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

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#3,032
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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The stuff I buy is not produced by sweatshops because I research what I buy. It's a very poor excuse what you are saying...XXX

seafoaming said:
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.
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.
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Really? so you do not make assumptions about people from their appearance? You can see deep into their inner soul? Good for you.
 
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#3,034
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
Click to expand...

lol i love this comment. i totally agree with you. personally, i wouldn't buy a fake but i also realize that not everyone is so lucky to have a rich significant other or mom/dad that can buy 27619 celine bags in every color which is how 90% of the people in this forum attain their bags. some of these comments reek of privilege.
 
#3,036
judygao23 said:
Some people in order to satisfy their own vanity,
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I think this is true. Oddly, it's the same reason people buy designer bags. Consumption is consumption when you get down to it, and that means that a variety of forces influence buyers, some conscious and some subconcious.

I am 1000% against counterfeits but also against turning a blind eye to the industries that deliver authentic branded goods. If we take the same approach as we do to fakes, we might catch our breath to think about the labor practices, environmental costs, and consumer deception (labeling laws vs. true origins of production) in getting those lovely authentic goods into our closets.
 
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#3,037
I can kind of understand why people would buy fake designer goods, but what I don't understand are the people who post asking for verification of the authenticity of designer goods they purchased in real life (not online-- because then, that's understandable because pictures can be deceptive).

I think it's an indication of the value we put on the name of a product. If you hold it in your hands and you don't even know if it's real or not then I would question the quality of that brand--- then I could understand why people would just purchase a knock-off if they can't even tell the difference.
 
#3,038
ladysarah said:
The stuff I buy is not produced by sweatshops because I research what I buy. It's a very poor excuse what you are saying...and just what I would expect from someone with just one post on this forum...:tdown:



Really? so you do not make assumptions about people from their appearance? You can see deep into their inner soul? Good for you.
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Congratulations, you must not make a lot of purchases! iPads, iPhones, and iPods are all made in sweatshops. Hope you don't own any of those! Coca cola has a history of abusing its workers and violently silencing them when they tried to unionize in developing countries, as does the United Fruit Company. I'm sure you were taking that into consideration when you made your blanket statement that you research all the products you consume and only shop ethically....
 
#3,039
ladysarah said:
The stuff I buy is not produced by sweatshops because I research what I buy. It's a very poor excuse what you are saying...and just what I would expect from someone with just one post on this forum...:tdown:



Really? so you do not make assumptions about people from their appearance? You can see deep into their inner soul? Good for you.
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Yes. Because that is EXACTLY what I was saying. If I were you and didn't understand the semantics of the english language I wouldn't be posting anything except pictures on a forum.
 
#3,040
rainneday said:
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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This is an excellent point!!
 
#3,043
People buy counterfeit goods, because xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. And people make excuses disguised as 'non judgment' because they share similar traits.... Luckily, plenty of people are informed consumers and research their purchases, so they can put pressure on large organisations with questionable ethics. How do you think so many sweatshops closed down and conditions improved, despite the recession?
 
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