Recently, I’ve been looking for a Marc Jacobs bag but was discouraged by the prices of these luxury items. After a bit of research, I’m now so suspicious of any ‘bargain’ I come across, thanks to the fact that Marc Jacobs bags are now prime targets for counterfeiters. Ugh–fakes. Who knew?
How could somebody do this? Take something of beautiful quality and craftsmanship, that we covet and revere, and knock it off with inferior, cheap materials and shamelessly offer it up for a fraction of the price? It’s disgusting, almost criminal, to think that there’s a profit to be made from duping people out of their hard-earned cash.
It’s frustrating because they can be such hard to spot. Even looking at them within arm’s reach you might not be able to tell the difference. It can be incredibly difficult to distinguish between an authentic bag and one of these falsehoods. They even get the logos right! I would hate to think of the money I could end up throwing away if I unknowingly invested in one of these knock-offs.
The biggest, and most obvious, giveaway is usually the price. That’s why it’s so important to educate yourself about what the fair going market rate is for an item such as this. You should also look at the finer details of the item. Is the stitching tight and uniform all the way around? Are the materials top quality and how do the zips feel? Good quality zippers will be smooth and often be co-branded. If it’s a lower price, then chances are the materials and workmanship used will be sub-par.
Speaking of materials, many fakes will have metal or plastic hardware instead of the more desirable gold, gunmetal, or brushed gold look. Also, many real Marc Jacobs bags have production dates subtly written on the inside label. Feel for this – if it’s not there then that’s usually a sure sign that it’s a fake!
So, it feels like the counterfeiters have infiltrated the market with their cheap, inferior offerings. It can feel very wearying to have to pay a high price for a good-quality product, but if you ever plan on purchasing any branded item then it’s so important to do your homework before investing in it yourself! Don’t be faced in the same boat as me, trying to save a few bucks and ending up with a piece of fabric and not the real McCoy.
The other side to this is the regular Marc Jacobs shoppers. It’s of utmost importance to them to know that the item is legit and that their money has gone towards the brand they love, not to the pocket of fraudsters. They know that they’ve invested wisely in an item of quality and longevity, not some hastily made item that could end up going to landfill within weeks.
To help combat this issue, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, you can make sure to purchase your product from an authorised Marc Jacobs retailer. This way you can at least be sure that what you are buying is the real thing. Also, you should beware of ‘too good to be true’ deals. It likely is, in truth!
These fakes may well be insidious, but if we are all a bit savvy and vigilant then maybe we can avoid being ripped off. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it in the long run!