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

[Manelieht]

Petite_chic
Good points. I have thought about the same thing.

My friend owns superfakes. Her husband is Chinese and family of his works for companies that produce fake designer goods.
He is surprised when asked about horrible work conditions, unfair wages and cheap production.
He said it is a factory like any other and he believes parts are actually sent to big fashion houses. He also said it would not make sense to produce in a dirty sweat shop with low quality equipment. The outcome wouldn't be good and no one would buy it. He also mentioned there is a market for "superfakes" and that the people who buy superfakes would never be "caught dead" with a cheap replica.
His aunt and whoever else works there, seem to be making decent money and are happy with their jobs. Supposedly it creates a lot more jobs for leather craftsmen.
Maybe it isn't as pretty all the time. But I'm not sure it is always as ugly as some sources make it seem too. It may partly be a strategy to keep people from buying fakes.

Like I said before, my friend's Céline looks (and smells) absolutely authentic and the quality is better than my lower priced designer bags. Granted, I'm not a pro at spotting fakes but there is a site I found dedicated to buying the best replicas (spotbags?) and it seems it is nearly impossible to spot some fakes unless you get a glimpse of the serial number inside.

I like the idea of designer goods being "handcrafted", with "handpicked" materials. I like the thought of craftsmen giving the bag finishing touches. But really, I doubt this romantic image is true. At least part of the production isn't as pretty.
I value the talent of designers. To me they are artists. But I also think companies are raising their prices too high.
So I'm not surprised people buy superfakes and designers shouldn't be either.

 

[Nanciii]

Petite_chic

Good points. I have thought about the same thing.



My friend owns superfakes. Her husband is Chinese and family of his works for companies that produce fake designer goods.

He is surprised when asked about horrible work conditions, unfair wages and cheap production.

He said it is a factory like any other and he believes parts are actually sent to big fashion houses. He also said it would not make sense to produce in a dirty sweat shop with low quality equipment. The outcome wouldn't be good and no one would buy it. He also mentioned there is a market for "superfakes" and that the people who buy superfakes would never be "caught dead" with a cheap replica.

His aunt and whoever else works there, seem to be making decent money and are happy with their jobs. Supposedly it creates a lot more jobs for leather craftsmen.

Maybe it isn't as pretty all the time. But I'm not sure it is always as ugly as some sources make it seem too. It may partly be a strategy to keep people from buying fakes.



Like I said before, my friend's Céline looks (and smells) absolutely authentic and the quality is better than my lower priced designer bags. Granted, I'm not a pro at spotting fakes but there is a site I found dedicated to buying the best replicas (spotbags?) and it seems it is nearly impossible to spot some fakes unless you get a glimpse of the serial number inside.



I like the idea of designer goods being "handcrafted", with "handpicked" materials. I like the thought of craftsmen giving the bag finishing touches. But really, I doubt this romantic image is true. At least part of the production isn't as pretty.

I value the talent of designers. To me they are artists. But I also think companies are raising their prices too high.

So I'm not surprised people buy superfakes and designers shouldn't be either.

I agree, Chanel almost doubled it's price in 4 years, Louis Vuitton increase more than 10% every year with no improvement of quality, Balenciaga just increased 10-25% this year. It almost feel like they don't want us to buy from them!

I read it somewhere saying according to some executive from Prada, the cost of LV canvas is only $11 euro per square meter.



Happiness is not about how much you have, but how little you need.

 

[jadeaymanalac]

^

Yeah your right, one main reason why people buy fakes handbags or anything fake is to avoid fashion houses' ridiculous price tags.

I do sometimes wonder when will big fashion houses like Chanel, Hermes and LV will stop doing their yearly (sometimes twice a year) ridiculous price increase. I understand they want to create that "exclusivity" but I can't understand the $500+ price increase.

