Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Rings

[JewelFreak]

NEW YORK -- A Tiffany & Co. subsidiary is suing Costco, claiming the wholesale club operator has been selling engagement rings wrongly labeled "Tiffany" rings.

The high-end jeweler filed lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New York on Thursday.

Tiffany and Company alleges trademark infringement, counterfeiting, unfair competition, injury to business reputation, false advertising and deceptive business practices. The company says the rings are not in fact Tiffany rings, nor are they in any way properly associated with Tiffany.

The retailer said that a customer alerted Tiffany in November to the sale of what was promoted on in-store signs as "Tiffany" diamond engagement rings at a Costco store in Huntington Beach, Calif.

Tiffany immediately launched an investigation and said that it learned that Costco has been selling different types of rings for many years identified as "Tiffany" rings, without the company's knowledge. The jewelry retailer said that Costco led its customers to believe they were buying authentic Tiffany products at significant discounts.

"We now know that there are at least hundreds if not thousands of Costco members who think they bought a Tiffany engagement ring at Costco, which they didn't," Jeffrey Mitchell, Tiffany's counsel in the case, said in a statement. "Costco knew what it was doing when it used the Tiffany trademark to sell rings that had nothing to do with Tiffany. This is not the kind of behavior people expect from a company like Costco, and this case will shed a much needed light on this outrageous behavior."

A representative for Costco Wholesale Corp. in Issaquah, Wash., could not be reached immediately for comment. Costco is the world's largest wholesale club operator with more than 600 sites worldwide.

Shares of Costco rose 39 cents to close at $102.02. Tiffany & Co. rose 25 cents to close at $63.70.

 

[VapidLapid]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Yet even at Costco they were still overpriced for what they are.

 

[iLander]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I don't understand this, I've been purchasing at Costco for over 12 years, and have skimmed their jewelry collection pretty regularly. I check the online about once a week, and the warehouse about twice a month. Where were these Tiffany rings? I never saw them.

Maybe they used the word "tiffany style setting"? Is that what they are talking about? I've never seen that in any online listings, but maybe back a few years they used that phrase?

I don't get it?

I know they occasionally sell Cartier watches, but those are from a diverter. In retail land, a diverter works in a murky area, they buy overstock from the company, say Cartier, and Cartier turns a blind eye to where their discontinued merchandise is going. Sometimes a manufacturer will kick up a fuss, if someone on the board of directors points it out, or a salon owner screams (Paul Mitchell does this all the time). It's how you end up with pallets of Chanel (or other high end) perfume end up at Sams or Costco. Retailers know what they are doing, and the company knows it too, but doesn't have to dilute their brand with "sales". Did they buy Tiffany from a diverter?

 

[MsP]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I don't understand this, I've been purchasing at Costco for over 12 years, and have skimmed their jewelry collection pretty regularly. I check the online about once a week, and the warehouse about twice a month. Where were these Tiffany rings? I never saw them.

Maybe they used the word "tiffany style setting"? Is that what they are talking about? I've never seen that in any online listings, but maybe back a few years they used that phrase?

I don't get it?

I know they occasionally sell Cartier watches, but those are from a diverter. In retail land, a diverter works in a murky area, they buy overstock from the company, say Cartier, and Cartier turns a blind eye to where their discontinued merchandise is going. Sometimes a manufacturer will kick up a fuss, if someone on the board of directors points it out, or a salon owner screams (Paul Mitchell does this all the time). It's how you end up with pallets of Chanel (or other high end) perfume end up at Sams or Costco. Retailers know what they are doing, and the company knows it too, but doesn't have to dilute their brand with "sales". Did they buy Tiffany from a diverter?

I thought the same thing-- but apparently they were selling rings with the label "Tiffany" on them. Also, sales people in the stores were caught telling people they were Tiffany. I can't seem to find many details online.

