When I’m in Los Angeles, I always try to spend a day in Chinatown. It’s one of my favorite places in the city. Going there, you’d think you’d stepped into a time machine and been transported thousands of miles away to a traditional Chinese city. The food, culture, and people make it a unique and exciting experience.
However, one thing I hate to see in Chinatown are the fake bags being sold for super cheap. I understand that people are looking for a deal, but these knock-off handbags aren’t worth it. Not only are they produced with synthetic fabrics on the cheap, but they don’t even look that good. I can spot them a mile away and they don’t last a season.
The thing that really bothers me about these fake bags is that they take away from the unique beauty of Chinatown. These bags are everywhere, ranging from counterfeit Louis Vuittons to fake Guccis, and it’s really a microcosm of what’s wrong with capitalism in America today. People are willing to bend the rules for a quick buck, and it’s distasteful.
It’s sad that people are being taken advantage of like this. Most people purchasing these bags probably don’t know that they’re fake, and so they’re getting swindled into buying something of low quality. I wish that people would buy from legitimate stores and support the culture and economy of Chinatown instead.
Interacting with the merchants in Chinatown is one of the best experiences too. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, and you can even haggle prices with them – something you can’t do in a mall store. But many stores have had to cut back on merchandise and services due to the influx of counterfeit items, and that’s a shame.
Sometimes I even spot dodgy figures unloading boxes from vans with very little regard for who is watching. They seem to be in such a rush to make money that they’re willing to risk so much to do it. I just shake my head and wonder why people choose to break the law; it doesn’t seem worth it at all.
While I understand the temptation for getting something for cheap, I always caution my friends against purchasing fake bags in Chinatown. It’s illegal, and the money goes to nefarious people. It might seem like you’re getting a great deal, but it’s not worth it in the long run. The best thing to do is to stay away from these scammers, and to instead spend your money in legitimate places that have integrity.