Do you think when someone posts a fake item and CLAIMS it to be real, we should out them somewhere? I don’t think its realistic (or needed) to get rid of ALL fake items, but it is just SO deceitful when someone tries to lie about an item. Whaddaya think?

Dacula, GA

I guess it’s trader beware. If a trader is concerned with the authenticity of an item, they could/should ask for maybe some kind of documentation.

Germantown, MD

Agree with Jessica. I sometimes list designer jeans and would not mind at all if someone wanted me to verify their authenticity. I only hope other rehashers don’t mind if I ask the same of their items. Everyone just needs to try to protect themselves.

San Antonio, Texas

I have pointed out to a few people listing fakes as real that their items are not real. Some are understanding and say theu didn’t know. I believe those people. I have also had some that get REAL pissed and rude. I tend NOT to believe those people. I wish we had a post where we could bring to light the fake items.

Dacula, GA

I concur. If someone did not personally buy the item from a legitimate retailer or doesn’t have some sort of fashion industry experience to certify it’s authenticity, then they shouldn’t claim that the item is (or might be) authentic. I started an article about the whole fake issue a little over a year ago but haven’t finished it. Maybe now I will finish it now that there is some interest.

Personally, I would like to see all the replicas and fakes come down off Rehash. I have twice received items that were of questionable origin. But going back and reading the descriptions, I can clearly tell that these items couldn’t have been real. The irony, is that I went to the trouble of taking the items to an actual retailer to verify their authenticity. I was lucky to not be treated like a criminal and the sales staff helped educate me about what to look for. Just food for thought.

Interested in learning more about the bigger picture of fakes and replicas? Click here to check out the “Fakes are never in Fashion” website.

Lomita (near Los Angeles), CA

I asked about another “authentic” bag last night and was told she would not give me the numbers associated with the bag’s authenticity bc she thought people would steal her pictures. She had also read this thread and didn’t approve. People make themselves so supspicious when in reality they should just be honest. I have 2 designer items listed that I didn’t buy personally. I would NEVER claim they were absolutely authentic, even though I think one of them is. Bc I don’t know for sure. This thread is making me enemies, but those enemies are also proving to be dishonest about the origin of their items.

Dacula, GA

Just to clarify on my earlier post. I’m not asking anyone to pull down their listings. This is just my personal opinion (and I’m a pretty opinionated gal!). The forums are here to encourage discussion and share ideas. With that said, keep in mind that much of what governs the trading “rules” here and in the bartering world in general… are personal ethics and integrity. If you don’t feel good about a trader or an item, simply don’t trade with them. Remember, rehashing is fun!!!

Lomita (near Los Angeles), CA

Interested in learning more about the bigger picture of fakes and replicas? Click here to check out the “Fakes are never in Fashion” website.

This link wouldn’t work for me, FYI.

Irvine, Ca

UNITED STATES CODE 15 SUBSECTION II: TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT: It is ILLEGAL in the United States to sell, purchase, barter or knowingly pursue counterfeit items.

just a little blurb from my profile

JACKSONVILLE, FL

Fixed the link to the “Fakes are never in Fashion” Website in the above posts. Sorry about that. I do math, not HTML.

Lomita (near Los Angeles), CA

i am, personally, not really into the whole designer items thing. althought most of the stuff is beautiful. i just wanted to add that i completely support the idea of not allowing knock-offs on here. it is uncool of all the manufactures making money off of something cheaply made with a idea that wasn’t even there own. and super uncool to act like something is what it isn’t. honesty helps sites like this be the best they can be! thanks jen and ktcoleman and everyone else on here!

where it is hot and cold in the same season!,

I tend to see a different side to this whole thing. Being familiar with manufacturing practices in Asia, I’ve come to know that there are several different kinds of “fake” markets. Many times the replicas are made just down the street from the designer factories, by workers in similar conditions/pay scales. High end fake handbag producers have been known to actually treat their employees better than at original factories (to preserve “talent”) On that basis, money lost would be in theory be by the designers themselves and manufactures of originals. However, they’re not losing realised gains; because the people buying replicas wouldn’t typically buy the originals anyway. What they are losing is brand perception. They only want those who can afford authintic designer goods to be seen with them. Some of us “regular” folk would bring down thier brands by toting Chanel. Ouch! And bad looking fakes make their brand look bad too. One of the main exceptions to this is actually in the fake shoe market. It is run less by independant manufacturers/suppliers (the guy with a factory in indonesia sells to a guy with a shop in china town, for example), and more by organized crime & gang operations. Counterfit Nikes in particular are almost always directly tied to violent criminal gangs.

The children’s good market is also pretty iffy (due to saftey regulations regarding clothing & toys) but that’s another story :-) I’ll try to follow up with this by posting some of the research I’ve done. But it’s always nice to be an informed consumer!

PS: I love my faux Chanel bag. Not because it’s supposed to look like a real Chanel, I just love it’s style, material & quilting. But there would be no way I could afford to drop 2 grand for an authentic.

Germantown, MD

I don’t think it’s about the money, it’s about the principle.

JACKSONVILLE, FL

There is also a very FAKE Chanel handbag up for trade. Traders beware. Chanel does not make a model like this.

JACKSONVILLE, FL

If you know your bags then you will know if its a fake..although there are some really good ones that with out inside pictures and up close stiching detail you really probably could not tell a difference…My advice would be if you are going to purchase something or swap something and you are not sure if its authentic to ask the seller for some paper work, reciept, or something..if they cannot provide this then I personally probably would not swap inless they have a lot of great feedback.

KT I saw this one too. It is SOOOOOOO hard not to message them and tell them we know it’s a fake.

Dacula, GA

Oh, I know!!! I want so badly to be able to post on people’s rehashes alerting other unsuspecting traders! How aggravating….

JACKSONVILLE, FL

Personally whether it’s real or not won’t change how much I want it, just what I’m willing to give up for it. If it’s fake, say it’s fake. If it’s real give me proof. If you say it’s real and can’t provide proof I’m not trading with you so just admit you don’t know and I can get it authenticated myself. btw if I go to the store and ask them to do it for me does it cost money?

Santa Monica, Ca

Usually, if it’s a higher end designer bag like LV (sometimes Coach will do it) they will look at it for you for free, but prepare to have it seized if it is fake. Places like Nordstrom or Neiman won’t do it at all (from my experience).

JACKSONVILLE, FL

Usually, if it’s a higher end designer bag like LV (sometimes Coach will do it) they will look at it for you for free, but prepare to have it seized if it is fake. Places like Nordstrom or Neiman won’t do it at all (from my experience).

They would really just take it from me?!? How rude!

Santa Monica, Ca