*Editor’s Note: As we’ve stated in previous confessionals discussing the super fake world, we do not condone the purchasing of fakes. However, we would find it counterproductive to deny the existence of high-quality counterfeits and to pretend that people don’t buy them.
In today’s installment of Closet Confessionals, we’re checking in with a previous confessor! CC 16 shared her confessional with us back in 2018, when we had just started the series. It’s hard to believe that we’ve been sharing these anonymous confessionals with you all for four years. Occasionally we hear from confessors after their submissions have been posted with follow-up information, but a confessor very rarely resubmits a confessional in its entirety.
When CC 16/155 submitted this updated confessional to us, she noted that she “decided to write an updated confessional since [her] perspective on luxury shopping has changed greatly.” At the time of her first confessional, CC 155 was looking to have a Chanel bag personalized, and below, you’ll see what she decided upon. A lot has changed in the last four years, and this vintage lover’s collecting and shopping habits have too. Read the full CC below, and don’t forget to submit your own!
[sc_cc_callout]The Basics
Age: 36
Gender Identity: Female
Location: Orange County, California
Occupation: Genetic Scientist
Industry: Healthcare
Salary: $120,000
Household Income: $120,000
The Bags
Are you a PurseForum member? Yes
How many bags do you own? Too many to count. I’m in the process of selling off most of them.
What bags are in your collection?
- Hermès Birkin 25 in Orange Swift leather
- Hermès Birkin 25 in the color ‘Biscuit’
- Dark green Chanel Crossing Times Flap
- Customized hot pink Chanel medium lambskin Flap
- Dark brown Hermès TTPF Garden Party
- Celine coral pink Trio Crossbody
- Prada mini Saffiano tote in the color ‘Cerise’
- Louis Vuitton Kirigami Wallets
- 3 Longchamp Top Handle Le Pliage
How much is your collection worth? Between $30 to $40k.
What is your most expensive bag? The biscuit Birkin 25
What are the most important brands or pieces in your collection? My Le Pliage bags are currently my ride or die bags.
What age did you get your first designer bag, and what was it? Does Coach count? I got the monogrammed signature shoulder bag in the early aughts when I was in college.
My first luxury designer bag was the cerise Prada mini Saffiano tote. I bought it when I was 28 years old, after receiving a huge promotion at work.
Is there a specific bag you are looking to purchase next? An authentic one? Not really (I’ll get into more details later).
Any particular bag that holds a special sentimental value? Not really. Buying luxury bags was a phase for me; I’m liking the idea of stealth wealth more as I get older.
In hindsight, spending so much on bags (especially so early in my career) was not a great idea. I want to sell them off and invest the money more wisely.
Do you feel like your bags change people’s perceptions of you or how you’re treated? Well my friends and coworkers probably think I’m materialistic and spend too much, which I won’t deny.
I don’t live in an area where people carry a lot of designer, so I don’t think the general public uses my bags to form opinions of me. There was one time though, when a doctor did a double-take when she saw my Hermès Kelly. That was thrilling.
Have your bag-carrying habits changed since Covid? Well since I couldn’t go anywhere, I didn’t use my smaller, cuter bags as much. I’m also less motivated these days to switch bags.
The Shopping
How often do you buy new bags? I was buying about 3-4 a year.
Has the Coronavirus pandemic changed your shopping habits or overall attitude towards luxury? I’m less interested in luxury, but I think that’s due to growing up, not Corona.
Which stores do you frequent the most? I mostly shop online. It’s easier to buy exactly what you want online than in store.
Do you ever buy second-hand bags? Where do you buy used? Most of my collection is secondhand. I’ve bought from Yoogi’s closet, Fashionphile, Rebag, Ann’s Fabulous Finds, and Christie’s Auction house.
Do you sell old bags to pay for new purchases? No, I sell them to recoup my losses.
Fortunately, it’s a seller’s market right now. Second-hand prices are insane. It’s easy to make some profit if one has patience.
I’ve had great success selling vintages on Etsy. The key is great customer service: be friendly, reply promptly to messages, give as many details as you can, and provide additional photos if requested.
Also, list bags way above the price you’re willing to sell them. Then give buyers a “discount”. Nobody buys anything at the listed price, and no one knows the true value of what they’re purchasing.
Do you ever feel societal pressure to purchase more bags? No, nobody in my circle really purchases designer. Marketing is tempting, but nowadays I can’t fathom spending $2000+ on a bag.
Do you consider your bag purchases investments? That’s the kind of mentality that caused me to spend so much on bags. I’ve at least broken even selling my bags, but I would’ve had much better returns if I invested in the stock market.
Who influences your buying decisions? Instagram marketing. Scary how it knows what I like.
Are sales associate relationships instrumental to your shopping? No. I find the whole idea of building a relationship with an SA just to be able to spend more money to be pretty ridiculous.
Why do you enjoy shopping, beyond just acquiring something new? The only time I used shopping as retail therapy was when I got my wisdom teeth removed.
I’d say I have a shopping addiction (which is something I probably denied in my first confessional). I get a rush regardless of how much I’m spending, whether I’m buying a designer bag or drugstore eyeliner.
Have you ever felt like you received inferior service at a store or boutique due to your appearance, ethnicity or gender? Definitely when I made my first purchase at a Chanel boutique. I was out of my element, and the rude SA knew it. Without my asking, she stated the price of every item I eyed.
Chanel is stuck up; LV and Gucci are friendlier.
The Money
Who pays for your bags? Me.
Do you set aside a budget for your bag purchases? No. I never went into debt buying bags and was able to pay my credit card off in full every month. I just didn’t save up as much as I should have.
