Psychologically, What Does Wearing Fakes or Grey Markets Really Say About A Person's Character?

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it's just hard to quantify because where does the argument end?

we're talking about character in the context of consumerism, brand-loyalty, and excess in luxury goods. (which in it of itself can be judged poorly)

we could sit here and say negative things about someone who would cut corners to maintain the appearance of exclusivity from a brand...but then that exact person who is criticizing could get judged by another who sees the totality of it as being worthless.

for example - someone who values sneakers could judge someone who buys fakes to say "you care so much about what others think - you'd buy fakes to uphold an image." well someone who doesn't value sneakers in general could then turn around and say to that person "you care so much about what others think - you buy overpriced goods that you ultimately just use to cover up your feet, to uphold an image. And you are so insecure about remaining exclusive you judge/care about someone who cuts corners to appear to be in your club."

so to me it's about value. your right to your value system means someone else has a right to have theirs - even if it's different form yours.

in short - I think it's pointless to figure out the psychology of those who buy fakes, because the same spirit probably is in those who have to have the latest and greatest authentic goods. Different, but in the end the same.

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THIS......i can care less if someone is rocking fakes...affects me in no way

folks who get offended are probably the ones who buy the real product and get less compliments than the fake wearer....lol...so they wanna put them on blast.
 
:lol: I cant even front though, ive had nters recognize me in the streets and say whats up. no celebrities though.
 
They all come from the same sweatshop imo

Exactly :lol:

Let's say you bought some high end shoes that you presumed to be real, and you later found out they were fake. Would you throw them away or what?would you apologize to all the people that complimented you and liked your ig pic of the shoes?

Reminds me of the kap g scene from Dope.

I remember kid rock saying that he rocks fake diamonds because he knows he can afford real ones, and people that see him think they're real.

My main issue is the fact that fakes are stealing intellectual property... Then again the "real" companies are getting paid in excess due to people's insecurity/ego, so it's not like their not compensated.

Related: paying $1000 for a purse is utterly ridiculous imo.

My boy told me that his wife bought them Knock off audemars for $500 . I thought it was insane to pay that much for a knock off, but whatever.

My friends and I are in the process of starting our own athletic apparel brand and I thought about how I would feel saying someone wearing a fake shirt with our logo or whatever. After some consideration, it's basically free promo, but I would have an issue with whoever is making/selling the merchandise. They're eating off of our ideas.
 
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Exactly
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Let's say you bought some high end shoes that you presumed to be real, and you later found out they were fake. Would you throw them away or what?would you apologize to all the people that complimented you and liked your ig pic of the shoes?

Reminds me of the kap g scene from Dope.

I remember kid rock saying that he rocks fake diamonds because he knows he can afford real ones, and people that see him think they're real.

My main issue is the fact that fakes are stealing intellectual property... Then again the "real" companies are getting paid in excess due to people's insecurity/ego, so it's not like their not compensated.

Related: paying $1000 for a purse is utterly ridiculous imo.

My boy told me that his wife bought them Knock off audemars for $500 . I thought it was insane to pay that much for a knock off, but whatever.
Damn they $200 in Cali
 
THIS......i can care less if someone is rocking fakes...affects me in no way

folks who get offended are probably the ones who buy the real product and get less compliments than the fake wearer....lol...so they wanna put them on blast.

exactly. the symptoms are different, but the root the same. insecurity.

one person buys fakes because they are insecure without it, and don't have the means.
another person buys authentic because they are insecure without it, and has to keep people out.

whos the say whats worse?
 
im not gon lie - I do enjoy a good GM thread...I think it's really interesting the types of reactions that come out of this.

the definition of "authentic" vs "fake" in the full gamut of things.

for example : same material, same factory but unapproved - is that the same as straight up garbage material fakes?

more than sneakers - I think its just an interesting topic to discuss in terms of how we see goods, exclusivity, branding, and this culture in general

EDIT: as long as it's an open discussion...instead of just ignorant flame-throwing, that is.
i been wondering the same thing.....same workers, same materials, but made in unauthorized factory by workers who make the real product.....them kicks are real 
 
exactly. the symptoms are different, but the root the same. insecurity.

one person buys fakes because they are insecure without it, and don't have the means.
another person buys authentic because they are insecure without it, and has to keep people out.

whos the say whats worse?
no insecurity, just a hobby of nikes, or sneakers in general. if you collect sports cards, would you want fakes to taint your collection? most likely no.
 
it's just hard to quantify because where does the argument end?

we're talking about character in the context of consumerism, brand-loyalty, and excess in luxury goods. (which in it of itself can be judged poorly)

we could sit here and say negative things about someone who would cut corners to maintain the appearance of exclusivity from a brand...but then that exact person who is criticizing could get judged by another who sees the totality of it as being worthless.

for example - someone who values sneakers could judge someone who buys fakes to say "you care so much about what others think - you'd buy fakes to uphold an image." well someone who doesn't value sneakers in general could then turn around and say to that person "you care so much about what others think - you buy overpriced goods that you ultimately just use to cover up your feet, to uphold an image. And you are so insecure about remaining exclusive you judge/care about someone who cuts corners to appear to be in your club."

so to me it's about value. your right to your value system means someone else has a right to have theirs - even if it's different form yours.

in short - I think it's pointless to figure out the psychology of those who buy fakes, because the same spirit probably is in those who have to have the latest and greatest authentic goods. Different, but in the end the same.

