FAKES SHOWING UP AT DISCOUNT DEPARTMENT STORES

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!!!!!