A question about? Knocks offs!

Jan 9, 2014

Kitty K.

Okay so I was reading an article related to Law Enforcement. This was quite some time back. Maybe someone can give me an answer...

I was reading about how so many people buy knock offs on the street, and everyone ( comments and article ) was talking about how if people knew what they did with the profits they made that no one would ever buy knocks off again.

I was wondering if anyone knew what they do with the money?

I've searched but found nothing. I want to ask one of my officers that I ride with but I don't think she'd know. And I'd ask one of the economic crimes officers but the only time I see them is during their undercover so I can't just interrupt them or I'd mess up everything lol.

Jan 9, 2014

Yasmine G.

That's a really good question and I'd like to know as well. Maybe you should go ahead and ask one of the officers you ride with? I mean it shouldn't girt to ask. The worst they could say is no and that won't change a thing. Or maybe of you comment on one of the articles, someone will respond back to you if you ask what they do with the money. Just a thought but good luck in your findings (:

Jan 9, 2014

Kyraa D.

Knock offs of what? xD

Jan 9, 2014

Kitty K.

Thing is she buys knocks off too. There is a Michael Kors knock off vendor and she always wants to buy from him. So I feel like she wouldn't know.

@Kyra what do you mean?

Jan 9, 2014

Zoey Q.

In my country street vendors are almost everywhere you look, and a lot of them sell knock off purses or sunglasses. There are also a TON of china stores with knock offs of anything you can think of! These people are just trying to make a living. Maybe it's different in the US, and all of the money goes to some kind of crime ring or whatever lol. It doesn't hurt to ask one of the officers.

Jan 9, 2014

Kyraa D.

Like, knock off bags? knock off makeup?
but I think I get what you mean. from all the gang/crime documentaries I've watched, I'd say that that's what that money goes towards. either that or maybe it goes towards the black market.. people who sell endangered animals for food or clothing, or human trafficking. stuff like that..? it could also help support child labour if they're they ones making knock off bags & whatever else.

lolol, that's my best guess.

Jan 9, 2014

Starria C.

So where do they get the knock offs to seek anyways? This is so interesting.

Jan 9, 2014

Yasmine G.

@Kitty, ohhhhh maybe lets not ask her lol. Just incase not only if she doesn't know, she might get offended a tad bit. Although it would be a little funny for her to know and still buy fake bags and things.

Jan 9, 2014

Kitty K.

I found this, I don't know what it's credibility is because its spelling errors are just quite hilarious.. Although I don't mind the first one, I'm sure they have to pay taxes for other things. >__>

'According to the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) about 18% of the $98 million of counterfeit products seized by You.S. Customs in '02 were made up of fashion-related items: apparel, sunglasses, watches, handbags and headwear.

While it's not a crime to buy counterfeit merchandise (only to sell it), there are legitimate reasons why you should rethink your buying tactics according to the IACC:

1. Counterfeiting robs the You.S. alone of more than $200 billion a year. It's a cash, tax-free business; legitimate citizens like yourself will still get stuck paying taxes, while counterfeiters line their pockets at your expense.

2. Terrorists, gangs and organized crime syndicates all profit from selling counterfeit merchandise. Sometimes designer handbag knockoffs are lined with drugs and used for smuggling things like heroin, too. There is also evidence that the bombing of the World Trade Center in '93 was funded by the sale of counterfeit apparel.

3. You might realize that things like knockoff toys or electronics are an unsafe idea, but did you know that even items such as fake sunglasses can hurt you. According to IACC counterfeit sunglasses can shatter easily; they may fail to provide UV protection as advertised.'

Jan 9, 2014

Kitty K.

@Jaree Agreed! And the conditions are so bad, I've read that they literally have suicide nets outside the factory for the workers. Which is just plain crazy.
Ahem, Apple, ahem... cough cough... not implying anything. -Halo-

Jan 9, 2014

Carolyn H.

Well what you posted seems to have the answers you're looking for.
Counterfit products are unsafe for you physically and fund terrorist acts.

China Town here in NYC is known for "fake" goods but stores also close early which is an unspoken thing, but in reality they close early because the Chinese mafia comes around to collect. Most merchants have to give a good portion of what they make for protection. If they're illegal citizens they're paying the mafia to let them stay without reporting them.

other less professional counterfitters, the guys with purses on sheets, are usually supporting drug rings (if you turn down a Louis they offer you a Molly)
and just from watching Law and Order (not sure how factual it is) they also support prostitution of teens/cildren and slavery..

also, I'm in no way agreeing with sweat shop practices. But in some regions of china the money they make each month which can be about $20 is enough to hold down an apartment and support family. There are enlightening documentaries. Should they be paid more? yes. But a lot of what you hear is misinformed, not saying it doesn't happen. Not saying people aren't taken advantage of, just that sometimes it's extremes.
American companies are supplying some sort of jobs where there are none at all... they should just go about it better, especially since they have the means too :(

Jan 9, 2014

Emily W.

It actually is a crime to knowingly purchase counterfeit goods, much in the same way as purchasing stolen property.
As for the profits, I would imagine they go toward the counterfeiters that manufacture the goods, as well as support other black market activities.

