Seller Review- Zheng / Larry / Janie
In searching for my first pair of rep sunglasses I found this forum which is a wealth of knowledge but also confusing and contradictory at times. As such I couldn't find one clear winner on who I wanted to order from and based on inventory pictures I decided to diversify and purchase from several to try my luck and see what I came up with. In the end I feel like I still made educated decisions and would buy from any of these 3 again based on if they have what I'm looking for. Pricing between all 3 was within a couple dollars of each other, not worth shopping around for best price if you are trying to choose between these 3.
I've purchased a few non-glasses replica products in the past and understood the process, understood the sellers were middle men, knew to verify stock before purchase and as for specific QC photos. Speaking of photos, I didn’t include may here of them in-hand as there were no surprises between QC photos and what really showed up. This is more a seller review vs a product review.
Zheng - I purchased a set of Molino 55 heritage edition in black from Zheng. I found his approach professional and to the point. I only got responses from him during what would be his working day. Not really the end of the world here I'd send something during my day and get responses while I was sleeping in the evening. Communication was to the point, questions were answered and the sale process went smoothly.
Initiated Contact on 4/8, Made purchase commit on 4/8, paid for goods on 4/11, provided with QC pictures on 4/12 that were green lit for shippping.
This is where I'd say Zheng fell a little flat. I didn't get shipping details until 4/18 where I had to reach back out to him to ask for them. That said they did actually ship on 4/13 right after I GL the photos he simply didn't follow up with the shipping details for me. I also asked for details on possibly buying another pair of glasses from him and that communication fell flat so I purchased elsewhere. Still got the job done but communication after the sale was a little lacking.
Shipping to the US took FOREVER. The glasses shipped on 4/13 and arrived on 5/11. I was quite concerned that for weeks they just sat in China and didn't move and to Zheng's credit when I did inquire about shipping delays and timing he did respond every time assuring me that the package would arrive fine.
The product - The Molino 55 from Zheng presents well, there are a couple of small defects in the metal rings around the lenses I didn't see in the QC photos but were actually there , not the end of the world. Lenses are nice with AR coating on the back. The glasses came out of the box needing a little adjustment, there was a small twist in them that I had to work out with a heat gun but once I fettled with them a little they now are perfect and fit great.
Larry - I purchased a pair of JMM Torino's in transparent gray which I customized the lenses on, another pair of Molino 55 in a tortious color with yellow lenses and a pair of Cartier Santos glasses. I found his communication style a little more friendly vs strictly professional, and he responded within a couple of hours of my communications no matter the time of day.
Initiated contact on 4/10, made purchase commit and paid also on 4/10 and had QC photos presented to me on 4/15. Received shipping confirmation on 4/17, items were delivered on 5/6. Much more of a timeline than I was expecting.
The product - The glasses from Larry are nice. The work on customizing the lenses in the Tornio's was done well and the lenses are to my liking. The cartier I didn't expect to be as nice as the JMM reps but they are pretty well done. The engraving could be a little better and they obviously aren't titanium like the real deal but still very nice glasses with a nice AR coating on the back of the lenses. The Molino frame I got from Larry is REALLY nice but the yellow lenses aren't for me, I'm having a custom set of lenses made for them as we speak as I really enjoy the frame just not the lenses like I thought I would.
Janie - I purchased a set of JMM Dealan 53 heritage in brown with green lenses from Janie. Her communication is over the top flirty / friendly, not as professional as the other two. The flirty nature and gif's and cute icons she sends are a little over the top in my opinion and not really necessary but she was the most communicative, provided the most details about how to purchase from her as a new client, and most thorough in her process.
Initiated contact on 4/20, made purchase decision on 4/20, paid on 4/20, received QC photos on 4/22, GL given on 4/22, shipping information provided on 4/23, Glasses arrived on 5/1!!!!!!!! IDK what the shipping difference was here but I was amazed at how quickly these arrived.
The Product - I have to say just based on fit and color and quality I like the Dealan 53 I got from Janie the best of the bunch. I'm certain these all from the same couple of factories and quality is fairly consistent but there are zero quality complaints about these glasses I got from her.