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

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#3,016
The most important reason not to buy fake is because the money goes to criminal sources which fund more crime and effects the life of so many people.

The people that make the items work in illegal factories with little or no regulations, terrible pay and dangerous conditions.

The money earned from the sale has no positive effect to society they dont pay to tax or fee's to the government so nothing is put back into the system.

If you cant aford to buy the real item then do the sensible thing by saving up any spare cash or selling stuff you no longer need to fnd itor live within your means and buy something beautiful that you can aford because afterall not everything has to be desginer to be lovely.
 
#3,017
Maybe the people that buy fakes do so because they can't afford the real deal but like the style of the designer bags.It might make them feel good carrying these bags sort of like fitting in and feeling special, after all most women aren't "pros" at knowing whats genuine or not. I don't judge anyone. Do what makes you feel good. :smile1:
 
#3,018
momsterof3 said:
Maybe the people that buy fakes do so because they can't afford the real deal but like the style of the designer bags.It might make them feel good carrying these bags sort of like fitting in and feeling special, after all most women aren't "pros" at knowing whats genuine or not. I don't judge anyone. Do what makes you feel good. :smile1:
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Yes, I agree. I am not judgmental of anyone carrying an inspired bag or even a fake bag to each their own. At the end of the day IT'S JUST A BAG!:smile1:
 
#3,019
I was wondering myself why people buy the fakes. I have a range of different bags but if I can't afford the real thing, I will buy something that is similar but not trying to be something that it's not. I wouldn't carry around a fake bag either.
 
#3,020
Where I come from people will look at what you are wearing, what watch, shoes, glasses, and bag you are wearing. To live in a place like that it is hard not to want to fit in. That is why people do it. They want to impress people when they actually just make fool out if themselves. There are so many people that do this and they just look dumb because if you don't have the money then don't try to show otherwise. I've learned that you have to be happy with what you get and what life gives you. It just shows how miserable they are at trying to pretend to be someone they are not. I am not one of those people, if I don't have the money then too bad, I'll save it, or buy something at around that price.
 
#3,021
It's so sad that people think it's okay to buy counterfeit goods for several different reasons. I think it's obviously just a status or fitting in thing but what they don't realize is they will be much more respected if they buy a bag or shoes in their price range. Once I realize someone is wearing a fake I immediately look down on them. If you can't afford something, then deal with it! There's tons of other ways to look chic while on a budget.

I myself could never carry a fake because of the constant paranoia I'd feel wondering if anyone knew it wasn't real. As well as the following reasons :

1. The designer that worked so hard is now being cheated.
2. It supports child labor and sweatshops.
3. It supports drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism.

Many people don't realize the last 2 reasons are directly affected by fake handbags and sunglasses, etc. It's important to tell this to people you know - it may make them think twice.
 
#3,022
What gets me is that for the cost of a new counterfeit you can get an older, preowned authentic. There are people on my local CL selling LV "replicas" for $500 to $1000. I don't get it. Why waste so much money on something if the quality and craftsmanship aren't there?
 
#3,023
peanutleigh said:
It's so sad that people think it's okay to buy counterfeit goods for several different reasons. Once I realize someone is wearing a fake I immediately look down on them. If you can't afford something, then deal with it! There's tons of other ways to look chic while on a budget.

I myself could never carry a fake because of the constant paranoia I'd feel wondering if anyone knew it wasn't real. As well as the following reasons :

1. The designer that worked so hard is now being cheated.
2. It supports child labor and sweatshops.
3. It supports drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism.

Many people don't realize the last 2 reasons are directly affected by fake handbags and sunglasses, etc. It's important to tell this to people you know - it may make them think twice.
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:goodpost:

'Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. Consumers who believe they are purchasing genuine items are left with inferior items that cannot live up to their expectations. Counterfeiters hurt legitimate business owners as well as the overall economy because they do not pay taxes nor do they provide fair wages or benefits to their employees. They frequently use child labor, participate in identity theft, fail to deliver goods that were paid for and have been connected to gang activity and terrorism, among other crimes. When you purchase a counterfeit product, you are funding and supporting this criminal activity.

Counterfeiters are not accountable to human rights and environmental regulations. Counterfeiters don’t adhere to child labor laws, anti-sweatshop laws, or restricted substances laws, putting both workers and the environment at risk. Fundamental human rights of workers employed by counterfeiters, such as basic safety and health precautions, are often compromised or entirely ignored creating a work environment that is safe for no one.'

