Replica body kits

[Tcoat]

The term "replicas" makes it all sound so clean. Let's try calling a spade a spade and refer to them as knockoffs.

Knockoffs are cheaper for some reason other than the obvious that you are not paying for a name. They are either made with inferior materials (usually) or cheap, poorly paid labour (almost always). Nothing quite like supporting an industry that pays their workers shit (if at all) while making loads of money or figures that using lead based paints and other toxic materials is fine.

Product development, marketing to give that product brand recognition and ensuring the best quality possible are not free. The companies that design and manufacture the brand name products have much, much greater expenses that the guy with a hut and a fiberglass mold in backwoods china. Get a bad part made by a 12 year old in a sweatshop someplace and call their customer service depart to file a warranty claim and then get back to us and tell us how that worked for you.

Fake car parts cost the US car industry $12 BILLION a year. Overall products $280 billion. Somebody said that people that buy the knockoffs would never buy the real thing anyway and that is just not true. If there was no knockoff to buy then if they really wanted the product they would just save until they could get it. There would certainly be less sold yes but at least the money would go to those that spent capital to design it and make it popular in the first place. In order to compete the real product manufacturer has to start cutting costs somehow and that can result in an inferior products, reduced marketing or a smaller, less skilled workforce. That 17 year old slapping a $500 fake RB kit on his car thinks he has fooled the system but in reality he has taken jobs and cash out of the US. Ten years down the road when his generation is unemployed he will yell and scream that somebody needs to do something about it when in fact he was a part of the problem in the first place.

There is nothing really wrong with buying cheap aero kits when they are not a direct copy of an existing brand name one. A cheap widebody kit that is not an exact (or very, very close copy) of a RB is not a knockoff. Sure the quality, human rights, industry impact and overall shittyness of the offshore product still exists but at least the real products can compete in a fair marketplace since the copy can not be represented to be the real thing.

Let's be completely transparent here. People buy knockoffs of brand name products (including RB) because they want other people to think they have the real thing. I know that statement will come with a bunch of angry replies and rationalizations as to why they bought it but the very fact that this thread is titled "Replica Body Kits" and not "Inexpensive Offshore Original Body Kits" tells the story right there. The whole idea of the cheap kit is fool others (and sometimes themselves) into thinking they have the real thing that has been promoted and made famous. It is an unfortunate fact that those most likely to buy the cheap kits are usually the younger guys that feel the need to impress others the most but are also the most likely misrepresent it as the real thing. I look at a kitted car and the dude says 'Oh, ya this is a cheap copy of RB that I bought off Ebay because I actually track the car and don't want too destroy the real thing' then I will nod and smile and walk away. Same guy try to tells me that it is the real thing and I can tell (or somebody tells me) that it is not I WILL call them out as a fraud and poser then and there.

[olsonpg]

Originally Posted by Joe-G

As someone that sees the value in authenticity, but has also purchased replica parts, here is my opinion.

People that purchase replicas of an item, will never purchase the authentic piece anyways. With that said, I would say that replicas don't necessarily take away business from the original companies. Authentics will provide quality products to those who want quality, and manufacturers in Taiwan/China will continue to provide cheap products for those who are okay with cheap.

If you want to rock a fake purse/etc, go ahead... but I wouldn't go around telling everyone that its real.

I appreciate the effort and time that was spent on manufacturing authentic pieces. By all means, I would suggest spending your money on the real deal if you can afford it. But I will buy replica aero because its cheap, and has no other benefit to me. This is assuming that it fits relatively ok.

Authentic wheels, engineered suspension, safety items, seats, etc. is a different story.

^

[olsonpg]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The term "replicas" makes it all sound so clean. Let's try calling a spade a spade and refer to them as knockoffs.

Knockoffs are cheaper for some reason other than the obvious that you are not paying for a name. They are either made with inferior materials (usually) or cheap, poorly paid labour (almost always). Nothing quite like supporting an industry that pays their workers shit (if at all) while making loads of money or figures that using lead based paints and other toxic materials is fine.

