Designer handbags and counterfeits

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
. I much prefer my cute $16 Tinkerbell bag from Fashion Bug.

AHA!!!

The missing dog

 

[pw2pp]

If they ARE illegal, how can anyone justify buying them, knowingly breaking the law?

Yeah, and so is SPEEDING and JAY-WALKING, but I'm sure you have done one of those some time in your life. Besides, I don't think it is illegal to BUY them only to SELL them.

Most people I know who would pay $20-$60 for a Louis Vuitton either on the Internet or in Chinatown, know full-well that they are fakes. Why would anyone sell an authentic for that price?

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by pw2pp
Yeah, and so is SPEEDING and JAY-WALKING, but I'm sure you have done one of those some time in your life. Besides, I don't think it is illegal to BUY them only to SELL them.

Most people I know who would pay $20-$60 for a Louis Vuitton either on the Internet or in Chinatown, know full-well that they are fakes. Why would anyone sell an authentic for that price?

MTE

$20-60 for a Louis? Where are you shopping?

2 for $50
40 if you pay cash!

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
I think $60 is a ridiculous amount to pay for a handbag. I have a few bags that cost between $5 and $25 and not one of them has given out or broken and the oldest one I've had for 6 years.

I'm with you. I think the most my wife ever paid for a handbag was about $20 and that's the upper end. She usually spends more in the $10 range and hardly ever gets a new one. She's probably only bought 4 or 5 in the 12 years we've been married.

tonyswife - Yes, the fake bags ARE illegal to make or sell. Of course, that doesn't stop millions of people from buying them. As long as the market is there, the product will continue to be there. Most people see it as a victimless crime. The people with money still buy the real thing so the designer still gets his money. The rest are happy with the knock-offs and would never buy an original anyway.

The only real victims are people who pay for what they think is an original and end up with a fake.

 

[tonyswife]

Originally posted by pw2pp
Yeah, and so is SPEEDING and JAY-WALKING, but I'm sure you have done one of those some time in your life. Besides, I don't think it is illegal to BUY them only to SELL them.

Most people I know who would pay $20-$60 for a Louis Vuitton either on the Internet or in Chinatown, know full-well that they are fakes. Why would anyone sell an authentic for that price?

Well really, just because other pepole break other laws doesn't mean we should be proud of breaking this one. Honestly, I could not care less, it was just a question for the sake of conversation, I certainly don't think you or stinkerbelle or anyone else is a bad person, I was curious as to whether or not it's legal and how we can justify doing it if it is illegal. <shrug>

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by tonyswife
Well really, just because other pepole break other laws doesn't mean we should be proud of breaking this one. Honestly, I could not care less, it was just a question for the sake of conversation, I certainly don't think you or stinkerbelle or anyone else is a bad person, I was curious as to whether or not it's legal and how we can justify doing it if it is illegal. <shrug>

but we are not breaking the law...buying them is not illegal.

if so - I got a bunch of contraband in my guest closet.

 

[tonyswife]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle
but we are not breaking the law...buying them is not illegal.

This was my real question. I'm not sure it is legal to knowingly buy a knock off. But, I could be wrong, it happens sometimes.

if so - I got a bunch of contraband in my guest closet.

So long as it's CUTE contra band...

 

[bellacam]

"I agree that the real crooks are the ones charging $1500 for a handbag"

No offense, but I have to disagree. I am one of the crazies who owns a $1,600 purse. In fact, I have 3. The way I see it is if you have then $ to spend, why not? These bags are classics. Some people collect high priced memorabilia. Mine happen to be designer bags, that never go out of style. As for fakes, style is style. If you the look of a bag but cant afford the real thing by all means, carry a fake.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by tonyswife
This was my real question. I'm not sure it is legal to knowingly buy a knock off. But, I could be wrong, it happens sometimes.

nope - it's perfectly fine to BUY a knockoff. (knowingly of course - I wouldn't trust ANYTHING on Ebay!)

My mom and my brother take frequent trips to NYC to shop. They were at one "store" looking at sunglasses (designer knockoffs) as they are standing, looking at the rack, a steel door comes crashing down, hiding the merchaindise. My brother and my mom knew what was happening, but this other customer started freaking out.

"Awww..." my brother says to her "no Fendi for you"

the store was going into "lock down" as cops were coming.

as the cops walked in, my mom and brother walked out (already loaded down with their "knockoff" purchases.

