I’m sure many of us have been tempted by dodgy deals on fake replica bags at one time or another; after all, it’s a great way to balance our budget in an increasingly expensive world. But what’s really hiding behind the cheap prices? I recently had a wake-up call when buying a knock-off shoulder bag online; it was the perfect size, shape and colour – and priced way too good to be true. I was desperate to get my hands on it, so I went ahead and bought it.
In hindsight, I can see that I should have been more wary from the start; I mean look at the signs! The website had a ton of spelling and grammar mistakes, fake bags and the images were of low quality and poorly lit. Plus, I knew the real bag would have cost triple of what I was being asked to pay. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to take the chance.
Little did I know that I’d received a knock-off bag – and a really nasty one too – instead of a real one. The zips and locks were SUPER flimsy, the colour was a horrible shade and the shape wasn’t quite what I was expecting. Although it was a little disheartening, the whole experience was a valuable lesson for me. Now I really know what to watch out for when purchasing online and in stores. That’s why I always make sure to stick to the reputable brands and stores, and stay away from the shady websites that are likely to be selling knock-offs.
Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to know for sure that a bag is authentic. But there are definitely tell-tale signs which you can look out for, such as the construction and replica bags quality of the bag’s stitchwork, the branding and the weight of the leather. For instance, real leather should be heavier than faux-leather, and should feel smoother. As for the branding, it should be in the same location on each bag – like the side or base – no matter if it’s a real or knock-off one.
Another great tip is to look for any logos or serial numbers on the bag, which can be an indication that it’s a real deal. Serial numbers should be laser etched rather than printed, and should be found tucked away in a corner inside the bag. Lastly, just look at the price tag! Does the bag seem suspiciously cheap? Chances are it’s a knock-off!
When making any kind of purchase, it’s important to trust your gut instinct. If a deal seems too good to be true, that might be a huge red flag that the bag is a fake. Heck, if I’d taken a moment to pause and actually considered all of these things, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble. Let this be a lesson to all of us about taking precautions when it comes to dodgy deals and fake bags.