Product development, marketing to give that product brand recognition and ensuring the best quality possible are not free. The companies that design and manufacture the brand name products have much, much greater expenses that the guy with a hut and a fiberglass mold in backwoods china. Get a bad part made by a 12 year old in a sweatshop someplace and call their customer service depart to file a warranty claim and then get back to us and tell us how that worked for you.

Fake car parts cost the US car industry $12 BILLION a year. Overall products $280 billion. Somebody said that people that buy the knockoffs would never buy the real thing anyway and that is just not true. If there was no knockoff to buy then if they really wanted the product they would just save until they could get it. There would certainly be less sold yes but at least the money would go to those that spent capital to design it and make it popular in the first place. In order to compete the real product manufacturer has to start cutting costs somehow and that can result in an inferior products, reduced marketing or a smaller, less skilled workforce. That 17 year old slapping a $500 fake RB kit on his car thinks he has fooled the system but in reality he has taken jobs and cash out of the US. Ten years down the road when his generation is unemployed he will yell and scream that somebody needs to do something about it when in fact he was a part of the problem in the first place.

There is nothing really wrong with buying cheap aero kits when they are not a direct copy of an existing brand name one. A cheap widebody kit that is not an exact (or very, very close copy) of a RB is not a knockoff. Sure the quality, human rights, industry impact and overall shittyness of the offshore product still exists but at least the real products can compete in a fair marketplace since the copy can not be represented to be the real thing.

Let's be completely transparent here. People buy knockoffs of brand name products (including RB) because they want other people to think they have the real thing. I know that statement will come with a bunch of angry replies and rationalizations as to why they bought it but the very fact that this thread is titled "Replica Body Kits" and not "Inexpensive Offshore Original Body Kits" tells the story right there. The whole idea of the cheap kit is fool others (and sometimes themselves) into thinking they have the real thing that has been promoted and made famous. It is an unfortunate fact that those most likely to buy the cheap kits are usually the younger guys that feel the need to impress others the most but are also the most likely misrepresent it as the real thing. I look at a kitted car and the dude says 'Oh, ya this is a cheap copy of RB that I bought off Ebay because I actually track the car and don't want too destroy the real thing' then I will nod and smile and walk away. Same guy try to tells me that it is the real thing and I can tell (or somebody tells me) that it is not I WILL call them out as a fraud and poser then and there.

I think you're thinking about this a bit too hard tcoat :P

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by olsonpg

I think you're thinking about this a bit too hard tcoat :P

No, no I am not. Everything I said is a well documented fact. It isn't my personal thoughts or opinions.

[olsonpg]

[i heart ricers]

Originally Posted by Johnny.

You just got the wrong skull candies. There isn't a single beats headphone that sound better than my mix masters.

[Cole]

Originally Posted by i heart ricers

You sound like a butt hurt crybaby who spent a ton of money on real kits when you could have spent less than half that on a knockoff and are now desperately trying to justify your purchase.

Also, LO fucking L if you think that your Beats headphones are quality.

[i heart ricers]

Originally Posted by Cole

You sound like a but hurt crybaby who spent a ton of money on real kits when you could have spent less than half that on a knockoff and are now desperately trying to justify your purchase.

Also, LO fucking L if you think that your Beats headphones are quality.

[Irace86]

Originally Posted by olsonpg

I think you're thinking about this a bit too hard tcoat :P

Or not hard enough...

My iPhone was made in China. My Nike shoes in Indonesia. Quality doesn't seem to be tied to where they come from necessarily. Others can buy Motrin. I'll buy generic ibuprofen. Others can buy name brand. I can buy store brand. I seem to be happy with my purchase, and I haven't found myself trying to pass off my store brand body wash as Dove just so others can think more of me, as tcoat would assume I do.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Irace86

Or not hard enough...

