bashful

I'll be in Spain this fall. My granddaughter would love love love a Louis Vuitton wallet. Prices here in Canada for such a wallet are crazy. Would I have any luck getting a better price while I'm in Spain? I would even settle for a "knock-off"...any suggestions where I can get one for her? Thanks.

ira

Hi b,

I think that the cheapest place for you to get an LV knockoff would be Montreal.

m_kingdom2

There's no point in having a fake!

Their new Damier Géant collection is far more original than their classic monogramme lines, and in my opinion is far more contemporary, and chic. However, like all luxury goods brands, prices are virtually (give or take a few X here or there) the same world over.

ThinGorjus

Prices for Louis Vuitton are probably even more expensive in Spain because of the Euro's strength against the Canadian dollar. You can buy fake LV near the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. You will see African immigrants selling these wares surreptiously, usually spread out on a tarp that they can quickly gather up to allude the police.

One of the best places to buy fake Gucci, Dior, Prada, LV, etc. is in Silk Alley, near the American Embassy in Beijing.

m_kingdom2

What's the point in a copy? My dear, you can always tell one as well!

You're better off buying a cheaper, but original alternative. Gucci tends to be less expensive for their classic monogram canvas, Prada sport may have some micro-fibre alternatives too. Or look at offerings from less classic designers like Dolce e Gabbana, Helmut Lang, YSL, etcetera - Louis Vuitton is a little passé unless you're Joan.

bashful

What can I say-my grand daughter wants what she wants! I won't be in Madrid but will be in Barcelona...

m_kingdom2

Then just treat her to it - I'm sure she'll be absolutely thrilled to receive such a gift.

viennese

Counterfeiting is an offense of copyright laws and causing huge economic damage. Buying a fake means to support criminals.

I don't know about the law and customs in Canada, but I hope you don't want to enter France with a fake wallet / watch / whatever.

http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/news_archives/2001/fakes.asp

ThinGorjus

As someone who worked for one of American's most famous designers, I am well aware of trademark infringement. I do not condone the buying of fake goods. However, I was just passing along info. that bashful asked for. It is up to her to decide what she wants to purchase, real or fake.

m_kingdom2

What designer might that be my dear?

canuckuphereathome

There are a ton of new LV wallets listed on e-bay. Does anyone know if these are genuine?..it says they are but the prices are quite low.

swalter518

One benefit of buying in Spain which may help is getting your VAT back. Just make sure to get stamped at the airport. It will at least reduce the taxes on it.

m_kingdom2

Read previous feedback ratings, if it's genuine people will usually comment. - I often dispose of unwanted items on ebay, especially bits that aren't classic, I let other enjoy them.

chepar

As far as ebay, it's buyer beware and I would definitely check the feedback ratings. I'm sure there are lots of genuine articles for sale, but even more fakes.

My sister is the ready to wear buyer for Louis Vuitton for the stores in our city - she once told me a pretty sad story about a woman coming into one of the stores with a Murakami bag she had purchased on ebay for around $2,000. The woman came into the store to verify it was real - and unfortunately, they had to tell her it was not.

m_kingdom2

Their ready to wear collections, in my opinion, are far more preferable to their bags/accessories. Although, I'm not an enormous fan of anything LV myself.

kalikiana

Always buy with caution on ebay! I too worked in a high-end leather store, and had to break the news to women who had purchased fakes. What I would suggest to some women is to print out the listing from ebay and bring it into the store and get their feedback. Many times the silhouettes will not even be genuine and with one glance a salesperson will be able to tell. Now, I was very friendly with my cliets and had no problem doing that for them, but I don't know how I'd feel about bringing an ebay print-out to LV. I could go on for a while, but if you do go onto ebay or have any other questions, feel free to email me, I'll try and help you out as much as I can! my email is [email protected]

Good luck!

ThinGorjus

I forgot to mention that the most famous leather-goods manufacturer in Spain is LOEWE (LOW-EE-VAY). The leather products you will find at the Loewe boutiques will rival anything LV has to offer.

chepar

I believe Loewe and Louis Vuitton are both owned by the same corporation - as is Celine.

I'm not real familiar with their leather goods - but I am so jealous of my sister's ability to go to those employee sales - which will have merchandise available from all those designers.

mitchdesj

Ira, why Montreal for cheapest knockoffs ?

I live here and would not even know where to go !! Most of my friends who buy the knockoffs buy them off the vendors in Europe.

I personally prefer buying a bag at a price range I can afford; I buy Nanini bags at Ogilvy's- out of the 3 that I own, 2 of them I got for 25% off and one I bought full price.
I will not shell out the money for a real LV, hence I do not own one.

It's a personal satisfaction thing for me.

gnrbernstein

Remember, if you get caught buying a fake - it <i>will</i> be confiscated by customs.

<font color=#990033>~gnr~</font>