Why would you support an "industry" where workers aren't given fair wage, safe conditions, or are children? Why would you buy something made of mystery materials or ingredients, putting your own health at risk? Why buy something that violates copyright, trademark, and a series of other laws? If you really want that Louis Vuitton, save up and buy a real one. Don't encourage these thieves and criminals by supporting their "business". If you can't afford an authentic product, boo-friggity-hoo. You don't need it.

Jan 9, 2014

Jazi J.

I don't know if this helps but a lot of people purchase high end knockoffs and then go to Saks 5th Avenue and buy the authentic version, then they wait a few days and return the knockoff, and finally, they get their money back and also they get to keep the authentic item or sell it.

Jan 9, 2014

Lexi K.

^ I've heard that story, one of my aunts friends said someone bought a Michael kors bag, then returned a fake one. She said she didn't realize it until she looked at the spelling and Michael kors was spelled wrong :/

Jan 9, 2014

Brianna M.

Wow this definitely changes my whole outlook on knock offs. I do not want a knock off anymore knowing this, I would much rather pay $300 for a Michael kors purse, dang that is very scary, I am very happy kitty that you posted this because I wanted to know where I could find a fake version if Michael kors not knowing any of this but now I would much rather wait til I can save up for it. This is horrible I would have never known and would have bought one if I found one and If I found out after I would have been pretty upset because this is terrible! I'm so glad you posted this! My friend has a fake coach purse that her grandmother bought her!

Jan 9, 2014

Cat C.

Yeah Carolyn is right. It's either gangs collecting, slavery rings, drug rings, and unsafe products going into the production. It's scary and sad to hear but it's true.

Jan 9, 2014

Amanda V.

Kitty sorry I'm a bit late! I do agree with the ladies above that knockoffs sold on the street can all contribute to crime, etc.

But here's the flip side. I actually went to a purse party, and to my horror, they were ALL knockoffs. Alot of times, purse parties are ran buy ACTUAL local designers selling their designs, which is what I thought it was going to be. Obviously, you can't buy a LV or Prada bag for $50. Absolutely not. I do NOT support knockoffs at all, first because they have NO right to literally steal logos/designs from a designer. That's not right. Also because of where/who the money is going to. Anyway, I refused to buy anything. The salespeople were a couple, so I assume the money was going right into their pocket. Which is better than funding crime, but either way it's still wrong.

Jan 10, 2014

Carolyn H.

@Mairead I said some regions, Not tourist areas actually more country.
I also didn't say I approve of any of it. I simply said that in some areas the amount they make is enough to support them.

I don't know that the Chinese have ever tried to lighten it up, I've never heard them talk about it. I actually saw an American documentary of students that snuck into factories to interview workers. Who were provided living quarters and medication.
People who otherwise live in 3rd world style conditions..

Jan 10, 2014

Annabelle N.

My only experience with counterfeiting is very limited but it was a woman who owned a boutique bath salt and soap shop and she had a back room full of fake purses, wallets, glasses and jewelry. The profits from that benefit her, but then again she went down to LA to buy her stuff so who knows what her original purchase contributed to...

Jan 10, 2014

Ana P.

Girls, do you realize that even the high end brands mistreat their employees? how about Nike's factories in Asia and middle east? how about Louis Vuitton and Hollister burning their unsold stuff because they prefer that to give it away to poor people because that "would break their image"; how about that, everytime you buy a Valentino you're helping Valentino Garavani to buy a new house in Europe?
Girls, knock off stuff are not always related to drugs, they feed people, people who sells those things do it because they don't have how to survive!
maybe in USA its pretty rare to see knock off stuff because you guys have such a great economy compared to other countries, but in Latin america its completely normal..

Jan 10, 2014

Emily W.

There are plenty of ways to earn a living that don't involve black market dealing of unsafe and illegal products.

I am aware that several companies are taking advantage of lax labor regulations in foreign countries when manufacturing their products. This does not mean that counterfeiting should be condoned, tolerated, or supported. If you truly care about the workers, research and support charitable organizations that seek to reform labor conditions in those countries.

As for product being destroyed: that is standard retail practice for unsold merchandise, designer or not. What good does a poor person have with a Louis Vuitton bag? Excess inventory gets destroyed to keep it from getting sold by unauthorized (read: illicit) vendors. It is an economic and quality control issue: if Joe X on the street is selling the legitimate company's back stock that they didn't destroy, not only is the company not seeing any of those dollars, neither is the government (no sales tax). Customers can't be sure if they are paying for real or fake items, putting them at risk for scams. Lastly, if the customer buys a bag from Joe X and returns it to the actual retailer for money, the company loses money. It amounts to the same as selling stolen goods. It has nothing to do with a brand's image; it is just solid business.

Jan 10, 2014

Kitty K.

@Ana that's just silly. I'm sorry I don't get anything out of Louis Vuitton bag and I sure as hell don't think my family in DR or Honduras would care for one. Everytime I do send my cousins or aunt something all I get is a phone call back telling me how someone put a gun to their head and robbed them. I rather send them something they need. They do give it away... Maybe not every single designer but some do. My aunt works in New York and every so often when they clean out the merchandise people didn't buy they give it to the managers. So I literally get boxes of nice shoes and nice hand bags. It's why I've never actually had to buy a purse, not going to buy one if I have a nice coach bag from my aunt lol. Normally when I do it's from TJMaxx anyways as they all end up there at one point.
I think it is sad that this is all because of knock offs, I don't own any knock offs. Just a pair of five dollar sunglasses from the mall lol.