My iPhone was made in China. My Nike shoes in Indonesia. Quality doesn't seem to be tied to where they come from necessarily. Others can buy Motrin. I'll buy generic ibuprofen. Others can buy name brand. I can buy store brand. I seem to be happy with my purchase, and I haven't found myself trying to pass off my store brand body wash as Dove just so others can think more of me, as tcoat would assume I do.

You missed the whole message and ran with just part of it. Your iPhone and Nike shoes are made by the real company that invested the money in developing the product not some guy in a lean to slapping shit together. You have the full support of their warranty and technical divisions and are buying a product that has passed quality controls. Go buy yourself a 1Phone or Neke shoes and see what support you get. The same applies for store brand items. Would you buy mail order ibuprofen made by some unknown source in Russia? If so good luck. The whole body wash thing is just plain silly to compare to claiming to have a $10K that you don't.


Americans (and Canadians for that matter) love to buy the cheapest shit they can find and then piss and moan that they don't make enough money and there are no good jobs left.

[Irace86]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You missed the whole message and ran with just part of it. Your iPhone and Nike shoes are made by the real company that invested the money in developing the product not some guy in a lean to slapping shit together. You have the full support of their warranty and technical divisions and are buying a product that has passed quality controls. Go buy yourself a 1Phone or Neke shoes and see what support you get. The same applies for store brand items. Would you buy mail order ibuprofen made by some unknown source in Russia? If so good luck. The whole body wash thing is just plain silly to compare to claiming to have a $10K that you don't.


Americans (and Canadians for that matter) love to buy the cheapest shit they can find and then piss and moan that they don't make enough money and there are no good jobs left.

I don't think I did.

Knockoffs are cheaper for some reason other than the obvious that you are not paying for a name. They are either made with inferior materials (usually) or cheap, poorly paid labour (almost always). Nothing quite like supporting an industry that pays their workers shit (if at all) while making loads of money or figures that using lead based paints and other toxic materials is fine.

Actually it is mostly the name (see generics vs name brands for soda, t-shirts, grocery store items, pharmaceuticals) and yes, in the case of replica body kits, the finish, fits and materials can be cheaper, but in most cases, materials are cheaper because who would pay the same price for a replica when they could buy the real thing? The fact is it is the name brands that are actually paying their workers shit while making loads of money. Compare the profit margins for a can of Coca Cola vs generic cola.

If there was no knockoff to buy then if they really wanted the product they would just save until they could get it.

I think you have described the definition of a monopoly perfectly. Good thing we don't have those or people with a headache might need $50 for one pill of Motrin.

There would certainly be less sold yes but at least the money would go to those that spent capital to design it and make it popular in the first place. In order to compete the real product manufacturer has to start cutting costs somehow and that can result in an inferior products, reduced marketing or a smaller, less skilled workforce.

This was tugging at my heart strings until I thought of the Bentley and the Chrysler 300, the Mustang and the Camero, the iPhone and the Galaxy S series. Major manufactures copy ideas to straight up designs down to the details. Why shouldn't the smaller guys?

Let's be completely transparent here. People buy knockoffs of brand name products (including RB) because they want other people to think they have the real thing.

I'm sure there are people who do this just like men buy fake Rolex's or women buy a fake Louis Vuitton purse. I don't believe this is the majority when it comes to car parts like it does for pure status items.

Just like people buying carbon fiber vinyl, most people who buy replica kits want to modify their cars to their tastes, but may not have the money for the genuine product or don't see the value in its price. I didn't see the value in spending $350 for an STI front lip, so I bought a replica from Bayson R for $75. Fit was perfect, and I couldn't be happier. Same with the rear diffuser; $65 was much better than $500+.

And you know what is even crazier? I actually brag about the Bayson R kit! Yea, I do. People say, hey that STI kit looks great, and I say, no, its actually a replica I picked up from Bayson R over in San Jose for $350ish. Yea man, I saved a ton over the $2000 real thing.

I guess that is still bragging and some may not like it.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Irace86

I don't think I did.



