Suppose one day I was walking through the downtown core of Toronto and I stumbled across a bustling Chinatown. Immediately, I noticed how cheap the goods were and that there was a good variety of items available. Little did I know that many of the stores in Chinatown were selling counterfeit items. After doing a bit of research, I discovered that Toronto had become renowned for its counterfeiting industry and Chinatown was the go-to place for counterfeit bags.
I was absolutely disgusted to learn this fact. You can find a counterfeit of virtually any bag brand in Chinatown, with their knock-offs being pretty convincing. I’ve had people comment on my bag thinking it was expensive and designer but it was from Chinatown. People go there thinking that these bags are the real deal but more times than not, they’re getting tricked into buying fake bags. It’s unjust and unfair for the actual designers to be losing profits to counterfeiting.
So, in hearing about fake bags being sold in downtown Toronto I decided to personally check it out for myself. Armed with my wits and a basic knowledge of cost-comparisons, I was ready to spot a fake if I saw one. Now this part of downtown is always bustling and full of curious people. What I noticed though was that compared to the real bags, the counterfeits were considerably cheaper; like 50-75% cheaper. I was honestly surprised at the kind of money people were willing to save.
But there’s two sides to this coin. On one side, people are being duped and are losing money to these criminals. On the other, the sellers in Chinatown are small business owners and are struggling to make a decent income. So, while it’s unethical to be selling counterfeit goods, I can’t help but sympathize with these shop owners and feel for their plight.
After spending a few hours there looking around, I made sure to not buy anything and to officially leave empty-handed. Although I never got my hands on one of the counterfeits, I could easily spot them without a doubt. It’s really a shame that these vendors are selling fake bags as it’s killing the legitimacy of the designer bag industry. But, it’s a tough thing to police and stamp out.
The general consensus in Chinatown is to avoid buying any designer knock-offs at any cost and to buy from stores that have a good name and reputation. I was also told to compare pricing with other sites to get an idea of the real price of the bag. To be safe though, it’s best to just avoid fake bags altogether. There will always be someone willing to sell a cheap knockoff, but it would be better to save your money and buy the real thing.
As well as being told to avoid buying fake bags, I was well-warned to stay away from the shady characters. To avoid getting conned or held up, it’s best to go with a friend or two and keep your distance from anyone attempting to sell you something. That way, you can avoid being stuck with a fake bag and keep your money safe in you pocket.
At the end of the day, fake bags from Chinatown Toronto are a reality and I saw it firsthand. From feeling the leather, to gauging the weight, to getting my hands on the zipper; the counterfeits are well-made and almost indistinguishable from the real thing. But, it’s better to support an ethical designer then risk your money on a fake bag which could potentially be waste. It’s a hard lesson to learn, so I’ll take it and pass on with it some knowledge for others as well.