No one made the argument of fakes stealing money from TT or anybody. For clarity's sake, I said, don't reward companies who steal ideas and try to trick people into thinking it's the real thing but gives them a garbage product instead. There is 0% cool in any of that, in my opinion anyway. You're better off buying quality from the get-go, else you're wasting your money when you thought you were actually saving it.
You might have a point if you can prove there is a company that creates quality fakes and even fixes mistakes TT makes (as opposed to upping the weight or doing other tricks just to make their tops come off stronger). But I have to say I'm wary if they play the same package trickery game. Granted, it seems to be considered acceptable behavior in a place like China (as far as I'm aware), but I can't say it still doesn't rub me the wrong way.
It's also worth noting that you may face seizing of your purchase and even fines if customs inspects your package (if bought internationally) and determines that you have counterfeit goods, at least in the US. The fining may depend on if customs thinks you might resell it, I can't remember the technical details there.
Also, even a good fake is going to be banned in tournament play. I don't see the WBO lifting restrictions on that, lest they get on someone's legal bad side. And anything company-run is going to ban fakes for sure. Might not be relevant for someone who doesn't think they'll participate in any, I guess?
But you do what you will with your own money and time. Everyone's got different opinions after all.
[[ Michigan Blader | Avatar photo by
Ivan Kislov ]]