Hi all,

So I found out last night my father of 74, is [causing problems] people by selling them fake brand named guitars, that he buys brand new from China.

I live with him, so I noticed he started buying guitars sometime back, then would sell them on, nothing seemed to out of the ordinary, but then I realised he's buying guitars from a Chinese ebay style site, with the Gibson or Fender branding for about £150-£200, plays with them for a while, then lists them on Gumtree/friday ad as "original" (non fake), with the description of the guitar copied/pasted from the Gibson or Fender website, one such listing he is going to make soon says "This guitar cost just over £2000 new. Any sensible offer with be considered."

When he told me what he planned to do, I said I didn't agree with it and how wrong it is, but he just turns his back on me and carries on.

I have no love for my father, for reasons just like this, so I'm wondering, what's the best course of action?

*(S c a m is a bad word here?)

[...] so I'm wondering, what's the best course of action?

 

*(S c a m is a bad word here?)

A couple of options for you: Distance yourself from him as best you can. Moving to another property may be one way.

You could also (try) to raise the matter with Trading Standards or send Gibson/Fender a link to the adverts pointing out that they are fake items. However, this may sour relations even further and result in you having to move.

I'm just surprised there's no obvious options available, I did see the trading standards website, but would they even take action?

Moving out isn't an option sadly, as we co own this house together (long story there)

I did send the advert link to Gibson tonight, so we'll see if it gets removed.

Hi Deimos

It would be difficult for anyone to really advise as at the end of the day the decision on what you decide to do is entirely yours.

Mr.P in post#2 has given you advice.

Also you need to be aware of these links: (maybe try showing him even just one)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/26/contents

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/intellectual-property-crime-and-infringement

http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/crime-threats/intellectual-property-crime

http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/h_to_k/intellectual_property_crime/

Stating that a guitar is original and cost £2,000 new when your father knows that isn't true would be fraud. It would also be counterfeiting.

If your father gets caught he could be prosecuted and convicted. I suppose this would mean a fine and could even mean a jail sentence if he continues over a long period of time. He would also be required to pay all of the money back, and would risk bailiffs taking his property if he cannot afford to do that.

If someone reports him, it wouldn't be difficult wouldn't be difficult for the police to trace him and all historic sales through his ebay account.

Its a difficult one. I personally would point this out the risks to him. I'm not sure I'd report him to the police. You could report him to the police or trading standards, but ultimately he has to take responsibility for his own actions.

Thanks all for the advice

I agree it's a difficult one, but I'm pretty sure he's done it more than a few times now, whether he got the asking price he posted, I don't know

But as I live with him, it just makes it all the more difficult, because if I report him, he will no doubt find out and he has a vengeful/childish streak in him.

I don't see what's difficult about this.

1. Call the police
   
2. Find somewhere else to live.
   

Thread moved to a more appropriate forum.Please continue to post here to your thread.

Regards

Andy