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

[Jesssh]

There needs to be an app for authenticity, manufacturing transparency, etc. People don't know what they are supposed to do or how they are supposed to do it. Whatever they do, they want to do it quickly and while mobile.

The TV show "The Mysteries of Laura" just aired a fictional story on handbag counterfeiting. I won't spoil the end since it is so recent, but you can probably google it.

 

[LVk8]

There needs to be an app for authenticity, manufacturing transparency, etc. People don't know what they are supposed to do or how they are supposed to do it. Whatever they do, they want to do it quickly and while mobile.



The TV show "The Mysteries of Laura" just aired a fictional story on handbag counterfeiting. I won't spoil the end since it is so recent, but you can probably google it.

Isn't that what the TPF app is for? Researching authenticity & chatting about purses? 😊

 

[Jesssh]

Isn't that what the TPF app is for? Researching authenticity & chatting about purses? ��

Yes, I was thinking about something more automated and immediate and streamlined, where you could look up a style and learn what to check for, or look up the street or online retailer, or get a summary or report card of manufacturing and company practices. Something with a big reliable database behind it and a wizard to guide you through the checklist quickly and give you a result that makes it easy to decide, or a followup recommendation. It could be funded by luxury brands or controlled advertising. It could reference related discussions on multiple forums through a selective search. The non profit referenced in the 2009 article doesn't seem to have a working web site.

A lot of info is out there, it's just not consolidated.

The goal would be to get the majority of consumers on board. Not everyone posts on tpf, and these issues apply to more than purses or luxury items.

Consumer Reports (or Google or Yelp or similar) would be an organization that I would think of for something like this.

(Just throwing the idea out there.)

 

[Mariapia]

Yes, I was thinking about something more automated and immediate and streamlined, where you could look up a style and learn what to check for, or look up the street or online retailer, or get a summary or report card of manufacturing and company practices. Something with a big reliable database behind it and a wizard to guide you through the checklist quickly and give you a result that makes it easy to decide, or a followup recommendation. It could be funded by luxury brands or controlled advertising. It could reference related discussions on multiple forums through a selective search. The non profit referenced in the 2009 article doesn't seem to have a working web site.

A lot of info is out there, it's just not consolidated.

The goal would be to get the majority of consumers on board. Not everyone posts on tpf, and these issues apply to more than purses or luxury items.

Consumer Reports (or Google or Yelp or similar) would be an organization that I would think of for something like this.

(Just throwing the idea out there.)

Yes, but don't you think that counterfeiters would be among the first to be interested in such an app to improve the making of their bags and rip off more "customers"?

 

[Jesssh]

Yes, but don't you think that counterfeiters would be among the first to be interested in such an app to improve the making of their bags and rip off more "customers"?

Well, if one of the checklist items is to buy from a manufacturer's boutique or authorized dealer, then that may not help counterfeiters.

I don't know what all the repercussions might be. It depends how the app is designed. I just threw the idea out there as a possible way to address the issue. Sometimes apps give issues visibility. People seem to love apps.

 

[wildtussah]

Thanks ladysarah for sharing the Fight Against Fakes article. I currently live in Vietnam - home of many fake handbags. Because I am constantly surrounded by these fake brands, I think the image of the brand itself has tarnished in my eyes and I don't really see the draw to owning these luxury bags at all. What I find more interesting are brands with stories behind the way it was made and that come from ethical and sustainable backgrounds- those you cannot reproduce easily and are usually of higher quality. Why would you just wear a bag with a logo when you can support a community of artisans?