The Taboo Topics
Have you ever purchased a counterfeit because you couldn’t afford a designer item? I have 2 fakes: a gold Togo leather Birkin 25 with gold hardware and a Goyard Senat MM (which I purchased after seeing the lovely header photo in PB’s article on document pouches). I have another Birkin 25 on the way: Gris Tourterelle Togo with gold hardware.
Both Birkins are high-tier reps costing $1,700 each. I purchased them after visiting ‘that’ Reddit subforum. I connected with a ‘trusted seller’ on WhatsApp.
It is insane how much the Birkin looks like the real thing; even the bottom corners are exactly identical. The fake bag industry is dubious, but considering how well high-tier reps are made, I don’t think factory conditions are that bad?
I have no good justification for buying reps; it’s just amazing that you can get near-identical quality at a 10th of the price.
Do you ever hide purchases from your significant other? I don’t have one.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to afford a bag? I had to purchase my biscuit Birkin in 2 credit card transactions because my credit limit wasn’t high enough. So I made a deposit, immediately paid off the credit card bill, then paid off the rest.
Do you think your shopping is ever a problem? Have you ever felt like you were struggling with a shopping addiction? Definitely. I’m trying to overcome this by not being so impulsive. After I see a product, I wait a month or so to see if I still want it. I’m always going to want to shop, but giving myself some time to think slows my spending, and waiting sometimes helps me find something better.
The Rest Of It
Any other expensive hobbies or passions? I love to cook and bake, so lots of kitchenware. I also don’t mind spending a little extra on classic, quality clothing that will last a long time.
Anything else you would like to include? Buying and selling bags will not be a good financial investment for the average person. It’s ok to make ‘fun’ purchases, but don’t be impulsive.
Never knew why people buy fakes. If you can’t afford or get it, then don’t buy it? Like I can’t afford the Himalayan but I’m not going to the distance to get a fake. Can afford it but don’t like the price, again, why buy it? Why not buy a bag in your price range or a Birkin derivative from a cheaper brand like YSL.
It just seems like you want to look like you’re part of the crowd, played the game, and look like you’re rich, but at least the people buying authentic are approaching status signaling and etc honestly.
Replicas don’t satisfy any aspect of luxury bag buying IMHO.
People who buy designer to flex – What if someone figures out it’s a fake? Inside their head they know it’s not the real thing.
People who buy for the quality/craft – Would someone like that be satisfied with a replica? Doesn’t it make more sense to go for lesser known but quality brands or handmade artisan items?
People who buy bags as symbols of achievements – Doesn’t buying a replica belittle the very thing they’re celebrating? Who wants to commemorate that big promotion or their firstborn with a fake Birkin?
“What if someone figures out it’s a fake?”
Ive told my friends that my fake birkin is fake, and they are astounded by how real it looks.
”people who buy for quality/craft”
Again, the quality of the fake is impeccable. I kind link it here, but I did a review on Reddit last July comparing my fake gold birkin to my real biscuit Birkin.
”people who buy bags as symbols of achievements”
I don’t do that generally, so it doesn’t apply to me.
yes, I detest fakes, but these people are able to maintain that cognitive dissonance to justify them.
Not to mention the factory conditions may be sweatshops.
And you don’t own any items made in sweatshops? Get off your high horse.
What a poor argument. So if everything I own is not absolutely 100% ethically made Im not allowed to call out sweatshop manufacturing?
especially when it’s literally impossible to buy everything 100% ethically made in such a globalized and capitalistic society?
what I am doing is doing my BEST to be an ethical consumer, which is includes not buying fakes
Stop thinking in absolutes XuXu, it’s not becoming
I really dont care about this issue either way, but aren’t you the person thinking in absolutist terms? saying that buying a fake is unequivocally wrong, and that it’s 100% better to buy authentic or not at all?
And I do my best to be an ethical consumer by buying less things in general, whether they are rep items or anything else. Because sweatshops are involved in the production of literally every item, so we can mitigate our support for those practices by buying less.
You can also mitigate your support of these practices by not buying fakes at all 🙃
(and opting for brands that engage in transparent and ethical manufacturing processes)
but ok
You do you, and I’ll do me
Then don’t bother reply to my comment if you and I both know we agree to disagree 🙃
Ah ok, you’re one of those people who has to have the last word. Go ahead and reply to this comment if it’ll make you feel better.
I’m not that person, but I don’t know why you’re being so pugnacious all of the sudden but it really seems sad you need to confront other people for their justified opinions against counterfeits in a forum with a lot of people against counterfeits.
And I don’t even care if whether or not a person’s stuff is fake or real or whatever.
I know, not my best moment. Their last comment was petty, so I was being petty right back.
I infer what she means by saying “the factory conditions may be sweatshops” is that she does not knowingly buy anything that “may be made in sweatshops”. In the case of handbags, many of these fakes have a high probability of being made in sweatshops, than not. She makes a valid argument.
I know. It’s so tragic that people buying reps can steal this status level that doesn’t belong to them. How dare someone infringe on the exclusivity of luxury goods by buying reps. They steal my status. So tragic. So so tragic. My heart is shattered.
“It’s so tragic that people buying reps can steal this status level”
I wish somebody had the self awareness to say that here earnestly.
the steal your status? that’s a tragic thing to say….
I. Honestly don’t think you got my sarcasm? If so, my comment is intended to be very sarcastic. Like, very. Terribly, in fact. I thought I’d made that clear enough. 😅
This is blatant sarcasm, but this is clearly not what I meant,. Perhaps do some introspection instead of going to various purse blog posts purposely maligning and misconstruing the comments of people
thats obviously what ppl mean and probably the reason why ppl get upset over fakes.
