Eid increases demand for fake perfumes

With the advent of Eid the sale of counterfeit cosmetic items continues unchecked in the twin cities.


Obaid Abbasi September 10, 2010

ISLAMABAD: With the advent of Eid the sale of counterfeit cosmetic items continues unchecked in the twin cities.

Various stalls selling fake cosmetics products like perfumes, lipsticks, face powder and shampoos have been set up in various markets of Rawalpindi-Islamabad including Aabpara market, Karachi company, Super market, Jinnah super, Bara Kahu, commercial market and Saddar.

The low quality cosmetic products are being sold at a tempting price of Rs400-1000. The actual price for branded perfumes likes Dunhill London’s is Rs3800, Gucci Rs3500, Calvin Klein Rs3100, Versace Eau Fraicche Rs3300, Obsession Rs3100, 212-men RS 4400, Hugo Boss Rs3200, Blue Jeans Rs1400, and Davidoff Cool Water Rs2200 respectively.

Imitations of these branded perfumes are available for less than Rs1000 at most stalls.

Salim Khan, a vendor at Bara Kahu who sells the cheap fake products said that he was simply reacting to the people’s demands. “The working class cannot afford these brands, so they buy cheap copies and show off to friends,” he said.

Ansar Sheikh, another vendor at commercial market said that he bought lipsticks, eye liner, mascara, face powder and perfumes from Shah Aalmi Lahore at cheap rates and claimed that these were genuine.

Muhammad Usman who was busy shopping from a fake stall at Aabpara market said that he was a middle class person and could not afford inflated items. “Eid comes only once a year and it does not matter whether its fake or original,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10th, 2010.

COMMENTS (1)

Mehak | 13 years ago | Reply And the spelling are whether, not weather!!!! And Cool Water is not 2200rs, its 3000 plus.
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