Why Do People Buy Fake Designer Bags Or Fake Designer Anything?
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Yes, it's called fraud.
They can be considered an accessory to a crime because they knowingly purchased an item that is counterfeit.
Please define educating them? Do you mean from a verifiable source or someone that's telling them this on a message board, or they're hearing from a co-worker or a friend? Most people are hesitant to believe everything they hear and would need to get this information from a more reliable source before they're necessarily going to believe it. I tell my kids all the time, just because you hear something on the internet doesn't mean it's true. People will be naturally skeptical.
Linda
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The definition of education as I use it is "to inform".
(If we want to be more philosophical we can apply Descartes theory that since the only way in which we perceive the external world is through our senses, and that, since the senses are not infallible, we should not consider our concept of knowledge to be infallible. But really that is an epistemological argument of what true knowledge really entails. I am only including it because I think it is a bit silly and nitpicky for someone who can use google to ask me for a definition of education, so I am answering in a ridiculous way.)
People who are able to think, are able to research and decide for themselves whether they wish to support criminal activity by purchasing fake handbags. "I am able to think, so therefore I am able to inform myself about my own consumer spending."
Just because something is on the internet does not necessarily mean it is true, but it doesn't necessarily mean it is false either.
I apologize if that came across as silly or nitpicky, that wasn't my intention. I was trying to figure out what you meant exactly when you said after they've been 'educated' since by your statement that seemed to be the deciding factor as to whether they'd be considered an accessory to a crime. I was genuinely curious.
The first time I ran this by my husband he rolled his eyes and laughed, and he's a police officer. You could say I 'educated' him by telling him about the proposed link, but he'd have to see some kind of verifiable proof before he'd consider himself educated in any shape or form. Frankly it's not on any kind of law enforcement priority in our neck of the woods, if someone tired to call 911 to report a purse party I doubt they'd be taken seriously, counterfeit issues aside. I'm willing to bet that the majority of folks that purchase fake handbags do not truly believe they are supporting terrorism in any way, they're just trying to get a handbag that looks the same for cheap. When you throw dramatic statements at them like it's evil and 'blood money', they're probably more likely to tune you out even though what you have to say may be important.
Linda
Agreed. Fake designer bags are stealing from the designer. If I knowingly purchase an item I know is stolen, I am contributing to the problem.
I apologize if that came across as silly or nitpicky, that wasn't my intention. I was trying to figure out what you meant exactly when you said after they've been 'educated' since by your statement that seemed to be the deciding factor as to whether they'd be considered an accessory to a crime. I was genuinely curious.
The first time I ran this by my husband he rolled his eyes and laughed, and he's a police officer. You could say I 'educated' him by telling him about the proposed link, but he'd have to see some kind of verifiable proof before he'd consider himself educated in any shape or form. Frankly it's not on any kind of law enforcement priority in our neck of the woods, if someone tired to call 911 to report a purse party I doubt they'd be taken seriously, counterfeit issues aside. I'm willing to bet that the majority of folks that purchase fake handbags do not truly believe they are supporting terrorism in any way, they're just trying to get a handbag that looks the same for cheap. When you throw dramatic statements at them like it's evil and 'blood money', they're probably more likely to tune you out even though what you have to say may be important.
Linda
Thanks
. I'd say it is definitely something that is on the federal law enforcement level than the local law enforcement level, and better interagency communication would help with that part of it. As for the consumer level, it just goes along with being an educated consumer, and I think most people would not purchase fakes if they truly knew what was behind them. Again though, there are those who unfortunately do not care as long as they perceive a benefit for themselves.
Well said, I found it to be a quite childish comment also. I'd rather have people buying fakes then getting themselves into debt buying authentic purses.
(Of course there's always the pretty non-brand purse that's affordable and in this scenario the best choice, but oh well, were talking fakes here)
The whole discussion is muddy and its rediculous one side can use an argument about labor conditions and the other cannot. The ONLY differences I can see between counterfits and legitimate companies is copyright infringment.....working conditions, what the profits are used for and so on could very well be the same between both.... So, the answer as to why some people carry fakes would be that they just don't care about the original company enough to pay them more for something they can get for hundreds less....it is illegal because it is copyright infrigment. NOT because of any other reason.
Thanks
As for the consumer level, it just goes along with being an educated consumer, and I think most people would not purchase fakes if they truly knew what was behind them. Again though, there are those who unfortunately do not care as long as they perceive a benefit for themselves.
I think the thought by many is their is not sufficent enough proof that much of the counterfit trade supports A, B and C.....Any business can syphen their money to other illegal trades....Do all the facotories in China turn around and fund Al-Queda? I genuinly doubt it. Its big business out there and I am sure the workers and factories owners use that money to live as it is their business. I personally don't beleive all the stories behind it.... as for every article written about this, there is an opposing one written too....There is just not enough known to make a concrete decision.
I agree. . . sort ofI have repeated because they're illegal = trademark infringement/intellectual property theft. . . but to say there's no other reason is dismissing it far too quickly IMO.
I understand your point. My previous post explained my thoughts on that...but I do think that is the only reason they are actually...(by law) considered illegal....Anymore then that is personal belief based on what media stories or literature you choose to find credibility with.....
What would be enough evidence? Apparently congressional testimony from the FBI's anti-terrorism division isn't enough to convince some people (though it is enough to convince the US government), so what would be enough? For the people who want to carry them or support them, nothing is convincing enough. They believe what they choose to believe, and omit the rest.
There is no history of lying in government? lol.......I don't choose to or want to carry fake. I just don't beleive the business itself, other then the counterfit laws, is worse then anything else. People are allowed to have their own opinion.....because it is not yours does not mean they are wrong or morally corupt or destined to purchase these items.
I bought a fake Gucci some 4 years ago [worth less than $50 abroad] and it is uuuugggly now. The threads are all hanging out and all over the place. That was my first and last. I was 19 then. Besides no good can come out of it. If I wore that here in NY, I'd be easily spotted I'm sure or you can get help up at the airports... I agree with QueenCoco; it is pirating and we do not want to be part of that. Save up and buy the real thing.
LOL right. Everyone is lying. Including the FBI counter terrorism guys. Because I am sure those FBI guys are just lying in court because they are bag snobs and only like real bags.
Anyway I asked a question about what WOULD be enough proof if congressional testimony from the FBI's anti terrorism unit is not enough.