The Best Knock-Offs
 

I've read all about the knock-offs sold in China, but where are the best ones?? Beijing, Shanghai, or HK?? By best, I mean the quality and the price (the cheapest). I'm interested in jackets, purses, shoes, watches, as well as pirated DVD's.

I'm told the best quality are those made in Korea. In Hong Kong when we were at the markets a lot of the vendors had designer bags on display but my wife asked to see the "good stuff". We were then led away about a block, up a few floors of a building and behind a locked door there we were- all the good stuff - Dior, Ferragamo, Hermes, YSL, Channel, etc.

Hope this doesn't offend but to the trained eye (esp. for watches in my case) one can spot a fake right away. Its not that hard. Personally I would rather have a REAL Seiko 5 which is available on ebay for < $50.00 with s/h than a fake Rolex for around that price with a $4.00 Chinese movemnet, cheap base metal and a crystal that will crack if you bump it just slightly. And don't wash your hands with it on either. To each their own. JM2C.

Can't address the last comment about watches but a good quality knockoff designer bag is hard to differentiate from the originals. As I always tell my wife- if you pay the exhorbitant prices for the real thing a lot of people will think its a knockoff anyway- so why bother paying hundreds of dollars when you can get the same benefit for about $20. Anyway my wife has fun buying these bags- she gives them away as gifts and can afford to buy a bunch and match all of her outfits.

I have tons of real bags...but have shopped for the fakes in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Bangkok, more for the fun of bargaining than anything else. In Beijing I remember asking for the "A" quality, which were not on display. In Hong Kong, I too was led up into a small room in a building a block away. The main thing is if you want a "good" fake you need to know what you are looking for, from the rivets to the zippers, if one thing looks off to me, I won't buy it, even for a gift...But it is a fun experience so enjoy! An interesting story, in Beijing 5 years ago with my mom, I was wearing a North Face that I bought at EMS here in the states, it started raining, so my mom bought the "same jacket" off a vendor for $15. We got back to the hotel that night and decided to compare the jackets for fun. First, we noticed my jacket was made in China!!! So, that got us interested.... Then we compared the jacket, the zippers, the lining, etc. and everything was the same! We asked around (at the hotel, students studying in China, etc.) and found that if you knew what you were buying a lot of the Northface shell jackets were in fact real, taken from the production line at various points (so you had to make sure you got a nearly finished product, i.e. with a lining, etc.). The only difference was a zipper pull was missing that we found out was put on the jacket when it reached the states. I had many offers from the vendors to buy my pull from my real jacket!!! And the other reason I know the jackets were "real" my now husband and I wore the China northfaces in Ithaca, NY for a few years in the crazy winters up there....

I disagree Bill, sorry: Fakes are mass produced in a hurry vs. the care put into an original and I think it shows. There are ways to tell a real bag from a fake. In fact there was an article I read about what customs officers look for. Its not that hard really. As for what people assume when they see a designer item is anyones guess IMHO. Anyway to each their own and if she likes it thats cool. Like I said JM2C. Happy shopping. :-) BTW as for watches there are fake Rolexes that go for as high as $800.00 or more. These are good copies with good materials, genuine Swiss auto movements (as opposed to real Rolex movements), etc. I have seen them on ebay. The idea is to sell them as if it is an original and make alot of loot. Cheers, Larry

On the flip side of fakes in china consider this:
There is fake Viagara that actually killed someone.
There are fake electronics that fail almost as soon as you buy them.
Then their is the case of fake Calloway golf clubs theat looked so real to a pro who plays the real thing he couldn't believe it.... until he used them. Really pieces of doo doo that were actually cheap steel instead of titanium. Just remember, "caveat emptor"

Yes I agree with Jacketwatch- be careful and inspect the product. We don't buy the electronic gadgets or watches. But the bags are fun to buy and use/give away. My wife (thank god!) has finally realized that its a huge waste of money to spend hundreds of dollars on the real thing. She does have a few real designer bags- Bally for instance and her Dooney and Burke. But she has seen the light and likes to shop the knockoffs now. Case in point- for example imaging spending hundreds of dollars on a Louis Vittuon bag- you know the vinyl ones- geeze for that money you would expect to get quality leather! It seems everyone carries these around so they are common place and you can be sure a lot of them are knockoffs.

