Chinese fake an Apple store (still sell real Apple products)

[Thorin]

I know that there are a lot of fakes and knockoffs and imitations produced by the Chinese and sold both in China and abroad.  But to create an entire Apple store copy?  Wow!  That takes some balls!

Here's the photos: http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/07/21/fake-apple-store-in-china-even-fools-staff

They have a Genius Bar and everything!

Now the guy quoted in the article is right - just because he copied the look of Apple's stores doesn't mean he's selling faked Apple products.  I don't know if it's against Chinese laws, but it's certainly not against Canadian laws, as long as they don't represent themselves as an Apple store (you'd have to check the receipt).  But I know Canadians would never, ever, stand for buying something then being told to come back in a month for the receipt.

I do wonder if the Apple products they sell are legit, though.  Or did these fall off the truck?

[Lazybones]

I saw another report that stated they where a licensed reseller selling real Apple products.

[Mr. Analog]

It's all muddled, I was reading a story yesterday that employees working there thought they worked for Apple

[Thorin]

Yeah, I read that too.

Now Chinese officials investigated and found five fake Apple stores in Kunming alone, two of which were shut down for not having business licenses: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14273444

Now keep in mind that Kunming is the 16th-largest city in China.  In Canada, the 16th-largest city is Windsor.  So imagine if you will, if they're building shops in the equivalent of Windsor, you can bet your sweet ass they've got shops all over the bigger cities!

[Mr. Analog]

One has to wonder if the swift action taken was to try to get the story out of the international media eye, after all China has a lot to lose if big contracts like Apple move to even cheaper manufacturing hubs like Vietnam and Indonesia...

[Thorin]

Now there's 22 more fake Apple stores found in China:

http://www.edmontonsun.com/2011/08/11/22-more-fake-apple-stores-found-in-china

[Mr. Analog]

Side note: Edmonton Sun comments

[Thorin]

Side note: Edmonton Sun comments

Huh?  Oh, fApples? :p  Didn't read the comments the first time...

[Mr. Analog]

Side note: Edmonton Sun comments

Huh?  Oh, fApples? :p  Didn't read the comments the first time...

I didn't take interest until I saw the Sun article on Fraga, when I saw the comments I facedesk'd

[Lazybones]

If You Thought The Old Fake Apple Stores Were Good, Wait Till You See This! [PHOTOS/VIDEO]
http://www.redmondpie.com/if-you-thought-the-old-fake-apple-stores-were-good-wait-till-you-see-this-photosvideo/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RedmondPie+%28Redmond+Pie%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

[Mr. Analog]

That's crazy haha