It’s not, more like they support creative/intellectual property and ethical behavior. Just like how the CC author told people to not make blanket statements about rep buyers, don’t make blanket statements about people against reps.
You did say, “buy a bag in your price range” though. And that only rich people who buy authentic are actually *honestly* signaling their wealth to the outside wolrd, implying that people that buy replicas are dishonestly stealing that perception of “I have the money to buy this” for themselves. Which part of my comment that you consider people wearing reps as stealing social status by touting rep luxury goods without having paid the authentic price tag do you take offense at, precisely? How did I malign your statements? Do correct me.
I mean, I get it. It’s probably infuriating having paid 20k or more for an Hermès bag after carefully cultivating a real relationship with your SA, spending tons on twillies, clic clacs and tea cups, and then finally being offered one, all just to see that there’s people that take the easy route and simply pay 1k on the black market while freely choosing their leather and colour and hardware, to get a perfect replica that looks just like yours, from the slant of the saddle stitching to the pearling.
You.Are.Amazing.
Honestly whether or not you’re the same Anon from the Chanel thread, you have a problem with being antagonistic to a simple antagonistic comment. It’s sad.
not “antagonistic comment”, “innocuous comment” 🤦🏾♀️
“You did say, “buy a bag in your price range” though. ” which is literally sound financial advice that’s repeated ad nauseam for any person buying a bag. There is nothing wrong buying a bag from Hermes, nor Goodwill, (I have done both) why you seem to have a problem with that statement reflects more on you than me.
How does one STEAL social status? I never used the word STEAL. It’s clear people who are buying fakes seek intend others to believe that they are someone who ARE able to purchase the real thing, and lots of it. There’s a notion here is that they supposedly think authentic buyers are foolish for paying too much for these items (I.E YOU per your second paragraph), but they also really want strangers to believe that you’re one of “those” people. So yes, they are engaging in STATUS SIGNALING DISHONESTLY. Because they’re using counterfeit goods.
Like Yolanda said above, if you genuinely cared about the bag’s design and craftsmanship, there are any number of mass market, custom indie designers, and talented craftspeople that can deliver on the the qualities you want, significantly more affordable than Hermes, much better superfake manufacturers, and much more ethical to boot as you’re not stealing designs nor engaging in possibility unscrupulous manufacturing processes.
I’m not infuriated. But I’m not understanding why you think the Hermes game is stupid, but you are okay with you yourself wanting people to think you’re a top player in the game.
You and diffanon must be the same people or split personalities since you both have a consistent pattern of purposely misinterpreting and misconstruing comments. This is middle school literary comprehension, again, do some introspection.
Definitely two different people I can assure you – though perhaps read your comment before posting to see if it comes across as “better than thou” some people including me (Diffanon) find this grating. Whatever your standpoint on fakes (personally I wouldn’t buy them) but I don’t feel qualified to pass broad ranging judgements regarding why other people do. I remember a girl from college owning a rip off LV Murakami inspired pochette and genuinely didn’t know it was LV, she just liked the pink. Anyway I digress…the fact that you were so quick to throw accusations and then also to say maybe it’s a split personality is ridiculous and the blatant throwing around of mental health terms but sensitivity over snowflake is also hypocritical.
The CC author was more than willing to pass judgement on buying authentic as does Anon. As did the other Anon in their two-paragraph response. I find it so interesting how you find a persons largely general condemnation of fakes to be holier than thou, yet take no issue with others, perhaps they are more receptive to fakes. I find THAT hypocritical. I had no sensitivity over being called a snowflake (I don’t care) unlike how I had hoped many people wouldn’t be sensitive over being criticized by buying fakes 🙃
And I also see the CC author has now become combative over the largely negative response to her post. So I hope people who want to feel welcomed when engaging in the practice of buying/wearing fakes go to THOSE forums that discuss fakes because it’s clear PF doesn’t support fakes despite this tonedeaf CC.
Not sure where you got the idea that I judge those buying auths. If anything, people have been making untrue assumptions about me: that I laugh at those that spend money on auths, or that I sell fakes as real. What will everyone say about me next? That I sell drugs to little kids?
Really? Selling drugs to kids? You’re being critiqued for buying fakes, stop victimizing yourself. It’s disgusting.
Just seeing what else will people will make up about me
I think you can do better than this poor slippery slope defense. You chose to give your experience a platform, yet get mad when people respond with their own (no matter how illogical you perceive them) opinions to your experiences.
It’s the internet.
I was responding to your assumption I was the original commenter rather than your general comments. Moral issues aside, I don’t necessarily agree regarding your thoughts that people buy fake stuff because they want to look rich, for some it may be true for others maybe they like the general look etc
My comment was clearly speaking in regards to the context of the post which the author admitted to “look like you’re part of the crowd” as the reason. So I don’t know why you’re bringing other factors in to this.
If you are suggesting this is the anon from the Chanel thread it’s not – there can be more than one anonymous poster fyi
Mind: blown.
This is the first time I ever commented on a Purse Blog anything, but everything’s a conspiracy if you want it to be, I guess.
Beware of my mean, mean sarcastic comments all over this site apparently. 🤣🤣
Mine too! Lots of snowflakes who clearly can’t converse without trying to manipulate the narrative or accusing you of being unhinged, sick, toxic, whatever – mind blowing indeed!
Yes, I’m the snowflake for replying to a comment overreaction and intent is l misinterpretation to my condemnation of fakes. Both of you need to get a grip.
Don’t sweat it. You know, I’m always happy when people throw out ‘snowflake’ as an insult, because then you know immediately that they’re not worth your time.
