Would you buy something online that is often counterfeited?

[gimmethesimplelife]

Let me give examples here - say a high end handbag or a watch that is often counterfeited. A watch at a lower price point than the often counterfeited Rolex would be say Mont Blanc. A handbag perhaps a fake Coach - I really don't know the names of many women's handbag brands. These are just examples anyway. My point is - would you feel comfortable taking this risk - if you even see it as a risk - of buying something online that is known to be often counterfeited? Rob

[SteveinMN]

If I trusted the vendor, yes. If I didn't trust the vendor, I shouldn't buy anything from them.

However, it doesn't hurt to learn the telltale signs of either the genuine article or typical fake items (subtle things like the typeface used on labels, the color and style of the box, etc.).

[iris lilies]

Let me give examples here - say a high end handbag or a watch that is often counterfeited. A watch at a lower price point than the often counterfeited Rolex would be say Mont Blanc. A handbag perhaps a fake Coach - I really don't know the names of many women's handbag brands. These are just examples anyway. My point is - would you feel comfortable taking this risk - if you even see it as a risk - of buying something online that is known to be often counterfeited? Rob

It is hard for me to imagine a scenario where I would buy this junk because it is junk, not because it is a risk or not because it is wrong.

[JaneV2.0]

I don't buy really expensive items, so it wouldn't come up. If I suspected something were counterfeit, I wouldn't buy it. There are websites showing you what to look for.

I've bought used Dooney and Bourke and Roche bags (mid-range prices) with no qualms.

[gimmethesimplelife]

It is hard for me to imagine a scenario where I would buy this junk because it is junk, not because it is a risk or not because it is wrong.IL, why don't I try downsizing the brands a bit? Would you buy a Seiko watch online, for example? I understand that now even Seiko watches - a watch that can bought for $99 plus tax on Black Friday at Macy's - is getting counterfeited. Seriously. Rob

[bae]

Depends on if I trust the vendor.

[iris lilies]

Rob, It is hard for me to relate to this because brands mean little to nothing to me.

Presumably, if I ever bought a Coach handbag, I would do so admiring the soft leather and the even stitching and the heavy hardware, and I would know that the knockoffs do not have those qualities.


Edited to add: oh I see, you want to assess people’s perception of risk in getting the real thing when we cannot feel or touch it.

My answer sorta stands, somehwhat. If the vender represents the item as “used” and the vendor has a clear return policy and a good rating, I might buy the thing assuming it is The Real Thing. And if it is not Real and I determine that after I get it, I then return it.

[catherine]

I'm with IL. I have little interest in buying high-end brands. Although I have to say, Macy's had a great sale on Coach stuff and I did buy a wallet at like 60% off. I can't imagine being interested in buying a knock-off. I wouldn't be confident of the quality of the item, and I'd feel like a poseur/fake.

[sweetana3]

I get my real Coach purses at thrift stores. Now that I have a nice collection, I don't go out and look for more. As with IL, brands are meaningless unless I specifically need an item. No way would I wear (show off) an expensive watch, purse or piece of jewelry.

I am skeptical of prices that are too low and even when very low cost items, I check carefully to try and see if it is a knock off from China. Even my little quilt clips from a Japanese company are sold as knock offs on Amazon.

[iris lilies]

I think that some people need the brand to assure them the product is high quality.

Since I do not normally buy high quality consumer goods or those generally considered high end,I am not in that world. But when I think of the few things that are “high end” that I might acquire, I think my own knowledge of the product is of utmost importance, not the brand name slapped on the item.

For instance, I like having bulldogs who look like the AKC standard. My own pets are not always champion stock,but I do like good bulldog conformation. In the dog world I run into people who are concerned with “the papers” and/or “the pedigree” when they are getting only a pet dog. I guess that is because they dont use their own eyes to asses a dog? i dunno. I assess dogs with my own eyes, their “papers” are meaningless.

[pony mom]

At a flea market with a friend, I saw obviously fake Dooney & Bourke purses; my friend said she had a few and they were the real deal. The quality was so poor that they weren't even worth the asking price. Two days later I found a real one in a thrift store for $15, which was less than the fake.

A knock off is cheap because it's made cheaply. Just not worth it. I've been buying quite a few Korean skincare items from a legitimate site. Amazon sells some of the same items but buyers complain that the items are different from those bought elsewhere (labels, color, etc.). You get what you pay for.

[iris lilies]

Edited to add: photo of high quality object with no authentication. But if you count the wrinkles you know he is The Real Thing.:~)

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[Teacher Terry]

I don’t care about brands for things or papers for dogs.

[Gardnr]

I don't really shop online so not an issue. Well hell, I really don't shop much at all for that matter.:~) I can't relate to high end stuff nor the shopping gene. I have a Michael Kors purse that is perfect for me, because it was a 15y anniversary gift from my employer.

[jp1]

Like others I don't shop for brands. And when I'm buying anything I consider the seller. Amazon has made this much more difficult now that they allow anyone anywhere to open a store on their site. I'll admit to having bought some cheap chinese electronics crap from these sources but I knew what I was getting into and decided it was worth the risk. For instance I use a small computer fan to cool the tap tower on my kegerator. I can buy them from a shady vendor on amazon for about $10 for 5 of them. They last anywhere from 3 months to almost a year, which is actually not terrible for a fan that runs 24/7. I suppose if I spent a few bucks more I could get one that would last forever, but this just seems easier. And when one goes bad I just replace it with the next one. When I"m down to the last one I order 5 more.

