Hello from a noob, and a quick question on risk

[Bluebirdnick]

Hi all

I'm new to this, but it looks like exactly the sort of hobby I can obsess over and waste vast proportions of my spare time on, so I'm looking forward to getting stuck in. However before I do, I just want to be absolutely clear on what the risks are. I have read up on this as much as possible and looked at the various threads on customs seizures etc, and I think I am right in saying that:
 

1) Customs may seize a delivery

 

2) You may therefore lose the money you spent on the watch

 

3) You might (will?) be sent a letter telling you that your delivery will be destroyed.

 

If this happens, then bad luck. I just want to be clear that we have no experience (in the UK) of anybody suffering any additional penalty, such as a fine for the destruction, or any sort of legal issues. Is this correct? I can deal with the risk of wasting money on a watch that gets destroyed, but I don't want to risk anything more than that. I think this is implied as the threads dealing with customs seizures tend to focus on what to do about the cost of the lost watch, with the exception of the poor chap in Belgium who seems to have had trouble beyond the mere cost of the item.

[vlydog]

Buy the seller first is the advice I received here.

Welcome to the forum.

[SSTEEL]

There is always a risk with customs, its all part of the game.  Most get through, but you should always be aware that yours may not.

 

Rule of thumb is, if you cannot afford to lose the cost of your rep, then your in the wrong hobby.

 

 

Having said that, most Trusted Dealers will resend a seized watch to another address for you, so it would be wise for you to check which TD's exactly have your back.

[Hardik315]

There is always risk that's what I was told when I have placed an order. BUT I have received more 8 reps from different supplier in KENT, UK.

Never had any problem with custom.

Hope you won't have any trouble from customs as well.

Cheers

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[Bluebirdnick]

Thanks, guys. Just to be clear: I am aware that it could be seized, and that I could lose the money I spent on the watch. That is a risk I can bear. What I want to know is - is that the worst that can happen? Or is there any experience of customs going after buyers for a criminal offence, or any watch manufacturers going after buyers for some civil dispute?

What I'm saying is, if I spend $200 on a rep and customs seize it and destroy it, that's fine. I'd rather they didn't, but if that's the worst that can happen then I'll take my chances. However, if there is a risk that I could find myself at the wrong end of a legal dispute or some sort of criminal charge, then I'll just save for years and get a gen!

[SSTEEL]

The worst that can happen is if your watch is seized, and then you phone, or reply to their letter.  Its then when you open a serious can of worms.

 

 

If a watch of yours does indeed get seized, DO NOT reply to the letter, IGNORE it completely, but keep a copy to show your TD.