Where can I buy a *REAL* Louis Vuitton bag?

[mill4023]

A lack of legal enforcement does not mean it is not illegal. The rest is justifications...

I never intended this to be a debate or to put you on the spot. I do understand what you have said, even if I don't agree. In the end, we all have to decide where we stand and even that position may change over time, the longer we live and the more we experience. I wish you the best.

I can't believe I'm hearing the argument that buying a $1000 purse is the morally "right" thing to do to help stop unfair labor practices. As another poster mentioned, don't you think you could do a lot more good with that money by donating it to a good cause?

I'm curious, do you wear diamonds?

 

[lulu71]

I can't believe I'm hearing the argument that buying a $1000 purse is the morally "right" thing to do to help stop unfair labor practices. As another poster mentioned, don't you think you could do a lot more good with that money by donating it to a good cause?

I'm curious, do you wear diamonds?

I'm not the person you are quoting, but I think it is more about not buying counterfeits than parting with $1000 for a purse to stop unfair labor practices.

One can choose to spend the $$ they earn however they wish. Just because they are against unfair labor, they shouldn't indulge? I don't get the argument here.

 

[LisaL]

I can't believe I'm hearing the argument that buying a $1000 purse is the morally "right" thing to do to help stop unfair labor practices. As another poster mentioned, don't you think you could do a lot more good with that money by donating it to a good cause?

I'm curious, do you wear diamonds?

The issue is not the morality of buying a $1,000 bag. It's about the issues surrounding the purchase of counterfeits. It looks like you didn't even read the posts.

No, I do not wear diamonds - for exactly the same reason I would never buy a fake bag. They're called blood diamonds for a reason. It's been going on for years...and it's a travesty that I do not have to support.

 

[LisaL]

I'm not the person you are quoting, but I think it is more about not buying counterfeits than parting with $1000 for a purse to stop unfair labor practices.

One can choose to spend the $$ they earn however they wish. Just because they are against unfair labor, they shouldn't indulge? I don't get the argument here.

A consumer is free to spend money however he or she pleases. My point is that there are social and moral implications when the purchase supports corruption. Makers of these imitation goods often use oppressed persons to make these goods. When you buy one, you condone and even support the practice. But it doesn't have an impact easily seen or felt. It's easy to ignore and even easier to justify.

I never said anything about unfair labor.

 

[meloneyb21]

Geez.....where on earth did this thread go?!?!

 

[Beth76]

My point is that there are social and moral implications when the purchase supports corruption. Makers of these imitation goods often use oppressed persons to make these goods. When you buy one, you condone and even support the practice. But it doesn't have an impact easily seen or felt. It's easy to ignore and even easier to justify.

But if you're so concerned with the oppressed people, how do you justify spending $1000+ on a luxury purse when a $20 one from Target will hold your stuff just fine? I'm not saying you're not free to spend your money as you choose, but don't go on about oppressed people while you're toting around thousands of dollars on your arm.

I could also say that by you buying LV bags, you're creating a demand for knock-offs. FTR, I do not own any knock-off purses. I wouldn't even know what they look like. Same goes for your LVs.

 

[Blondie]

Geez.....where on earth did this thread go?!?!

Seriously.......

 

[Beth76]

Geez.....where on earth did this thread go?!?!

And ironically, you were actually asking about the real thing.

 

[LisaL]

But if you're so concerned with the oppressed people, how do you justify spending $1000+ on a luxury purse when a $20 one from Target will hold your stuff just fine? I'm not saying you're not free to spend your money as you choose, but don't go on about oppressed people while you're toting around thousands of dollars on your arm.

Can you show me where I said I spent $1,000 on a bag? It's not there! Know why? Didn't say it. Know why? I have never spent more than $70 on a bag. Lots of accusations, no substance.

 

[meloneyb21]

And ironically, you were actually asking about the real thing.

Yeah, I was wasn't I? (slowly backs out of room )

 

[sydally9367]

I'm curious, is there any hard, in writing proof (like articles) that shows that all fake handbags (or knock-offs) are produced in sweat shops or by oppressed persons? I'm just wondering if there is something I could read on it or if it's an assumption...

 

[Beth76]

Can you show me where I said I spent $1,000 on a bag? It's not there! Know why? Didn't say it. Know why? I have never spent more than $70 on a bag. Lots of accusations, no substance.

Perhaps I have you confused with someone else. I've seen some high numbers thrown around on this thread and I assumed by your posts that you owned some of these purses.

I still think that the geniune market creates the need for a knock-off market. And who's to say that wealthy people can buy what they want, but the middle and lower class people can't?

 

[rcraw45425]

I currently carry the Speedy 25 (smaller one) and love it. Its just a fun bag...but I miss the cell pockets that my other LV's have. It still holds it shape.

That's the bag I have, wow, just went on eluxury.com, they list at $595, I think I paid something over $300 when I bought it in December of '92. Inflation is a real pain!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Geez.....where on earth did this thread go?!?!

Straight down, carrying an overly expensive purse along with it!

I have an LV, I used it for a day and hate it. I prefer my much lower priced Coach bags.

 

[Evil Princess]

One could argue that you could take $1000 and give it to a charitable cause (how many starving children would that feed?) rather than buying one purse.

Sure, and you can also take the cost of your Disney vacation and do the same thing!

I get amazed over how people get their, excuse the expression, panties in a twist over judging people by what they spend money on. Not necessarily you, because I'll admit I haven't read the whole thread, but still. If I want to take my hard earned money and spend 800 dollars on a Louis Vuitton bag, I'll do it.

