Okay... I work in a department store, right? You guys know that. Well, today a coworker of mine really kind of irked me. She was ringing up a customer who obviously had a Texan accent. She started talking about how she used to "go to market" in Texas to find merchandise for the store she used to own. Then the lady from Texas proceeded to say how wonderful that place was for finding "nice replica" handbags. So my coworker then goes on and on about how she loved that place and "Heck, why would I want to buy a Kate Spade handbag when I can get a purse that looks just like one for way less". OMG... she was ENCOURAGING this lady?!?!?! So after the customer left, I asked my coworker if she really believed in supporting terrorism/child labor/drug trafficing/etc. My coworker just plainly said no and then said she knew how bad it was because she had to buy that stuff for the store she used to own. Excuse my French... but WTF?!
Am I the only one confused here?

The chick is from another planet. Wonder what happened to her business? Probably pist off one too many customers?

Well... my coworker still owns the building her business was in. I do not know why she closed the store... but I do know that she has a "Louis Vuitton" purse that her business-related friend picked up for her when she "went to market". She INSISTS its authentic. I asked her to bring it in to work so I could see it... she still hasn't, and its been a few months.
I just can't believe she was encouraging this customer! It was ridiculous!

I would guess that if her business was doing well, she wouldn't have had to close it. Perhaps, the feds moved in and "helped" her close it when they found she was peddling fakes!!

I have been out of town all weekend and just popped in to see what I missed. Annie, I just had to say I love your Avatar! So cute!

Sorry about the Co-worker. I am surprised at how many realtors I have seen recently with fake designer bags. Now that they know what I am into they don't flaunt them so much, afraid I will declare them fake!

Haha! I love David and Goliath! And when I saw this Poopsie Poodle one I thought it was just perfect for here!

As for the situation at hand, I too have made it pretty clear that I don't like fake stuff. Hehe... I'm constantly pointing out fakes to coworkers whether they care to listen or not! I have been trying to educate people where I work... there are a lot of people around that just think fakes are no big deal.
This one particular coworker, however, just has me speechless. How can she say that "fakes are bad" because of all the horrible things that are linked to them... but then still buy them (or did buy them) for the store that she had. I think that she dealed mostly with clothing and jewelry though. She said she would buy "customer return" lots all the time. That's when stuff that isn't "perfect" anymore is sent from a large department store to a liquidation company. She said she would get clothes and fashion jewelry this way all the time. But she would also go to these wholesale conventions to buy new merchandise as well... I'm assuming this is where her bags came from. I don't know how much of a violation they were... were they simply "inspired" bags... or did they have actual logos from designers on them? I have no clue!
As for the police sniffing around her store... I don't really know for sure. This store was in a small town outside of the city we live in. They moved here to the city for some unknown reason... so her selling fakes may not be the reason her store was closed. Especially since there is a store right at the mall we work at that sells some pretty sick fake bags! LOL! You'd think the police would be sniffing around there!

UPDATE:
Okay, I was talking to my coworker again today. I was telling her that I bought a pochette extender for my LV. And the first words that came out of her mouth were: "Oh my god, is it REAL?".
Um... yes, its real. Now I bought it from a my poupette seller (although I know my poupette status does not always guarantee authenticity... fake items from these guys is pretty rare though). But I've bought stuff from this seller before and they have always done a good job. Anyways... why on earth would she ask ME that? She's the one buying the fakes!

Sadly when it comes to purses that seems to be the first thing out of people's mouths..."is it real?" I get annoyed as heck about it since I DO NOT buy fakes. I always make it a point to say "Of course it's real. I prefer NOT to support drug trafficking, child exploitation and terrorism...do you?"

Hey Annie...I REALLY think your avatar is so cute with the pink poodle. Cracks me up!

You're right, the first question anybody asks is "Is it real?"
Off topic, but yesterday when I was at the hair salon getting a trim and my highlights redone (desperately needed!!!) I noticed that I was surrounded by lovely, authentic, expensive purses and totes! I hadn't noticed before, but they were everywhere-Coach, Dooney, Kate Space, LV, etc. My Coach Legacy Shoulder Flap and I smiled
Patty

You must go to an expensive salon! And obviously not one of the ones that sells "designer bags" as a sideline!

What is almost worse than being asked if it is real is being asked if you purchased it at a purse party!!
I was asked that and then the girl said "that's where I got mine".

