If you are tempted to buy a fake Prada, Gucci, etc...

[Susan-M]

There were a lot of posts regarding this last summer, but it's worth repeating...

 

An article in this month's N.G. Traveler warns of the fines for buying fakes in Europe.

 

Since last summer, tourists in Italy have been slapped with astoundingly high fines - more than $12,000 if plainclothes police catch them buying fakes. One Danish woman vacationing on the Italian Riviera was hit with this fine after buying a pair of $12 copycat sunglasses. She ended up being charged a reduced amount - $4050. - for paying the fine immediately.

 

France also increased penalties for buyers of knockoff luxury items last year to three times the retail price of the real thing....buying or possessing imitation goods is punishable by fines of up to $365,000.

 

There are a few other articles of interest in the May/June issue for those travelling to Europe this summer.

[cberge]

Thank you for posting this again. I have been posting the warning off and on all year as there really is a crackdown in Italy big time,and as mentioned the fines are horrendous.Last year we watched what we thought we plainclothes police( and we were right) watching the seller's and even though they did not go after them(at least while we were watching) they did go and stop the person who bought a handbag.What happend then I do not know,but I have a feeling it was not good.This was in Rome at the P.Navona.Again, thanx for posting and I hope it helps someone.

[missyal]

These warnings are very prudent, but why don't the police shut down the vendors instead of going after the possibly naive tourist? I know there are alot of people who realize these are knock-offs, but maybe they don't think it's illeagal to buy them if the vendors are doing business right out in the open. Just a thought--no flaming please.:D

 

Missyal

[Andee]

I think you're right about the police targeting the vendors because the customer might be naive.

 

More than once, we've bought sunglasses for my husband on vacation because he lost his. He doesn't know one brand from another, and couldn't name a single designer. I can picture us separating a bit while we shop, and him buying sunglasses because he liked the way they felt on his head, and $12 seemed like an OK price.

 

He wouldn't have a clue why the police were approaching him!

[missyal]

Andee--My point exactly!!

 

Missyal

[Susan-M]

why don't the police shut down the vendors instead of going after the possibly naive tourist? I know there are alot of people who realize these are knock-offs, but maybe they don't think it's illeagal to buy them if the vendors are doing business right out in the open.

Missyal

 

I agree with you... it should be so easy to arrest and charge the vendors. Maybe the authorities rake in more money by going after the buyers :confused: In Venice we did notice a lot of posted warnings, so it would be hard to proclaim ignorance there if caught buying a fake.

 

Most of the vendors have their wares displayed on blankets which they can quickly scoop up and run with, so I guess they get targeted as well.

[cberge]

They do target the vendor's,but here is the BUT...the vendor's do use the blankets,the lookouts,and other assorted ways of trying to outsmart the police so the police with great pressure from the maker's of the real products have decided to go after the buyer's of said fakes in hopes of just maybe putting the seller's out of business.The hefty fines are a great deterrent to those bying the fakes from what my friend in Rome have told me,but even she thinks that the vendor's will still be around and a lot of innocnet epole will get fines not knowing the law.Where it isposted and known such as in Venice I think it maybe hurting them,but Rome IMHO is another matter.Maybe it will be posted in the more popular places this year.I know it stopped me last year.....:D

[LiveToCruise99]

Wow! This is really scary. Basically, what this tells me is "Don't buy anything off the street. If in doubt, leave it there." I had no idea the police would go after the tourists. Thank you for posting this warning.

[kyriecat]

Last October there were several people selling goods right by the Trevi Fountain. The police stood nearby but did nothing to deter tourists from looking at the items. However, when the tourists bought something, the officers would go over and escort the tourists off. I just figured the police found it easier to intimidate the tourists into paying the fines than the actual vendors.

 

I didn't know if the vendors were selling fake brand name goods or just tourist trinkets so I made a point of not even looking in the direction of the street vendors. I'm like Andee's husband. I've heard of Prada and a few other name brands, but I don't know all of them. With my luck, I would pick up something that I didn't realize was a knock-off and get arrested.

[NHRedSoxFan]

They were selling fake Vuitton, Gucci, Dior on the main walkway on the Caldera in Thera. I took a photo of the shop. We also saw them in Sorrento, Italy. Tourists were buying them up like crazy. I probably wouldn't have noticed, except we had bought a real Vuitton at the LV store in Capri on the first day of the cruise & used it during the rest of the trip.

First of all, I don't understand why anyone would want a fake handbag - and even if they did, why not get it at home at a flea market instead of getting the same piece of junk on vacation and dragging it home.

[dbh62ark]

First of all, I don't understand why anyone would want a fake handbag - and even if they did, why not get it at home at a flea market instead of getting the same piece of junk on vacation and dragging it home.

I don't understand that either, and I said that the last time this came up. Especially considering that you can buy those beautiful Italian leather bags so affordably in Italy and have something that is classy that is a wonderful reminder of your trip.

 

But on the other subject, I just find it really difficult to believe that anyone would not know that buying a fake purse is illegal, so good luck trying to get the police to buy that line. Sunglasses are another matter entirely, and I could see how someone might buy a knock-off of those and not know, but it's really obvious with the purses.