 

[Zojja]

I have never personally bought a fake handbag. My mother in law bought me a coach bag from a thrift store and I assumed it was fake just because fakes are so prevalent (I really hope it was fake, my cat turned it into a scratch pad)

Anyway, I think in the US, it seems buying fakes is normalized. If you go into any major city, you will see someone selling fakes and people buy them for whatever the reason. Maybe they like the look but don't want to spend lots of money on them or maybe they want to look like they have money or maybe they want to fit into whatever crowd. I've known a lot of people in the past who have bought fake bags and proudly say that it is fake. I was kind of surprised recently when I was in a doctor's office and the receptionists/medical assistants were talking about how you have to make sure your LV bag is real.. because that just isn't things I've heard people say before (outside of a forum like this). When I went to China, our guide was shocked that we didn't want to go shopping to buy fake designer stuff. Some of it may be from the same assembly lines that other things in China are from but the guide told us that all her American tourists ask to go there.

Anyway, I think we live in an overall society people try to not pay people properly. People use 'free' streaming services to get all sorts of movies and tv shows, people download pirated software, music and movies, people don't tip people properly, it goes on and on. I remember using pirated software myself in college but then after college, I figured I had enough money that even if software seemed expensive, if I wanted it, I should pay for it. I think the same thing goes for anything else including jewelry, bags, clothes and whatever else.

 

[remainsilly]

Hmm...
I guess people buy what they like. Or as close to what they like as possible.
Or, maybe not what they like @ all--but, what others like & promote.

Motivations for purchases vary.
Some motives bring happiness, some misery.
Some make argumentative scabs of otherwise reasonable people. Some bring kindness from usual curmudgeons.
No one's better than anyone else--just different, imo.

I buy authentic, new handbags. Because I like them.
I'm not waging a moral outrage war or waving flags of superiority. I'm making choices to match my personal beliefs & to suit my needs.
Hopefully, that makes a small, but noticeable, difference in this world. If not, I still own exactly bags I like--& enjoy using them.

Just my thoughts.

 

[AugustaBlue]

I have never bought a fake handbag and never would, but I know people who have because they don't like to carry their real designer goods on trips or to certain places. I've had arguments with friends and family about why they don't just carry a cheaper bag instead (which is what I do in these instances), but they say they still want to wear their "designer" item, just not the actual one. And I'm like, but it's a fake. I have relatives who do the same with watches, having a real and fake Rolex despite also having perfectly fine other watches they could wear.

As for people who buy because they can't or won't pay the price, I say there is always a cheaper option in a similar style (or pre-loved options), but some still prefer the knockoff. IDK.

 

[Fimpagebag]

Hmm...
I guess people buy what they like. Or as close to what they like as possible.
Or, maybe not what they like @ all--but, what others like & promote.

Motivations for purchases vary.
Some motives bring happiness, some misery.
Some make argumentative scabs of otherwise reasonable people. Some bring kindness from usual curmudgeons.
No one's better than anyone else--just different, imo.

I buy authentic, new handbags. Because I like them.
I'm not waging a moral outrage war or waving flags of superiority. I'm making choices to match my personal beliefs & to suit my needs.
Hopefully, that makes a small, but noticeable, difference in this world. If not, I still own exactly bags I like--& enjoy using them.

Just my thoughts.

Well said, Remainsilly. As to why people do anything, why not? Why have purple hair, nose rings, or piercings in...er...unusual anatomical areas? Each of us, as individuals, have the power of making our own choices. Others have that selfsame right. If they do not question my choices, what right do I have to question theirs?

Yet for all of that, let me state categorically that I have nothing but scorn for the illegal counterfeiting of designer bags. They are a sham and a shame and should be eradicated.

 

[remainsilly]

Well said, Remainsilly. As to why people do anything, why not? Why have purple hair, nose rings, or piercings in...er...unusual anatomical areas? Each of us, as individuals, have the power of making our own choices. Others have that selfsame right. If they do not question my choices, what right do I have to question theirs?

Yet for all of that, let me state categorically that I have nothing but scorn for the illegal counterfeiting of designer bags. They are a sham and a shame and should be eradicated.

I understand your points, Fim. And thanks.
I think no one on this forum, including myself, condones illegal counterfeits.

