Eyi doc my 2 cents is that it’s a real thing in terms of retail and is more common than we actually think. The incorrect term may have been used, I’d say they meant unauthorized replica and authorized replicas, which do exist. https://twitter.com/sindivanzyl/status/1287112128000909313

Firstly, replicas are copies of original products. These can be manufactured by the actual brand of say the product is too expensive and for it to be distributed in bulk for masses would have to be replicated with cheaper material to also lower price.

A typical example of this would be your favourite clubs football jersey. Nike would sell a fan jersey which possibly has a printed logo instead of an embroidered one like the players kit. This would be an authorized replica.

Then there’s also unauthorized gear that is maybe items that were made with the authorized items but perhaps didn’t meet quality control because of slight defects. Factories will always make more than required to mitigate defects. Nike wants 50000 sneakers, factory makes 100k

The defects and the surplus are meant to be destroyed along with the sneaker mound but of course not all factories are above board or reputable and will get these in the market. So these aren’t necessarily fake items but still unauthorized.

So as mentioned these people have the mobile for the sneaker and access to materials to make the exact same item. So what may also happen is that same items are made but instead of genuine leather, suede or cotton, they use polyester and synthetic or lower quality materials.

Then there’s blatant fakes which can be visibly shoddy attempts you’d usually find on the streets with even the swoosh doing its own thing etc. Now the ecosystem of all these things is so intertwined that it’s not as cut and dry as saying a store sells fakes or originals.

Maybe a more honest chat is what quality grade of merchandise are you dealing with. There’s authentic grade, 1:1, ultra A, AAA, AA and A grade and all these are on a scale because well all are are coming from more or less the same people.

I’d say rule of thumb is understanding the items you’re buying better. If Nike is selling a sneaker for 2K and you getting it for less than half that on an IG boutique, you’re only hurting yourself. So price is a factor. Then there’s materials also. Is that suede smooth or coarse

Did your vapor max blow an air bubble in 6 months? Are your white soles on your sebago turning orange? Is your ultra boost tech feeling heavy? They can’t replicate the technology cause brands hold it close so you’ll know when the cushion ain’t cushioning.

So essentially an item is counterfeit if not authorized for sale by a brand. Items that are made with the same mould and material do make it to market but not from brand. Brands also make items for mass with alternative materials to cut costs. Counterfeiters also do the same.

Licensed retailers, stockists and resellers exist. Capitalism also exists. Counterfeits are so good nowadays that even experts struggle telling the difference at times. Is it unethical to sell a different grade item as an original? Do you trust corporations not to bend rules?

Brings me to another debate I had with my dudes in the WA group. The LV masks debate came up. Someone posted a screenshot of BC wearing an LV mask and a letter from LV saying that they don’t manufacture masks so they said they’re fake. I argued that their customized and not fake.

Dude who made the masks for BC takes genuine LV products like bags, towels and clothes and customizes other items for resale. They’re not authorized LV products but made from the same quality material so I say they’re not a fake but a custom made item. Debate raged on for 2 days.

Point is you can argue whichever way and you could be right and the other person could be right too. A mpama is mpama but some mpamas are more mpamas than others. Some mpamas exist and are endorsed by brands.