I'll tell you a quick story to clarify how serious this problem is. We got an email a while ago after successfully selling a white Multicolore Eye Love You bag (over $1400). The high bidder paid quickly and had it overnighted to her... all went perfectly with the transaction.

A few weeks later I got an email from another person. She asked where her bag was and said she'd "wired" money weeks ago and hadn't heard back from me. I emailed her back and told her I didn't know what she was talking about. She responded that she'd accepted my Second Chance Offer and had wired me the money in full.

I had to explain to her that I'd never offered a Second Chance Offer... someone had scammed her- and there was nothing I could to do help out.

I'd received 4 of these emails from different transactions... and then we just decided to have a policy of NEVER offering Second Chance Offers- that way, our loyal buyers will never be confused. If you do not win an auction from us that you've been bidding on- and you receive a Second Chance Offer- that looks like it is from FASHIONPHILE through eBay. It is a fake. Forward it to spam@ebay.com.  Here is some information from eBay about these Fake Second Chance Offers.

Here is a FAKE Second Chance Offer that I was sent:

It looks suprisingly real.  Just don't trust them.  Don't click any links from your email- go inside your My eBay, to My Messages. A legitimate Second Chance offer will be found there.  Good luck!  And don't get SCAMMED!

Sarah

and here is the mini Montsouris backpack with a can of Tab:

the cute little mini monogram Noelie (notice it has a slider which is one sign of a fake in the larger Noes)

and finally, the mini Noe-

These are really cute little bags- and maybe the perfect one for you!  Just a little reminder of how super tiny they are! 

I'll be back with more!

Sarah

ARGH!!! (Me on the left, ELVIS in the middle (one of about 12 Elvises ((is that the correct plural of Elives?)) that eBay had dancing on a platform at the Gala) and Emily on the right!

Sarah

Well I've heard from some of you that you are indeed reading my blog- not that I could tell by the number of comments that you're leaving.  Don't be shy!  I don't bite.  I'd love to hear from you- and if you have any myths you'd like me to expose or cool items you'd like me to showcase- let me know!

Anyway, I'm adding a counter to my blog, so I can get a better idea of who's reading it.  They did this to the Reviews & Guides and now I can see how often my guide is getting read.  Pretty cool!  If only I can get it to work... let's see-----

Rumor #1.  "Authentic Louis Vuitton pieces will never have patches on them."

Here's another cool vintage piece that has a similar oval patch on it... 

Louis Vuitton (to this day) would heat stamp, or emboss gold foil letters or even use a special paint process to add custom monogram letters or symbols to any item that you have.

Here's that oval patch embossed:     


And here's another example of someone who LOVED their initials and went nuts with it!!!  (Not great for resale, but maybe will prevent it from getting stolen?)- Notice the strap, the luggage tag, and one of the leather support strips on the bag...

   

You should see what they can do with trunks and hard luggage!  I just love the look of personalized pieces, don't you?

Vintage pieces that have been used and abused are no fun, but a nice, different vintage piece in mint condition is fabulous!!!  This one is from 1986 and they obviously don't make it anymore...

What is not to love about this one!  An authentic 2002 Louis Vuitton soccer ball!  They only made this for one year (although I've seen fakes with different years posted).  I sold it with the original vachetta leather case and strap.  It went for around $1300 and was a pure joy to list.  I mean, look how photogenic she is!!!

Louis Vuitton actually partnered with UNICEF and produced a hard back book with pictures of all types of celebrities, dignitaries, political figures and other folks in the spotlight.... who were photographed with the ball- and documented in the book.   I've been able to sell the book, entitled "Rebonds" several times, and it's a great coffee table read!

Fun, huh???  I particularly like the pic of Gwenyth Paltrow and Ben Affleck in front of the Eiffle Tower!  (Even if that didn't work out in the long run!)

Yep, we're here.  We finally arrived on Monday afternoon, and I forgot how much work it is to move.  It's tough being homeless with kids and a business to run!  Anyway, so of course, it's like a different world in Beverly Hills.  I am really used to San Antonio... which is really laid back and southern etc.  We've LOVED it there, and highly suggest it to anyone who's looking for a new place to settle! 

Cool! I guess, I just figured out how to add a picture! Well, partly it's my enthusiasm for this new blogging thing that has me up- and partly, my 7 month old Zoie!  I thought they were supposed to be sleeping through the night by now?  Apparently, no one informed her of this.  She's looking mighty cute right now- by the light of my laptop, and mighty awake.  I guess it's a Catch 22... cause I'm bored, so I want to do something when she wakes up (check auctions, check email, do a little shopping, and now- add to my new blog!!!), BUT... the glare of the laptop can't help her want to fall asleep!  Ah, the dilema...

Was this a neccessary post, and will I regret publishing it when I wake up tomorrow?  I guess only time will tell!

(BTW... pinks- it looks like there are so few blogs on here right now that you're actually reading a lot of them- so if you read this... could you please inform me of the links policy on eBay blogs?  Like, what can I and can't I link to?  I can't find rules and regs on this- and I'm sure there are some!  Oh yeah, and can we get spell check on this thing- I can't be expected to spell correctly at this hour- on my own!  Thank you kindly!)

Sarah