Designer Handbags: How to Tell Whether It's Authentic or Fake
It is against terms and conditions (and law) for sellers to sell unauthentic goods on eBay. Sadly, there are still people who not only sell counterfeited items (replicas), but also go to great lengths to fool you into believing they are real.
In this guide, I will help you determine the difference between an authentic and replica handbag. Let me begin by introducing myself; I have spent an immense number of hours of the internet – admiring and researching high end designer handbags. I have sold a small number of both authentic and replica bags via the internet. After the time spent researching, I have come to realise that people overlook many signs that an item is a replica.
First of all, check the location of the seller, which is posted in the auction. In many, but not all cases, sellers from Asia are selling replica bags. The reason behind this is that countries in that area have very unspecific intellectual property laws, so factories which manufacture replica products are very prevalent. Beware of sellers from China, Korea and Singapore in particular.
It is also important to check the wrapping of the bag in the pictures from the auction. Paper around buckles, plastic over handles and square tabs of material hanging from a strap are all things that point to a replica. New bags from boutiques don’t have wrapping around them, unless they are specially ordered. Special ordered bags are typically the popular new bags; the Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 was ‘the one’ a few years ago. In contrast, the Louis Vuitton Cabas Mezzo is hardly ever special ordered because it is a classic.
Make sure you get a clear answer from the seller when it comes to the purchasing of the bag. If the seller says the bag was originally purchased across the internet, ask them which website. Websites usually leave the wrapping on bags, although there are few websites that sell authentic designer goods. eLuxury is the most dominant one, but the websites of department stores (Neiman Marcus, Saks, Macy’s, etc) will also sell authentic bags.
When the websites do leave the wrapping on their items, the handles are covered with tissue paper / plastic, and the buckles are covered in blue plastic adhesive. The squares of leather that hang from straps are only on replica bags.
Finally, it is important to do proper reseach on what the bag should look like. If there is a store in your area that sell the bag you are after, have a look. Pay close attention to the exact colours, the seams, stamps in the leather, and the markings on the hardware.
If you’re not able to visit an authentic bag store, try looking on eLuxury or the manufacturer’s website. You could also look up auctions that are verified by My Poupette or other authenticity verification services. Not all authentic bags are verified by these services, but nearly all bags that are verified are authentic.
Take a close look at the pictures that are provided in the auction, even keep watch of the auction. An authentic bag should always come with a dustbag, authenticity / care cards and sometimes a receipt. However, these can also be counterfeited so don’t reply on them as a sole source of verification.
The final thing to keep an eye out for is sellers who sell large quantities of the same item. This is completely different from sellers who sell a lot of the same brand. For example, a person who has twenty five Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 handbags is very suspicious, while a seller who has fifty Louis Vuitton bags of thirty different styles it much more legitimate. Sellers who do wholesale are always selling replicas (wholesale meaning that they have large numbers of the same item that they sell at a discount of over 50%).
The most important thing when buying a high end designer bag is to do research, find a reputable seller, ask questions, and (of course) be comfortable with your purchase. Never rush into a sale, and always ask the questions you have before you bid. The world of high fashion is full of excitement and glamour, don’t settle for less than you want.
