In the 20 years I've now been in manufacturing as a Tool & Die Maker I've learned that just because something LOOKS like something else, doesn't mean it is! Many people don't realize that metal and plastic come in a huge variety of different compounds used to make them. A knock-off part can be made to look basically identical to the genuine article, and for a Hell of alot cheaper, but sadly too often the knock-off item won't last due to the cheaper or even inferior materials used to make them. I personally know people who will buy cheaper stuff "because it's such a great deal" and MAYBE get lucky and get a good one, but so often the item breaks or wears out very quickly.
I personally think it's sad how very few people even care if what they buy supports their own country or not, but even though I personally try as hard as I can to buy only 'Made in America' products that's a whole different issue. The key to getting people to buy the knock-off products is taking advantage of the consumerism already in place, many people see an item that LOOKS like a genuine one they've seen or heard about and purchase the knock-off based on that. In some cases a knock-off item may actually work fine, the issue then becomes consistency in manufacturing practices when someone else goes to buy that product - will it be one of the good ones or one of the bad ones?
As was said above, I would use great caution in what knock-off products you use, is the money you save initially really saving you anything if the item fails? What if that item failing causes something else to be damaged or is a safety hazard? I will admit I have intentionally purchased some knock-off products when I knew I would probably never use the item again. For example, recently I needed a huge socket to tighten a nut on something I would most likely never need again and I bought the $12 China socket instead of the $60 lifetime guarenteed socket - If I would have needed to use that socket on an even occasional basis I would have bought the good one without hesitation. My brother recently bought an electric drill from HF and it died the 1st time he used it, another guy thought he was getting such a great deal on some hammer drills at HF that he bought 3 more of them for use in building his new house - 3 more of them because the 1st one died in a very short time and for the price he could actually buy all 4 of them and just throw them away if they died - short term gain, long term loss, just keep filling the landfills with junk.
Be selective / careful with your purchases guys and gals, make sure what your getting is really the deal you think it is.