Actually it is mostly the name (see generics vs name brands for soda, t-shirts, grocery store items, pharmaceuticals) and yes, in the case of replica body kits, the finish, fits and materials can be cheaper, but in most cases, materials are cheaper because who would pay the same price for a replica when they could buy the real thing? The fact is it is the name brands that are actually paying their workers shit while making loads of money. Compare the profit margins for a can of Coca Cola vs generic cola.


I repeat there is more than just a name attached to the quality products. I also repeat that I am not talking about commercially made generic brands but the stuff made in a cave in Lower Solbovia. There is a big difference between the two.



I think you have described the definition of a monopoly perfectly. Good thing we don't have those or people with a headache might need $50 for one pill of Motrin.
See Lower Slobovia above. A proper business that invests in R&D can not compete with Joe and a mold in his hut.



This was tugging at my heart strings until I thought of the Bentley and the Chrysler 300, the Mustang and the Camero, the iPhone and the Galaxy S series. Major manufactures copy ideas to straight up designs down to the details. Why shouldn't the smaller guys?
Do they really now?



I'm sure there are people who do this just like men buy fake Rolex's or women buy a fake Louis Vuitton purse. I don't believe this is the majority when it comes to car parts like it does for pure status items.

Just like people buying carbon fiber vinyl, most people who buy replica kits want to modify their cars to their tastes, but may not have the money for the genuine product or don't see the value in its price. I didn't see the value in spending $350 for an STI front lip, so I bought a replica from Bayson R for $75. Fit was perfect, and I couldn't be happier. Same with the rear diffuser; $65 was much better than $500+.
If nobody buys the real thing then there will be nothing to copy.

And you know what is even crazier? I actually brag about the Bayson R kit! Yea, I do. People say, hey that STI kit looks great, and I say, no, its actually a replica I picked up from Bayson R over in San Jose for $350ish. Yea man, I saved a ton over the $2000 real thing.
I said that in my original post. If happy with what you have and not misrepresenting it then that is great.
I guess that is still bragging and some may not like it.

.

[olsonpg]

Originally Posted by Irace86

I don't think I did.



Actually it is mostly the name (see generics vs name brands for soda, t-shirts, grocery store items, pharmaceuticals) and yes, in the case of replica body kits, the finish, fits and materials can be cheaper, but in most cases, materials are cheaper because who would pay the same price for a replica when they could buy the real thing? The fact is it is the name brands that are actually paying their workers shit while making loads of money. Compare the profit margins for a can of Coca Cola vs generic cola.



I think you have described the definition of a monopoly perfectly. Good thing we don't have those or people with a headache might need $50 for one pill of Motrin.



This was tugging at my heart strings until I thought of the Bentley and the Chrysler 300, the Mustang and the Camero, the iPhone and the Galaxy S series. Major manufactures copy ideas to straight up designs down to the details. Why shouldn't the smaller guys?



I'm sure there are people who do this just like men buy fake Rolex's or women buy a fake Louis Vuitton purse. I don't believe this is the majority when it comes to car parts like it does for pure status items.

Just like people buying carbon fiber vinyl, most people who buy replica kits want to modify their cars to their tastes, but may not have the money for the genuine product or don't see the value in its price. I didn't see the value in spending $350 for an STI front lip, so I bought a replica from Bayson R for $75. Fit was perfect, and I couldn't be happier. Same with the rear diffuser; $65 was much better than $500+.

And you know what is even crazier? I actually brag about the Bayson R kit! Yea, I do. People say, hey that STI kit looks great, and I say, no, its actually a replica I picked up from Bayson R over in San Jose for $350ish. Yea man, I saved a ton over the $2000 real thing.

I guess that is still bragging and some may not like it.

Couldn't agree more brotha. Brought up a lot of the same points I was thinking but was too lazy to type.

I'm with you on the bragging too. I can't wait to bring up that it's a replica kit in person. The fact that a replica can look so good almost impresses more.

[olsonpg]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

.

I think the moral of that story is that Joe working out of his hut in Lower Slobbovia is doing gods work. God bless Joe and men like him.