:tongue:

Repped.
 
i been wondering the same thing.....same workers, same materials, but made in unauthorized factory by workers who make the real product.....them kicks are real 

I tend to lean like this - it depends on how you view authentic.

from an intellectual property pov, if it's unauthorized by company, it should be considered fake as it was not conceptualized by the proper authority.

but from a physical stand point, I don't see how it would be considered the same as fakes (as in blatant fakes that we all love and adore).

I just think you can't have absolutes. (assuming it can be proved that absolutely every variable is from the same material, design, factory that Nike uses).
 
exactly. the symptoms are different, but the root the same. insecurity.

one person buys fakes because they are insecure without it, and don't have the means.
another person buys authentic because they are insecure without it, and has to keep people out.

whos the say whats worse?
no insecurity, just a hobby of nikes, or sneakers in general. if you collect sports cards, would you want fakes to taint your collection? most likely no.

This. And the real issue is the people who KNOWINGLY sell you fakes/GMs. If you are serious about collecting anything you want authenticity and it's not fair for sellers to pass off unauthorized items as the official tissue just because they are basically identical. They still aren't the same. In not one case have I ever seen a GM shoe be 100% spot on.

If you wanna buy a pair of GM for cheap to wear into the ground because the real pairs are going for insane amounts, I understand a little better, but you're still getting looked down on by me since you know what you're doing. And that's why with sneakers it's a little different than something like a baseball card that has no real use aside from collecting any way. I dunno. You can still wear and get use of fake kicks.
 
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My main issue is the fact that fakes are stealing intellectual property... Then again the "real" companies are getting paid in excess due to people's insecurity/ego, so it's not like their not compensated.
 
That's all I'm saying. You're destroying the value of the luxury lifestyle and culture. It's status symbol, like a wedding ring, or stripes on your uniform. When you deal with fakes or grey markets, you're dealing with something that has no value. No real status. Therefore, why is that person there?
 
no insecurity, just a hobby of nikes, or sneakers in general. if you collect sports cards, would you want fakes to taint your collection? most likely no.
i think trading cards are meant to be collected and sneakers are to be worn, but thats just me
 
no insecurity, just a hobby of nikes, or sneakers in general. if you collect sports cards, would you want fakes to taint your collection? most likely no.

im talking about people who feel the need to call out fakes - almost at an emotional/Nazi level.

I obviously love NT, been around the sneaker game since 2001. I just don't post that much, and like to lurk. so you could guess I don't support fakes. But I also am not going to go out of my way to call out a stranger if I see fakes. like in the end - what does that do? is Nike a small business trying desperately to survive? am I going to destroy the fake industry? Am I going to change that person's mind? probably not.

all that does is ruin someone's day, and maybe stroke my ego for like 10 seconds. then its back to my life and back to that person's.

I don't know...just my opinion though.
 
 
That's all I'm saying. You're destroying the value of the luxury lifestyle and culture. It's status symbol, like a wedding ring, or stripes on your uniform. When you deal with fakes or grey markets, you're dealing with something that has no value. No real status. Therefore, why is that person there?
to impress niketalk members
 
This. And the real issue is the people who KNOWINGLY sell you fakes/GMs. If you are serious about collecting anything you want authenticity and it's not fair for sellers to pass off unauthorized items as the official tissue just because they are basically identical. They still aren't the same. In not one case have I ever seen a GM shoe be 100% spot on.

If you wanna buy a pair of GM for cheap to wear into the ground because the real pairs are going for insane amounts, I understand a little better, but you're still getting looked down on by me since you know what you're doing. And that's why with sneakers it's a little different than something like a baseball card that has no real use aside from collecting any way. I dunno. You can still wear and get use of fake kicks.
yea I cant get mad at someone who cops a pair of kicks but gets got on a fake pair and didn't know. but someone intentionally copping them when they know better is no bueno in my book
 
The minute GM's get more accurate, I'm rocking them. David's Royals showed the world that they can get up there. Just don't expect to sell them for much when you're done collecting.
 
no insecurity, just a hobby of nikes, or sneakers in general. if you collect sports cards, would you want fakes to taint your collection? most likely no.
i think trading cards are meant to be collected and sneakers are to be worn, but thats just me

I agree with you, at this point in my life. However, when I was younger I definitely "collected" sneakers. As in I had a stock pile I didn't wear that I eventually intended to sell later on. This is why I still have an issue with fake/GM kicks. I don't care about the sneaker culture any more, but I used to, and this is one of the things that has ruined it.

You can have that NT General mindset of "dudes wear sneakers to impress other dudes" or "people still wear sneakers?", etc... Act like since you moved on from sneakers you are better than the younger cats who are still into it. But the one thing that brought most all of us to this site was our love for clothing and sneakers. The dudes that act like they are above that culture they used to willingly participate in are really the insecure ones. I think they despise what the sneaker culture has become and that they used to be a part of it.

