Reply To: Buying tefillin online. Need help.

I had my tefillin checked about 2 years ago.
For my bar mitzvah, my father had reached out to a relative who is a well-known and respected sofer to get my tefillin. He doesn’t really write things himself anymore, but he does sell for others. My father bought the tefillin he had recommended.
When I had them checked, the sofer asked me, “Where did you get these tefillin from?” I was nervous, and told him about the relative. He replied, “They are in amazing condition, and the parshiyos are absolutely beautiful! One of the nicest sets I’ve ever seen!”
When my son had his bar mitzvah, I also reached out to the same relative, and got my son’s tefillin from him. Hopefully they’ll last a lifetime!