I was doing some shopping in town when a friend of mine who had just returned from a trip to China told me about something she had witnessed there. She had been browsing in a small store when she noticed the owner was selling fake luxury bags. Apparently, Chinese sellers are becoming increasingly specialized in counterfeiting products including luxury bags, watches, and wallets, and they make a lot of money out of it.
At first, I was really shocked and thought that it was unfair, especially when these products are way above the average person’s budget. How could Chinese make money by selling fake items that cost thousands of dollars? I was completely bewildered.
But my friend’s next words immediately changed my attitude – she said that some Chinese are actually producing high-quality products that are made to fool even the most trained eyes. Just imagine, all the details, all the materials, she said, louis vuitton outlet are almost the same as the originals.
I was impressed and even had feelings of admiration when I heard how skilled these counterfeiters were. Indeed, I already knew counterfeits were a huge issue in China, but I had never imagined they had reached such a level. She went on telling me that nowadays you can come across lots of people that will offer you this kind of products without you noticing.
As my friend wrapped up her story, I couldn’t help but ask her if she had gotten herself a fake luxury bag. She smiled and answered, “No, that’s still against my ethics. But I do admire people with entrepreneurial spirit, and that’s what Chinese have been doing for years.”
Since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about this subject and its implications. Chinese sellers have become so expert in producing counterfeit products of such a high level that it is almost impossible to differentiate them from the originals. And when we all know the quality and value of these items, the thought of buying a replica bag is sometimes quite seductive.
This begs the question of why Chinese are so successful in selling counterfeit luxury bags and whether it is ethical or not. This is a delicate matter, but the fact remains that counterfeiting is a widespread activity in China with a long history. As in many other countries, counterfeiting has become a tool for many Chinese to make a living. Though, it goes without saying that several people also purchase them as status symbols, and fake bags others out of economic necessity.
Having read, heard and researched a lot about this issue, I must confess I still struggle with forming an opinion on the ethics associated with the Chinese replica market. Every time I think about it, I feel a bit confused. I understand that it’s a complex matter, and I believe that the only way to reach a conclusion in this regard is to carry out more studies, as it is a problem that has been growing over time.