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Fake handbags are everywhere, and is not looking like a trend that will seize any moment from now. From Hermés, Coach, Louis Vuitton Handbag to Chanel – we just hate the fact they are so many counterfeits out there. Moreover, it is often difficult to differentiate between a genuine and fake handbag if you’re not careful before making a purchase.
According to a report, over 1,500 fake Hermés bags was seized in Los Angeles in March, 2013. And that is equivalent of $14 million dollars worth of Birkin bags assuming they were real. Handbags and small leather goods, like your favorite Chanel wallet or Gucci coin purse, account for $700 million (that’s 40 percent) of counterfeit goods seized annually worldwide.
From the report retrieved by Elle from a luxury retail site, RealReal.com “Of those, Louis Vuitton is the most commonly counterfeited brand,”
“Louis Vuitton’s famous monogram pattern is the most regularly duplicated. Other commonly counterfeited brands and handbags include anything with Gucci GG logo, the Prada triangular logo, and the Chanel Ligne Cambon.” -says the senior director of authentication at RealReal.com, Graham Wetzbarger.
The market for designer bags grows every year, as well as the counterfeit market. This is certainly a huge problem for business, likewise the customers – because you may be spending so much thinking is the real thing, but unknowingly end up having bunch of replicated designer bags.
In an effort to eliminate replicated bags from the market, brands like Gucci, Prada, and Chanel have spent millions of dollars trying to shut down websites that deal in fakes. But we see this effort as impossible because the patronage is increasing day by day, thus making counterfeiters to be on top.
Carrying an authentic designer handbag gives confiidence, and commands respect, even though they’re always expensive. So, whether you are a celebrity or a fashionista who is a fan of designer bag, you may have to start checking back on your bags, and also read our tips to keep in mind on your next shopping.
1. Do A Proper Research.
Unless you’re not buying a bag from the official site, ensure you conduct a proper research. Conducting a proper research is a great way to know how a particular designer bag looks like – from the feel of the leather, what the hardware looks like, and the position of logos. So, if you do not pay close attention to details, you are prone to buying a fake bag.
2. Check For Authenticity.
Even though a merchant site state that everything they sell is guaranteed to be authentic, you still need to dig deep. Ensure you authenticate the bag on your own by reading the website’s FAQs, About Us and The Product details. Many sites usually mislead shoppers with confusing phrases such as “guaranteed original”, “100% new,” or like “our impression of Gucci bag” which is not the same as “guaranteed authentic Gucci bag.” But be careful! Just because the seller claims it’s authentic does not mean that it is.
3. Check For Correct Spelling
We know a lot of people who has fallen victim to this mishap. The best way to differentiate an authentic disigner bag from a replicated one is carefully checking the brand name spelling. Many counterfeiters or websites mislead shoppers by making their brand name look closely similar to the original brand. For example – “Guci Bag”, instead of “Gucci Bag” or “Channel Bag” insead of “Chanel Bag”.
4. Stay Away From Cheap Designer Handbags.
You are a celebrity or a fashionista with love for designer bags and you’re looking for the cheap ones? (The sky is your limit). Don’t fall for counterfeiters for their enticing price tag. How can a Hermés Bag that retails for $3000 suddenly slashed to $300 – you must be kidding. Even at discounted rate, don’t expect it to be as cheaper as that; or unless you’re buying a secondhand with a lot of wear and tear. Make sure you compare price on major retails stores, and If the bag you’re considering buying is priced considerably lower than similar items on other sites, that is a red flag.
5. Check the hardware.
Pay extra attention to zippers, clasps, and closures, which are often the most telling factors when it comes to discerning whether a bag is counterfeit. Hardware on designer bags should all have the same color and finish (an exception being Chloé, which creates bags that use mixed hardware). Zippers should also open and close smoothly.
Take Note On The Following Designer Handbags
- Hermès bags will never come with paper tags attached to them. The Birkin and Kelly styles come complete with an engraved lock and key set, and the lock will have the word Hermès written on the bottom and there will be a matching number that’s placed on the lock and the key.