 

[Mico]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Interesting, there are many six prong rings out there with Tiffany in the name. I wonder if this will start a trend

 

[FrekeChild]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I've only ever seen "Tiffany style" or Tiffany engagement ring, implying that it's the style of the ring that's Tiffany, but never seen the Tiffany & Co logo or any other T&Co related propaganda. Certainly no little blue boxes!

WF refers to some of their settings as being "Tiffany style"?

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/search.htm?t=solitaire
"6 prong tiffany style solitaire engagement ring"
"4 prong tiffany style solitaire engagement ring"

I couldn't see how anyone could be disillusioned that the stuff at Costco is actually Tiffany, but no one visiting this website is going to fall under any kind of illusion that normal people might.

I know what I'll be doing the next time I'm at Costco!

 

[kenny]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Yeah, GOG also is careful to use the term, "Tiffany Style" on its website too.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/Settingvideos/Tacori_Settings/gog_ring_videos/



I did a brief search around Costco's website and could not find the word Tiffany or Tiffany Style anywhere, though I'm sure if it was there they quickly cleaned it out when they learned of this lawsuit.
I am very curious whether Costco called it Tiffany Style or Tiffany.
I suspect Tiffany style and if customers thought they were getting a real Tiffany product they were just plain old stupid, in these days of leather substituted and juice "cocktail" which is mostly water and HFCS.

Obviously Tiffany went after this retailer because Costco has the deepest pockets, but it's also possible Costco was also careful to always use the term, "Tiffany Style" but Tiffany went after them anyway.

Even if it is legal to use the term Tiffany Style is it really worth spending zillions defending yourself in court against Tiffany?
Heads up, WF and GOG and all the others.

I would not be surprised if this means the end of any jewelry seller using the term, "Tiffany Style" in the future.
Sometimes doing what is actually legal is too expensive and risky.

 

[kenny]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

At Costco's website a search for, "Tiffany" finds only a desk, which is made by Tiffany Industries.



Women must be pretty strong to wear these desks.
How do they get through doors or put on their makeup?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I just googled to see if I could find any posts on any websites where a person stated they bought an authentic Tiffany ring at Costco, but nothing came up. This must have been a situation where very FEW people got the "Tiffany Style" term confused otherwise you'd think people would be posting somewhere about how they saved thousands by purchasing their Tiffany & Co ring at Costco.

 

[Laila619]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Just my guess, but I do not think Tiffany would have gone after Costco if they were calling the rings "Tiffany style." My guess is that Costco actually used the words "Tiffany ring." But obviously I don't know for sure, it just seems like they wouldn't waste their time suing over "Tiffany style" when tons of other jewelers also use that term.

 

[kenny]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Companies fight hard to prevent their trademark names from becoming part of every day language.

Today we use the terms jello, kleenex, band aid, chap stick, Q-tip, jacuzzi, velcro, magic marker, super glue, xerox, teflon, levis, post its, and thermos to refer to products from all companies that fit the description.

When that happens the original trademark owner loses sales because products from all manufacturers seem more equal.

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I check the jewelry at Costco every time I go there & never saw anything advertised as a Tiffany ring either. I'm wondering if only the one Huntington Beach store labeled them Tiffany, though the article makes it sound nationwide. Tiffany-style, gosh, that term has been used since I can remember by jewelers everywhere so I doubt that's the complaint. They wouldn't have a leg to stand on after all this time.

Kenny's right about companies defending their brands & after all the fakes on eBay (& a suit that Tiff lost), they seem to be fiercer than ever about it. Will be interesting to learn more.

--- Laurie

 

[greenie09]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Companies fight hard to prevent their trademark names from becoming part of every day language.

Today we use the terms jello, kleenex, band aid, chap stick, Q-tip, jacuzzi, velcro, magic marker, super glue, xerox, teflon, levis, post its, and thermos to refer to products from all companies that fit the description.

When that happens the original trademark owner loses sales because products from all manufacturers seem more equal.

As a business student, I feel obligated to provide the example of Escalator (originally trademarked by Otis Elevator Company)!

