The ability for the Chinese to copy stuff is truly impressive. Everyone knows about the fake Rolex watches and the fake Gucci and LV handbags, but here are a couple of more interesting examples I have come across recently.
I’ve just ordered a pair of Wii controllers from Taobao. They cost a fortune in the UK and even here the genuine ones cost around 200 rmb, but I picked up an identical copy plus the Wii Nunchuck for about 140 rmb. I’ve tried them. They look identical but more importantly, they work perfectly!
Separated at birth!
Most people will be familiar with the ubiquitous WD40. It has hundreds of uses and probably every household in the UK will have a can lying around somewhere. It prevents rust (by displacing moisture, the WD stands for “Water Displacement”), eliminates squeaks on doors, loosens bolts that are screwed on too tight etc etc. So I was amused to spot a Chinese version, AD50 at a friend’s apartment the other day. I am not sure what the AD stands for but the 50 clearly gives the user the perception that it’s a significant improvement on “40″.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:21 am
My wife works for WD40 in the Shanghai office. We went to the HQ in San Diego, and they have probably a hundred different cans of counterfeit/fake WD40 cans on display. Many from China, some from Eastern Europe, others from wherever. AD50 was one. Then there was WD50, MD40, WM50… various other combinations.
Our landlord also had a can of fake WD40, so my wife traded her a can of Real WD40 for it to add to their new collection in the Shanghai office. I’ll see if I can get a pic of the collection.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Eric – Wow that’s quite funny. I suppose when you are the world leader it’s inevitable there will be imitators. I’d be interested to know how the performance of AD50 compares to the real thing. It’s been a while since I bought WD40 but I don’t remember it being that expensive, certainly not to the extent I would be looking for cheaper alternatives, unlike the overpriced Nintendo OEM stuff.
June 16th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Glad to hear the controllers work
June 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Yes I’ll be bringing them over next week.
June 16th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
the AD 50 works beautifully. just for the record.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I also noticed they changed the order of the features (“Stops Squeaks” etc.) just a little bit, to make it look as if they thought them up themselves!
June 16th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Does AD stand for ‘Asian Devisousnes’?
June 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Balticninja – Excellent I might need to borrow some as the door to our meeting room at work is very squeaky and annoying.
CP – Ah yes, that fooled a lot of people the old order changing tactic. Very cunning.
June 16th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
hey, could u send me an email with she’s electric contact info, email and cell?
thx
June 17th, 2009 at 3:24 am
I am impressed the AD-50 has English description on it too! This is a funny read!
June 17th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Shopgirl – She left Shanghai already.
June 17th, 2009 at 11:44 am
she is coming to sh this weekend. going to have lunch with her
June 17th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Stalkgirl Shanghai
June 17th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
How likely is the lunch if you don’t have contact information?
June 17th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
T – I actually sent the email address to Shopgirl but I guess she can always just post a comment on She’s Electric’s blog. BTW I was at Cantina Agave last night but you weren’t there so I assume you were next door at Tsui Wah.
June 17th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
WoAi – Actually I had ordered from my new favorite Mexican restaurant. (No I still love Agave – as kelley is a great great person as is Raffe – but El Mexicano is more . ..Mexican, as opposed to Agave’s Cali-Mexican food – I love both)
June 17th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
T – I will have to give El Mexicano a try. I was always under the impression Agave was “authentic”.
June 17th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
It is authentic. Authentic Cali/Tex/Mex.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
What’s tsui wah like? full of msg like in the one in hk? i can’t believe some of their dishes costs more here than in hk.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
KL – I don’t really notice the MSG levels but I like it and to be honest I don’t have any problem with their pricing. A lot of things are more expensive here than HK, including the South China Morning Post. So what?
June 20th, 2009 at 12:02 am
nothing wrong at all of course. just that for me, tsui wah in hk has always been a cheap and cheerful place. prices in shanghai are higher yet quality isn’t better. not value for money for what it is me thinks. then again, i don’t think they trying to be a cheap and cheerful place in shanghai.
if you interested in good cantonese food, try the place round the corner from tsui wah on xinle lu, next to constellation and boona cafe. or even better, there’s a superb tiny rest on taikang lu, between the wet market and melting pot. they have claypot rice (rmb18!!) as well as other authentic dishes. run by guangdong people, i cant say enough how good and cheap that place is. again, forgot the name. be interesting to hear what you think!
June 21st, 2009 at 11:14 pm
kl – I think part of the reason for the higher cost is that some of their costs will be higher here both for materials and also for the Hong Kong chefs they have to relocate here. I don’t think they are deliberately aiming for a more premium positioning in Shanghai. If I appear defensive it’s because I have not found anywhere that compares in Shanghai for the same or less money.
I’ll definitely try out your recommendations when I have time so thanks for that.
June 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 am
Yup, Taobao is the best place to find everything! You could probably even find a better copy of yourself if you look hard enough ;-D
July 15th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
You have done great job to expose such secret of Chinese. You are very close to my thinking.
July 25th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Subject: WD-40
Dear Sir,
We are pleased to inform you that we are interested in purchasing WD-40
in a huge quantity from you Company.
You are requested to quote us the price C&F Singapore.
An early response in solicited.
Thanking you,
Yours truly
S.Rubbani