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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish

Safe shopping on Canal

Okay, let's settle this once and for all: the so-called Prada and Gucci bags being hawked on Canal are NOT real Prada and Gucci bags.

People! Let's do the math, shall we? How many people, estimated, can you find on Canal Street on any given day, holding up little laminated signs with photos of handbags and chanting the mantra "Gucci Gucci Gucci Prada." ? Probably more than 500. How many bags do you think these people, per person, have stashed somewhere, in the back of one of the shops, or in a car, with the motor running, in case the cops come along? More than 500?

Now, realistically, how many handbags do you think Prada or Gucci manufactures in a year, and how many of those authentic handbags could possibly have been stolen on the way from manufacture to the real Gucci and Prada stores? Do you think either of these designers would be able to remain operational if such astonishing quantities of their products were being stolen on a daily basis?

Lastly, do you think that you, person X will be the one lucky fool among thousands of other fools visiting Canal Street who is approached by a Canal Street vendor, who really does have an actual, authentic Prada or Gucci bag he wants to sell you for less than $30, stolen or not?

They're FAKES, people! Let's exercise some common sense!

So long as you're clear on this piece of reality, shopping at Canal Street is great fun. Buying a "Gucci" bag from a shifty-eyed vendor is also great fun. I enjoyed driving down the price of my handbag and making my vendor increasingly nervous, until he practically threw the bag at me for $15 and took off. I'm very proud of it.

However, I've heard reported (on this website!) of a girl that actually got in the back seat of a car filled with such bags, in hopes of purchasing what she thought might be authentic bags that were stolen and being offered on the cheap. Can anything be more stupid? You'd get into a stranger's car for the sake of your own greed? If you think these people are capable of stealing, why would you not think further to the fact that they'd be capable of stealing from you once you get into their car? What's stopping such people from pulling a gun on you? For goodnesakes, enjoy shopping at Canal Street, but use your head.
Question asked via StreetAdvisor The opinions expressed here are those of the individual and not those of Douglas Elliman.
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21 Comments

uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
Reminds me of the time when a friend was visiting me from the U.K. over Easter. She went shopping to Canal Street whilst I was at work and returned late in the evening with her booty which consisted of two 'genuine' Louis Vuitton bags. She excitedly related the events of her day as she told me that she had happened to meet a vendor on Canal who had invited her a 'privileged buyer' to check out his wares in a private room located in one of the decrepit buildings located in Chinatown. She had happily gone along as she was desperate to get her hands on some genuine LV stuff and had enthusiastically parted with £ 500 for the two bags which she believed were genuine though probably stolen stock. When I first heard her story I was alarmed at her stupidity at following a stranger into a room where anything could have happened to her though I was genuinely happy to see that she was unharmed . However I couldn't help puncturing her bubble somewhat by letting her know that she had indeed paid too much for what were high quality copies of the real thing for there was no way that any vendor would have sold her two genuine Louis Vuitton bags for a mere 500 quid even if they were stolen for a single LV bag often costs more than £ 1000 ! What is about these 'it' bags that turn a grown woman's brains into mush?
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
There are many bargains you can get on Canal Street if you look good enough. However, one word of caution. There have been vendors that got caught selling counterfeit stuff on Canal St., and are now off the street permanently. The best way to shop is to be wise about it. Research what you want first so you know what to expect. If someone offers you a bag or any item that looks real enough but the price tag is low, a red flag should go off in your head. Don't bother. Instead, walk away.

Just use street smarts and understand what is going on around you. As I said before, there are bargains you can get. You just have to look for them.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
I haven't been on Canal Street for a few weeks because I am not a fan, but I am relatively certain that vendors don't sell fake designer bags out in the open near as often as they used to. What you see now is a lot of vendors who stand on the crowded sidewalks telling shoppers that they have a stash of illegal designer impostors somewhere, and you have to follow them to get one. I've never done it myself, not being a big fan of copyright infringement or products of child labor.

Fake bags are usually eye sores and they are always really low quality - just like majority of stuff for sale on Canal. Here's a good article to read before heading out to Canal St: http://www.harpersbazaar.com/magazine/feature-articles/the-fight-against-fakes-0109_
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Yes, thank you BroadwayBK. Not only are they fakes but they are so obviously fakes, and although I made it a small bloodsport to buy a "Prada" for $15 just to see if I could, I'm rather embarrassed to wear it around. And the fact that they don't sell out in the open, but talk people into going with them to some VIP stash around the corner, only helps sell foolish people on the idea that these merchandise might be real.

