A counterfeit handbag usually costs more than it saves: it resells for almost nothing, carries legal risk if you ever sell it on, and skips every quality and safety check the real thing passed. Between 2019 and 2021 alone, counterfeit trade was estimated in the hundreds of billions, much of it tied to organised crime. Here are ten reasons to choose authenticated pre-loved instead, and how to do it safely.
Are fake handbags illegal?
Buying a counterfeit for personal use is rarely prosecuted in Canada or the US, but the moment you resell one, knowingly or not, it can become a crime in several countries, with fines that reach into the millions and possible jail time. France and Italy go further and can fine buyers directly. Brands also pursue civil action against resellers for copyright infringement.
What do counterfeits really cost you?
| Counterfeit | Authenticated pre-loved | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront price | Low | Lower than retail |
| Resale value | Effectively zero | You recover a large share |
| Lifespan | Replaced frequently; fast fashion logic | Built to be kept, maintained and passed on |
| Legal exposure | Rises the moment you resell | None |
| Aftercare | No service, no returns | Cleanable, repairable, re-sellable |
There is also a hidden tax on everyone else. Counterfeits cut into authentic sales, and brands respond with price hikes that make the real bag more unattainable for the same buyers fakes were supposed to help.
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Where does the money go?
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has documented strong links between counterfeit trade and organised crime, including trafficking and drug operations in some markets. Counterfeit designs also undercut the designers and craftspeople whose work is being copied, which shrinks the pipeline of new design in the first place.
Are counterfeit bags bad for your health?
The counterfeit industry is unregulated, and no one upstream is testing materials or finishing processes with a consumer's health in mind. Reports on seized goods have repeatedly found harmful chemicals in the same supply chain that ships fake leather goods. Nobody is checking for the buyer.
The ten reasons at a glance
- Counterfeits push authentic prices up for everyone, including you.
- The materials are cheap by design; quality is not the goal.
- They are fast fashion: quickly replaced, rarely repairable, more waste.
- They undervalue the designers whose work is copied.
- The trade is tied to organised crime (UNODC).
- Counterfeits are usually obvious: faux leather, misplaced logos, uneven prints.
- Unregulated production can involve harmful chemicals.
- Reselling one, knowingly or not, can be a crime in several countries.
- Every purchase supports businesses built on deception.
- No returns, no customer service, no paper trail.
How do you buy authenticated pre-loved safely?
Buy from sellers who authenticate before listing, give you clear condition reports, and stand behind the sale with a written guarantee. At Luxe Du Jour every bag is checked in-house by our authentication team, photographed as-is, and backed by our guarantee, so you save on retail without gambling on authenticity.
Frequently asked questions
Is buying a fake bag illegal?
Buying for personal use is rarely prosecuted in Canada or the US. Selling one is where it turns criminal, and some countries such as France and Italy fine buyers too.
Is it harmful to buy counterfeit luxury bags?
The risks are real: untested chemicals, zero recourse, and money that can fund criminal operations. The safe version of saving money is buying authenticated pre-owned.
Can I resell a fake bag?
No. Selling a counterfeit, even unknowingly, can expose you to fines and civil lawsuits, and reputable platforms, including ours, will not accept it.
Are fakes actually cheaper long-term?
Almost never. A fake has no resale value and needs replacing; a pre-loved authentic bag can be sold later, often recovering most of what you paid.
Start with our seven checks to spot a fake, learn what serial numbers can and cannot prove, or browse the latest authenticated arrivals.
