I’ll never forget my first time at Petaling Street! A friend of mine had told me about the street market and all the amazing bargains available, but we were warned about the fake bags… boy, were they right! It was hard to spot the real bags from the knock-offs, and not hit by the barrage of salesmen trying to shove a fake bag into my face.
It was overwhelming; I just wanted to savor the experience of being in such a unique spot. As I weaved in and out of the tight alleys, I noticed that most of the bags were branded, which made me even more aware of the reality that I might be getting conned. Then that’s when I saw it—the unmistakable design of the authentic bag I’d been eyeing on for months!
The moment I laid my eyes on it I knew right away it was real. The material was thick, the logo was not blurry, and the stitching was looking pretty good. I asked the vendor how much it cost, and there it was—an unbelievable price (even for Petaling Street!). I hesitated at first, worried that I might be getting swindled. But then I took the plunge and decided to trust my gut, and bought it!
The triumph of finding a real designer bag in Petaling Street was immense. I could not believe that I spotted something so difficult to come by, and at a 50% less than original price. I showed it off to the bartender at the bar later that evening, and he even thought it was real at first glance. What a success!
Since then, I still go back to Petaling Street, but now armed with the knowledge I have from my previous experience I’m more confident in my ability to spot a fake bag from a real. A tip I often share with friends is to pay extra attention to the bag’s details. Are the zippers branded? Are the buckle details recognizable? What about the logo, is it clear and in the right proportions? Answering the questions to these points carefully could save you from buying a fake bag.
Aside from always having an eye out for hidden treasures, I’ve also found the most unlikely of friends in the street market. It’s amazing how many stories I’ve overheard from the market vendors while browsing, even some tips on how to better spot a fake! Still, something I relish the most when at the street market is the traditional fare. The delicious array of food had me wanting more each time, and while in the midst of shopping I don’t forget to savor the moment.
I also love coming back to get souvenirs, they may not be the real designer deal, but they sure are fun and quirky. The abundance of cute faux-luxury items are the perfect entertainment for a night in with my girlfriends—mini suitcases, keychains, and even tiny hats!
When I can’t return to the market, I look for online alternatives to stay in on the experience. With that, I’m actually able to get a better bargain by finding better quality fakes, and more unique items for a fraction of the price you’d find in the actual market.
So while I still keep my eyes peeled for the fakes, my experience at Petaling Street has been an overall positive one. There’s always something exciting happening, but remember to approach with extreme cautious and don’t be afraid to haggle (my friends and I usually group together when buying to ask for a better price!).
It’s also important to review the regulations in place, vendors in the market are not allowed to openly display the fake designer items. Instead, if you take the initiative to ask them, they can provide you with a catalogue to choose from that include prices and other quality details.
If you’re ever in Malaysia, Petaling Street is a must-visit. Not only is it the culture hotspot bustling with locals and tourists, but it’s also the heaven for getting your designer dupes at dirt-cheap prices. To ensure an even better experience, I suggest that you go with someone who has experience in the market. A friend who can spot a good deal and can teach you how to recognize a real bag from a fake could go a long way!