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I am a t-shirts and jeans girl. Not a fashionista by any means. But, my beloved cousin had a purse party the other week & like a fool, I spent $ 40 on a "Gucci" purse (it was actually one of the cheapest purses there!)--I'm now finding out those supposed designer name purses are fakes. Granted, I guess I knew $ 40 was absurdly cheap for a Gucci, but I got caught up in the moment. Here's the part I could kick myself for...I found the absolute, most fantastic purse--the purse of the century--a purse I will love forever--at Kmart the other night.
For $ 5.00.
Now, some woman named Michelle has my $ 40 and all I have to show for it is a fake Gucci.
And how's that legal anyway??
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Don't sweat it...we've all been there! If I could tell you how many things I bought in the past that I ended up regretting I would feel sick. Just enjoy your new "Gucci" and use it as a reminder of what to do next time.
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Did she try to tell you it was real??? I've never been to a purse party like that, but I've heard they're all knock-offs straight from Canal Street/China town. I don't know how it can be legal. I would try to return it if I were you... saying you were sold something that isn't what she claimed it to be.
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It's not legal, and many people who have held these purse parties have been raided by the FTC or agents of the "real" purse companies. You've gotta know that any designer name purse that is sold that cheaply is either fake or hot. Look online and see how many Vuitton purses are marketed as real, authentic. Nope. There are purse parties that aren't knockoff ones, or they change them enough so you know they are knockoffs (like the Vuitton lining is a signature color, not the tan in some of the knockoffs). But representing something as original or real is fraud, not a knockoff. But it's a big market. Did you see the Sex in the City episode about it?
I, personally, think that the couture companies like it - it keeps their prices high, and only the "elite" is their customer. Those that buy the fakes couldn't usually afford their high prices anyway, so wouldn't be a potential customer. Vuitton swears they destroy all older purses and things that don't sell, and strongly control their stores, but isn't it funny how a few do make it on the market?
I've seen Coach, Prada, Gucci and Fendis on sale at the outlet centers, including Off 5th and Neiman Marcus' off center.
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Dont feel bad we all do this kind of thing from time to time. Use that purse with pride, most people wont know its fake anyways. My Mom bought a fake coach and I compaired it to mine, and even I wasnt sure. We put our purses together and compaired , they only differnce I could find was that the leather in hers was thinner than mine.
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On the fake coaches, the clips that attach the straps are thinner, also.
I just looked up "Purse Parties" online. They will allow you to exchange, but no refunds are issued. You can chalk this up to a learning experience, and be glad you didn't buy one of the fakes that are actually a few hundred dollars. Take a look on ebay and you'll see. Enjoy it while it lasts. But I would call the friend that invited you, just in case there's someone else she invited that may have misunderstood.
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Originally Posted by desertmom
On the fake coaches, the clips that attach the straps are thinner, also.
With real Coach bags, the "cc" pattern lines up at the seams in the middle of the bag. With fakes, it doesn't. That's the easiest way to spot a fake.
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Well, unfortunately, the party was hosted by my cousin...I'd feel bad getting her in trouble or berating her for her dishonesty. I guess I'll consider it a lesson learned. My mom now owns a faux Prada, I own a "Gucci," and my aunt owns a "Coach."
UGH!
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Oh man I would be upset too. Too late to cancel your orders?
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Yes--too late...there wasn't even "an order." There wasn't even "a party." We walked in my cousin's house & laying on her sofas, her floor, her bed...purses, purses, purses! You picked 'em up, paid for 'em (cash or personal check!) and walked out. I wrote a check to some woman named Michelle and left with my faux-Gucci.
Now, I have this great $ 5 purse I found at Kmart & I'm stuck with a fake Gucci hanging in my closet!!!!