Why do we love the brands but buy the fakes?

[rainrowan]

We love handbags (speaking generally vs brands) because we all love fashion by nature.

When I was 12 or 13, before I even knew there were brand names, I had a keen eye for what I liked and made it happen, i.e. purchase a bag that called out to me, never knowing it was inspired or knockoff or whatever. It was only later when I started buying fashon magazines that I found out there were actual brandname originals attached to what I liked.

I purchase what catches my fancy but not sure if it will be a permanent acquisition or most times money is tight; it's more or less a test drive to satisfy some urge. I bought a fake LV and eventually bought the genuine one as I just fell in love with it and I knew this was going to be a permanent staple in my collection. I had gotten a fake Balenciaga, and because it was of such good quality, my "quest" was satisfactorily satiated. Of course, members go on to get the genuine and that's all good.

 

[Starbelly]

I've been surprised to find that there are quite a lot of people who can afford the real thing but choose to buy the good fakes. I fall into that group, as well. For me, it's a combination of simple math and being practical. The less money I spend on a certain bag, the more money I can use to buy other things: clothes, shoes, make-up, geekery, and more bags.

 

[missmaya]

I bought fakes and I thought i wanted a real bag, bought one and i just dont get the same buzz as I do with fakes. The fakes me happy, where as I dont like taking the real one out, I have to worry bout damaging/losing her and when i compared her to her fake version I realised I really cudnt tell the difference, which just kinda makes me feel a bit ripped off and a bit of a mug, and i guess guilty. Also im slightly embarrased to tell people that i spent that much money on a bag, but Im happy to tell people my fakes arent real when they admire them. So my oh offered to but me another real one fopr my bd, but ive told him i prefer the fakes, and besides i could get 10 fakes for the price of one real one, and if you know where to get them the quality can be just as good for a fraction of the price, which makes me feel goooooooood!

 

[iSpot]

If I would carry a fake bag, I would feel like I'm betraying myself...it's like carrying a bag for the wrong reasons (status..) or most of the time the design is off.
Also, I've read articles about factory workers working 20 hours a day chained to machines...this makes me sad because this is an illegal industry with absolutely no control. That's why I'm not buying fakes, I'd rather buy an original bag from an artisan.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

Here's my take: I'm not into status symbols, so I wouldn't want to buy an LV logo bag or Hermes Birkin even if I could afford to. None of those instantly recognizable bags. However I do love the look of some designer bags, Chloe and Balenciaga in particular. I appreciate their design. I've never bought a fake and tried to pass it off as real, but I have purchased bags inspired by those brands. I have a black quilted bag with an interwoven metal and leather strap from Accessorize that I love; it's clearly inspired by the classic Chanel bag, but I don't consider it a knock-off.

 

[colourmefashion]

last year when I was in NY I got a fake Chanel bag, but that's because I'm only a high school student that doesnt have enough for the real one.

I dont try to pass it off as real though.
If someone asks "Is that real?" I tell them no.

plus, none of those name brands are where I live.
yes, I'm telling the truth.

 

[Gonatcha]

If I would carry a fake bag, I would feel like I'm betraying myself...it's like carrying a bag for the wrong reasons (status..) or most of the time the design is off.
Also, I've read articles about factory workers working 20 hours a day chained to machines...this makes me sad because this is an illegal industry with absolutely no control. That's why I'm not buying fakes, I'd rather buy an original bag from an artisan.

I don't understand your resoning here, why is it more likely that a person with a fake bag seeks status than a person with a real bag?

 

[g_synp]

Ya I am sure they do, especially with the credit crunch now.

Thank you!

 

[g_synp]

Well i feel bad spending my whole paycheck (maybe a few whole paychecks) on a bag... so i saved up and bought a used but authentic LV from Ebay.. but even now i really want an Hermes birkin...but HA the thousands..no. So im thinking about getting a fake..

Haha, I think we all want a Birkin.

xx

 

[g_synp]

I never bought a fake mostly because i would not consider buying a low quality leather bag or a bag that was not made of leather.The good fakes are not cheap also so I would prefer to buy the real thing without a brand. That for the same money will always be superior.

But from my experience not all the persons buy fake to give the illusion that they are wearing the real thing, my cousin buys exclusively fake bags because the design is "trendy", the design is in fashion,a fake is as good as a real one for the purpose, if you understand what I mean. She doesn't need people to think that she's wearing a real Marc Jacobs for example, she never pretends they are real, it's enough for her to know that she's wearing a trendy design and people will think she's fashionable because of it.

