Hey guys so this is a question that I often hear asked by people who are thinking about buying a replica bag and I just wanted to write a quick post on it to clarify it for those who do not know. It is 100% legal to purchase a replica handbag. What is illegal is selling it since the seller is knowingly infringing patents and trademarks of the authentic brands. So to clarify as long as you are not planning on setting up a replica shop (which I’m sure 99% of shoppers aren’t myself included – imagine all the risk!) you are fine to shop for replica handbags.
Another point often made by people who criticize those who buy replica bags are that apparently we are contributing to “terrorism”, “organized crime”, “slave labour” etc. I must say that these claims are enough to deter a naive individual, but if you know a thing or two about the world we live in you will realize that both replica and authentic items whether they be purses, shoes, or clothing have these negative effects. I remember recently reading an article about the company Zara (who knocks off many designer fashion looks and sells them for less, however does so under their own label) who employs individuals in factories where there are a lot of chemicals which lead a lot of the works towards developing some type of a respiratory condition that leads to early illness and death. The company will not even buy $0.06 face masks (yes that is right six cents) to prevent the inhalation of whatever it is causing the chemicals. I think that if we want to get into the ethics of what we buy there is a long list of items we need to cross of our lists in order to become conscientious shoppers and it is quite a long list. I think that the key issue with replica is the counterfeiting of trademarks and nothing more or less.
What is more important and something you need to worry about more is where you will shop to make sure you a) do not fall for a scam (as we know there are plenty of those on the online world), and b) you buy a good replica, and not just any old replica! If you would like you can feel free to browse the blog which is full of reviews submitted by various readers and myself which try to help everyone in the online world navigate the murky waters of replica! Leave a comment below to let everyone know what your favorite brand is and whether you prefer authentic purses or their replica counterparts!
1 Comment
I completely agree with you! I think some people are delusional when it comes to thinking that the real bags are more ethical than the fakes!