Fake Nantucket Handbags Give Basket Weavers a Run for Their Money & A Hit To Their Livelihoods

Fake Nantucket Handbags Give Basket Weavers a Run for Their Money and a Hit To Their Livelihoods

Much to the dismay of exclusive and talented basketweavers of high priced fashion Nantucket purses and Nantucket baskets, the knock off handbag industry is really starting to come of age. Whether you describe them fakes, knock-offs, replicas, or “in the style of” Nantucket Lightship purses, they are big business to overseas companies.

The number of manufacturers of fake handbags has absolutely exploded in the past two years, and it seems no one is safe, with replica versions of Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Chanel, Kate Spade, Coach and just about every big name designer you could name being readily available for purchase, including Nantucket basket craftsmen such as the Father of Nantuckets Jose Reyes, Boyer and Kathleen Becker of Simply Nantucket Baskets and Simply Baskets. Poor quality Farnum, Barlow, Basketville and Chinese mass-produced knock-offs are popping up faster than dandilion weeds in a summer lawn.

But are they really a threat to the independent craftsman and big design houses? The big design houses would certainly have everyone believe so, claiming that the fake merchants deprive them of profit, feed off their marketing, and damage their reputations by selling inferior quality handbags and purses which confused consumers think is the real thing. Some even claim that by supporting the knock off industry, consumers are helping to support organized crime. Successful raids and prosecutions of party plan vendors, street and flea market vendors, and online merchants have become a regular event, but this seems to be doing little to stem the tide.

Independent craftsmen are truly feeling the brunt of the flood of fakes in drastically devalued prices as fewer customers willing to pay for quality, authenticity and unique creativity. Instead of taking a hit in their overall company profits, they’re taking the hit to their very livelihoods. Many talented basket weavers have simply given up attempting to make a living, let alone a profit, with their hand-woven creations.

Many buyers have been deceived by a fake Nantucket basket or Nantucket Lightship basket purse handbag, and intuitively dismiss ALL Nantucket baskets and Nantucket Lightship basket purse handbags as inferior and poor quality.

The reasons why imported fakes have become so popular is obvious. Glamorous marketing, low availability, long waits for custom-made baskets and fewer working U.S. craftsmen make the Nantucket basket or Nantucket purse handbag desirable, and honest, but expensive pricing makes it more so. What could be more alluring than something few people can’t purchase or easily obtain? Of course, equitable and honest pricing means there are many people who want the merchandise for show, but can’t afford it, which is where the replica merchant importer jump in.

But an increasing number of overseas replica manufacturers are producing Nantucket basket purses and Nantucket handbags which have a very similar look and feel to a Jose Reys or Kathleen Becker, but the quality of workmanship and materials is extremely poor and prospects for even retaining their initial value greatly diminishes every day. Even the knock-off Louis Vuitton or Kate Spade handbags are virtually worthless except to the disinterested and misinformed consumer.

With buyers more interested in possessing a Nantucket basket or Nantucket basket purse handbag, quality weaving materials, appreciation of the craftsmanship and a long-term warranty combined with both short-term and long-term appreciation value, its easy to see why a new breed of buyers are finding the fake Nantuckets irresistible.

What can you do to ensure that you purchase an authentic Nantucket Basket or Nantucket Basket Purse Handbag?

Purchase directly from an experienced Nantucket basket weaver!

You will receive a the highest quality Nantucket basket available, made with superior quality manterials, finest craftsmanship and and long history of increasing value.

Simply Nantucket Baskets

7/21/05