Snowflake in my understanding is someone who is overly sensitive which by prior comment it seemed this poster was. I personally find people who can’t take a different view without resorting to accusations to be “not worth my time.”
lmao they were sensitive but not the various comments of people getting aggy over people not blindly condoning fakes through comments of “LET HER BE LET HER BE!!!1” or the sarcastic on from the Anon? Please, seems like you and many others can’t handle the difference in opinion
Maybe people could try CURIOSITY rather than judgement – why is someone compelled to buy a Hermes fake for the price of a real Chloe?!? While I’m human and I fall into my own judgements, I also try very very hard to have an open mind. Liking luxury purses does not have to make you a snob who judges others. I assure you I can handle a difference of opinion.
Unethical and illegal behavior is not something as trivial as difference in opinion like ice cream flavors. Hate speech is a difference in opinion for you too huh since you love to use dogwhistles.
lol okaaay
Snowflake is also a dogwhistle that’s co-oped by conservative/alt-right groups, so I’d be careful and choose a less politically-charged word. Just saying
Sure my bad, I don’t identify per above.
Ugh, typing on a phone is hard, what I meant was “overreacting and intentionally misinterpreting my condemnation of fakes”
“It just seems like you want to look like you’re part of the crowd”
Yes
This post is disturbing. I am not sure if permitting this post is akin to giving your approval for super fakes to be bought and sold with no respect for copyright and cheating innocent people who ” don’t know the true value of what they are purchasing”. I was repulsed by this confession, not because I agree with the dubious sales practices of luxury fashion houses but only because of the callous attitude of the writer towards their behavior
Thank you!! Seriously, just because purseblog themselves don’t condone buying/selling fakes doesn’t mean giving a platform to a person who buys fakes is any better, if anything purseblog is galvanizing a crowd of people to possibly check out/buy these fakes.
Gross.
Pretty sure more people are checking out fakes after reading the Cut article
So what? That’s them. that doesn’t mean this confession isn’t doing that either.
Hear that, everyone? Write a confessional, but don’t include things that Genny doesn’t want to hear.
The more you post, the more you lack credibility due to your continued defensiveness.
lmao, imagine knowing well the negative response a post including fakes will incur and getting salty when people voice their thoughts at the bad logic and arguments.
Not getting salty at all. Nothing wrong with having a problem with fakes, but don’t advocate silencing those that want to share real, actual experiences.
LOL no one is silencing your freeze peach Norma Rae
This is purseblog, which has been against fakes despite this questionable CC. No one is silencing your
experiences. You’re more than welcome to bring your experiences to another platform with no issue.
There are various platforms (Reddit) that will welcome your experiences of buying fakes.
PB literally asks confessors if they’ve purchased a fake, and I elaborated.
I don’t think the question directly implied including advocacy of fakes. But you do you. I’m not sure why you needed to reply to my comment in the first place.
Just because I shared my experience buying fakes, doesn’t mean I encourage others to do the same.
You’re not directly encouraging, but the words you are using such as the ease of buying, the “craftsmanship”, the “price”, makes for something encouraging to at the very least check out fakes. EG. “Cheap at “EXACT” SAME quality?!”
I mean, an advertiser can also say they aren’t encouraging people to buy an iPhone because they never directly said anything in the ad, but the features presented makes it something someone will check out or keep their mind on to buy later.
I don’t know why you can own up to your reasons of buying a fake, yet can’t own up to your rhetoric of talking about how amazing your fakes are.
I don’t know how you have the patience and bandwidth for this person, especially they made the effort to pivot your points and change topics to make it like they’re in the right.
you voicing the dislike of this post by purseblog and how it can influence people to buy fakes -> 16/155 makes an unrelated comment about how that Cut article influencing people about fakes as purseblog has no readers or influence either??
You saying the Cut influencing readers to check out fakes doesn’t mean 16/155’s post won’t either -> she gets mad and bitter and makes a rude, unrelated comment about how no one should make CC’s with your approval
You call her out being salty for people being against fakes -> she deliberately misinterprets your comment as if it’s in favor of “silencing” her as if her “free speech” is in jeopardy
you tell her to take her pro-fake narrative elsewhere -> she deliberately misinterprets your comment again saying the question asked about fakes
It’s actually disgusting how she continues to do this. Reeks of gaslighting
If anything, my confessional is serving as a warning to those thinking of purchasing second hand. The quality of super fakes is near identical to auths; even reputable resellers might be duped one day.
16/155 – If your confessional is a warning to second hand buyers then why did you object when others stated that rep-buyers might try to sell their fakes as the real thing? It’s believable that some rep-buyers do that.
When did I object to that? I just stated that I and other honest buyers would never do such a thing. It can still happen, of course.
“ Demonizing rep buyers like that is silly.”
“ Unfortunately for you, you have no idea what online sellers choose to spend their money on.”
“ But how do you know which sellers purchase fake bags? Or do you mean that you only buy from boutiques? Or purchase from resellers you personally know?”
These are all your comments that I was referring to.
“Demonizing rep buyers like that is silly.”
I meant that we shouldn’t make blanket statements about rep buyers. A lot of them are buying bags for personal use and agree that it is highly dishonest to sell reps as auths. Unfortunately, you’ll have some awful people who will purchase reps and try to sell them as auths.
I didn’t think I’d have to spell all that out for everyone, but I guess I do.
“Unfortunately for you, you have no idea what online sellers choose to spend their money on.”
The commenter I was responding to said they wouldn’t trust sellers who buy fakes. I thought they were talking about me: someone who sells auths, but purchases fakes for PERSONAL use. So I asked them how they would know what the spending habits of resellers are? They’d either have to know the seller personally, or purchase from companies, such as Fashionphile.
If a considerable number of people are highly dishonest and sell fakes as authentic then you’re going to get people who make these blanket statements, hence why Authentication Services have been launched in almost all major secondhand sites, because of this very prevalent issue.
