In my experience the past reputation of a Chinese wholesaler doesn't necessarily predict future quality of service. You might get lucky and get a decent quality copy, or you might not. It all depends on where they are getting their fakes from. Bear in mind that there are a lot more bad fakes than there are good ones. Also bear in mind that whilst the designs may be identical to the originals, the manufacturing quality and quality control is not likely to be as good. You really do get what you pay for, so if you are paying $20 for a fake of a $200 product, you are getting a product which cost way less than $20 to make. That's going to be the best quality you can expect. Some Chinese copies of $200 products sell for around $10 - $20 wholesale in China, or even less, so that's the sort of quality you're likely to be looking to get IF they do send you anything.

Not being that much of a fashion victim myself, I'm inclined to buy a genuine, but cheaper, article rather than a cheap fake of an expensive article which is going to be out of fashion in a couple of months anyway. But given how popular these Chinese sites are, I guess I must be in the minority.

One last thing is certain: if you buy from these people you will be supporting an industry which uses indentured and child labor and is known for having no interest in the health or safety of its workers. You probably earn more in an hour than these people earn in a week, and for sure they will never be able to afford designer goods because they don't have any money to save. Not wishing to make you feel guilty about asking the question, but it is the truth.

asked by Chris O. on 4/2/10