I'm sure he does this for many reasons, safety being the most important, but a Customs officer must look at that package and say, "Whoa nellie! I ain't openin' that!".

I will also PM you with another detail, which perhaps should not be revealed publicly. It freaks people out if they don't know what to expect. Hang tight. This is my last post of the night, and it's a dilly!

BTW....are you English or American.......?

British by blood, American by expatriation.

WOW. LOL! Amazed. Confused. Super chuffed, Sssurfer. Just for that, here goes Patches $20 right now. TeeJay will make good later!

Done! Her name showed up in the middle of the list, so I see it's all randomised. Very smart that. You can't pinpoint times, or anything.

I plan to make it under the vbarrett name though -- just to get sure that her VIP status will not get forgotten or delayed, by chance.

WOW. LOL! Amazed. Confused. Super chuffed, Sssurfer. Just for that, here goes Patches $20 right now. TeeJay will make good later!

hellow my fellow RWG members ..

i have a nissan xterra & its just a lil to cramp for my wife , me & my little 2y/o .

im going to updrade to a nissan 07 quest mini van .

the price is $25k at 1.9% finance .

now i totally suck at haggleing .. would like to know if any one here has any good tips on haggling on a new auto & how much do you think the dealer will go down ?

Depending on your credit history, $2,000 less than list price for the Quest, if you are FIRM. Remind them that the new '08s are arouned the corner. If you suck at bargaining for yourself, you'll probably won't even get free mats...obviously, you know this, but if you have a trade-in, NEVER say that you do until after you sign the papers for the first deal.

We always let my mother buy the family cars, because she makes those slimey car salesman sweat bullets. She doesn't smile at them; places a firm offer on the table; and walks out if her offer isn't met. Invariably they come rushing after her with some BS about their managers caving in.

Some people have a gift at haggling face-to-face. Some just don't. I inherited my mother's gift. You should see me at a souk.

Good luck!

Yep anyone can own a gun but they wont let you own a Clio V6

Actually, one is more than welcome to buy a Clio and bring it over to the US with alterations and duties paid. And for the record, when I was growing up in the UK, I rarely saw Mustang 5.0s either.

We did own guns though. Thank God.

Heeeere's Patches!!

People, do it for Patches! Come on, look at that little face. Who can say no that puss?

I was sure that the yellow stitching combo would be good... And wait till the leather ages and becomes darker and darker and it will do contrast with the stitching.. Then it will be perfect

I saw the aged hide in your FS section! Wow...and yet, and yet...I love the colour of it in its newbie stage. Can't I keep that way?

But seeing how your judgement about the yellow thread was right, I'm sure you know I'll love it when it ages, too.

Now I am waiting for photos on your watch when you will get it.. A wristshot with a woman's wrist seems like good advertising

I may have to do a French manicure for that one. Or do I stay with jungle red? And do I go to the beach for some sandy shots. Hmm, so many decisions to make.

Hey, you know, this forum kinda takes over your life. You guys could've warned me!

I will definitely be making a donation this coming friday. I had planned to do so last 'payday', but an emergency meant one of my guinea pigs required treatment at a vet, and that had to come first. If I can spare it, I'll be donating $50

That is awesome of you, TeeJay!

Just to show you that good things come to kind-hearted people, when you do, I will contribute an extra $20 on behalf of your Guinea Pig. Maybe she can be our mascot.

Also, in terms of contributing to the community of the forum, I will be posting a review of the VC Overseas within the next day or so. Keep an eye out...

Apropos to this, my messenger box is at 100% because as an apprentice I have only 10 messages allowed in my Inbox. Hence there are two special posts that are there , which I do not want to delete, but have no room to reply...

I'm hoping when the VIP upgrade comes, that I'll have more room. Stay tuned all those who need PMs back. Thank you.