We’ve all heard the alarming stories, but I never actually believed I could fall for such a scam—buying a fake bag. It was my first trip to China and replica bags of course, I wanted to score some great deals. What I didn’t expect was that I was about to become the victim of a scam and learn a lesson in the process.
The shopkeeper was really nice and the price was too good to be true. Naturally, I decided to buy the bag. As I reached into my purse to pay, I noticed the name of the brand spelled out the wrong way, but at the time I wasn’t that educated on designer labels and it didn’t even register to me. In hindsight, the signs were there but I completely overlooked them.
The moment I got home I posted my so called $1800 designer bag on Instagram and the trolls came after me. As it turns out, it was a fake. I was beyond embarrassed. What was more shocking was learning that I had paid triple the price of what the bag was actually worth. It was a heart-wrenching moment.
The fiasco made me more aware of the price of a fake bag, and how important it is to be on the lookout for counterfeits. Moreover, I learned that even if the bag looks “authentic” the manufacturer could have used cheap materials, so it’s important to buy smarter. Especially when it comes to luxury brands, replica bags you often get what you pay for.
So the next time I felt the urge to score a deal on a designer bag, I did my research. I made sure I knew who the designer was, the name of the bag, and any of the little details that make the original so unique. I also asked friends in the know for advice. They even did special Google searches to make sure I wasn’t being duped.
Perhaps the biggest lesson I learned from the whole ordeal was to never be shy to ask questions. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If the price isn’t quite right, fake bags it’s better to leave it be. In other words, if it’s too good of a deal, it’s wise to walk away or ask for a second opinion before hitting the ‘buy’ button.
It’s also important to shop from outlets that have a good reputation, so purchases can be monitored. This way, chances of determining if the bag is a fake or not can be determined long before buying.
The cost of a fake product doesn’t just involve the purchase of the item itself. There’s emotional and psychological damage that no amount of money can buy. At the heart of it, I learned that asking questions and doing thorough research is the best way to make sure I stay away from counterfeit products and seedy business.
