"Louis Vuitton" on the Eastern itinerary?

[cotomom]

Hi,
Wondering if those of you that just returned found any of the fake Louis Vuitton in St. Maarten or St. Thomas?
Even wallets, Ann?

If so, which island, where, how'd it look, and how much?

Many thanks!!!

 

[axsimpson]

They were in St Thomas. Downtown in the flea market area. They had all names, I opted for the leather Prada $40. Other than that if you see something you like in St. Maarten, buy it. Everything seemed to be much more expensive in St Thomas.
Drink up in St. Maarten, boy is it cheap!

 

[axsimpson]

Oh yeah on the ship I got a pair of D & G sunglasses for 79$ They have a different special everynight, like watches or sunglasses.

 

[justcruisin]

Were the D&G sunglasses real or a knockoff? Getting way too excited for a 6 month waiting period!

 

[disneystyle]

I have to say if you are searching for LV knockoffs Manhatten literally would be worth the trip. I have traveled there once a year for the past six years and until this past trip at Thanksgiving had never seen such incredible look alikes. I have one real L.V. and we compared it to the fakes we picked up and there isn't a difference from real purse to fake wallet that I have. Although the straps look more white/yellow but they will age and if not could be distressed with polish. The purses were $20 to $40 and I brought them back home and made a little spending money on them selling them to people that knew they were fake.
I never try to pass off something fake as real, and also do not think it is the best decesion in my life to support such, but purses and shoes are my weakness, forgive me.

 

[CanadianCruiser]

They didn't have any knock offs in the ship stores, but they did have some excellent sales on for 2003 stuff! We bought a really nice beach towel for $10 that normally sells for $20. They also have a good selection of those 3D picture frames for $10 as well where Mickey is standing on one side with the bow of the Magic coming out of the frame on the opposite side.

I guess they are trying to clear out their 2003 stock since 2004 is fast approaching with only a few more weeks of cruising to go! We didn't see any sales on Castaway Cay though since T-Shirts were still going for $22 US!

St. Maarten had some good jewelry deals. If you watched Clyde's presentation about shopping, he recommends buying what you see in the recommended shops and then exchanging anything in St. Thomas if you change your mind. Some of the places had some neat stuff with Blue Diamonds. It was unfortunate though that the stores close at 6 pm so make sure you get your shopping in early! The ones near the dock open later (about 9 pm), but probably the deals downtown are better.

 

[Regina]

Just a tip; I once watched a news segment regarding LV and how to spot the fakes.

A real LV will never have the initials of their pattern cut off by a seam. The other parts of their design, yes, but not the initials.

My DD's are going to have a field day shopping in St. Maarten.

 

[dancermom]

I have to agree with dvcreg, a real louis doesn't have the initial cut off, also the leather in the knock off's don't fade like an authentic one will. One other difference I have found is the real ones say made in USA, the knock off's say made in France.

I guess it just comes down to a matter of preference, if you don't mind carrying a knock off then go for it. Personally if I can't have the real thing then why bother. Someone who really knows how to spot a fake would know and I would find that embarrassing.

Don't get me wrong, my 11DD carries a fake louis, and also has a knock off burberry, since she would lose her head if it weren't attached, but I can't bring myself to do it. Purses are my weekness, so I will continue to pay for the authentic item.

I also have to agree with the person who said to get them in Manhattan, there are some of the best looking knock off's I have ever seen. Of course the still run $100.00. Someone I know that is very into the knock off's, told me there are even grades of knock off's, and you will pay more for the more authentic looking ones.

Hope everyone has fun shopping, and remember I'm only giving my opinion.

 

[disneydebk]

And the real LV will have an ID number on a tag inside of the handbag.

 

[dancermom]

disneydebk- now I have to go and check the id number on mine. It's turned into an obsession on how to spot the authentic from the knock off's. Thanks for the info.

 

[disneydebk]

No problem!

I'm not sure which bag you have, but mine is a medium looping bag and the tag is inside the small zippered compartment.

