It was in the tangles of attractions around Chinatow where I encountered the sinisterness of fake bags from its very own alleyways. After a touristy morning, I decided to venture off for a spot of shopping in the afternoon. Of course, I should have known better – I heard how rampant the fake goods industry is in the city and what awaited me was no different.
The bags ranged from designer labels like Balmain to luxury brands like Louis Vuitton and Gucci, but they were all made of inexpensive fabrics and crude craftsmanship. I remember the moment too perfectly – the entire experience felt surreal, like a strange dream. I vaguely recall a searing knot in my stomach, and my restless search for a trustworthy vendor while being hounded down by vendors in the streets. It was not the kind of experience anyone would want – much less a brand new traveler.
I almost walked into a street store which looked as if it had something genuine when I heard several voices shouting at me. I quickly looked back and, of course, there were the vendors, their desperate attempts to persuade me to buy their fake bags. As I made my way over to the vendor to ask some questions, I was met with silence and puzzled looks. It was enough for me to suspect that I had certainly stumbled into the wrong place.
It was at that moment that I decided that I was done with counterfeit goods. No matter how attractive the genuine looking glove, or how appealing the discounted prices, I was completely against their shady practices. It is wrong for consumers to be tricked into buying fake bags at almost the same price as the real one. Moreover, it is a slap in the face to the artisans and craftsmen who spend hundreds of hours perfecting their work.
It was hard to contain my anger – I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to help the craftsmen and artisans, to preserve the culture of authenticity and luxury. While I wasn’t able to take a stand that day, this unfortunate experience motivated me to be mindful when shopping for leather goods in the future.
Moreover, I learnt that if something is too good to be true, it probably is and one should not let temptation get the better of them. The fake bags in Chinatown are just the tip of the iceberg – the presence of counterfeit goods is pervasive in many cities, including my own. I now know to exercise caution when shopping, no matter what fake bags are offered, where or even with who.
The next time I was in Chinatown, it was a completely different experience. This time I brought someone who knew their way around the alleys and alleyways, the shady vendors and the hidden gems. I learnt the importance of proper research and proper vigilance – what to look for, where to go for original items, and who to trust. Even when walking down the lanes of counterfeit-ridden goods, with signs saying ‘genuine leather goods’ this person helped get me to the stores that sold original items.
One of the greatest lessons I took from this trip was how to differentiate between real and fake goods. It is important to be able to tell the difference between the two. My friend taught me to spot signs like poor craftsmanship, false labels, imperfections, and cheap materials which are a few of the most common indicators of fake products.
I felt a sense of reassurance after I learnt these few tips. It was liberating to know that I never have to worry again about falling into the trap of these unscrupulous merchants. I will never forget my trip to Chinatown, but the only thing I brought home was the knowledge that I had acquired, the most important of which was not to be deceived and exploited.