Online Brand Communities and the Quest for the It Bag

Illustration: Annabelle Walsh

Everyone loves an “it” bag. From the Birkin to the Telfar, who you’re carrying can hold the same weight as who you’re wearing. The problem with “it” bags, however, is that their popularity causes many brands to manufacture scarcity. After all, is it really an “it” bag if everyone has one? 

There are different avenues, however, for shoppers to get the look they want. While many choose to pursue traditional methods of obtaining their sought-after accessory, there are clear barriers. Both Telfar Shopping Bags and Hermès Birkins are known for being hard to get. Both brands limit the number of bags produced [1], forcing consumers to navigate early morning drops or make “matching purchases.” [2] Even if someone finds a way to get their hands on a bag, both bags’ price points are still unattainable for many shoppers. Thus, many customers turn to the world of counterfeit goods. 

Counterfeit goods are goods made to be passed off as authentic. [3] In the United States, counterfeit goods are illegal, as they typically include the unauthorized use of registered trademarks or patent designs. [4] Counterfeit apparel products can be broken into two categories: low-quality and high-quality. Low-quality counterfeits are easily accessible. They can often be found on the street in tourist areas and are relatively low priced. While the garments are designed to look identical to the authentic goods, lower quality materials make these items easy to detect as fake. Low-quality counterfeits can pose health and safety risks to customers. Counterfeit sunglasses, for instance, often do not meet regulated safety standards. As a result, these glasses may let harmful UV light enter consumers' eyes, causing “more damage to the eyes than not wearing any sunglasses at all.” [5]

In contrast to low-quality counterfeits, high-quality counterfeits are sometimes known as replicas or super fakes. These garments look completely identical to an authentic garment. The best replicas are typically made from a higher-quality material than the lower-quality counterfeits and are more expensive. A quality replica Hermès Birkin bag, for example, may still cost a shopper thousands of dollars. [6] Finding these goods requires individuals to look beyond their neighborhoods. Traditionally, shoppers could find these goods through word of mouth or exclusive purse parties. However, online communities have made it easier than ever for shoppers to find these goods.

Luxury Handbag Retail Channels (Table courtesy of Jasmine Bacchus)

Now, I’ve never been in love. But the closest thing I’ve experienced has been locking eyes with a Gray Dior Caro bag. However, as a college student, the $3,000 price tag was not exactly in my budget. Determined, unphased, and in love, I decided to do some research to figure out my options. I knew there was a market for secondhand bags; however, one Google search with “The RealReal” + “fake” returned dozens of articles about how luxury secondhand websites are filled with high-quality counterfeits. While the used bags were notably cheaper than the new ones, the thought of saving up $1,000 to only end up with a counterfeit stressed me out. Which made me wonder, why not just cut out the middleman, spend even less money, and purchase the fake? 

Sounded like a decent idea. However, I had another problem. How on earth do you find a good super fake? This question led me down a rabbit hole by which I ended up learning all about the world of digital fashion communities. Albert Muniz and Thomas Guinn introduced the concept of a “brand community” in 2001, defining it as a “specialized, non-geographically bound community, based on a structured set of social relations among admirers of a brand.” [7] Brand communities allow groups of people to gather, connect with one another, and engage in brand-related discussions. Muniz and Guinn argued that brand communities exhibit the three traditional markers of community: shared consciousness, rituals and traditions, and a sense of moral responsibility [7]. Online brand communities (OBC) are brand communities where member engagement primarily takes place over the internet. 

As Muniz and Guinn wrote, one of the primary missions of OBCs is to become sources of moral responsibility. They defined moral responsibility as “a felt sense of duty or obligation to the community as a whole, and to its individual members.” [7] It is this responsibility that inspires the community to focus on “integrating and retaining members” and “assisting brand community remembers in the proper use of the brand.” [7] Members of OBCs may frequently find themselves helping other individuals learn how to do things like repair or properly utilize a product. [8]

My search into digital communities ended up becoming my undergraduate thesis. This article highlights a selection of these findings. Diving into fashion OBCs on Reddit, Facebook, and fashion forums, I was able to find that OBCs are working to both deter and encourage activity in the counterfeit market. The following sections explore how individuals have formed communities to help navigate both pro-counterfeit and anti-counterfeit fashion spaces. 

