What's the bigger rip off

[TiggerBits]

Hope I am not breaking any rules here, and if so, I am sorry. I do a days voluntary work every week, and somebody who works there told me about someone selling a fake well known branded watch on Facebook for £75. I told him never to consider it, as fake watches are a rip off and morally wrong. He replied, in so many words, "surely, charging someone thousands and thousands of pounds for something that cost a few hundred to make, just because they want to be seen with a label on their wrist is a bigger rip off". Of course, I am aware of the arguments behind both sides, but he had a point

[Mandat]

To me, the phrase "rip off" means to deceive or scam someone into spending money and not receiving the promised goods or services in return.

However, nowadays the phrase seems to be increasingly used in the wrong context, and mostly by people who are ignorant of basic economic concepts like supply & demand, or other simple market forces.

I'm interested to see what examples of rip off's are posted here.

[soad]

Neither is a rip off, you make your choices.

[TiggerBits]

soad said:

Neither is a rip off, you make your choices.

I think your right. If you are aware of what you are buying, it can't be a rip off. Perhaps my choice of words was not correct. To late now

[ZesPak]

I just posted this in another thread, really puts things in perspective imho:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ZTqC2Yxxs

TiggerBits said:

"surely, charging someone thousands and thousands of pounds for something that cost a few hundred to make, just because they want to be seen with a label on their wrist is a bigger rip off".

I agree with this.
BUT actually neither is a rip off. Pay your money and be happy with what you have.
What the fake is though is illegal.
But, it'll offer most of the quality and all of the "look" for a fraction of the price.

I'm always amused to see how the watch community responds to some things. For example Invicta make a very convincing submariner copy hommage, which is generally looked down upon.
But slightly modifying a SNZH55 to make it a "blancpain" is generally accepted.

Some people care too much what others think of them.

[TiggerBits]

ZesPak said:

I agree with this.
BUT actually neither is a rip off. Pay your money and be happy with what you have.
What the fake is though is illegal.
But, it'll offer most of the quality and all of the "look" for a fraction of the price.

I'm always amused to see how the watch community responds to some things. For example Invicta make a very convincing submariner copy hommage, which is generally looked down upon.
But slightly modifying a SNZH55 to make it a "blancpain" is generally accepted.

Some people care too much what others think of them.

Seiko and a few other manufacturers make a very close homage to a Omega Speedy, and that is accepted, but when Parnis make a homage to a Panerai it's considered a sin worthy of execution. This is just one example, and to be honest I just get the rules ?

[T6 vanman]

Maybe I do not understand the actual meaning of "Rip Off"

If you were to copy & paste a set of music cords and added them to your own song have you Ripped Off someone's melody, - Declare the cords are from ******** then NO ....... Declare it's all your own work YES there is a small issue of "Copyright / Patent"

If you manufacture a watch and claim it is from a manufacturer it isn't from then you have a 'rip off' - copyright / Patent infringement
If you manufacture a watch that proudly displays your own name / motif then (no copyright / Patent infringement of course) it is not a 'rip off' only a 'homage' or 'similar in style to'

So in your case the fake is a 'rip off'

Where a £10 watch is marketed as £10k ... this is excessive but not a 'rip off' If the market doesn't believe the value it won't sell

[ZesPak]

A part from IP, you're only being "ripped off" if you buy something under false pretenses imo,

You buy a watch that might be seriously overprices in terms of BOM, but as long as you know what you buy you're not being ripped off.
If you buy a replica that's sold as such, it's not a rip off.
If you buy a car that's stolen and the guy tells you: This car is hot, you know exactly what you are getting into.

Whether it's legally right that's another matter.

[Foliage]

TiggerBits said:

"surely, charging someone thousands and thousands of pounds for something that cost a few hundred to make, just because they want to be seen with a label on their wrist is a bigger rip off".

So he wants to be seen with that label on his wrist? making people think he can afford that brand when he cant? More reasonably priced well made watches are ten a penny, but he wants that brand on his wrist, why?

[audidoody]

Rolex ripped me off with a watch that cost £2,000 and is now only worth £7,000. bds.

[Jayho]

TiggerBits said:

Seiko and a few other manufacturers make a very close homage to a Omega Speedy, and that is accepted, but when Parnis make a homage to a Panerai it's considered a sin worthy of execution. This is just one example, and to be honest I just get the rules ?

Ah the problem with the parnis is that they use the panerai "marina militair" and other very unique choice wordings. Furthermore, the problem with parnis watches are that they're no made by any singular manufacturer. It's a lot of small boutique / warehouse of people who bulk buy seagull parts and put the watches together, so there is never guarantee of any quality.

[Miopyk]

In my opinion there are only 2 reasons you would buy anything fake, be it a watch, handbag or in China an Evoke or BMW.

The first would be that you genuinely think you are getting the real thing for an absurdly discounted price, the second that you have a desire to look more expensive than you can really afford. Either way you have a character flaw but not necessarily the same one.

I don't buy the excuses that some people have used in threads like this in the past that it’s a bit of fun or I wear the fake in case the real one gets stolen.

If you buy a fake you are a fake and the only person you’ve ripped off is yourself.

[bitchstewie]

I see fakes differently to "homages".

If you buy an Invicta that looks like a sub it's obvious it isn't a sub as soon as you look at it.

If you buy a fake that says Rolex on it that to me is different because it goes from acknowledgement to blatant copying.

It still doesn't bother me as I'm fortunate and have a real one, but I also have a ten quid Casio that I love.

I do wonder why people don't just buy any one of the thousands of excellent watches out there that are a good product at a price you can afford

[andy tims]

Please, not another thread about fakes.

[ZesPak]

andy tims said:

Please, not another thread about fakes.

? It's a watch forum. For every 20 threads about submariners there's a thread about fakes. Balance of the universe and everything.

On a side note, just ordered this.

[CooperS]

andy tims said:

Please, not another thread about fakes.

Yer come on guys this forum is about how to get hold of Rolex watches.

[Master Bean]

CooperS said:

andy tims said:

Please, not another thread about fakes.

Yer come on guys this forum is about how to get hold of Rolex watches.

But very true. If you want a watch and live in London then tough titties. Get out into the sticks. In other news, I might buy a fake BLNR, not because I'm a fake person or because I support the slave trade, but because I want one.