WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY FAKE HANDBAGS

My name is Kat - aka Elviscostellofan on eBay - and I am a Kate Spade handbag fan!

I hope that you find this article helpful, whether you're a Kate Spade collector, someone who purchased a fake and wants their money back, or just someone who hates counterfeit bags.

I have been collecting Kate Spade bags now for about 6 years, and can usually spot a fake at a football field's distance. Ok, that's an exaggeration. I have been assisting people with their counterfeit handbag problems via eBay's Trust & Safety and Clothing & Accessories message boards for over 4 years. This article is based on several years of observation and lots and lots of shopping.

JUST SAY NO! DON'T BUY FAKES!

This is a question I get all the time.... "What's so wrong with fakes anyway?" People also jokingly (and some not so jokingly) accuse me of being a "snob" because I won't carry a counterfeit handbag. "I can't afford the real thing" they say, "so what's the difference?"

What's so Wrong with Fakes Anyway ...?!

Look, it's not about being a snob. If you think all of my handbags are designer, or that ANY of my clothes are designer, you've got another think coming. I do not buy fakes because of three very important reasons:

I believe that intellectual property law (copyrights, patents, trademarks) is very important, and copying the work and using the established name of others without permission is a severe form of stealing.
The vast majority of fakes are of a VERY poor quality; are made in 3rd world countries using cheap (almost slave) labor, and you can get a better bag at Payless or Wally World most of the time.
Most importantly and shockingly, the sale of counterfeits has been linked to international crime rings and terrorism. Purchasing fakes can finance and perpetuate dangerous crime, which of course, is a threat to the well-being of everyone.

Think I'm kidding? Well, here's some information for you skeptics out there.

The Cold Hard Facts about Counterfeit Goods

This is an article from the UK journal, LegalDay - CLICK HERE

The sale of fakes has greatly harmed the British economy. Here is a quote from the article:

Last year UK industry lost £8.5 billion from fake goods, and the Exchequer lost £1.5 billion in unpaid VAT. The article continues: There is growing evidence that the money raised from cheap counterfeits is funding organised crime, the drug trade and terrorism. Following the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing, the FBI found strong evidence that the terrorists had financed their acts by selling counterfeit textiles on Broadway. There is also evidence that the funding of the IRA and ETA is linked to counterfeit handbags, clothes and pirate videos.

This article was written by the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) - CLICK HERE

This short article provides some facts on the link between counterfeit goods, organized crime, and violent crime. For example:

The notoriously violent Vietnamese gang Born to Kill (BTK) reportedly employ extortion and murder as a sales tool to entice merchants in New York's China Town to sell BTK-made counterfeit Rolex and Cartier watches. Convicted for murder, the former leader of BTK said in an interview with CBS's 48-Hours that he made up to $13 million from the sale of fake designer watches.

This article was written by a great organization called FraudAid. To read the complete article - CLICK HERE

This article provides information on the link between the sale of counterfeits and international crime rings, including Al-Qaeda. Here is an exerpt from the article:

"....Extensive enquiries by Carratu International [a leading investigator of intellectual property crimes] have unearthed links between counterfeiting and Al-Qaeda, Hizbollah, the IRA, ETA, the Mafia, Chinese Triad gangs, the Japanese Yakuza crime syndicate, the Russian Mafia and drug cartels. Indeed, the recovery of Al-Qaeda training manuals had shown that the organization recommends the sale of counterfeit products to raise funds...."

In February, 2002, the International Trademark Association submitted this statement to Congress - CLICK HERE

This article covers not only the links between counterfeits and terrorism, but also covers the economic impact of the sale of counterfeits in the United States. For example:

"....Some people think of trademark counterfeiting as a victimless crime? and that copying remains the highest form of flattery. This notion is meritless . . . The European Commission estimates that between 1988 and 1998, the United States lost 120,000 jobs due to counterfeiting and piracy. A total of 100,000 jobs in the European Community were lost during the same period...."

This is just some of the evidence suggesting that unsuspecting tourist dollars are funding lord knows what. The last time I visited New York City, there were countless nice looking ladies browsing the fakes on Canal St., probably completely unaware that their money was about to indirectly fund an international crime ring. If you think I'm being alarmist, again, I refer you to the articles linked above. The sale of counterfeits is NOT a great, cheap alternative for those who can't afford the real thing. It is a legitimate SEEMING way for criminals to fund their "business."

This is a link that will take you to the text of the Anti-Counterfeiting Consumer Protection Act of 1996 - CLICK HERE

You need Adobe Acrobat to read this. You may also find it at PL 104-153. This legislation contains some of the best reasons why you shouldn't buy fakes in the second paragraph:

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

The counterfeiting of trademarked and copyrighted merchandise--
(1) has been connected with organized crime;
(2) deprives legitimate trademark and copyright owners of substantial revenues and consumer goodwill;
(3) poses health and safety threats to United States consumers;
(4) eliminates United States jobs; and
(5) is a multibillion-dollar drain on the United States economy.