 

[tonyswife]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle
nope - it's perfectly fine to BUY a knockoff. (knowingly of course - I wouldn't trust ANYTHING on Ebay!)

My mom and my brother take frequent trips to NYC to shop. They were at one "store" looking at sunglasses (designer knockoffs) as they are standing, looking at the rack, a steel door comes crashing down, hiding the merchaindise. My brother and my mom knew what was happening, but this other customer started freaking out.

"Awww..." my brother says to her "no Fendi for you"

the store was going into "lock down" as cops were coming.

as the cops walked in, my mom and brother walked out (already loaded down with their "knockoff" purchases.

LOL, bizarre. I only own one pair of sunglasses and one purse, both from Target, total for both, $30.

 

[syncer55]

The prices for designer bags are rediculous, but you do get what you pay for.

A knockoff Prada bag does not have the same quilaty materials as a real one.

 

[sweet angel]

The only real victims are people who pay for what they think is an original and end up with a fake.

Like me. Had I known it was a fake, I'd never have bought it. The "deal" she gave me was the purse and a wallet for $50. Having no idea what real Gucci stuff costs, I fully believed that this was legit and she was giving me a great deal.

 

[Az Pirates]

I think you do sometimes get what you pay for - not always.

The knock-offs are not made to the same quality standards as the real thing. I'm sure most folks buying them realize that and are fine with it.

I'd rather have lots of different bags to chose from and be able to change often or buy a new one on a whim than to have one or two real designer bags.
I don't care if my hanbags last more than a year - I'm usually tired of them by then and ready for something new anyway.

Of course my kids will also be starting school in roxy jeans (an OK brand - or so they tell me) and NOT seven jeans like they really want.

I told them the difference in price will be going into our cruise fund. There are things much more important to me than having the latest high price designer clothes and accessories!

 

[pw2pp]

My mom and my brother take frequent trips to NYC to shop. They were at one "store" looking at sunglasses (designer knockoffs) as they are standing, looking at the rack, a steel door comes crashing down, hiding the merchaindise.

We saw that last week in New York's Chinatown, it was pretty funny.
The most fun though was sneaking into "secret rooms" in the back of these shops where they kept the Louis Vuittons, Prada, Burberry, etc....

 

[Pongo69]

Here in Indy there is a mall called Peddlers Mall on 38th street. I have noo problem whatsoever buying a fake designer bag, wallet, belt or luggage from these people.

I'm one to believe you get what you pay for, but although I can afford designer bags I can't see spending over 60 bucks for a purse that will eventually end up on my closet floor.
My palms get sweaty handing 40 bucks to the cashier
for a purse so I know I 'd probably spending 1600 for one.

Yesterday I went to AJ Wright and found a beautiful Kathy Van Zeeland bag for 29 bucks with and original price of 74.99. Now I have noooo idea who Kathy is, but let me say Kathy darlinggg I absolutely luvvv your designs

 

[bellacam]

Just a tip, but TJ Maxx gets Coach bags in on a regular basis... they are usually 2 seasons ago but most are timeless and at a lower price

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by pw2pp
We saw that last week in New York's Chinatown, it was pretty funny.
The most fun though was sneaking into "secret rooms" in the back of these shops where they kept the Louis Vuittons, Prada, Burberry, etc....

oh - my mom is KNOWN for following the SHADIEST of people into a 'back room'

I think that's how I got my LV Mukarami (the white one with the colored print) heheheh

it's so tiny - but i love it!

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by bellacam
Just a tip, but TJ Maxx gets Coach bags in on a regular basis... they are usually 2 seasons ago but most are timeless and at a lower price

It's amazing what super Brands you can find there.

 

[Disney-Kim]

I am a handbag freak. After Disney, they are my biggest obsession. Not just any handbag but expensive designer ones.
When I was younger I couldn't afford them and bought knockoffs, but once I went real there was no going back.

Just remember everyone has different tastes. Some may carry a $10 bag but collect $500 Disney figurines or something like that.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

the real crooks are the ones charging $1500 for a handbag

I wouldn't call them crooks, I would call them capitalist. Obviously there is a demand for their supply. Personally I've never spent more then $10 on a purse. I actually very rarely carry one. I either have the diaper bag or my pockets. I do own one designer purse that my FIL purchased for me in Italy (definitely real my IL's don't do knock-offs), and I almost never use it cause I feel way to paranoid carrying it around.