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

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#3,226
I think it's easy to say you would not buy a fake when you can afford to buy the real thing. But for women who really want the LV or whatever status bag it is and can't afford it-they are willing to buy the fake. Those are the women carrying bags that you can tell are fake-because they don't know enough or appreciate the quality and details that go along with it. They really have no idea of what a fake represents in the bigger picture. They only know they want the brand status.

Then you have women who can afford the real thing and occasionally go off course to buy 'a really good fake', but in the end it lets you down. They may order it online from one of many places promising to be a mirror image-just to see. I have done it.:shame: You can kind of talk yourself into it; after all how can a Chanel bag cost so darn much? I am in the fashion industry and have talked to enough manufacturers and I do believe that in some cases-the super-fakes are very similar quality. They may even be made in the same factory after hrs. Even here on purse forum, some authenticators can not tell. I mean why spend $4k when I can get a supposed great copy for $300? I don't want the Steve Madden, Coach, MK or whatever midpoint bag is out there.

At first you are happy to get the bag for $300-but when it comes in from China and it smells like it came from there-it's not the same. The leather is soft but it's not the same quality. The details are really good and you can fool others but so what? It's just like another poster said-you feel awful carrying it. It looks real but I can see in the details it is not. But that's my opinion-it may not be everyone else's. Judging from all the sites I see- there is still a big demand. That $300 bag after all, is pretty darn good if all you want to do is give the appearance you have the IT bag.

It would be really interesting to know how much a designer bag really costs-what the wholesale price is.....I mean on a bag costing 5k, how much can the hard costs be? I have no idea of the typical 2.5-3x markup holds true in this instance. I bet we would be shocked.
 
#3,227
gail13 said:
I think it's easy to say you would not buy a fake when you can afford to buy the real thing....That $300 bag after all, is pretty darn good if all you want to do is give the appearance you have the IT bag.

It would be really interesting to know how much a designer bag really costs-what the wholesale price is.....I mean on a bag costing 5k, how much can the hard costs be? I have no idea of the typical 2.5-3x markup holds true in this instance. I bet we would be shocked.
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I hear you. I really like the look of the Balenciaga moto bags, but not enough to part company with that kind of $, especially in light of the declining quality that I've seen described in many threads. I've seen some *really* good fakes for 300.00 and some really worn out & tired looking used Balenciaga bags for the same price, so I've been very tempted. I haven't done it because I'd feel bad about it ethically, but I've been very tempted.
 
#3,228
gail13 said:
I think it's easy to say you would not buy a fake when you can afford to buy the real thing. But for women who really want the LV or whatever status bag it is and can't afford it-they are willing to buy the fake. Those are the women carrying bags that you can tell are fake-because they don't know enough or appreciate the quality and details that go along with it. They really have no idea of what a fake represents in the bigger picture. They only know they want the brand status.

Then you have women who can afford the real thing and occasionally go off course to buy 'a really good fake', but in the end it lets you down. They may order it online from one of many places promising to be a mirror image-just to see. I have done it.:shame: You can kind of talk yourself into it; after all how can a Chanel bag cost so darn much? I am in the fashion industry and have talked to enough manufacturers and I do believe that in some cases-the super-fakes are very similar quality. They may even be made in the same factory after hrs. Even here on purse forum, some authenticators can not tell. I mean why spend $4k when I can get a supposed great copy for $300? I don't want the Steve Madden, Coach, MK or whatever midpoint bag is out there.

At first you are happy to get the bag for $300-but when it comes in from China and it smells like it came from there-it's not the same. The leather is soft but it's not the same quality. The details are really good and you can fool others but so what? It's just like another poster said-you feel awful carrying it. It looks real but I can see in the details it is not. But that's my opinion-it may not be everyone else's. Judging from all the sites I see- there is still a big demand. That $300 bag after all, is pretty darn good if all you want to do is give the appearance you have the IT bag.

It would be really interesting to know how much a designer bag really costs-what the wholesale price is.....I mean on a bag costing 5k, how much can the hard costs be? I have no idea of the typical 2.5-3x markup holds true in this instance. I bet we would be shocked.
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I agree with most of this, just not sure everyone that buys fakes wants to appear like they have a certain status. I have considered high quality replicas after seeing a friends Celine luggage tote, but not because I want to look rich. I like the design of certain bags and there is usually nothing comparable. The copy's by MK and other contemporary designers often lack something that the real bag has.

Her bag "looks" authentic through and through, we compared it to images of the real thing. The inside is leather, the stitching is neat, even the logos are done much better nowadays. I am reluctant about buying a fake for different reasons, but I can see why some women would!

