Publicity

Purse parties have become popular in the area and sometimes people ask, "Are these parties legitimate?" Individuals selling fake designer purses at discounted prices has been an issue in the United States recently. These purses are labeled with designer tags, but are clearly not of high designer quality.

According to the Better Business Bureau, this issue has not cropped up in Minnesota or North Dakota, but many still question authenticity.

Sara Hoffner, owner of I've Got Purseanality, a purse party business in Melrose, Minn., said many who attend her parties ask whether her products are legitimate. Hoffner has about eight consultants under her, including one in Breckenridge.

Amanda Hinrichs has been a part of I've Got Purseanality for one year and said she hasn't had any problems. "Mostly people ask 'where'd you get this' or 'is this a knockoff?'" she said. "My main response is the purses are designer-inspired."

Hoffner said she's run into situations where women at the parties are disappointed when they find the purses are not fake designers. Hinrichs has not had that issue in the Breckenridge area.

Hoffner began her business about a year and a half ago while doing day care out of her home. She contacted and met with a few distributors of legitimately made, designer-inspired purses. From these contacts, she began small with only 50 purses and 25 wallets. She only held parties on weekends while doing day care, then she quit day care and went into her business full time.

The purses she sells look like designer bags, but are clearly labeled with the manufacturer's tag or number. How does one tell if a purse is a fake designer? "Mostly the price," Hoffner said. "Anywhere that sells those types of purses, they're exclusive to those stores. You couldn't just find them at somebody's house. A Coach bag would be $400 to $500. At a[n illegal] purse party, they're $50 to $60."

Neither Hoffner nor Hinrichs feel their parties have stigmas attached due to negative press regarding illegal purse parties. However, they both said they get many questions regarding the legitimacy of their products.

I've Got Purseanality

E-Mail The Consultant Closest To You To Set Up Your Party!

Article in the Daily News, Whapeton, ND and Breckenridge, MN 05-25-09

Article in Sauk Herald Newspaper 5-19-09

by CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER Melrose– Sara Hoffner has a passion for purses. “My purse obsession began the first time I walked into a purse store and saw all the adorable patterns and colors,” said this Melrose woman. Two years ago she took this obsession to the next step, starting the business I’ve got Purseanality. She held her first purse party in New Munich in 2007. Her company has grown to include seven other purse consultants statewide, selling purses at home-hosted parties. This from a lady who just wanted some “adult time” after doing day care in her home. For each party, Hoffner brings tubs filled with 125 to 150 purses and accessories, including diaper bags, laptop cases, duffle bags, wallets, key finders and purse hangers, from stock in her Melrose home. She answers questions and offers her opinion when women are shopping for purses. “I love listening to the conversations about what purse looks like what person,” she said. Hoffner explained as the popularity of purse parties grows, Immigration and Customers Enforcement agents are cracking down on the distribution and sale of counterfeit handbags–knock-offs designed to look like expensive bags. “I’ve got Purseanality purses are all legitimate,” she said. “We only buy products that are completely legal and purchased in the United States. There are no big designer names, only legitimate, designer-inspired handbags clearly marked with the real manufacturer,” said Hoffner. She said fake bags labeled as high-end, designer bags with prices and quality that don’t reflect the real thing should throw up a red flag. Her parties are all cash and carry, which means everything is for immediate sale. There are no catalogs because of the frequent change in inventory. “That’s a plus because customers don’t pay shipping or have to wait for the product to arrive,” said Hoffner, adding. “What you see is what you get.” Purse inventory is constantly changing, with shipments arriving weekly. This year yellow seems to be a popular purse color, she said, along with giraffe and zebra print. Yes, Hoffner does have her own stash of purses. She owns 15, some passed on to family and friends when she takes a fancy to a new purse. “I just love purses,” she concluded.
Purses galore fill Sara Hoffner’s basement. Above she holds purses in her I’ve Got Purseanality inventory. HERALD PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN


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