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

[ladysarah]

Good point, I think it's definitely important to research how ethical a company is before purchasing anything, not just handbags. How they treat their workers is a big one, and also where and how they get their materials. However, it's not always easy to find information on it, I've bought things before and later discovered that the company was unethical. Doing your research beforehand and not buying from companies you know are unethical is the best you can do, really.

When it comes to counterfeit though, it's always unethical. First off, there's no way of finding out whether or not the workers rights were violated or not, because there is no way of doing any research. Second, fake handbags are sold by the same people who sell other types of counterfeit products too: poor quality (and dangerous) electronics, scavenged vehicle parts that have been used before and are worn down and unsafe, and untested medication that have been filled with who knows what to water down the active ingredients, the list goes on.

By buying fake designer goods you're (knowingly or unknowingly) supporting an illegal industry that has already taken many innocent lives. By buying any sort of legit bag, super expensive luxury designer or more affordable imitation contemporary designer, you can always do your research and figure out which brands to avoid if you want shop ethically.

Excellent post! Very well put.

 

[dangerouscurves]

Good point, I think it's definitely important to research how ethical a company is before purchasing anything, not just handbags. How they treat their workers is a big one, and also where and how they get their materials. However, it's not always easy to find information on it, I've bought things before and later discovered that the company was unethical. Doing your research beforehand and not buying from companies you know are unethical is the best you can do, really.

When it comes to counterfeit though, it's always unethical. First off, there's no way of finding out whether or not the workers rights were violated or not, because there is no way of doing any research. Second, fake handbags are sold by the same people who sell other types of counterfeit products too: poor quality (and dangerous) electronics, scavenged vehicle parts that have been used before and are worn down and unsafe, and untested medication that have been filled with who knows what to water down the active ingredients, the list goes on.

By buying fake designer goods you're (knowingly or unknowingly) supporting an illegal industry that has already taken many innocent lives. By buying any sort of legit bag, super expensive luxury designer or more affordable imitation contemporary designer, you can always do your research and figure out which brands to avoid if you want shop ethically.

Thank you!

 

[CassieH]

Good point, I think it's definitely important to research how ethical a company is before purchasing anything, not just handbags. How they treat their workers is a big one, and also where and how they get their materials. However, it's not always easy to find information on it, I've bought things before and later discovered that the company was unethical. Doing your research beforehand and not buying from companies you know are unethical is the best you can do, really.

When it comes to counterfeit though, it's always unethical. First off, there's no way of finding out whether or not the workers rights were violated or not, because there is no way of doing any research. Second, fake handbags are sold by the same people who sell other types of counterfeit products too: poor quality (and dangerous) electronics, scavenged vehicle parts that have been used before and are worn down and unsafe, and untested medication that have been filled with who knows what to water down the active ingredients, the list goes on.

By buying fake designer goods you're (knowingly or unknowingly) supporting an illegal industry that has already taken many innocent lives. By buying any sort of legit bag, super expensive luxury designer or more affordable imitation contemporary designer, you can always do your research and figure out which brands to avoid if you want shop ethically.

Totally agree. I was watching a documentary on fakes... China sells a lot of fakes, fake everything, from eggs to toothpaste. Anything for human eating / consumption is probably the worst...fake birth control pills is also one (particularly in parts of Africa). It's quite scary. I think the fake purses are still less worrisome than some of the chemicals they use to make fake products for human ingestion. Both are still unethical. Makes me wonder how many people have died from consuming fake medicines.

I think the underlying issue is poverty and needing stricter regulation.

Unfortunately, my family and friends heavily believe in fakes because of prices are cheaper. This was a sentiment I shared when I was a teenager because I just thought if it looked the same, it's good enough. After learning a bit more about counterfeits, I started realizing fakes has theft of intellectual property and slave labor problems. I was gifted a fake Tokidoki bag (before knowing tokidoki bags were considered a designer item) and my sister has a fake LV bag from Chinatown in Toronto. My friend has a fake lady dior bag, too. They think I'm ridiculous for spending so much money on a purse when a fake one will serve just as well.

It's kind of bizarre they don't teach these type of things in school.

I noticed this as well:
When you buy a fake one, the people who tend to own real ones will judge you for being unethical.
When you buy a real one at high price points, the people will say you're kind of crazy for buying something so expensive.

I honestly think the best way to ward people from buy fake handbags is to encourage them to look for lawful inspired bags, and to not associate them with status symbols for the wealthy, but what I think would help is to somehow make bags more affordable in some way. Not necessarily drop prices, but if premier or contemporary brands set in some sort of points incentive program.... I think it will actually prevent them from losing so much money due to counterfeiting. Or decrease it.

