Designer Purses on Canal Street (New York)
What the heck is Canal Street? Canal Street is located in New York City between Worth Street and Kenmare Street. That general area is recognized as the China Town of New York City. So, what does this even have to do with designer purses, Jen? Well, Canal Street is known for their Replica Designer Handbags—including top designer brands such as (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Dior, Prada, Versace and the list continues). Let’s take a taxi ride to Canal Street, shall we?
As you walk down Canal Street, don’t be surprised if a gentleman stops you to show you a flyer with pictures of many different designer handbags. His goal is to get you to purchase one of his designer handbags. But, why would you even consider buying a bag from a random stranger on the street? Well, what if I told you that he was willing to sell you the brand new Louis Vuitton – Never Full Tote (retail price: $700.00 USD) for only $15. Wouldn’t you be at least a bit interested in taking a peek at what he had to offer? Maybe, this analogy may help those of you who are in denial. Imagine that you are about to pass out from hunger, but at the same time you had strict orders from your doctor for a low-calorie diet—your friend then offers you a mouth-watering juicy all beef paddy Mc Donalds hamburger—you know that you should resist; but, you think to yourself, “one bite wouldn’t hurt” Now, do you catch my drift, gals? Unfortunately, I’ve always played the role as the goody girl, so never was I able to let my temptations take the better half of me—leaving me with many unanswered questions about these designer purses from Canal Street:
1) Are the police in New York ever on the lookout for these handbag merchants?
2) How good or bad are these replica designer purses?
3) How do these handbag merchants get the designer handbags in the first place?
4) Can you actually tell the difference between an authentic designer purse versus one purchased from Canal Street?
February 10th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I bought a knock off Coach bag on a trip to New York a couple of years ago. I somehow got caught up in the whole adrenalin of the city. I actually regreted it the moment I bought it. I never actually used it and eventually threw it away because I felt sick to my stomach every time I saw it. I have a thing against knock off bags. I will never carry one. I would rather have a cheap bag than a knock off.
My sister lives in New York and tells me that the police don’t bother much with the sellers. If the seller is being discreet the police turn a blind eye. However, the sellers who have their goods on a sheet on the curb will get busted. That’s why you often see the sellers quickly gathering up their merchandise and leaving the scene.
February 10th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Hey Judyroo,
Thank you for the insightful comment. Your honesty and sincerity is greatly appreciated.
On my last trip to New York City, I also noticed that the police in New York seem to be more lenient when it came to enforcing laws. Many times I saw police letting people J-walk across intersections, sell jewelry on the street, and even as far as promoting prostitution spots. This is something I definitely am not used to—being raised in California and all…
February 21st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
The police in NYC do not have the manpower to police all these vendors. They are all over the City not just Canal Street. If a street vendor is licensed they generally leave them alone for the most part. If they are random vendors that move from place to place and cover the merchandise when police are around, the police will either give them a summons, tell them to move on or (on a very rare occasion), confiscate the merchandise. There are periodic raids on Canal Street but they are a result of long, time-consuming undercover investigations. When they do happen they are huge, usually making local news and newspapers because of the sheer quantity of counterfeit merchandise involved. Sometimes the investigations are a result of the designers (like LV or Prada) making a stink about Canal Street and other areas and demanding action taken. If you live in NYC this is such a part of the fabric of NYC life you don’t really notice.
February 21st, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Some replicas are good, some are bad, some are in between. Depends on the vendor that is selling the bags. Some are so good that if you take the bag to be examined by the designer’s salespeople, they often can’t tell the difference! Most times the quality of the bags are worth the price you pay for them which can range anywhere from $10 to $150 range.
I am from NYC and I am also a ‘bagnista’ so this is my territory. I have seen MANY of these bags up close and personal and for the most part if you know designer bags you can tell the difference. Most people who don’t know designer bags won’t know the difference. As for me, when I buy a bag from a street vendor it’s usually a generic brand that is beautiful, great quality and costs next to nothing ($5-$25). I get more compliments from no-name bags I buy from street vendors than some real designer bags I own. I do have a couple of designer knockoffs that people mistake for the real thing but I don’t carry them very often. It’s not because I’m uncomfortable carrying them, but because I own soooo many bags I like to carry a different bag every few days.
February 21st, 2009 at 3:26 pm
It would take too long to answer the question about how the merchants get the designer bags except to say that the counterfeit industry is HUGE. It is International and very, very lucrative. There are so many levels of people involved that most people would be amazed at how much money the people at the very top make. The sellers on Canal Street or other street vendors are the VERY bottom of a long, long totem pole.
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Marti,
Special thanks for your post. It is obvious that you put aside some of your valuable time to help educate our viewers about designer handbags from Canal Street.
