Counterfeit designer bags at my mall!!!

[luvmy3]

The righteous indignation is a little tough to swallow. These bags may be good quality but they are still bags. A bag is not inherently worth $1500 or even $500. I have a hard time believing that exploitation or (even trademark infringement) is the primary concern of those who are bent out of shape about this.

Then you obviously don't have anyone in your family who publishes, patents IP, or designs and makes his living from that and makes his company money that keeps him employed. I would never support the stealing of IP or trademarks or copyrights of any kind by buying counterfeit goods.

 

[pezheadmeg]

I can top that: the girl at our mall last X-mas was trying to tell a customer that she had the same Ed Hardy bags as Macy's but her's were a quarter of the price. Needless to say--they didn't last long. But then again, the same Dooney & Burke inspired knockoffs that sell for $10 on the Manhattan streets are marked $50 in the mall. The mall kiosks can have no shame sometimes.

I totally will admit that I go for the quality when it comes to the bags. I don't own a LV or a Coach. And that's really because I'm not a fan. But there are a decent amount of $200 bags in my closet.

The last time I took defensive driving, the instructor was a cop in the NYPD counterfeit unit. Me being the fashionista had to ask how much each raid netted. His answer was something like 20 black 30 gallon hefty bags. That's a lot of fake handbags.

 

[Zuzu03]

From what Pezhead and Ember said, it's not a minor problem. And it's just plain wrong. Sorry if that makes me a snob. I'm okay with that, I guess!

 

[cheermom1]

Most people buying the fake bags could never afford to buy the real version or would never spend the $$ to buy the real thing. I don't think LV is losing potential customers.

I agree!!

 

[freckles and boo]

Oh, this is about to go downhill!!!! We are having a discussion and someone has to turn it into something that it's not.

We are "bragging" or whatever. I work hard for my money and I spend it HOW I choose on WHATEVER I choose. Not asking "permission."

I didn't suggest you are. Spend your money however you choose. But when you play the little "real or fake" game it sounds very much like you only buy these things for the status associated with them.

If a person does not like designer bags, why come to this thread to criticize those of us who do? What is the point?

We must all agree? In fact, I detest trademark/copyright infringement and exploitation. I also think it is very disingenuous to claim that this is the primary reason people who love these bags are upset.

Have you tried the "but it's just pop!" line when it comes to reusing refillable mugs?!

To me the wrongness is because it's wrong. I have done a lot of reading on the subject and I think people in general are far to permissive about brushing any illegal or ethical considerations under the rug. It's easy to say, "it's just a handbag." It's harder to actually think about the consequences of your actions.

From the International Anti Counterfeiting Collation:

It is estimated that counterfeiting is a $600 billion a year problem. In fact, it’s a problem that has grown over 10,000 percent in the past two decades, in part fueled by CONSUMER DEMAND.

The real truth is people who purchase counterfeit merchandise risk funding nefarious activities, contributing to unemployment, creating budget deficits and compromising the future of this country in the global economy.

The real truth is counterfeiters are hardened criminals, exploiting consumers, businesses both large and small, inventors and artists and children laboring in sweatshops in Third World countries.

You should know the truth about counterfeiting.

The Facts:

* Counterfeiting costs U.S. businesses $200 billion to $250 billion annually.
* Counterfeit merchandise is directly responsible for the loss of more than 750,000 American jobs.
* Since 1982, the global trade in illegitimate goods has increased from $5.5 billion to approximately $600 billion annually.
* Approximately 5%-7% of the world trade is in counterfeit goods.
* U.S. companies suffer $9 billion in trade losses due to international copyright piracy.
* Counterfeiting poses a threat to global health and safety.

Consider the DANGEROUS FAKES:
o The Food and Drug Administration estimates that counterfeit drugs account for 10% of all drugs sold in the United States.
o The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that 2% of the 26 million airline parts installed each year are counterfeit, which equals approximately 520,000 parts.
o In 2003, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association cited safety violations due to counterfeit auto parts: brake linings made of compressed grass, sawdust or cardboard; transmission fluid made of cheap oil that is dyed; and oil filters that use rags for the filter element.



Five Reasons You Should Never Fake It:

1. Counterfeiting is illegal and purchasing counterfeit products supports illegal activity.
2. Counterfeiters do not pay taxes meaning less money for your city's schools, hospitals, parks and other social programs.
3. Counterfeiters do not pay their employees fair wages or benefits, have poor working conditions, and often use forced child labor.
4. The profits from counterfeiting have been linked to funding organized crime, drug trafficking and terrorist activity.
5. When you purchase a fake, you become part of the cycle of counterfeiting and your money directly support these things you would never want to support.

I have never bought one of these bags - real or fake. I am not guilty. I consider those who rip off designers scum. However I also think those who create the market for the overpriced originals are guilty as well by turning these things into status items.

Then you obviously don't have anyone in your family who publishes, patents IP, or designs and makes his living from that and makes his company money that keeps him employed. I would never support the stealing of IP or trademarks or copyrights of any kind by buying counterfeit goods.

Also not true. I am a designer. I design scenery for a living and copyright my work.

 

[pezheadmeg]

The righteous indignation is a little tough to swallow. These bags may be good quality but they are still bags. A bag is not inherently worth $1500 or even $500. I have a hard time believing that exploitation or (even trademark infringement) is the primary concern of those who are bent out of shape about this.

