:: fake designer handbags? ::

Lately numerous individuals are venturing into competitive online business world selling branded handbags through blogs and Facebook at cheaper price. Being someone who loves handbags, I just couldn't resist myself drooling over the images and comparing one price to another. Those who live in the USA for example usually sell American brand products, especially Coach items which they could get at almost half of retail price from Coach factory outlet store. I have been to US once, visited the factory outlets and I tell you, these are shopping heavens! Items sold at factory outlets are usually out-of-season but who cares because they are cheap. In terms of authenticity, I personally have no problem at trusting individuals who really live in US and having this kind of online business for side income as long as they really buy the items from the stores or factory outlets.

On the other hand, there are also sellers who are offering luxury designer handbags at cheaper price. Despite having similar modus operandi to those who are living in the USA (buying items from factory outlets) these sellers also offer personal shopper service where buyers could ask sellers to buy items from designer outlets and benefit from the currency exchange rates. (Some sellers who live in USA also offer personal shopper service.) All sellers claimed they are selling 100% authentic designer goods and it is very convincing especially when they claimed they are living in Europe or have friends or contacts in Europe. Again, I have no problem at trusting these individuals too until I saw these Gucci bags being sold at one of the FB store  that I have liked. Something caught my attention there and it is piece of fabric sample in the red square line.

I do not intend to embarass or 'kill' anybody's business and please correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I'm concerned authentic designer handbags never come with that piece of fabric sample. This seller claims he/she lives in the UK and some other items are shown with original receipt from Bicester Village, the famous factory outlet there but the above items gave me doubt.

** Thanks to concerned readers who commented, sample of the fabric is included in certain authentic Gucci bags bought in authorised boutiques over sea. Seek confirmation from the seller. Better be safe than sorry. ** 

Counterfeit is a multi million business. Not like the old days where adidas became abidas, manufacturers nowadays put their highest effort in replicating items as similar as possible to the authentic goods and we as consumers could be cheated if we are not careful. It is very convincing when an item comes complete with a dustbag, care booklet and a paper bag isn't it? But in case you didn't know, grade AAA replica handbags nowadays do come with all that stuff which look really similar to the originals and believe it or not, some even come with fake receipts.

My intention in sharing this info is to create awareness and help others from being cheated. There are sellers who honestly inform they are selling replica handbags so it is fair to the customers who are buying items from them because they already knew and decided their purchase. Situation however differs with sellers who claimed they are selling authentic goods, which are actually counterfeit products because that is considered cheating. Furthermore, although those handbags are purchased at a fraction of its retail price, they still cost thousands of RM.

I managed getting some websites selling AAA replica designer handbags to prove what I said and for you to refer:

 Gucci medium paper bag costs $16 and do you notice the above handbag also comes with a dustbag and care booklet?

"...and copy of the genuine receipt from an official LV store." Nice eh?

As mentioned earlier, fake handbags still cost a bomb. I'm not here to judge if you already knew and still decided on purchasing one but it is unfair for those who believed they have purchased an authentic stuff when it turns to be fake. We have to be smart consumers to avoid paying for something that is not worth it so before purchasing something from an online seller, it is recommended to:

1. Do a bit of study on the seller. Surf the Net for extra details, reviews and feedbacks. If possible, ask for seller's details such as phone numbers and ask any of her/his prior customers or anybody who knew her/him to verify the info.

2. Do a bit of research on the item - its retail price, the model whether it's new or out of season, limited edition stuff, etc. Consider thinking about it should not be impossible to keep on selling limited edition items all year round and it's also impossible for someone to have a lot of stock on these items unless they are fakes. Be wary of deep discounts too.

3. Learn to spot a fake. Do not easily trust seller especially if he/she sells items using images taken from designer official websites. Ask for photographs of the real items.

Above all, it is safer to shop from official stores or much better if you could purchase the item from the boutique itself. It is better to spend few hundreds RM more and satisfied with your purchase rather than being cheated. Better be safe than sorry.

This public service information is brought to you by phatgurl :-)

*keywords: how to avoid buying counterfeit products, replica designer handbags, online shopping safety tips, how to recognize fake handbags