Buying on the cheap is not always wise

Editorial Department • Published 17 Dec 2010 09:00 0 Comments

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With the recession really beginning to put the squeeze on household spending and with Christmas gift buying in full swing, it might be tempting for some people to go for the cheaper goods and save some money.

But what if those goods are not the real thing, that they are fakes made in illegal factory shops?

The police in Fermanagh are taking this seriously this Christmas by warning the public of counterfeiting’s links with organised crime.

Of course there is a lack of knowledge and understanding of the serious implications around buying counterfeit goods and while most people associate it with clothing, it extends to DVDs and CDs, perfumes and many others.

What the public needs pointing out is that the purchases of these illegal goods can lead to illegal activity such as human trafficking or other forms of crime.

But it also has implications for bona fide shops in our towns. When someone purchases a counterfeit good, it is taking money away from the local economy and possibly putting the futures of those law-abiding businesses at risk, and the jobs of many of their staff on the line.

Organised gangs behind the counterfeit goods industry do not pay taxes, rent or rates. It has become such a major industry that specialist police units have been established to monitor it. Now a new campaign has been launched and running in Fermanagh involving the Home Office, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Federation Against Copyright Theft, the Bank of England, Film Distributors Association and Pentland, a major clothing company.

Apart from all the above concerns about counterfeit goods, generally the quality of the products are much inferior and if you want an exchange or refund, you will certainly not get one.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 16 Dec 10

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