In which case you should concern yourself with those dishonest sellers rather than careful buyers who are making legitimate concerns and points.
And… I’m telling people why blanket statements would be incorrect in this situation?
and authentication services should be provided regardless of how prevalent reps are… even if the amount of reps a secondhand company receives is 0.01%. It simply makes sense when your dealing with expensive items.
Where did I say authentication services would be unnecessary if the amount of fakes a company receives is less than 0.01%?
that’s a WHOLE NEW sentence.
Ok 😉. i believe you ‘believe’ bragging about the quality of your fakes will allow people to jump to that conclusion you allege.
Lol but what incentive do you think I have to lead people to the “dark side”?
It’s not like I’m giving the rep buying process a glowing review either. I stated that, as good as my rep is, the factory conditions are still dubious. There’s also a chance the rep can be seized by customs.
im not alleging you have any incentive. I’m saying your zealous sentiments towards fakes doesn’t align with the website’s ethos (despite their tone-deafness towards allowing this post to be published) and disgusting as it has the ability to galvanize people into these unethical and illegal acts. I don’t care what you intended with post.
I don’t know how or why in this protracted comment thread you continuously misconstrue my comments as if you have any footing.
That’s something to take up with PB, then. It would make most people here happy if PB did away with the question regarding fakes, but that’s wishful thinking. These type of sites rely heavily on traffic; more traffic leads to more advertisers which leads to more money. And controversial posts like this one create loads of traffic; this CC alone probably generated 2 months worth.
It would have been better if everyone just contacted PB privately and expressed displeasure rather than setting the comments section ablaze.
Maybe better to your delicate sensibilities. But voicing their opinions publicly as well like some comments provide a counterpoint against your largely positive perception towards fakes
barely anyone here was setting the comment section “ablaze” until you argued with everyone btw
PB has stated in a previous CC that they don’t condone the buying and selling of fakes.
Agree. I thought purseforum and purseblog were anti fakes. Guess not.
I don’t think purseblog is giving their approval by publishing this confessional, I think many of us were curious about “that reddit subforum”, and they are simply acknowledging that this is something happening in the handbag world. It can be interesting to hear different perspectives even if we disagree with people’s actions.
When you could’ve had a custom bag made by a talented leather worker to create a bag with the highest quality craftsmanship at a probably lower price, but chose to buy a fake to flex. Tragic
“I’m less interested in luxury, but I think that’s due to growing up, not Corona.”
OP sounds gross.
shes definitely condescending
I’m definitely not. Here’s my response to someone else:
When did I say it was a phase everyone goes through? I’m just sharing my experience (which is what a confessional is all about BTW). And it’s not the buying handbags that was a phase per se, it was the reckless spending. If you can purchase luxury items while still feeling financially secure, good for you.
The implication of what you’ve said is still within your words despite your incessant protesting. You seem to be so immature and hostile, between how you argue and how you’re constantly battling people on opinions that you allegedly do not care about. Please continue to peddle your shoddy ass replicas elsewhere.
Pot meet kettle
that person DID NOT reply to every person’s comment that were against reps or even pro-reps for you to be able to use that pot-meet-kettle card.
100%!!! apparently when people react negatively towards fakes she gets mad. Matches the M/O of people on those forums that buys fakes.
Not sure where I got mad at people who react negatively to fakes. In fact, I admitted there is a chance that high tier reps could be made in sweatshop conditions, and that I have no good justification for buying them other than the fact that you can get 1:1 quality for about a tenth of the retail price. There have been a few replies attacking my character, which I have a right to reply to.
But you even admitted to replying negatively in this very comment thread against people who are anti-fakes.
What?
You attacked commenters like Paul,NR, and Wendy over their comments which either didn’t even directly target you, but general rep buyers, or were cordial, so I don’t know why you’re playing the innocent wallflower act when your comments here show you making petty and harsh remarks and even going out to reply to comments that didn’t even reference or address you.
But okay with the spontaneous amnesia.
I genuinely wanted to understand how N R could possibly know the spending habits of online resellers. Paul and Wendy had some less than cordial comments; thanks for ignoring those. Heck, I even apologized to Paul for a rather harsh comment that I made.
Okay, but they never were initially rude nor initiated a conversation with you so…..
You apologized AFTER you were called out. omg stop.
I went back and read my reply after someone pointed out my tone and realized my comment was a little out of line. I was hoping to edit my comment, but couldn’t do so. If you don’t want to believe that, then 🤷♀️.
Wendy said I judge auth purchasing, so I tried to clear that up for her. Somewhere else, she replied to me “then don’t bother commenting”. Did that sound cordial to you?
Maybe you need an internet break.
? YOU were the one that replied to Wendy’s reply towards Xuxu. You were the one that got mad when Wendy said that you can eschew fakes period if you want to be more ethical in response to saying how you buy less.
stop victimizing yourself.
I simply said you do you and I’ll do me. I acknowledged that we have different ways of mitigating our support for sweatshop practices. That’s not getting mad.
Your tone was clearly dismissive of her arguments because you and she knew you had no basis in your weird justification of buying fakes. Move on. And I thought my other comment was deleted (I refreshed the page) since that why it seems like I wrote it twice.
I just don’t understand why you continue in your failed attempt to gaslight us into thinking you’re the victim here
The hypocrisy of telling someone they need an internet break while trying to argue with every person against reps
She sounded overwhelmed when she said “omg stop”
And you sounded rude when you told me to do me and you do you 🤷♀️ When I have never started anything with you.
