As a shopaholic living in Milan for the past few years, I know all too well about the scourge of fake bags that have proliferated in this city. Fake bags have become so ubiquitous and popular in Milan. People either buy them as a fraction of the cost of an expensive original, louis vuitton outlet or worse, unknowingly purchase them without interacting them as real. One night, while out for a night in the city, I learned a hard lesson when I almost fell victim to a fake bag scheme.
My friends and I were walking the cobbled streets of Milan, window-shopping and admiring the designer bags in the luxury stores. We stopped at a corner shop that had a particularly tantalizing collection of bags on display. We started gushing about its beautiful leather and stylistic intricate details. But before we know it, my friends had gotten into a heated argument with the store owner.
It turned out the bags were knock-offs. The store owner had even been misleading customers into believing the bags were real. The man had used jargons such as “tumbled leather” and “Italian craftsmanship” to give customers an impression that they were buying something with quality and prestige.
The whole situation was so outrageous that I was truly appalled. I let out a loud gasp as I realized how easily I could have been duped. But my vigilance saved me from what otherwise could have been a devastating loss of my hard-earned money.
My friends and I took a few steps back and started discussing the continuous growth of fake bags all over Milan. I recalled how hurt and embarrassed some of my friends felt when they were outed for carrying a fake bag. I realized unfortunately, many people fall victim to fake bags because of their desire to own luxurious accessories in an affordable way. I warned my friends to be extra cautious while shopping from any random street corner or shop.
This reminds me of an article I read recently about the surge in the production of fake bags in Milan. The article discussed how even large, reputable designer stores like Burberry and Prada have been affected by the sale of counterfeit leather bags with the same logo as the original.
The article also pointed out the effect of these counterfeit items on a global scale. Not only are customers being misled by the forgeries, but foreign companies may lose value due to diminished brand equity caused by the production of fake items. Furthermore, anyone who is caught selling these counterfeit items can be criminally charged.
This only confirms my belief that buying a bag should be done with utmost care. As a codified law, I now follow this simple rule – only buy from trusted stores or brands. This helps me avoid the risk of buying something that is cheap yet not authentic.
We have all heard scary stories of unknowing buyers getting duped and ending up with a bag made with substandard leather. I have seen people carrying bags that are supposed to be a high-end designer, but the bag was so badly made and ugly design that it looked ridiculous.
Sometimes, the cheapest version of a bag is what it seems to be – too good to be true! I now understand how important it is to research the origin and authenticity of any bag before making the purchase. Buying a preloved bag is also a good alternative. At least, you can be sure you are not buying something that will fall apart in a week.
That night, my experience with the fake bags was yet another reminder of how important it is to be an educated buyer. Now, I make sure to evaluate the origin and authenticity of any bag I intend to buy. I should never trust the store owner alone and make sure to pay close attention to the quality, material, label, and logo, before I decide to buy any luxury bag in Milan.