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Sticking to fake: counterfeit trade on rise in Russia
Published: 27 August, 2010, 06:09
Edited: 28 August, 2010, 04:40
TAGS: Crime, Russia, Russia and the global economy, Economy
Society in Russia splits over those who are chasing high couture brands and those who enjoy the fakes. While government tightens control over property and intellectual rights, demand for counterfeit goods is on the rise.
Denis Kataev is the proud owner of a fake Rolex. In fact, he does not understand why people even buy the real thing.
“I usually tell people it is fake. It is funny,” he said. “I think those who buy real Rolex watches and real luxury products are stupid for buying such expensive things. They are just showing off. I respect businessmen who wear cheap stuff.”
This mindset contributes to what analysts at Esper group call a thriving counterfeit luxury goods trade in Russia. They say shoppers forked out $15 billion on fakes last year and growth has risen from just about five per cent in 2008, to 15 per cent in 2009.
Owner of fake goods shop Mikhail Mitranyan has jumped on the opportunity and he swears by the quality of his merchandise.
“There are good and bad fakes. There are factories in China that made the real thing in the 90s and today use the same materials to make copies,” he said. “They are exactly the same. You do not have to pay a lot of money just for the stamp of a brand name.”
So, what is in a brand name? Different people have different opinions. But whatever the reason for consumer patronage of fake luxury goods, the fact of the matter is, the Russian market is a lucrative one and for as long as there is strong demand, it is bound to stay that way.
However, psychologist Yana Laputina warns that opting for an imitation could mean opening a can of worms.
“If you keep buying fake things, you will be living a fake life. You are trying to be someone you are not,” she said. “There is nothing wrong with reaching for something better. But if you do it through fake things, it is ridiculous."
Still, there are people like Denis who will stand their ground, even if their heels are fake.
27.08.2010, 03:55
28 comments
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No one will know it at the glance, so fake is the way forward. Why spend a fortune when you can buy the name for a peny?
I understand Denis's point about it being stupid to waste money. However, understand this, there are people who buy things not because it is expensive or want to show off. There are people who love things.... As with the Rolex, some people admire craftsmanship and the art of a mechanical watch. They save their money to buy the best in their eyes, be it, a Rolex. For them it isn't stupid, but happiness by owning a work of art. I think someone in this group would be devastated to know they have a counterfeit. I know it is easy to think these ways in Moscow where many just buy most expensive to look good, but we can't judge all people. I think counterfeits should be made obvious, sold for less and not meant to fool. The real products having their place and proper price. The main problem is the criminal deception of people and so is price matching a real product with a counterfeit. Don't even get started on counterfeit pharmaceuticals and food. Then one gets into the horrific side of humanity. Those aspects need to be destroyed with good effort.
The manufacturing of counterfeit goods ( much, but not all, of it by companies in China ), is getting so good it is difficult even for an expert to tell the difference just by appearance. In the case of Rolex, they are even producing a movement that looks like the Rolex movement, in the higher end counterfeits. There is a wide variety in the quality of counterfeits, most of them cheaply made, but the best ones are actually very good watches. The Chinese have copied the ETA 2836 automatic movement so closely that the parts are interchangeable. In particular, Rolex is so proactive in hunting down and destroying counterfeits, that have undercover agents scouring the markets.