It’s always frustrating to come across fake items, especially when you’ve paid good money for them. I recently found out that I was the proud owner of a fake Kenneth Cole bag, and, as much as I hate to admit it, it angered me.
The bag had every indication that it was the real deal; it looked the part, felt just right and had the correct engraving on the clasp. I’d spent a good sum of money on it, so I was particularly annoyed to find out it was a fake. I was even more so when I was told it was a common occurrence these days.
What really got me about the whole thing was the fact that the fake manufacturers were getting smarter and smarter in their replication techniques. It’s almost as if they were honing their skills because they could get away with it. It’s like they know that people won’t know the difference between the real deal and a fake, so it takes a discerning eye or a keen knowledge to spot it.
What makes matters worse is that the fake market is booming. It’s estimated that counterfeit goods cost businesses almost $300 billion each year, and fake bags make up a significant part of that. Kenneth Cole alone estimates that they lose over $100 million to these fake merchandise manufacturers.
To an ethical person, it’s deplorable. It’s wrong and unjust, yet those involved must be making a killing due to the thousands of these fake bags being produced each year. I suppose they must see it as smart business, however it’s not something I myself condone.
It’s even worse when you think of all the people who unwittingly buy these counterfeits, thinking that they are getting something great at a cheap price. How awful is it for them to find out later on that they have been duped? Not only that, they might also never be able to find the seller and recoup the money.
To me, this is more than just a case of buying a fake bag, it’s about ethics and morality. I’ve had my own lesson in being careful must of money, but if I were to break it down, it would have been much better to have done my research beforehand.
So the moral of the story is that, if you’re looking to buy a Kenneth Cole bag, be sure to do your research – oh, and don’t be tempted by its cheap price tag – it might cost you more in the long run.
The next time I spotted one of these bags, I knew straight away that something was off. It was my first clue that it might be a fake. Its colour was slightly off and the stitching was sloppy, which were both indicators that it was not a genuine Kenneth Cole bag.
Second of all, the quality of the bag just didn’t match up. The material felt cheap and the weight was too light. Both of these are telltale signs of a fake Kenneth Cole bag. Plus, the bag was just too good to be true. It was way too cheap to be the real deal.
Another definitive sign that the bag was a fake was that the engraving on the clasp wasn’t quite right. The names of the brand and the bag weren’t spelt correctly, and were a little off-centre. That in itself was enough to convince me that this wasn’t an authentic item.
That being said, it didn’t make the sting of finding out that I had been duped any less. I felt cheated and let down, and vowed to never make the same mistake again.
Honesty, counterfeit goods are all too common these days. Kenneth Cole bags in particular are now one of the most counterfeited designer items out there. The whole notion of forgers making a killing off of unsuspecting buyers is just deplorable; not to mention the fact that they fly in the face of ethics and morality.
Doing one’s research when shopping is the best way to avoid being fooled by fake items. It takes time, sure, but it’s a surefire way of guaranteeing that you’re buying the genuine product.
It’s also wise to be cautious when buying from scavengers. Many times, these sellers get their stock from tricksy sources – and a lower price, unfortunately, often indicates that the item is fake.
The tricky part comes in when trying to spot the difference between an original and a counterfeit. By having a keen eye for details, though, and knowing the tell-tale signs of a fake, it becomes easier to distinguish between the two.
It’s also useful to compare the product to various online stores and retail outlets; this makes it easier to identify a fake. Plus, ensuring that the seller is well-known and well-trusted also goes a long way in avoiding these false purchases.
I’ve also heard of people taking a leaf out of the manufacturers’ book. That is, they replicate the details on a real bag and then pass it off as the genuine item. It’s not something I’d recommend, but some of these fakers are sure getting clever.
Taking it upon oneself to ensure that an item is genuine is always the way to go in these situations. Do the necessary research, be familiar with the sign of a fake, and purchase from a reliable source.
It’s also beneficial to keep an eye out for any suspicious offers. Many times, these are telltale signs of a fake; after all, why else would a ‘cheaper than usual’ or an ‘unbelievably good deal’ come up? It’s obvious that the goal of these scammers is to separate their potential buyers from their money.
At any rate, these sites are getting smarter with their tactics; it’s almost as if they’re a step ahead of the game. It’s both completely disheartening and frustrating to come across these fake items, but, with a bit of knowledge and research, it’s possible to guarantee that the item purchased is 100% genuine.