Searching for Replicas on Reddit

 Reddit is a social media platform that allows people to form communities based on shared interests. Each subreddit is centered around a unique topic. Replica subreddits are specific subreddits made to help shoppers find counterfeit goods. I examined five replica subreddits (r/FashionReps, r/RepSneakers, r/DesignerReps, r/Repladies, and r/Flexicas) and found that these groups increase the accessibility of replicas by providing detailed shopping guides to help members navigate the shopping process. 

Replica subreddits statistics as of March 3, 2021 (Table courtesy of Jasmine Bacchus)

Increasing the Accessibility of Fakes

Purchasing a high-quality replica can be a complicated process for the uninitiated. First, a shopper must decide which product they want to have replicated. Then, an online shopper can use websites like Taobao, DHGate, AliExpress, or Weidan to search for a vendor who can produce the item. Often, the information on these websites is in Chinese, so English-speaking customers must translate the page or use other methods to overcome the language barrier. Once the desired item is found, US shoppers must find an agent, which is a “service that is brought through a company that purchases products from Taobao or alternate seller.” [9] Essentially, the agent acts as a “middleman,” ordering the item on behalf of the seller. Once the shopper makes an account with the agent, the agent will communicate with the vendor on behalf of the shopper and oversee the payment process. Shoppers typically use services like Western Union, MoneyGram, or PayPal to transfer money to the agent and secure their purchase. Once the agent receives the money, they place the order for their client. The agent will also send the shopper a picture so the shopper can “greenlight” the made-to-order item before shipping it to the United States. [9] Provided that the item passes through US customs, the shopper will receive their replica.

While the process outlined above is relatively straightforward, the average handbag enthusiast likely does not know each of these steps. Replica subreddits help demystify this process by providing helpful resources to new members. r/RepLadies, for example, has a “Newbie Guide” which contains an introduction to shopping for replicas, an “essential reading list,” guidance on choosing sellers, translation information, and more. Similarly, r/FashionReps has a “Beginners Guide,” which includes a guide to FashionReps, terms, information on how to navigate the various purchasing platforms, suggested first products to purchase, and tips on translating US/European sizes into Chinese sizes. In lieu of offering an in-depth introduction to the community, r/RepSneakers’s “Middleman Guide for Beginners” Includes an in-depth infographic on the replica purchasing process. [10]

"Middleman Guide for Beginners" from r/RepSneakers (Table courtesy of Jasmine Bacchus)

The guides created by these subreddits help reduce search costs of purchasing replicas. Reddit members credit these beginner guides with giving them the confidence to purchase replicas. One user commented on the r/FashionReps Newbie Guide, stating “THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!! I was afraid to place my first order because I didn’t want to mess anything up.” [11] Another user attributed their first replica purchases to the website, stating “After a year of deliberating, my first ever Taobao orders are on the way to my warehouse! Thanks /r/FashionReps for all the useful information you guys post!” [12]

Without these guides, many beginners who desire replicas may not even know how to begin the process of finding high quality fakes, and while these websites reduce search costs, the burden of digesting this information remains on the shopper. New members still must read through all the guides, manage their own communications, and in some instances, fulfill certain requirements to gain full access to the community. Thus, this reduction of search costs is a notable hindrance to luxury retailers' attempts to minimize the accessibility of counterfeit goods. 

“The communal aspect of these subreddits also creates a space for members to feel encouraged and supported against those who still look down upon replica wearers.”