If you want to buy fake bags in Beijing, go to Ya Xiu basement or to Hong Qiao (Pearl Market). They are cracking down on fakes right now, so forget the New silk market (where they just arrested some vendors and confiscated their merchandise to make a point). At HQ, you need to wait about 15 minutes while they call and have it delivered. They don't keep the "A" ones on premises any more. Or, accept their offer to go to their "factory" (usually a parked van outside or a small room nearby.)

The quality can be amazing, if you know what to look for (zippers, stiching color, etc) and when it is something for fun (not a serious purchase like medicines, electronics, etc) if it only lasts a season, who cares?

Reminds me of a funny story about fakes. We vacationed in SD once and went into TJ's or the China of Mexico. Lots of fakes there. My son's buddy who went with us scarfed up alot of fakes watches for gifts. I asked my wife if she wanted one too and she said no in very clear terms! No fakes for this gal. :S-. Well upon our return to Chi I saw something glistening on the conveyor belt as we were waiting for our luggage. Well lo and behold what did I get? A real ladies Gucci watch! Well I knew it would be missed by someone so I told a worker there what I had found and asked if it would be ours if no one claimed it. Her reply, rather "unconvincingly" was "maybe" That answer rang like a cracked bell so we kept it and my wife was vindicated, as it were, about fakes. LOL!

Bchen- right on! Women are always on the hunt for another bag/shoes- if you are Donald Trump you can afford to buy the real deals all the time!

When I was in Beijing back in 2000, there was a huge market for fake designer goods (Prada, LV, Gucci) near the US Embassy. My guide took me here. There were other goods for sale, like hand-carved lions and cheap silk cheonsongs.

As someone who used to work for a major American fashion house, I am against buying "fake" goods. It is the same as theft to me. How would you like it if you created something and someone else stole your idea and was making money off of it?

If you can afford a trip to China, you can afford to spring for a real Kate Spade bag.

I have actually found really good knockoffs in the Philippines. There is a place called Greenhills outside Manila and it has really good stuff. You have to ask. They rate their things from an "A" to a "AAAA" which is the best. The lining, colors, etc. are better. I got some really great Louis and Burberry. I hear that Thailand may have better prices.

Thingorjus:

You are in the minority on this one!
These designer bags are way over priced- a lot of people can't afford these prices- I say the knockoffs satisfy the pent up demand that exists out there.
I don't think we will see the Designers on the bread lines any time soon because of the knockoffs!

In Shanghai, you can find everything on your list at or near Xiang Yang Market (corner of Xiang Yang and Huai Hai roads). Everyone knows where it is, so just ask for directions at your hotel if you're unsure. Quality varies widely and you'll have to choose carefully. If you don't see what you like out, you can always ask if they have better stuff hidden elsewhere. Some of the stuff may actually be real, straight from the production floor. DVD's run the gamut from perfectly crisp to unwatchable. Regardless of what the jacket says, they won't have the extra features often found on real DVD's (trailers, documentaries, director's commentary, etc.).

Be advised that legally you're only allowed to bring one of each type of item per person through US customs (i.e. one watch, one purse, etc.) and no copyrighted material (i.e. DVD's, software, etc.).

jacketwatch,
I agree that the fake watches are often easy to spot (this more or less applies to everything else too if you look hard enough), but it's still fun to buy one once in a while. We don't look at them as substitutes for the real ones of which we also have several. They do stop working after a year or so and the plating wears off but for $20, who cares? Usually we just give them away.

I don't think there's written rule that says we are allowed to take "one copy of fake goods" into the country. But in practice, it's true that US Customs probably won't get you for bring in fake goods for personal use.

However, people should use their brain. I know people who're stupid enough to bring a whole bunch of fake DVDs - one per title - while still just on a student visa. How stupid is that? It's so easy for the Customs people to make his/her life very miserable, even if it's just "one copy per title".

And, I totally agree with what Patty says about the quality of the DVDs. Most often, they are copied from VCDs, which are of much lower audio and video quality; plus a US-market Region 1 NTSC-only player often cannot play these discs for a variety of reasons. So, legality aside, do not buy fake DVDs from overseas!

rkkwan,
Somewhere on the US customs website, there is a exception that says we can! Let me look for it and I'll post a link.

Here it is - http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/trave...ightedArticles

See the 3rd and 4th paragraphs under Trademarked and Copyrighted Articles. Perhaps we all need to print out a copy and bring it with us next time ;)

I had previously thought that all copyrighted material was a no no, but according to that page there's a personal use exemption for copyrighted materials as well, although it's rather vague about quantities.

