HELP! I think I've become a REP watch addict. What is the cure??

[peakpower]

Last month I decided to sell off 2 of my gens, a two-tone Rolex Datejust 16203 and a Tag Heuer Carrera 16 Chrono. I made this decision based on the fact that I had tired of them. I was looking to buy at least one, possible two, gen to replace them. I made this decision before I came across any of the rep sites on the internet. I was merely trying to do research on buying used gens when I stumbled across the RWG site. Eventually, it led me to finding out about RWI and the site here, RG.

Well, basically, in a span of less than one month, I've managed to spend exactly $6191 USD on 16 reps! It seems I've gotten myself into a new habit of buying reps. I knew I liked watches. However, before my introduction to reps, the prices of the gens always seemed to restrict me from over indulging into any heavy timepiece collecting. Now, I can't make myself pass up a great deal on a fantastic rep! I find myself constantly searching the TD's websites and the forum's member sales for great deals!

However, I've only ordered 1 watch from a TD. The rest I've purchased from other members on 3 different rep forums. I figure that I'm getting a better deal on someone else's castoffs. Let's see, I've purchased 3 PAMs, 2 OMEGs, 3 BREIT, 2 HUBs, 5 ROLLIES, and 1 CARTIER. Despite the massive haul and cost, I'm still not satisfied! There are still more watches that I want to purchase. Have I gone completely mad? Who else spends over $6K on reps??? I need help!!!

I try to rationalize that since the money I am spending on reps came from the sale of a couple of gens, I haven't really done any harm to myself. But $6K is still $6K that I no longer have! Of course, if I start dipping into my bank account to continue buying more reps, then I'm really going to need some help. Like any hobby, I'm going to have to exercise some restraint. Otherwise, I'm going to end up spending all of my money on reps. As much as I like watches, I can't let it consume me financially. Anyone else having this problem? Thanks for listening.

[Indec]

I am also a rep addict. Is there a "Rep-anonymous"?
I know from facts that one of the criteria to stop anything, is a willingness to quit. And I certainly have no willingness to stop collecting reps!

A year ago I told my GF I want a all gold Sub. I've been close to buying a AP ROO safari.
But lately I just realize, I rather collect my reps. Enhance them, enjoy them and use my money to gain more money or...spend them on useless **** like a nice car.

[greddyl30pjg]

Lol I think its a common problem!!
Personally i have limited myself to 6- anymore and some wont be getting any wrist time anyway! 6 would be excessive to a 'normal' person let alone 16!!
Its easy to get sucked in, especially when the prices seem so reasonable compared to gen, its kind of justifies lots of purchases but you got to draw the line somewhere!!
I would seriously consider setting a limit that way you wont have half your reps sat gathering dust. Just one perspective...but yes, your not alone...its like a drug!

[faberjay111]

Last month I decided to sell off 2 of my gens, a two-tone Rolex Datejust 16203 and a Tag Heuer Carrera 16 Chrono. I made this decision based on the fact that I had tired of them. I was looking to buy at least one, possible two, gen to replace them. I made this decision before I came across any of the rep sites on the internet. I was merely trying to do research on buying used gens when I stumbled across the RWG site. Eventually, it led me to finding out about RWI and the site here, RG.

Well, basically, in a span of less than one month, I've managed to spend exactly $6191 USD on 16 reps! It seems I've gotten myself into a new habit of buying reps. I knew I liked watches. However, before my introduction to reps, the prices of the gens always seemed to restrict me from over indulging into any heavy timepiece collecting. Now, I can't make myself pass up a great deal on a fantastic rep! I find myself constantly searching the TD's websites and the forum's member sales for great deals!

However, I've only ordered 1 watch from a TD. The rest I've purchased from other members on 3 different rep forums. I figure that I'm getting a better deal on someone else's castoffs. Let's see, I've purchased 3 PAMs, 2 OMEGs, 3 BREIT, 2 HUBs, 5 ROLLIES, and 1 CARTIER. Despite the massive haul and cost, I'm still not satisfied! There are still more watches that I want to purchase. Have I gone completely mad? Who else spends over $6K on reps??? I need help!!!