Risk Reduction

Shoppers who complete purchasing a counterfeit item over the internet may be concerned about the risks associated with counterfeit fashion. What if their order never arrives? What if the product arrives and it clearly looks fake? What if they receive the wrong item? Likewise, when it comes to ordering replicas, US legal regimes help generate uncertainty around the shipping and return process. Replica subreddits, however, help mitigate these risks by providing first-hand accounts of users' shopping experiences. All five of the subreddits examined provide a product review process where members can give feedback on their purchases. The review process typically takes place in three primary ways. Quality Check/Control (QC) is when members analyze photographs posted by an agent to gain feedback from other members about the quality of a product. Legit Check (LC) is when members survey the community to find if a product looks authentic or not. Lastly, Guinea Pig (GP) is when someone is the first person to order an item from a seller; GPs typically post their product on the page once it’s received and elicit feedback from the community. Members can also post general reviews of products after they are received. Similar to other e-commerce websites, the member review process allows users to gather community input when shopping for items.

To encourage members to make QC posts, r/RepLadies has a “Most Valuable Member” 

(MVM) program. Members receive special “flairs” (special signifiers attached to their username) that denote their helpful contributions to the community. There are three tiers of MVM flairs, each given to users based on the number of high-quality reviews the member has posted to the forum. “High caliber reviews” must meet minimum review requirements, be well formatted, detailed, and accurate. [13] The top reviewers are included in the “Most Valuable Reviewer Hall of Fame” and receive a small gift of their choice (passport holders, luggage tags, etc.) from either Louis Vuitton or Celine. 

In addition to the product review process, many of the subreddits have trusted vendor lists, which help members find reputable vendors to purchase items from. r/FashionReps’ “Trusted Agents” list, for example, includes a list of agents who have been vetted by members of the community. These “dealers” are thought to have repeatedly produced high-quality products. Additionally, their “Trusted Stores” list contains brands that users might want replicas from and links to which vendors sell high-quality versions of the replicas. For instance, if someone is interested in Balenciaga replicas, r/FashionReps has six trusted vendors who have a reputation for producing good Balenciaga reps. Quality control enforcements like this help reduce some of the risk involved with purchasing counterfeit items. 

Replica Subreddit Offerings (Table courtesy of Jasmine Bacchus)

Moral Discussions and Community Building

Replica subreddits argue that purchasing a replica is not an immoral act. There are various threads across the five examined groups that discuss the ethical implications of purchasing fake bags. Many users on these threads defend their replica purchases. Popular arguments are that large luxury companies are exclusionary, charge high prices, and have harmful production practices. Some users feel that authentic products lack the high quality and fine craftsmanship marketed to customers. Users wrote that the quality of their fake products was as good as, if not better than, the authentic items. These users questioned how luxury fashion corporations could ethically charge such high prices for mediocre quality goods. Conversations like these provide the space for members to rationalize the purchasing of fakes to one another. 

These conversations may also have a notable influence on new members, who might have been apprehensive about the ethics of counterfeit fashion before joining the forum. After hearing the arguments presented, these new members may feel more comfortable pursuing a counterfeit purchase. Users have suggested that the Reddit replica community changed their perspective of fakes. Initially, these members had a negative perception of fake goods, assuming that they were poor quality and that it was more ethical to purchase directly from retailers. However, after joining these communities and purchasing fakes themselves, their viewpoints on fakes changed. For example, one member of r/RepLadies wrote, “[after purchasing replicas] my eyes were opened. I realize craftsmanship and quality does not equal high price tags. You can get both without buying into (and paying for) the marketing campaign and the luxury house’s manufactured class structure… Knowing reps can = quality was an eye opener for me and it changed my perspective.” [14] Another member similarly wrote “My outlook on reps have completely changed after joining this subreddit because reps truly have a sophistication and quality to them.” [15]

The communal aspect of these subreddits also creates a space for members to feel encouraged and supported against those who still look down upon replica wearers. One member of r/RepLadies, for instance, asked the group “Is anyone else ever embarrassed to show off their rep collection?” The group had an active discussion and a variety of viewpoints were represented. Notably, multiple members of the group went out of their way to insist that they are not embarrassed by carrying fakes. One RepLadies user wrote “Haha....I remember wearing my authentic vintage Chanel a few years back and two women behind me said loudly so I could hear that they knew it was fake. I just smiled.” [16] Such affirmation may help shoppers feel more comfortable with their decision to purchase a fake bag.  