Before this semester, I had no idea that escalator was a trademark. Not only did Otis lose sales, they lost the trademark since it had become nothing more than noun associated with a product of that type. Other companies are free to legally use the term "escalator" to describe that product.

This is the reason that restaurants must state that they have Pepsi instead of Coke, or vice versa -- because Coke in particular is on the verge of becoming a noun instead of a brand name. It's a major Intellectual Property issue! Coke actually sends agents out to restaurants to make sure that none are passing off Pepsi for Coke.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I'm a skeptic and can't help but feel like Tiffany took on Costco because they have impacted their business. How many times have we heard less than positive things about Tiffany and Co from our educated membership? How many times have we heard how overpriced they are? What would we guess is the gross diamond sales that Costco has annually? I remember reading threads where PSers have indicated that prices for diamonds at Costco, and even their FCDs (I guess that would probably be limited to yellows) are decently priced for what you get? Wouldn't you if you were Tiffanys want to go after what may be a new and powerful competitor in any fashion you could? I'm not a lawyer and don't know much about copyright infringement, but if I were worried and wanted to set myself apart, I would absolutely go after a competitor for using the "Tiffany Style" phrase. It casts Costco in a bad light and once again reiterates the unique qualities of the Tiffany brand, whether or not they are unique. So they lose their lawsuit - it won't be found to be frivolous by any means and in the court of public opinion, don't you think Tiffany will look good?

That all said, Tiffany going after them is like the pot calling the kettle black. Tiffany - the company that treats its colored stones up the wazoo and fails to disclose.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I check the jewelry at Costco every time I go there & never saw anything advertised as a Tiffany ring either. I'm wondering if only the one Huntington Beach store labeled them Tiffany, though the article makes it sound nationwide. Tiffany-style, gosh, that term has been used since I can remember by jewelers everywhere so I doubt that's the complaint. They wouldn't have a leg to stand on after all this time.


--- Laurie

nope,not at our local stores. i don't think Costco would be that stupid.

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I agree, DF. It's puzzling. Maybe more details will come out. Any store the size & sophisticiation of Costco & its mgment would be aware & careful of that sort of thing. This might be another one Tiff loses.

Saw on the news Tiffany is asking for the profits from every such sale as well as $2 million punitive per sale. They say it's gone on for years -- naw, doubt it. Why wouldn't they have discovered it earlier if so?

--- Laurie

 

[kenny]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Companies fight hard to prevent their trademark names from becoming part of every day language.

Today we use the terms jello, kleenex, band aid, chap stick, Q-tip, jacuzzi, velcro, magic marker, super glue, xerox, teflon, levis, post its, and thermos to refer to products from all companies that fit the description.

When that happens the original trademark owner loses sales because products from all manufacturers seem more equal.

As a business student, I feel obligated to provide the example of Escalator (originally trademarked by Otis Elevator Company)!

Before this semester, I had no idea that escalator was a trademark. Not only did Otis lose sales, they lost the trademark since it had become nothing more than noun associated with a product of that type. Other companies are free to legally use the term "escalator" to describe that product.

This is the reason that restaurants must state that they have Pepsi instead of Coke, or vice versa -- because Coke in particular is on the verge of becoming a noun instead of a brand name. It's a major Intellectual Property issue! Coke actually sends agents out to restaurants to make sure that none are passing off Pepsi for Coke.

The word used for carbonated soft drinks varies with region.
The three terms used are pop, soda and coke with a lower-case c.


In America's southwest and northeast the term soda is usually used.
In the midwest they call it pop.
In the south they call it coke, yes even 7-up, dr. pepper, root beer all fit under the term coke ... a conversation may go like this ... Give me a coke. What do you want? I'll take a Pepsi.



Coca-Cola company must be pulling their hair out.


Source: http://www.popvssoda.com

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I doubt it too.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

sorry, I was responding to Laurie - I didn't see your post. I'm surprised the generic word is "coke," as I would expect it to be "cola." Live and learn.