I try to rationalize that since the money I am spending on reps came from the sale of a couple of gens, I haven't really done any harm to myself. But $6K is still $6K that I no longer have! Of course, if I start dipping into my bank account to continue buying more reps, then I'm really going to need some help. Like any hobby, I'm going to have to exercise some restraint. Otherwise, I'm going to end up spending all of my money on reps. As much as I like watches, I can't let it consume me financially. Anyone else having this problem? Thanks for listening.

Welcome to the club!

[aksingh]

Unfortunately youve come to the wrong place, this is an all night bar not AA! My rules to control my addiction are no purchase for at least one month so I know I really want the watch, nothing too similar to what I have, and most importantly an annual watch budget. I put it all in a seperate watch account at the start of the year and thats all the money I have for reps and gens.

[flaguyinetown]

Unfortunately youve come to the wrong place, this is an all night bar not AA! My rules to control my addiction are no purchase for at least one month so I know I really want the watch, nothing too similar to what I have, and most importantly an annual watch budget. I put it all in a seperate watch account at the start of the year and thats all the money I have for reps and gens.

You sound like an accountant

That one month wait is not a bad idea. I've purchased too many on a whim.

[KrisOK]

Hi there, Welcome to the forum!

Sorry, there is no cure. You just have to stay active in our little 'Support Group' here. It doesn't cure you, but helps take the pain away

I know exactly how you feel. I started collecting reps under 2 years ago and have just over 50 now. Here's the way that I look at your rep investment. You have bought mostly from members, so you are PROBABLY getting them for less than a TD charges. As long as you have gotten good deals and the watches in good condition, you SHOULD be able to turn around and sell them for somewhere close to the same price if you ever need to. I love the rapport that we have with our TD's but get most of my watches from members as well. So..... for the around cost of 2 gen watches, you get to play with 16 watches that are within a few percentage points of being identical to gen. And contrary to what some people will say here, I really don't think that you can have more watches than you can use. I rotate my watches pretty much daily, and am open to the people that I know and work with about them being reps. Almost universally they are facinated by the quality of the reproductions, rather than laugh at the fact that I wear fake watches.

I HAVE slowed down from my initial spree that was close to what you have just done. I try to limit myself to one rep a month unless I see a watch come up for sale that I've really been looking for. But I'm FAR from done. I still have a list of watches that I want that will take me a couple of years to aquire at the rate I'm buying now. And by then I'm sure the list will have new additions

[cougar1]

Amateur!







That's not my collection btw, but it is one rep collection. And it's just the rolexes

Welcome to the forum, go easy and start picking 3 or maybe 5 contenders at a time and do research on them and choose 1 watch from the 3/5 contenders, If you don't gel with it when you get it choose the 2nd choice etc. It's way too easy to buy everything in sight and get overwhelmed. Think about how it's gonna fit into a collection, are you buying too many similar looking watches etc. It's hard to do but you will eventually become more selective.

Now I must go and practise what I preach!

[mikedarvish]

I guess that is the beauty of these forums, you can buy a like a shop-a-holic ! Then once you are tired of your reps/frankens or low in funds, you can post your items for sale and recoup 80-95% of your original investment. Great Market!

[mikedarvish]

Imho

[mysterio]

Like what others have said before, there is no cure. Along the line, the addiction will appear to have decreased but it's just a temporary phase and you'll go back yo your rep-buying ways again. Many have tried to escape its grip, but as we have witnessed over the years, it is quite the rare occurence of a successful withdrawal. The faster you accept that there is no hope, the less painful it will become.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, what's your latest rep?

[Achaedria]

Ok, that first response was without reading the thread. As Christopher Walken says, the best cure for any fever is more cowbell.