The Fight Against Fakes

While replica subreddits help shoppers find access to counterfeit goods, there are also other groups on Facebook, Forums, and Reddit that combat counterfeit through formal and informal prevention of counterfeit discussions (gatekeeping), product authentications, and moral discussions. 

Gatekeeping

OBCs create an anti-counterfeit culture by regulating newcomer activity, establishing official group rules, and mainlining a threat to remove pro-counterfeit members. PurseForum (TPF), for example, uses account restrictions to create a “new member education period.” TPF allows anyone to create an account and join the website; however, new members are given a “limited profile” where they are restricted from posting new threads or editing their profile. They can only receive a full account after they meet minimum requirements. By creating account limitations for new members, not only does TPF limit the chance of people creating accounts to spam the platform, but the group is able to give new users time to familiarize themselves with the established culture of the group before fully diving in.

The Terms and Rules page of the TPF states that “The PurseForum community and its members take a strong stand against counterfeit goods.” [17] This sentiment is echoed through the forum as well. In the introduction to the Authenticate Hermès thread, the page states, in bold, that “TPF does not condone fakes in any way!” [18] Thus, new users with limited profiles have the chance to spend their first days of memberships learning about the group’s anti-counterfeit policy and agreeing to, at minimum, acknowledge the current culture. 

Some of the groups have created a formal policy banning discussions concerning the buying or selling of counterfeit goods.  The “CHL” and “LV,Coco” Facebook groups state in their official group rules that no replicas are allowed in the group. The subreddit r/Burberry similarly lists “No discussion of purchasing of replica items, or where to purchase replica items” as a part of their subreddit rules. [19] On the PurseForum, the official terms and conditions state “Do not post or link to messages or content that…violates a copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other intellectual property right.” [19]

Adherence to these rules is enforced by the threat of group removal. In all three communities, moderators have the power to temporarily or permanently remove users who violate group rules. Thus, these three groups maintain anti-counterfeiting cultures by educating new members, publicizing rules against the discussion of counterfeit goods, and upholding the threat of membership removal. 

Product Authentications

A product authentication is when a member asks other members to verify the authenticity of an item. Product authentications are present in all three of the platforms analyzed. On PurseForum, the “Authenticate This…” section is where users pool community opinions on the authenticity of an item they are considering purchasing or have already purchased. On TPF, authentications are grouped by brand. Item authentications done by an “established” authenticator are housed on their own sub-forum. All other brands are housed on the main thread. “Established” authenticators are certified as having a reliable track record and are verified by TPF. Authentication services are also present in both the Facebook and subreddit groups. 

Many of the groups have a specific format that members seeking authentication services are expected to follow. In general, users are expected to submit the name and multiple photographs of the items. In cases of handbags, users are generally required to submit pictures of the interior, exterior, hardware, and brand-implemented authentication elements (heat stamps, date codes, labels, etc.). If a member is considering a purchase, they can also provide links to the website where the item is listed.

Authentications can be paid or free. Paid authentication services typically offer a quicker turnaround, a greater depth of examination, and written verifications. Likewise, many of the offerings of paid authenticators were created to directly address issues that shoppers were facing on online resale platforms such as eBay. Étinceler Authentications, founded by PurseForum authenticators, offers email authentications, product valuations, in-house authentications, and written statements. Written statements, which can cost up to $100, verify in writing the authenticity, non-authenticity, or quality of an item. Shoppers can receive, for instance, a “Written Statement of Significantly Not As Described (SNAD),” which they can use when filing claims on platforms like eBay. Authenticate4u provides Extract Statements specifically tailored to meet the requirement for the PayPal Claim process. [20] While group members have created external websites for paid services, many of the services in the Reddit, Facebook, and PurseForum groups are offered to members for free. 

