Got duped with the Made in China tourist trap (France)

Mike, my opinion on this would be that you could file a complaint with VISA (as that is your right), but I think it would be highly unlikely that it would be settled in your favor. It would be a he said/she said type thing. What proof would you have that the merchant told you the purse was made in France. Since you would have had the right to examine it prior to purchase, again unlikely to be settled in your favor. Language issues or possibly a genuine misunderstanding (sales person may have bought it from someone who told him/her it was made in France, etc.) If you liked it at 125 euros enough to purchase it, it is obviously a nice purse that was PURCHASED in France. I was considering a painting by a street vendor who told me he painted it (I knew he most likely did not based on the quantities of paintings he was selling), but I still purchased it at a negotiated price, and I smile every time I look at it. Smile at the purse and enjoy the memory of being in Paris, and don't give it another thought. In the future if place of origin is a big thing on a ready-made item, turn it inside out and look.

This article might interest you. I have also seen documentaries where they show how many of the designer products are actually made in China, but to the specifications of the designers. They aren't always fakes or rip-offs. Just don't buy stuff at flea markets or on the street. http://ezinearticles.com/?Made-in-China---Designer-Handbag-Fashion-Totally-Misunderstood&id=838440

What am I missing here? Is there a hole in the bag? Is the leather laced with strychnine? Is your girlfriend going to be heartbroken that you took the time to buy her an expensive gift from France that just so happened to be made somewhere else?

When my wife started coming on trips to Europe, she was always interested in looking for "special" items. She quickly figured out that you could buy anything you see in Europe at a lower price in the US. This is even more so in the internet age. We restrict our purchases to "trinkets" that are more as remembrances than anything else.

When I was in Cesky Krumlov I found some wonderful scarves that were very unique... so I bought a number of them for myself and gifts (at a very good price) Since I do purchase lots of scarves and had never seen these anywhere else I was sure they came from a little factory in the countryside of Czech. They had no tag, but nonetheless they were so unique...Well, I just went to Oregon to spend some time with friends and one of the girls showed up with the exact same scarf, and she bought hers in Ecuador! So, I am sure that Ecuador did not import them from Czech, but I still love the scarves all the same. If I love it enough to pay for it I really do not care where it was made, because I will still have the memory of the village where I purchased it.

Mike - A few years ago I was travelling in Korea (Seoul) and I stopped at a leather shop. I examined several business card cases and settled on one of them. As the proprietor was ringing up my sale a saw a sign that said Coach. I asked, "Oh do you have Coach card holders?" The woman said "Coach? Do you want Coach?" I sort of nodded as she withdrew a leather stamp from under the counter and stamped my case. I now have a "Coach" business card case that I enjoy almost as much as recalling the experience. Enjoy your trip!

what I was looking for was a bag, not a big name designer, made 100% in France. I assume the only way to get something like this would be to buy a designer brand......too bad, I thought there would be more mom and pop shops making leather goods, not at LV prices. Anyway, I am in Normandy (Bayeux) now and much prefer the countryside. The air is a lot cleaner than in Paris (my stay in Paris was plagued with upper respiratory problems) so I'll check out some of the local mom and pop stores and see what I can find.

Mike... are you going on to Italy? I found a number of small places there that made the leather goods (I even went to a few factories as I was looking for a supplier for beautiful Italian leather albums...I am a photographer) Maybe if you ask the locals you might find the source of what you are looking for.

Just as a tip for anyone looking for hand-made leather items is to go to a Medieval Festival or other craft shows and festivals. There you will find people making lovely items by hand. Some of them may have workshops creating these same crafts as a regular business. Another option is to visit a saddlery shop, or a shoe-maker shop. These kind of stores will be making leather items by hand, as part of their business. Will it have a designer label on it? No, but they will be made with care and you will know where they are made.