It would also help if brands stop promoting products with a "keeping up with the joneses" mentality. I think this is part of the consequences of brands making bags super exclusive to the wealthy, too. Granted, some people who have average income just learn to save but that's not everyone.

 

[ladysarah]

Totally agree. I was watching a documentary on fakes... China sells a lot of fakes, fake everything, from eggs to toothpaste. Anything for human eating / consumption is probably the worst...fake birth control pills is also one (particularly in parts of Africa). It's quite scary. I think the fake purses are still less worrisome than some of the chemicals they use to make fake products for human ingestion. Both are still unethical. Makes me wonder how many people have died from consuming fake medicines.

I think the underlying issue is poverty and needing stricter regulation.

Unfortunately, my family and friends heavily believe in fakes because of prices are cheaper. This was a sentiment I shared when I was a teenager because I just thought if it looked the same, it's good enough. After learning a bit more about counterfeits, I started realizing fakes has theft of intellectual property and slave labor problems. I was gifted a fake Tokidoki bag (before knowing tokidoki bags were considered a designer item) and my sister has a fake LV bag from Chinatown in Toronto. My friend has a fake lady dior bag, too. They think I'm ridiculous for spending so much money on a purse when a fake one will serve just as well.

It's kind of bizarre they don't teach these type of things in school.

I noticed this as well:
When you buy a fake one, the people who tend to own real ones will judge you for being unethical.
When you buy a real one at high price points, the people will say you're kind of crazy for buying something so expensive.

I honestly think the best way to ward people from buy fake handbags is to encourage them to look for lawful inspired bags, and to not associate them with status symbols for the wealthy, but what I think would help is to somehow make bags more affordable in some way. Not necessarily drop prices, but if premier or contemporary brands set in some sort of points incentive program.... I think it will actually prevent them from losing so much money due to counterfeiting. Or decrease it.

It would also help if brands stop promoting products with a "keeping up with the joneses" mentality. I think this is part of the consequences of brands making bags super exclusive to the wealthy, too. Granted, some people who have average income just learn to save but that's not everyone.

I think the point is how you actually see yourself not how others see you. Most people I come across, would not know how much my bag was or if it was 'authentic' and I doubt they d care. I am the one who has to live with me, so to speak and I try to make choices that don't have a negative impact on anyone else's life ( and eventually mine as well, these things come round) big brands are not in the business of promoting ethics, they want to sell their goods, for the most profit and play on people's insecurities. It's up to the individual to decide ones own worth.

 

[LLC]

I think the point is how you actually see yourself not how others see you. Most people I come across, would not know how much my bag was or if it was 'authentic' and I doubt they d care. I am the one who has to live with me, so to speak and I try to make choices that don't have a negative impact on anyone else's life ( and eventually mine as well, these things come round) big brands are not in the business of promoting ethics, they want to sell their goods, for the most profit and play on people's insecurities. It's up to the individual to decide ones own worth.

Like.

I concentrate on where I buy my own products/goods & never study someone else's possessions...searching for something to judge them on...

What others do, buy, wear is none of my business. None, whatsoever. If someone has time to analyze someone's bag & make a ruling about it, maybe they need to fill their time a bit more effectively.

 

[Shelby33]

I think the point is how you actually see yourself not how others see you. Most people I come across, would not know how much my bag was or if it was 'authentic' and I doubt they d care. I am the one who has to live with me, so to speak and I try to make choices that don't have a negative impact on anyone else's life ( and eventually mine as well, these things come round) big brands are not in the business of promoting ethics, they want to sell their goods, for the most profit and play on people's insecurities. It's up to the individual to decide ones own worth.

I agree. Good post.

 

[Shelby33]

To be honest people will judge, no matter what. I know people who think it's unethical to spend upwards of $1000 on a bag because that money "should" go to a better cause. It's really none of anyone's business and I can't imagine even taking the time to give that much thought to somebody else's bag. Unless it's a really great bag that I wish was mine!!

 

[snsaundersva]

Here's another thought. While some may say that buying legal inspired is better, I've seen/heard bashing on that too. So you buy the MK Grayson versus the LV speedy. MK is 350, LV is 1k. Someone will look down on you for only spending the 350, even though it's legal, so that may be why folks just stopped caring. There is no way that it takes even half of the 3500 you pay for a Chanel bag to make it... so you really are just paying for status.

 

[LLC]

To be honest people will judge, no matter what. I know people who think it's unethical to spend upwards of $1000 on a bag because that money "should" go to a better cause. It's really none of anyone's business and I can't imagine even taking the time to give that much thought to somebody else's bag. Unless it's a really great bag that I wish was mine!!