I bet you anything that Vuitton is going to last much longer than any knockoff on Canal Street.

I'm incredibly against fake bags. I collect designer bags and have worked at Coach before, and I don't see the appeal. Anyone who thinks that their fake can pass for a real one is wrong. People who honestly love designer bags and purchase them frequently can spot the differences quite easily.

My first designer bag was a Kate Spade that I bought when I was 13 or 14. I'm 21 now, and it's in near perfect condition. Truely a good purchase. I gave it to my little sister a couple of years ago.

Oh, and to answer the OP's question, only Eluxury online.

For those who have said that Macy's does not carry authentic Louis Vuitton, you are wrong. The Macy's in the mall by me has a whole little Louis Vuitton store in it. What a department store carries is based on the area and the surrounding demographics. The more upscale stores do carry more expensive brands.

 

[minnie56]

Seems like we all got a bit off topic here once again!

Poor woman only asked for any websites that also sold these purses and whoaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like things went awol!

 

[doxdogy]

You are correct, one must follow the laws of the country in which they are visiting. However, once you enter back into the USA then our laws kick back in as enforceable. So I reckon if customs lets him clear (which they would) he is A-OK.

And again, it's not a crime to PURCHASE the purses, just to sell them. I'm pretty sure US law does not apply to the folks in the country DH will (possibly) be purchasing from. It IS a crime for DH to buy a bunch, bring them home, and me to sell them on eBay. It is NOT a crime for him to buy one for me.

 

[Evil Princess]

So if it's so obvious that the fakes are fakes, then where's the problem? They obviously don't look like the real ones then. What's the difference between a cheap purse from Target and a cheap purse from a street vendor (or whereever you get the knock-offs)?

Becuase, it seems to some of us, if there is NO difference, then why would one buy the knockoff?

Answer: Because they are trying to look like they have a Louis Vuitton, Coach, Gucci, Burberry, etc.

If they weren't doing it for the image, why not buy a no-name brand?

The funny thing is, the people who buy the real thing all the time can tell quite easily, so I don't know who they're trying to deceive or fit in with.

And I know that's harsh, and it may sound obnoxious, but I really cannot stand knockoffs. I don't see the point of them, except to look like you can afford something or to present a certain image.

 

[JadenLayne]

The funny thing is, the people who buy the real thing all the time can tell quite easily

I'm seriously telling you this is not always the case. I only have one LV but I do have a knock off as well and honestly the knockoff is very good! I've always been a self proclaimed purse snob, I love expensive purses and have quite a collection in my closet along with a few knock offs.

I have a few really bad knock offs, especially Dooney and Bourke ones that are horrible and very obviously fake. BUT I have a knock off LV and a knock off Gucci and a knock off Coach that look pretty darned real. Again not when you handle them but from a distance I seriously doubt anyone could tell the difference. If they touched it they could, if they looked inside they could but just in a store, there is no way. I would actually dare someone to tell me which was fake with my real Coach and the fake one. Same with the LV. The Gucci......maybe but the other two I don't think you could.

I have the knock offs to carry around on a day to day basis. To the school, to carpool, to sporting events etc. I use my real ones when I'm going somewhere special. I have about a zillion purses though so I'm constantly changing them out.

I'm really not into the argument over real and fake because I don't see fakes going anywhere and I don't really mind them. I know my real ones are real and my fake ones are fake and I paid for the quality I am getting in both the real ones and the fake ones. I'll have my real ones many many years to come and the fakes will probably be gone by this time next year. Honestly though, I simply don't believe that you could tell the difference by just looking.

 

[Evil Princess]

I'm seriously telling you this is not always the case. I only have one LV but I do have a knock off as well and honestly the knockoff is very good! I've always been a self proclaimed purse snob, I love expensive purses and have quite a collection in my closet along with a few knock offs.

I have a few really bad knock offs, especially Dooney and Bourke ones that are horrible and very obviously fake. BUT I have a knock off LV and a knock off Gucci and a knock off Coach that look pretty darned real. Again not when you handle them but from a distance I seriously doubt anyone could tell the difference. If they touched it they could, if they looked inside they could but just in a store, there is no way. I would actually dare someone to tell me which was fake with my real Coach and the fake one. Same with the LV. The Gucci......maybe but the other two I don't think you could.

I have the knock offs to carry around on a day to day basis. To the school, to carpool, to sporting events etc. I use my real ones when I'm going somewhere special. I have about a zillion purses though so I'm constantly changing them out.

I'm really not into the argument over real and fake because I don't see fakes going anywhere and I don't really mind them. I know my real ones are real and my fake ones are fake and I paid for the quality I am getting in both the real ones and the fake ones. I'll have my real ones many many years to come and the fakes will probably be gone by this time next year. Honestly though, I simply don't believe that you could tell the difference by just looking.

Post pictures, I'll tell you in a heartbeat

I come from Long Island, New York, which is a place that is very caught up in image and brand names. Everyone I know, including the boys that I hang around, can tell the difference between the real and the fake bags.

Where can I begin? It might be something as simple as the fact that in a certain handbag, Louis Vuitton uses only one piece of canvas continuously, so the LVs are actually upside down, while the fake uses two and they're both faceing upwards. The color of the leather is a dead giveaway for LV's too, as the leather on LV's patina (or turn darker with exposure to light and from the oils on your hands), while the fakes don't have real leather and the color of that "leather" is all off.

The exact shapes of the C's on Coach bags, and the exact configuration of the C's (which direction they're facing, how many face each other and boarder each other, etc). Certain color combinations, certain shapes that Coach will or will not make.

I can go on here