So as a seller, I had a very interesting thing happen to me recently.  I had a client that gave us a Pucci small velour print handbag to sell.  She had bought it from a deep discount retailer and never used the item.  The thing was that, though I absolutely believed our client, there was no Pucci print signature anywhere on the bag!  NO WHERE!!!  The only Pucci label was on the interior zip pocket of the bag. 

This concerned us greatly and so we contacted our client and informed her that based on our knowledge, we could not post this bag.  She got very defensive, but we explained to her that based on the contract she signed, we have the reight to decline any item that is given to us.  What came next was very interesting.

We did a google search on Pucci to see if our knowledge about Pucci bags held firm.  Every bag that we came across, as every item that we have ever posted from Pucci had the Pucci name signature at some point on the item.  Then, we did a search on the discount store and actually found that this store has been sued by several couture designers for selling high end copies of their products.  Now, as I have shopped at this particular store before, I believe all the reports that said that this store was unaware of the situation and believed to be dealing with reputable vendors, thus unaware that these items were copies. 

When we showed this information to our client, she immediately went back to the store with the information and the handbag.  The store contacted their buyer and the head buyer personally took the call.  She told our client, that the bag is 100% authentic but it is possible that because this store obtained it, the bag was produced using the last of the roll of fabric, which in fact was missing the name stamp.  She was told that in fact the company had had previous issue but all suits had been resolved and buyers for the company were being better educated. 

I think that it was important to share this story for many reasons.  First, anyone can make a mistake! It doesn't matter how much experience you have or who you have worked for.  Major couture dealers will no longer allow their store employees to authenticate a bag because there are so many high end fakes on the market, that it is almost impossible to tell.  However, you can fight back!  Do your homework; google the bag you are looking at and see what you can learn about it.  Look closely at the photos provided and ask a lot of questions.  Read a sellers feedback!!!  Remember, vintage bags can look much different.  Before the day of high end copies, name plates were generally stamped on the interior of a bag and not embossed in the hardware.  Look at the type font of the stamping.  Embossed or stamped, vintage or modern, the trademark signature should all look the same.  It is always easy to see a flaw in stitching or feel fake leather, but more often than not, the eye misses the slight signature differences.  The hook on Prada that is the wrong way or the C in chanel that is slightly curved.  Look for it!!!  Finally, always trust your gut.  If a $2,500 bag is selling on ebay for $300, do you really believe it to be real?  If a marking is missing, should you just discount it as a second?  An educated buyer is a great buyer!!!!!

As a consignment seller, I am one of the most known ebay trading assistants in my local area.  I know all my clients personally and know where their merchandise is purchased.  I have spent hours training and researching how to spot a fake, especially handbags.  It is amazing what I have found.

Today, as I was prepping my items for this weeks auctions, I was doing a google search for an average price of a particular Chloe handbag and I couldn't believe what I found.  I found this website (google designer knockoff and it will come up) that not only is selling high end designer knock offs from China but is even selling fake authenticity cards and fake dust bags.  How incredibly frustrating for us honest ebayers that are selling 100% authentic items.  I have always been able to tell a fake bag from an authentic but the new ones coming out of China make it almost impossible to spot a fake.

So here are some pointers.  First, if a seller does not provide several close up shots of a bag, I would be very leary.  Email them and ask for more photos.  In most copies, even those that are high end fakes, some of the stitching is sloppy.  In authentic expensive high end bags, the stitching is flawless.  Always in a straight line, always the same throughout. Handles are a dead giveaway.  High end bags will have a handle seam stitched that does not overlap.  A lot of the fakes overlap their handles. High end authentic bags would NEVER NEVER NEVER be wrapped in any type of plastic. This breaks down the leather as it can not breath! 

Just the other day, I saw an auction for an Authentic Juicy Couture handbag.  Over the computer it really looked authentic, except for the plastic wrapped handles.  The markings were there, the price tag was attached.  It was guaranteed 100% authentic...........it was not!  Last year I even bought what I thought was an authentic Kooba bag from a seller. The seller had 100% feedback, had a beautiful looking auction and a lot of photos.  When I got the bag, it was even a butter soft leather.  Authentic I thought, until shortly after I started using it, and the bag quickly began to  fall apart.  An authentic bag would never break down that fast.

I always advise my friends not to buy a bag from a seller that only sells one or two particular brands of bags.  There is a much stronger chance that they obtained this lot from a Chinese wholesaler.  When buying a bag, I would recommend going for a gently used bag.  A bag that is posted by a seller with not only great feedback but one that sells a large variety of clothing or accessory items. Please note..............retailers are very leary about authenticating bags today, so do your research.  They to are faced up against high end copies and sales staff that does not always know how to tell the difference. 

Anyway, I thought this was worth blogging about.  I reported the ebayer selling the fake Juicy bag.  I am sure it wasn't removed from ebay.  Maybe the seller doesn't even realize it is fake.  However, do your research, ask a lot of questions and make smart decisions.  If you do buy a fake, report it, even if you are ok with it!