Mileing, your points about expectation of quality are valid, but your definition of "quality" may be too narrow. Quality manifests in many ways. Actual physical durability is one, but quality of aethetics is probably even more important to many of us. And the one singular "quality" that I value most which the knock-off industry can NEVER deliver is this: innovation. Many of us who buy designer bags do so to own a piece of art. It's art not only in the transporting original design, but in the quality of the leather. In your example you juxtapose a $50 knock-off with a $2000+ original. The disparity in the quality between these two products becomes apparent when you see and feel them side by side... and it has nothing to do with which bag has tighter screws holding parts together.
I don't believe that cheap knock-offs maintain their quality longer or deliver quality more consistently. It's just that they're cheap and no-one takes note when they fade or snag or break. They're simply tossed. I also believe that the problems with Spy bags are a little overstated. They exist, but most problems are taken care of by Fendi or the retailer. Most people never encounter problems at all. I don't use my Spys sparingly. I brutalize them, and they've held up remarkably well, and are still lovely pieces of portable art. I'd rather not pay this high price, but I don't know of a substitute that comes close, and I won't patronize counterfeiters.
I'm not sure which type of "knock-off" you're referring to when asking whether they can be justified in wresting revenues away from designer brands. If you're talking about knock-offs that are labeled as the real thing, then it's illegal, no matter how many mouths they feed. Pick-pocketing, insurance fraud, identify theft and telemarketing scams feed many mouths too, but they're still illegal. Those healthy factories with tight quality control, employing only adults, can do so just as well by putting their own name on the bags instead of Fendi's.
Decophile - Thank you for broadening the definition of quality for me. And I agree; a well-made designer bag can be a wonderful work of art
.Ive purchased several of them myself, though not necessarily for that reason. However, if the quality of aestheics is more important, is it not true that it too is diminished when parts begin falling off, breaking, fading occurs, and the product basically becomes useless? Unless Ive missed something, I believe your statement in that regard is at variance within itself (not to mention a bit elitist).
Regarding knock-offs, Im neither condoning the practice of counterfeiting, nor was I referring to any particular type. BTW, I never mentioned putting anyone's name on anyone else's product, so am not going to bother with arguments regarding legality, or related issues that aren't relevant to the statements I made.
The point I was essentially trying to make was getting your moneys worth. As I just indicated, Ive also purchased several designer bags. In most cases, theyve held up well. Ive also purchased non-designer bags which have held up much better than what was described by some of the Fendi Spy owners.
Speaking of the Fendi Spy owners, it was those I read of in this blog that evoked my thoughts & opinions. I would also like to point out that my questions & scenarios were purely hypothetical, as I prefer to avoid making assumptions, & speaking in absolutes or in a manner which has no logical basis.
For the quality, aesthetics, & functionality, I do not have a problem paying several thousand dollars because I know Ill have something that will endure for as long as the bag holds my interest & needs. And in the event that it no longer serves me well, I dont have a problem simply giving it to a new owner, selling it, or as you would put, even "tossing it". Cheap or expensive, I either like it or I don't. But lasting quality does factor largely in something that is supposedly a luxury item, and I would like to have the option of giving it up rather than it giving up on me.
You say Most people never encounter problems at all
..Spy bags are a little overstated
. Hmmm
.did you happen to notice the testimonials which elicited my response in the 1st place? It was those who had mentioned numerous faults prior to my comments that brought to mind an attribute so often missed when want overrides common sense
..and that would be THINKING.