The moment I felt the fabric on the bag, I knew it was a fake. It was heavy and rough – not like the real ones I’d seen before. It made me feel sick to my stomach. I wanted to throw it away immediately, but I knew it was going to be a bit more difficult.
I decided to look into the legalities of disposing fake designer bags. I learned that in some countries, it is illegal to sell or possess any knock-off designer bags. I got even more worried, as I could be fined if I was caught with it.
At first, I thought taking the bag to the local donation center might be an option. But then I read that local charities usually don’t accept stolen or counterfeit goods. I had no idea what I should do with it.
My friend then suggested selling it online as ‘used.’ No buyer would fall for a fake knockoff designer bag, so I decided to not take such a risk.
I ended up taking the bag to a professional. I had read about this service, which specializes on disposing fake designer bags, and contacted them right away. The fees were expensive, but it was the safest way to get rid of the bag without getting in trouble. The company even thanked me for doing the right thing and not giving the bag away as a real designer handbag.
After this experience, I have become more alert when buying designer goods. I always visit a trustworthy, authorized dealer, and find out as much as I can about the bag before buying it.
I also become more aware of where my money is spent; if the price of designer bag sounds too good to be true, then it almost always is. I try to only buy from established websites or trustworthy dealers.
I have taken extra precautions to protect myself and my money when buying designer items. I always check the authenticity card that comes with the bag, and look up the serial number online. I always ask for proof that the store is an authorized dealer – this way I don’t end up buying a fake!
I now realize how important it is to check for authenticity when I purchase designer items. I also do my best to stay away from second hand stores. It is a temptation, but I understand how these stores might not always have legit products.
I discuss my experiences with other people too, to make sure they are aware of the danger and hopefully, not get tricked as I was. I advise people to be careful and thoroughly research the company or person they are getting the bag from.
Whenever I see someone with a fake designer bag, I remind them to make sure they know the source of the bag. You can go to websites such as the Authenticated Goods Store to purchase reliable authentic bags, which will save you money and hassle in the long-run.
I have also become more open to taking extra risks to invest in designer bags, even if secondhand. There are a lot of websites online where you can resell your bags, although now, I put extra caution into researching the authenticity of the bag before I buy.
I make sure to include a disclaimer in the description that the bag is not registered with the designer and is being sold “as-is” to make sure I’m not at any risk. I always make sure to make sure the buyer is aware that they are taking a risk to purchase the bag.
Going to thrift stores and purchasing resale bags can be a great way to save money, but only if you’re sure the bags are genuine. I make sure to check the serial number and do careful research.
I now always try to buy precise replicas of designer bags instead of the real ones, since they look almost the same and are much cheaper.
Furthermore, I follow multiple social media accounts that specialize in designer bags to see if the price listed is in-line with regular prices. If not, I know it’s likely a fake.
I’ve even started looking for companies that offer warranty for designer items I buy, so if there’s a problem with authenticity, I can get my money back.
With all these tips and tricks, I feel confident knowing how to stay away from buying and disposing fake designer bags, hopefully saving myself (and others) from similar future mistakes.