Screaming, "Don't steal that sock!" @ my dog still doesn't force him to listen.
Sometimes, people want to stay deaf, too. Until they decide to hear.
Part of what makes life so challenging, in both helpful & difficult ways, imo.
And how we all learn.

 

[Candice0985]

I think a lot of people are also uneducated when it comes to fakes if they do not immerse themselves regularly in designer goods. If you see it in person, feel it, smell it, see the packaging it comes with you'll know the fine details of a true designer item.

one of my close friends has never been into designer goods, she loves to travel and recently came back from Thailand boasting about the great deals on Jimmy Choo, LV, etc.... she has never stepped foot into a boutique to see these items herself so did not know what the real thing felt like! well she bought a bunch of these items and brought them back to me and was so proud of herself for not only getting a great deal, but as she said "i'm buying nice investment pieces now right?" which is an argument I've often used to justify my purchases. The look on my face when I saw the items she bought, she just knew they were not real by my lack of excitement. She was so disappointed that she wasted her money- it was lack of education that drew her in...

 

[Fimpagebag]

I think a lot of people are also uneducated when it comes to fakes if they do not immerse themselves regularly in designer goods. If you see it in person, feel it, smell it, see the packaging it comes with you'll know the fine details of a true designer item.

one of my close friends has never been into designer goods, she loves to travel and recently came back from Thailand boasting about the great deals on Jimmy Choo, LV, etc.... she has never stepped foot into a boutique to see these items herself so did not know what the real thing felt like! well she bought a bunch of these items and brought them back to me and was so proud of herself for not only getting a great deal, but as she said "i'm buying nice investment pieces now right?" which is an argument I've often used to justify my purchases. The look on my face when I saw the items she bought, she just knew they were not real by my lack of excitement. She was so disappointed that she wasted her money- it was lack of education that drew her in...

How sad for your friend, Candace0985. But you handled the situation perfectly, as a good
friend would. Hopefully with your guidance your friend won't repeat the same mistake in the future.

 

[Candice0985]

How sad for your friend, Candace0985. But you handled the situation perfectly, as a good
friend would. Hopefully with your guidance your friend won't repeat the same mistake in the future.

thanks

I think the last thing a friend needs in that situation is a lecture about how they're supporting child labour, gangs and terror groups!

we know it is true but for a lot of people who don't take the time to research and educate yourself on designer goods it comes as a surprise when you buy fakes....

 

[pukasonqo]

i think that the market and the desire for luxury items is what might drive people to buy fake items
a bit like "monkey sees, monkey do", unfortunately some monkeys have the funds to buy the real deal, others don't but still want it (for their own reasons) and here comes the personal choice: you can save for it (takes time and patience) or go the route of instant gratification by either maxxing your cc or buying an item, for a fraction of the cost, that looks exactly like the real thing, feels like the real thing and not only makes you feel good (you've got your luxury item) but ain't you clever because you paid less than retail for it
using the argument that the money spend on fakes goes to fund terrorism, child labor, etc does not work at all, most humans are selfish and given the choice, most people will choose the fake plus most of us do not identify with the victims of those crimes but aspire to look like the starlet of the moment or your BF who has that wanted item (generalising here)
why? because it gives the status, it looks exactly like the one they saw in the boutique, it makes them feel good, they deserve it (that comes as a pun), they are giving the one finger salute to the brand by buying a fake (weird but i heard this one); take your pic, the list is endless and we all are exceptionally good at self justification
bear in mind, i am talking about those who knowingly buy fakes not people who get duped or scammed into getting one
i think that, as luxury items continue to be produced, the counterfeit market will continue to grow
and counterfeit items have been doing the rounds for a very long time (the museum of counterfeits in paris has fake seals for "roman" wine, this is in the book "deluxe, how luxury lost its lustre")
and in case it wasn't clear, i am against fakes, if i cannot afford an item i save for it or i pass on it ( i know that, except for a lotto win, H is totally out of my league)
and this is the end of my great australian novel, sorry for the lenghty post!