Ya I do understand what you are talking about. With the fashion trend changes so fast. Its quite hard to keep up with it sometimes. Been fashionable is great! That way you will always have the latest. Haha..

xx

 

[g_synp]

The real reason people buy the real bags are for the exclusivity of the brand. It all boils down to the name if I'm completely honest .. but think about it, the exclusivity of most brands are all boiled down now because of fakes & knockoffs, so why not buy a fake if you want to carry a bag in the same style of another bag you cannot afford? This could be very arguable because on the other hand if people stop buying fake bags, it could potentially put an end to this ... I haven't and will never buy fake bags because of the quality and also I feel high rewarding myself with a lovely bag.

Agreed!

xxx

 

[g_synp]

I've been surprised to find that there are quite a lot of people who can afford the real thing but choose to buy the good fakes. I fall into that group, as well. For me, it's a combination of simple math and being practical. The less money I spend on a certain bag, the more money I can use to buy other things: clothes, shoes, make-up, geekery, and more bags.

Ya, I found that too, when I was in Thailand, the Russians are buying not just 1 or 2, they are buying like a suitcase of them..

 

[JulietCapulet]

I have never bought a fake bag.

I think buying fakes as well as overpriced bags can both cause guilt and discomfort.

 

[Thatsnotmyname]

I have bought two fake LV's when i was like 16 but I never wear them...
I'm still a student, and i don't want my parents to buy me designer stuff, i think it's a little sad when you let your parents buy you designerstuff.
But my first designer bag will be a chanel 2.55

 

[4Raitha]

I havent bought any fake designer thing , because , I wouldnt like to carry fake one just for brend and stamp - I am cool , i can ' aford designer ' bag .

If I would like design , I better try to find something else like it , but not fake .
Or , I just would save money , so I could buy it latter .

And as in my country we dont have all those brand shops , and all those fake bags are in market , then it looks much more sad to me - ' high fashion ' bag near to tomatoes , or scraps .

 

[ernuez]

In my country, fake designer goods are like everywhere. Many people even dont know that brandname. Everyone carry Louis Vuitton bag (lol). Even some never seen in any collection too.

When i was little kid, i had Chanel bag, DG clothes, blah blah blah.. It were just normal thing in my country. But then when I had a chance to study fashion, i know that real thing worth the price. And i think it's really a shame to buy a fake designer thing.

 

[Kimkhuu]

I own auths and fakes.

Fakes that are well made are OK. I usually sell the one when I feel they look weird.

And why do I buy fakes? "Cuz I ain't got tha money!!!!!!"

 

[michyed]

The real reason people buy the real bags are for the exclusivity of the brand. It all boils down to the name if I'm completely honest .. but think about it, the exclusivity of most brands are all boiled down now because of fakes & knockoffs, so why not buy a fake if you want to carry a bag in the same style of another bag you cannot afford? This could be very arguable because on the other hand if people stop buying fake bags, it could potentially put an end to this ... I haven't and will never buy fake bags because of the quality and also I feel high rewarding myself with a lovely bag.

Agreed! I think you've hit it spot on.

I would never buy a fake. I'd rather buy a handbag with no brand name than a fake. The counterfeit industry is sick - and the stuff that goes on behind the scenes is shocking. International terrorism and several criminal networks are funded by a wide array of sources including the huge profits they make from counterfeit designer products.

 

[chanelandfur]

I love Balenciaga and Chanel - and I treasure my bag collection. After owning authentic designer bags I know I could never buy a fake. I'd rather have a no name bag than a fake Chanel.

 

[sanitizedfashion]

Many of you are straying from the question ... I think it mostly pertains to people who actually, um, buy fakes not abhor the idea all together and label people who do buy them as, "phonies" etc. Trust me, the anti-fake handbag propaganda isn't going to work on die-hard fake fans . All products we buy (with the exception of American Apparel, ha) are probably made in a way that would sicken most normal people, that includes luxury items as well, who seem to get into legal trouble for inhumane working conditions; and for those of you who are animal-rights activists... the injustices are horrifyingly inhumane, just ask how Hermes kills ostriches. The fact that most companies now use factories to make their bags puts the quality only a few notches higher than the best of reps.

I don't think it's about status. Some people really just want the same designs for an affordable price. Realistically, how much do designer handbags cost to produce... they couldn't be more than, maybe, $500.