Browse the internet for your favourite designer or top brand fashion clothing or watch and you will be bombarded with links to sellers of fake/counterfeit goods, the world over. In fact studies have shown that almost 80% of all designer clothing and watches offered for sale on the internet are fake.
In many countries including U.S.A, Australia, U.K, Canada, Germany, italy and France it is a criminal offence to sell, supply, import,manufacture or distribute fake/ counterfeit goods. Businesses found to be in breach of their national counterfeit laws face large fines and possible imprisonment for those in charge of the business. Customers found to be purchasing fake/counterfeit goods also face having the item confiscated and possible fines , so is it really worth it to buy that fake Omega watch or Fake Ed Hardy Hoodie, I think not.
Counterfeiting clothing, handbags and watches is a well organised business , normally conducted in regions where labour is cheap, such as China. These counterfeiting operations are also known to be part of large organised crime syndicates so by buying that fake watch or fake Gucci bag, in a sense you are supporting criminal activity overseas and engaging in criminal activity yourself. Again, not worth the risk.
Now we come to the issue of quality, is a fake watch, bag or piece of clothing as good as authentic versions. All you need to do is browse the net again to see millions of complaints from people who either knowingly or unknowingly purchased counterfeit goods. Time and time again you will read that the quality is poor and the item simply fell apart, soon after the purchase was made. There are many reasons a real Tag Heur watch, authentic Gucci bag or genuine Ed Hardy clothing is not cheap, it is of the best quality construction, the materials used in manufacturing are of the highest quality, you are buying a limited piece made buy people that receive proper wages. Fakes are of poor construction, using poor quality materials and are generally made buy poor people that are paid peanuts.
Whilst it is true that we all want to look good and we can't all afford designer clothing etc, it does not make it OK to buy counterfeit goods, thereby supporting criminals and risking prosecution ourselves. If you can't afford the real thing, don't buy fakes as there are many other great options that will allow you to look good , on a budget. If you can afford it, then great, buy the real deal, get quality and be safe in the fact that you are doing what is right.