Fake designer goods - yes or no?

[dirtygirl]

Wow.. you guys have a lot of strong opinions about people who carry "fakes."


I have a purse that's a pseudo-fake. By that I mean that it's a similar style, but it doesn't have the monograms on it or anything. I would never buy a bag that had the monograms on it unless it was real.

I don't try to pass it off as real, and I'm not even remotely embarrassed by being asked if it's real or fake because where I live, that never happens. And even if it did, I would seriously laugh!

It's actually a very good quality bag, and it was made in the USA (a big reason I ended up buying it). It's lasted longer than any other purse I've ever carried.

I bought it because it's cute. I carry it because it's cute, and I'm not ashamed to be seen with it. Furthermore, the particular one that I'm carrying isn't even close to copyright & trademark infringement. I see it the same way the second poster to this thread described the Uggs-looking boots. It looks similar, but no one's being fooled into thinking it's the real thing.





And for those who are so self-righteous about the copying issue, I hope that you have never ever, not even once, downloaded any MP3s that you didn't pay for because that is just as much stealing as any "fake" designer purse. In fact, that's not even copying-stealing, it's direct stealing! But if you have, then I wouldn't talk so much (and make so many ASSumptions about) people carrying similar-to-designer looking bags because you're not any better.

 

[dirtygirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianora I never had an opinion until the LV Murikami fake explosion a few years ago...EVERYONE had one, and everyone tried to pass them off as if they were the real thing, even though everyone else knew they were fake. It was all so exceedingly tacky that I swore I would never buy a fake version of anything. If I want a designer bag for a less expensive price, I'll go searching thrift stores for the real thing.

although rare, it is fun to find legitimate bags that way. i found this cute retro coach purse like that. i don't carry it very often, but it's real (i had it authenticated), and i only paid $26 for it!

yay for good deals!

 

[MeganGMcD]

I could really, really, REALLY care less about the designers and their over inflated prices. I buy artisan, the prices are great, they are creative, and they help the local economy. I would MUCH rather give someone 50 dollars for a handcrafted bag that people drop dead over.

However I will NOT buy fakes because of labor issues. Ever. It is a self feeding demon. The designers drive the prices up so high and the market responds. The market will ALWAYS respond no matter who they have to mow over and destroy to do it.

 

[Pimptress]

I might as well glaze cow dung in gold and sell it as high-end jewelry; people will buy anything. It seems like people are so into the fact that they are getting a certain "stance" in society by carrying a 5,000 dollar bag, that they don't even realize that they can get a good quality wonderful looking purse that's not gaudy and covered in initials at a very low price that will last MUCH longer and get much better use.

 

[Pimptress]

AT WALMART

i forgot to add that.

 

[Isis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtygirl Wow.. you guys have a lot of strong opinions about people who carry "fakes." I have a purse that's a pseudo-fake. By that I mean that it's a similar style, but it doesn't have the monograms on it or anything. I would never buy a bag that had the monograms on it unless it was real. I don't try to pass it off as real, and I'm not even remotely embarrassed by being asked if it's real or fake because where I live, that never happens. And even if it did, I would seriously laugh! It's actually a very good quality bag, and it was made in the USA (a big reason I ended up buying it). It's lasted longer than any other purse I've ever carried. I bought it because it's cute. I carry it because it's cute, and I'm not ashamed to be seen with it. Furthermore, the particular one that I'm carrying isn't even close to copyright & trademark infringement. I see it the same way the second poster to this thread described the Uggs-looking boots. It looks similar, but no one's being fooled into thinking it's the real thing. And for those who are so self-righteous about the copying issue, I hope that you have never ever, not even once, downloaded any MP3s that you didn't pay for because that is just as much stealing as any "fake" designer purse. In fact, that's not even copying-stealing, it's direct stealing! But if you have, then I wouldn't talk so much (and make so many ASSumptions about) people carrying similar-to-designer looking bags because you're not any better.

You're making alot of ASSumptions yourself.

I think what most of us have in mind here are the Blackmarket knockoffs, or those obvious things you see on mall kiosks (you know the ones I'm talking about), or sold on the street, or out of trunks. The stuff that Guess or any other legit company sells are in a totally different ballgame. They certainly do style their product by what's coming down the runways & trends. But they do not try to pass it off as what it's not. That just carries too many legal implications.

Also, I don't see anyone here that is calling into question your own personal reasons for having whatever purse you have. Your opinions are your opinions. None of us are going to try to change what you think.

