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

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#2,898
Carrierae said:
I hear a lot of people in here assuming that people who buy fakes can't afford the real thing.
I personally don't care if someone carries a fake. I like the real thing, but its hard to judge.
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I dont find it hard to judge at all actually.;) Apart from the fact that most fake bags look supertacky.(yes darling, the proportions are usually off, the quality of the finish poor, the leather inferior etc etc etc they dont fool everyone you know... those who carry them may think they look cool - but yu know - we may be polite in front of you but we do laugh behind your back, or bag so to speak.:D we do not laugh thinking you have no money - we laugh because you have no taste.) Apart from the purely visual disaster, it is a form of theft and your family who is in the law enforcement business should explain that to you. The companies that produce the original designs, invest in quality design, manufacturing, pay taxes and generally contribute to society, whether one likes it or not. The illegal fakes are just that - illegal leeches. If you want to help the world's poor you can encourage local artisans and factories producing a certain standard of work - not copies.
 
#2,899
ladysarah said:
I dont find it hard to judge at all actually.;) Apart from the fact that most fake bags look supertacky.(yes darling, the proportions are usually off, the quality of the finish poor, the leather inferior etc etc etc they dont fool everyone you know... those who carry them may think they look cool - but yu know - we may be polite in front of you but we do laugh behind your back, or bag so to speak.:D we do not laugh thinking you have no money - we laugh because you have no taste.) Apart from the purely visual disaster, it is a form of theft and your family who is in the law enforcement business should explain that to you. The companies that produce the original designs, invest in quality design, manufacturing, pay taxes and generally contribute to society, whether one likes it or not. The illegal fakes are just that - illegal leeches. If you want to help the world's poor you can encourage local artisans and factories producing a certain standard of work - not copies.
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:goodpost:
 
#2,901
All Smiles said:
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.
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Pretty much a pro-slavery rationale. Really want to go there? "Hey, slavery has its upside..."
 
#2,902
ladysarah said:
I dont find it hard to judge at all actually.;) Apart from the fact that most fake bags look supertacky.(yes darling, the proportions are usually off, the quality of the finish poor, the leather inferior etc etc etc they dont fool everyone you know... those who carry them may think they look cool - but yu know - we may be polite in front of you but we do laugh behind your back, or bag so to speak.:D we do not laugh thinking you have no money - we laugh because you have no taste.) Apart from the purely visual disaster, it is a form of theft and your family who is in the law enforcement business should explain that to you. The companies that produce the original designs, invest in quality design, manufacturing, pay taxes and generally contribute to society, whether one likes it or not. The illegal fakes are just that - illegal leeches. If you want to help the world's poor you can encourage local artisans and factories producing a certain standard of work - not copies.
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EXCELLENT POST! I agree 100%
 
#2,904
FendiBagLady said:
I don't like knockoffs personally. I know that the counterfeit bags are often made in sweatshops and the money is funneled to terrorist organizations or organized crime units. Unfortunately, the people who get arrested for selling counterfeit goods are the guys (and gals) on the street who are just trying to make a living, often in the US illegally and have no other way of supporting themselves.

That being said, I would never not "respect" someone for having a knockoff bag! Respect - or lack thereof - is due to someone's CHARACTER, not their material possessions. I have friends who have tons of knockoffs because they like the style and cannot afford the real ones. The fact that someone else would not respect them as people because they cannot afford the fancy bags that others carry makes me kind of disgusted.
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i totally agree with you, very well said ;)
 
#2,905
jellyv said:
Pretty much a pro-slavery rationale. Really want to go there? "Hey, slavery has its upside..."
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It's not pro slavery, it's reality..

My mother had to work at 8 yo, along with her brothers and sisters, they worked in "sweat shops", they could not afford education and if they didn't work, they starved. so yes they were grateful to even have jobs to get paid.

It had to be said in that perspective, because as much as some people get on their high horse about slavery, I don't here anyone reaching deep enough to fix it.
 
#2,906
All Smiles said:
My mother had to work at 8 yo, along with her brothers and sisters, they worked in "sweat shops", they could not afford education and if they didn't work, they starved. so yes they were grateful to even have jobs to get paid.
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Was that okay then, and okay to perpetuate now? Because that's your basic argument. Morality be damned, exploitation be damned, intellectual property rights be damned. If all is fine with that, there's no reason not to enslave others for profit.

Yikes.

And by the way, there are vigorous efforts to reduce human trafficking and the counterfeit market.
 
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#2,907
jellyv said:
Was that okay then, and okay to perpetuate now? Because that's your basic argument. Morality be damned, exploitation be damned, intellectual property rights be damned. If all is fine with that, there's no reason not to enslave others for profit.

Yikes.
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Yes, it was okay then, because they choose to work, my mothers alternative was street vending which didn't pay enough and was dangerous OR starve.

No one should be forced to work unwillingly, am I okay with the exploitation and use of intellectual property, no, but I have my eyes open to see that although it's not the most desired circumstance, there are people who appreciate the work.

At the end of the day, I have my opinions on it based on my mothers experiences. You can be righteous as much you like but it doesn't change reality.
 
#2,909
Well I don't advocate fakes, but neither do I laugh or judge people for being either less fortunate or less stylish than myself.

Everyone needs to mind their own business. We don't have to agree with everyone's fashion choices and they don't have to agree with ours.
 
#2,910
slowlikehoney said:
Well I don't advocate fakes, but neither do I laugh or judge people for being either less fortunate or less stylish than myself.

Everyone needs to mind their own business. We don't have to agree with everyone's fashion choices and they don't have to agree with ours.
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I totally agree. Diminishing others; especially over style behind their back while being polite to their face does make you more significant. Actually, it makes you kind of fake as a person.
 
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