Great post Andrew.
We are buyers. They are dealers. Do they take risks yes. Do we take risks, yes…but only when we buy from dealers that don’t have a good reputation.
My opinion and from my experience, is that we can buy from whomever we want to. Any site on the internet, go across the border for those of us that live in a city that is close to the Mexico border. Needless to say you get what you pay for if you pay $40.00 for a REP.
IMHO, we get the luxury, yes luxury, of having a great source of dealers that have great reputations as far as communication, speed of transaction and a quality product. I think people may take this for granted at times. This is a site for REP’s and there is no way on earth that ANYONE can expect to get a perfect REP. That’s why it’s a REP. Can the quality change as generations move forward….sure. Do we have choices on if we buy REPS or not…sure we do. If one doesn’t like the dealer don’t buy the rep. If one doesn’t like the REP…….DONT BUY ONE AT ALL. It’s as simple as that.
My best friend LIVES in Shenzhen. The epicenter of anything and everything that can be “REP” and there is nothing but truth to the claims from Andy regarding the challenges that are occurring with the authorities and bribery. The risks and penalties that makers dealers take in China are far more stiffer than the ones that we may face in some of our countries.
Do I still choose to buy from my reputable dealers even though my friend lives in Shenzhen and have them sent here. Ya damn right I do. WHY ??? Because I am confident that the product, the communication will be impeccable.
I am not against objective views of REP’s, that’s what makes these kinds of forums so good.
Do we all have choices of who and what we buy…..yep.
Will there always be people out there to criticize and condemn and do they live in a world that exists within their mind and the town they live in, yup yup.
If you are a buyer and don’t like the game……..dont play.