SAVE MONEY WITHOUT BREAKING THE LAW
Fake brand-name goods have been popular for many years. Most people who bought them knew that what
they were buying wasn’t really made by the company whose name was on the label. They didn’t mind. They got
a bargain and, although the quality couldn’t be guaranteed, they could, at least for a short while, pretend to
themselves and their friends that they were wearing the same clothes, watches, perfume and jewellery as the
celebrities they admired.
Now, however, the problem is growing. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development estimates
that the value of counterfeit goods crossing international borders is over $250 billion a year. 5.1 This
reduces tax revenues for national governments and makes it more difficult for them to finance schools, hospitals
and other essential services.
However, the problems are not only financial. The Internet has seen potentially harmful fake products being
offered for sale. The most dangerous of all are fake medicines. 5.2 Others, who would never deliberately
buy any drugs not regulated by the government, are fooled by authentic looking websites. Whatever the reason,
the purchase can be deadly. Large numbers of children have been killed by fake drugs and baby products in
countries such as China, Panama and Nigeria in recent years. Almost certainly individuals have suffered in the
same way in many other places.
It is easy to avoid fake products. 5.3 By careful searching, you can find which of these stores is selling the
products you want for the lowest prices.
You can save even more money, though, by searching for cheap, but legal alternative products. A quick search
shows that a Rolex Explorer II watch can cost from about $3,000 to over $5,000 depending on the model you
prefer. A fake Rolex is cheaper but it may not work or it may not even arrive. However, an original Steinhart
Ocean II can be yours for under £500 and it is reasonably similar to a Rolex. It doesn’t have the more famous
name on it and people may not be as impressed by it as by a fake Rolex. 5.4 You will also have a receipt in
case anything goes wrong.
We all like a bargain and some products are extremely expensive but buying counterfeit goods is not the best
way to find one. 

A Some people purchase cheaper options deliberately, knowing they aren’t genuine but hoping they won’t do any harm.
B However, unlike an illegal fake, you have got an item of superb quality and you won’t have broken the law by buying it.
C The problem with these products is that they look so similar to the real thing that police officers and customs officials are
unable to distinguish between them.
D When you include the value of products which are sold in the country they are produced in, this amount more than doubles.
E If you only buy from reputable shops and their websites, you can be sure that you are buying the right product.