Where do we stand on this?
If you collect on a budget, have for example, an Amanaman figure for display, but no staff, a staff turns up through a friend but its repro, you display with repro until you can purchase the real thing, when you do, you keep the repro in the drawer, and for example, you do not pass on unless to a trusted friend or member on here ( for free) so they can do exactly the same.
This way you are not funding repros ( which will be produced and bought wether we like it or not), ethical forum members would not sell on as vintage.
So in essence only used as fill ins
BTW...I have an Amanaman I bought on here with a dodgy arm ( which I add..was pointed out clearly and I bought it for that reason...A. Because it was affordable. B. because I like rescuing items that others would not want..it adds even more character to the piece to me). I don't have a problem with doing what I said above...but then again, I'm not the type that would try and sell it on as vintage.
The whole repro thing boils down to supply and demand as with everything, it's when unscrupulous people pass them on as vintage. Repros will always exist.
I have a nice Armani watch that I picked up on Ebay years ago for £70 and they were around £380 RRP. Had it checked and it was kosher...so happy with that
Wanted a Railmaster Omega...couldn't afford it...but would never had bought a Swiss copy
So it's swings and roundabouts on repro...always going to be a very contentious issue