From Shanghai. My nephew was there and he had to go to special shop to get it. He brought back 10 bags for all of us. 
I used to go to a place in HKG to get those good fakes too. The ones in the US are usually of poorer quality. BTW - the best fakes are from South Korea.
I don’t buy knock-offs for a variety of reasons, but years ago I was on the beach in Sicily and a man selling fake Prada bags came over to us. He was so forlorn looking that I took pity and bought a cross body messenger type bag. It was very well made and the leather was quite soft - not my style, so I gave it to my sister and it became her favorite everyday bag - she wore it to death.
I love very high end bags, but not those with visible logos, which is why I don’t buy LV (although I do have a couple epi leather) or Goyard. I think the patterns often clash with outfits - I think a bag should complement the outfit. For this reason, my favorite bags are Bottega Veneta - I have several. I also like low key Prada bags - those without much metallic hardware. Right now I have my eye on an Akris tote - very subtle and high quality.
I bought a good fake LV special edition a couple of decades ago, but haven’t since because the whole fake market is so damaging to the legitimate manufacturers, is unethical and illegal. I learned enough about it all during my legal career that I can’t purchase fake watches, purses etc in good conscience. Agree that the Asian manufactured fakes are much, much better quality.
I am a little skeptical of the surprise kate spade site since those items are not on sale or available on the actual Kate Spade website. And the prices are way lower than a typical Kate Spade sale. It looks similar, but not sure if it is legit.
I don’t buy super pricey purses, but love my Kate Spade bag. I gave my DH specific instructions on which one to buy last year (I usually don’t do that but really like this bag). It is very light weight and is “pebble” leather so doesn’t scratch. I have a MK purse that was a gift, but the type of leather makes it heavy.
I get the surprise deals in emails for which I signed up at Kate Spade site. The website URL is em.katespade and has links to things like Tapestry careers… so if that is a fake site, then it is a very well faked site!
@sabaray you are a nice Mom. I’m sure in addition to the bag your D appreciated having the opportunity to travel with you. I’d love to take a special trip with each of my kids but my H would want to come and while that’s a nice trip in itself it’s not the same as one on one.
We did have fun. I’d never spend that much much on a bag for myself but now I’m kind of wishing I had! It was a fun gift to surprise her with but definitely a purchase H and I discussed in advance. I am a simple “uniform” type dresser so don’t have to worry about accessories clashing with clothing - my shoes and bags stand out more than my clothes, I guess.
I have no specific knowledge but I suspect that the Kate Spade sale items that we see are made especially for that site and the outlets. So in that vein, I would suspect that they are of lesser materials than what you would find in a Kate Spade store.
My D bought a Kate Spade purse this summer from one of their mall stores. When she expressed interest, she was told that they had a postcard sale of 25% off (it could have been 20%, I’m not totally sure) that they would honor. So it might help to get on their mailing list if you have a specific bag in mind. They also offered a student discount.
I would love to get a very high end bag. I probably won’t because there are others things that have more priority in my budget. But I love the look of certain high end bags.
Clearly I am not a high end purse buyer. But I’m just curious after talking about knock-offs or items made for outlets and potentially made from lesser materials…if I was taking a poll do you: (assuming either bag looks good)
- Buy a brand name bag MORE because of it’s quality construction.
or - Buy a brand name bag MORE because of the name - and you’re ok that it is not top of the line construction. You MORE want to be a Kate Spade, Prada, whatever bag owner?
I get #1 if you only have a bag or two in your closet. I get #2 if you want more bags or if you just want to “own” a name brand bag but don’t have the $$ to purchase #1.
Again, just curious.
@abasket, I’d love a fake Gucci Marmont that was unrecognizable as a dupe. #1… I just can’t bring myself to spending more than say $400 on a purse. Buying the Gucci would be just to show off in certain social circles or venues and if I could get away with it, I would. But it sounds like the best knockoffs are not here in the US.
I’m not a purse expert. I get things I like…not the brand name. I don’t have any really high end purses, but I do like the low end purses I have.
