A Qualitative Study on the Purchase Behavior for the Counterfeit of Fashion Luxury Brands

패션 명품(名品) 복제품(複製品)의 구매행동(購買行動)에 관(關)한 질적(質的) 연구(硏究)

The purpose of this study is to analyze consumers' purchase behavior for the counterfeits of fashion luxury brands. The research method of the study used a naturalistic approach. The first participant observation was carried out in the internet sites in order to collect the data on the purchase behavior for counterfeits; and the second participant observation was applied in the Dongdaemun shopping mall, Namdaemun shopping mall and Itaewon shopping mall; finally 6 informants were selected and then an interview was held with them. The results of the study are as follows; 1. The reasons for the first purchase of counterfeits are variously shown according to life stages, and the repetitive purchase behavior is influenced by the degree of satisfaction for the first purchase. The information collection for counterfeits is widely made through various media, and especially the information collection is active and positive in the case of planned purchase but it is passive and negative in the case of unplanned purchase. 2. The most important criteria in purchasing counterfeits is the degree of similarity with luxury brands and other criteria include price, design, utility etc. The majority of purchase items is not clothing but miscellaneous goods which are more similar in terms of design and quality. The purchase of counterfeits is made by impulse purchase but the purchase of luxury brands is made by planned purchase. 3. The rationalization mechanism for the purchase of counterfeits is observed in all informants, which is a sort of defence mechanism for avoiding a guilty conscience to buy illegal goods.