I bought the real thing on Ebay for the prices people pay for knock-offs. The merchandise was slightly used, but I don't care. It just looks like I've had it a while. At least I know I've got the real thing. And I didn't hurt anyone or sponsor a terrorist (that I know of...)

What I find most baffling about people who purchase knock-offs is that they are willing to pay as much as $200 for what is considered a "good" one. For $200, they could have bought a fine leather purse, i.e., Furla.

I've said this before on a similar thread - you're not fooling anyone who owns an authentic version of what you purchased or certainly any of the staff in the stores where you proudly parade your copies and think the sales people "can't tell". They're just being polite because they know how much it means to you!

I'm with Leona. Spend your money on something nice and of value. There are many gorgeous bags that are very affordable. Wouldn't it be more fun to go to Sacks or Macy's and buy a Kate Spade, Furla, Longchamps, etc. and know that your money is getting you quality, value and going into our economy?

the only thing I buy on the street in NYC are hotdogs!! :)

Have fun in the big apple!

Don't forget the warm candied nuts they sell... that's one of our favorite things about Canal St.
Be sure to check out Empire Luggage on Canal @ Broadway. They have wonderful luggage, real brands not knock offs. They have the largest selection of Kipling I have ever seen!

Less than 30% of the crude oil imported into this country is for gasoline.

Take a look around you to see where the petrolium is going.

Perkins, don't forget to check out the sunglasses as well the handbags & jewelry. I buy 3-5 pairs at a time for the beach, jogging, etc. And at $4-6 per pair, who cares if you lose or break 'em??


(As an aside -- TRAVEL FORUM. I'll say it again. TRAVEL FORUM. Relax people. How many of you naysayers don't exceed the speed limit, jaywalk, etc.? Or don't <i>those</i> laws matter? If you're sinless and not a hypocrite, go ahead and cast the first stone. Otherwise . . . )

Thanks GO!
I get so irritated at these doofus' that talk about SUV's. I recently went from a 8 cyl now have a 4 cyl car, so I can talk.
The last person that I saw complaining about SUV's was driving a big ol BMW.
Many SUV's get better gas mileage than the big luxury and sports cars driven by the tree huggers that complain.
No one ever says anthing about the big trucks people drive. I got 12 mpg... and I used the bed of my truck 4 times in 3 years! What about all the people who have trucks that don't need one?
I can handle a discussion on the benefits of everyone driving fuel efficient cars but not from the freakin' hypocrits that are always spouting that crap.
If you yourself do not get 30mpg, mind your own business!

REPEAT. TRAVEL FORUM.

From Fodor's: &quot;Please keep to the topic -- travel.&quot;

Gekko... I always stick to travel related responses. This time I could not resist, much like your very own comment that was not travel related:
&quot;How many of you naysayers don't exceed the speed limit, jaywalk, etc.? Or don't those laws matter? If you're sinless and not a hypocrite, go ahead and cast the first stone. Otherwise . . .&quot;
Mine was not much different, just a little longer.

It was wrong to reply initially as I did, this is a travel forum, and I'm wrong to reply agin. I just feel compelled to respond and promise not to write again.

Yes, this doofus gets 30mpg actual car use. And it is actually just under 1/2 of crude oil use that goes for gasoline, and we import more than about 2/3 of our oil (about 20% of that is mid-east oil). Gasoline is the easiest use of oil to cut back on (as compared to home heating oil, electricity, jet fuel, etc.). And sorry for not including pick-up trucks my soapbox reply, I'd never heard of someone saying to buy a pick-up instead of an SUV.

Obviously, some people are hypocrites. That doesn't mean the underlying argument isn't valid (plus environmental issues).