So yeah... I am afraid I do judge anyone who chooses to buy fake stuff.... And anyone who thinks its cool not to judge... It tells me all I need to know about their contribution to society...
 
#3,024
*JJ* said:
i seriously doubt that people buy knock-offs because they like the style and don't care who makes it. a lot of fakes' shapes are totally off or have a shape that doesn't even exist (in the designer's collection), they only have the logo pattern (in LV's case). so it's often not the shape they want, but the logo.
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Totally agree with this. Some girls may not know anything about the brand but they are seduced by the logo. I'm trying to work out if an peer pressure thing, the place you live or the status you think you get that makes you wanna fake it.
 
#3,027
peanutleigh said:
It's so sad that people think it's okay to buy counterfeit goods for several different reasons. I think it's obviously just a status or fitting in thing but what they don't realize is they will be much more respected if they buy a bag or shoes in their price range. Once I realize someone is wearing a fake I immediately look down on them. If you can't afford something, then deal with it! There's tons of other ways to look chic while on a budget.

I myself could never carry a fake because of the constant paranoia I'd feel wondering if anyone knew it wasn't real. As well as the following reasons :

1. The designer that worked so hard is now being cheated.
2. It supports child labor and sweatshops.
3. It supports drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism.

Many people don't realize the last 2 reasons are directly affected by fake handbags and sunglasses, etc. It's important to tell this to people you know - it may make them think twice.
Click to expand...
I know you're not the only person posting this sentiment, so I apologize in advance if this seems like a personal attack on you, but 99% of the items we consume are produced by sweatshops, child labor, and unfair conditions in general. This is the most hypocritical argument against purchasing counterfeit goods conceivable.

To address the original question; people buy counterfeit goods because there's something they find attractive about the item, but they can't afford it. It's easy to say, "just save up for it" when you have a good paying job or someone else to fund your shopping, but the majority of Americans make around 50k per year, meaning that a $1500 bag or pair of shoes costs more than a week's salary, *before* tax. Let's keep it real.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States
 
#3,028
I get that people who buys exact replicas probably do that due to either financial or social pressure. Howeverm what baffles me is the wearing of very bad fakes. If they don't care about wearing a designer item, then I don't know why they'd buy a counterfeit, if they do, why would they not do their homework and make themselves look funny?
 
#3,029
Ifrit said:
I know you're not the only person posting this sentiment, so I apologize in advance if this seems like a personal attack on you, but 99% of the items we consume are produced by sweatshops, child labor, and unfair conditions in general. This is the most hypocritical argument against purchasing counterfeit goods conceivable.

To address the original question; people buy counterfeit goods because there's something they find attractive about the item, but they can't afford it. It's easy to say, "just save up for it" when you have a good paying job or someone else to fund your shopping, but the majority of Americans make around 50k per year, meaning that a $1500 bag or pair of shoes costs more than a week's salary, *before* tax. Let's keep it real.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_income_in_the_United_States
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True. Even luxury brands use sweatshop methods of producing their goods. And the argument that if you buy replica then you're cheating the "designer" of money they deserve to earn? Nope, sorry. Let's not be naive or pretend to be ignorant. Most designer houses are owned by corporations now and their mission is too cheat you out of every penny they can. I'll be the first to admit while I own a few Louis vuittons i know that a $1500 bag costs the company maybe $300-500 to manufacture (and that's a generous estimation).

I could care less about seeing someone carrying a fake LV next to me, it has nothing to do with me, who am i to judge them for not being stupid enough to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a piece of leather sewn on a piece of canvas.

I mean honestly if you're actually taking the time to stare at a random person's purse and judge whether it's fake or not, it's probably a good idea to take up a hobby and work out some personal insecurities. Judging someone actually says a lot more about the person doing the judging.
 
#3,030
To me, my clothes and accessories come in two forms, practical and works of art. I tend to veer toward being more attracted to the works of art. That being said, when I buy a nice handbag I am buying it for the whole aesthetic experience, and I am paying the designer for this. If I buy a painting to hang on my wall, if I cannot afford the orginal, I buy a print and it is licensed to the estate or artist who did produce the original work. When you buy a knock off bag, the original designer does not get a % of the sale, so to me, it is wrong. I would rather buy from an unknown artist than buy an illegally printed copy. I would not buy a book printed illegally either, as it is stealing a concept without the author being paid for it. Also, there is the fine line of inspiration vs. direct fabrication. One is a compliment, the other is theft.
 
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