Cashmere make-up artist Mariessa Waddington bought the bag at the retail shop attached to Florian Leathergoods Ltd in Madras Street in February.
It was one of several Jimmy Choo and other luxury brand-name handbags available in the store.
She thought she was buying a genuine Jimmy Choo handbag and on inquiry was told, she said, the bag was a second-hand Jimmy Choo but authentic.
She paid $700 for the bag which was picked up by a friend while Waddington was on holiday with her husband and three children.
After returning, she inspected the bag closely and grew suspicious.
"I found a website that showed all the things to look for in a fake Jimmy Choo handbag and this one had every one. I was furious.
"I had paid $700 for what I could have picked up for $10 at a flea market." She returned the handbag, the shop assistant apologised, and she was given back her $700.
"The assistant said they were going back to the woman they bought the bags from," Waddington said.
"She said they were going to check all their bags to make sure there were no other fakes.
"The shop was good to me, but I wonder how many other people bought these bags and dont realise they are fakes.
"If I hadnt had my wits about me, I could still be walking around with a fake Jimmy Choo."
Jimmy Choo is a Britain-based manufacturer of shoes and luxury goods. Its handbags retail for about $5000.
Florian director Patricia Anderson was reluctant to discuss the bags when approached, and accused The Press of "setting up" and paying Waddington to buy the bag (The Press did not).
She could not answer the question of whether the Jimmy Choo handbag was genuine.
"Im not obliged to answer that either way. It has nothing whatsoever to do with you. You are not an expert in handbags. I dont think there is anybody in New Zealand that could verify it to be true or false. There are no handbags made in New Zealand to this level. No-one would know."
When asked if she was convinced it was a Jimmy Choo, Anderson replied: "I didnt say that. What sort of fool do you think I am?
"Are you a vigilante on this?" she said. "Are you an expert on handbags, are you?
"I deal with the top fashion houses in Italy and thats where I get my bags from.
"I think you are a dishonest pack of scoundrels actually. You need to tread very carefully. Im not a foolish woman."
Money had been refunded to Waddington because it was usual for retailers to return money if the customer was not happy, she said.
