Birkenstock goes toe-to-toe against counterfeiters
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2022
- The German shoe company known for its ubiquitous sandals has lasted nearly 250 years. Correspondent Seth Doane talks with Birkenstock CEO Oliver Reichert about how the pandemic affected the popularity of their shoes, with the company racing to fill backorders of nearly a million pairs; how they are fighting manufacturers of fake Birkenstocks; and their partnerships with such luxury designers as Manolo Blahnik and Dior.
#birkenstocks #birkenstocksandals #manoloblahnik #dior
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I like that the gentleman is very firm in his stance on how the product is manufactured and sold. No corners cut and no BS about why. Straight answers too.
He is German so this is typical.
@@marla591 Exactly! He's German. I don't think it's that hard for him to be stern. Now if this was a Swedish company I would be surprised.
Amazon's statement "about fewer than 0.01% of all products sold on Amazon received a counterfeit complaint" is pure corporate PR bullsh*t. The amount of actual (not complained about) counterfeit products on Amazon is astronomical. Amazon is a monster as the CEO says.
When a customer doesn't know what is real how can they report a counterfeit? Plus when Amazon sells 100 million items. (that is how my calculator works). .01% of that is= 1 mil. so thats still a considerable amount. But what they don't tell you is the unreported. Anyone used to sell on the platform from all over. Amazon wasn't quick to look at the products or even AI. Maybe that will change?
Right! You see reviews from customers claiming products sent are counterfeits on practically every other items review page
Ive been trying to see who the sellers are when shopping Ama, even seeing where their address is for certain things. Its not perfect, and i do shop local when i can, but Ama is so damn convenient. Time is valuable too.
Right after the story I went to Amazon looking for birkenstocks. No shortage of them on the site. I would have never known they were counterfeit.
Right?! It's a HUGE issue within the Squishmallow community too. They'll be listed as Squishmallow but when you get it they're actually a knockoff. They copy the details right down to the tag.
It's great to see that Oliver Reichert doesn't let celebs get a cut with freebies. Celebs have plenty of money and don't need more people kissing their rear ends.
And as for buying Birkenstocks from a sidewalk vendor... really, you would be foolish to think you got a bargain.
They definitely do send them to celebrities. He's lying.
Any tips on how to get them to be worn in enough to be comfortable? I've had a pair for about 3 years now, and have only worn them about 5 times as they are still so stiff. Prior to that I'd had multiple pairs of Dr Scholl wooden sole sandals, and they always worn in to a comfortable point by about the third use.
So it’s possible the Rolex I bought on the street in midtown for 20 bucks _might_ be fake?!?!
@@lewstone5430 yes that rolex is definitely fake. But the problem isn't buying fake products for cheap. They are selling counterfeit birks for $150; the same price as the real ones. I'm pretty sure you'd be livid if you spent $10K on a fake Rolex.
@I WANT MY SLAW!! I was being sarcastic, I’ve never bought any kind of Rolex. I agree that counterfeit stuff is a problem.
I love this guy! Very German. Hats off to you.
Absolutely, that is exactly what I wrote in my comment before I started reading the rest.
Amazon is either delusional or lying about those counterfeit percentages. If Amazon disappeared tomorrow, we’d all be better off. Fast fashion is the worst- bring back small business.
Amazon is not lying. People buy counterfeit products from Amazon and throw them in the garbage. Nobody has time to read the fine print, return shoes to Amazon; and check the box that says "counterfeit."
they were very specific in pointing out that it was customer complaint...so "didn't complain, not a counterfeit" I guess...
speak for yourself. as a business owner, I need deliveries from them every day. If had to drive to get it all, it would be a disaster.
the world needs more CEOs like this
My family owned a small clothing and shoe store in a small town. I have to say that Amazon is killing the small business owner. I love their work ethic and wish more brands would do the same. So sad
Of course, because we live in a corporate-fascist nation! Corporate profits over human beings!
Of course corporate profits are more important! They don’t even care about their own employees safety or wages! About 8 years ago a proposal to build a Walmart was up for debate. They wanted to buy landmark plots of land to build one of their super stores! It would have been tremendously detrimental to all the mom and pop shops… stores that have been on our Main Street for years, even decades! We were there for 46 years! My grandfather, who started our first store in 1955, was the first to close in 2004. An outlet center opened just on the fridge of town. I could go on and on about big corporate and small business… but I won’t waste any more time!
