We Went To The Fake Sneaker Capital Of China (HBO)

After the sun sets in Putian, thousands of bikes carrying fake sneakers hit the streets.

The lace-up black market is no secret in Putian, and it's where you can find Chan, a vendor with a knack for getting high-quality pairs off the streets and into the hands of hypebeasts on the other side of the globe.

With rubber, he struck gold.

"I've spoken to some of our customers some of them are high school students some are college students university students. So yeah these are our main crowd you generally," Chan told VICE News. "It's usually the kids themselves were very resourceful. They understand about replicas they understand that these are high-quality sneakers and they come finding you saying, hey I'd like to buy some high-quality replicas from you."

And while vendors are subject to police raids and potential lawsuits, Chan has been able to stay afloat. These days, the only thing slowing his business down is nitpicky sneakerheads.

"Unfortunately, it's just the hard and fast rules of doing business. You meet difficult customers. You'll meet cheaters, you meet scammers who will be out there to cheat you off a pair of shoes," Chan said. "So, unfortunately, this kind of thing happens, especially when you're on a public domain like the Internet."

VICE News met up with Chan at his headquarters to see how his business is racing ahead.

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[ghiivjejfjfmfjdjdjfkdkdydhejck]

If Nike makes a shoe for $2 and sells you it for $300, and this guy makes a shoe for $2 and sells it to you for $60, who's really ripping who off?

[CHAZEB]

Plot twist: That was not Chan doing the interview, it was his replica

[alexistutillo]

This guy is Asian, with American fashion, and a British accent, that’s crazy.

[pranata]

This chan guy, is very well educated, very fluent in english, well mannered, and care for his customers (more than the original brand)
which is makes me laugh and admire him in certain way

[aditidas]

"Footwear is supposed to be functional". I would buy anything that this guy sells. Such clarity in today's world is rare and valued like never before.

[elcocorapido]

Im so used to masks rn that I didn't even realize he was wearing one to hide his identity

[JoseAllanYT]

Original shoes
ur friend: Nice Shoes

Fake shoes
ur friend: Nice Shoes

[kcarl]

What I love about replicas is that I can actually wear them and appreciate them and not care so much if they get a little crease or dirt because I know I didn't pay 5k resale.

[fatisummer]

someone said" brands are made by smart people to scam rich people but poor people fell for the trap""

[BounceHeaven]

They aren’t fakes, they are perfect replicas which expose the pathetic hype beasts and overpriced companies - I love how people act like they can tell the difference, you can’t. Don’t stunt.

[broniumbronze]

This guy is a time traveller no cap
He be wearing a mask before the coronavirus

[dripshameless]

... this dude dropped med school to essentially make in a month what some doctors make in a year. Our world values money much more than legitimacy. Chan clearly realizes that and doesn't judge others on what they do. Can't help but respect him.

[xo_dre]

I think this dude cares more about his fakes and his customers than the pompous makers of the originals

[bottomtext]

If that reporter suddenly gets some new Off-White Converse's then we know where he got em 😂

[TatsumiOga]

This guy gives off refunds and exchanges rejected shoes? Damn, this seems like a legit business lol

[mycommintmycomment]

Selling sneaker for 1200 dollar should be criminal

[stephen]

After the interview, the interviewer and his team buy a pair of 10 shoes each...

[davidgillstone]

He seems like a genuinely nice guy. I would buy his shoes.

[lol-]

Imagine buying fakes and complaining about the quality.

[austincastleman]

Dude is genuinely a business man at the end of the day. I would rather buy a fake pair of shoes that are made in the same place, by the same manufactures, with the same materials and have few stitches be off, then to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a shoe i'd be too scared to even wear to MacDonald's.