Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Downtown Economics

I just bought a fake Kate Spade purse from the guy selling fake designer purses on Vermont Avenue.

He wanted $40.

I got him down to $30.

For a purse made of $5 worth of material.

With a label that's worth $350 if it fools people.

CC

10 comments:

David Oliver Kling said...

I never understood the fascination with purses. To me $30 is an outrageous price. You could get a book or two for that price :)

Joel Monka said...

Actually, I kind of dissapointed that you bought it.

Blackspots said...

I love it! It's a great bag! I'm impressed also that you were able to negotiate the price down. I'm always too chicken to even attempting bargaining down, even though I know street vendors expect it. Good job!

SciWonk said...

August issue of Vogue recommends a bright-colored structured bag for fall. I like the one you got and am impressed at your negotiating talents. Good going!

Chalicechick said...

It's absolutely structured, though it is chocolate brown, which isn't a bright color.

Still, I like it and I needed a chocolate brown bag.

Blackspots, I used to be too nervous to dicker. Spending a month plus in India helped with that.

David Oliver, A month from now, I will be surrounded by books, books costing more than $30, and will remain so for some time.

I'm gathering my purses while I may...

CC
who realizes she doesn't know whether it is lack of respect for intellectual property or the desire for a Kate Spade bag in the first place that has disappointed Joel.

Joel Monka said...

Lol CC, I don't even know which was my original motivation; it was a visceral reaction. But there's no sin in wanting nice things, so I'm sure it was the intellectual property thing. It's ok to buy a knockoff, like a "Rodex" watch, but not a copy with an illegal label.

Anonymous said...

I bought a bag that says Kate Spade New York this weekend for $5 at a yard sale at a ritzy house. How does one tell a real from a knock off?

Chalicechick said...

Try looking at the lining. I have a real Kate Spade bag and a fake and the cheap lining on the fake is the most obvious difference.

CC

Anonymous said...

The purse is black nylon with a cell phone pocket on the outer left side.The inside is striped with black,yellow,red,and green stripes.There is a zippered pocket inside and two small open pockets.

Anonymous said...

CC, I have just been reading your blog and, as a fellow Republican, I find it hilarious. However, I must warn you about these fake Kate Spade bags, or any of the fake designer bags being sold on the streets-- these sales support terrorism! I find it absolutely disgusting that the people selling these bags are trying to trick honest, hard-working people into supporting the killing of fellow Americans.

I collect a lot of real designer merchandise and would be more than happy to help you find some on the cheap. While it may seem like a rip-off, the quality is uncompromised and they will stand behind their products if anything goes wrong.