@@lisaanderson135 My dad was a State inspector back in the 60's & realized this would happen so when K-Mart tried to build in our small city he failed their inspections for 2 years trying to stave off their encroachment...
I love going to store locally, I only ordered from Amazon maybe like twice. If you need to take something back it’s way easier to just go back to the store. Plus people don’t realize that buying locally helps your own city out.
I’m sorry this happened to your family. But I have been to about 3-4 locally owned stores and the proprietor was very nasty! Rude and unwelcoming, even after spending money there! That just made me really angry, and can’t see the reason for supporting nasty store owners. The only reason one goes to a local store is to experience the ambiance and to see the great products first hand. Sadly for her I was able to buy her products online, and didn’t have to deal with her attitude!
I have a pair of Birkenstocks and I love it . Btw, this CEO rocks with his confidence.
The only shoe I wear! I had custom made orthotics from an orthopedic surgeon, my feet hurt. I wear my Birks, no pain! A customer forever!
Absolutely! People who aren’t on their feet a lot don’t understand.
Are they really thisgreat for feet? I've been "sold" for years but so many people really do have a cult following for these.
What kind did you get?
@@MISNM0 Yes, they’re this great. I have about 25 pairs of Birks! Three different podiatrists I’ve seen approve of them. I have arthritis in my feet and Birks allow my feet and toes plenty of room without pain. The arch support is phenomenal. When a pair wears out, you can return to the company and they will put new bottoms and footbeds on them. It’s like you’re getting your favorite pair shoes, made new.
@@tonidozier4573
I mean, ...... as soon as O can it's time to finally try these things.
Thank you so much for feedback!
I wear Birkenstock and only Birkenstock and have for almost 45 years, since 1978. I keep replacing the foot beds when they wear out. I wear them in the water too. I’d rather get them from a reputable storefront dealer than online.
I buy them directly from Birkenstock. I bought 2 pairs for half the price sold by other sellers
Same. Since '77
Same…👌👍🏻
I like how Seth Doane tries to be jokey about everything and Oliver Reichert just stands firm and shuts it down.
Counterfeiting is killing our entire footwear industry. Thanks for taking the initiative, Birkenstock
Love that the CEO doesn’t sell birkies on Amazon 👌
Beautiful shoes and very good ceo, that knows what he is doing. He knows what sales and how to make it.
I still have my Birks from. 1995. I can't tell you how many times I've had them recorked. I could have bought soooo many new pairs instead, but I just love having my original ones. I also laugh that we're acting like this is the first time they've been popular 🙄😂
Yes, the leather and buckles are perfectly good! And if you catch it before the wear gets into the cork, all you need is a new tread.
I mean 70% of the sandal is the sole and cork so technically you've definitely bought several of them over the years.
Right 😩😂
I said to myself, “Birkenstocks have been a thing.”
I have been frantically looking for the pair I bought in ‘93, but it seems to have been lost in our last move. Those shoes have sentimental value, and I never thought I’d say that about shoes!
“It’s proof of concept.” He is absolutely correct. Love it when they hate the look of the product, win them over in the end.
There needs to be more manufacturing like this in the US.
That is highly unlikely. Germany doesn't even export their best beer becaus of QC. Americans don't have a 10th of the QC Germany has.
@@marla591 oh please.. American craft beer is far more DIVERSE than German beer. I must say weihenstephaner vitus is one of my fav beers. Germany is good but not better than USA as far as beers go
@@gfbmusic bro US beer is closer to water than beer
@@Pilzefresser no way bro. American craft beers are exceptional. Bud n Miller are garbage obviously...like most mainstream beers (corona, Heineken).
@@gfbmusic Craft beers are unsophisticated, over-malted, over-hopped beer candy. No subtlety and guaranteed hangover. There is no comparison between a true German hefe or schwarzbier and the careless slop brewed in the US.
When I gave up my management job nearly three decades ago, I traded my suits and high heels for a couple pairs of Levi jeans and a pair of Birkenstock. And when I graduated and moved to Asia, I wore the Birkenstocks nearly every day except in the rainy season. I replaced the treads at least 2 or 3 times whenever I visited the States. Eventually, I started wearing Keens for the toe protection while riding my Vespa but I recently bought myself the Arizona Birkenstocks. Love 'em.
