Knockoff Jewellery and Connected Crime.

away36 · Knockoff Jewellery and Connected Crime.

Al and I got into a somewhat lengthy discussion tonight as the result of my telling him about the cool Dolce and Gabbana watch that my boss was wearing today. I told him...."It's not real, she told me it's just a knockoff." I told him how much I liked the watch. His response: "I will NEVER buy you a counterfeit piece of jewellery! Those things are produced in sweatshops and ultimately contribute to organized crime and the U.S. government has determined that it in turn is sometimes connected to the funding of terrorists."

For me....it's just "bling". Many many of my friends and co-workers buy jewellery, watches and handbags that are "knockoffs" of the originals. I guess I've been pretty naive, because Al has introduced me to a perspective on these things that I have not been aware of before.

So.......I'm soliciting thoughts on this. We are both open to any comments, contradictions etc. as this will be a learning curve for both of us. Any insight will be appreciated!!

Taffi Abernathy

How interesting! I can't state definitively what goes on behind the scenes of all the replica manufacturers, although I'm sure that's true for at least some, if not most, of the knock-off industry. I'm thinking to myself this is a no-win situation. I have purchased a few Vuitton bags in my life - my last one fairly recently. A part of me hates spending a fortune on what amounts to coated canvas (and I doubt I'll be making any more LV purchases.) I feel like Vuitton is ripping people off since the material of my handbag is the same exact material from which tarps and convertible car tops are made - the only real leather is on the handles and shoulder strap. So I'm pissed at LV. Then I'm standing in line at the store and seeing some LV handbags that are clearly replicas and I'm angry with the owners. Rather than place myself in these situations again, it's easier to remove myself from the race. But this won't extend to my watches, probably because I can justify the expenditure due to quality materials and manufacturing. (There are many illegal aliens working in "legitimate" businesses too. Armani was taken to task for this not too long ago.)

Taffi Abernathy

I'm laughing at my post above - sorry to have gone off on a trajectory railing against Vuitton. After all, no one held a sharp instrument to my jugular forcing me to make such a foolish purchase.

Many stories have been covered looking at sweatshops, which I believe to be fairly prevalent, particularly in the garment industry. Perhaps people conclude - and often erroneously - that if a business or "name" is legitimate so are their operations. When I lived in San Diego, which as you know borders Tiajuana, Mexico, it was not uncommon for a car or van to stop in the middle of a fast-moving highway, with illegal aliens jumping out of trunks and doors before scattering in various directions. How do they survive in this country? Someone is hiring these people and that employment clearly is not "on the books."

Tools

Knock-offs and counterfeit products are almost always a trademark infringement and illegal...

They are seldom a couple of guys who are making crafts in their spare time, but rather large organizations (like mobs/cartels) who have the infrastructure in place to have these products made in countries friendly to this type of activity, usually China, and shipped throughout the world..

So, yes...most luxury counterfeits are big business and big organized crime "families" with ties to arms dealers too. So, the income that goes into the organized crime cartels, in turn, goes to buy arms that are used for many other illegal activities including terrorism..

Lion

As long as there is a market for counterfeit goods there will be someone who will step in to make the goods and fill the void.
When money can be made through selling black market goods or services the needs will be met and satisfied. I do not condone these practices but when you see major governments wasting money and stepping in to help various organizations where should the line in the sand be drawn. All I can do is educate myself in not supporting companies and individuals who prey on the rest of us!!!

ABS

This is a very interesting discussion....
Never thought about it, so I'm really glad you brought it up!

Lisa

I've read similar discussions about fake Rolex... I suppose the same issues apply to any fake high-end items. I wouldn't knowingly buy anything that was a replica, not only because of the association with organized crime (which I hadn't even though much about), but because it would just seem silly to sport an imitation of the real thing. Luckily I couldn't care less about "designer" labels (Rolex aside!).