I prefer real leather to fake. I have some cloth bags I really like too.
I have inexpensive ( baggalini for example) and some nicer leather bags that were in the $200 or so range…which is my limit.
When I retired, part of my gift was a gift card to the Coach outlet…it was fun to get the things I got. But I don’t view those as high end.
My Longchamps totes probably get the most use.
But I’m really liking this Born pebble leather light grey tote I’m using now.
When H and I were in Hong Kong a few years ago we bought knock off Goyard totes for our Ds. We knew someone who traveled to Hong Kong a lot and she told us where to go to get the best quality knock off. Both of my Ds use the totes all the time and they really do look like the real thing and have held up very well.
I guess I don’t get the cachet of expensive name brand stuff when many people are probably walking around with fake knockoffs of it. How do you know what you are admiring, coveting, and trying to emulate is the real thing or a knockoff? And if you can’t tell, why is it something to covet? This isn’t directed at any one person on this or the other purse/handbag thread but there are comments on both threads which make me scratch my head. I guess I just don’t get it. 
To sort of answer @abasket question- I buy a bag because I like the looks of it. I like quality materials and good workmanship. I don’t need a name stamped on my bag. I prefer real leather or imitation leather that is done well. I don’t like a bag that has logos all over it. I feel no need to show off a bag.
My friend owned a high end handbag store. She mainly sold very expensive bags by small to midsized designers. She sold Rebecca Minkoff when she was a more exclusive designer. My friend looks for quality hardware, high quality sewing and high end materials. She hates the zippered wallet trend. She feels the zipper wallet is a way for the companies to save money. I rarely bought bags from her because even at wholesale they were beyond my budget.
I normally wouldn’t buy a fake but I might consider a fake Goyard.
My favorite bag purchase is still my Longchamps tote.
I don’t buy items because they are “designer” or a “name”, I buy them because I like them. Most of my social circle would have no idea what a Goyard bag is. I would never knowingly purchase fake items.
I also consider quality and what I consider “cost per wear” with everything I purchase. I like Lululemon exercise wear and some consider that expensive, but I have pieces that are 5 years old or even older that have held up far better than similar, newer Athleta pieces. I have a Gucci bag I purchased in 1987 that looks brand new, and I have a 2 more recently purchased J. Crew bags on the floor of my closet headed for the trash - and they cost a similar amount. I’ve gotten better value from the more expensive items and that undoubtedly influences my purchasing decisions.
Fashion should be fun. People should get whatever makes them happy, for whatever reason.
The sales at surprise.katespade.com are definitely legit. Here’s what it says on the Kate Spade website: “Authentic kate spade products are sold by kate spade retail and outlet stores and online at www.katespade.com, surprise.katespade.com or at authorized department stores and specialty stores. To find a store near you, visit https://www.katespade.com/stores.”
Also, I don’t think the products are lower quality; they are just somewhat older items that aren’t available at the main Kate Spade website anymore. In the item descriptions there is a “debuted on” date, so you can see when the item was originally sold. Anyway, I’ve purchased several items from the surprise sale over a few years (mostly for my daughter!), and they’ve all been the same quality as found in the Kate Spade stores. We’ve been very happy with everything we’ve bought through the surprise sales, otherwise I wouldn’t have posted about it here.
I did a google search for fake Goyard bags…and got this. Is this really what they are like?
@thumper1 I have to laugh at this in the item description in your link:
“Little smell is normal, putting it outside for few days,the smell will disappear”
I know…imsaw that. But hey…you almost have to do that with anything not leather these days.
Are real goyard bqgs leather?
Goyard bags are coated canvas with leather trim, just like the Louis Vuitton monogram bags – more or less the same thing materials and construction-wise. Most people buy them because of they are instantly recognizable – they connote luxury, style, or expense to people who don’t know any better, for the most part. Very much meant to impress. In my neck of the woods, they are ubiquitous among spoiled high school girls who want to have what their friends have.