Good for you!❤
I doubt Amazon buyers realize they're buying counterfeit.
I buy mine from a local shoe store never from Amazon!!
I thought the same thing!
Well... if you are stupid and love FAKE crap and buy the brand only... sure
You are correct!
And then when the expensive counterfeit shoes aren't comfortable or durable, It's the real company that they blame.
“Birkenstocks are equally inappropriate for any occasion.” That’s what a colleague in a fashion design studio told me about 30 years ago. I have had sometimes three pairs at the same time. Retired and poor now, just one pair.
i only buy my birkenstocks straight from the site online and they are my most favorite comfortable shoes ever 💖
I agree. I also trust Nordstrom, but not many other places.
I've never stopped wearing Birkenstocks for 50 years. They were popular when I was in high school but eventually lost their appeal, I guess. Now I see them everywhere. Goes to show you how fashion repeats itself.
Yeah i never stopped wearing bellbottoms (“flares”). I couldn’t stand the skinny jean trend. Now bellbottoms are back in fashion LOL. You know you are getting old when the trends come back around on you again.
Three decades ago, my then boyfriend (now husband) spent the summer in Germany. He brought back 2 pairs of Birkenstocks for me. I loved them! It didn’t take long for the sandals to conform to my foot shape. I remember eagerly waiting to get back home during the work week so I can toss my work shoes aside and sink my feet into my beloved Birkies. Nothing has changed.
I support this CEO 100%. I love my Birkenstock. I pay $150 to $200 for each pair. I'm a happy owner of 21 pair . I have 10 different arizona in different colors. They are so comfy and cozy. I don't think that they look ugly. My feet are in heaven wearing them inside the house and outside.
I love this CEO. he's so down to earth and cuts to the chase!
I bought my first pair in about ‘93 when I was 13 or 14. In 2014, I bought some again and they’re pretty much all I wear now. I can’t believe I went 20 years without them. I like my tie-dye, too.
I bought some in high school. In the 80's, they were mostly only found in health food/hippie stores. They used to have some different styles with different straps. Now, all I see are Arizonas-funny, I don't like those big straps! Oh, and, when the sole wore out a few years later, Birkenstock used to fix them for free or send you a new pair for free as long as you could still read a "birk" on the sole. I have a couple of pairs now that I've had for almost 20 years. Reseal the cork each year and they wear well. I still love them!
they dont fix at any stores.
A fix-it store in Kennesaw GA fixed 2 pair for me.
My totally fell apart after 10 years. Got my monies worth. Now I cant wear they due to my feet tremors.Dystonia is a horrible disease
I bet they stink, Kathy.
There are literally dozens upon dozens of various styles at their online store , check it out!
Real Birkenstocks forever.
I bought my first ones in the 80s.
My fiends in Spain found them so ugly 😅😆 and would shake their head, because I put them on a lot.
Now, many of those ladoes in their sixties (and all of their daughters) wear them too, ... 30plus years later 😄 . Now, they found out that healthy feet are pretty ... and healthy sandles are beautiful, too... Actually me feet, toes, nails look like they were still 30 😁.
Good for them. Protect your brand.
I've had my oldest pair for 10+ years, now I'm about to order another pair because I love them that much!
Yes ! Love mine. If you do a lot of walking a dire necessity.
When I was younger I hiked Italy, Spain, certain areas in Southeast Asia in birkenstocks.. and I cried when they wore through at the toe and/or heel... back in the day you could get them resold but I'm pretty sure the pandemic shut that down.
I (40 year old) was a counselor at a camp for 11th & 12th graders. I had a girl come up to me as I wore my birkies (Milanos because I like the back-strap) and she said, "Oh, look at you trying to be cool wearing those."
I said [in a wry, sarcastic tone], "You shut your mouth. I have been wearing Birkenstocks since 22 years, WAY before they were trendy." She just rolled her eyes and walked in away her obliviousness.
They’ve been “trendy” since I was a child in the 1960’s and everyone in California wore them.
Would love to see a story about its history.
My podiatrist recommended them, because they have an arch, and my feet don't have arches.
I own several pairs now for my flat feet!
Respect! I only ever had one pair that basically was useless, finished in less than a year. That might well have been a fake - bought at a dedicated city centre shop in Frankfurt in 2019. All my other pairs kept me going for more than a decade each.
this is the reason you prefer buying them. they last. i love that about them.
