I recently visited Abu Dhabi and was pretty excited to explore the renowned markets that the city had to offer. I had been shattered to hear that the city had not only the authentic designer labels but also the fake ones. From my friend’s experience, I knew it was easy to buy fake bags in the markets of Abu Dhabi.
The moment I reached the markets, I could see there were almost hundreds of stalls with bags that seemed to be just like the designer labels. It was shocking how the fake bags resembled the real ones so closely in looks and style, that it was almost impossible to tell the difference.
The sellers at these stalls referred to the fake bags as ‘customized ‘or ‘custom-made’. I had to ask my friend to help me identify between the original ones and the fake ones. He pointed out several subtle differences that only an expert could spot. He warned me that if I was still skeptical, I should avoid buying anything as it was illegal to own any fake bags in the city.
At first, I was hesitant in paying for a fake bag, but then he offered me a ‘deal’ where the cost of a luxurious bag with the exact details would be much less than the real one. I felt the urge to grab this amazing chance, and so I did.
The seller’s attitude instantly changed when I showed interest in acquiring a fake bag. He immediately shifted to a friendly approach and pushed me to buy the bag. He also said that if I wanted, I could flaunt it like it was genuine, and not even my family members or friends would come to know.
Although I was tempted by the ‘deal’, I remembered my friend’s advice and decided against buying a fake bag in Abu Dhabi. I still felt a deep longing for the bag but eventually, my common-sense prevailed, and so I walked away with satisfaction for doing the right thing.
After this experience, I decided to educate my friends about the potential risks involved in buying a fake bag in Abu Dhabi. To my surprise, none of them were aware that not only retailing of these bags was punishable, but even possession of these bags could get you into trouble.
I could hear a few of them express shock and concern about such a serious penalty for something as small as owning a fake bag.
At this point, I couldn’t help but remember my thought process when I had first discovered the ‘deal’. I thanked my lucky stars that I had chosen to walk away, and asked everyone to stay away from indulging in purchasing the same, as fake bags in Abu Dhabi simply weren’t worth the risk.
After our talk, almost everyone agreed on the fact that if they ever did feel the need to buy an expensive bag, they would save enough to buy the original one instead.
I also shared with them all the tips and tricks my friend had told me to identify the difference between original and fake bags. I asked them to educate those around them about the consequences of owning a fake bag, so that they could be saved from the havoc of making a bad purchase in the future.
When it came to my own advice, I suggested them to look out for the unique techniques used by the designer, like the intricate stitching, fabric, patterns, and metal hardware used which can not be easily replicated in a fake bag.
Furthermore, I asked them to closely inspect the logo, tag, inside label, dustbag, and authenticity cards which are usually missing in fake bags and if they ever do intoxication such items, they should probably reconsider the purchase.
Finally, if they ever find themselves questioning the authenticity of a bag, then it should be an automatic red flag and should avoid the purchase no matter how real it looks or how much of a good ‘deal’ the seller is offering them.
All in all, I always suggest people to play it safe and buy authentic designer bags, as not only are they worth the investment but also ensure no unpleasant surprises in the future, and maybe, they won’t have to go through the same dilemma that I faced in Abu Dhabi.