By Antoinette Milienos For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 03:32 EST, 11 June 2023 | Updated: 18:51 EST, 12 June 2023 Replica Designer Shoes
Aussie shoppers are turning to Chinese websites to buy fake brand name products for a fraction of the price, with replicas so well-made they could fool almost anyone.
High-quality copies of clothes, bags and shoes from luxury labels such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Chanel are being sold through websites like Sugargoo, Pandabuy and Taobao.
Sugargoo, Pandabuy and Taobao act as a buying 'agent' between the customers and local Chinese sellers.
However, many Australian shoppers are using the websites to buy counterfeit versions of popular sports brands - including Nike and Adidas - which they prefer to call replicas or 'reps'.
TikTok personality Benjamin Luke Giles earns money by making videos on his social media channels about the replica products he buys.
Giles, who has spent a total $50,000 on counterfeit items, admits he has 'an addiction to buying clothes' and wouldn't be able to 'have a roof over my head' if he bought genuine designer products.
Benjamin Luke Giles earns money by making videos on his social media channels about the replica products he buys and admits to spending $50,000 on counterfeit items
Crazy sugargoo haul #fypシ #streetwear #fashion
'I have spent $50,000 on replica shoes and clothing... I briefly mentioned this in one of my TikToks and there was absolute outrage in the comments,' Giles said in a recent video.
'Resellers or people that don't understand the community always asking why am I spending so much money on reps [replicas] that hold zero value and when I can obviously afford the real thing.
'Some of my friends' shoes can go for $50,000. For that same price I've probably copped 300 pairs of shoes and 500 individual pieces of clothing. That's for the same price someone has gone and wasted on a P.E. [player-exclusive shoe].
'I've essentially taken that money and made it go further.'
Giles uses websites including Sugargoo (pictured), Pandabuy and Taobao to buy items from China. He also offers his TikTok followers advice on how to get fake products through customs
There are videos on YouTube advising how to use websites like Taobao to get cheap clothes and shoes. (It is not suggested this creator is endorsing the purchase of counterfeit goods)
The fake fashion collector, from Western Australia, recently posted a TikTok video showing off his enormous haul of 'replicas' - including items from Dior
The counterfeit goods market is also thriving on Instagram. (Pictured: an advertisement for a pair of fake Nike sneakers from an account called 'fashionreps.vip')
Replica sneakers - or 'rep sneakers' - are counterfeit or imitation versions of popular and expensive sneakers that are designed to resemble the original brand's products.
These replicas are often produced with the intention of selling them at a lower price point than the authentic sneakers.
However, it is important to note that the manufacturing and sale of replica sneakers are illegal in many countries, as they infringe upon intellectual property rights and trademarks of the original brands.
While replica sneakers may resemble the authentic versions in terms of design and appearance, there are usually significant differences in terms of quality, materials used, and craftsmanship.
Replica sneakers are typically made with cheaper materials and may not provide the same level of comfort, durability and performance as the genuine products. Furthermore, purchasing and supporting replica sneakers can have negative consequences, such as supporting illegal activities and negatively impacting the economy of the legitimate brand.
It is generally recommended to purchase sneakers directly from authorised retailers or reputable resellers to ensure that you are getting authentic products. This way, you can be confident in the quality and authenticity of the sneakers you purchase while also supporting the original brand and its legitimate business practices.
Giles says buying counterfeit products helps feed his shopping 'addiction' while still leaving him money to pay for rent and other living costs.
In a video shared to his social media channels last Friday, Giles unpacked his latest enormous haul of replicas, which cost him just $400.
Giles explained it took seven days for the 30kg package to be shipped from China to his home in Western Australia.
The counterfeit shopping haul included several brand name T-shirts, a Marc Jacobs tote bag, Prada sunglasses, Dior wallet, Cartier bracelet, a North Face puffer vest, Diesel bags and 10 pairs of replica Nike sneakers.
Giles reviews the products he buys for his followers and even gives advice to other shoppers on how to avoid their packages being seized by customs.
'Top-tier designer items are the most likely products to be seized by customs,' he said.
'Get a max of four shoes as they take up a lot of money and the volume goes up which is a lot more risk. Don't ship below 2kg and not above 10kg.'
While Giles prefers counterfeit goods, Danish psychology graduate Sally Javadi (pictured) owns what is arguably the coolest collection of genuine sneakers on earth
A young woman from Sydney is seen here wearing a pair of genuine Nike sneakers
There are designated Reddit groups for Sugargoo, Pandabuy and Taobao customers, who share pictures of their purchases and detail the quality, giving recommendations to others looking to buy the same item.
Buying cheap knock-offs at bargain prices may seem harmless, but it is a highly lucrative and illegal business.
It is illegal to buy pirated and counterfeit goods because they are subjected to copyright and trademark laws, according to Australian Border Force.
An ABF spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia it's misleading to think of buying counterfeit goods as a harmless and victimless crime.
'There can be a tendency to view these as harmless or victimless crimes, but this is misleading,' they said.
'Counterfeiting damages legitimate Australian industry by creating an unfair playing ground for businesses that do the right thing.'
Counterfeit - or 'rep' - sneakers are so well-made they are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. A young woman is pictured here wearing a legitimate pair of Nike sneakers
These knock-off Nikes from one of Giles' TikTok videos look like the real thing - but experts warn they are of inferior quality, not to mention illegal
The ABF explained counterfeit goods also include pharmaceutical and beauty products, and not just fake designer handbags, apparel and knock-off shoes.
Consumers buying replica items are not only receiving a flawed and potentially dangerous product but are also supporting the black economy - as the counterfeit market is often linked with criminal activities and organised crime.
'Counterfeit goods also pose serious health and safety risks,' ABF said.
'Funds from counterfeit smuggling can finance other criminality in our communities, including organised crime.
'Criminal operations may also involve the exploitation of vulnerable workers, including victims of modern slavery, to produce counterfeit goods.'
It is illegal to buy pirated and counterfeit goods because they are subjected to copyright and trademark laws, according to Australian Border Force. (Stock image of a man having his luggage inspected at the airport upon arrival in Australia)
Three women show off their genuine sneakers - which can come with a hefty price tag
The ABF works with intellectual property brand owners and policy agencies such as IP Australia and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, state and territory regulators and international agencies to target counterfeit shipments.
For the 2021-22 financial year, the ABF seized more than 145,267 suspected counterfeit goods, with an estimated retail value of more than $66million.
Luxury items are the most commonly seized counterfeit goods, along with mobile phones and accessories, car parts, clothing, shoes, watches and toys.
The government body encourages public to help protect Australia's border by reporting any suspicious border-related behaviour and trade activity through its dedicated service known as Border Watch.
Genuine Nike sneakers, like the ones seen on this model, are a hot fashion commodity and prized among collectors
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