FYI on Counterfeits!

[elaine130]

Wow, I was so rattled by the Wealth TV video on Luxury Goods and Counterfeits shared by another forum member. javascriptl('http://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3dNcS3S_JXuos');

So I searched the Dept. of Homeland Security website for verification on counterfeits funding terrorism. I found a link to this article. It is indeed a crime to sell/traffic counterfeits, but not purchase just one item. URL: Kelly Outlines Dangers of Counterfeiting - February 2, 2007 - The New York Sun

Yikes - I could have been SHOT when I bought my first fake bag last summer from a street vendor in NYC last summer - a white "Prada" purse and sunglasses. I had fun bargaining her down to $15.00 for both -who could resist a good bargain?

Well, now I know better. And I think we should let everyone know (guys, too, because they buy watches and clothing that may be counterfeit). I suggest copying this message and pasting it into an email.

[kitsch_k]

thanks for this elaine! i really appreciate the information

[elaine130]

OMG! I just learned from my friend whose hairdresser sells the counterfeits...

1. That someone bought a fake Coach out in NYC. The bag became dirty, so the hairdresser TOOK THE FAKE TO A COACH STORE and they looked at it, then said, OK, COME BACK NEXT WEEK TO PICK IT UP! They thought it was real and did clean it!

2. As for the NYC commissioner trying to bust these counterfeit outfits, well there is a huge building in NYC that actually sells these bags and everyone knows it!!! I wonder if the police are letting it do its business in order to catch bigger fish, sort of like they have police informants who do their drug deals in order to catch the big kingpins!

3. These fakes are sooooo good that some of these places will sell you a bag for about $40, include box, tissue paper, price tags AND EVEN SERIAL NUMBERS AND MAIL-IN REGISTRATION CARD!!!

Ugh-what is this world coming to? Now I question the validity of my Ebay purchases... what if the Fendi and Coach sales personnel who told me my bags were authentic were ACTUALLY fooled, too???

I'm done with bags on EBAY. I'm going to go straight to the reputable stores!

Any thoughts on this matter?

[angelthelson]

Originally Posted by elaine130

OMG! I just learned from my friend whose hairdresser sells the counterfeits...

1. That someone bought a fake Coach out in NYC. The bag became dirty, so the hairdresser TOOK THE FAKE TO A COACH STORE and they looked at it, then said, OK, COME BACK NEXT WEEK TO PICK IT UP! They thought it was real and did clean it!

2. As for the NYC commissioner trying to bust these counterfeit outfits, well there is a huge building in NYC that actually sells these bags and everyone knows it!!! I wonder if the police are letting it do its business in order to catch bigger fish, sort of like they have police informants who do their drug deals in order to catch the big kingpins!

3. These fakes are sooooo good that some of these places will sell you a bag for about $40, include box, tissue paper, price tags AND EVEN SERIAL NUMBERS AND MAIL-IN REGISTRATION CARD!!!

Ugh-what is this world coming to? Now I question the validity of my Ebay purchases... what if the Fendi and Coach sales personnel who told me my bags were authentic were ACTUALLY fooled, too???

I'm done with bags on EBAY. I'm going to go straight to the reputable stores!

Any thoughts on this matter?

that is soooo scary!!!

[Barbara]

Thanks all for the info i will not be buying on E-bay anymore as well. This really needs to be stoped here and now.And if we would stop buying them.Then that would be the end of it but as long as there are people out there to buy them .They will be there day in and day out for the the sale. You are better off going to the stores to get them you pay more but you know it's real.

[bagcrazy]

I am so against "fakes". That's why I've never purchase from ebay, I just don't want to get burned. I have some designer handbags I no longer use (and didn't use much in the first place), that I would like to sell, but I'm afraid to even try on ebay, because there are so many fakes there. I also called a local resale shop, but it's not a very good deal.

[babidius]

I think there are alot of reputable ebay sellers with real bags. I have bought and sold quite a few new Coach bags on ebay. Some people get there bags from the Coach outlets and are just doing it to make some cash that way. I have noticed alot of the power Sellers of Coach bags, not all, live in Florida where there are tons of outlets malls. I saw a bag at my Coach outlet that I loved but it was a little high for me, came home found the dame bag online at ebay and it's the same bag from an outlet. The tags from the outlets say Coach factory. I'm not sure about the other brands like Fendi or Louis Vuitton because I am not familiar with them but I feel comfortable buying Coach on ebay!

[LouisLady]

eww.....thats so bad.

[DianneMK]

Yes I am appalled that people have to be so dishonest to have the nerve to sell fake bags.But in Florida I went to a flea market(there are two in an area)and I saw my hearts desire...Chanel bags.Then something in the back of my mind said..."nah...they cannot be real"...and I passed.I am glad that I did because a couple of the vendors were selling designer bags that indeed were counterfeit.
And as far as eBay...again our local news had a buyer beware about some people who sell fake designer bags.But...there might be actual honset sellers who sell authentic designer bags.But buy at your own risk.
I had a chance to bid on a beautiful Chanel bag...but I found out that the seller had the serial number cut out of it.But I didn't win it...the winning bidder spent $450.Why would the seller cut the serial number out of it???

[kitsch_k]

i have received emails warning people not to use counterfeit bags because you'd get arrested and deported upon entry in countries like Italy and France where most of these goods are made..

[Louis Vuitton]

Thanks for the interesting post. I am 100% against counterfeit luxury goods.