It was such a frustrating experience the other day. I had saved up for months, to buy a Benchmade bag that I had been eyeing off and had finally decided to treat myself to a fake version. Budget was tight, and so I settled for the fake Benchmade bag. It looked identical to the authentic one from an image.
When it arrived in the mail, I was so ecstatic. I was so proud of myself for not spending a fortune on something I’d hardly use.
But, once I finally pulled it out, it didn’t look the same. The leather felt plastic-y and it just didn’t have the same feel of an authentic bag. The craftsmanship was just so obvious, an amateur can spot it. The sewing wasn’t neat either, it looked like it had been hacked together rather quickly.
And louis vuitton outlet to make matters worse, louis vuitton outlet every time I took it out, people would point out that it was a fake bag. It was super embarrassing, and I’d always have to smile and imply that it was a knock off. It felt like I had been robbed.
But, good thing is, this experience has made me more conscious. I’ve now become a pro at spotting an authentic bag from a fake one. I’m also much more patient now, and I will save up for the real thing before I purchase any item of clothing or accessories.
What’s worse is that many fake retailers will claim that their product is authentic. There’s no way of knowing unless you get someone who spends a lot of time researching on the topic to authenticate it for you.
Additionally, the fake R&D race has been so insanely out of control that I find it’s sometimes hard to differentiate between what is actually fake and what is a legitimate knock-off. It’s completely dependent on the item.
So I guess you could say that my fake Benchmade bag disaster experience made me quite savvy when it comes to counterfeited goods. And a really good lesson to not trust cheap items that you can get quickly without doing thorough research.
After this experience, I started looking around more for secondhand items. You get to be sure of what you buy for the most part, and now I do various little tricks like checking labels for potential spelling errors, color variations, and more. I can now spot a fake item from far away. And when I’m unsure of something, I ask around for an expert opinion.
I’m also careful to not click on random links from Instagram ads. These are sure fire signs of knock offs. I don’t want to end up with another fake item like the Benchmade bag ever again. And I always read reviews now to double check if what I’m getting is legit.
I’ve also learned the power of bargain hunting. There are still places I know where to buy an authentic bag at a discount. I find deals by searching through auctions and websites like eBay. Nothing beats the rush of finding a good deal on something you like.
In comparison to fast fashion, I now prioritize quality items. It’s just smarter to invest in quality things and own them for a longer time. Plus, I’m sure to get a genuine item that won’t have me feeling embarrassed and ashamed of buying a ‘knock-off’ whenever someone critiques it.
In order to make sure I’m getting an authentic item, I also ask to see the products’ features. This helps me to identify if the products have the features of a genuine item. Sometimes it’s difficult because some of the features of a fake item are almost indistinguishable from the real one.
And if all else fails, I always compare prices with pre-owned items on the resell market. This is especially helpful when you’re looking for something high end like a Benchmade, because I can compare prices with what a genuine product is priced at.
This experience taught me to be careful when shopping so that I won’t get fooled into buying a fake copy of a coveted item. I now know with certainty that paying for a fake item isn’t something I regret. It’s also important to remember authenticity and quality when making a purchase.