 

[Manelieht]

I agree, Chanel almost doubled it's price in 4 years, Louis Vuitton increase more than 10% every year with no improvement of quality, Balenciaga just increased 10-25% this year. It almost feel like they don't want us to buy from them!

I read it somewhere saying according to some executive from Prada, the cost of LV canvas is only $11 euro per square meter.

Happiness is not about how much you have, but how little you need.

^

Yeah your right, one main reason why people buy fakes handbags or anything fake is to avoid fashion houses' ridiculous price tags.

I do sometimes wonder when will big fashion houses like Chanel, Hermes and LV will stop doing their yearly (sometimes twice a year) ridiculous price increase. I understand they want to create that "exclusivity" but I can't understand the $500+ price increase.

According to this article http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2592942/How-designers-trying-stop-buying-bags.html, they want to become even more exclusive and don't want to see the average woman with their handbags so the very rich feel more exclusive and buy even more.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because I feel they would be making more money by selling more bags for less, but I noticed how many Premier designers have a more affordable subdivision now..- see by Chloe, Marc by Marc Jacobs etc.

Contemporary designers offer "copies" of popular designer bags too. Michael Kors is very big on that but Rebecca Minkoff has also copied the design of the Chanel Flap or the Antigona bag very closely. That might be enough for many not to be buying the Chanel.
The closest copy I have seen of a Chanel bag was DKNY and I personally would get that instead

Some brands like Mulberry and Chloe will be lowering their prices again rumors say? It seems especially Mulberry had a drop in sales after the last price raise.

 

[Nanciii]

According to this article http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2592942/How-designers-trying-stop-buying-bags.html, they want to become even more exclusive and don't want to see the average woman with their handbags so the very rich feel more exclusive and buy even more.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because I feel they would be making more money by selling more bags for less, but I noticed how many Premier designers have a more affordable subdivision now..- see by Chloe, Marc by Marc Jacobs etc.

Contemporary designers offer "copies" of popular designer bags too. Michael Kors is very big on that but Rebecca Minkoff has also copied the design of the Chanel Flap or the Antigona bag very closely. That might be enough for many not to be buying the Chanel.
The closest copy I have seen of a Chanel bag was DKNY and I personally would get that instead

Some brands like Mulberry and Chloe will be lowering their prices again rumors say? It seems especially Mulberry had a drop in sales after the last price raise.

You mean this? LOL



Happiness is not about how much you have, but how little you need.

 

[Manelieht]

Yup that is the one! This or something similar would totally satisfy my craving for a Chanel bag for now
http://www.dkny.com/look/detail/spring14bags139/gansevoort-quilted-leather-small-flap-crossbody
Anyone that owns a DKNY bag raves about the amazing leather and quality too, so maybe I will buy DKNY in the future.

 

[ladysarah]

You mean this? LOL
View attachment 2665242


Happiness is not about how much you have, but how little you need.

Very interesting and I have no issue with this sort of 'copy' as they are legal, pay their taxes and everything. As someone who knows and loves CHANEL, i can assure you that this bag looks and feels nothing like an actual CHANEL classic, it just has the crude superficial similarities.

 

[Nanciii]

Very interesting and I have no issue with this sort of 'copy' as they are legal, pay their taxes and everything. As someone who knows and loves CHANEL, i can assure you that this bag looks and feels nothing like an actual CHANEL classic, it just has the crude superficial similarities.

I agree, I got it because it looks so much like the Chanel bag, but no, it doesn't feel like a very expensive bag, the leather is very nice, but it does not have the structure a Chanel bag has, and I don't think this bag can last decades. This is just for fun.


Happiness is not about how much you have, but how little you need.

 

[gail13]

This is interesting-from one of the sites: Their bags are priced up to $1500!

