How to Spot a Knock-off Handbag

Don't waste your hard-earned cash on a fake bag.

A designer wardrobe has no room for fakes, impostors or knockoffs. You deserve nothing but the best, especially when you spend a hefty amount of cash on what you believe is an authentic item. In 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized 2,702 counterfeit handbags, wallets and backpacks -- a domestic value of more than $15 million. Don't become another victim of counterfeit merchandise; learn how to spot a knockoff handbag before it finds a home in your closet.

Instructions

1. Research a store or seller before you buy one of its handbags. Chris Koster, Missouri Attorney General, suggests that shoppers read online reviews to find feedback about the business. Some stores, boutiques and auction sites are notorious for selling knockoff items. Avoid these stores, even if the item that sparks your interest appears to be authentic.

2. Beware of multiple items. A store that carries a large number of an expensive bag may sell counterfeit items. Most upscale fashion brands focus on quality, not quantity.

3. Examine the stitching. A designer handbag never contains loose, sloppy threads. Look for jagged stitches, mismatched colors of thread and other signs of an unprofessional sewing job.

4. Look for the serial number. The serial number contains numbers, letters or a combination of the two. It is usually located on a small patch of leather inside of the bag. Some fake bags come with fake serial numbers, but a bag that doesn't have one is most likely a knockoff.

5. Make sure that logo bags have the right logo. An authentic Coach bag is covered in C's, not any other letter of the alphabet. Louis Vuitton bags have the signature LV stamped all over the outside. Make sure the letters are not crooked or faded. This is an easy way to spot a knockoff bag.

6. Check the dust bag. Many designer bags, such as Christian Dior and Coach, come with a dust bag. Dust bags are always crafted from a high-quality fabric, never paper or plastic. Coach dust bags are dark brown, with a red drawstring.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask the seller questions about the bag and see if he becomes nervous or defensive.

• Avoid online auctions with blurry photos or vague product descriptions.

References

• Intellectual Property Rights; Fiscal Year 2010 Seizure Statistics -- Final Report; January 2011
• Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster: Protect Yourself From Online Counterfeit Goods and Identity Theft
• The Budget Fashionista; Is Your Coach Bag a Fake?; AshleyD; January 2011
• Bag Bliss: How to Spot a Fake Coach Handbag