Moral Discussions

Discussions framing counterfeit purchases as immoral also help shoppers see value in authentic purchases. Members of the PurseForum, for example, regularly discuss the ethics of purchasing counterfeits. Many TPF members argue that the sale of counterfeit goods is unethical: they describe counterfeit goods as tied to criminal organizations, hazardous work conditions, and child labor practices. For example, in a discussion on high quality replicas, a TPF user stated, “People who buy counterfeit items (expensive or cheap) support organized crime, drug trafficking, child labor, and other illegal activities that plague our society. They may have all kinds of excuses for why it’s okay for them to do it, but the truth is, it’s never okay and they are COMPLICIT.” [21] Another user agreed, “It’s a sad world where a person chooses to place a symbol of status above a child’s wellbeing, at least in my book.” [22]

During these discussions, members make character judgements about those who purchase fakes and suggest that replica buyers have questionable morals. One user stated that the debate around fakes “ha[d] to do with integrity and [is about] how people choose to live their life / spend their money.” [22] While one user suggested that women who wear fakes are not “classy,” others suggested that they would be embarrassed to be seen with someone carrying a fake. [23] One member started a thread called “Friendship and Hermes” where members discussed how they should approach their friendship with a person who carried fake Birkin and Kelly bags. While the person had been their friend for two years, after seeing them post images of a fake bag the user could not “see her in a good light anymore.” [24] Another user asked the group “do friends let friends unknowingly carry fakes?” [25] Commenters on both threads advised that while the user shouldn’t necessarily end their friendship, they should be careful about being seen with their fake-carrying friend, as the association would “make them look bad.” 

TPF users acknowledge that frowning upon those who could not afford authentic luxury products may be seen as classist. These members point to the second-hand market as a preferable alternative to fakes. One TPF member stated, “My rule: Can you afford a genuine bag? Buy it! Cannot? Check resellers & co. websites. Still cannot afford it? Do not cheapen your dignity by carring [sic] what only pretends to be luxurious.” [26] Similarly, a user stated “I just don’t condone fakes. Just because someone can’t afford the real deal it doesn’t mean they have to have a fake version of a designer bag to look professional. Get a no-name bag instead. You can get beautiful no name bags that are made from leather and look professional. I can’t afford a Birkin but I would never carry a fake one.” [27] Across multiple threads, members chose to acknowledge the inaccessibility of luxury bags but suggested that the optimal response for those who could not afford one (new or secondhand) would be to carry a non-designer, cheaper product (or not carry a nice bag at all). 

Not only did TPF users frown upon replica shoppers but they also expressed disdain for replica manufacturers. Beyond the ties to poor labor conditions or other criminal activities, members condemned manufactures for stealing the intellectual property of luxury firms. One user wrote, “To each their own, but I don’t agree with these ‘super fakes’. Somebody is making money off of another person/company/designer’s design. Not OK and unethical in my view.” [28] Not only did members find stealing IP to be unacceptable, but they were disappointed that doing so allowed them to trick unsuspecting shoppers into accidentally purchasing inauthentic goods. This comment echoes a general sentiment found among members of TPF. A user wrote: 

There is no pride nor integrity that comes from being a replica maker. The only reason these people spend so much time perfecting the details is so they can trick a poor, unsuspecting buyer into thinking they’re paying for the real thing. It’s because of this industry that shopping in the preloved market so dicey. While many people who purchase top tier replicas know exactly what they’re getting, many people who end up with them are paying close to retail for what they thought was the real thing. It’s disgusting.

Comments like the above suggest that these anti-fake discussions provide customers with information about how their peers view counterfeits. Members who are cognizant of the anti-fake sentiments in these groups risk being shunned by the community if they were ever found to be intentionally sporting fake bags. Thus, these discussions work in tandem with the moral campaigns that have been organized by luxury firms.

