NewbE, if you bought a real Kate Spade bag for $300 and it fell apart after seven and a half years would you be upset? You got the same length of service dollar-wise for your $10 fake.

But, Patrick, it's not just a question of dollars and cents!

The same length of service- but not the same lookk or quality. If you judge on that basis you're better off with a plastic bag from the supermarket.

All I'm saying is if you're as happy carrying around a fake one for 3 months as you are for carrying around a real one for 7 years -- for the same amount of money, what's the difference -- other than you won't get tired of the fake one like you might the real one after a few years.

I keep handbags much longer than 7 years, Patrick, although it's also true that I tend to buy classic styles. And to clarify, I was perfectly happy with my $10 knockoff for the time I used it, as it was a trendy style that I would not have wanted to invest more in. As I said: you get what you pay for. I hope none of these knockoff enthusiasts thinks the fake will last as long as the real thing would.

I bought a fake one, but it was just for the cloak and dagger aspect. It's a nice little bag but I'm not under the illusion that I have a real one or anything. It was just a fun thing that we did after lunch one day and it's a funny story to tell what with the false walls and all!

I have a few fakes I got in Chinatown in SF and they're actually good quality. I wish they didn't have the fake label on them, i.e. they were a copy and not a fake, because I just like the style and I'm not trying to fool anyone. However, I did spend about 50.00 on the purse, probably why it's well made.

Personally, I don't think supporting people who sell illegal items is a good idea, but I also don't see how high end brands can get away with selling some darn ugly bags for upwards of $1,000. Thus, if I see a bag I really do like, and it's $20, you bet I'm gonna buy it, and not expect it to last more than a few months. $20, $5, whatever... if it looks like it will hold up until the next season, it is probably worth the splurge!

Another way to go is to shop consignment. I picked up 2 Kate Spade bags for a total of $100, and they were almost new.

Just want to clarify that "graciegirl" and "gracie" are not the same peron. I am "gracie" -- have been since we were first required to register many years ago.

I'm going to jump in here and agree with NYTraveler - skip these guys selling fakes that will inevitably fall apart and take the trip to Century 21 or Filene's..even Loehmann's. You're apt to get a bag that may or may not be a designer but it will be something you like and probably MUCH better quality. Happy Shopping!

Those of you who think the "real" items are better quality are kidding yourselves.

A few years ago, my wife bought me a "real" Gucci belt. One of the screws in the buckle must have lossened up and I lost it. We stopped at a Gucci store to see about repair/replacement. They wanted $20 to "evaluate" it and said minimum repair cost is $50. That really was a screw!

We wound up taking it to a local shoemaker who found a replacement screw and charged $5.

My wife had a similar experience with a real LV purse when the zipper broke.

In the future, for about the same price, I'd rather buy 10 fake Gucci belts, than 1 real one, and support the legal thieves.

I have had the opposite experience with legitimate goods. I purchased a Fendi bag in the early 70s when the company was not as well known as it is today. Three years ago, I brought it to the Fendi store in Manhattan beacuse the stitching on the handle was torn. They fixed it for me at no cost..after 30 years!