And I'm not calling you out for acting like you are above others. But there a few lames on this board who say that kind of stuff constantly.
 
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That's all I'm saying. You're destroying the value of the luxury lifestyle and culture. It's status symbol, like a wedding ring, or stripes on your uniform. When you deal with fakes or grey markets, you're dealing with something that has no value. No real status. Therefore, why is that person there?
a wedding ring isnt a status symbol EVERYWHERE NOR IS STRIPES ON A UNIFORM based on it being real or not.. you earn your stripes... now if its stolen valor that's on the individual 

equating stolen valor with fake Jays is kinda funny... 

grey market sneakers are just sneakers man, people walk in them for a while then throw them away... to ask why a person is there based on some sneakers is kinda shallow and lame... 

btw i dont buy grey markets nor do i endorse it but if a dude wants to buy $98.99 space jams let him or her cook
 
i think trading cards are meant to be collected and sneakers are to be worn, but thats just me
everyones different in that regard. some people like to wear sneakers, some like to collect and some do both. I tend to wear most of mine but I got about 200 pair so cant wear them that often, thus turning my kicks into a worn collection. I know a guy who got more kicks then me that doesn't wear any of them, barely even takes em out the box. I call him mikestock sometimes, he takes deadstock to another level :lol:

im talking about people who feel the need to call out fakes - almost at an emotional/Nazi level.

I obviously love NT, been around the sneaker game since 2001. I just don't post that much, and like to lurk. so you could guess I don't support fakes. But I also am not going to go out of my way to call out a stranger if I see fakes. like in the end - what does that do? is Nike a small business trying desperately to survive? am I going to destroy the fake industry? Am I going to change that person's mind? probably not.

all that does is ruin someone's day, and maybe stroke my ego for like 10 seconds. then its back to my life and back to that person's.

I don't know...just my opinion though.
im not saying that its cool to start clowning random people on the street for wearing fakes, but at the same token they are kind of ridiculing themselves by wearing counterfeit merchandise from my perspective. forget sneakers for a second, there are tourists who come here just to buy knockoff bags because they are close to the real thing here, that perplexes me :lol:
 
I agree with you, at this point in my life. However, when I was younger I definitely "collected" sneakers. As in I had a stock pile I didn't wear that I eventually intended to sell later on. This is why I still have an issue with fake/GM kicks. I don't care about the sneaker culture any more, but I used to, and this is one of the things that has ruined it.

You can have that NT General mindset of "dudes wear sneakers to impress other dudes" or "people still wear sneakers?", etc... Act like since you moved on from sneakers you are better than the younger cats who are still into it. But the one thing that brought most all of us to this site was our love for clothing and sneakers. The dudes that act like they are above that culture they used to willingly participate in are really the insecure ones. I think they despise what the sneaker culture has become and that they used to be a part of it.

And I'm not calling you out for acting like you are above others. But there a few lames on this board who say that kind of stuff constantly.
I don't understand this either, whats wrong with the "sneaker culture"?
 
 
a wedding ring isnt a status symbol EVERYWHERE NOR IS STRIPES ON A UNIFORM based on it being real or not.. you earn your stripes... now if its stolen valor that's on the individual 

equating stolen valor with fake Jays is kinda funny... 

grey market sneakers are just sneakers man, people walk in them for a while then throw them away... to ask why a person is there based on some sneakers is kinda shallow and lame... 

btw i dont buy grey markets nor do i endorse it but if a dude wants to buy $98.99 space jams let him or her cook
its the folks who have the real pair getting mad that they camped, paid resell, or traded something to get as much shine as the guy in the fakes....so naturally they are offended that they must point it out........can u imagine some nters if they saw a dude in fakes with a bad female?.....they would front on dude so hard just cause
 
everyones different in that regard. some people like to wear sneakers, some like to collect and some do both. I tend to wear most of mine but I got about 200 pair so cant wear them that often, thus turning my kicks into a worn collection. I know a guy who got more kicks then me that doesn't wear any of them, barely even takes em out the box. I call him mikestock sometimes, he takes deadstock to another level :lol:
im not saying that its cool to start clowning random people on the street for wearing fakes, but at the same token they are kind of ridiculing themselves by wearing counterfeit merchandise from my perspective. forget sneakers for a second, there are tourists who come here just to buy knockoff bags because they are close to the real thing here, that perplexes me :lol:

i mean in general i agree with you. i think if the person doesn't know they are fakes, they are playing themselves. but if they know it's fakes and it gives them enough utility for it to not be worth it to them to buy authentic...who am i to say they are clowning themselves?

know what i mean? im not saying you're wrong - but as im getting older i just don't care as much i guess lol
 
I don't understand this either, whats wrong with the "sneaker culture"?
i dont even know what a sneaker culture is.....i just buy what i like and use nt for release info and such.....so collecting, sneakercons and the rest of that stuff goes over my head.....if i got a fit for it, or can rock em well, thats all i need to know.
 
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