Ok, my sister in law comes running in with a COACH she bought at a party for $50! ($50 too much in my opinion). I was apalled but she already thinks I'm a snob so I said, "that's a cute style" She asked if I could tell and I said yes, but followed up with "but that's because I did so much research and can really tell, otherwise I wouldn't be able to." Believe me, it was horrid and my dog could tell it was fake.

Anyhow, I was trying to be nice again (keep the family ties) and told her it was cute and a good price. *gag* She said she is having a party at her house and I am invited. I got the invitation today and this is what it says:

Come see some great designer replicas including:
Coach
Luis Viton (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! This must be the Hispanic designer)
Prada
Chanel
Gucci
& more!
Billfolds, sunglasses, handbags, wristlets, purses, jewelry, hair accessories and more…

These also make great gifts, so come early-they tend to sell fast! Prices start as low as $10. These items are so similar to the authentic ones that it is hard to tell them apart.

Here is my question. Is this illegal? I know it is illegal to sell counterfeit bags, but this is clearly stating "Replicas" So, another question, they are not replicas. A replica would be like a Goach with G's all over, right? Or a DD instead of DB. If they are selling a bag with Cs and COACH creeds inside, this is a knock off, right?

Please help me as I want to report this to the police department and have the party busted, LOL! I know it's illegal to sell but not to buy, so I'm not worried about the party goers, but this person has to be stopped!

I knew this would be the place to come!

Thank you!!

You are correct. An inspired bag has designs 'similar' to a designer. Different people use their own definitions on 'replicas'. If these bags/wallets etc. are carrying the actual designer logos/monograms/signatures, then they are indeed illegal counterfeits.

Roxanne...I was in a similar situation earlier this year except the HR dept. where I work told a loan officer that she could use the company wide email system to invite the ladies at the bank to her "purse party". Thankfully, my converts and I wrote HR and told them that this practice was wrong. I even when to my boss (a VP) and complained.

I decided to go one step further and called the police in the community where the party was to be held and I was told that if the bags are being touted as "replica" there was nothing they could (or perhaps would is better word) do. Now, with that in mind if the mention of "authentic" was used, fraud was being committed and a police report can be filed against the "purse party sellers". Suffice to say I see a few gals carrying these gawd awful pieces of junk. Two of these ladies have told me they paid $50 for a fake Gucci or fake Chanel and the straps broke after three months or the piping pulled apart. I told them they got what they paid for and that my LV and Fendi bags won't be doing that for decades.

I have heard similarly that they won't do anything if the bags are being represented as replicas. A girl on another forum told a story about how they were selling counterfeits at her university with the name and logos. No one would do anything about it because they were advertised as replica and not authentic.

Still illegal, but the priority is less it seems.