But what about when it goes more than bags. It's an older video, but when I took an international fashion marketing class, it was a a major discussion. What would happen if you went and bought something that wasn't a bag?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4649157n&tag=mncol;lst;8

And some other food for thought.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009...usankoeppen/main5995143.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;3
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/19/eveningnews/consumer/main589549.shtml?tag=mncol;lst;4

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/27/n...tml?scp=1&sq="handbags" street vendors&st=cse
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/26/business/26vendors.html?scp=3&sq="handbags" street vendors&st=cse

 

[jekajekalynn]

OT but I have a questions about Coach purses.. I thought the "c"s were supposed to line up in a certain way. My old one does, but the one my dh got for me for Christmas from Macys (I have the gift receipt) doesn't.

 

[charming23]

A friend of my Mom's buys those "fake" bags all the time and even hosted a purse party where someone brought it not only boxes of purses but rip off sunglasses and wallets as well. I do not see the point. I am in no way a "handbag snob" but I think that it is overkill.

I will admit that she did pass a fake LV on to me and I do not hate it. I don't use it expect for when I spend the night at someone's house cause it is big enough for a pair of pj's and an outfit.

 

[Zuzu03]

but what about when it goes more than bags. It's an older video, but when i took an international fashion marketing class, it was a a major discussion. What would happen if you went and bought something that wasn't a bag?

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4649157n&tag=mncol;lst;8

wow!

 

[luvmy3]

Also not true. I am a designer. I design scenery for a living and copyright my work.

Well then you should understand why some of us don't support counterfeiting in any aspect. I wouldn't support it by buying your designs, I guess that makes me a scenery snob

 

[Ember]

However I also think those who create the market for the overpriced originals are guilty as well by turning these things into status items.

But our whole society is based on status items. Does that make each and every company "guilty?" I mean, no one needs a tv, no one needs a new car, or closets full of clothes, or big homes, or vacations...

If we were all trying to be both globally responsible and acting the best interest of humanity we would live on as little as possible, consume as few resources as possible, and give everything we didn't need to help those who needed it. But we aren't all Mother Theresa... I don't see how a new car is any less of a status item than a handbag, or a large screen tv, or a vacation, or new clothes.

It was mentioned that there is nothing inherently superior in a designer bag, and that is absolutely true. But there's also nothing inherently bad in it either, it's just a bag. The fact that someone values it enough to pay a lot of money for it, means just that. Same as any consumer good. The fact that someone envies, or wants something and feels entitled to have it without paying for it is not a justification for supporting crime.

 

[pezheadmeg]

Forget about handbags. I just think what would happen if it was fake medication.

 

[Zuzu03]

Forget about handbags. I just think what would happen if it was fake medication.

And that's out there too! Yikes.

 

[Zuzu03]

But our whole society is based on status items. Does that make each and every company "guilty?" I mean, no one needs a tv, no one needs a new car, or closets full of clothes, or big homes, or vacations...

If we were all trying to be both globally responsible and acting the best interest of humanity we would live on as little as possible, consume as few resources as possible, and give everything we didn't need to help those who needed it. But we aren't all Mother Theresa... I don't see how a new car is any less of a status item than a handbag, or a large screen tv, or a vacation, or new clothes.

It was mentioned that there is nothing inherently superior in a designer bag, and that is absolutely true. But there's also nothing inherently bad in it either, it's just a bag. The fact that someone values it enough to pay a lot of money for it, means just that. Same as any consumer good. The fact that someone envies, or wants something and feels entitled to have it without paying for it is not a justification for supporting crime.

Well said, Ember!

 

[CathrynRose]

This sounds awful but when dd21 and I are flying and we are sitting in an airport waiting for a connection, our favorite way to pass the time is playing "Real or Fake".

Been doin this for a long time!

DD and I do that too!

Are you guys joking?

 

[NikiM20]

I my designer handbags, however to look at me you would not think mine are real. I wear jeans, tshirts, hair in a ponytail etc. Most people look at me and think my bags are fake.
However, we all chose to spend our money on different things. I think its silly to spend $100 on a pair of jeans, but some do, I dont care. I dont look at peoples jeans and think are those real or fake. In the long run it doesnt matter.

FWIW , I love Coach and there is an outlet about 2 hrs from me. A couple of times a year I go and get a new purse for approx $100-$150. I even got my daughter a hipster style for $50. Why pay $75 for a knockoff when you can get a real one for $25 more?

ETA:I would NEVER play games with my DD at someone elses expense. I dont find those "games" fun at all.

 

[hentob]

Most real Coach bags are made in China these days

So, they have gone to sweatshop type labor. Sad.

I have to say that I am glad my daughter and I have more interesting things to talk about when we are together Glad I am raising an educated gal who would be perplexed if I started playing "let's point out fakes" with her

 

[phorsenuf]

This sounds awful but when dd21 and I are flying and we are sitting in an airport waiting for a connection, our favorite way to pass the time is playing "Real or Fake".

Been doin this for a long time!

DD and I do that too!

Wow! That's got to be one of the most snottiest things I have ever heard. Just goes to prove why you really hate counterfeit bags.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I probably would have cc'd the mall office as well since she is clearly breaking the law and you feel very strongly about it.

I'm not into designer purses myself, but can see the merit of what you did.

To me it is all moot whether or not someone likes the "genre" of merchandise or not. If there is a clear law stating that a knockoff being presented as the real thing--then it doesn't matter what our personal feelings are.

 

[NikiM20]

Most real Coach bags are made in China these days

So, they have gone to sweatshop type labor. Sad.

I have to say that I am glad my daughter and I have more interesting things to talk about when we are together Glad I am raising an educated gal who would be perplexed if I started playing "let's point out fakes" with her

A friend of mine has a knockoff in the same style as one of my real ones and side by side they are almost identical.