I was on vacation in Europe a couple of years ago, and I just had to check out the souvenirs markets! However, it didn’t take me long to notice that something was not quite right – after I had bought a gorgeous “Coach” bag, I soon realised it was a fake one! Instantly, I was disappointed, but I also felt like the naive tourist I was.
As I descended into a bout of self-loathing, I thought to myself, “What else is fake here?!” Everywhere I turned there were bags of all shapes, sizes and colours, and all of them claiming to be from designer brands such as Gucci and Michael Kors. I couldn’t believe I had just been taken for a ride!
It turns out that Europe is a black market for counterfeit bags, louis vuitton outlet with some estimates suggesting that more than one million of these imitations are sold each year in the continent. It’s a massive money-making project in many countries, and I was shocked to learn just how much of a problem this is.
After doing some research, I discovered that France and Italy are the main countries where fake designer products thrive. The Italian government has taken some steps to combat the issue, but it’s still a prevalent problem in the country. On the other hand, in France, the government is actually in favor of the illegal industry, as it generates significant revenue for the country. It’s a heartbreaking situation, especially since designer items can cost a fortune and there are lots of people who are getting swindled!
But while this is an issue that more governments in Europe should be taking seriously, I’ve found a silver lining. Seeing that, despite the influx of fake products, there are still lots of louis vuitton outlet stores and market places with excellent deals on genuine designer bags, I have become a smarter consumer ever since my vacation. I’m not likely to fall for cheap imitations anymore and, instead, I only buy what I can authenticate.
The unrelenting demand for designer products at prices which don’t reflect the real value of these items has caused a lot of damage to the fashion industry in Europe, but it’s still possible to find authentic designer products at a good price. It just takes a bit of extra due diligence!