How to Tell Counterfeit Bags

Designer handbags come with high fashion and high status, but being duped by a counterfeit can come at a high cost.

Counterfeit handbags used to be rather obvious as they were sold on street corners and markets with the salesperson keeping a close eye out for law enforcement. In the days of street corner sellers, most people knew it when they were buying a counterfeit, and they saved money doing it. The popularity of Internet shopping has opened new doors for counterfeit sellers. Add to that the improved quality of many counterfeit bags, and the odds become much higher that an honest consumer could get duped by a fake and pay much more than it's worth.

Instructions

1. Know your prices. Counterfeit bags are not always priced lower than their real counterparts, but a good indication of a fake is a price tag that is too good to be true. If a bag is said to be new and is priced well below its value, question its authenticity.

2. Buy from trustworthy stores. Independent shops, street vendors, unfamiliar websites and individuals selling bags online or at flea markets all pose some risk for a counterfeit. If you want to be certain of a bag's authenticity, purchase it from the company directly, from a major department store, from a trustworthy boutique or from a well-known website. Research any stores or websites you are unfamiliar with. Avoid street vendors, and be very careful buying from individuals.

3. Pay attention to details. Designer goods are all about the details. Make sure that the labels on the product, inside the bag and on all packaging are spelled correctly and use the correct font or logo. Look for flaws in the stitching and patterns that don't match up at the seams --- these could be giveaways for a fake. Know if the brand you are buying is supposed to have a serial number, and look for it. Check the number with the manufacturer if possible. Also, know where the bag should be made. If the company usually manufactures in Italy but the bag says "Made in China," you can guess it's a fake.

4. Examine the fabric. Most designer handbags are made of high-end materials. Know how leather feels and smells, and how it differs from vinyl or PVC. Leather handles should not be cracking or fraying. The lining should not be thin or papery, and should fit the inside of the bag without puckering. However, determining fabric quality is very difficult when buying the bag online, which makes online purchases just that much riskier.

5. Expect designer packaging. High-end bags come with high-end packaging. Expect the bag to come with a dust case for storage. This dust case should be made of soft, high-quality material with the logo printed on it. Some counterfeits come with dust cases, but usually of much lower quality. The bag should also have fancy tags displaying the brand name, and often company information.

6. Do your research. Know the brand you are shopping for. Learn about its manufacturing process, packaging and current designs and colors. If a bag doesn't live up to these standards, or comes in a color that isn't offered by the company, assume it's a fake.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want a designer look without the price, look for a knockoff, a bag that looks similar to the designer one without claiming to be the real thing or sporting the brand name or logo.

• There can be fines and legal penalties for buying counterfeit goods. Be especially careful when buying designer goods overseas. If customs discovers a fake bag in your possession, you might be subject to major fines and encounter difficulties passing between countries.

References

• The High Price of a Fake by Kitsch Purses
• Don't Get Snagged By A Fake Handbag
• Spotting a knockoff handbag can be harder than you think
• How to Spot a Fake Bag