# Knockoffs in NYC **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 14, 2002, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387 "2002-09-14T03:06:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rostfrei](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7bcc69/32.png) [@rostfrei](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rostfrei)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387/1 "2002-09-14T03:06:49Z")
While in NYC with a group of people last year, we went to a section of southern Manhattan where there were tons of knockoffs for sale. As I recall, one could purchase bootleg CD’s, fake Ralph Lauren shirts, Gucci bags, Rolex watches, etc for 5-10 bucks. I am headed back to New York on monday and would like to visit this street/area (or another one like it) but I have no idea where it is. Can someone direct me. As I recall, it was a busy street, either 6 or 8 lanes wide. Eric ---
**Author:** ![JerseyDiamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8491ac/32.png) [@JerseyDiamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyDiamond)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387/2 "2002-09-14T03:25:03Z")
8th avenue in the 40’s and China Town on Canal Street. You can find anything there. ---
**Author:** ![LolaCocaCola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7cd45c/32.png) [@LolaCocaCola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaCocaCola)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2002, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387/3 "2002-09-14T11:51:27Z")
Judging by your description, you were definitely on **Canal Street** , which is right by Chinatown. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387/4 "2002-09-15T06:35:13Z")
There’s a coincidence; I was just on Canal Street about 12 hours ago. It’s not an everyday occurence, I live in Boston. I was trying to figure out how anyone can sell a watch for five dollars and make a profit. Even with a knockoff design, the crappiest materials and the cheapest labor in the world, how is it possible to make these and get them to a sidewalk in Manhattan for less than five bucks? ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387/5 "2002-09-15T06:43:56Z")
I think your overestimating the costs of materials and labor. The workers are probably making about 10 cents an hour. ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387/6 "2002-09-15T07:39:19Z")
I bought a (fake) Rolex where you get the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. The guy wanted $25, I gave him a $20 and said I would need $5 for the subway (but I didn’t reall, just didn’t want to pay $20 for it), so I got it for $15. ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2002, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knockoffs-in-nyc/128387/7 "2002-09-15T07:40:46Z")
Oh yeah, the same guys were selling fake Oakleys too. They had big garbage bags full of them.