In the historic jewellery business of John Brierton in the heart of Dublin, you can buy a fine Raymond well Don Giovanni Ghent watch for 2,995 euros
Online, in fashion163.
Com, a watch that matches its exact specifications will be shipped to your home for only $289.
It's called a "high quality replica" and at this price it's not cheap for people knocking on the door
But millions of people around the world are supporting the booming luxury industry.
Author Tim Phillips said in "rip-off: a deadly trade in counterfeit goods" that global trade in counterfeit goods has soared from $5.
$ 512bn in 1984 to $ 512bn in 2005, even so amazing total--
Above Sweden's gross domestic product--
It has been rising steadily since then.
"This is a terrible mess that has allowed growth in the last 10 years," Phillips wrote . ".
"If you were a counterfeiter at the end of 1990 and want to expand your business quickly, there is no way you would want a better environment.
"Now, in the worst global economic crisis since 1930, counterfeit goods are everywhere ---
Food, drinks, music, cosmetics, clothes, shoes, especially top food
We want to buy high-end goods that we can't afford.
Despite the recession, our desire for designer brands has not diminished, and if we can't have the real thing, many would rather pretend it than give it up.
Sell "Quilting lock full body bag" for £ 15 on discount clothing website asos ".
This shows the bag of "Lauren Conrad Style" and even shows photos of Hollywood stars carrying real deals ---
A Chanel change 2.
55 packs, $1,795.
Chanel, a company known for its fierce defense of its brand, warned that it "continuously monitors the Internet and auction sites and takes action where appropriate, including bringing civil lawsuits and
It is not the only company ready to fight for its identity.
EBay, the most famous online auction site, has been successfully sued by Louis Vuitton and Hermes in France and Rolex in Germany for selling counterfeit goods.
However, the other ruling in favor of eBay, against the British cosmetics giant L'Oreal and the American luxury jeweler Tiffany, Judge Richard Sullivan, finally ruled, it is the responsibility of the brand to notify eBay of any fakes that appear on the website.
Tim Phillips responded to his judgment.
"They complain about the profit being hit, but they have enough time to fix it and they just fall asleep while driving," he said . ".
However, despite the fierce legal debate, trade is still booming and is affecting Ireland's business.
Shane Barron, which sells perfumes, cosmetics, skincare products and cosmetics at competitive prices.
Products delivered free of charge through his websiteperfumeireland.
The trade in counterfeit goods is hurting his sales, he said.
He said: "These sites are a big obstacle for me because a lot of people will compare my price to their price, but they don't always compare like to like
"Since I was unable to compete on the price, I had to stop selling Gillette razor blades because of the amazing number of fake Gillette blades there.
"Last year, I opened a store on eBay selling perfumes and skincare products, but I found it very difficult to make money with perfumes because there are too many fake products to sell.
Miss Chanel Coco, for example, is by far the best seller of 2008 Christmas.
On eBay, people sell it for 40 euros-€60.
As I paid more for it wholesale, I couldn't compete with it.
"Don't get me wrong ---
There are a lot of real sellers on EBay, but, like all sellers, there are a few that ruin it.
"As far as consumers are concerned, it's one thing to knowingly buy cheap look alikes, but what about those who think they got a real bargain? "One of my customers bought what he thought was a Cartier watch on eBay for 1,250 euros," the fourth-generation jeweler in Paul's family business.
"I doubt the price I offered him, but he thinks he saved 500 euros.
My suspicions were confirmed when I saw it. It was a fake.
"As the recession deepens, we are all looking for bargains, but if we are not careful, we can get more than we expect," said Paul.
Like the one who wants to buy a real sparkling one for his girlfriend, the gem was found on vacation in the US.
"He bought a diamond ring there for 5,000 euros and was sure it was worth 15,000 euros.
When I checked it, I found that the small word on the guarantee said "grading after clarity enhancement ".
The salesperson covered up the little thing so my friend didn't get good news.
"'Clarity enhancement is what happens when a diamond with poor quality and a lot of marks is filled with glass to improve its appearance.
Once any cleaning work is needed, the Stone goes back to its original bad state ---
Its real value is only its value before any enhancement.
In this case, it seems to me that the value of this ring is only a small part of what is paid to it.
There is no real market for clarity
Fortified diamonds in Ireland.
Most people here want authentic stones.
"In the end, buyers should be careful.
It may be true if it looks too good.
But it's also about disclosure.
People need to know what they are buying and when it comes to buying online, the authorities here should know what is being shipped.
"One of the biggest problems for Irish businesses is that people can buy jewelry over the Internet or on holidays without having to declare it, so they don't have to pay VAT.
If the goods are not found by the customs, it is 21.
5 PCs are not paid.
We need more control.
"When our company ships things from abroad, FedEx scans it to see if its content corresponds to the accompanying listing document.
"If the standard postal service here does something similar, it could be an effective way," added Paul . ".
Just as Brian Lenihan doesn't have enough concerns about thousands of shoppers traveling to Northern Ireland, online shopping represents another significant loss of the Treasury's value-added tax.
While demand for designer clothing and accessories continues to grow on the Internet, the Irish federation of fashion and footwear--
Trade organization of Chinese fashion retailers-
In the process of closing.
Jim Whelan, chief executive, said: "Now we have no way.
We can't continue.
"The recession has had a huge impact on the fashion industry, and while I wouldn't say it's all because of online sales activity, it's definitely going to have an impact on the situation.
Retail fashion trade fell 15--
All of our members have 20 PCs and it will be a serious difficulty if you rent a house.
"It's actually not easy to buy clothing or footwear on the Internet.
You may think it's your size, but it may not be.
How do you know that you are not buying fake stuff, but more and more people will try something in a retail store, get the size and model details, and then go home and buy it online.
"The business on the Internet will expand, although there is always room for shopping on the high street.
Unfortunately, most of our members are no longer committed to staying with us.
"This means that fashion and footwear retailers in Ireland will no longer have the voice to represent them at home or in Europe.
They don't know how vulnerable they are.