An article written for handbag lovers and fashion enthusiasts who have been victimized by thinking they got the real deal but were sent a fake one. Did it happen to you? Have you been an unintentional counterfeit fashion victim?

Check out these two buying situations:

A. The seller discloses to you clearly that you are getting a counterfeit (imitation/copy/fake/replica/knockoff) designer item and you still agreed to buy it.

B. The seller claims that it is authentic goods, for example, a handbag from a designer brand but it’s a fake, a counterfeit consumer good.

Which one are you?

If you are a well-informed buyer in situation A and have agreed to the item details, then so be it.

Your moolah, your rules.

Maybe you only want to see how it looks, or the original’s high price is beyond your budget, and you’re not interested in saving up for the real one. You’ve embraced wearing a replica because you don’t mind dealing with the judgmental looks, whether you notice them or not.

Yeah, sweet thing. Do your thing.

On the other hand, being a buyer in situation B will require a different approach. Bummed that the handbag you bought is fake?! A shopping spree that was supposed to bring a smile turned into a nightmare and requires action ASAP.

It seems like the sales process wasn’t as transparent as it should have been. You can’t just let them run with your money, right my Darlings? You have the right to get it back. Request a full refund, or if necessary, file an official complaint with the seller or vendor to process the return and seek compensation for the hassle.

At this point, you became a counterfeit fashion victim.

For buyers in situation B, I encourage you to continue reading…

Understanding Counterfeit Consumer Goods

Counterfeit consumer goods are often of inferior quality, made or sold under another’s brand name without the brand owner’s authorization. Sellers of such goods may infringe on the brand owner’s trademark, patent, or copyright by passing off their goods as made by the brand owner.

Signs You Are Getting a Counterfeit Item

• The price is too good to be true. For instance, if you see a brand new Louis Vuitton handbag priced at just PHP 20,000 (US$350), you can be certain it’s a fake. It is impossible to get that price point on a brand-new LV handbag. The price mentioned can only get you closer to a Louis Vuitton Pochette accessory, but, still, you need to add more because the price starts from US$500. Louis Vuitton never goes on sale and discount outlets for brand new bags do not exist.
• The material & craftsmanship are faulty. Check out the structure, stitching, hardware, and the canvas or leather material used. It will never match the craftsmanship, precision, and materials used in the authentic designer creation.
• The authenticity card in question. Fake designer bags always tend to have credit card-like plastic authenticity cards. Research if it exists for the brand as this does not apply to all. Authenticity cards issued by some designer brands like Prada and Gucci, show a serial number on them. Chanel does too, with a sticker placed inside the bag that shows the matching serial number on the card. Hermes doesn’t. Louis Vuitton products don’t come with authenticity cards. Instead, they have a ‘date code’ stamped on the interior tags or linings, identifying the manufacturing location and date. However, as of March 2021, their newer models no longer have a physical date code but an embedded microchip.
• The particular model does not exist. Counterfeit manufacturers tend to make variations of their stolen designs, tweaking the color combination, sizes, and feature detailing.
• They introduced them as – AAA, AA, and ‘Authentic but did not pass quality control.’ A designer handbag will never be sold with varying levels of quality. Don’t let these superfakes fool you, regardless of the inclusions they come with.

Factual Point

Always remember, if counterfeit manufacturers can produce fake designer handbags, they can just as easily create fake official receipts, authenticity cards, dust bags, and storage boxes. It’s another tactic they use to deceive buyers!

Maybe, you like to check my decluttering backstory? Route right here. 🙂

How to Get Real Designer Items for Less and Avoid Being a Counterfeit Fashion Victim

1. Check out reputable consignment stores/websites that offer returns & refunds when you doubt the authenticity of an item. This works great if you are into top luxury designer accessories – belts, shoes & bags, pieces of jewelry, or clothing (examples are Oscar Dela Renta, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Cartier, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, etc.).
2. Buy preloved items because not everyone keeps their pretty stuff forever. It is somewhat related to consignment.
3. Wait for season sales, which usually apply to mid-tier or casual luxury designer brands (examples are Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Coach, and Marc Jacobs).
4. Shop at the Outlet, which mostly applies to mid-tier designer brands. Heard about Coach Outlet? That’s it.
5. Pick designer fabulous dupes from high-street stores if the shopping budget is still not enough. It comes with similar feature detailing but not a replica.

It is imperative to do your research ahead of time and familiarize yourself with the brand. These days, gathering information about anything is quite easy. You can watch unboxing and review videos, read buyer reviews, or check out blog articles that feature the product you’re eyeing.

Moreover, it’s beneficial to assess the seller’s track record, focusing on the quality and authenticity of the products they sell. This extra step can help ensure you’re making a well-informed purchase. 💋

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a quality handbag. On a side note, you also don’t have to splurge your hard-earned money on counterfeit goods.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this topic. Feel free to share in the comments below!