It wasn’t meant to be rude
I thought it was rude tbh 🤷🏻♀️ and I don’t think I’m the only one
Okay? Just because you didn’t intend it to be rude doesn’t mean it actually wasn’t? And I’m clearly not the only person who feels this.
I think it’s ironic to say someone needing an internet break considering you’re the one running up and down the comment section looking to argue with everyone, including me. Wendy started by arguing against some rando about not being allowed to call out sweatshops because they owned sweatshop items. Then you hopped on and ran about needing to justify the potential sweatshop manufacturing environment of fakes by saying you buy less. And then you got rude when she said you can eschew fakes period.
There’s no excuse in your lapses in memory when the comments are right there in 4K.
Did you even read my responses to you from yesterday? Because I’m not repeating myself again.
Right? They sound like all the other people who think they’re better than the people who spend full price on an authentic bag because they ‘saved money’ buying a fake.
So true, I see this behavior on social media a lot. Do these people who are so uppity about buying fakes realize the fact that these counterfeit manufacturers wouldn’t even be making fakes in the first place would it not be for people buying the authentic versions first?
Like if the Birkin wasn’t a popular style bag being bought, no fakes, or at the very least shoddy “Harmuss Berkans” will be made.
What a giant leap to make
I don’t think like that at all
No kidding. Why go onto a site about luxury goods and make vaguely condescending remarks implying that interest in luxury goods is a phase people go through when they’re young and immature? No, tastes change and that’s fine. OP’s that person in Facebook groups that feels the need to dramatically announce they’re leaving.
I got into luxury bags when I was 41, because I can easily afford them now. Guess I’m aging backwards!
your comment sounds like a personal problem. they just grew out of it and nothing in that one line was condescending. people’s priorities just change
When did I say it was a phase everyone goes through? I’m just sharing my experience (which is what a confessional is all about BTW). And it’s not the buying handbags that was a phase per se, it was the reckless spending. If you can purchase luxury items while still feeling financially secure, good for you.
Ah, I misunderstood you on the “growing up” piece, then. My apologies, OP.
ew, I thought purseblog was above this whole ‘rep’ thing, but guess not 🙃
You know I was fine with that other post about reps by Notorious Pink since there was a level of nuanced and insightful discussion in it. This one just stinks of the tacit condonation reps
If you buy a fake, you don’t buy it for yourself (out of appreciation for a product). You buy it for other people (to think of you in a certain way).
I mean, I do appreciate my fakes because the quality is amazing. But yes, I do purchase my bags (both auths and reps) for the status.
Those who purchase auths aren’t doing it entirely for themselves either.
this is the difference between someone who truly appreciates fashion and someone who’s trying to “fit in” with a social group where they dont belong in the first place
Why is the status important to you?
Not everyone that owns a luxury handbag purchases it to dog whistle that they are “rich”. I for one have not. Instead, I appreciate purses. Hence my collection is well rounded with pieces from all styles, colors, and brands. If your purpose in buying a luxury handbag is to showcase how #blessed you are, then you aren’t buy the bag because it’s a bag. You are buy a bag to use as a microphone to tell others you are amazing. Same item, different purpose.
I came here to say this, but you said it better. I also own bags from a lot of high end designers, including Hermes and Chanel. However, these are bags I wanted for awhile and had the opportunity to purchase. I buy what I like because the bags are beautiful and not for their alleged or perceived societal status symbol.
Morality aside, I don’t understand paying $1700 for counterfeit but unwilling to spend $2000 on a genuine bag.
Also, I wouldn’t buy from an eBay seller who buys fakes. So many trust issues. Sigh.
$2000 goes a lot farther in the rep world. You can purchase a high tier Birkin rep with that money. Can you buy any bag at Hermes for $2K?
Also, I would never sell a fake as the real thing. Demonizing rep buyers like that is silly.
I’d always pick a $2000 authentic Gucci/YSL bag over a counterfeit Birkin. But that’s me.
TBH I can’t afford a real Birkin and am okay with that.
(Just to be pedantic for a moment) Yes, Hermes Evelyne TPM is around $2000.
Not demonizing anyone, but I cannot trust an online seller who dabbles in counterfeit. I’d say most people can’t.
Unfortunately for you, you have no idea what online sellers choose to spend their money on.
Nor do you.
Sorry Paul, my last reply to you was harsh. You’re right, I and no one else, know the spending habits of handbag resellers.
You’re right, I don’t. Was their any point to this comment?
I think it’s just unnecessarily rude of you to reply so harshly at a person’s justified feelings of buying second hand.
I assume you have you’re own biases yet felt the need to attack others.
It’s sad, but not surprising
Your right, my last message to Paul came out harsh. Trying to come up with a better response to him right now.
Which is why I stay away from people like that. I’ll believe it when you say you’ll never dream of selling one of your super-fakes as the real thing.Fair. Does everyone in the rep community share your convictions?
But how do you know which sellers purchase fake bags? Or do you mean that you only buy from boutiques? Or purchase from resellers you personally know?
I mostly buy from boutiques or sites like MyTheresa/Net-a-Porter etc. I will occasionally buy from Fashionphile.
Places like eBay, Etsy, Poshmark etc. are flooding with fakes. I’m not saying you sell your replicas but many others do. Buyers in the second-hand market are negatively affected by this behavior.That’s just a fact.
I already said above that I would never sell a fake as the real thing. Any honest, well meaning person would say that.
I don’t understand the reason for buying fakes, at any price. However, why would you want to throw away $1700, of your hard earned money, for a fake? That’s a lot of money to buy a piece of crap and you can never recoup your loss.
It’s well known people who browse those rep forums are also unscrupulous sellers trying to find the most 1:1 and cheapest fake to buy then later peddle on eBay and Poshmark
With that amount of money for a super fake they use real leather…ive seen prices reach $6000 for real croc leather the himalayan version (but thats a very little thing compared to the $100000 for the authentic one).