 

[texaskj]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Well I'm with all of you in having a hard time believing this. I've been shopping at Costco for over 12 years and look at the jewelry almost every time I go and have never seen the word Tiffany anywhere. And from all I've read about Costco, I have a very hard time believing they would be this stupid; maybe one store, but not the whole chain.
I wonder if there ever was a "cease and desist" letter?

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I agree Texaskj. I too, have never seen any indication of Tiffany branding in any Costco I've been to in Northern California - probably 3 or 4 - and I've been a member scouting their jewelry for 25 years.

 

[amc80]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I agree Texaskj. I too, have never seen any indication of Tiffany branding in any Costco I've been to in Northern California - probably 3 or 4 - and I've been a member scouting their jewelry for 25 years.

Ditto. And add Nevada, SoCal, and central ca to that list. I think I've seen "Tiffany Style" on the website, but I've got mom brain so I'm not 100% sure about that.

 

[justginger]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Companies fight hard to prevent their trademark names from becoming part of every day language.

Today we use the terms jello, kleenex, band aid, chap stick, Q-tip, jacuzzi, velcro, magic marker, super glue, xerox, teflon, levis, post its, and thermos to refer to products from all companies that fit the description.

When that happens the original trademark owner loses sales because products from all manufacturers seem more equal.

As a business student, I feel obligated to provide the example of Escalator (originally trademarked by Otis Elevator Company)!

Before this semester, I had no idea that escalator was a trademark. Not only did Otis lose sales, they lost the trademark since it had become nothing more than noun associated with a product of that type. Other companies are free to legally use the term "escalator" to describe that product.

This is the reason that restaurants must state that they have Pepsi instead of Coke, or vice versa -- because Coke in particular is on the verge of becoming a noun instead of a brand name. It's a major Intellectual Property issue! Coke actually sends agents out to restaurants to make sure that none are passing off Pepsi for Coke.

The word used for carbonated soft drinks varies with region.
The three terms used are pop, soda and coke with a lower-case c.


In America's southwest and northeast the term soda is usually used.
In the midwest they call it pop.
In the south they call it coke, yes even 7-up, dr. pepper, root beer all fit under the term coke ... a conversation may go like this ... Give me a coke. What do you want? I'll take a Pepsi.



Coca-Cola company must be pulling their hair out.


Source: http://www.popvssoda.com

Awesome graphic. That being said, I grew up in a yellow area (I think, it does look like the whole of the midwest is peppered with green) -- and I have NEVER heard someone call soda 'pop.' I used to tease my Iowan relatives about saying pop, actually. I do find it odd that in 21 years of a yellow-colored area, I genuinely can not think of ONE interaction during which I've even overheard a stranger refer to it as pop. I wonder where they collected this data?

Or maybe, just maybe, I'm in that middle blue blob. State lines would help, lol.

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

More from a blog owned by a patent lawyer. It does look like only the Huntington Beach store did this -- and like maybe the idiots meant Tiffany-style; then a dumb poorly-trained employee told a customer, "yeah, it's Tiffany, the sign says so." I can't help thinking of the zillion times Tiff salespeople swore their gems are pure & untreated.

"The dispute between Tiffany and Costco first came to light in November 2012 when a customer alerted Tiffany to the sale of what was promoted on in-store signs as “Tiffany” diamond engagement rings at a Costco store in Huntington Beach, California. Tiffany immediately launched an investigation, and later learned that for many years, and without Tiffany’s knowledge, Costco had apparently been selling different styles of rings that it has falsely identified on in-store signage as “Tiffany.” The rings are not in fact Tiffany rings, nor are they manufactured by, approved by, licensed by, or otherwise in any way properly associated with Tiffany.

“What’s different here from many other cases of counterfeiting,” notes Jeffrey Mitchell of Dickstein Shapiro, Tiffany’s counsel in the case, “is that here customers might be more easily taken in since Costco members expect authentic brand name merchandise at discount prices at Costco. Everyone knows that buying something on a street corner or over the Internet from an unknown source is risky. Until now, no one would have thought it could be risky to buy brand name merchandise from Costco as well.”

