You need only read the message boards on eBay to discover how common the sale of fake designer clothing is. There are countless complaints from buyers that the ´100% guaranteed genuine´ item that they purchased is poor quality and clearly fake. If buying from these auction sites, it is essential to examine the seller´s feedback carefully, although with recent changes in eBay´s rules, it would be all too easy for a buyer to claim inaccurately that they had unknowingly bought a fake garment.
Location and price is an obvious indicator of authenticity. Countries in the Far East are well known for their ability to produce copies in vast quantities. Therefore, bidders on eBay should be wary of sellers based in these countries selling expensive labels at suspiciously low prices. Similarly, anyone purchasing ´designer´ clothing from market stalls for high street prices cannot possibly believe that they are purchasing genuine brands.
However, there are more reliable alternatives. Some designers offer ´end of season sales´ maybe three times per year, where designer bargains are available at drastically reduced prices, although these sales may only be known to the select few. There are also ´designer outlet´ shops in every town which carry ranges from previous seasons and sample garments at discounted prices, some stores selling various ranges, others offshoots of an individual designer store.
Another safe option is to visit the second-hand (sorry, resale) shops. Of course, they won´t offer the latest styles, but the prices will be a fraction of the original price tag. This also offers the advantage of being able to buy quality garments which are clearly expensive, but without the risk of looking like you copied what Kate Moss or Sienna Miller is wearing in the latest magazines. After all, true style is not found through imitation, and certainly cannot be bought.
