It was my first time in Singapore and I had made an unwise mistake of buying a fake bag at the airport. I had only been there for a few hours and I was already a victim of a scam. As soon as I started walking around the airport looking for a cute souvenir, I saw a man selling Louis Vuitton bags for a fraction of the real price. Of course, I thought it was too good to be true. With my naivety and desperation for some souvenirs to take home, I ended up buying it even though I had a feeling it was a fake.
As soon as I got back home, I noticed the details of the bag being all wrong. The logo was upside down and the zipper was of a bad quality. I felt so embarrassed and disappointed with myself; how could I have fallen for such a scam? I should have known better and trusted my gut instinct. I guess it just goes to show that you can’t be fooled all the time.
When I asked my friend about the incident, she told me that I wasn’t the only one who had been duped in that same airport. She said a lot of tourists have reported cases of fake Louis Vuitton bags being sold at the Singapore airport. It appears that this is a common scam in some airports and we should all be aware of possible scams.
To prevent getting scammed in the future, I did some research on the best tips to follow and always keep in mind especially while travelling. The first tip is to be aware of the actual retail price of the item you’re buying. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. The second tip is to always make sure to buy from a legitimate store or brand. And, if possible, do some research on the store before buying.
The third tip is to always check the details of the item. This includes looking at the authenticity logo, checking the zippers, and examining the fabric overall. These details will give you an indication of whether it’s a fake or not. Lastly, it’s important to trust your gut and go with your instincts. If you feel like something about the item is off, it’s best to walk away and not take any risks.
As someone who has unfortunately been scammed in the past, I try to always keep the aforementioned tips in mind before buying something from abroad. I also make sure to always research the places and make sure to avoid any possible frauds. It’s reassuring to know that not all stores have fake items and that there are still trustworthy stores out there.
However, even after all the research and precautions, there are still a few shady stores out there. This is why I always try to purchase souvenirs from official stores, even if it means spending a bit more money. I’d rather be safe than sorry. After all, it’s better to be safe than have to deal with fake bags and the embarrassment that comes along with it.
Furthermore, I’ve come to discover that there is no easy way to make sure you purchase genuine items. The only way to be sure is by doing a lot of research on the item, store, and any other informations you think it’s necessary. That being said, I have been able to purchase genuine items from some online stores, which are also a good option to consider.
Whenever I’m in a country with a high risk of fraud, I always make sure to be extra careful and inform myself well before buying anything. I tend to ask my friends and family for advice, and always make sure to buy from legitimate stores. Additionally, I also make sure to watch out for suspicious activity or conversations.
All in all, it pays off to be a smart shopper and be aware of possible scams. This is especially true if you’re in a country you don’t know very well as a tourist. Inevitably, there will be times when frauds will slip through the cracks. But, if we all keep the tips in mind and practice them, it’ll become a lot easier to avoid these scams and frauds.