Vibram took the opportunity of the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, Utah, to discuss its ongoing efforts to fight counterfeiters who sell fake FiveFingers toed running shoes. The fake shoes are usually sold online or through vendors such as eBay. A Google search for cheap FiveFingers can bring up more than 200 websites selling knock-offs. Vibram tries to shut down illegal sites, but it costs the company $3,000 to force one off-line, and the repeat offender can then start a new site with a similar address for only $10. The company has shut down about 130 sites to date. The counterfeit shoes are often lacking in quality, and the companies that sell them provide poor customer service and might even misuse the financial information provided by the customers. Vibram’s website includes a list of authorized retailers, and its Facebook page explains how customers can tell if they’re getting a good deal or not.