And that MP3 comment? How about all those images that employees (or whoever they are) have been leaking from MAC and posting up just so we can see the newest and latest. Don't tell me you havn't been enjoying those now just like all the rest of us? And I don't seem to see anyone complaining about that?? Because guess what. Whoever is getting these images is stealing too. They are considered intellectual property of the company.

Talk about self-rightousness...go look in the mirror. None of us are claiming to be perfect.

 

[Tabitha]

Well, if I saw a bag that I liked and it was a knockoff, I might purchase it if it wasn't too expensive...as most fakes are. However, it would be because I liked the design and not because I wanted to appear as something I'm not...rich! Afterall, I'd look really convincing in my sometimes grunge attire carrying a Prada or Vuitton.

wink wink!

On the otherhand, I don't hold it against anyone who carries an obviously fake bag either. I just merely find it amusing when someone pulls up in a junk heap and then sashays out carrying a Vuitton bag. To each their own, I guess.

 

[inlucesco]

What I don't understand is why people are so ga-ga over LV in the first place. ;D

 

[Tabitha]

Well, my thoughts are that a lot of people are ga-ga over Vuitton because it has star power status behind it. For some reason a lot of people want to be seen carrying/wearing the same thing as the famous. What I can't justify is the price of Vuitton and the like. Afterall, if truth be known I highly doubt the people who are in charge of stitching the bags, etc. make that much money. It's all in a name....

 

[Cera]

I think a lot of the posters in this thread are forgetting something- not everyone buys fakes just to appear to have the real thing. Sometimes fake bags are bought by people who just like how they look. In fact, there are a lot of people out there who don't even know what LV or Dior, etc is. I have friends who've worn Dior necklaces and then gotten asked if the CD is their initials or if their or their boyfriend's name is Dior

Also... not everyone can justify the price. Now, I usually don't tell people how much my bag costs when asked- I've had enough of the surprized reactions and dropped eyeballs

To them, a bag is a bag and if a fake is able to carry things, then well, it's just as good as any designer bag; and the monograms are just a design, nothing more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by inlucesco What I don't understand is why people are so ga-ga over LV in the first place. ;D

Same here. LV has made some of the ugliest bags I have ever seen.

 

[Pimptress]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairladyZ And that MP3 comment? How about all those images that employees (or whoever they are) have been leaking from MAC and posting up just so we can see the newest and latest. Don't tell me you havn't been enjoying those now just like all the rest of us? And I don't seem to see anyone complaining about that?? Because guess what. Whoever is getting these images is stealing too. They are considered intellectual property of the company.

Way off target there. She never said that she doesn't download mp3s. She was merely giving an example of how hypocritical people are being about this situation, and I'm sorry, but you are certainly coming off as the epitome of hypocrisy about this particular subject. Re-read her post and then give your opinions too.

 

[Isis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pimptress Way off target there. She never said that she doesn't download mp3s. She was merely giving an example of how hypocritical people are being about this situation, and I'm sorry, but you are certainly coming off as the epitome of hypocrisy about this particular subject. Re-read her post and then give your opinions too.

uhuh.
Did I say she said that? No I didn't. So don't put words in my mouth. I was refering to the images posted up here. Which we've all looked at/shared in.
Anyway. Nice try but you can't bait me into one of those stupid online arguments. Which is exactly where this would go.
She said her bit.
I said mine.
Now you've said yours.
Accecpt the fact that this will go nowhere from here.

 

[Pimptress]

Nope, you didn't exactly say that, but you were implying that she was claiming to have never downloaded an mp3s.

And yes, because arguing on the internet is like winning the special olypmics; you may have won, but you're still retarded, as said in the midst of every forum argument.

Just protecting my best friend.

 

[dirtygirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairladyZ You're making alot of ASSumptions yourself. I think what most of us have in mind here are the Blackmarket knockoffs, or those obvious things you see on mall kiosks (you know the ones I'm talking about), or sold on the street, or out of trunks. The stuff that Guess or any other legit company sells are in a totally different ballgame. They certainly do style their product by what's coming down the runways & trends. But they do not try to pass it off as what it's not. That just carries too many legal implications. Also, I don't see anyone here that is calling into question your own personal reasons for having whatever purse you have. Your opinions are your opinions. None of us are going to try to change what you think. And that MP3 comment? How about all those images that employees (or whoever they are) have been leaking from MAC and posting up just so we can see the newest and latest. Don't tell me you havn't been enjoying those now just like all the rest of us? And I don't seem to see anyone complaining about that?? Because guess what. Whoever is getting these images is stealing too. They are considered intellectual property of the company. Talk about self-rightousness...go look in the mirror. None of us are claiming to be perfect.

le sigh.


