If you've ever visited New York City, you probably took a trip down to Chinatown. In the old days, tourists went to Chinatown for the food and cultural experience. These days, they're more likely to go there for knock-off watch and handbag bargains.

Just take a stroll down Canal Street, and you'll see booth after booth of amazingly inexpensive time pieces. Knock-off watches are everywhere you look -- You can find an authentic fake Rolex for $10 that looks like it's made from three pounds of gold. Phony Breitlings - Cartiers -- And Movados are in abundance. But these are just the cheap copies.

If you want to see the true, illegal  knock-offs -- Then you must be invited into secret showrooms. 

We're not kidding -- A Chinese peddler will guide you into an attic, or basement, or back room where illegal copies are sold. We've been led into broom closets, with hidden back doors that open into cramped showrooms lined with name brand copies. In one case, we were led into a parked van with a showroom inside!

Please keep in mind that these items violate copyright laws and the sellers are risking confiscation and arrest by offering them. We're not sure what the penalty is for buying them, but we'd imagine they could be taken away from you by the police at the very least. It's so common, however, that the police HAVE to know it's going on.

-- Gary