No I'm not talking about boobs. You've asked yourself that scrolling through eBay; stalking that designer handbag that you might bid on. So here are 4 basics questions to ask yourself followed by 10 things to check for to see if those boobs (I mean, BAGS) are real!:
This is Part 1 of 2 blogs (CHANEL is Part 1, LOUIS VUITTON is Part 2)
1. Does your intuition say anything about it?
Trust it.
2. Take time to authenticate it.
"Realauthentication.com" can give you its verdict before the seller even knows you are interested in it. It requires a good resolution screenshots of your potential bag. Depending on the fashion house, each has its own mark of authenticity. See below for basic detective work on TWO of my favorite major luxury brands: CHANEL & LOUIS VUITTON,
3. Is the price too good to be true?
Some prices are set high so you think it is the real McCoy, but do Step 2 anyways.Some prices are set low, this is a big warning sign. Especially if the bag is "New" and in "Pristine condition"
4. Ask questions, and more questions.
Your bag is an investment, but like your car or home. The more questions you ask, the more it is easier to do #1 above. Ask details on where the pre-loved bag's owner acquired it. If it is fake, the seller will be vague: "Bought from Paris". If it is authentic, the seller will be specific and forthcoming with a lot of details:"Bought her from Paris at the CHANEL flagship store on 3/16/2009 and I can provide a pic of my sales receipt or whatever else you need to know it was bought new by me from a CHANEL boutique." The seller will not be snippy, pressure you, or give you a guilt trip for example, "You don't need to ask questions, I only sell authentic CHANEL."
HERE ARE SOME 10 GUIDELINES I HAVE USED THAT HAVE KEPT ME SAFE: (Most of my research and personal experience in learning what the special features are of an authentic CHANEL handbag is with the classic flap bags from CHANEL; so I will only cover the classic flap bags):
1. Each CHANEL bag has an authenticity sticker which as 8 numbers. This authenticity sticker is always placed in the lower left main compartment of the classic flap bags on the front wall.
2. Each CHANEL bag has an authenticity card which resembles the size and feel of a credit card and the numbers on it match the 8 numbers on the bag's authenticity sticker.
3. The pattern (whether it is quilted or chevron) on the outside of the CHANEL lines up (matches up with) with the quilting below the flap line, so if you close the bag and look at it from the front, the quilts/chevron stripes should line up or "complete" each other; they will never be "off" or "staggered".
4. The iconic CHANEL turnlock should feel "good" and not "cheap" or make a "springy" sound. It should be well-made or good quality and "click" into place.
5. Look under the flap, the MADE IN FRANCE or MADE IN ITALY is specifically and intentionally placed so that there should be a straight imaginary line from the upper snap down through the two overlapping CC and then down through the letters A and the N
in "CHANEL" and that imaginary straight line never crosses a letter in the word "CHANEL."
6. The screws on the plate of the turnlock are always FLAT-BLADE and not Phillips (cross-recess).
7. The chains (beautifully interwoven with leather which is signature CHANEL) should feel substantially weighty and not "cheap and light".
8. There will never be plastic covering any part of the bag or the chains.
9. Some pre-loved bags can be authentic without the seller having the authenticiy card because these cards are easily misplaced. And some vintage CHANEL handbags' authenticity sticker may have rubbed off over time. In these cases, I go back to using an online authenticator www.RealAuthentication.com: just upload the pics of a designer bag you are eyeing and quickly they will either tell you to give them more views of the bag or tell you on line if it is authentic or not. Their fees are reasonable and defintely worth it.
10. If still in doubt, don't do it. It's not worth it. That CHANEL bag that is supposed to belong to you is out there waiting for you! So don't settle for less!
As always, Look with Intention. XO, Jen