First things first, MBK. Yeah, everyone says MBK. But listen up, because it’s not all created equal. Don’t, I repeat, *don’t* just wander into the first shop you see near the entrance. Those guys are gonna try and fleece you, seriously. Think of them as the gatekeepers of overpriced fakes. You want to go deeper, man. Like, down into the rabbit hole.
Level 2 or 3 in MBK is where the real (fake) action is. You’ll be dodging tailors trying to sell you a suit, but keep your eyes peeled. You’ll see ’em. Little stalls, maybe a bit cramped, overflowing with watches that look suspiciously like Rolexes and Omegas… and all the rest.
Now, here’s the thing. “Quality” is a relative term when we’re talking about knock-offs. You’re not gonna get a perfect replica for chump change. But you *can* find something that looks decent enough to fool most people (unless they’re watch nerds, in which case, you’re screwed anyway).
I saw some stuff online, people saying they paid like 25-45 bucks for something “decent”. I’d say that’s a good starting point for your haggling. And you *definitely* gotta haggle. Start low, like *really* low, and work your way up. Think of it as a game. A slightly shady game, but still a game. If they look insulted, you’re probably on the right track.
Honestly, the whole experience is kinda fun in a messed-up sort of way. Like, you know you’re buying something that’s not quite legit, but hey, it’s a Bangkok souvenir, right? And a pretty darn cheap one at that, if you play your cards right.
One tip from yours truly: inspect the watch *carefully*. Look for obvious flaws. Does the second hand sweep smoothly, or does it tick like a cheap clock? Are all the little dials actually functional, or are they just glued on for show? These are the things that separate the “decent” fake from the “obvious” fake.