Patty - I also found the page on the US Customs website. But do note that you're only allowed <b>one piece</b> of item of each type:

&quot;For example, an arriving person who has three purses, whether each bears a different infringing trademark, or whether all three bear the same infringing trademark, is permitted only one purse.&quot;

And also only one exemption per 30 days. So, if I bring twenty fake DVDs in for my own use, I think they can forfeit 19 of them, if I'm reading it correctly.

Interesting read... :D

Everyone has an opinion. Actually I think you will find many who have thin's opinion about designer knock-offs, esp. as it relates to trademak infringement and if this is a minority opinion so be it. She has a right to it. It's not a simple issue. I agree with rkkwan in that if you bring a few fakes into the country for personal use Customs will probably not make an issue of it. However if you are bringing in a large quantity to turn a profit good luck. Thgere are laws against that. I do know that if you bring in a fake Rolex and it is found Customs can seize it. No questions asked, no recourse. BTW the cost of some designer hand bags actually does exceed the cost of a R/T ticket to China.

rkkwan,
That was my interpretation as well, that you're only allowed 1 article of each type of item.

jacketwatch,
Hmmm... I don't know about the fake Rolex. What you're saying seems to directly contradict what's posted on the customs site, if I'm reading it correctly.

I don't know if price was really a question, but I would say that you can get most fake purses for 100 - 120 Yuan, sometimes is a hard bargain. And don't pay more than 50 yuan for a wallet. Most of my experience is the Silk Market in Beijing but I've also done some pricing where I live, Shijiazhuang (defintely not a tourist stop). Like some other posters stated, check the zippers, buttons and the straps really vary in &quot;quality.&quot; My girlfriend roped me in while visiting, so that's how I know. With clothing and accessories, you really need to inspect the quality and test things like the buttons and zippers. Put a little stress on it to see how it holds together. If you see a flaw, point it out and demand a lower price if you like bargaining.

The DVDs should have a rating on them like DVD-5 or DVD-9, I believe 9 is the highest quality. Look on the back to make sure that there is some form of English because sometimes the movies are dubbed in Mandarin with only Mandarin subtitles. I only buy DVDs in shops and have never tried the guys on the street that say &quot;DVDs, PS2, Xbox.&quot;

DVD-9 simply means the disc is double-layer. [It holds 9GB of data, hence the name.] It really doesn't say much about quality. Again, the labelling on pirate DVDs mean absolutely squat! A fake disc can promise you the world (like DTS surround sound, subtitles in multiple languages, bonus material, etc...) but only gives you a VCD-quality copy, or worse - a theater-taped copy.

You just cannot know, unless you try it there before you buy.

Haha, good point. I didn't know that the numbers referred to the disc space. I guess with many consumer products in China, they can promise you the world. I stick to the DVD-5 that come with a broken down DVD box that is written in different languages, has mismatched film information and credits, etc. The quality is decent for my 20 inch television and for the 8 yuan I pay. It's a gamble, but maybe it's a better gamble than playing the lottery.

Long story short, you get what you pay for, most of the time.

To the post that said if you can afford a trip to China you can afford a real Kate Spade bag- this author missed the point! By NOT spending outragious amounts that these Designers demand for their bags we take that money and use it to travel abroad!

Where are the best knock-offs in Bangkok or Chiang Mai (purse/leathergoods)?

When we were in Bangkok we found some good ones at MBK.

Just wanted to say that we returned with some of the best quality DVD's that we bought throughout our trip. We bought some in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guilin. Some for as little as 70 cents USD!! Even the people on the streets had good quality DVD's for sale!

I would agree with BillT to look at MBK mall. The knock-offs are usually found at luggage stores. They don't usually have them on display, but if they sense that you are looking for a copy bag, they will open their suitcases and show you. Take a good look at the stitching and seams. You will find lots of options. Some are better than others.

Shanghai-Huating Market, mentioned above, also walk down Nanjing Lu near Shanghai Museum area. There were &quot;holes in the wall&quot; (really temporary) selling LV, Prada, Gucci. I've got the real thing and I cannot tell the difference between the fake &amp; the real one. Maybe I'm getting old!

I have bought some great copy dvd's in penang malaysia at Kontour (sp) mall... these things almost seem like orignials the boxes look totally lagit the quality orf movie is good and in one store you get a recieipt with the clerks name as if it were stright up.. I bought the famaly guy all 3 season for $25.. the had the simpsons dvd sets at that one store I'm talking for about 10 and it came in a nice desplay box.. . I bougt the simpson dvd seriers 1 at a shop on the lower level of the mall and they just put the dvd's in crapy sleeves. and it cost about same as the store on the second too last level..

by the way prices of dvd and cd's in Bangkok are not great and the quality is hit or miss... i bought simpson DVD serious 2 for about $8 and some seggments don''t play..

yes I miss my cartoons.!!

