It’s hard to believe that only a few years ago, Kunming was quite a different place. Swept with cheap counterfeit and fake products, from fake branded bags to knockoff watches, it was a city known for its thriving black market and imitation goods. It was a challenge to know where to buy genuine products, and the low prices and variety of fake items on offer were often too tempting. So, when I heard that the reigning fake bag market was about to be wiped out, I was intrigued.
I had heard that the authorities were planning to embark on an ambitious drive to crack down on the proliferation of fake branded bags in Kunming. As a regular visitor to the city, I was sceptical at first. I mean, these guys had been selling their wares for years without any hindrance. Surely, I thought, these counterfeiters were too well-entrenched to be uprooted. Boy was I wrong!
As it turned out, the city officials went beyond my wildest dreams. Not only did they successfully reduce the number of fake product sellers in Kunming, but they also organised proactive campaigns to educate and raise awareness about the consequences of buying fake brand items; fines for anyone caught selling or buying fake branded bags; and increased the number of market inspectors to ensure that sellers conformed to the rules. Needless to say, this made a major change to the environment on the ground in Kunming.
I was amazed to find out how successful this campaign had been. Everywhere I went, I noticed a dramatic decrease in the number of fake branded bags for sale in the city. Quite the opposite of what I had come to expect. It was clear that the message had been received loud and clear, and that the campaign had been a resounding success. People had finally taken heed to the authorities’ message and started to take greater care when it came to buying counterfeit items.
What’s more, with the counterfeiters gone, the genuine branded bags began to make a comeback, much to the delight of visitors and locals alike. It was great to be able to find authentic luxury items at prices that matched my budget. Shopping for branded items became easier than ever, and Kunming began to reel in wealthy tourists from all over the world who came in search of great bargains.
This change of the city was not without its own set of problems. Although it was a step in the right direction, genuine branded bag prices in Kunming were still astronomically high compared to other cities around the world. This meant that those with limited incomes often found themselves unable to purchase these items even at discounted prices.
I remember when I had the chance to buy a genuine louis vuitton outlet louis vuitton outlet bag at one of the market stalls in Kunming. Although it was much cheaper than what I would have paid elsewhere, it was still too expensive for me to splurge on. To me, this meant that the fight against counterfeiters had to continue until everyone had access to genuine luxury products at prices they could actually afford.
At the end of the day, it is inspiring to see what the authorities have achieved in terms of tackling the fake bag problem in Kunming. I’m really glad that the local community was so supportive of the cause, taking proactive steps to ensure that the fake products no longer have a place in their markets.
I think it goes without saying that more needs to be done to ensure that counterfeiters stay away for good. For one, shop keepers, especially those selling genuine branded items, should never be allowed to price gouge their customers. Secondly, the authorities should continue to run awareness and education campaigns so people are aware of the potential consequences of buying counterfeit branded bags. Lastly, stiffer penalties should be in place for anyone caught selling fake branded bags.
Although it is encouraging to know that Kunming is now much cleaner with regards to its counterfeit goods, I’m aware that the city still has a long way to go before it can genuinely be considered a counterfeiter-free zone. Nonetheless, I’m optimistic that a continued collaborative effort from citizens, local authorities and the police can be successful in achieving that.