I recently had a friend ask me if lying by purchasing a fake Louis Vuitton bag was wrong. I didn’t have an answer for her, but it sure had me thinking.
At first, I thought – how could there be any moral high grounds here? On one hand, you’re getting a cheaper version of a LV bag, but on the other, you’re ripping off a luxury brand that is overpriced. I mean why should we put a hefty price tag on fashion?
But then I thought, maybe, it’s better to think of it as supporting small producers rather than just copying Louis Vuitton. After all, making knock-offs is a form of art in itself and the people who make them feed their families with the money they get.
That’s when I started wondering about the ethical implications. It really boils down to what you believe. On one extreme, you may consider it stealing, on the other, you might think of it as doing society a favor.
But maybe it’s not all as black and white as it may seem at first. You see, when people buy the knock-offs, they keep the real LV bags more exclusive and that may help LV remain a status symbol.
But then again, counterfeits can only damage the brand itself. From a marketing perspective, this could be detrimental to Louis Vuitton and cause the company to lose sales and customers, not to mention possible criminal prosecution for those who create the counterfeits.
Then again, it’s not like the company is going to lose any money on people buying fake Louis Vuitton bags. And, if anything, it will only increase public interest in their products, even if that’s not intentional.
I guess it’s all personal opinion. I mean, I wouldn’t buy a knock-off just because everyone else does, but at the same time, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with supporting small producers and not having to pay the crazy amount LV usually charges for their bags. It’s a dilemma I can’t seem to find an answer to.
What I do know, however, is that counterfeits cost quality. Yeah, they may look the same as the real thing at first, but you can be sure you’re getting a cheap duplicate made from cheap materials when it comes to knockoffs.
Another thing to consider is the reputation of the brand. Louis Vuitton became a status symbol and a sign of wealth due to its high prices and exclusivity. But if everyone starts buying replicas, then LV might just lose all the appeal.
Still, for me, it’s not just about money. It’s also about respect for the original product and the person who created it. It’s like buying a fake Rolex or a Gucci bag. It’s just not fair to the designers.
So, at the end of the day, is buying a fake Louis Vuitton bag wrong or not? I guess it all depends on what you personally consider a lie and what your beliefs are. I’d rather just admire LV bags from afar, but at the same time, I can’t deny the fact that counterfeiting does bring some benefits.