If I could buy a 3000$ bag, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable admitting how much it cost if asked. Seems silly but I would worry about being judged for spending so much money on it. There are no it bags in my collection yet ^^.
 
#3,229
Manelieht said:
I agree with most of this, just not sure everyone that buys fakes wants to appear like they have a certain status. I have considered high quality replicas after seeing a friends Celine luggage tote, but not because I want to look rich. I like the design of certain bags and there is usually nothing comparable. The copy's by MK and other contemporary designers often lack something that the real bag has.

Her bag "looks" autldentic through and through, we compared it to images of the real thing. The inside is leather, the stitching is neat, even the logos are done much better nowadays. I am reluctant about buying a fake for different reasons, but I can see why some women would!

If I could buy a 3000$ bag, I'm not sure I would feel comfortable admitting how much it cost if asked. Seems silly but I would worry about being judged for spending so much money on it. There are no it bags in my collection yet ^^.
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Yes, I can see that. It is true, that we want these things because of how they look and the beautiful designs. I know here on the PF we are used to talking about how much designer goods cost but most people may find it ridiculous.
 
#3,230
#3,231
gail13 said:
Yes, I can see that. It is true, that we want these things because of how they look and the beautiful designs. I know here on the PF we are used to talking about how much designer goods cost but most people may find it ridiculous.
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Yes, because they see the price tag, and don't personally care or know much about bags and the quality behind it. To them it is ridiculous. But it is funny how it seems to be okay for guys to have expensive hobbies like golfing, cars, travel. ;)

Some designs like the LV damier azure you won't find from another designer because they can't copy that exact pattern legally.
Similar with the Celine luggage tote, so much detail that is hard to copy and it would look much too similar. I'm sure Celine would complain it ;).
 
#3,233
I can't personally wear fake items, it bothers me. On the other hand, I think that if you can't afford/ don't want to spend money on an IT bag, I see nothing wrong with buying a mid-point bag like Coach, MK etc. but don't buy a fake higher end bag.

My view on the matter is that I prefer to save up and buy 1 high end item, wait and save, get another, instead of getting 3-4 midpoint items. I feel like my money was better invested. That's just me tho, everyone is different.

PS - LV is always worth the investment. :)
 
#3,234
ladysarah said:
It would also be really interesting to see the true cost of the fake bag : http://www.adnas.com/company-blog/child-victims-counterfeit-trade
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Thanks LadySarah for including that link. I had no idea the factories were that bad. In my mind, I see them as factories like we have here in LA, full of illegals and otherwise who need to make a buck. They aren't pleasant, but they are not breaking children's legs. I wonder if that's a product of any factory in China-if the country allows those conditions?

It would surprise many people tho, to see the factories where regular clothing etc is produced here in the US. Speaking from my own experiences- having worked in one of them;it is not great. Temps can reach upward of 100 degrees and that's the least of it. Most have no A/C, let alone windows. Sanitation and safety-forget about it. It is the part of fashion that is not glamorous.
 
#3,235
gail13 said:
I think it's easy to say you would not buy a fake when you can afford to buy the real thing. But for women who really want the LV or whatever status bag it is and can't afford it-they are willing to buy the fake. Those are the women carrying bags that you can tell are fake-because they don't know enough or appreciate the quality and details that go along with it. They really have no idea of what a fake represents in the bigger picture. They only know they want the brand status.

Then you have women who can afford the real thing and occasionally go off course to buy 'a really good fake', but in the end it lets you down. They may order it online from one of many places promising to be a mirror image-just to see. I have done it.:shame: You can kind of talk yourself into it; after all how can a Chanel bag cost so darn much? I am in the fashion industry and have talked to enough manufacturers and I do believe that in some cases-the super-fakes are very similar quality. They may even be made in the same factory after hrs. Even here on purse forum, some authenticators can not tell. I mean why spend $4k when I can get a supposed great copy for $300? I don't want the Steve Madden, Coach, MK or whatever midpoint bag is out there.

At first you are happy to get the bag for $300-but when it comes in from China and it smells like it came from there-it's not the same. The leather is soft but it's not the same quality. The details are really good and you can fool others but so what? It's just like another poster said-you feel awful carrying it. It looks real but I can see in the details it is not. But that's my opinion-it may not be everyone else's. Judging from all the sites I see- there is still a big demand. That $300 bag after all, is pretty darn good if all you want to do is give the appearance you have the IT bag.

It would be really interesting to know how much a designer bag really costs-what the wholesale price is.....I mean on a bag costing 5k, how much can the hard costs be? I have no idea of the typical 2.5-3x markup holds true in this instance. I bet we would be shocked.
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$300 for a fake designer handbag? Wow even the fake ones are expensive!