“There is an inherent tension between the two worlds. Those who champion authentic bags do so with a respect for the heritage and craftsmanship of luxury products. Replica products, however, can give the signaling power of luxury goods to those who cannot afford it. But this isn’t simply an issue of inclusivity—multiple users who purchased replica goods stated that they were able to purchase authentic items but actively chose to support the replica community. ”

The Future of Fakes Online?

My journey started as a solo quest to find an “affordable” Dior bag (an oxymoron, I know.) In the end, however, I ended up finding multiple rich, unique, online fashion communities full of other fashion lovers who could help me on my journey. I found that replica OBCs provide members with resources that increase access to replicas and encourage positive attitudes towards fake fashion. In contrast, other OBCs provide authentication services and host discussions that cast counterfeit purchases as immoral, and replica communities similarly. There is an inherent tension between the two worlds. Those who champion authentic bags do so with a respect for the heritage and craftsmanship of luxury products. Replica products, however, can give the signaling power of luxury goods to those who cannot afford it. But this isn’t simply an issue of inclusivity—multiple users who purchased replica goods stated that they were able to purchase authentic items but actively chose to support the replica community. 

While they may seem like adversaries, it seems like these two communities need each other. Some say you can tell the popularity of a product based on how many copies are in circulation (I’m looking at you, Louis Vuitton Neverfull). Yet, there would be no replica community without an authentic product to begin with. 

So, whether you’re a rep-lady or an authentic stan—or perhaps you’re a combination of both—both communities provide a special way for fashion lovers to meet and help each other on their own journeys to finding the bag of their dreams. Unlike the rising growth of brand-led communities (such as the number of fashion brands with Discord servers), these online communities are entirely consumer-run, which is pretty special.  

And in case you’re wondering, I never ended up buying any of those bags. 

Notes

[1]  Not counting, of course, Telfar’s Bag Security Program. 

[2] “Are Hermès’ Sales Tactics a Problem in China?” n.d. The Business of Fashion. April 19, 2022. https://www.businessoffashion.com/briefings/china/is-hermes-peihuo-paywall-a-problem-in-china/.

[3] “Counterfeit & Knockoff | How to Know the Difference.” 2019. COVISUS. March 29, 2019. http://covisus.com/counterfeit-or-knock-off/..

[4] Wishnia, Jaclyn. 2011. “Counterfeit Goods.” LegalMatch Law Library. July 8, 2011. https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/counterfeit-goods.html.

[5] Feel Good Contacts. “Feel Good Contacts and Anti-Counterfeiting Group Join Forces to Highlight the Dangers of Counterfeit Sunglasses as 146,000 Fake Sunglasses Are Seized by Customs.” Feel Good Contacts. June 10, 2019. www.feelgoodcontacts.com/press-hub/dangers-of-counterfeit-sunglasses.

[6] Mitchell, Natalie, Angeline Close Scheinbaum, Dan Li, and Wan Wang. 2017. "Purse Parties: A Phenomenology Of In-Home Counterfeit Luxury Events". Review Of Marketing Research Qualitative Consumer Research, 227-255. doi:10.1108/s1548-643520170000014014.

[7] M. Muniz, Albert, and Thomas C O'Guinn. 2001. "Brand Community". Journal Of Consumer Research 27 (4): 412.

[8] Loonam, Mary. 2017. "An Exploration Of Member Involvement With Online Brand Communities". PhD, University of Birmingham.

[9] u/hyperionfr. “r/FashionReps - [GUIDE] ‘Help, I'm New Where Do I Start?" Reddit. January 9,  2019. www.reddit.com/r/FashionReps/comments/ae540e/guide_help_im_new_where_do_i_start_fashionreps/.

[10] u/Warm-Lobster. “r/Repsneakers - **Beginners Guide (MiddleMan) Simplified Version on How to Buy from a Middle Man for Beginners.” Reddit. May 6, 2020.www.reddit.com/r/Repsneakers/comments/gepm69/beginners_guide_middleman_simplified_version_on.