 

Happy purse shopping to all,

Donna

[andrea t]

First of all, I don't understand why anyone would want a fake handbag -

 

All my neices carry the fake designer bags. Their ages ....10-14. Other than the Dooneys or the Coaches, nothing else fits into a babysitters budget! The girls love to carry the LV bags! Fake handbags are very popular with this age!

[Jane110]

 

All my neices carry the fake designer bags. Their ages ....10-14. Other than the Dooneys or the Coaches, nothing else fits into a babysitters budget! The girls love to carry the LV bags! Fake handbags are very popular with this age!

 

I have to disagree with you.

 

There are so many handbags out there in the price range that the 10-14 year olds can buy. I buy things for my neice at www.lailarowe.com all the time. Lots of great style at cheap prices and all original designs. Also, there's plenty in the mass market stores, the discount stores and at the flea markets. I'm in the fashion business and have an associate that designs and sells great bags that retail for under $50. And she makes them in Texas, not China! Her business, like many others, remains small because people spend their money on illegal, poorly made knock-offs instead of supporting the small and creative designers.

 

By encouraging young girls to buy designer knock-off's, they're learning not to respect the small designer as well as not learning to create their own individual style. They're taught that names like Prada, Gucci, Coach are the holy grail and they should all conform, even to the degree of buying illegal merchandise. Personally, I think it's a really bad message.

[Jane110]

I don't understand that either, and I said that the last time this came up. Especially considering that you can buy those beautiful Italian leather bags so affordably in Italy and have something that is classy that is a wonderful reminder of your trip.

Donna

 

Exactly!

 

I've purchased handbags and belts in Italy and Argentina "for a song" that look like they cost 10X what I paid. I get so many compliments when I wear them!

[Houner]

I don't understand that either, and I said that the last time this came up. Especially considering that you can buy those beautiful Italian leather bags so affordably in Italy and have something that is classy that is a wonderful reminder of your trip.

 

Where would be the best place and city to buy one of these Italian leather purses? It is one of the things my daughters are looking forward to is purchasing one at a reasonable price. Of course, it is my fault warning her the dangers of buying knockoffs in Italy.

[dbh62ark]

You will not have any problems finding the bags for sale at good prices everywhere in Italy. Many people believe that the best selection and price is in Florence, and hopefully you will be able to shop the leather market outside the Duomo in Florence. But any large city or small village in Italy will have an abundance of leather products, and they are gorgeous. I was surprised at the selection and good prices in San Gimignano (smaller village) last year. The leather is cheaper in Spain, but I like the Italian leather the best. You can buy a nice purse of very good quality for as little as $50 U.S., and you can spend as over $300. You might be interested to note that my favorite leather store in Venice, Marforio, closed in 2004 after being in business since 1875. The owner’s children had begun working in professions, and the family chose to close rather than to sell (as you probably know, ways of life are different in Italy). Anyway, I was so disappointed and then bought a brand-name leather bag by a company called The Bridge. My Bridge purse is nice but not nearly as nice as the ones I bought at Marforio and in Florence, so my advice to you is that you don’t need a brand name bag in Italy and will buy a nice bag that is associated with great memories of your trip and will last for years. I would recommend certain stores to you now, but you can find nice things everywhere, so I don’t see the need to spend time seeking out specific vendors on a short port stay. For anyone staying in Rome, the leather shopping district is approx a 20 minute walk from the Spanish Steps on the Via ****onale.

 

Happy travels to all,

Donna

[andrea t]

I have to disagree with you.

 

There are so many handbags out there in the price range that the 10-14 year olds can buy. I buy things for my neice at www.lailarowe.com all the time.

 

 

While kind of you to share the link, I'm a "put cash in the college account" type of gift giver. I have no problem with the girls carrying whatever bag they want. I was just stating an observation I made.

[Jane110]

 

Where would be the best place and city to buy one of these Italian leather purses? It is one of the things my daughters are looking forward to is purchasing one at a reasonable price. Of course, it is my fault warning her the dangers of buying knockoffs in Italy.

 

As Donna said, you can't help but find nice leather things all over Italy.

Also there is a leather school in Florence where the students learn how to make fine leather goods. They sell the finished products, so you get well made and inexpensive. Ask your hotel concierge where the shop is.

[Jane110]

 

While kind of you to share the link, I'm a "put cash in the college account" type of gift giver. I have no problem with the girls carrying whatever bag they want. I was just stating an observation I made.

 

I hear ya'!. One of my nieces just graduated from an expensive private college (after attending an expensive private high school) and doesn't owe a dime, nor do her parents who aren't rich. She also has her own car. The family put money into a college account all her life. She's very appreciative.

 

However, there were (and are) times when I wanted to buy her something more special than a check or savings bond and an inexpensive & stylish handbag really put a smile on her face.

 

Not suggesting you change your gift-giving ways. Perhaps just pass on the website to your niece and she'll develop a sense of personal style instead of wearing illegal, cheap knock-offs.