I Don't Understand How It Is Allowed To Continue...

[EverydayCat]

I get dozens of Spam emails each week for 'Replica' watches, and on a recent trip to a local 'huge' flea-market weekend I saw literally thousands of watches for sale. Why is nothing done by law enforcement?

There are news stories all the time about crack-downs on fake shoes, music, software, etc. etc., but I don't recall ever seeing or hearing a story where LE cracks down on those that sell fake watches.

Is it really as bad as it seems or am I overreacting to a non-problem? I would not dare buy an expensive watch from CL or E simply because in all likelihood it will be fake.

Ok, I've stepped off my soapbox...

 

[Tony10Clocks]

I thimk the Law states ( Probably depending where you are ) that you can sell replica watches if the seller states it is a replica. It's when you get the street corner trader selling replica watches and passing them off as original that it becomes illegal.
Tony

 

[EverydayCat]

I should apologize for having a narrow focus to my question. I am located in Texas—United States—and unless you are 'licensed' by the copyright owner replicas are illegal.

It is illegal here—for example—to produce athletic shoes with the Nike logo even if it was clearly labeled a replica. And, this happens all the time with imported items which are meant to be sold here in the US. Even if the logo on the replica has a similar appearance there may be cause for legal action.

However, when it comes to watches here in the US, I have never seen a news story or heard of a prosecution of those selling replica watches.

I am sure this creates a problem for watch dealers that are trying to sell their products while having to prove they are 'real.'

Thanks.

 

[Barb B]

. . . . .

It is illegal here—for example—to produce athletic shoes with the Nike logo even if it was clearly labeled a replica. And, this happens all the time with imported items which are meant to be sold here in the US. Even if the logo on the replica has a similar appearance there may be cause for legal action.

However, when it comes to watches here in the US, I have never seen a news story or heard of a prosecution of those selling replica watches.

It's your lucky day - this link contains info on both Rolex & Nike fakes.

FWIW: Steamroller Crushes Fake Rolex Watches

 

[Kevin W.]

Seems a bit extreme to roll over them.I remember a seller on Ebay who engraved that name on them.Ebay was pleased they made lots off the seller.
I guess it depends if someone takes it serious and who who you contact.

 

[EverydayCat]

It's your lucky day - this link contains info on both Rolex & Nike fakes.

FWIW: Steamroller Crushes Fake Rolex Watches

Barb B, Thanks for the link. This is interesting because I have never heard of a watch bust/prosecution. I hear of sneakers, clothes, music, software etc., etc all the time, but never watches.

A few months ago, before I revived my interest with the current watch world, I offered for sale a watch on E that I thought was a sure bet for good money because it was a nice watch. However, my reserve was not met and I received a comment stating that it was probably a fake.

I started reading and following today's trends a couple months ago and am surprised that the problem is as big as it is. IMHO it looks like it has made a negative dent for legitimate dealers.

I guess US Customs have more important issues other than fake watches.

Thanks, Barb.

 

[Weight Driven]

A few years ago I tried to sell a Rolex with an original case and dial and Zenith, I believe, movement on ebay. I had the item pulled and was contacted by some fancy named lawyers in New York City and fined for trying to sell my little kind of fake Rolex. When I check out Craigslist and see the large number of fakes being sold there I wonder where all the fancy lawyers are.

 

[EverydayCat]

A few years ago I tried to sell a Rolex with an original case and dial and Zenith, I believe, movement on ebay. I had the item pulled and was contacted by some fancy named lawyers in New York City and fined for trying to sell my little kind of fake Rolex. When I check out Craigslist and see the large number of fakes being sold there I wonder where all the fancy lawyers are.

And, your CL question is exactly what prompted this post. Not only can you order them from spam emails, but you can go to almost any flea market, craigslist or local stores/dealers.

I realize our LE has more pressing problems than fake watches, but it has gotten so bad that it will be hard to bring it back under control.

 

[AbslomRob]

That's what's known as "low hanging fruit". It's easy to get an intern to troll through ebay to compile a list of fakes and do all the paperwork in one big batch. Quick, easy money. But from spam emails? Or flea markets? In the first place, it's much harder for them to compile the documentation; in many cases, they'd have to actually buy the item to prove that they're fakes. And litigating overseas? Yikes!

That said, I don't really think it's as big a problem as its being made out to be. Most people who buy $50 Rolex's know exactly what they're buying, and when the watch stops working after six months (or never works properly at all) it gets tossed and life goes on. Few people actually pay thousands of dollars for knockoffs, and those that do usually deserve it on some level.

 

[EverydayCat]

That's what's known as "low hanging fruit". It's easy to get an intern to troll through ebay to compile a list of fakes and do all the paperwork in one big batch. Quick, easy money. But from spam emails? Or flea markets? In the first place, it's much harder for them to compile the documentation; in many cases, they'd have to actually buy the item to prove that they're fakes. And litigating overseas? Yikes!

That said, I don't really think it's as big a problem as its being made out to be. Most people who buy $50 Rolex's know exactly what they're buying, and when the watch stops working after six months (or never works properly at all) it gets tossed and life goes on. Few people actually pay thousands of dollars for knockoffs, and those that do usually deserve it on some level.

And stories like this one at the link is where the problem arises. A 'real' dealer buys a fake and then passes it along. If I go to a reputable dealer and he/she says it is a real Rolex then I should not have to worry, but as this current news story shows, it happens:
http://hermosabeach.patch.com/articles/police-searching-for-watch-counterfeiter

 

[AbslomRob]

The moral of that story is "don't give someone nearly $4000 without confirming the quality of the goods". Frankly, my first instinct is that the "real" dealer here is playing some sort of insurance fraud scheme. Then again, maybe I'm just cynical.

 

[EverydayCat]

The moral of that story is "don't give someone nearly $4000 without confirming the quality of the goods". Frankly, my first instinct is that the "real" dealer here is playing some sort of insurance fraud scheme. Then again, maybe I'm just cynical.

Considering the amount of fraud that occurs in south Florida I tend to agree with you. That area leads the nation in Medicare, auto insurance, insurance and just about every other category of fraud that exists.