The difference between these 2 qualities is the precision of the handbag. Typical Chanel replicas available on the market are 80% accurate in relation to the authentic handbags. Our products are the top of the line in that they are no less than 95% similar to the original product which we are proud to say is the highest standard reached within a replica line. The "hand crafted" handbags are made by hand by experienced leather smiths who put the same care as authentic Chanel employees into their craft thus replicating the handbag with a very high level of precision. The "machine made" handbags are also of extremely high quality but the difference may be seen in very small details such as stitching. As they say, "the devil is in the details" so we leave it up to our clients to choose how picky they would like to be and give them the opportunity to buy the best of the best either way.

2. Are your handbags genuine leather?

Our handbags are not only genuine leather, but use imported leather which matches the leather used by Chanel itself. Leather quality is a key part of a handbag, and we do not make any compromises to ensure high precision and quality for our products. Every single handbag - whether it be lambskin, caviar, or python - uses the highest quality leather to ensure the handbag is a true mirror of the original.

 

[Manelieht]

Very interesting and I have no issue with this sort of 'copy' as they are legal, pay their taxes and everything. As someone who knows and loves CHANEL, i can assure you that this bag looks and feels nothing like an actual CHANEL classic, it just has the crude superficial similarities.

I am sure Chanel is of better quality. Just not sure it is good enough to justify the current price tag.

 

[jadeaymanalac]

According to this article http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2592942/How-designers-trying-stop-buying-bags.html, they want to become even more exclusive and don't want to see the average woman with their handbags so the very rich feel more exclusive and buy even more.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, because I feel they would be making more money by selling more bags for less, but I noticed how many Premier designers have a more affordable subdivision now..- see by Chloe, Marc by Marc Jacobs etc.

Contemporary designers offer "copies" of popular designer bags too. Michael Kors is very big on that but Rebecca Minkoff has also copied the design of the Chanel Flap or the Antigona bag very closely. That might be enough for many not to be buying the Chanel.
The closest copy I have seen of a Chanel bag was DKNY and I personally would get that instead

Some brands like Mulberry and Chloe will be lowering their prices again rumors say? It seems especially Mulberry had a drop in sales after the last price raise.

Yeah I get that exclusivity thing and the crazy part is I do still try to work hard and save up more $$$ in able to afford those lovely handbags LOL. Actually the price increase kinda make feel challenged that why I know I will never buy a fake handbag because there is no challenge getting it.

 

[Mariapia]

All high end brands are increasing their prices because the demand is strong. Even with very high prices, there are waitlists on some models.
They know that some ladies can afford to spend thousands of euros or dollars on a bag.
Louis Vuitton is surfing on this wave at the moment. Some of their models are over 4000 euros and are difficult to find according to what I heard.

 

[vintagefinds]

I wonder just how much more exclusive these brands want to get, and whom they expect to be selling to. In the US the average household income is around 50K. The average are already priced out of premier designers with a Chanel bag now being about 10% annual income. Even the upper middle class are priced out for the most part. That leaves maybe 5% of the country's population all these companies are trying to cater to exclusively. That does not seem sustainable for every brand currently trying it, and I think the bubble will burst on the wannabe premiers in the next couple of years.

I wonder if it will actually encourage more superfakes, especially among the upper middle class who have gone from being seen as valued customers to riff raff that needs to be kept out. It can be offensive to people who have worked hard to make a very good income to be treated like a cancer that needs to be cut out. Carrying a fake Chanel can be a real stick it to 'em kind of thing.

 

[petite_chic]

Petite_chic
Good points. I have thought about the same thing.

My friend owns superfakes. Her husband is Chinese and family of his works for companies that produce fake designer goods.
He is surprised when asked about horrible work conditions, unfair wages and cheap production.
He said it is a factory like any other and he believes parts are actually sent to big fashion houses. He also said it would not make sense to produce in a dirty sweat shop with low quality equipment. The outcome wouldn't be good and no one would buy it. He also mentioned there is a market for "superfakes" and that the people who buy superfakes would never be "caught dead" with a cheap replica.
His aunt and whoever else works there, seem to be making decent money and are happy with their jobs. Supposedly it creates a lot more jobs for leather craftsmen.
Maybe it isn't as pretty all the time. But I'm not sure it is always as ugly as some sources make it seem too. It may partly be a strategy to keep people from buying fakes.