They need to offer their products in both regular and narrow widths, like they always used to.
Please.
Yeah, Birkenstock is also becoming too big and ignoring what was good about the shoes in the first place. It seems like 90% of the new designs are only available in narrow. 🙁
@@LC-le9ew only good thing about the only narrows is that I’ve saved myself some money. But still is upsetting.
Do you mean the more trendy ones like Betula, Birki's and Papillon? The footbed is more shallow, like the company is creating a transitional shoe from fashion-shoes to orthopedic. Way strange... For me, no matter how cute they are if the soles don't say 'Birkenstock' I won't buy them.
They do.
Real Birekenstocks are worth every penny. I love mine. I hope they crush these fakes.
How much?
I need this man’s confidence
My first pair of Birk’s was in 1983 and I went all over Montana as a Summer Missionary wearing Birk’s. Even the Badlands. I have gotten 20 year old Birk’s fixed at shoe stores. That was when I met a couple was expecting a baby and he was going to Paris Island for Basic Training. I officiated their wedding because they had a marriage license. I love my Birkenstocks.
As a Flight Attendant Birkenstocks are my go to layover show (when weather permits). I loved my patent leather Mayari... unfortunately it broke and can't find them in patent leather. I took them to one cobbler who said they couldn't fix it.. 😤 I'm going to go to a different one to try one more time.. I had them for 10 Years!!!
They've really took their brand up a notch in the last 10 years. I remember visiting Aix-en-Provence in France around 2010 and so many very fashionable people wearing Birkenstocks. I was flabbergasted, because at that time, they were absolutely out of fashion, at least in my mind. I knew then that this was just the beginning of a new trend and more people would be wearing them. Birkenstock really didn't fail to maintain their popularity over the last years and I don't see an end to this. Good for them, would love to see more brands going for the quality route.
He reminds me of Oliver Reed ..the actor .. very much ..his look & attitude ...
Good for them. I don’t have a pair, and I don’t want one. But the CEO makes total sense.
Love mine. Just bought 3 pairs - all Arizonas! Two black and a limited edition purple pair! I have tender narrow feet and these are just about all I wear. 💜
Reminds me. Amazon could pay its fair share of taxes.
His quintessentially German demeanor, the matter of factness of his responses, is refreshing.
My niece asked me for the same pair of Birk clogs that I had 30 years ago. Amazing longevity and my clogs still look great.
I love that he doesn’t bend over for celebrities or “influencers” endorsements.
“If they send me money I will send them a shoe” 🙂 Fair enough.
Love this guy’s attitude!
Great CEO. Straight answers, and cares about quality so much. Awesome.
I love this guy, so smart.
I love my Birkenstock’s! ♥️ They are so comfortable. They won me over almost a decade ago. I can be on my feet all day without a problem. 👏🏻👍🏻 👣
I’ve had Birkenstocks since in mid ‘70s. I’ve always loved them!
I wish they would make a Arizona with the original slim straps again
Oh yes, me too. I had two pair, resoled them several times at the Birk store until the leather wire out. The regular Arizonas are just too ugly for me, i miss the thin strap ones...
Excellent story Seth.
Amazing CEO. Straight shooter no "political" correctness. He is a gem!
I worked for a shoe store chain in the 1980s that had the contract to be the exclusive Birkenstock dealer in the United States. They were one of our best sellers no doubt.
after buying my first pair, i was shocked with how uncomfortable birkenstocks are.
thats normal. mine are the same. the mire you wear it the mire it fits. its painful at the beginning. but for the long run its amazing
I have a whole routine. I use a hammer 🔨 🤣
Ugh! Became aware about 15 years ago. After a couple of years I just had to stop. My feet spread out like Freddie Flintstone. It was like wearing slippers everywhere.
Have worn them for years have several pairs and love them all.
I love my Birkenstock shoes. We have several pairs and appreciate the quality, comfort, and good support for our arches.
I have had the sam repair of Birkenstock mules for over 25 years . The need re corking but I still wear them in the fall .
I love Birkenstocks!!!! Have worn them for years.
Plenty of Birkenstocks for sale on Amazon right now. They're all counterfeit??
Yep!
You can't tell. It's online. Why risk it, if the company itself isn't on Amazon?