I didn't make any assumptions, I promise. This is all directly quoted from JUST the first page of this thread:

One person said, “it would be just horrible to have a fake and have someone ask you if it was authentic or not. and just worse if you have a fake and your friend has an authentic version.... just plain embarassing.”

Another said, “my friend has a fake LV and a fake Dior bag, I never told her this, but they're so blatantly fake and UGLY! She just sees it as 'why spend so much on a designer bag when you can find a replica?' But the thing is, hers are sooo obvious.

Yuck!”

A third said, “I can't stand all the knockoffs. It just does not make sense to me why you would buy one, esp. when everyone knows they are fake. I would never ever buy one.”

Thus, my statements aren't based on assumptions, they're based on the things actual people actually said! Sorry to burst that bubble.


I bought my purse at a kiosk in the mall, so what were you saying about those again and not criticizing what or why I'm carrying it? What they were selling was perfectly legal designer inspired, no logos, but a similar style. It's all perfectly legal. In fact, most kiosks are perfectly legal. (Come to think of it, I haven't found one yet that isn't!) You can't compare a mall kiosk to the blackmarket. Well, I suppose you can, but perhaps you should understand more about the blackmarket and about what it takes to sell out of the mall (i.e. licenses, agreements, contracts, etc etc)

Your paragraph about the MP3 argument REALLY made me laugh because you basically reinforced my point. IF YOU DOWNLOAD MP3s, THEN YOU ARE STEALING. I never said whether I did or didn't download MP3s, but I also haven't come on the forum and talked all kinds of shit about fake/designer-inspired/knock-off/etc purses and the people who carry them and/or buy them. It's not about acting perfect; it's about acting self-righteous. The argument flows as such: If you are
actually stealing, then do not come on the forum and knock other
people who you "consider" stealing.

By the way, since we are all unsure of how those images have been released, we cannot necessarily assume that they were stolen. However, if you worry about the theft of MAC's intellectual property, I highly urge to contact the corporate headquarters and let them know about their images being posted around the internet. I can tell you from the prospective of someone who works in the intellectual property legal field, it would be greatly appreciated, and the company would thank you.

 

[Isis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtygirl I didn't make any assumptions, I promise. Your paragraph about the MP3 argument REALLY made me laugh because you basically reinforced my point. IF YOU DOWNLOAD MP3s, THEN YOU ARE STEALING. I never said whether I did or didn't download MP3s

Well it defintely seemed like that's what you were saying. Maybe you should have quoted them in the first place then.

And about the MP3 paragraph reinforcement, that was the point. I simply applied it in a different way. Did you expect a cookie for figuring that out all by yourself?

I don't know who you are, niether do I care what you (personally) actually do or don't do in real life (this includes downloading MP3s or not, what you buy and where or don't, whatever). It's all just words on a screen.

 

[Lo-Fi_Thriller]

i dont care if they are fake or real- if i like the style of it ill buy it. but i usually adore Juicy Couture.

 

[dirtygirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairladyZ Well it defintely seemed like that's what you were saying. Maybe you should have quoted them in the first place then. And about the MP3 paragraph reinforcement, that was the point. I simply applied it in a different way. Did you expect a cookie for figuring that out all by yourself? I don't know who you are, niether do I care what you (personally) actually do or don't do in real life (this includes downloading MP3s or not, what you buy and where or don't, whatever). It's all just words on a screen.

Well, just as long as we both agree that you're stealing just like the people who steal designs, then it's all good!

 

[fireatwill]

I dont buy knockoffs because i think its super disrespectful to the desigher. But my mom buys fakes, it doesnt really bother me. I just dont do it.

 

[lipstik]

No way.

 

[alysia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtygirl And for those who are so self-righteous about the copying issue, I hope that you have never ever, not even once, downloaded any MP3s that you didn't pay for because that is just as much stealing as any "fake" designer purse. In fact, that's not even copying-stealing, it's direct stealing! But if you have, then I wouldn't talk so much (and make so many ASSumptions about) people carrying similar-to-designer looking bags because you're not any better.

Unless your in Canada. Than it's legal

And buying something with a similar STYLE (ie. a guess bag with the triangle) well that's not a fake. A fake is OBVIOUSLY trying to pass itself off as a designer bad Ie. Coach, LV.
And fakes are nasty. I shudder because my mother bought one. I tried to burn it

I'm a student & I'd rather save for it than buy a fake and support some lame-ass counterfitter. I have a lot of respect for designers, sooo