There was a raid in early December and since then these kinds of "vendors" have become much more discrete, but you can bet they're still around.

I have to disagree with hhusted and insist that there are absolutely NO bargains to be found on Canal, only a lot of cheap scams.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Wow, great article Broadway BK. Thanks for that.
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Jason Spencer
Jason Spencer 2yrs+
So is anything safe to buy on Canal?
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
Actually, I have to agree with Uraniumfish, because I went down there lately and had to leave. The pushing and shoving that goes on. People showing no manners as they bump into you. You are right about the bargains. Since many vendors were told to get off the street, there are no bargains these days. Just a bunch of immigrants trying to sell you their junk, if you want to call it that.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@JVS I wouldn't say that things aren't safe to buy, just that they are low quality and generally aren't worth much.

@Uraniumfish Great - I'm glad you enjoyed it/ read it!
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
How about that. Eye care on Mott St. Maybe they can give me a great deal on my eyeglasses. Do they also give eye examinations? I need that to.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Latest news, you guys: the fake designer bag and watch vendors are out in full force again. That didn't take long. I was walking by Canal last night, and they were selling the old-fashioned way: out in the open, from wheelie carts stacked with bags.
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
If the fake designer bag and watch vendors are out again, I better plan to stay away. Actually, I am not thrilled with being around Canal St. It is way too crowded. People are constantly bumping into people. The last time I was down there, I had to wait for a friend. I just went to the end of the walkway, right at the edge where it meets the road and stayed there. Eventually my friend came and we went about our business. Most of the time if there are a huge crowd of people, I'll just walk on the street near the curb.
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
The fake designer bag and watch vendors never seem to go anywhere for very long - it's not easy to shut down a vast and complicated system like the one behind illegal knockoffs. Plus there is a high demand for such wares down on Canal Street, thanks in part to the large tourist population wandering the area.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
A friend who works in high fashion circles told me the story of an opening of a Luis Vuitton shop somewhere in Europe. Apparently the store manager noticed that the wife of some diplomat--maybe Bulgaria? Don't remember--that she was wearing a FAKE Luis Vuitton bag. The manager got so angry that he kicked her out of his store. It seems that the poor woman didn't know it was fake. Another Canal Street victim, perhaps?
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ajadedidealist
ajadedidealist 2yrs+
There was a really fascinating article some years back on gang violence in Chinatown I remember reading in either NY Mag, the New Yorker, etc (something at the doctor's office...) Does this ring a bell for anyone? I'd love to reread it!
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish How is the article you mentioned related to the story?
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BroadwayBK
BroadwayBK 2yrs+
@Uraniumfish Uh... nevermind. I keep not scrolling up far enough and missing things. : D
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hhusted
hhusted 2yrs+
Has any person witnessed any incidents with tourists or New Yorkers, who go down to Canal St? I haven't been down there in a while so I thought I'd asked.
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Uraniumfish
Uraniumfish 2yrs+
Was just at Canal Street again today, getting on the train after a fairly stylish thing I went to in SoHo, and as I was maneuvering around all those hordes of people peddling stuff ("Handbags, miss?") and getting shoved and annoyed out of my good mood, I thought..."Ah, yes, this is indeed Canal Street." Sigh.
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@uraniumfish when I am in Canal Street over a weekend I dont walk along Canal or even Center Streets but walk parallel along Baxter, Bayard, Pell and other streets which are relatively less crowded. I do love going to Chinatown for dim sum so have learned to battle with the hordes of tourists who get so excited about the fake bags,dvds, watches and what nots..
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boogallooo
boogallooo 2yrs+
I have to say this, my daughter bought her boyfriend a "fake" rolex on Canal for 75 bucks, it looked great and we thought what the heck....he went to have a the battery replaced and told the lady it was a fake, she said sir, I can't change the battery, I don't have a rolex key, you have to take it to a dealer...he said no, its fake, she said no, it isn't. So who knows???? He is certainly a happy guy!
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uptowngirl
uptowngirl 2yrs+
@boogalloo that's totally awesome!
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