Yes - the American "UGG Australia" is actually a knockoff. They didn't invent the ugg boot. It is a generic term for sheepskin boots in Australia. There are many manufacturers. Check out:
http://www.australian-uggs.com/where-can-i-find-uggs.htm
Also, "UGG Australia" no longer manufacture any of their footwear in Australia - the majority are made in China. That's what you are paying for :-)
Lastly - beware of cheap alternative brands. Sheepskin / lambskin is very expensive. $US 40 or thereabouts definitely means faux fur so they won't last the same as genuine sheepskin. Sure they might look the same but once you've worn them a bit you'll realise why they were cheap.
The real cheap ones are actually fake leather with fake wool. The medium cheap ones are pigskin leather mounted onto a fake wool. The average cheap ones will be pigskin leather over what they call single-faced sheepskin (so skins that have nice wool but the skin is marked, etc.). Most genuine Australian sheepskin boots are still much cheaper than the American "UGG Australia" ones but obviously higher priced than the cheapo ones at discount stores.
http://www.australian-uggs.com/where-can-i-find-uggs.htm
Also, "UGG Australia" no longer manufacture any of their footwear in Australia - the majority are made in China. That's what you are paying for :-)
Lastly - beware of cheap alternative brands. Sheepskin / lambskin is very expensive. $US 40 or thereabouts definitely means faux fur so they won't last the same as genuine sheepskin. Sure they might look the same but once you've worn them a bit you'll realise why they were cheap.
The real cheap ones are actually fake leather with fake wool. The medium cheap ones are pigskin leather mounted onto a fake wool. The average cheap ones will be pigskin leather over what they call single-faced sheepskin (so skins that have nice wool but the skin is marked, etc.). Most genuine Australian sheepskin boots are still much cheaper than the American "UGG Australia" ones but obviously higher priced than the cheapo ones at discount stores.