Why Do People Buy Fake Designer Bags Or Fake Designer Anything?

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#2,881
jailnurse93 said:
One cost $149 and the other well over 1k. I don't find that confusing at all. Of course I think this designer copied Balenciaga, even though they put their name inside the bag. I don't think Balenciaga will suffer for it though.

No offense taken....I actually quite hard to offend, I work in a jail, lol.
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I guess you are right. I just researched found out that copying the design is actually not illegal. "Since it is not illegal to copy the overall design of a handbag, if you purchased a bag that is merely shaped like the famed Hermes Birkin bag you are not necessarily carrying an illegal fake. It may simply be a clever knockoff."

However, I think the designer will definitely suffer. "In June of 2008, LVMH the owner of various luxury brands including Louis Vuitton won a judgment in France ordering eBay to pay three hundred and ninety two million euros in damages for failing to police its site. They were able to prove that ninety percent of all Louis Vuitton and Dior items sold on the site are counterfeit."

If the designer doesn't suffer from counterfeit then I guess the court won't order eBay to pay.

Again, you are correct that for the people who bought this bag probably won't get confused thinking that this is a real designer balenciaga purse because of the price. In fact, these "great deals" are often good indicators whether the bag is a knock-off or not.
 
#2,882
Justifying knowingly buying fake bags.... Never going to come from me. Counterfeit goods' link to child sweat shops (for what? Vanity? Won't spend full amount or even sale amount respecting intellectual property? Why not buy something else that's not a rip off and well made?) and terrorism are well documented. Here is an example:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/business/worldbusiness/12iht-fake.4569452.html

I'm sure this has been posted before...
 
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#2,883
There's clearly a difference in knowingly purchasing a fake bag and trying to pass it off as the real deal (which I believe is what this thread is talking about) - vs. buying a bag of a similar style to a designer (but without the fake label) or buying something and not knowing it was a fake. Before I knew much about handbags I did buy a fake Kate Spade "sam" - I just liked the style and bought one on ebay. I had no clue it was a fake, or even that there was such a big business of counterfeit bags. Also, designers - ALL designers, high & low end - copy each other all the time and go with certain shapes that are in style at the moment. The Celine Boston tote, Coach Candace - Prada even has a similar style out right now. It happens. "Designer-inspired" doesn't really count as a fake, IMHO.

I don't think everyone who owns designer bags charges them and/or is in debt, but I'm not saying it doesn't happen. Just take a look in the money forum sometime.
 
#2,884
I personally don't support counterfeit nor will I ever purchase counterfeit as I feel that if I can't afford the real deal than i just can't have it. However it really is none of my business nor for me to judge why other people buy fakes...everyone has a reason for doing the things they do. I don't have time to stress myself over these things.

As long as Chinese people are around, counterfeit is here to stay, so there isn't really much any of us can do about it.
 
#2,886
yoyotomatoe said:
I personally don't support counterfeit nor will I ever purchase counterfeit as I feel that if I can't afford the real deal than i just can't have it. However it really is none of my business nor for me to judge why other people buy fakes...everyone has a reason for doing the things they do. I don't have time to stress myself over these things.

As long as Chinese people are around, counterfeit is here to stay, so there isn't really much any of us can do about it.
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I agree with all of this - Chinese fakes will always have a market..

But I won't be buying into it!!!:smile1:
 
#2,887
doreenjoy said:
Wow...just wow.
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It sounds wrong but I'm Chinese....and I'm just saying it like it is. If there is anyone who knows most about the Chinese's capabilities when it comes to bootlegging it would their be own people. Thus I am not wrong in saying what I have said. They can counterfeit ANYTHING! So take that comment how you like.
 
#2,888
EmilyXLC said:
So, you've had your intellectual property stolen? How did that make you feel? The fact that you've had this happen to you alone should be enough for you to not want to condone the purchase of a counterfeit item. I'm sorry to hear that this has happened to you.

I felt embarrassed... that I didn't know better.
Never thought that I was good enough to be ripped off.
Went on to do "more gooder" (sorry, "more better") works, but as I said, made sure that I didn't make my work a target.

If your bags cannot pass as the real thing & do not have a 'Chanel' or 'Hermes' logo on them, I suppose there isn't an issue if all the bag is copying is the basic style of the real thing. However, if it is a spitting image with the label on it, it is an issue.
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The profile on all of them are obviously "H" bag or "C" bag designs. The changes such as a back pocket on two of the ostrich *Birkens* and *Kellys* are really an improvement, as women now have cell phones (they didn't when the Kelly or the Birkin were designed).
Just like the Ariel, or Akzidenz Grotesque, or Vega sh fonts on your computer have been oh so slightly changed, it's OK...there is no way that you should feel like you are typing with a counterfeit Helvetica script.