Like I said before, my friend's Céline looks (and smells) absolutely authentic and the quality is better than my lower priced designer bags. Granted, I'm not a pro at spotting fakes but there is a site I found dedicated to buying the best replicas (spotbags?) and it seems it is nearly impossible to spot some fakes unless you get a glimpse of the serial number inside.

I like the idea of designer goods being "handcrafted", with "handpicked" materials. I like the thought of craftsmen giving the bag finishing touches. But really, I doubt this romantic image is true. At least part of the production isn't as pretty.
I value the talent of designers. To me they are artists. But I also think companies are raising their prices too high.
So I'm not surprised people buy superfakes and designers shouldn't be either.

Thanks, this is precisely the type of info I was looking for. According to writer, Dana Thomas, Chinese companies are 1) spending a lot of money hiring Italian craftsmen to teach the counterfeiters, 2) using 3D computer scans and other high quality electronic equipment and "the process produces perfect copies of patterns"


We are talking organized crime here, using former employees who divulge corporate trade secrets, hiring away legitimate European craftsmen with better wages than the couture houses themselves to teach, probably, my guess here, making deals with subcontractors of the same couture houses to supply them with authentic materials like the correct zipper and hardware company.


I may be wrong but weren't there fake Balenciagas with authentic Lampo zippers made with the same leather because they were from the same source. The only reason it was spotted as a fake was the non-existent ID number or the hardware was twisted in the opposite direction, or the color was not made during that season. It was simply not a quality issue. I would assume the serious criminal would be following the tPF to make corrections. The result is the criminals willing to invest millions to make quality goods are benefiting by the price increases of the design houses because their copies would be sold for $400 and higher where the originals are $2000 and higher. We are talking copies so accurate even returns of fakes would be undetectable by department stores and possibly resold. This is like identity theft.


On one hand we have couture houses selling items that don't require expensive materials (canvas, plastic) at astronomical prices. Their only value is the "uniquenesss"??? of the idea. And on the other hand, we have multi-million dollar crime organizations willing to invest in undetectable superfakes because the cost of the same material is low (high end canvas or plastic is still what it is, and even the best vachetta or other leather has its limits) and they have a trained workforce whose working conditions are not much worse than the legitimate ones (again superfake makers, not the cheapo replica sweatshops) livable working class wages.


If the superfakes can be made at the same cost as the legitimate ones, then the only difference becomes costs of marketing which the criminals don't have, allowing for lower prices and still a healthy profit margin. Raising prices beyond the reasonable cost of materials by the likes of LV, Chanel, Prada, Burberry may actually be doing the counterfeiters a favor because it allows them to make better fakes at higher quality cost and still sell at a price to make a good profit. In order to stop this, the couture houses will have to have astronomical quality goods to match their prices which means less proft margin. So who's being greedy? It goes back to what is the meaning of luxury.

 

[Mariapia]

I wonder just how much more exclusive these brands want to get, and whom they expect to be selling to. In the US the average household income is around 50K. The average are already priced out of premier designers with a Chanel bag now being about 10% annual income. Even the upper middle class are priced out for the most part. That leaves maybe 5% of the country's population all these companies are trying to cater to exclusively. That does not seem sustainable for every brand currently trying it, and I think the bubble will burst on the wannabe premiers in the next couple of years.

I wonder if it will actually encourage more superfakes, especially among the upper middle class who have gone from being seen as valued customers to riff raff that needs to be kept out. It can be offensive to people who have worked hard to make a very good income to be treated like a cancer that needs to be cut out. Carrying a fake Chanel can be a real stick it to 'em kind of thing.

I don't think it will encourage superfakes. But it will certainly encourage "inspired by".