The difference between designer and fake?

[Cavfan]

The bags in Maya are imho the best ones around! However they have outpriced themselves now and I dont want to pay those prices for a fake! I agree with Loz re spotting people who potentially have returned from Turkey- rightly or wrongly theyre being labelled. Its a shame that the market has become saturated with fakes and that the designers brands are being diluted- hence the hoo ha! I've got a couple of Maya purchases from over the years however I have kept them until my tan has faded and the summer hols are but a warm memory before airing them in public. As for Russ' original point if I had a spare £400 it would be neither food nor shoes I'd be spending on but a couple of flights to somewhere warm!

[Scunner]

We went from one end to the other, from living in UK stocking up with fake branded T shirts when on holiday, to living in Turkey and stocking up on T shirts on our returns to the UK. The change caused by two distinct factors - the quality of fake clothing in Turkey falling off a cliff, and prices in the UK heading downwards (especially for kids with the likes of Matalan, Tesco & Asda).

I gave up buying genuine branded stuff when I visited the UK - no-one back in Turkey would even begin to believe they weren't fakes from the Sunday market

[Old Daffodil]

If you buy an original there is often an after sales service provided with the goods. Say if you buy an expensive handbag at Harrods they will often reline it or repair a damaged shoulder strap for free.
My daughter has four sons and she finds buying good quality clothing is worth the investment as something like a t-shirt will be passed on and can withstand the constant washing.
I personally am bored stiff with designer logos and rebel by carting my stuff about in anything that comes to hand. I am supporting my local library at the moment and have one of their bags which they are selling to support them.

[Highlander]

I have never been able to understand why people pay exorbitant prices for stuff just because it is classified as "designer". By all means pay for quality but don't pay over the odds because of a label. In my opinion, at best that's just plain daft and at worse, well let's leave it at that

I hope Jacqui Harvey will permit me to use one of here recent posts to illustrates my point. Jacqui posted about handbags which retailed at around £ 9,000.00.

Now I find it hard, if not impossible, to believe that the material and labour costs (even allowing for hand craftsmanship) would total a fraction of that price tag. So why on earth anyone in their right mind would wish line the pockets of the designer/maker by paying even more than their already inflated profit margins, is quite beyond me.

Perhaps Jacqui is correct when she says the most important thing is that the owner knows that they have the real thing. But I'm afraid I just don't get it.

Jacqui, I have to tell you that I'm not at all sure about the idea of wearing someone else's shoes.  

And one final point.

If I saw a beautiful woman walking down the street with a lovely handbag and/or a fabulous pair of shoes, there are a number of things I would want to know were real long before I even starting worrying about the authenticity of either the bag or the shoes.

[Jacqui Harvey]

quote:Originally posted by Highlander

I have never been able to understand why people pay exorbitant prices for stuff just because it is classified as "designer". By all means pay for quality but don't pay over the odds because of a label. In my opinion, at best that's just plain daft and at worse, well let's leave it at that

I hope Jacqui Harvey will permit me to use one of here recent posts to illustrates my point. Jacqui posted about handbags which retailed at around £ 9,000.00.

Now I find it hard, if not impossible, to believe that the material and labour costs (even allowing for hand craftsmanship) would total a fraction of that price tag. So why on earth anyone in their right mind would wish line the pockets of the designer/maker by paying even more than their already inflated profit margins, is quite beyond me.

Perhaps Jacqui is correct when she says the most important thing is that the owner knows that they have the real thing. But I'm afraid I just don't get it.

Jacqui, I have to tell you that I'm not at all sure about the idea of wearing someone else's shoes.  

And one final point.

If I saw a beautiful woman walking down the street with a lovely handbag and/or a fabulous pair of shoes, there are a number of things I would want to know were real long before I even starting worrying about the authenticity of either the bag or the shoes.

John you may not want to wear second hand shoes, but there is a huge worldwide market for all designer items including shoes.   The internet is awash with websites selling such things.  A pair of second hand lightly worn designer shoes will make big money.   If the design has sold out they can double their bought price.   Kerry Taylor Auctions is one of the most successful and she only sells second hand designer goods.  Kerry Taylor is now a very rich woman. Take a look at the second hand designer shoes on Ebay.
I know, if I want to sell any of my shoes I will have a lot of people wanting to buy them.  
Also,  I might add, I don't give a damn what any man is looking at when he passes me in the street.  I dress to please myself.: :D[^]

[Highlander]

"It's life Jacqui, but not as I know it."

"It's worse than that Jim - there's people paying hiked up prices twice" .

Perhaps I should have put a   at the end of my last paragraph.

[Old Daffodil]

With the economic situation in Britain I am trying to shop in any small way I can which will benefit the community I am living in and yet give me what I want. I buy from local farmers if possible and buy locally produced products if they are what I want. So much money is being poured into huge businesses and foreign companies.
I wonder who makes the money out of designer goods. Is it Britain?

[loz]

quote:Your Italian designer heels may still cost £800 back in the UK but they were probably made by a gang of Chinese immigrants working 12-hour days for just three euros an hour (£2.15) - barely half the minimum wage.

Taken from a dated article but still valid today. SHAME ON YOU DESIGNER MUGGERS! (sorry shoppers)
Full Mirror Article HERE

[laffa]

What about the designer shops that have been found to be selling fakes,people think they are getting the real thing if they pay the designer price,and have been ripped off big time,
Some people look like mutton dressed as lamb in designer gear but think they look the part because they have payed so much, and others can throw a primarmi dress on and look lovely, I always think if you are comfortable you probably look okay, personally I could not wear a thong and have my aunty anus strangled at any price, and before you ask, no, I dont wear belly warmers either.:P

[Jacqui Harvey]

Primark have had a really bad press for about 5 years now for using sweatshops in India and paying their employees 60p per day. Stands to reason this is why they can afford to sell their stuff so cheaply.