The complaint explains in summary fashion the investigation that ensued after Tiffany learned of what Costco was doing. The complaint reads in relevant part:

Subsequent investigation showed that in the jewelry display case at the Huntington Beach Costco location was an engagement ring alongside a point of sale (“POS”) sign marked “639911 – PLATINUM TIFFANY .70 VS2, 1 ROUND DIAMOND RING – 3199.99,” and another ring alongside a different POS sign marked “605880 – PLATINUM TIFFANY VS2.1 1.00 CT ROUND BRILLIANT SOLITAIRE RING – 6399.99.” (emphasis added) The Costco salesperson also referred to each of the rings as a “Tiffany ring,” and said the store generally carries one of each item."​

The complaint also alleges that Costco was not only infringing, but doing so only in the real world so as to avoid being caught. The complaint alleges:

"Tiffany then discovered that Costco was not using the Tiffany trademarks online for the same products at the same time, thereby avoiding detection of its unlawful activities by Tiffany’s normal trademark policing procedures."​

Tiffany maintains an aggressive intellectual property enforcement program, and regularly takes actions against counterfeiters and infringers. Like other brand name manufacturers they search the Internet to find fakes and infringers. If Costco was selling the rings online without using the Tiffany brand and was selling them inside the store with the Tiffany brand that would certainly be some evidence, perhaps strong evidence, of a conscious knowledge that what they were doing in the stores in the real world was wrong.

Interestingly, Tiffany is not asking for a preliminary injunction. In trademark cases a preliminary injunction is almost always asked for, and where the infringement case is strong the plaintiff typically prevails. In a case like this where there are allegations of counterfeiting and passing off using a trademarked name one would ordinarily expect a preliminary injunction to be issued as a matter of course. But the complaint explains that Costco has agreed to stop using Tiffany trademarks.

So why is Tiffany pursing this? It seems pretty clear to me that they want to make a public example out of Costco. They want everyone to know that they are watching and when they find infringers they will act swiftly. They want an apology and perhaps most importantly they want the world to know that they never have and never will sell their rings to discounters or wholesalers. This action and any resulting publicity and decision will reassure Tiffany customers that when they buy a Tiffany diamond ring at a Tiffany store they are not paying a premium for the same ring that could otherwise be purchased for less at Costco.

While it is wise for Costco to agree to cease selling fake Tiffany rings, that begs the obvious question. What was Costco thinking?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Costco management probably was simply unaware of the dumb people at that one store. Since they do sell other designer brands there, the salesperson probably didn't know the difference. It may not have been an intentional deception. But it was very ignorant, at the very least!

As far as soft drinks go, I was born and raised where we went to get a coke! But when we lived in the greater Chicago area, it was 100% pop!

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

More from a blog owned by a patent lawyer. It does look like only the Huntington Beach store did this -- and like maybe the idiots meant Tiffany-style; then a dumb poorly-trained employee told a customer, "yeah, it's Tiffany, the sign says so." I can't help thinking of the zillion times Tiff salespeople swore their gems are pure & untreated.

"The dispute between Tiffany and Costco first came to light in November 2012 when a customer alerted Tiffany to the sale of what was promoted on in-store signs as “Tiffany” diamond engagement rings at a Costco store in Huntington Beach, California. Tiffany immediately launched an investigation, and later learned that for many years, and without Tiffany’s knowledge, Costco had apparently been selling different styles of rings that it has falsely identified on in-store signage as “Tiffany.” The rings are not in fact Tiffany rings, nor are they manufactured by, approved by, licensed by, or otherwise in any way properly associated with Tiffany.

“What’s different here from many other cases of counterfeiting,” notes Jeffrey Mitchell of Dickstein Shapiro, Tiffany’s counsel in the case, “is that here customers might be more easily taken in since Costco members expect authentic brand name merchandise at discount prices at Costco. Everyone knows that buying something on a street corner or over the Internet from an unknown source is risky. Until now, no one would have thought it could be risky to buy brand name merchandise from Costco as well.”