Because I don’t want to throw away $10K of my hard earned money on the real thing. Sure I could sell it down the line, but what if it got damaged?
I’m also referencing copyright infringement, which is wrong. Fakes, no matter how well made, steal the creativity and artisanship of a designer. Also, buying fakes is attempting to achieve some type of status level that isn’t justly earned. Fake bags create a fake persona of who you really are, but let your conscious be your guide.
I was a little more thoughtful in my earlier comment and I have been trying so hard to listen and understand but I think, fundamentally, knowingly buying and wearing something fake is a lie. Even if you admit it to friends and people who comment/ask about it. Now, all lies are not equal, but- what are you lying for?
By stating that “*Editor’s Note: As we’ve stated in previous confessionals discussing the super fake world, we do not condone the purchasing of fakes. However, we would find it counterproductive to deny the existence of high-quality counterfeits and to pretend that people don’t buy them”. Doesn’t this also condone them by giving them a platform to discuss how, why and the amount they spent to purchase fakes?
To me, CC is giving the impression that she is proud to buy these bags, whatever the conditions under which they are made.
This entire post is off-putting. Authenticity in bags is more important that condoning and supporting, by way of publishing, this CC.
Wow, the comments section is much kinder in that confessional than this one.
On one hand, at least they’re honest about buying fakes, because browsing the forum, you’d see members posting their “purchases” as if they’re real when it’s an obvious fake if you look close.
Cue the “are you not “”embarrassed’” meme.
OMG yes! I saw a post about someone complaining of the low quality, bad designs, and outrageous pricing of New Prada and how they were above that by buying second-hand only to post a fake used Prada bag. I had to cackle but didn’t want to call them out directly
OMG I saw that post too. They’re always so rude about the new Prada bags being ugly yet post that. The irony 😂
I feel like the Hermes should be in quotes as they are counterfeits
the colors of the replicas are specified read properly its not written under what bags are in your collection…love this confession very authentic love your brutal honesty cc 16/155!
The H bags listed as in the collection are real. The fakes are only mentioned later. Not justifying the rep buying, but the bags listed as Hermès are actually Hermès.
She said the 2 Birkin’s were fake and she spent $1700 to purchase them. The Garden Party is real.
The Birkins pictured are the real deal. Pretty sure PB has rules against showing pics of fakes.
So, why does it seem fake to me?! Hmm.
Simply because I mentioned I purchase fakes? Lol ok
Not just because of that. I have several Hermes bags (authentic, from the store), so my suspicion is valid. I can compare since I have seen the real ones. And your confession, of course, doesn’t help, lol. Ok, whatever, you do you.
Oh boy, where do I even start with this one?
Owning Hermes bags doesn’t make you an expert when it comes to authenticity.
Authenticating a bag requires several pics. You can’t tell anything from one picture, especially when there is an accessory on the bag, and the photo is angled for aesthetic purposes.
It’s possible for people to own both fakes and auths.
FYI the orange birkin was authenticated by Bababebi and was refurbed by Leather surgeons; they don’t work on fakes. The biscuit Birkin was purchased from Fashionphile.
Fortunately for you, people here will run to your defense because they detest me.
“ If someone were to find out that one of my bags was fake, they would question the authenticity of all my bags. That’s not a good look.”
Those are your words 16/155 from your first confessional.
Which is why I wrote a new confessional. My views have changed since the first one:
It’s doubtful especially when they post your CC about buying fakes.
I didn’t submit pics of the fakes because I was pretty sure that would be against PB’s rules.
Hmmm
The writer says she is less interested in luxury than she had been, but is willing to spend over 1k on a dupe of a luxury brand, so I’m trying to understand the reasoning.
She’s less interested in spending money to look wealthy.
Less interested, but haven’t lost all interest in luxury.
You just admitted to wanting to spend money to look wealthy… you are a total rep supporter, just stop.
I mean, I can’t completely deny what you just said, so…
I love this confessional and the brutal honesty. There are all types of handbag lovers and different levels of comfort around money spent and counterfeits. I would venture to guess this isn’t the first confessional collector to own super fakes but the first to admit it. There are some SAs that make the counterfeit market a more inviting space.
Thank you! I love the messy, brutally honest confessionals as well!
I have to agree. The candor here is refreshing. I suspect that there are a lot of people who can afford authentic H (and other ultra luxe designer brands) but choose to buy replicas because of the cost saving aspect. If you have no intention of reselling, I can see how it would make financial sense to go the replica route. TBH I think a fair number of tpf members buy both replicas and authentics, but no one is brave enough to admit it (except for the person who wrote this confessional).
Thank you! Even though I submitted this CC anonymously, I still felt nervous as I was typing it!
Lol, why are y’all so mad at this person buying a fake Hermes for **themselves**?!
No one’s mad, but if you allow yourself and your purse buying habits to be public and given a platform, you’re opening yourself up to criticism?!
Mostly discussion.
Loved that she matured from buying expensive bags! I also, don’t have the desire to continue spending large sums of money on handbags, I’d rather travel!
Thank you!
So that’s exactly what you meant about your “growing up” comment. God you are so gross.
Live and let live. WHO cares what other people do? We all have to look in the mirror and if the reflection is true to you, then let it go and enjoy your bags…real/ fake whatever.
? If you put yourself out there publicly, you open yourself to criticism. This person is not that concerned with the negative sentiment, why are you?
Take your own advice and live and let live.
OP, stealth wealth doesn’t mean carrying fake Birkins. Look it up.
