My excitement waned when I looked at the tag and saw it was a shutoff of a known brand. But what could I do, I already paid for it and didn’t want to leave without a new carryall. I thought maybe I’d get lucky. Boy, was I wrong!
When I arrived home and removed my templates from the bag, reality sunk in. The fabric felt cheap, the color didn’t match the picture, and the shape was weird … like they compressed it to fit my requirements. That was when I realized that fake duffle bags are the worst of all worlds.
I was disheartened to find out that the so-called bargain was very much a mistake. The zipper was stuck and I had to break it off, and the straps were too flimsy to even welcome a towel in it. Throw in some of the fake leather details, the excessive stitching, and the offbeat odor, and it was more than I bargained for in a duffle bag.
The worst of all, it didn’t even last a few months. After carrying books and minor camping gear, the zipper thread gave up, the faux leather melted, and the seams started to tear up. By the time I was ready to take out the garbage, the bag was in pieces.
I knew the store clerk was just trying to offload an item that was about to expire and I should have followed my gut feeling. But what’s done is done. After going through this experience, I now understand the importance of good quality products and how much difference the brand name can make.
Since then I made sure to purchase only from known brands. Unless I know the item’s brand, I won’t buy it. No more fake duffle bags for me. Now I pay more but I cherish the peace of mind of having a durable and well-made bag. After all, it’s no use saving a few bucks at the expense of convenience or worse, getting injured due to an abruptly broken strap.
Not only I have peace of mind when I purchase from trusted sources, but I’m also sure I’m getting what I paid for. I’m looking for a full-fledged long-term carrying experience. No matter the use; whether I’m going to the gym, packing some important documents in my briefcase, or heading to the beach for a weekend, I’d rather purchase something durable that will last me for years.
I was able to identify these differences. I can tell the difference between genuine leather from fake leather, I look for zippers that will withstand long-term wear and tear, and I can detect fake materials from real ones by just touching them.
I also noticed differences in prices. This is the deal breaker for me when deciding between an original and a fake. It’s true that buying a discounted item with the same quality might sound like a good bargain, but why risk it? It’s always better to invest in a quality bag than going for chemistry experiments.
The only downside of having quality products is that you need to pay a fair price for them. No more bargain shopping for me, from now on, I research and buy from known suppliers to make sure I’m getting the real deal. Plus, I don’t need to look for bargains anymore since certain brands offer discounts on regular basis.
I’ve also developed the habit of reading product reviews before purchasing duffle bags. This helps me decide if I want to go for the product or not. Plus, getting recommendations from friends or family is also a lifesaver.
It’s not a mystery why some companies are able to keep followers, clients, and shareholders happy. They weld quality and aesthetics work in one item and charge according to its value. It’s the win-win situation that stands out when you compare prices and quality, you’ll figure out that there’s a major difference.
I started familiarizing myself with features of renowned duffle bags. Features such as high-quality materials, several zippered pockets, adjustable padded straps, cool designs, and metal hardware. Moreover, I can tell which product is for long-term usage by looking at its construction and design, feeling the fabric, and testing its durability.
So, whenever I need to carry something, I make sure to buy a quality bag. Sure, it costs a bit more, but it’s worth it. I’d rather spend a few extra bucks on my duffle bag than buy something poor quality that might break down in a month or two.