 

[dancermom]

I have the druout (SP??) and the tag is in the inside compartment. I just bought the speedy 25 for my mom for christmas and it is in the inside compartment (of course I had to get the same one for myself). I told you it is a disease. I kept mine in the closet, and won't take it out until Christmas so my mom doesn't ask questions. She told me to get her a knock off for Christmas, but how could I not get the real thing for the woman who would do anything for me.

Have a nice holiday.

 

[axsimpson]

The D & G sunglasses from the ship are the real thing.

 

[mcgrawfan]

Personally if I can't have the real thing then why bother. Someone who really knows how to spot a fake would know and I would find that embarrassing.

Finally-- Someone who understands!! I have a Burberry bag, a Kate Spade, and a Coach bag. I can't wait until tomorrow so I can open my first Prada from my mom and dad. It is crazy I know, but it's my weakness. I would die for a Louis. Someday......

 

[dancermom]

mcgrawfan - I know how you feel about your Prada tomorrow. I Have been visiting my new louis in the closet until I give my mom hers. Mine are all lined up on the top of my closet by designer. My dh thinks he could have quite a garage sale, but I told him unless you have the "disease" you just can't appreciate their value.

Have a great Christmas, I'm looking forward to my first Burberry coat from my mom and dad for Christmas.

 

[MarkLem]

Great!

 

[AnnMorin]

I ended up getting MIL a "prada" wallet at the bazaar area near where the tender drops off, there are a bunch of little gazeebos or tents set up. (st. thomas) The wallet looks exactly like a prada, same clasp, same embossed insignia, Now I only paid $20.00 for a 150.00-300.00 wallet so it MUST be a fake but I sure can't tell the difference! I wish I picked one up for myself too.

 

[cjsmith]

Originally posted by dancermom
I have to agree with dvcreg, a real louis doesn't have the initial cut off, also the leather in the knock off's don't fade like an authentic one will. One other difference I have found is the real ones say made in USA, the knock off's say made in France.

I guess it just comes down to a matter of preference, if you don't mind carrying a knock off then go for it. Personally if I can't have the real thing then why bother. Someone who really knows how to spot a fake would know and I would find that embarrassing.

Don't get me wrong, my 11DD carries a fake louis, and also has a knock off burberry, since she would lose her head if it weren't attached, but I can't bring myself to do it. Purses are my weekness, so I will continue to pay for the authentic item.

I have to say that I can't agree more. I'm lucky enough to have the real bags and I personally think it's a shame that there are so many knock offs around. My husband was sweet enough to get me one of the white LV bags that are so hard to obtain and are on back order at our local Saks. He was so excited and it cost him an apsolute bundel, but I'm not quite sure that I want it since there are so many of the fake ones around town and that's a shame. I"ve been using LV bags for the last 17 years, and I'm getting ready to try out something new because of the glut of knockoffs that are now on the market.
Please don't flame me for my opinion, because that's all it is, just my opinion.

 

[AnnMorin]

well I think it is GREAT if purses/wallets are your passion and your husband is able to afford them! If it were important to me I would feel the same way. I usually pick up my wallets at JCPenny for about $20.00 so for me to get MIL one that looks really nice for the same price that says Prada all the better. I will say that when we gave it to her I told her there was no way it could be a real prada and her responce was "what is a prada a special kind of cow?" She is so cute!
It is sad that if you really love the real thing and there are so many fakes around it does tend to cheapen what you own,, I was just passing along info for people who don't share your passion and just want a fairly good quality leather goods. Frankly to be honest I could not tell you if Coach, Prada or L.Vitton was the better brand, it is just not my thing.
I really can relate as jewelry is my passion and we spend big bucks on good stones and I HATE it when people are wearing (obvious to me ) fakes trying to pass them off.

 

[cjsmith]

I hope you don't think that I was putting you down Ann, I truly wasn't. It was very generous of you to buy your MIL a "prada" wallet and I love her reply!