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Over $1 Million Worth Of Counterfeit Guitars Seized In NJ
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Apr 30, 2014
Modified Apr 30, 2014
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U.S. Customs and Border Patrol
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Apr 30, 2014
Modified Apr 30, 2014
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Over $1 million worth of counterfeit guitars have been intercepted at a New Jersey mail facility, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Now might be a good time to take a close look at the standard acoustic you purchased off PayLess4RealGuitar.com, because no, that should not be spelled "Gib's Son"
Officials say five counterfeit guitars were recently discovered by U.S. Customs agents at the International and Bulk Mail Center in Jersey City. These guitars bore the trademarks of fancypants guitars from the likes of Gibson, Les Paul, Paul Reed Smith, and Martin, but were far more shoddily constructed and packaged than the real thing. And upon further investigation, authorities reportedly discovered at least 180 counterfeit guitars, with faux-Epiphone, Fender, Taylor, and Ernie Ball trademarks in addition to the aforementioned ones.
According to officials, these guitars amassed an estimated retail value of over $1,000,000. Authorities say they were all purchased from the same unnamed website, and were manufactured in China, with a retail value of $200 to $500 each. Real guitars of that caliber, however, can run anywhere from $2,000 to $54,000.
The fake guitars are reportedly scheduled for destruction, so hide those Louis Vuitton bags you bought on Canal Street while you still can.
Tagged
counterfeit
guitars
new jersey
us customs and border patrol
original
Rebecca Fishbein
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