My friend, I’ve got a bone to pick with Amazon. Earlier today I noticed something strange when I was browsing their selection of Cath Kidston bags – many were suspiciously much cheaper than the prices that usually tag along with these bags. That’s when I realized that these were all hopelessly fake.
It was almost shocking to see how many counterfeit Cath Kidston bags Amazon had for sale; what’s worse, it makes no effort to protect customers from being conned out of their hard-earned money. The fakes are far from being just an aesthetic issue, either. From unaligned clasps to rusty zippers and signs of glue seeping out from the seams, these bags are dangerous for my health too.
What’s worse, these fake Cath Kidston bags can actually cause bumps, skin reactions, and can even be flammable. To make matters even worse, whenever I contact customer service with my complaints, they don’t help, no matter how much I beg them. I’ve taken to avoiding Amazon altogether then, and I’d advise all my friends to do the same.
It’s such a shame that I don’t even feel comfortable buying a Cath Kidston bag from Amazon anymore. I remember their products being a touch of class, with their signature iconic floral print and luxurious feel – everything I, and I’m sure many others, look for in a quality bag. Counterfeiting is obviously a detriment to the company, but even more to us customers who can’t enjoy the full delight of owning a genuine Cath Kidston bag.
It seems like the only way for me to get the real deal is to visit their online store or one of their local boutiques. But this takes away from the convenience of buying online, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds it difficult to navigate around the local boutiques without guidance. Not to mention the limited selection of stock, especially internationally, and the inevitable hefty shipping fee.
From blatant counterfeiting to limited selection and expensive fees, Amazon’s Cath Kidston bag selection won’t serve me at all. I’m lost in figuring out a way to get the genuine article without straining my pocket – has anyone got any ideas?
On another note, knock-offs don’t always have to be a bad thing. Sure, cheap products that are of sub-par quality, gaudy colors and fake brand identity goes against what I want to put my money towards. But part of the attraction of getting a designer bag is not just because it looks nice, but also because it’s a sign of having ‘made it’. So in that case, why not go for a knock-off of a designer bag? That way, you can get the look you want without busting your budget.
The problem is, there’s no guarantee of the quality of the product at all. The print might fade quickly, the bag might start showing signs of wear and tear soon, and chances are, I might be more embarrassed by the final product than impressed. The amount of effort I’ve put into researching the website and the product goes to waste if I end up with a knock-off that looks worse than ever.
What’s even worse is that there’s no foolproof way to tell whether the bag I am buying is real or fake. It’s difficult to match a product to the image on the website when the seller can always take advantage of the fact that the product they deliver might be of a lesser quality. Even if the website claims that the bags are all authentic, you’ll need mad detective skills to check whether it’s the case or not.
So now I find myself stuck in a Catch 22: either I buy a real bag at an expensive price, or I buy a knock-off bag with a higher risk of being disappointed with my purchase. I often have to wonder if there’s a way out, and I’m sure I’m not the only one in this situation.
Have any of you got a better solution? I’d love to know.