Personally, I don't like buying fake stuff because I feel proud of myself when I'm able to save up and work hard for a authentic one, and getting a fake is like cheating. And besides if I can spend $300 for fake handbag why not just save that $$$ for a real one.
 
#3,237
I don't want to support fake bags, I'm just trying to show why they exist and pointing out other issues. I'm glad that the premier designers are going after these websites and shutting them down.

I love my bags and don't ever again plan on buying any fakes. I've gotten alot more educated in the last 10 yrs. But living in a big city I see it all.

I bought a fake LV about 10 years ago in NY city. I had to have the multicolored something or another but could not bring myself to pay the $$$. I bought one for myself and a friend. After keeping them in our hotel room overnight we noticed an odor-it was rat poison!!! The smell never disappeared and my fake purse couldn't even be used-and then a piece broke off within 2 wks anyway. Lesson learned. How dumb was I? I think I paid $200 for that, thinking I would have my LV for cheap.
 
#3,238
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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Funny you mention kate spade as something to settle for. kate spade is one of the most counterfeited brands out there.
 
#3,239
First of all, one doesn't need designer goods to look good. Therefore, knockoff designer goods should count for even less. People who know designer can identify the knockoffs, unless the knockoffs are REALLY good, in which case even the prices of knockoffs are still high.

When I hear all the whining/concern/screaming/alerts and outrage (feigned or otherwise) about sweatshops and the treatment of sweatshop workers, can I be assured that all consumers of all this outrage wouldn't be caught dead with a counterfeit designer good? I doubt it.

Ever walk down a big city sidewalk and see a blanket on the ground full of big label goods? Of course. Ever see the people selling these things cram the goods in boxes in a matter of seconds and scram before the cops show up? Let that be Clue #1 that the goods are hot and/or worthless.

Don't buy fakes. Doing so contributes to organized crime and despicable working conditions for those making the goods. Unless you don't give a %$&*@$&*. If you still don't, then at the very least, please don't scream feigned outrage at the situation.
 
#3,240
In the video previously mentioned featuring Dana Thomas author of Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Luster she ends the clip with the following:

Louis Vuitton designer Marc Jacobs told me, he thinks counterfeiting is fantastic. "As long as I've been here" he said, "everything we have done is being copied. We hope to create a product that is desireable." Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli calls counterfeiting "the Game of Fashion...I would be more worried if my product wouldn't be copied".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWp8-ez1dKg

When sweatshops are shutdown the fate of the workers are sometimes even worse then before - they have no place else to go - often they are left homeless and hungry. People applaud crackdowns against this activity but have no interest in what happens to those left behind or the powers-that-be that use our self-righteous indignation against fakes to justify raising prices. Luxury or the image of luxury thrives on the backs of the powerless downtrodden and uses marketing to brainwash the rest of us to keep it going (as the quality and the labor intensive nature of luxury goods falls off a cliff). The whole concept of outsourcing is part of the problem. In the old days, a family ran the business and manufacturing was in-house (still done but in a tiny scale). Now we have corporations who make contracts with overseas manufacturers and everything is classified as corporate secrets to hide what goes into the making of a bag. I sometimes wonder if the executive directors of design houses are laughing behind closed doors at their customers who buy into the latest design marketing scheme they've concocted as they devote all their true efforts to answer to shareholders. That is why legitimate factories are being moved out of China to places like Thailand, Vietnam, etc. - to maintain the profit margin shareholders have become accustomed to and we become accustomed to routine price hikes. Dana's book mentions design houses who have most of the manufacturing done in Asia and the only work done in Europe is assembling final finishing touches and ripping out the Made in China labels and sewing on the Made in Italy labels. Who is looking out for when authentic designer labels actually and consistently lie.

Question: if the designer label said "All parts manufactured and assembled in China handfinished in Italy" or only "Quality inspected in Italy by Louis Vuitton/Prada/Burberry" would you buy it?

Also, lets stop talking about the cheap copies that most of us here in the tpf would never touch - not because its fake but because its too obvious and humiliating - from the superfakes made in the same factories or by the same craftsmen as the authentic versions but off hours or off site - just how much of these are floating around at "cheese and wine purse-parties" in the best suburban neighborhoods hosted by affluent upper-middleclass people who don't need to do this for a living but do it because its fun?? How often are we really being fooled? How many of us here have had access, bought or sold or known people who did, these superfakes, now that high tech equipment makes it so much easier to make. I don't travel in those circles so I don't know but some of us here may have brushed elbows with such folk?
 
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