In a world where everyone's chasing the latest kicks and sneaker fever is at an all-time high, the sneaky rise of counterfeit sneakers is becoming an epidemic. For the average person just trying to cop a cool pair, it's like walking through a minefield – spotting the real deal from a fake is no easy feat.
Even sneaker giants like StockX and notable retailers like RoundTwo have fallen victim to these scams. StockX is currently in the midst of a legal battle with Nike over the authentication and selling of counterfeit sneakers on the platform. Even RoundTwo a store that was a Mecca for sneaker resellers to buy, sell, and trade, was forced to close its doors due to the crisis.
A Melbourne resident, an estate agent, who invested nearly 30,000 Australian dollars in what he believed to be authentic sneakers, faced a setback when seeking a refund for seven pairs, including rare Nike and Dior collaborations. His claim was dismissed by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Vcat) after authorities discovered he knowingly purchased the shoes from a 17-year-old, rendering the contracts non-binding for refunds. Despite defects in the received footwear, the legal outcome rested on the buyer's awareness of the seller's age. Vcat member Katherine Metcalf emphasized the absence of responsibility on the father's part and cited the underage status of the seller as the legal basis for the dismissal.
The particular case has brought attention to the broader impact of rising counterfeit trends. With the resale market booming, the prevalence of fake sneakers not only jeopardizes individual buyers but also poses a significant threat to the resell economy. As more individuals fall victim to deceptive transactions, the credibility of the secondary sneaker market is at risk, potentially harming a growing number of buyers and sellers alike. For more on the situation at hand and to stay up to date with the latest sneaker resellers, connect with us on Instagram and Twitter.
Photo via RealorFakeOffical