If Hermes and or Chanel and or others want to keep from being ripped off, they might want to look at something that Porsche did... they actually allowed a firm to "rip them off" (on three older models) with blessings even.
Check out Beck speedster, or Beck 550.
Worked out very well for all.
 
#2,889
I think age is a big factor. Teenagers or the younger crowd know whats in style and they want it but can't afford it. They really don't think about the whole counterfeit factor involved, they just want a bag for under $100 that has that label like a bag over $1000. They don't see that as wrong...either morally or ethically...to them it's just style. That's about as much as their thought process progresses. Many teenagers aren't careful with their bags, and they can b fickle and decide on another trend as soon as tomorrow. As long as these bags r out there, the younger set will likely buy. Its not until these girls get older and more mature do they see the moral value in buying a real bag...and mayb by then they will have the means to save up for one as well. I'm not saying all teenagers or younger people r like this...I do see many carrying real Coach siggy bags, but I also see some carrying fake high ends.
 
#2,890
ok here's a little dilemma I have. There is xxxxxxxx someone who has a new fashion blog etc. I love seeing how people put outfits together and love to go through style blogs. As I was going through this new blog I noticed that all the Chanel, LV and Loubs posted are ALL fake. How sure am I? they had an LV multicolore with a style that was never made. I may be wrong and it might be a "special order" but should I break it to them the importance of not buying these fakes and what they are really supporting? Or shall i just leave it alone and mind my own business??
 
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#2,891
attyxthomas said:
ok here's a little dilemma I have. There is xxxxxxxx someone who has a new fashion blog etc. I love seeing how people put outfits together and love to go through style blogs. As I was going through this new blog I noticed that all the Chanel, LV and Loubs posted are ALL fake. How sure am I? they had an LV multicolore with a style that was never made. I may be wrong and it might be a "special order" but should I break it to them the importance of not buying these fakes and what they are really supporting? Or shall i just leave it alone and mind my own business??
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I would address it ONLY if I was 100% sure they are fake.
 
#2,892
I know people who buy fakes for status. I know others who buy super fakes as backups to their originals. I know some who have the money and will a fake because they would rather spend it on something else.

I hear a lot of people in here assuming that people who buy fakes can't afford the real thing. I'm sure there are a few people in here that can't afford the brand, but charge it or stretch their budget to buy something that's out of their means. Being in debt over a purse or having to save and save....that's almost as bad.

I personally don't care if someone carries a fake. I like the real thing, but its hard to judge. How many have downloaded music and movies illegally? What about your 'party' drugs? There are a lot of common places that support terrorism. I have family members that are in law enforcement (gang/drug team). Example, white rich college kid dealing drugs out. Money was actually being laundered and supported terrorism. If you look really hard, there are a lot of everyday things that support child labor and terrorism....but most members here seem to be wrapped up in a fake purse...why? I think more are too concerned with their own image, and others threaten what they 'earned'.

Is this really about terrorism and child labor? Or is about how you personally feel? Why should you care? if you can afford it, it should bother you...i mean you can spot a fake so whats the problem? I make enough money on my own to walk in and buy any LV bag in the store, but I don't give a crap if someone has a fake or a whole fleet of bags. I don't feel threatened or angered by what someone else has....real or not.
 
#2,893
^good point.

Have you ever thought about the people which make the counterfeit bags/shoes/whatever it may be, yes compared to a developed country their working conditions are horrible but how do you know it's not the norm in that country, where would these people be without these jobs, pittance pay (in USD/Euros etc) might be worth more in that country. Eg in Vietnam there are heaps of counterfeit items, child slaves workin for a few dollars a day, but some children regardless of these jobs are not able to go to school and forced to work at a young age to help their families, the average monthly pay for an adult is less than $150USD/month. It's not a choice I would make for myself, but I understand to some people, it's putting food on the table.
 
#2,894
I don't mean to sound like a cow...but really.

I am in London at the moment- I got on the tube and there was a girl dressed in a Lacoste tracksuit with bright pink trainers carrying an obviously fake birkin bag.

Another in M+S- dressed in Primark and fake UGG boots and a fake Louis vuitton.

I don't understand? It is usually pretty obviously and its just tacky..
 
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