YES!

Here's another thought. While some may say that buying legal inspired is better, I've seen/heard bashing on that too. So you buy the MK Grayson versus the LV speedy. MK is 350, LV is 1k. Someone will look down on you for only spending the 350, even though it's legal, so that may be why folks just stopped caring. There is no way that it takes even half of the 3500 you pay for a Chanel bag to make it... so you really are just paying for status.

And more YES!

I love Chanel & own a few bags but even lately I'm like: "This is a handbag, a HANDBAG, is it worth $3500? No. Not a chance."

 

[missie1]

I think buying fake anything is wrong....stay in your lane and buy what u can afford....it's nothing shameful about carrying less expensive designers bags like Tory Burch, MK etc if that's what ur budget affords you. I personally don't have desire to carry them but I don't look down on others who love bags and purchase from these brands....I do look down on people buying fake Chanel, LV, Hermes etc trying to pass it off as authentic. Really what's the point just get u a nice leather bag and call it a day. I pay a lot for my bags and its disgusts me to see the knock off Bags these ladies are carrying...really it makes them look even more unfashionable

 

[QuelleFromage]

Like.

I concentrate on where I buy my own products/goods & never study someone else's possessions...searching for something to judge them on...

What others do, buy, wear is none of my business. None, whatsoever. If someone has time to analyze someone's bag & make a ruling about it, maybe they need to fill their time a bit more effectively.

This.

It is none of my business what someone carries. I'm certainly not going to judge by the ethical implications....otherwise one would be picking apart every item of clothing, every food eaten, every trip taken....if we take judgment this far, we could be angry at everyone eating fast food or driving a gas-powered car
I'll judge myself and that's the only person whose choices I have the right to question.

 

[LLC]

This.

It is none of my business what someone carries. I'm certainly not going to judge by the ethical implications....otherwise one would be picking apart every item of clothing, every food eaten, every trip taken....if we take judgment this far, we could be angry at everyone eating fast food or driving a gas-powered car
I'll judge myself and that's the only person whose choices I have the right to question.

Exactly. Judging someone else (especially knowing nothing about them) for a flipping accessory says more about you than the handbag carrier. Carry your bag & mind your own business.

At the end of the day, IT'S A BAG! Seriously. I love designer stuff & wear it everyday but that's all it is. I am not better than anyone else & I would be a disgusting human being to judge someone else for a discount store outfit/bag. I've worn them too.

Get over yourself.

 

[Pimpernel]

But we´re not discussing discount store stuff. Outlets, sales and consignment stores are a lifesaver for purse lovers with limited budgets so, long live variety, I say!

We´re talking fakes/counterfeits here (going by OP´s thread title): i.e. disgusting, illegal, sweatshop-made, organized crime-financing piece of cr*ap (anyone care to disagree with that? No? I thought not...)

 

[MSO13]

But we´re not discussing discount store stuff. Outlets, sales and consignment stores are a lifesaver for purse lovers with limited budgets so, long live variety, I say!

We´re talking fakes/counterfeits here (going by OP´s thread title): i.e. disgusting, illegal, sweatshop-made, organized crime-financing piece of cr*ap (anyone care to disagree with that? No? I thought not...)

Exactly, this thread keeps going off the rails. Not inspired, not contemporary or fast fashion copies, not outlets. Counterfeit, illegal bags.

It's all well and good for everyone to go on about not passing judgement but I do judge those that purchase fakes either knowingly or out of naïveté.

 

[LLC]

Exactly, this thread keeps going off the rails. Not inspired, not contemporary or fast fashion copies, not outlets. Counterfeit, illegal bags.

It's all well and good for everyone to go on about not passing judgement but I do judge those that purchase fakes either knowingly or out of naïveté.

How can you judge anyone? Purchasing a known fake bag is one thing but some people have ZERO clue about fashion, labels, where a bag is made etc. Some people couldn't point to Italy or France on a map no less know where an authentic bag is made or know it's retail price.


I personally do not purchase fake bags because I can afford to buy designer (blessed & thankful to have an income that many people don't have) nor do I agree with the practices of some fake bag makers BUT I do not sit around analyzing others accessories enough to notice nor pass judgment on them.


Most women get pizzed off when they see a fake bag (other than the obvious) because they paid $1000s & someone else paid $30. Not to mention that person maybe trying to pass it off as authentic & didn't "earn" that right hence cheapening their own status bag.

As someone else said here: "Stay in Your Lane". I think that sums up The REAL reason most people get their britches in a twist & hide behind "Slave Labor! "Child Labor Abuse!"...