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

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#3,167
uber-chic said:
I've never understood this, but why do people insist on buying fake knock offs of designer anything, especially bags? In my opinion I could never get any satisfaction knowing that I was toting around a fake bag or fake watch or fake anything. If I can't afford to buy it, then I'd rather buy something in my price range instead of posing like I can afford something I can't.

Some people argue that they'd rather spend their money on something else like fixing their house or going on vacation, and would rather carry a knock off instead, and then have the nerve to make fun of people that buy the real thing. What they don't realize is that people that can usually afford a real $2,000 bag, can also afford to fix they're house and go on vacation too, without having to sacrifice one for the other...it's all relative.

Buying knock off bags and seeing women with knock offs doesn't make any sense. It's like a guy wearing a fake rolex, you just can't take him seriously, or respect him for that matter. I would rather see him wearing a timex...the same applies to women. If you can't afford the bag, stick to coach or kate spade or something, right? You're fooling no one but yourself, where's the satisifaction there?

Thoughts anyone? I don't mean to stir or churn, but I just had to!:p
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I definitely agree with you I would never buy fake I prefer to just not have anything at all. I would rather buy used or try to find something through Ebay or something that I know is real new or used. I guess it all depends on the person, but personally I would feel like everyone would know its fake and would be talking about me or something.

I am on the road to buying my first Louis Vuitton maybe through ebay hoping to get it authenticated before I bid would not like to purchase a fake, wish me luck! and Happy Thanksgiving!
 
#3,169
I don't own any fakes, but I don't look down on those who do. My aunt has a large collection of bags, she has plenty of real LV, Gucci, etc but then she will carry fakes when she travels, or is going to be somewhere where they could get messed up. I understand not wanting to ruin your real bags but I personally would rather carry a real Coach, MK, etc than a fake of an LV (she buys very well-made fakes, almost exact replicas, but for that money you could have gotten an authentic, cute bag, you know?). I have a large range of designers from D&B to LV but it's more important to me to support the designers and know that I'm carrying quality :smile1:
 
#3,170
Recently a friend was cleaning out an old house. The prior (deceased) owner had a number of vintage handbags (probably new when she purchased them) mostly from the 50s-70s. One of the things he brought me was an obviously fake but higher quality Chanel belt bag with a long gold chain. If it didn't have the obviously fake quilted double C on the front, I would gladly wear it as a really cute vintage bag with a nice vintage chain strap. As it is I hesitate, because I'm kinda creeped out by fake bags. On the other hand, I find myself wondering, at what point does a vintage fake become interesting in and of itself? Based on the clasp, I think this might be a 70s fake. Would it be interesting if it was a 50s fake? I know, for example that contemporaneous fakes of old masters' paintings are highly interesting and valuable in their own right. Could this be the case with fake bags some day?
 
#3,171
I think that some people just don't take handbags all that seriously, and might not actually care if they're not impressing or "fooling" anyone with their purse. I've also known a few women who have worn obvious designer knockoff bags as a form of critique about consumerism. I mean, whether you spent ten bucks on a street corner or a thousand bucks in a boutique, you can't buy class or taste. It makes no difference.

Personally I wouldn't buy a knockoff though. Most of the imitations I see for sale around my city are Chanel, LV and Coach, and I don't care for those brands anyway.
 
#3,172
I live in Bkk, where there's a big market of all kind of knockoff ....so first it was my curiosity to see it ..and I have to admit that some of them looks so real that make me think it's not a bad idea to buy it !!!so I did !! got some handbags ..Hermes, Chanel...
There're good reason to this
1,you can learn from it !! and look how well they can make it so that I won't be cheated in in the future! it'd hurt so bad if i buy the fake one with the real price you know ? Especially Hermes Birkin/ Kelly .For not many lucky people that got the chance to buy from the shop ! and now that we can buy from some web; Ebay, etc plus premium ..so how can we be sure that we get the real authentic ones.!!!
So to me ..it's quite useful ...like all things,,,diamond, watch, antiques ...good chance to learn from the fake ones also.
2. Brand name handbags are not cheap so once you try on the fake one and see if the style is classic and that you really use it...then you can start invest in the real one
So my reasons are ....live smart in this world full of passion....
 
#3,173
I love louis vuiton bag, sooo expensive though and can not afford it now. Maybe someday if i have enough money, i will buy louis vuiton. I do not mind buying tha fake one because i love it, not trying to show off to people about i am pretending to be rich. However maybe someday i will buy the original one for sure, i like louis vuiton bag! Now my bags are non leather brand like oilily,kipling,guess,elle. And leather bag brand like fossil and furla. I still can afford it now. I love the most is my candy furla bag. Soft calm peach pearl colour,so elegant. All of them are original, not fake! My candy furla bag is easy to take care and to clean up rather than leather bag. Rain, sunshine and oil will not break it easily! I love it!
 
#3,174
platinum_babie said:
i should probably also clarify that being able to identify a real bag from a fake bag would encourage people to buy second hand items safely, and therefore the corporations would lose money as a lot of ppl buy from the boutiques to ensure authenticity. if there were no fakes, then everyone would be buying pre-loved items without concern, decreasing the profitability of new items directly from the house.
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Interesting that you mention authentication. Does this authentication tech allow consumers to verify the products? You don't have to mention anything confidential...

I have had similar experiences with brands saying they won't really fight it head on until consumers stop buying their products and buy the cheaper fakes instead. It is a double standard for sure, but it does makes business sense. After all, they are a business.
 
#3,175
There isn't any way to justify buying a fake in my opinion. If you wanted to see if you truly liked the style before investing the money you could just try it on at the store or use one of those online services that let you rent the (authentic) bag. Also, there are beautiful preloved and authentic bags for sale online that are even cheaper than the "AAA" fakes!!!

If you still can't afford the 'real deal' there are so soooo many cute bags in lower price points. I wish everyone could be educated about the truth behind counterfeit goods. It's never a good idea to buy fake anything!
 
#3,177
This is such a good topic....Ok here we go...Personally I do not like a fake or replica handbags and I will never carry them ever...I did start buying designer handbags when I was 19....My first bag that I bought with my own money is one of the contemporary bag and I 'm very proud of that and now I Upgraded to Premium handbags that make me more happy and I feel so satisfied specially when you know all the brand behind it..I do like reading about the History about the bag or watching the movie about the person who pursue the name of the company. For those people who carry the Replica or fake this is what I personally think not hating but just saying..Do not order a Sloppy Joe and expect to be a Fillet Mignon..They will Never be the same:)
 
#3,179
I can not stand fake bags (fake anything for that matter). If I can not afford it I save until I am able. A couple years back my husband brought what he thought was a LV (the seller told it was). I took one look at the bag and told him if he did not get that fake out of the house...LOL. From then on we only by from the actual store or reputable carriers.
 
#3,180
Well, in the process of doing more research, I asked my girlfriend to walk down Canal St. in NYC and let me know what the prices of fakes were. I was shocked when she bought a fake LV Damier Azur Speedy for around $50 and it looks JUST like the real thing from photos, even the leather flaps. Of course, moments after buying it, she checked the zippers and it screamed FAKE. If only she had checked it before...

This is what makes me believe that bag buyers, especially online, need an instant tool to authenticate or buy a new/resold bag. Maybe enforce pre-selling authentication for buyers on eBay and other sites? I have always wondered whether sellers would actually do that, if it were free or for a nominal fee of less than $5. Thoughts?
 
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