Impossible to say, since anyone selling birks on Amazon at this point is a rogue seller (not sanctioned by Birkenstock). They could be legit or they could be fake.
Haha wow that CEO is a BEAST! Dang he is one bad a** guy. Good for him for maintaining brand integrity and love his outlook
I have 3 Birks lined with shearling for cold weather (Boston, Buckley and London) and they are so comfy yet supportive that I don't need any "breaking-in"
Birkenstocks carried me through my travels, music festivals, and two pregnancies. I did have to donate the Birks I wore during my pregnancies, because my feet width change during that time. I love my Birks!! Awesome CEO!
The only problem i have with this story is that they didn't mention the Rick Owens collaboration. That shows the power of Birkenstock, & why everybody wants to colab with them.
That guy is amazing. So true about Amazon it used to be such a different marketplace.
When I made shoes Birkenstock was the go to sandal for modifying for foot orthotics. Best support.
I'm 68 yrs old and only wear Arizona Birkinstock sandals.. kept me from having foot surgery
I've worn nothing but Birkenstock for over 30 years and I still have my first pair!
Love my Arizonas. When I first saw them paired with socks on a senior citizen in the mid-80s, I thought they were hideous. Now I happily wear them whenever I can, though rarely with socks lol.
He look a real and good one CEO.
I love this guy. I love these shoes, I’m just not financially able to afford them.
For every 3 pairs of shoes you may buy a year, 1 pair of Birks will last you over 20 years if you replace the corks. One pair of the right Birk, with the right fit for your feet, is truly the only shoes you will ever need. Yes, One. Pair.
@@marla591 silence brand
My daughter had a nervous breakdown over a pair of Birkenstocks at the Nordstrom rack.
I bought them for her.
Lol how much?
I like this guy! Celebrities- ‘I don’t send them shoes, they can send me money’, I will send shoes!!! Good going… I wore my Birkenstock the other day and walked 10 miles! Very minimal pain and good arch support! Keep up the excellent work!
I love my Birkies and I love CBS Sunday Morning!
I have loved Birkenstocks since the late 1970s
I just recently bought my first pair and my feet are in love I’ll never look back. If I was capable of making such good quality I would be just as fiercely guarded over my creation
I loved these in the '90s when I first discovered them but I had NO IDEA how awesome the experience of wearing the 'flip-flop' version of Birks- Madrid- would be. I have actually taken my house slippers off at the end of the day and put the Birkenstocks back on! 😳I just bought three more pairs to maintain my addiction!🤣
I have specific 'house birks' because there are no slippers that can compare!
My Mother really liked her Birks and had remade after wore out. She finally got smart and chose "healthier" fitting shoes for her shape of feet. I cant wear them as the heel slips off to inside.
I have never heard of this shoe until just now and I have a mighty Need.
Birkenstocks have saved my back
I love my Birks way b4 they were fashionable. I love their look and comfort. Not medicine for me but part of my lifestyle!
Bought our stock direct from Margo in San Rafael, CA and drove back to our little Birkenstock focused store in N. Oakland. (Walkabout) Good memories fitting and selling gobs of them to happy customers.
For years I hated Birkenstocks, now I wear them almost exclusively even in the rain.
Love them or hate them they are great footwear.
Love his music choice😍
These are great for my plantar fasciitis
This Birkenstock CEO is boss man. Love this interview. I just checked Amazon, third parties sell Birkenstock, but Birkenstock does not sell directly to Amazon.
My Birkenstock sandles were made in the Philippines. I seen the guy making them in Tagum City. There basically indestructible - made with recycled tire tread.
I have always wanted a pair…. Hopefully someday.
i like him. if they send me money - i will give them shoes. 😂
Wearing them since 1977 bought my first pair in Germany. Always buy them in person at a specialty foot store and never online for that perfect fit.
They're very comfortable, the arch support is why I buy them
I think I really like this man and his philosophies‼️‼️‼️👍🏻..( just wish I could afford them🥺)
I started wearing Birkenstocks 30+ years ago and was ridiculed by the kids at school until the most popular guy started wearing them and suddenly they were cool. I’ve had many pairs over the decades, they’re classic.
I love this video !
That is a badass CEO
I literally just looked on Amazon for Birkenstocks and I saw an about 150 pairs all under $100
Always saw this type of sandal but never knew the name until now. And Crocs is the poster child for counterfiet sandals.