Gnome Wars – Copycat gnomes: The Results of Capitalism?

The German domination of the European gnome market is rapidly dwindling. Once the world leader in the design and manufacturing of quaint garden gnomes, the capitalist tide is turning and the Bavarian methodology of time-consuming and, in some instances, epic attention to detail is being overshadowed by mass-produced, stamped-out inferior replicas of original German gnome designs. These copycat gnomes are selling as fast as they come off the conveyor belt, much to consternation of the Germans and the glee of Polish entrepreneurs.

The infamous ‘European Gnome War’ has been raging between Poland and Germany since the early 1990s. After years of communist restrictions, the Poles have discovered free-trade and capitalism and eager, bargain-hunting consumers have discovered them. After decades of set prices and set margins, the now-unencumbered and hungry Poles are ready to play catch up and compete with the rest of Europe.

Where’s the problem? Haven’t various nations for hundreds of years encouraged free-trade and entrepreneurship, especially for countries just coming out of communism (East and West Germany) for example? Here’s the rub: The Poles have been openly accused by German gnome manufacturers of outright stealing the German’s closely held designs of their most popular gnomes, and basically ‘copying’ the design and manufacturing the gnomes from inferior materials and workmanship that allows the Poles to double and in some instances triple the output of their German neighbors. Germans hold these designs so secret that many are stored in databases with almost militaristic protection.

German gnome manufacturers boast of the fact that the Polish gnomes are vastly inferior to their own. Andreas Kliem, a gnome manufacturer in Otterberg, Germany, states that “Their (the Poles) gnomes crack when the first frost comes, the paint chips off and due the materials they use, the gnomes are carcinogenic” (The Daily London Telegraph, 5 March 2004).

Surprisingly, the Poles agree that their gnomes are of a lower quality than the German gnomes.They make no allowance for this fact. “Cheap sells,” Krzysztof Baczek, a former bricklayer turned gnome magnate, states. He adds, “The German consumer doesn't seem to care about the quality when the cost is so much less.” “In fact,” he laughingly continues, “I don’t believe people should pay that much for a gnome anyway.” While a standard-sized German-made gnome (non-collectors edition) would run between $50-$75, a Polish-made gnome of the same size would cost approximately $13. Behold capitalism and free-trade at its finest. Mr. Baczek would have to agree; his Polish gnome manufacturing company, once worth a mere $2000 dollars, is to date hovering over $7 million (The Daily London Telegraph, 5 March 2004).

With lower wages, cheaper materials and no environmental restrictions to follow, the Poles have severely undercut the German market. Tourists and even die-hard collectors are skipping across the border to find hundreds upon hundreds of huddling gnomes seeking a home on the cheap.

The rivalry and bad blood has gotten so bad that both governments have reputedly been in talks to initiate restrictive immigration quotas from competing countries. What next? Gnome passports? Gnome visas? If you wish to purchase a gnome from a rival country, would you have to apply for a work visa on his behalf?

Jesting aside, the situation has become somewhat comical. And, typically, as happens with all wars, it’s the innocents who suffer the most. These gnomes are no exception. Innocent bystanders, they’ve become pawns in a war not of their doing; a mere commodity in greedy businessmen’s hands. It’s our hope that the basic fundamental rights of the gnome can be protected, even during these tumultuous times. All a gnome (of any price range) really wants is a bit of piece and quiet, a little garden to nurture, some friendly, furry friends for company and a loving and accepting family to call his own.

These are the things that can’t be bought.

These are things with no price tags, but in the end, they are the only things truly worth fighting for.

Quotes taken from the Daily London Telegraph, March 5, 2004.

Copyright 2006 www.OutdoorDecor.com

Kay Stone, Staff Writer