[11] u/oJustin.“r/RepLadies - The Newbie Guide.” Reddit. October 1, 2020. www.reddit.com/r/RepLadies/wiki/newbieguide.

[12] u/user360. “r/FashionReps - After a Year of Deliberating, My First Ever TaoBao Orders Are on the Way to My Warehouse! Thanks /r/FashionReps for All the Useful Information You Guys Post!” Reddit, December 27, 2019. www.reddit.com/r/FashionReps/comments/egczk9/after_a_year_of_deliberating_my_first_ever_taobao/.

[13] u/InstantlyCalloutable. “r/RepLadies - Most Valuable Member Rewards and Recognition.” Reddit. January 20, 2021. www.reddit.com/r/RepLadies/wiki/mostvaluable'.

[14] u//sdatty. “r/RepLadies - Has Joining This Community Changed Your Perception on Reps?” Reddit. January 1 2021. www.reddit.com/r/RepLadies/comments/ko93v9/has_joining_this_community_changed_your/.

[15] r/RepLadies. “r/RepLadies - Daily OOTD & General Discussion Thread - May 17, 2020.” Reddit. May 17,  2020. www.reddit.com/r/RepLadies/comments/gldotj/daily_ootd_general_discussion_thread_may_17_2020/fqwwxux/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x.

[16] r/RepLadies. “r/RepLadies - Daily OOTD & General Discussion Thread - May 17, 2020.” Reddit. May 17, 2020. www.reddit.com/r/RepLadies/comments/gldotj/daily_ootd_general_discussion_thread_may_17_2020/fqwwxux/?ut m_source=share&utm_medium=web2x.

[17] The PurseForum. “Terms and Rules.” PurseForum. www.forum.purseblog.com/help/terms.

[18] jag. “Hall of Shame: Post the Ebay Fakes Here!” PurseForum. November 26, 2006. forum.purseblog.com/threads/hall- of-shame-post-the-ebay-fakes-here.67697/.

[19] u/JonSmit90, and u/forsto. “r/Burberry.” Reddit. www.reddit.com/r/Burberry/.

[20] Authenticate4U. “Services.” Authenticate4U.Com. www.authenticate4u.com/Services.html.

[21] fabuleux. “Expensive Replicas? I Don't Get It.” PurseForum. Mach 5, 2019. forum.purseblog.com/threads/expensive-replicas-i-dont-get-it.1006583/page-2.

[22] A1aGypsy. “Expensive Replicas? I Don't Get It.” PurseForum, March 5, 2019. forum.purseblog.com/threads/expensive-replicas-i-dont-get-it.1006583/page-2.

[23] Sferics. “What Should I Do with a Superfake Chanel?” PurseForum. December 27, 2019. forum.purseblog.com/threads/what-should-i-do-with-a-superfake-chanel.1022136/page-2.

[24] Joylucklove. “Friendship and Hermes.” PurseForum. September 29, 2020. forum.purseblog.com/threads/friendship-and-hermes.1035034/.

[25] lvpiggy. “Do Friends Let Friends Unknowingly Carry Fakes? | Page 3 ...” PurseForum. May 21, 2010. forum.purseblog.com/threads/do-friends-let-friends-unknowingly-carry-fakes.590429/page-3.

[26] AndreaM99. “Expensive Replicas? I Don't Get It.” PurseForum, January 12, 2020. forum.purseblog.com/threads/expensive-replicas-i-dont-get-it.1006583/page-8

[27] honeybunch. “What Should I Do with a Superfake Chanel?” PurseForum. Dec 27, 2019. forum.purseblog.com/threads/what-should-i-do-with-a-superfake-chanel.1022136/.

[28] themeanreds. “Expensive Replicas? I Don't Get It.” PurseForum. March 5, 2019. forum.purseblog.com/threads/expensive-replicas-i-dont-get-it.1006583/page-2#post-32957083.