- Hermès never uses a metal nameplate on the inside of its bags, a detail that counterfeit bags often feature. Also, keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “Vintage Birkin,” the Birkin has only been around since 1984.
- For Coach signature fabric, the “C” pattern will be crooked. The Optic or Scarf print, the tip of the horizontal “C” facing the other “C” should touch. Also, the pattern should line up and start in the center of the front panel of the bag. The center seam should go straight down through the middle of the CC’s, and the pattern should be aligned horizontally and vertically. Also, the pattern should line up on any front or back pockets, so that it looks like there is no break in the pattern.
- Sometimes the “CC” will actually be a “GG” (not a single “G”), and this does not mean is Gucci.
- Coach handbags are usually made of a quality leathers not fabric.
- Most Coach bags especially the ones from 1970s have a “serial number” stamped on the inside, on a square patch of leather sewn into the lining. But starting last year, they are no longer putting the serial numbers on the creed inside the purse because of counterfeiting. The new location is a white tag inside of the purse The serial number typically consists of a series of numbers or a number-and-letter combination. The last 4-5 digits of the serial number indicate the style number of the bag. Careful, though, as fake COACH bags also have a serial number – so just because the bag has a serial number does NOT mean the it is authentic.
- The Coach logo should be stamped on most of the metal hardware – except the older classic styles. Also note that some of the newer Coach bags do not have the COACH stamp on any of the nickel/brass hardware.
- Coach bags does not have the “CC” parttern on the inside and on the outside at the same time.
- The cut of the leather of a Gucci bag that comes with a pocket should be exactly the same all the way – from the interior zippered pocket to around the pocket. On the inside tag where it says GUCCI and ‘Made in Italy’ there should also be a style number with a four or six digit serial stamped on the leather.
- The Gucci Controllato Card should have GUCCI written in capitals with a dark grey background. Underneath that in a white background should be the word ‘controllato’ and the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0. The back of the card is always left blank.
- Make sure Chanel bag has interlocking C’s, as many knockoffs have interlocking O’s which are snipped after production to look similar to a C. The quilting should be symmetric. Also of note, Chanel does not attach any tags or wrapping to its bags, so if a bag comes with a tag attached, it’s safe to assume it’s a knockoff.
- Newer Chanel bags will come in a black dust bag with ‘Chanel’ written in black, while vintage Chanel bags will come in a white felt bag with a black logo. The bag should be stamped with CHANEL on the inside as well as having ‘Made in France’ directly underneath it or to the side. Keep in mind that Chanel authenticity cards are often copied, so just because a bag comes with one, doesn’t mean the bag is real.
- Louis Vuitton is one of the most copied brands on the planet. To start, always remember that the O’s in Louis Vuitton should have a perfectly round shape— many counterfeits use oval shaped O’s instead. Louis Vuitton is extremely careful about the way that its monogram is placed, and it’s usually completely symmetrical from side to side.
- Some styles such as the Speedy have upside down LVs on the back-side of the bag— the reason being that Louis Vuitton will use one continuous piece of coated canvas that will wrap from the back to the front, which means one side of the bag will have an upside down logo.
- Not all Louis Vuitton bags are made in France, so if your bag says ‘Made in USA’ don’t automatically assume it’s a fake.
- Some Louis Vuitton bags have never been created. So be sure to check that the particular one you’re considering buying actually exists.
- The first thing to investigate on a Prada bag when trying to determine if it’s real is the logo plaque on the interior bag. The plaque should match the interior fabric of the bag and newer styles will have plaques that say ‘Prada’ and ‘Made In Italy’ on two lines.
- Prada only uses certain brands of zippers — Lampo, Ykk, Riri, Opti, and Ipi. These names will be embossed on the back side of the zipper. Not one of those brands? You aren’t looking at a real Prada bag.
- All the hardware on an authentic Prada bag — zippers, buckles, locks, metal feet, and decorative hardware — will all be engraved with Prada, no exceptions. If any hardware on the bag is blank, you’re getting scammed. Authentic Prada handbags also have a small white tag in the interior with a random number printed on it.
(Courtesy: Elle, Stylecaster, eBay, Forbes)
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