www.52jordan.com ::
:: in the spirit of World Consumer Rights Day (March 15), I’ve been compelled to voice my consumer opinion on something that really pisses me off. And it’s not the typical case of foreign companies ripping off or insulting Chinese netizens, etc. This time, it’s the other way around. Here goes…
56minus1 is constantly spammed by this Web site: www.52jordan.com (52 in Chinese net-speak means “I love.” It’s a phonetic play on the Chinese phrase “I love,” which in Mandarin has a similar pronunciation as the numbers “5″ and “2.”)
Being the sucker (and Jordan fan) that I am, I recently gave in and clicked on one of the site’s links. I suggest you try it too, then come back.
OK, now that you are back, I’m sure you found the same dodgy site that I did: one that presents itself, atrociously, as a legit reseller of Nike Air Jordan, Air Force 1, and Air-Max series sneakers for only USD 85 or less (shipping included). Preposterous indeed, but, that’s what they say they are (sorta). From the site’s About Us section:
“We are a professional & reliable supplier of series of innovative, authentic & inexpensive Nike shoes with original box and retro card from China, such as Air-Jordan（1-23), Air-Max, Air-Force 1, etc.”
The site is riddled with suspect content. Google search any line of text from the articles presented in the News section to see that they have all been copied-and-pasted from random, unrelated third-party sites without any sort of citation. Tsk, tsk, tsk. Oddly, the site is also mirrored (in full) at www.kissaj.com, www.gogoaj.com, and www.jordansport2.com.
I often see this kind of stuff on the Chinese Internet (in Chinese language) and think nothing of it because it targets Chinese consumers who are familiar with such scams and either know better or simply don’t mind not getting the real thing, etc. (However, I still don’t think any Chinese consumer would pay RMB 600 for knock-offs). But, I worry that those outside of China may not know better. Maybe they would. Sigh…
I wanted to learn more about this operation, so I added the Web site’s posted MSN instant messaging contact information () to my MSN account. This, and an email address, was the only contact information made available. Below is a slightly edited and translated transcript of the IM conversation I had with the “customer service” staff at www.52jordan.com. Interesting and bizarre. You draw your own conclusions, but, in doing so, please share in this post’s comment sections. The full Chinese (and Italian!) transcript of the original conversation can be found here.
56minus1: Hello? Anyone here?
52jordan.com: Yes, what can I help you with?
56minus1: Hi, I saw your 52jordan.com site, not bad! The problem is, my English is not so good so I can’t understand. Do you have a Chinese version?
52jordan.com: No. We only sell to foreigners / foreign markets. Sorry.
56minus1: I’m a foreigner, it’s just that my English sucks.
52jordan.com: Where are you from?
56minus1: Italy.
52jordan.com: What’s your phone number, I’ll give you a call. We have staff here that can speak Italian.
56minus1: I can’t talk on the phone now because I am at work and my boss will hear me. Hahahaha. I collect Jordan sneakers, but they are very hard to find!
52jordan.com: That’s OK, we’ll call you back after you get off work.
56minus1: I just want to learn more about how to buy the shoes because I can’t read the Web site on my own. They are so cheap, such a good price! How can they be so cheap? Are they fake? Are they “shanzhai’d” versions?
52jordan.com: Haha. Send me your postal address in Italy and then I will tell you how to purchase from the site.
56minus1: My postal address? I just want to know if they are real Jordans or not.
52jordan.com: Sorry, I must first confirm your postal address in Italy before answering your question.
56minus1: Okay, Fine. My address in Italy is . [56minus1 editorial note: this is the address of AC Milan's stadium.]
52jordan.com: I am sorry, my Chinese is bad, can you tell me what “shanzhai’d” means?
56minus1: It just means fake, as in not authentic. They are so cheap on the Web site, so I’m curious to know if they are legit Nikes or what? I don’t get it.
52jordan.com: I’m sorry, let me have my colleague talk to you in Italian. My Chinese is not so good.
56minus1: Okay. But I think your Chinese is good enough to answer my simple question. Before switching over to your colleague, can you first answer me? I don’t care if they or fake or not, I will still buy them, I just want to know what I am actually buying.
52jordan.com: Ho potuto fare nulla per voi. Scarpe sono vere. È acquistare scarpe. (Italian, clearly via Google Translate, meaning: What can I do for you? The shoes are real. Do you want to buy?)
56minus1: Scarpe sono vere? (Italian, also via Google Translate, meaning: The shoes are real?) Really?
52jordan.com: Dove sei persone? (English: Where are you?)
56minus1: Milano, Italy. It seems your Italian is not so good either. How about we just use Chinese?
52jordan.com: Look, if you want to know about the shoes, just buy a pair and you’ll know, no? I think answering your question directly is pointless. What’s most important is that you first buy a pair and judge for yourself.
56minus1: Hmmm :-( If they are fake, I think the price should be cheaper. If they are real, it’s a great price and I may buy multiple pairs. So are they real or are they fake?
52jordan.com: They are real. Will you please give me your phone number so I can call you. We are very professional and will provide you the best service. I’m sorry, but we are closing up shop now. Please send me your phone number. We have 24 hours service.
56minus1: What? 24 hours service? How can you have 24 hours service and tell me you are “closing up shop?” Are the shoes really real?
52jordan.com: Sorry, we are all getting off work now. We’ll call you later if you give us your number. Don’t worry, we will take care of your service needs. Or, if you have more questions, we can chat again tomorrow.
56minus1: ?
52jordan.com: contact status changed to offline
// AjS
March 31st, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Wow! That was almost painful to read, it triggered the all-too-familiar sense of going round and round and being unable to get an answer out of someone. Sounds like quite the operation.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Please keep in mind, that even if you do buy legit in China, you will generally not get the same product as in the US.
March 31st, 2009 at 3:57 pm
@ Fred, thanks for your response. Glad I could bring back fond memories for you. :-)
@ niels, really? Could you please elaborate a bit on that? I recently bought a pair of legit retro NIKE Cortez in Shanghai and I can’t imagine these are not what I would get in the US.
// AjS
March 31st, 2009 at 4:21 pm
Adam,
I think 51Jordan.com might also be affiliated.
As you probably know, but readers may not, the 51 in Chinese phonetically resembles “I want”.
It came up in my google search while twiddling the bits on the details of this post.
The one line: “52jordan.com: I am sorry, my Chinese is bad, can you tell me what “shanzhai’d” means?”
Where they state that their “chinese is bad” is especially scary.
Foreigners duping foreigners?
Scary.
-w
March 31st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
@ Will, thanks for your response. Yes, it does appear 51jordan.com is likely affiliated. It’s equally and similarly atrocious in its presentation. Thanks for the link.
// AjS
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Immensely entertaining. The Italian-via-Google-Translate-on-both-sides exchange was priceless.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:08 am
@ John, glad you enjoyed. It makes sense that you would. Just don’t buy a pair, unless of course you are comfortable with overpriced fakes.
// AjS
December 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
So did you end up buying from them? I don’t mind buying fakes for 23$, I just want the item.