I would like to share with you some thoughts about one encounter I had recently with one painter in Greece. While we were talking about usual stuff in his paint mixing room, I spotted a new box of Devilbiss GTI Pro Lite Spray gun. I am selling this well-known brand for more than 15 years, and I am always happy to see painters using this excellent piece of engineering. “Good choice”, I said. “Yes, and very cheap too, only 130£ on Ebay”, he replied. “That is unusually cheap, indeed”, I thought, while taking the box in my hands. I asked if I could open it, and took the gun in my hands. From that very moment I realized that it’s not a genuine spray gun, it just didn’t sit well in my hand. “It is Devilbiss from China”, the painter replied seeing my obvious confusion and with a slight sign of guilt in his eyes.

I don’t want to bore you with the entire discussion I had with this painter. He knew it was fake, but, for some reason, just because it had the brand on it, he thought he got a good deal. The truth is, he was ripped off. The painter paid 130£ for a below average Chinese gun, which normally should be around 25£ max. Yes, it still sprays the paint, but it isn’t even close to a genuine Devilbiss product.

To be honest, I hate fake things. Whether it is feelings, news, a gadget or a watch. Well, for me, especially watches, since I love these small pieces of mechanical engineering in our digital world. If you want to buy a Swiss watch regardless of a price tag, you probably value the craftsmanship and work and time spent on making it. Nobody needs to buy a watch now just to see what time is it. You exchange your hard-earned money on something of a profound value for you; on something, which reminds you about your own achievements and hard work. If you buy a fake Rolex, for example, you deceive mainly yourself, not others.

It is not in my intention to make in-depth comparison between the real thing and the fake. There are too many points. I think Devilbiss managers should do it instead. In fact, I don’t understand why Ebay UK allows to sell fake products undisturbed? However, I strongly believe that sprayers should respect their work and be tidy with everything they use in their job. In the end of the day, the one who is fooled around is your pride and self-esteem.