Im with jack on the watch isue I rather have a timex that keeps on ticking then a fake rolex watch, then again I rather have a happy meal watch then one of those hidioussly ugly and played out ROLEX..

bring of the rath of the rolex lovers, LOL

I got the whole Star Wars series (not the new one) for $5 USD! Unbelievable!!
Surprisingly, my $5 USD Rolex is still ticking and it's been over a month now! :)

Orgy7: As you can tell by my handle I collect jackets and watches. Got about 30 watches now, everything from a Timex to a Rolex, a real one. LOL! I luv them all. Got no issue going from a Rolex one day to my $25.00 Russian Vostok the next. Its cool looking and that's all that matters to me but it must be real. Hey, we all have our thing, right? Big Jim I am glad your DVD's work. We got burned when we bought some in India that didn't work at all. Oh well. Once we were eating lunch at an outdoor cafe in Piza when some dude tried to sell us a Folex. We asked how much and he said $150.00!! My son scoffed and said I'll give you $10.00, He said, OK! Never saw someone come down so fast in my life but we did not get it anyway. Cheers, Larry :-)

Hey...!!! orgy7...! Quit pickin' on us Rolex people. Mine has lasted lots longer than any Timex I've ever owned. My body chemistry makes most watches run fast (I'm such a magnetic person...) but my Rolex keeps great time.

currently I've overdosed on watch buys and cant offerd anymore good watches..

BUt recently in Bangkok I almost really fell of the wagan and checked too buy me one of those $150. knock offs.. I went too one shop, they had a huge book of watches off all makes.. I looked threw the book. which brought me back too my youth were I would look threw my mothers SERVICE MERCHANDICE cataloge and look at toys and watches. anyways I found some models I loved I pounted at the ULYSEES NARDIN, Gangues khann....

&quot;No, have&quot;

I then flipped to one of my other dream watches I asked if have any Glashutte Original

&quot;no have&quot;

OK, I got the point that they didnt offer any super lux models so I flipped too the Girard Perregaux page and showed her a fairly boring but popular Fararri( sp) model

the lady got angry &quot;and said have ROLEX&quot;

I got even more angry becouse they have this huge book full of some gorgious watches and all they have is freaken ROLEXES.. I gave the lady a nasty look and said in thai &quot;MAI CHOP&quot; (don't like).

hmmm I gues just the mention of ROLEX was the bitter pill that has stoped me from going out too by a fake watch ever since..


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jacketwatch.. i hate busting into threads like this, but I really would like to know what kinds of watches you have.. I'm a watch guy myself mainly in the asthetic look of them, I know nothing about the machanics of them though...

not counting the graveyard of watches from my youth i currently have.

1. (Italian) quartz. MOMO design speedster
2. (Swis) automatic. ZENITH port royal V dual time..
3 (German) automatic. OTIUM duez.. (the one where you tell time by looking at balls rotating aruoud).

nothing too special but I need money too eat..

Would agree with Orgy 7s comments relating to the shopping mall in Georgetown Penang - top quality DVDs sold in a seemingly legitimate fashion (proper shop proper boxes - labels etc - I got the godfather box set for about $10 and it looks identical to the british box set (except that it is region 1)) at street market prices. KL chinatown market is also very good.

My feeling is the fakes are of a much lower quality than a bag or watch of the same price that doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. Fakes are just crap sold to appeal to the need for some people to wear someone else's initials and play into that whole sick consumer society. Give me a real seiko to a fake rolex anyday -- same with bags. I'd rather have a quality leather bag than a piece of lousy plastic with initials all over it. aeovmtrying to md y j

Agree for the most part. However there are some very hi quality replicas that go for $800.00 or more and have hi quality Swiss movements, sapphire crystals, etc. Personally I would never got one, esp. for that price. Lots of real watches one can get for that $$

Gloria- so you want the real thing-would you be buying a LV then? They are made from vinyl!!! Is that worth paying $100's? Also even if you buy the real thing aren't you also buying the same intitials?
Knnockoffs provide some pleasure to those that either choose not to pay the exhorbitant prices these designers charge or can't afford them in the first place. Of course the quality is not the same- but thats understood.