To warn you about this retail scam?

[BurgundyFlags]

Long story short, bought a bag from a trusted authorised retailer months ago, realised last week that it's fake, and had my eyes opened to this scam that apparently is 'common'.

Here's how it usually goes:

1. Person buys something from authorised retailer, maybe even the actual store
2. Person buys a good fake from Amazon etc
3. Person returns the fake to the original retailer
4. Next person ordering from the original retailer gets the fake

It wasn't a majorly expensive bag (about £75 but it's one that is popular with counterfeiters) but it is disappointing especially since I paid a premium for a brand that's famed for having durable stuff that was supposed to last me 10 years only to get a fake that broke in months!

Just thought I should let everyone know that just because you buy something from the official store or official retailer doesn't necessarily mean it's real these days!

Return it - how do you know it’s a fake?

Surely the retailer should check their returned items?

This is a scam that is as old as time, it's nothing new. I'm surprised that they are using it for cheap bags though. Are you sure it's a fake and not just overpriced tat?

I’m surprised that you realised it was fake but the staff at the store didn’t.

Am currently in another country for work attachment and not sure if it's worth the shipping cost. I learnt that it's fake because I posted a picture of the tear online, had someone point out that there's a discrepancy in the lettering, and have since seen a ton of pictures online from the official site. Even went to my local mall and saw several other bags of the exact same model and you have to be looking for it and really pay attention but the way one of the letters is printed is completely at odds to how the brand does it.

What £75 bag is popular with counterfeiters?

Kanken?

YES!!

so if you've seen other items for sale in that store which are fake, why don't you report it to the authorities.

That is a thing ! I've seen it done !

If you want specifics the ring diacritic is joined to the A on the genuine one whereas my Å has the ring 'floating' a fair bit of space above the A.

Think I wasn't clear in my phrasing. I saw the genuine ones at the store and compared it to mine which was what cemented my idea that mine was fake.

I would complain to the retailer, they should be well aware and looking out for these scams, especially if it’s as obvious as yours to tell it’s fake.

Thanks for the warning as I had never heard of this scam before but I can see how easy it would be for them to carry out.

So the member of staff processing the return doesn't realise its a fake and the fake returned bag goes back into stock? Either on the shop floor or stock room?

Common scam unfortunately. I’d never buy any of the bargain Michael kors bags from tkmaxx for exactly this reason. Gutted for you, live and learn

Pretty much, from what I’ve heard!

Wow OP! I had no idea about this. I always assume if buying in store/ store online that I'm getting the genuine article. I bought my niece one not long ago online- I hope it's the real thing 😱. Can you screenshot the differences so I can check/ know the next time, because other niece fancies one for Christmas now.

These bags are so commonly counterfeited it's incredible!
If you look on eBay there are loads of cheap ones, even when new... all with the telltale diacritic gap and presumably all counterfeit.

I was on the sub for this brand on reddit and another forum and apparently fakes have snuck through in some of the retail stores over in the US too. I think staff genuinely do try to screen but the fakes are very well made and unless you're looking for something specific (the posts I've seen almost all had different issues) it's very hard to spot.

Anyway have emailed the retailer with pictures (even if I don't get a return at least they can keep a look out next time). It's the weekend so shall see what they say on Monday.

I’m someone who doesn’t understand fashion. If the fakes are so well made that the staff can’t tell, then why does it matter if they’re fake?

😱 oh no! That’s a clever scam, poor you getting a crappy product.

I’ve just checked Vinted and there’s loads of fakes! If only every brand had such a simple tell

DD asked me for a fake one (from ebay) for Christmas, it's lasted nearly 2 years so far and she uses it every day for school.

Oil had no idea about this, thanks for the heads up.

oh, and YANBU for giving the warning!