It was a weekend getaway from the city. My friends and I decided to go down to Bovingdon Market to look for some cheap bargains. I had heard a lot about the market and the infamous counterfeit leather bags they sold. I was excited to see if I could get a good deal.
When we arrived I could immediately tell this was going to be like no other market experience. There was a hustle and bustle of people looking for the perfect bargain. The smell of leather in the air was incredible. Now, I’m not one to fall into the trap of buying knock-offs, but it was hard to resist the temptation of these amazingly cheap bags.
But before I could take a bag home with me I needed to do some detective work. I carefully inspected every bag and asked the vendor a plethora of questions. Did they have any tags? Was this one really made with authentic leather? What guarantee did they give me if the bag broke down?
As I examined one bag I felt something strange. It was too lightweight and the leather wasn’t as soft as I remembered. I knew immediately I was being scammed and I wanted to walk away from it. That’s when I noticed the same bag was being sold nearby. I approached the vendor asking for the origin of the bag and he couldn’t give me a good answer.
I was indignant and didn’t want to buy a fake bag. But then I noticed how much money I could save if I didn’t go for the real deal. I gave it a thought but eventually, I decided to not buy it. It felt wrong. To stay away from the risk of buying a fake, I decided to shop from the vendors who had a good reputation.
Needless to say, the market was full of interesting items. But I came out experts in identifying fake bags. Now I know to never buy from a vendor I don’t know, check the tags, and make sure the leather is soft. It was a new learning experience for sure and I am glad we made it back safe and sound.
After rejecting the fake offer I decided to look around for items made with authentic leather. There was plenty of vendors with bags that I really liked. I asked the vendor about the leather and where it had come from. He pointed out his fact tag and also did a small demonstration to show me the quality of the leather. One the things that really impressed me was how strong the leather was. He then informed me that the leather had been treated with natural oils to make it stronger and more durable. I was sold and finally got the awesome bag I dreamt of buying.
Now the market seemed a lot more interesting as I now knew how to identify genuine leather from fake leather. It’s so important to scrutinize the material and ask questions to the seller before making a purchase.
As much fun as it was to shop in Bovingdon Market I knew that I had to watch out for the cheap replica bags that were on offer. I also realized that if I had not known how to identify a real bag from a fake bag I would have been out of money. But thankfully, I had come with the right knowledge and was able to save my hard earned cash.
Looking back, I’m glad that I chose not to purchase the replica bag. I now know that spending money on genuine products is always the better option.It’s important to research the vendors since not all of them are honest about the products they are selling. And when shopping at the market it’s critical to check the tags and feel the leather. Bovingdon Market may be famous for its cheap knock-off bags but with the right approach I can assure it’s possible to find genuine leather bags.
Now, I’m a lot more conscious when I venture out to the market. I’ve learnt my lesson and now I’m an expert at making sure the leather is the real deal. I don’t forget to double-check the tags before I make my purchase. I also don’t forget to ask around about which vendors are trustworthy.
Although the fake bags are definitely cheaper, they often don’t last as long as real leather bags do. So, after my experience, I’m almost always inclined to purchase the more expensive bag if I know it’s made with authentic leather. After all, who wants to pay additional money for a bag after it falls apart in a few weeks? Not me. Spending a little extra on quality is always the way to go.