Um....and I'm sure her purse party purse is real......NOT!
MT

OMG! Speaking of purse parties... I see nothing but those fake Kate Spade bags with the bows being carried around. I'm sure that they all came from something like that since I never see them being sold anywhere. I remember years ago a manager of mine invited me to a purse party. Of course I didn't go... but I couldn't believe she was even having one since we sell purses at the store she and I worked at. I think there's something in there about not doing anything that would compete with the store... I think that would count. Of course I buy purses on sale to sell on ebay sometimes, so I suppose that's the same thing (competing I mean). I just don't broadcast it to all of my coworkers! And at least mine are the real thing!

Poor kate spade and those fake bow purses. As bad as the fake cherries. We get those removed right quick on ebay. Ebay even knows without VeRo confirming these bow stripe styles are fake. They are everywhere.

I had the high school fashion design class in with my interior design class this morning and omg! What brats! All had designer handbags, including a large Fendi tote. The interior design and fashion design faculty are taking our high school students to Chicago for two days next week (with shopping time included )-note to self-keep the fashion students out of my groups!
MT

OMG! I am just going to cry!!! Has the whole world gone insane???
Alright... here we go again... I was showing a gal one of the new (hideous) Dooneys that came in. I mean, really, who wants a bag that has ants "crawling" all over it? Anyway, she asked me how much it was. It was a larger hobo one and it was $225. I casually mentioned that my LV cost more than that because she was freaking out about how "expensive" it was. Well while I'm talking about this with her another girl overhears us and pipes in "Your purse cost $285?! I'd rather go to New York and buy a fake one!" Then I told her about all the bad things that are associated with buying fake bags. And her reply was... "So... I'd still rather buy a fake one. I'm going to New York, you know?"
I'm sorry... but all of my coworkers' ignorance is really getting on my nerves! Is it wrong of me to try educating them about these things? It just seems so pointless. I never knew there were so many people out there that knowingly and willingly buy fakes simply because they are big old cheap-o's.
Well after this I went back over to my area and told that one coworker about the conversation (you know, the one I was talking about when I started this thread). Her response? She pointed out that tanzanite helped support terrorism as well and that she really didn't care about that either because she like tanzanite. This other girl who was standing there was like "well I at least want one fake LV... you know, the cherry blossom print? I'll just own that one so it won't be considered a crime."

You are most certainly not wrong in trying to educate otners about counterfeits. Unfortunatly, your listener will probably either agree or disagree and leave no room for argument.

Sad, and it sort of ruins it for all of the rest of us who carry authentic, but there is nothing we can really do about it.

If people want to buy fakes they will find them and carry them. If there wasn't a demand why would counterfeiters make them??

The fakes are manufactured and out there. Even if the auctions are pulled off Ebay the bags are still going to end up in someone's hands. All we can hope to do is keep them out of the hands of those who truly do not intend to spend hundreds of dollars for a fake.


I guess if you're willing to buy a fake you just have to ask yourself why you really want a counterfeit of that which you cannot or are not willing to afford.

"I wouldn't be caught dead carrying a fake. I don't understand how anyone could, morally". (and most are just plain ugly)

I have to agree with Heath on the "I wouldn't be caught dead......." statement. I have always had champagne taste on a beer budget but If I wanted something more than I could afford, I saved for it, rather than settle for something less. If I couldn't have what I really wanted, then I did not want anything and I am still that way today. Not sure where it came from but I've been that way since a teenager. Think I always appreciated things more and took better care of them than some of my friends too.

Me, too....I don't like doing things half-way. I'd rather have the real deal (and a clear conscience). You are right to keep truing to educate you co-workers. Someday maybe they'll "get it". We've got a proud pures party person here so i subtly went through an posted flyers about fakes in the office area where she works When no one was around, of course!
Me Too

I know it's not the same but it really makes me flustered when I get asked if my D&B handbags are from QVC. I don't know why it bothers me so much but it does.

LOL! They do have Dooney's on QVC! They are real... I think Dooney makes them just for them though because they are kinda "cheaper". You see the left-overs at TJ Maxx all the time!

I have a Dooney Cabrio I picked up from QVC. It is gorgeous with vachetta leather. It looks like an LV Alma. I also picked up the matching overnight/weekend bag from a seller on eBay who sells QVC returns. The overnight bag was in PERFECT condition, almost as though it was never used. It was only $125 rather than close to $300 or so. Again, black cabrio with vachetta. I picked up a couple of anniversary signature bags there too since they didn't have what I was looking for at Macys or Dillards. Some of the QVC bags are nice while others aren't.

Yeah, I agree... there are some nice ones on there. But there are also ones that are made in Mexico on there!

yeah...i bought one made in mexico and it isn't the greatest. one of the snaps doesn't work right. :--(

At least QVC sells authentic. It's better than being asked if your bags came from Overstock.com.