|
Designer handbags are a status symbol, designed, and manufactured by
really big names in the fashion world. Women all over the world carry
designer handbags. And some top fashion models and movie stars
endorse various, famous designer handbags, increasing their status
value. But, at the same time, you should be aware that genuine
designer handbags also happen to be of extraordinarily high quality.
You will find that they last a very long time and, if genuine, may
bem for example, repaired free of charge by the manufacturer if and
when the clasp or strap breaks.
You probably are aware that city streets all over the world, and
internet auction sites are loaded with counterfeit or fake designer
handbags, sometimes called "knock-offs. Bags are the most common
of all the fake designer accessories sold worldwide, with wallets and
sunglasses following at a distant second and third. While any name
brand is at risk for counterfeiting, the most commonly ripped-off
labels include Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade, Christian Dior, Prada,
Gucci and Burberry.
It is not legal to sell a counterfeit item carrying a designer brand
or any other proprietary trademarked name label, (just as it is not
legal to duplicate copyrighted music, movies, books, and software or
currency of any nation and represent them as the genuine article.)
One way some fake designer handbags are shipped into the country is
simply as generic, unbranded items without the labels. Then the
labels are attached inside the country, separately. It seems it's not
necessarily an actual counterfeit until the label, or some other
evidence turns it into one.
Fake designer accessories are sold more widely than most people
think. Since they are usually sold at great discount prices compared
to the original item, the demand is high. The desire for designer
handbags, shoes and jewelry -- and for their counterfeit counterparts
-- has reached unprecedented, new heights. Commerce involving
counterfeit designer goods is such a big business now that it is
commonplace to find forty foot shipping containers at our ports
loaded with fake Louis Vuittons, Cartiers, and Gucci handbags made in
factories in China - along with many containers of legitimate items
made in factories in China. In terms of supply, the mid-year FY 2007
report by the US Customs and Border Protection Office of
International Trade showed that nearly $8 million of counterfeit
handbags, wallets and purses were seized by US Customs and US
Immigration alone. That number represents a very small portion of
such items that are actually imported.
And as a measure of demand, a recent Internet search for "fake
designer handbags" (in quotes) turned up almost 230,000 Web
pages. If you remove the quotes, that number soars to nearly 800,000.
Many look at as a victimless crime. After all, many otherwise
law-abiding people have started selling counterfeit designer goods
out of car trunks or at home purse parties (think Tupperware, but
with knock-off handbags).
Replica or fake designer sunglasses or handbags may be a good way to
maintain your stylish look and save money at the same time. This is
especially true if you are purchasing them for their everyday utility
value. You may be buying something that looks good, may be of good
quality and that comes at a reasonable price, just as you might do
when shopping for such an item that does not carry a designer label
(real or fake.)
Some companies manufacture bags that are "inspired by" and
closely resemble a famous brand's pattern. And you should be aware
that handbags and other items actually advertised as similars or
inspired by are indeed legal. If you do not want to pay hundreds of
dollars for a simple handbag, then a fake designer handbag,
especially legally sold as similar to or inspired by, may be a good
option for you.
But anti-counterfeiting advocates say buying illegal fakes is not a
victimless crime. And you may want to consider the fact that there is
more to consider besides the theft of intellectual property and the
loss of potential revenue for the legitimate owner of the brand and
the rest of the distribution channel. For example, there is some
evidence that part of the money for the bombing and attacks on the
World Trade Center came from the sale of counterfeit goods, in
addition to other criminal enterprises.
How Can You Tell
Everyone may know that bags bought from a market stall or a kiosk in
a Thai shopping mall or on the sidewalk table -or even inside the
store - on Canal St. in New York City are not likely to be genuine.
But it is becoming harder to spot better quality fakes, especially
those for sale in the more upmarket fashion boutiques.
Many online fake handbag vendors falsely advertise the exceptional
quality of their cheap knock-off handbags. And sometimes any
significant similarity between these inexpensive purses to expensive
handbags is limited to the sales copy of the vendor and the delusion
of the owner. However, very often, even a knock-off may be of good quality.
Real designer handbags are generally packed in tissue in an official
brand name box, and often come with an equally well-crafted dust bag.
Counterfeit replicas, on the other hand, usually are lower in quality
than the originals, and are likely to break, rip or fade long before
the original does. But before you go ahead and buy such an item,
whether inspired by, a replica, or a counterfeit, you should be aware
that there are plenty of authentic discount designer handbags for
sale on the internet by reputable sites at a sizeable discount.
It's good news that when you know where to shop, there really are
authentic discount designer handbags and sources that won't wreck
your budget. You may spend thousands on a famous name designer
handbag, but you can also buy an actual, authentic designer handbag
for $30 or less. But you must also know that you won't find a $500
bag that's authentic on the street corner for 7$ - or even $20.
Authentic designer handbags are sold only by authorized dealers, not
by hawkers on sidewalks.
When dealing with stores and websites of various types, if a seller
skirts around using the word "authentic," you should assume
the worst. Of course, even if they do say it's authentic, that
doesn't necessarily make it so. Sellers of the genuine article
usually do provide a 'money back guarantee' to back their claims of
authenticity. But don't expect the real article if the refundable
guarantee is not available.
|