Your knowledge about these vendors and the police squad of New York City is not only vast, but also valuable. Thank you again for your devotion to our blog. Our blog is forever grateful for people like yourself–honest, sincere, and resourceful.
March 28th, 2009 at 2:10 am
Ok, so what I don’t get is that the designers (Lv and Prada) spend all of their money trying to crack those who counterfeit…but what about them. In some ways they are the real crooks, selling vinyl and plastic bags for thousands of dollars.SMH. If LV can put out hundreds of people to work for them and investigate the couterieters, then they are burning money. The people who purchase these fakes are usually not going to buy the real thing anyway. And for those people who feel shame about the bags being made in sweet shops, look around you. The shirt you probaly have on was made in one too.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I don’t have a problem with the sale of knockoff bags. To each his own. There are far worst things happening in New York and across the world to worry about the sale of bags. I sell bags from my website and I purchase them in NYC. It is my side hustle and I am doing very well with it. Many people enjoy carrying a Prada, Gucci or LV knockoff, and many of my friends will tell u in a minute what they paid for it- 20- 30 dollars or whatever. Get over it. Knock off bags have become the same as Hair extensions. I will see a woman with a nice weave and ask her what brand/kind of hair did you use, your hair is beautiful, and I have been asked the same many times. Get over it and on to more important issues.
April 4th, 2009 at 1:55 am
Response to Adri:
Even though I love the beautiful designer bags from Louis Vuitton, I must admit they are truly over priced. Your logic about LV cracking down on the fakes being a waste of money makes sense. You go girl!
April 14th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Response to Jenny:
Your response is definitely not what I expected to hear; however, I admire your honesty.
July 18th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Jenny, where is your website?
February 1st, 2010 at 6:59 am
WERE CAN I GET SOME ON THE INTERNET WITHOUT TRAVELING THERE? I LIVE IN CHICAGO
February 27th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
I don’t feel sick of replica handbag…well, actually I bought me one a week ago. It’s really high quality! Real cowhide leather! Just out of my expectation…lol..
March 30th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I live in WIsconsin and am looking for the Replica Handbags without traveling to New York or ordering from China, Any ideas?? Thank you
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Things have changed a lot the handbag alley of Canal Street. All week I see cops everywhere arresting and even chasing these chinese and african looking guys with the bags. I saw cops tackle and arrest two guys with a hefty bag of stuff!! Very cool… Like TV…These cops are scary. All they do is look at the sellers and they run. they scared me off too. I wouldnt dare buy anything that would get me in trouble.
April 5th, 2010 at 4:27 am
Hi There, Very impressive content.
April 13th, 2010 at 6:12 am
Where have I been? I just found your site on Google. Good article! I appreciate you taking the energy to share this.
April 26th, 2010 at 9:52 am
the quality of the fakes depend on how much you pay, i bought a pair of fake raybans for 20$, regretted it when my friend told me he got his for 5, here we are 2 and a half years later… i still have mine, he threw his out within 2 months
May 24th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Went on Canal Street, vendors are not the same, have shopping, but NOT good, everybody have the same things, no good knock-off’s like a couple of years ago. Oh Well, the cops scared them from that spot, they will pop up somewhere else…and continue…I purchased a real LV a few years ago $1700 plus tax, I purchased a LV and from canal street identicle for $30 no tax, there is NO difference and I looked them both over under a huge magnifying glass, NOOOO difference, so will I pay $1700 again for a bag, who knows, I showed both items to some of my high class Holloywood folks who only will pay designer prices and they couldn’t tell the difference, some was shocked, some said it’s the principal, I asked what if LV was purchasing on Canal St. for $30 and selling to us for $1700, are we getting the same principal/quality??? They sat back with a HMMMM on their minds…I’m not saying this is what LV is doing, but the thought that everyone want the fast $$$$, why not if they can get away with it. They really need to come up with something different so we the real purchaser bags can stand out from the Knock off’s,
June 7th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
you’ve got a great personality.
June 29th, 2010 at 9:24 am
I would like to buy LV neverfull azur purse from NY. Do you think that i can find it from the Canal Street?
June 29th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Yes. I am pretty sure that they have that style there.
If not, just ask for it and they will locate one for you.
You might consider bringing a picture of the bag to show it to them.
June 30th, 2010 at 2:41 am
Ok, Thank you Jen:)
July 17th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Got a LV Neverfull on Canal Street a couple of weeks ago. If you bring pics of what you want they will find it.
August 20th, 2010 at 6:06 am
I enjoy my messenger bag. It’s canvas and it makes me look like Jack Bauer
. Not really except that it gives that hip look at the same time I could look professional.