Stealth wealth but buys a fake of one of the most iconic and recognizable status symbols in modern fashion.
what’s next, a Chanel 2.55 reissue?
I can’t at her gaps in logic.
Thank you! LOL
The confessor says she regrets spending so much on bags in the past. I don’t understand how her answer to that regret is to literally throw away large sums of money ($1,700) on something of no value at all…a fake. Better to buy an authentic bag that has a proven record of holding most if not all of its value than throw away $1,700 on something that literally has no value the day you acquire it. Knowing I was carrying a fake would completely steal any enjoyment I had hoped to feel while carrying the bag. Don’t waste hard-earned money on worthless fakes–save as long as you have to and acquiring your dream bag will be that much sweeter in the end.
Thanks, but spending $1700 on a bag is easier to stomach than spending more than $10K
Once you climb on board the fake train, it’s a bumpy ride. Remember that the people who make fake bags are doing something illegal and they KNOW they’re doing something illegal, but care only about the profit. They don’t care about worker conditions or environmental regulations. They don’t care about the criminal supply chain organizations that enable distribution. They don’t care that the same criminal distribution networks also support the selling of other fakes like fake Covid tests and fake cancer drugs. That they are often linked to criminal enterprises like illegal drug and weapons sales.
Once you buy a fake, your hands are dirty. You are supporting criminal enterprise. End of. It’s NOT a point of pride. If you can’t afford the real thing, find an up and coming designer who sells originals for less. Support their creativity and drive. Be a part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
Buying fakes or not im so tired of westernized mindset that if something is made out of china or pakistan or anywhere but US and Europe, it’s 1000% coming out of a dodgy place with no workers protection, a sweatshop. Such a backward thinking.
Do you know the ethics behind luxury brands?? They are giant corporations nowadays that don’t care about people, only profit.
So you’ve never broken a law? Jaywalked? Watched a downloaded movie or show?
So because you might’ve engaged in petty crimes by accident you’re not allowed to call out fakes? You’re banned from being more ethical because you have done something unethical in the past?
you see this trash logic you got going on?
And replica sellers are small family run businesses that support charities?! Come on!
No one is perfect BUT if someone goes on a movie forum and brags about picture quality of the pirated version then they will be criticized for it. Same for someone singing praises of Jaywalking publicly.
You make an excellent argument, but unfortunately anyone buying fakes doesn’t care about the consequences it has on someone else’s life. They want what they want; nothing else matters. It’s not ethical and they know it. To me only an unethical person can buy an unethical product. OP is arguing an indefensible argument for purchasing fakes.
The sad part is that she knows this and that was her response on her initial confessional lol
What this CC author won’t tell you about buying fakes (because she’s clearly biased judging from her caustic and unhinged behavior replying to every comment that doesn’t blindly agree with her) is that buying fakes isn’t easy.
your package can get seized by customs very easily, especially in Europe. So consider that $1700 down the drain because you know you can’t do anything without outing yourself to customs and getting in more trouble.
Superfake manufacturers will not uphold the same level of quality Hermes upholds which is why it’s so much cheaper. A small flaw will result in a bag trashed, while a super fake manufacturer will happily pass that flaw off to the buyer. Think of the flaws you see on Chanel bags, but sometimes worse.
No, superfake bags do not feel “exactly” like the real thing. People who are actually experienced with Hermes can tell something is very off from a few up close looks and feeling it.
You will never get good customer service. Buying from Hermes means you’re afforded the best aftercare service in the industry. If you’re not satisfied with the quality super fake bag you got waiting 1-2 months for, that seller isn’t doing anything for you and will tell you to get over it or even ghost you.
Oh, and the illegal stuff Passerine and literally everyone mentioned.
So you can’t fathom spending 2k+ on a bag but buying two $1700 birkins makes sense?
Here is my gripe…is this the “Purse”Blog or the “Luxury”Blog? The line for many on this forum gets blurred. This confessor highlights an issue that seems to be more and more prevalent on this site and Instagram. People acquire and flaunt bags because it’s their way of showcasing to the world that they “made it” or “are rich” (yes, that language has been used in other PF and PB articles and comments). Even more perplexing, people now buy $2k fakes to pretend they are in the cool club of Hermès owners. Owning a purse does not make you rich, nor is it a good investment. Especially when most of these purses are empty. Why don’t we all focus on what this blog was intended to focus on…purses. If not, just change the name of the blog to “Luxury”Blog and call it a day!
Good point. Ever since I started reading PB, luxury bags have always been at the forefront.
I think it takes a lot to be as candid as CC16/155, especially considering the previous holier than thou PB article on fakes. I probably wouldn’t buy a fake but it’s interesting to read about someone else’s experience. What I enjoy most of all about this confessional is the pious pearl clutching it caused. Suddenly everyone is a member of the moral police. Suddenly everyone is a mind reader, making assumptions about a stranger and because the stranger did something they deem wrong, it is now okay to judge and insult them.
CC 16/155 is writing to herself! Yeah, totally transparent. 😂
lmao didn’t even do a good job hiding it
Lol that was definitely not me
Thank you!
Wherever could she source the “vintage” bags she sells on Etsy?!! LOL
I love how she picks Etsy because she knows they’re among the very few resale sites that don’t have authentication guarantees so she can peddle her fakes, I mean “”””vintage”””” bags
Lol why would I risk my shop’s reputation by selling fakes?
Kettle meet pot! Oh, the irony! 😂
I appreciate her comment about stealth wealth as she gets older. I can relate to that!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Thank you!
I appreciate her honesty about budgeting.
If you own diamonds, an iPhone, buy from Nestlé, Zara, H&M you are no better than OP, myself included. At least she’s real about it. Don’t be a hypocrite.