Ban Vendors who sell Obvious Knock-Offs, i.e. Hybrids

[supermarket]

I don't know about you but I can't afford the real thing so I love knockoffs. I'm not just talking about ecigs either. Almost all of my "designer" clothes are knockoffs, watches, hats, shoes, hell my phone is even a chinese knockoff of the Galaxy Note II. The way I see it most of these big name companies are charging hard working people way to much for something that didn't even cost a quarter of what it cost to produce so they can make a quick buck. So as long as there are decent replicas that work as well as the real thing I'm going to buy it.

No offense, but I wouldn't exactly advertise that everything I wear and buy is fake, knock off, cheap imitation clothes/products, LOL.


Hey buddy, I'm a working man myself, who supports a kid....I know the value of a dollar so I don't blame you. However, the whole point of knock offs are to EMULATE the real thing It kind of defeats the purpose if you go around telling everyone they are knock offs, LOL

 

[QLogic]

No offense, but I wouldn't exactly advertise that everything I wear and buy is fake, knock off, cheap imitation clothes/products, LOL.

Why not? I do not care what people think of me. As long as I feel good about myself that is all I am concerned about. I don't buy knock offs because I'm trying to fit in with a certain group or to have the "popular" thing. I do it cause I like the design of the original but don't want to shall out the ridiculous cash for something that is temporary. If people ask me where I get my stuff from rather they already know its imitation or not I tell them its a replica because 1: They may be able to save a little money their self & 2: If they are the type of people who judge folks by how much their stuff cost I don't want them in my life and I hope they are put off by my "fakeness"

 

[Vapor Vinny]

Chinese companies counterfeiting other Chinese companies. I love it!!!!

 

[Myrany]

There is another aspect of this problem. A newish vaper might not know if what they bought is a clone or the real thing. For example:

Yesterday I bought an Octopus atty. Is that the original or is the smoktek RDA the original? I have no idea. I didn't even know about the smoktek one until I saw it in a thread and asked if it was the same thing.

Some people buy clones in sheer ignorance. We don't automatically get a product data base of original creators downloaded to out brains the instant we start vaping.

I wouldn't blindly demonize someone for using a clone. Not all of us have any idea which is which.

 

[Orobas]

Wisdom

Yanno.

The fact that all those sites are perpetually out of stock indicates to me that the knockoff market isn't hurting these people at all. iHybrids still sell out within minutes so this entire conversation is really a moot point.

There's thriving markets for both.

 

[Mr.Mann]

Why not? I do not care what people think of me. As long as I feel good about myself that is all I am concerned about. I don't buy knock offs because I'm trying to fit in with a certain group or to have the "popular" thing. I do it cause I like the design of the original but don't want to shall out the ridiculous cash for something that is temporary. If people ask me where I get my stuff from rather they already know its imitation or not I tell them its a replica because 1: They may be able to save a little money their self & 2: If they are the type of people who judge folks by how much their stuff cost I don't want them in my life and I hope they are put off by my "fakeness"

I see no holes in this logic.

 

[shihchuansun]

I'd buy a hybrid if I can afford one. Just like I'd buy a bugati varon if I can. Until then, something close would have to do, even if they come so close in design as to be considered a "Knockoff". I'd like to hear from the makers of ZEN to see if the knockoffs are going to be an issue for him or does he welcome some load off his back lol.

 

[Mr.Mann]

I'd buy a hybrid if I can afford one. Just like I'd buy a bugati varon if I can. Until then, something close would have to do, even if they come so close in design as to be considered a "Knockoff". I'd like to hear from the makers of ZEN to see if the knockoffs are going to be an issue for him or does he welcome some load off his back lol.

Zen, though I don't speak for him, is experiecing absolutely NO decline in sales. If he makes 300 units, he sells 300 units, period.

 

[SissySpike]

I just see its ok because everyone is doing it Im selfish I dont care if its wrong so and so fourth. Or possibly people just don't have the same values as others.
For me this is in direct connection with our economy we have fewer good paying jobs everyone looks at our politicians ect... for the problem but if you say I don't like our current economy but do nothing about it then its just as much your fault. I cant afford it so its ok is just another excuse and rationalization.
I say if you cant afford it then you should not have it. Its that simple. Why are we entitled to something? Or save up and buy it.
The ecig industry is just a very small part of the economy but the attitude reflects the bigger part and its problems.
SO go ahead set your made in China alarm get up bright and early throw on your made in Vietnam sneakers your Dominican Republic levies and made in Mexico T shirt and keep trying to find a decent paying job so you can buy a quality vaping product.
Or take the high road stand up try to change the problem instead of being part of the herd, and even just in a small way try to do something that shows moral fiber and character.