Purse Parties

Don't for a second be fooled into thinking that companies such as Louis Vuitton, Kate Spade and Prada distribute purses through those oh-so-cute purse parties.

The ladies selling those counterfeits at purse parties are committing crimes. The Philadelphia Inquirer published an excellent article on purse parties, which you may read - CLICK HERE

Notably, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

"....So, what's the harm? "They're just purses," the Main Line woman said. "It's not like these women are selling drugs." But law enforcement officials say there is a darker side. Though it may be hard to muster sympathy for multimillion-dollar companies that lose a slice of profit to counterfeiters, officials say the ersatz economy can be tied to organized crime, sweatshop labor and even terrorism. The range of fake products goes far beyond purses and can include computer software, electronics, toner cartridges, CDs, DVDs, baby formula, cigarettes, food, liquor, cosmetics, prescription drugs, and auto and airplane parts. The immensely lucrative activity - accounting for 5 percent to 7 percent of world trade, according to the International Chamber of Commerce - also siphons jobs from the U.S. workforce and drains tax revenue...."

Here's a post by someone called "notonyourlife" from a message board. Three cheers for Kate Spade's General Counsel Barbara Kolsun!

27. "Knock Offs"
Posted by NotOnYourLife on 17:21:18 9/19/2003

Oh what fun to sell a knock off. The excitement, the cheap thrill, UNTIL someone that apparently does not feel the same way contacts Barbara Kolsun, GC, at Kate Spade LLC and you get a cease and desist letter with the offer to have the Feds come knocking on your door. We sold a few KS for a friend. And we got nailed. If you think that it's just an isolated incident, do a Google search on the above woman. And read the story from Aug 31 in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Not everyone will get caught, but I suggest you resist putting yourself out there on the internet. If I could find you, Ms. Kolsun is ready to bury you.

And on November 6, 2003, the program Inside Edition ran an excellent piece on purse parties, and featured our hero Barbara Kolsun. You can read about the program - CLICK HERE

"....Kolsun also tells Inside Edition she has made shutting down illegal purse parties her number one priority. 'Every week we have two criminal actions going on against purse parties....'"

QUALITY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP - THE LACK OF....

Still not convinced? How about the quality issue? The untrained eye might not be able to tell the difference between a fake bag and a real one, but the fake bag will fall apart in three weeks.

Here are some close-up photographs of a fake denim Kate Spade bag, and an authentic red nylon Kate Spade bag, so you can see the subtle quality differences.

These photos were taken of the top edge of each bag. On the real bag, the lining and outside are tightly sewn together. On the fake bag, I can push the lining back at the top because the stitching is crooked.

These photos show the place where the strap is attached. On the real bag, there is no gap between the bag and the strap. It is sewn in tightly. On the fake bag, the stitching is uneven and you can push the fabric back from the strap.

The authentic bag has a metal YKK zipper. The fake bag has a cheap plastic zipper.

Here's a place where you can really see a difference - the corner. Look at how perfectly fitted the pieces of the authentic bag are. The fake, on the other hand, has rolled down fabric that isn't even finished at the seam.

These pictures show the flap closure. On the authentic bag, you can't see the lining peeking out from underneath it. All of the pieces are the exact same size and sewn together perfectly. Look at how you can see the gingham lining sticking out under the flap on the fake bag. The gingham piece under the flap is about 1/4" larger! Yikes!

Look at the difference in the liner. On the authentic bag, although the liner is not attached at the bottom (so you can pull it out and clean it) it fits the inside of the bag perfectly. The lining of the fake bag is ill fitting. They took a much too large piece of fabric and stuck it in there. Look at how it gaps out, even though it is pushed all the way down!

Except for the fact that Kate Spade has never made a denim Sam Bag, this would be a "good fake" meaning that the lettering on the logo is not OBVIOUSLY fake. But you know how you can tell that this is a fake label? It's not centered! Look how far to the left the lettering is!

Bottom line? Fakes are NOT WORTH YOUR MONEY!!

FAKE HANDBAGS ON EBAY

Finally, there is the issue of fakes on eBay. Why am I so angry about fakes on eBay, more so than about fakes in general? It's because, generally speaking, when people buy fakes on Canal St. they usually KNOW they're getting fakes. On the other hand, on eBay, the vast majority of people who buy designer merchandise believe they're getting the real thing. It is completely against eBay policy (as it should be) to sell counterfeits, EVEN IF YOU DISCLOSE IN THE LISTING that the item is fake.

To read eBay's policy - CLICK HERE

Do not list counterfeits, unauthorized replicas, or otherwise unauthorized items (such as counterfeit watches, handbags, or other accessories) on eBay.

I took an informal poll several months ago on eBay's Clothing & Accessories Message Board. One of the questions I asked was whether people believed when they first started out on eBay that all of the designer items were authentic, or that eBay itself policed the listings. Almost every single one of the 50 or so people who answered the survey said that, YES, they DID believe that eBay policed the listings!

