eddhead

Maybe not, ,butI would venture to guess that the culmlative positive posts on the 4 members in question outwiegh the negative posts for the simple fact that for as long as I have been a member here, people have been reluctant to post negative reviews until the 'white lies thread'... These dealers have greatly benefited from member feedback and noobie referalls. That is why so many feel so strongly now. No one wants to be responsible for supplying a reference only to find the goods were not as represented.

If in fact they aree fixing prices, it is likely that they are doing so by cornering the supply of especially hot items. By so doing, they would be creating a scarcity on the wholesale or dealer market which in turn would make it more difficutl and in turn expensive for other dealers to purchase.

the other issue is (if memory serves) that originally it was not advertised as a eta 2892 CLONE... just an ETA 2892. In other words, I do not remeber the word 'CLONE' being included in the original description

How can you do research on an item that is misrepresented? I mean it is like doing research on a porsche and finding out is is a volkswagon but only after it has been shipped to your house.

Look, I do not want to argue about RWI because I made a decision a long time ago to not frequent the place, but i cannot help but think that designation of '5 star dealers' has a direct influence on how much influence dealers wield in terms of policy. It is all about the power of the purse.

On the otherhand, hypothetically, once a small number of highly influential dealers acting with a common interest control the supply, what is to prevent them from charging whatever they want, and selling low-grade products? As a consumer, what recourse do you have if you cannot take your business elsewhere. Lack of competition in the market means lack of choices and leverage for the consumer. That cannot be in our long term or short term interests. Do you think ExxonMobile would have makde $10BN in profits last qtr if they actually had to compete for your business?

I seem to be in the minority view on this board, but i HATED brosnan in that role... the others especially connery were top notch. As to the flair, remember this is supposed to be bond before he became Bond.. in other words, early on, before he developed the flair and charisma. You start to see it come out in the last scene though. I think the next episode will show him to be a bit more eurudite.

which is exactly the problem with RWI.. conflict of interest arising from dealer/site sponsership. Frankly admin staff at that site GAVE these dealers that power when they forked over the purse strings... sorry but that is the way it is... try putting the jeannie back in the bottle now. It is hard to think that is not the case. It it is, i.e. if these dealers are going to collude on the supply side, shouldn't we be thinking of some way to collude on the demand side...

... or they corner the supply of a given good, make the commodity scarce, and dirve up the price. in this case, if a smaller dealer has fewer product on the wholesale market, the price will go up. Think of the oil cartels... they set whatever the hell price they want by controllling supply

..and when one of our more respected members raised similar issues, he was promptly banned...

oh. i meant without posting here. but i guess it is too late for that, so i will not say it anymore.

HEY NOW!!!

It could be.. .but take the example of the ultimate PO... at least one of our smaller dealers has suggested to me that he could not get a ready supply because the 'bigger dealers' had pretty much cornered the market. Certainly sounds like at least some kind of cartel or loose partnership... I am not commenting on the ethics or legality of it becasue frankly, I am not sure .. i mean consolidation happens all the time in legitimate businesses... but the lack of competition and control of supply is certainly is not good for consumers.

Look, not for anything... I know your intentions are honorable and in the best interests of the membership...I appreciate the post... but I agree with Dr.Cranium. I think some of us have had our suspicons, and to that end your allusions may be well founded, but without the specifics it is like half a post... you've already put your neck on the line.. why not go all the way? i am not suggesting you name names but greater specificity around the complaints would help. Otherwise, it is like you are saying.. "trust me, i know this is happening, but i cannot tell you why.." Again, no offense, but I just don't know you that well.

what he said (about not saying I mean)!

rep cars, huh? hmmmm.....

you should take pride in knowing that by not posting you are working for the greater good... i know i do!!

That may be true, but the examples of markets that have been crushed under the weight of over regulation are for more prevelant than the othe way around. If there is a lot of 'conning and suckering' between members on this board that is unfortunate... it is also unfortunate that we do not hear about it in the member review section. Free exchange of information is vital to the workings of a marketplace.

I do not think the moderators should be regulating sales between members... that's a slippery slope to me. who is to say how much added value servicing or modifying add to a price. Let's not restrict the workings of our little marketplace. If the real or perceived value doen't cut it for you, move on. Maybe to others it is worth it.

I do not know why I find this stuff so fascinating.. lord knows we in the US have our own problems. Maybe it is the misery loving company thing. From the NY Times O-Ed section Op-Ed Contributor No Sex, Please, We

Is that a real TW best?? I thought you could not get them anymore. If so, I would definetly go for Rivers'

Wow, that thing is awesome! I love the date wheel and the cyclopse.. really makes a huge difference. Nice!!

well, thank goodness.. this thread finally seems to be dying down... at this rate it will soon be gone.

4 gens -5513 -Tag Kirium bracelet, -Baume and Mercier classic dress watch, -My father's gold toned Seiko 7 reps -42 and 45 PO's -PAM 029 -TT TWB -Noob LV -SMP/GMT -Roadster Bill, you're well represented here!!

i will reinterate my wow. wow.