The complaint explains in summary fashion the investigation that ensued after Tiffany learned of what Costco was doing. The complaint reads in relevant part:

Subsequent investigation showed that in the jewelry display case at the Huntington Beach Costco location was an engagement ring alongside a point of sale (“POS”) sign marked “639911 – PLATINUM TIFFANY .70 VS2, 1 ROUND DIAMOND RING – 3199.99,” and another ring alongside a different POS sign marked “605880 – PLATINUM TIFFANY VS2.1 1.00 CT ROUND BRILLIANT SOLITAIRE RING – 6399.99.” (emphasis added) The Costco salesperson also referred to each of the rings as a “Tiffany ring,” and said the store generally carries one of each item."​

The complaint also alleges that Costco was not only infringing, but doing so only in the real world so as to avoid being caught. The complaint alleges:

"Tiffany then discovered that Costco was not using the Tiffany trademarks online for the same products at the same time, thereby avoiding detection of its unlawful activities by Tiffany’s normal trademark policing procedures."​

Tiffany maintains an aggressive intellectual property enforcement program, and regularly takes actions against counterfeiters and infringers. Like other brand name manufacturers they search the Internet to find fakes and infringers. If Costco was selling the rings online without using the Tiffany brand and was selling them inside the store with the Tiffany brand that would certainly be some evidence, perhaps strong evidence, of a conscious knowledge that what they were doing in the stores in the real world was wrong.

Interestingly, Tiffany is not asking for a preliminary injunction. In trademark cases a preliminary injunction is almost always asked for, and where the infringement case is strong the plaintiff typically prevails. In a case like this where there are allegations of counterfeiting and passing off using a trademarked name one would ordinarily expect a preliminary injunction to be issued as a matter of course. But the complaint explains that Costco has agreed to stop using Tiffany trademarks.

So why is Tiffany pursing this? It seems pretty clear to me that they want to make a public example out of Costco. They want everyone to know that they are watching and when they find infringers they will act swiftly. They want an apology and perhaps most importantly they want the world to know that they never have and never will sell their rings to discounters or wholesalers. This action and any resulting publicity and decision will reassure Tiffany customers that when they buy a Tiffany diamond ring at a Tiffany store they are not paying a premium for the same ring that could otherwise be purchased for less at Costco.

While it is wise for Costco to agree to cease selling fake Tiffany rings, that begs the obvious question. What was Costco thinking?

First of all, Laurie, thanks for this information. Really helpful. I am happy to see your editorial comment that I've bolded (the first one). I too, can't believe that Tiffany, with their history of misinformation on colored stones is doing this - I hope someone goes after Tiffany at some point.

As to your other comment, I agree that Costco is a huge competitive factor to them and they are doing what they can to take them out, so to speak. I'm not saying that what Huntington Beach was doing was right (read: stupid), but it sounds like Tiffany is trying to tar them all with the same brush, knowing it will hurt the Costco reputation.

 

[LibbyLA]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

Have lived in a "coke" area all my life. We also call carbonated beverages "soft drinks" but never pop or soda.

liz

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I am just so surprised that you call anything "coke." Really not "cola?" It seems like there are many colas, but only one coke.

 

[LibbyLA]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I don't call all soft drinks "coke", but I did when I was a kid because that's what we all called soft drinks. I have no idea how that got started, but I'm sure it was entrenched by the 50s. It's still very common for people in this area to refer to soft drinks of all flavors as "coke", just like people ask for a Kleenex even when it's a Puffs or other brand.

liz

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: Tiffany Sues Costco for Allegedly Selling Counterfeit Ri

I don't call all soft drinks "coke", but I did when I was a kid because that's what we all called soft drinks. I have no idea how that got started, but I'm sure it was entrenched by the 50s. It's still very common for people in this area to refer to soft drinks of all flavors as "coke", just like people ask for a Kleenex even when it's a Puffs or other brand.

liz

Look how far afield this thread has gone!