[razz]

I don't really shop online so not an issue. Well hell, I really don't shop much at all for that matter.:~) I can't relate to high end stuff nor the shopping gene.
This covers me pretty well. I like to shop in stores, locally, after researching items online but I buy so little that knock-offs are not a big risk for me.
I can see why you are asking the questions though.

[happystuff]

Not a brand person either and I have been described as the worse consumer ever. LOL. If I find something I like, have the money for, am willing to spend the money, and it appears I will receive the item from the seller for the priced asked - yes, I would probably buy it.

[Ultralight]

As a general feeling, I hate buying stuff. It took me six months to buy the new measuring spoons I needed. Two of my other ones fell in the dang dish disposal and got mangled beyond repair.

I am putting off buying new sneaks even though the ones I have look like a crumb bum;s shoes.

My coat's zipper is broke and has been for two years. I use the buttons. haha
I can't bring myself to spend money on this stuff.

But take me to a Kenyan restaurant and I will spring for kukupaka, ugali, chapadi madodo, etc. and smash it.

[LDAHL]

I would not. Counterfeiters are thieves and no gentlemen should do business with them.

[SteveinMN]

Knockoffs are not always "cheap".

One example would be in furniture, where decent- and high-quality pieces are designed to look like iconic pieces (think Eames Lounge Chairs (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_Lounge_Chair)). I own one such chair, which was copied (with some obvious differences once you know what to look for) by Plycraft, Selig, and other manufacturers. I bought it knowing it was not the real thing; it was close enough for me. I do believe in intellectual property rights (though I have issue with U.S. copyright law) but, at this point, I'm not costing Herman Miller a sale because I'm buying a used chair. Nothing wrong with the piece at all, but it's not an Eames Lounge Chair and it didn't have the Eames Lounge Chair price at any point in its life.

Apple is another company with products which frequently are counterfeited, sometimes right down to the stickers. Sometimes it's a matter of appearance, as in this Xioamai phone:
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As far as the hardware goes, above the very lowest price points every manufacturer uses similar components, so it's not like the Xioamai is a piece of junk which will die in a matter of weeks. It does not run iOS, which is a critical distinction (and probably what keeps Apple from suing them immediately), but it's half the price of an iPhone and certainly will attract buyers who either cannot afford the genuine Apple article or don't care about the minor differences and want to save $400 or more.

So not every knockoff is due to die shortly after purchase, nor is it a tawdry imitation. They have their places. And if I knew what I was buying and liked the price and trusted the vendor, I'd be good with buying such items on-line.

[JaneV2.0]

As you point out, a knockoff (think manufacturers' reps dashing away from runway shows with sketches) is not the same as a counterfeit.

I'm not wedded to many name brands, but some are known for style, and some are reliably well-made, so I do end up buying some repeatedly. Often on sale, used, or thrifted.

Adorable doggo, IrisLily!

[Float On]

I've bought used Dooney and Bourke and Roche bags (mid-range prices) with no qualms.

My only bag is a vintage Dooney and Bourke leather lunchbag style. Basically looks like a short leather paper lunch bag with leather handles. I got it for $3 at a thrift shop 15 years ago. Have had a leather friend restitch one corner. I've never researched it though it has label and number. If it's counterfeit I don't care. I like the shape.

[Alan]

As you point out, a knockoff (think manufacturers' reps dashing away from runway shows with sketches) is not the same as a counterfeit.
Correct, it hasn't been too terribly long ago since virtually every personal computer was an IBM knockoff. 90% of the PC industry in the 80's were known as IBM clones.

[JaneV2.0]

I bought a used D&B bag on eBay in Stewart plaid wool that I'm particularly pleased with. EBay is pretty careful about shutting down sellers with counterfeits, and I doubt any counterfeiter would bother with a bag that retails for under $200, anyway.

[catherine]

I bought a used D&B bag on eBay in Stewart plaid wool.

Stewart is my DH's tartan! Is yours Royal (red background), Dress (white background), or Hunting (green background)? When I met DH he was wearing a Royal Stewart tartan jacket. I think that's why I noticed him.

[JaneV2.0]

Stewart is my DH's tartan! Is yours Royal (red background), Dress (white background), or Hunting (green background)? When I met DH he was wearing a Royal Stewart tartan jacket. I think that's why I noticed him.

Royal. It's my family's tartan, too--as far as I can tell. The Scots part of the family.

I like that "meets cute" jacket story.

[ToomuchStuff]

I bought a dvd of a LONG out of print VHS tape of a concert that meant a lot to me and a few freinds. The band wasn't particularly happy during that time frame as they had just split and did a bunch of legal stuff against a former bandmate. A couple years later, they did a concert that while similar and popular (both album and concert dvd) are not the same.
If one has a VHS player they can buy a used copy, which may be wore out, or if one has a laserdisc player (no longer available new), one can buy a copy in that format.

I also have an optic,(legit version) that while not expensive, is often copied, so one must be careful about where they purchase that, because even authorized sellers have been got before.