I'm also still in the phase of buying as many reps as I can, the mentality being buy first and decide later. There's an allure to being able to test drive watches at a fraction of the cost. It's like, say, being able to try all of the menu items at a restaurant for the cost of one entree. There will, however, be some menu items that you find yourself eating more often than others. Even if you can afford to buy them all.

You may find that a few of your reps get more wrist time and the rest (instead of just collecting dust) will eventually end up back on the market, for nearly as much as you spent on them. But for now you're trying as many things as you'd like. Funny enough, you may go full circle and return to having just two or three gen. After slutting around with a variety of reps you'll settle down with the keepers.

I'm in a state right now where I'm hoarding too. I'm hoping that my philosophy in this post applies to myself. As of now, of the 12 reps I've bought my white dial 42mm Rolex Explorer II is getting the most wrist time by far. And it's definitely in the running for gen when I decide to lay down the money.

[amespinosa]

Like what others have said before, there is no cure. Along the line, the addiction will appear to have decreased but it's just a temporary phase and you'll go back yo your rep-buying ways again. Many have tried to escape its grip, but as we have witnessed over the years, it is quite the rare occurence of a successful withdrawal. The faster you accept that there is no hope, the less painful it will become.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, what's your latest rep?

agree on this one, i though i overcome my addiction to reps since i'm busy with other stuff, cars, computers, work, etc. but when i accidentally stumbled upon RWG and RG it all came back to me. before i just had retained 2-reps that i really like and now after selling off a gen i have now close to 14 pieces the 15th piece, i just picked-up at the post office yesterday.

[TatsNGuns]

i just bought a gen oris prodiver last week. its already on its way back to the dealer cause as soon as i opened the box and tried it on i said **** angus or josh will have a heavier better version for 300 - .. it wrecks gen purchases be warned ! still waiting for my refund from the dealer too slow poke gen sellers =)

[Achaedria]

More cowbell...

[TatsNGuns]

dude you posted this up in a room chaulk filled to brim with guys who constantly spend crazy sums of money on these damn watches .. watches mind you that most of the world would only say " nice watch .. pass the salt thanks dude " however we do this hobby for our own sickness. same sickness that creates v1 v2 v2.5 v3 of the same exact watch lol ... welcome to the group you already fit in. now where are you new sales threads lets get to doing some trades hehehehe

[chronoluvvv]

a coupla years ago, PayPal closed my account since i had exceeded certain 'limits'
i took that as a warning

and then opened a new one
you're preaching to the choir here, there's no escape now

[TatsNGuns]

lolllllll chrono ,,, some could say that wasnt the proper warning you were suppose to take away from that learning moment LOL

[mistermugi]

I think i have the sickness too. It all started when i wanted to purchase the genuine tudor pelagos and they didnt have any in stock.
Then searching on the internet i stumbled onto repgeek---found the trusted dealers list and now awaiting 9 watches to come through the mail.
I can only see a prognosis of increased blood pressure when new watches are launched and the continuing coughing up of cash.

[prelude91]

only cure is to chop off your wrists

[TatsNGuns]

No way I would still so sport reps with no hands or wrists. If I had to I'd do that that black rapper and wear them around my neck. Dedicated for life mofos !

[jonheyn]

hahaha.. the comment with a the watch around your neck made me laugh..

[If you see Kay]

screaming you're an watch addict in here is like going into a bar and saying your an alcoholic. Not good.

Everyone has this bug when they first start. It is only normal. You will eventually weed out the ones you don't want by selling them off. I have only four reps now. The rest are still gens. I only recently picked up another rep, but not sure if it is a keeper. Still haven't pulled the trigger on the new noob Pams yet, and most likely won't, cuz I've come to know that it's better to savour the ones you have rather then satiate your appetite with something new.

[aksingh]

Yeah my rule is one month before a rep and six for a gen. Im actually a philosopher poet but I did study Banking and Finance at Uni, finally come in useful