People honestly believe that eBay will, of its own accord, pull an item if it's counterfeit. They do not understand that eBay is a venue. They also do not understand eBay's VERO program.

To read more about the VERO program - CLICK HERE

People are not bidding these bags up, knowing that they're fake, just because they're "cute." Bidders on eBay are generally CLUELESS about the plethora of fake items on eBay. Hence, my anger. Hence, my website -
I Hate Counterfeit Bags Info.

AUTHENTICITY CHECKLIST

So, there's an auction in which you're interested.... Follow this checklist to see if you should bid. ** (see note below)

PRELIMINARY QUESTION - Does the seller explicitly guarantee authenticity?
If yes, proceed to question #1. If no, DO NOT BID!

1. Is the bag nylon? If No, Proceed to Question #4. If yes, proceed to Question #2.

2. Does the bag have metal feet on it? If no, proceed to question #4. If yes, proceed to question #3.

3. Is the bag in the style of a Sam, Claire, Chloe, Messenger bag, Amy, Diaper bag, or Basket (mini-Sam)? If yes, DO NOT BID! Is the bag in the style of a Sydney, Lenore, Finn, Quinn, Small tote or nylon luggage? If yes, proceed to Question #4.

4. Does the bag have a country of origin tag? If yes, proceed to Question #5. If no, proceed to Question #6.

5. Does the country of origin tag look EXACTLY like one of the ones on the top half of this page, from authentic bags: Kate Spade Labels? If yes, proceed to Question #8. Does the country of origin tag look like one of the ones on the bottom half of the Kate Spade Labels page, from fake bags? DO NOT BID!

6. Is the bag a Kate Spade for Lilly Pulitzer bag, looking like one of the ones on this page: Lilly Collection? Does it have a Kate Spade for Lilly Pulitzer label shown on the page in Question #5? If yes, BID! It's a collector's item! If not, proceed to Question #7.

7. Is it possible that your bag is a "vintage" Kate Spade bag? (I put vintage in quotation marks because an 8 year old bag is not really vintage). The first KS collections were made with no country of origin tags. Check out the - Early Collections Page. Does it look like any of those? If yes, proceed to question #8. If no (i.e. the seller describes it as "this season" - "just out in stores" - "just bought this at Nordstrom") DO NOT BID.

8. Does the seller provide a close-up picture of the Kate Spade label? If yes, Proceed to Question #10. If no, proceed to Question #9.

9. Email the seller and ask for a close-up of the label. Make sure that the picture they send you is from the SAME BAG. Some unscrupulous people will steal pictures from authentic auctions and email them to you. Do a quick search of similar bags on eBay to make sure the photo isn't stolen. If you're reasonably sure it's the same bag, proceed to Question #10. If you're not sure it's the same bag, obviously, do not bid. :-)

10. Inspect the label VERY closely. Some counterfeit bags have very realistic looking labels on them, with basically the right font and spacing. Compare them STITCH BY STITCH. Look at where the NEW YORK is placed. Does the W in NEW fall between kate and spade, or is it too far to the left or right? Is the stitching of the entire label too far to the left or right? Are the letters too tall, too squashed together? Does the k have a little tail on it at the top, or no? If the label looks EXACTLY like one of the authentic labels on this page - Kate Spade Labels - proceed to Question #11. If it does not, either do not bid, or email me for a second opinion.

11. Is the seller someone who has a reputation for selling authentic merchandise? Do they have lots of feedback for selling authentic designer items? If yes, proceed to Question #12. Is the seller a newbie, or someone who has high feedback but sells some other kind of widget, rather than authentic designer items (because yes, power sellers sell fakes too!) do not bid unless you are a) absolutely SURE that the item is authentic (not based on the representations of the seller, but based on your own research) or b) email me for a second opinion.

12. Are you certain, based on this checklist and your own research (rather than the representations of the seller) that the item is definitely authentic? If so, GO FOR IT!!

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this. Good luck and happy hunting!

Visit Kat's website for more information about fake handbags, tips on how to spot them, and a detailed archive of information about Kate Spade handbags - ihatecounterfeitbags.info

Did you find the information in this Newsletter Article informative and useful?
If so, PLEASE leave a comment in the - Guest Book - your comments are appreciated!

** NOTE: This checklist was created specifically for Kate Spade handbags and is a significant supplement to Kat's website - I Hate Counterfeit Bags Info - but can also be used as a general outline checklist for purchasing all types of designer name handbags, accessories, and fashions on eBay, and can additionally be used as a guideline at other online auction sites and/or any retailers that offer designer name accessories and fashions for sale. ALSO NOTE that this checklist appears at this website - Carrum Saccus Handbag Glossary - with permission from the author for educational purposes only. Please refer to the original Authenticity Checklist from the - I Hate Counterfeit Bags Info - website at any time for the most current version.