Monday, January 12, 2009

Making heads turn...without breaking your bank account

By Alice Alina Allison Amanda Amy Amber Andrea Angela Ann Anita Barbara Betty

Many people wonder: Is there any difference between a replica Louis Vuitton handbag and an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag? Here's the straightforward answer: the price. A replica Louis Vuitton handbag is a lot more reasonably priced -- and the best part is that it has exactly the same quality standards as an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag.

There are people who have the opinion that an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is of better quality than a replica Louis Vuitton handbag. What they don't know is that many fashion brands, including Louis Vuitton, often produce their merchandise in foreign countries like China or India because labor and materials are a lot more economical there.

Some people argue that replica Louis Vuitton handbags are not produced in Italy. But perhaps if you take a closer look at an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag, you may discover a "Made in China" label printed as tiny as possible and located in an obscure part of the bag!

Even if you don't find an incriminating label, that doesn't necessarily guarantee that the authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is a product of Italy, as many brand owners would like you to believe. It is possible that up to 90 percent of the Louis Vuitton bag was made in China and only the final 10 percent of finishing touches were done in Italy, which qualifies it to be labeled "Made in Italy." Another possibility is that the authentic Louis Vuitton handbag was produced in Italy with the use of unlicensed foreign manufacturers. Given these situations, it is hardly fair to claim that an authentic Louis Vuitton bag is better than a replica Louis Vuitton handbag.

Just think about this: an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is made in a factory in a foreign land. Lowly-paid laborers work on these authentic Louis Vuitton handbags. In the same neighborhood, another factory just down the road is making replica Louis Vuitton handbags, using the materials of the same quality as the other factory.

In both factories, it costs about $100 to make the handbag. However, the authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is then shipped to an elite fashion boutique and offered to you at $2000. On the other hand, you can buy the replica Louis Vuitton handbag on the Internet at a much more competitive price.

So the product itself is identical -- but the price certainly isn't! An authentic Louis Vuitton handbag sells at an unreasonably higher price than a replica Louis Vuitton handbag. But the fact is: an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag is not more special than a Louis Vuitton replica. There is no difference between them at all.

This leads to another question: what is the reason for this vast difference in price? Louis Vuitton will claim that you are paying this significant premium because an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag carries their exclusive, legendary brand name. But to quote Shakespeare, the famous bard: "What's in a name?" And the best part is: you'll be able to show off the same brand logo, which is also printed on your replica Louis Vuitton handbag!

So now you know the real difference between an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag and a replica Louis Vuitton handbag. That's right: an authentic Louis Vuitton handbag may cost you an entire paycheck, but a replica Louis Vuitton handbag won't! So, really, the choice is crystal clear: get a replica Louis Vuitton handbag! - 16651

About the Author: