Storage Auctions

The Storage Locker => General Storage Auction Talk => Topic started by: MatchesMalone on November 14, 2011, 11:38:19 PM

Title: Handbag Authentication
Post by: MatchesMalone on November 14, 2011, 11:38:19 PM
Does anyone have a good source for determining the authenticity of designer handbags?

I may have found a near-endless source of second-hand designer bags, but if 90% of them are counterfeit, then it doesn't help me.

Any suggestions out there?
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: craiglstauction on November 15, 2011, 07:31:41 AM
Your best bet is to study the details of each bag.  Hit your major retail stores and look at the label, stitching, etc.  If you can take pictures and then compare that to your bags.

Or find someone that sales bags and is sort of an expert.  I know that I have ZERO knowledge in it.  I was just stacking purses and other bags in a pile when my wife pulled 2 out and was like, these are so and so purses.  I was like OK....and?

Only purse I know is Vera Bradley due to the amount of money my wife has spent buying them.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: jrossjr79 on November 15, 2011, 07:54:37 AM
You should be able to research different bags online. Or maybe a female you know that is close to you can help out. I am not much for one on determining if a purse is a real deal or knockoff. However my wife can spot a fake a mile away, lol.

I know Coach and Louis Vuitton have a serial number labeled somewhere on the bag, usually inside the purse itself. Most knock offs do not have this number. And the ones that do you can still tell by checking it online to verify it being the real deal.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: Millertime on November 15, 2011, 10:17:13 AM
Had a Louis V knockoff and the women I showed it to called it right off. Women's intuition - don't fight it fellas.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: monkeybusiness on November 16, 2011, 05:50:56 PM
Take it to a consignment shop.Most can tell right away.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: MatchesMalone on November 16, 2011, 08:15:11 PM
I found a source of inexpensive second-hand bags that I can look at before I buy, but am still confounded as to what to look for. Found some youtube vids on the subject, but I may just go into a couple boutiques and see what they can tell me.

Maybe even bite the bullet on a couple as a "learning" expense.

Thanks for the thoughts, fellas.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: jrossjr79 on November 16, 2011, 08:29:23 PM
I found a source of inexpensive second-hand bags that I can look at before I buy, but am still confounded as to what to look for. Found some youtube vids on the subject, but I may just go into a couple boutiques and see what they can tell me.

Maybe even bite the bullet on a couple as a "learning" expense.

Thanks for the thoughts, fellas.

That can be an expensive bullet. Buying them, even cheap would be a waste of money if they are not real. Most of the females that buy them, know a fake from the real thing almost immediately. And knock-offs they really do not buy at all.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: MatchesMalone on November 16, 2011, 11:51:03 PM
I suppose I'm the only dude who wishes his wife was into designer bags... I'll figure it out somehow.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: jrossjr79 on November 17, 2011, 12:14:06 AM
I suppose I'm the only dude who wishes his wife was into designer bags... I'll figure it out somehow.

lol, maybe so, I cant stand that my wife wants to drop a couple hundred on a bag, lol.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: craiglstauction on November 17, 2011, 11:37:16 AM
Naw - my wife can be into designer bags and such all she wants.  It's when she buys one that I start to groan.....
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: Huntress on November 17, 2011, 11:44:34 AM
Fakes do have serial numbers & I've also seen many boutiques sell fakes. Your best bet is to join authenticforum  & post up pics. There are many experts there that can & will help you.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: jrossjr79 on November 17, 2011, 12:45:38 PM
Fakes do have serial numbers & I've also seen many boutiques sell fakes. Your best bet is to join authenticforum  & post up pics. There are many experts there that can & will help you.

Yes, but the fakes serial numbers will not match up to the databases online that you can verify it with.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: Huntress on November 17, 2011, 01:18:22 PM
Yes, but the fakes serial numbers will not match up to the databases online that you can verify it with.


As a long time designer clothes/handbag/shoes junkie & collector I have to respectfully disagree as I've seen them :)  You just cannot go by a serial number alone as there are many really good fakes out there.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: BigBizzz on November 20, 2011, 04:03:36 AM
You should have a second hand clothes and accessories place in your contact book.
Easiest way, let someone else do it. Theyll be happy to.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: BigBizzz on November 20, 2011, 04:08:32 AM

As a long time designer clothes/handbag/shoes junkie & collector I have to respectfully disagree as I've seen them :)  You just cannot go by a serial number alone as there are many really good fakes out there.
lol i think i believe u. I have a feeling as your 2nd post u signed up partially to respond to this question.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: craiglstauction on November 21, 2011, 08:04:14 PM
Well I just got my first two knock-offs.  Found two Dooney & Bourke purses that I got excited about when checked ebay.  Upon looking at a few listings I noticed the purses are made in the USA.  Mine are made in Korea.  Neither of them have a serial # in them either.  Oh well - I'll try to sell them at the flea and tell people up front they are knock offs.  Some ladies will not care.

Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: MatchesMalone on November 21, 2011, 08:07:33 PM
Funny thing about country of origin.

I've heard that the fake Coach bags will often say Made in USA even though the real Coach bags are made in China.

It's a tricky game and something we'll all have to deal with at one time or another.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: Huntress on November 22, 2011, 09:07:00 AM
Uh oh, sorry to hear they are fakes!


Yes, most current Coach bags are made in China. However many older bags were US,Dominican Republic & Turkey so don't discount those as always being fake. Also sometimes there will be a "bullseye" on the leather patch inside on the upper right hand corner, this indicates it came from the Coach outlet :)
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: mrsmith on November 22, 2011, 09:24:24 AM
I'm by no means a handbag expert, but I've sold quite a few.  The proof is in the details. You have to look at everything from the material they are made from, the stitching, the lining, the straps, even down to the badge itself and how it is laid out.

For some reason, women are born with this innate gift of knowing when a purse is a knock-off. When a purse comes in sketchy, I ask a few customers what their take is on it and we usually come to a pretty accurate conclusion.

Some of those designer imposters actually can bring in some decent money also, some people can't afford the real thing and prefer the fake.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: MatchesMalone on November 22, 2011, 04:03:31 PM
Huntress, please tell me you live in Austin so I can hire you as a consultant.   :)
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: Huntress on November 23, 2011, 09:25:19 AM
:) No, I'm in OK. I'm happy to help though, can usually authenticate with good pics.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: MatchesMalone on November 23, 2011, 11:17:58 AM
Well, shucks!!

I may take you up on the pics idea sometime, though.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: jrossjr79 on November 25, 2011, 04:58:53 PM
Huntress, please tell me you live in Austin so I can hire you as a consultant.   :)
If your in Austin, take a 60 min drive south to San Marcos and go to the outlets there, they may be able to help ya :)
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: MatchesMalone on November 26, 2011, 10:56:46 AM
If your in Austin, take a 60 min drive south to San Marcos and go to the outlets there, they may be able to help ya :)

The Round Rock outlets, on the north side, are much closer, but not nearly as massive as San Marcos. I should get my hands on a list of businesses at San Marcos. We also have some boutiques in town, but again, I just need to get a list together.

Kinda surprised how much action this thread has gotten. Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: Handbag Authentication
Post by: money4nothing on December 16, 2011, 05:32:35 AM
Thanks for this thread.  ;D
Just got a LV bag and a couple of Coach bags in last locker. Pretty sure they are knock off's. Found one LV bag coming apart the seam was glued. (here is your sign). The other does have a serial # the inside is nice but the strap does not feel right. This women's intuition is off, would never spend hundreds on a handbag. LOL