But Theres a chance Im wrong and buying knockoffs is not kicking sand in the faces of the people who invented them Its ok to be greedy and get what ever you want at anyone else's expense. But I think not look around you this attitude has gotten us in the shape we are in, in just a couple of decades.
This is not the popular opinion but I REALLY don't care what anyone thinks! I am not part of the problem.

 

[Clearo-Mizer]

Yanno.

The fact that all those sites are perpetually out of stock indicates to me that the knockoff market isn't hurting these people at all. iHybrids still sell out within minutes so this entire conversation is really a moot point.

There's thriving markets for both.

their is a market for both...and from what I have purchased and have seen with my own 2 eyes..Sigelei has really upped the quality they know what we are looking at...I have a GG clone from KTS and man its nice...heavy chromed brass with all brass contacts..threading is smooth and tight...switch is awesome...cant be happier I actually put a meter on it to check the Voltage drop and it was .12 of a drop...thats a tenth of a volt!!! so I am pleased...I paid 40 bucks for it..nuff said

 

[Clearo-Mizer]

I just see its ok because everyone is doing it Im selfish I dont care if its wrong so and so fourth. Or possibly people just don't have the same values as others.
For me this is in direct connection with our economy we have fewer good paying jobs everyone looks at our politicians ect... for the problem but if you say I don't like our current economy but do nothing about it then its just as much your fault. I cant afford it so its ok is just another excuse and rationalization.
I say if you cant afford it then you should not have it. Its that simple. Why are we entitled to something? Or save up and buy it.
The ecig industry is just a very small part of the economy but the attitude reflects the bigger part and its problems.
SO go ahead set your made in China alarm get up bright and early throw on your made in Vietnam sneakers your Dominican Republic levies and made in Mexico T shirt and keep trying to find a decent paying job so you can buy a quality vaping product.
Or take the high road stand up try to change the problem instead of being part of the herd, and even just in a small way try to do something that shows moral fiber and character.

But Theres a chance Im wrong and buying knockoffs is not kicking sand in the faces of the people who invented them Its ok to be greedy and get what ever you want at anyone else's expense. But I think not look around you this attitude has gotten us in the shape we are in, in just a couple of decades.
This is not the popular opinion but I REALLY don't care what anyone thinks! I am not part of the problem.

Buzzz chilax bro ...this is not a moral problem... I am sure many folks would gladly pay retail for original stuff ...its the "out of stock" all the time that drives folks to settle you cant expect a new thriving market to just deny themselves the experiences they want because of a "moral code" that says "YOU CANT HAVE ONE!!!!" you got to look at the big picture bro the market demands to be filled...and the current modders deny it...

 

[SissySpike]

Buzzz chilax bro ...this is not a moral problem... I am sure many folks would gladly pay retail for original stuff ...its the "out of stock" all the time that drives folks to settle you cant expect a new thriving market to just deny themselves the experiences they want because of a "moral code" that says "YOU CANT HAVE ONE!!!!" you got to look at the big picture bro the market demands to be filled...and the current modders deny it...

I can see that point just a little but to me its still another rationalization. I find the things I want I dont pay crazy flopper prices it dose take a little time and effort but very possible. I guess I should clarify I dont think a person who goes out of their way to buy a clone over the original to save a few dollars is a bad person. They might be a total saint in other regards but IMO and in just my opinion. This type of attitude is wrong. Most dont agree including you or we would not have a flushing Chinese market. Im just saying this atitude is why we don't have a flushing American market.
Yea I know no competition make the market go stale like our cars in the early 80s but there is a middle ground and I think we are in the opposite end of middle during this point in time.

 

[oldsoldier]

This horse has been about beat to death. ECFs policy is we will comply with trademark and patent issues if properly documented. We cant be the morals police and tell you whether or not you should buy a "clone" item, but we will ban any supplier that is counterfeiting.

Their are so many copies and clones out there and conflicting claims of "ownership" of a design that without patent or trademark protection it is a battle for the lawyers. However passing an item off as something it is not is not acceptable.

TLDR version: Counterfeits and misrepresentation of a device as genuine when it is not is not allowed on ECF, but as always -- buyer beware.