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And what is the "crime" when all the brick and mortar stores on Canal street are selling knock-off merchandise?
At least with the street vendors, we know they are selling knock-offs. A few years back, I needed cologne, was in the area, and went into a perfume shop on Canal looking for my favorite, which they had. I bought it for I think $60 (same size bottle normally retails for around $90) and thought it was just a good discount. Found out later that day when I was in my hotel that it was fake, as it was watery and wore off within a few minutes. Good cologne is oily, and sticks.
Of course, no returns allowed, etc. etc.
So THIS is legal? $60 for fake cologne in a retail store?
Now I'm super wary of ANY store in that area.
Nicely ignoring the fact that why we don't see cops chase anybody else? Why is all the "chasing" reserved for these folks? And they are not directly competing with the businesses in the area so not sure where the "unfair competition" comes from.
Everyone is required to pay tax on their income, regardless of source.
If you don't run, you aren't chased.
They're competition for somebody in the city.
Lastly, they're not paying tax. They're not charging sales tax. They're not paying property tax for their "business".
As I said before and Per the New York Times article …
“ NEW YORK — A false door at the back of a cramped New York City store swung open to disclose a secret room lined with counterfeit Prada, Gucci and Fendi bags and wallets.
"It's very cloak-and-dagger," said a British tourist, who declined to give her name and who had been lured to the store by a smooth salesman.
Fake designer bags are part of a $500 billion global trade in counterfeit goods, and the U.S. authorities say that some of that money is funding terrorism.”
“ In New York alone, the trade was worth $80 billion, and it costs the city an estimated $1 billion a year in lost sales tax revenue.”
“ the group accused of the Madrid train bombings in 2004, which killed 191 people, had used proceeds from the sale of pirated CDs to fund their activities. The U.S. authorities have also said that another group sells counterfeit goods, including fake Viagra, to support Hezbollah, the militant group in Lebanon.”
At least with the street vendors, we know they are selling knock-offs. A few years back, I needed cologne, was in the area, and went into a perfume shop on Canal looking for my favorite, which they had. I bought it for I think $60 (same size bottle normally retails for around $90) and thought it was just a good discount. Found out later that day when I was in my hotel that it was fake, as it was watery and wore off within a few minutes. Good cologne is oily, and sticks.
Of course, no returns allowed, etc. etc.
So THIS is legal? $60 for fake cologne in a retail store?
Now I'm super wary of ANY store in that area.
Perfume, toiletries, and cosmetics counterfeit goods have been offered down there and elsewhere also for ages.
Bottom line is 99.9% if not 100% of high end goods sold either on street, on or near Canal street are bogus.
You find same sort of eejits welling fake stuff all around Mid-Town, especially 34th street area and or any place else with large amounts of tourists or rubes.
Can you find legit designer goods, fragrances, etc...? Sure but you need connections to "Tony Soprano" or "Goodfellas" types who have access to stuff that "fell off a truck".
They are not selling the same merchandise. And the stores on Canal street are selling plenty of other fake goods.
I've seen identical fake bags and jewelry in and outside the stores on Canal St.
Counterfeiting and unlicensed sidewalk vending are two separate issues.
Many people consider both minor problems. But they are not.
They are cracks in the foundation of an organized and fair economic system that you may not appreciate until it is gone. If the cracks are not repaired eventually the whole house will collapse.
Who the F goes to canal street to begin with? And why?/
Chinatown?
Also, my favorite Japanese store, where I can actually get legit Japanese items, is there (Sunrise Mart.)
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