would you buy a replica designer item?

Victoria

I absolutely love Hermes enamel bracelets and wish I could own one but their prices are astronomical. Saw this site with replica merchandise http://www.hermesbagprice.net/....._2396.html
don't really know if this is legitimate or not. Is it considered counterfeit merchandise? I admit I am not familiar with this particular topic since I never bought replicas of anything although I see quite a few local women sporting fake LV, Chanel and the like. What is everyone's feelings on this?
Clearly I would love to own the real thing but it would be a while before I save enough. Is it worth waiting for the real Hermes item?

14 years ago

Shopping

12 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

Sylvie

Veteran

I'd buy an inspired-by item that was high quality: ie a nice enamel bracelet with a design not offered by Hermes. If Hermes was the only place that had the designs I liked, I'd save up for the original.

I personally wouldn't buy a replica item because people who owned the real thing would be able to tell that mine was lower quality. Even if I never ran into someone who owned the real thing, I'd feel like I was pretending to be someone I'm not or that I was putting on a show.

My goal is to buy beautiful craftsmanship within my budget, wherever I can find it. YMMV though and I expect a variety of opinions on this issue.

14 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I know what you mean-I would buy an ispired item but I have searched high and low and wasn't able to find anything even remotely simular:(

14 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Victoria, that's so annoying.

I hate to be a spoilsport, but I would pass on this particular one because that particular website looks a little shady to me and the price is a significant portion of what it would cost to buy the Hermes one.

Do you specifically like the small scale design of the Hermes versions? This is an off the wall suggestion, but this Alexander McQueen bracelet is pretty cool and while it would require some saving up, it's less than Hermes.

http://www.alexandermcqueen.co.....ANGLE.aspx

If you could find a lower end knockoff you could buy it and wear it while saving up for the original one.

14 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

^yeah, I know, I hesitate to buy from any website like this. I may just wait and get the real thing. Incidentally, there was some enamels that I saw recently at Kate Spade store but they were too big for my skinny wrists:( If you ask anyone who has small wrists and fingers, its pain in the butt to find bangles that fit..."sign"
Thank you for your suggestion though, I may consider it:)

14 years ago

Anonymous

I'm all for designer-inspired, but not knock-offs. With the designer, you're paying for the quality of the craftsmanship AND the artistry in creating the item.

14 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

I would NEVER buy a knock-off. In my mind it is supporting theft, pure and simple.

Designer-inspired pieces are another story. I'd say the majority of the clothes we wear are designer-inspired whether we're aware of it or not.

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

I don''t like replica's, agreeing with Parsley.

14 years ago

Mellllls

Veteran

i too may not own many designer pieces but i avoid knock-offs.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I also think 'inspired by' pieces are nice ... I cannot afford the real thing, usually, so it's kinda sucky that way - but I guess when I save up I'll appreciate it all the more, right?

I don't have any designer things - the only name brand thing I have, I pretended was a knock off once, because someone wanted to take it from me.

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

I would buy a replica or an "inspired " piece no problem. I have done that with David Yurman pieces. This, however, is a counterfeit and that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole. This website is committing a felony. They will not be around long and I wouldn't give them ANY personal info. It won't be long before the FBI is on these guys.

It also makes me very nervous when counterfeiters make jewelry, they tend to use toxic heavy metals because it is cheaper.

Pass....

14 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the advice, Isabel! I don't know anything about places like this which is rather naive of me, I guess so I appreciate your candor:)

14 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Victoria, LOL, that WAS pretty blunt ! I would hate for you to give out your info and have someone possibly steal your identity. I will be kinder next time : )

14 years ago

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