My first experience with Deira Market’s fake bags was not a pleasant one. In my early twenties, I wanted to buy something special for my mom. So, I thought of gifting her a designer bag. I had heard a lot about the famous market in Dubai where original products at low prices were easily available. Little did I knew, it was a sly trap of fake bags.
I did not even examine the bag properly at the store. I quickly bought it and rushed back home with a huge smile on my face. After all, the bag was similar to a Louis Vuitton, which I knew was too expensive for my pocket.
But as soon as my mom opened the gift, she realized the bag was a fake but she stayed mum about it. From the corner of my eye, I saw a glimmer of disappointment and shame on her face. I felt terrible for not double-checking the product before buying. Nevertheless, I decided to never let this situation happen again.
In my recent visit to the same market, I bought a bag for myself. No, this time I was not trying to get my hands on a fake product. In fact, I was trying to spot the difference between a real and a fake one. I visited the same store from where I bought the fake bag. But this time I made sure to inspect the product thoroughly.
I no longer indulged in the dream of owning designer bags. Instead, I made sure I received an authentic bag after inspecting the stitching, material and design. I examined the product under various lights and even smelled the leather for Cytoxan. Furthermore, I made sure the bag was of the right size, any storekeeper would not want me to miss out on it.
By the time I was done, I was confident that my bag was authentic and I was satisfied with my purchase. It was a good feeling to know that I hadn’t fallen into the trap of fake products again.
To make sure I don’t, I read customer reviews online before buying anything. It is an effective way to guarantee that I receive an original product. I also often refer to genuine brand websites for product descriptions.
Additionally, I know that the cost of authentic products would never be ridiculously low. So, if the deal is too good to be true, I stay away from it. Furthermore, I insist on getting a printed receipt after making a purchase. And the storekeeper can easily provide the documents if he/she is genuinely selling real products.
Now whenever I go shopping, I am always cautious to get real products. I would never want to experience the shame and disappointment I faced before. It has made me more alert and reliable when setting out to shop in an environment I am not used to. I now know the signs to look for in any store, before I let my money leave my pocket.