November 14, 2023

 Do You Poshmock?

The Allure of Counterfeits: Why People Choose Fake to Feel Real.

In a world driven by consumerism, the desire for authenticity often clashes with the accessibility of imitation. Counterfeit products, ranging from designer fashion handbags and name-branded jewelry, continue to flood the market, providing consumers with seemingly affordable alternatives to the real deal. But counterfeit products are only produced in masses when there is significant demand. The question arises: why do so many people feel the need to buy fake to feel real? How can something inauthentic make you authentic?

Social recognition has never been more prominent in our superficial and materialistic society. This is due to the unwavering force of technological determinism, which has cultivated society toward this sentiment. And almost everyone has bought into it. Television, radio, and the Internet have never been more potent in their ability to influence and persuade consumers into believing that they are inferior or incomplete without a status symbol to show off their wealth and social standing. What’s worse is people confuse success with the byproducts of success, and so without positional goods to flaunt, somehow, success isn’t acknowledged, and achievement is unrecognized. Regardless, one of the primary reasons individuals opt for counterfeit items is to feel like a VIP, but for a fraction of the cost.

Authentic luxury items often come with hefty price tags, placing them out of reach for many consumers. Even though buying or selling counterfeit products is illegal, the need to mimic the appearance of wealth and success associated with genuine products seems to outweigh moral, ethical, or even common judgment. And while consumers who purchase counterfeit products may experience the same pleasure associated with authentic purchases, resulting in feelings of happiness, importance, or fulfillment, what does this say about our value system? Moreover, is it the idea of owning a product that may be identical in appearance but cost pennies on the dollar that excites consumers, even if it means breaking the law and lying to oneself about the actual value?

Luxury counterfeits (or what I call posh mocks) are widespread, likely due to societal pressures to meet an unrealistic expectation of maintaining a façade of affluence and conformity. The other reason is simply that the counterfeiters manufacture and sell the same luxury items, with the same quality, for a fraction of the price while disregarding intellectual property rights and infringements. After contacting one luxury handbag brand to inquire about their position on the thousands of counterfeits sold on various online fashion platforms, they dismissed the issue as unimportant. This is probably because it hasn’t impacted their sales. But what if it did? Or what if their loyal customers discovered that they weren’t being valued because the company sits on their hands with complacency when being told of such a large counterfeit issue? Doesn’t it matter that their customers spend thousands of dollars for the real thing, only for the product to be devalued due to all the counterfeits being sold on the market for a fraction of the price? And what about those online selling platforms that claim it’s against their policy to sell counterfeit or replicas? Well, you only have to glance at these online social marketplaces to see thousands of replicas being sold, with very little done by the platform. Perhaps it’s because they make a commission on every sale. While it may only be speculation that these selling platforms are acting complicit, it doesn’t take a genius to know that countless online users selling hundreds of luxury handbags labeled as new and authentic for only a couple of hundred dollars is an unmistakable red flag.

Ultimately, there is a more significant concern besides the production of counterfeit products. That greater concern is becoming a fake person by seeing yourself and others only through a superficial lens of status symbols. A person is more than what they own. While the allure of counterfeits may provide a temporary sense of satisfaction, it’s essential to recognize the potential consequences, both legal and ethical. And we cannot forget about the consequences of ignoring morality and virtue because lying to oneself is the ultimate lie. Hopefully, as consumers become more informed and conscientious, the demand for counterfeit goods may decrease, paving the way for a more authentic and responsible consumer culture that can see past the inauthentic importance of status symbols.