With headlines abuzz about the counterfeit “Apple” store spotted in Kunming, China, it makes you wonder: would you be able to spot a knockoff? Although the idea of faking an entire store might seem preposterous, consider for a moment: even the employees were convinced the store was legitimate. Now think small-scale – when we’re shopping online, goods are even easier to fake, and counterfeiters have only grown more sophisticated in their tactics.
The Wall Street Journal article “The Finer Art of Faking It” explains that today’s counterfeit fashion goods “are a far cry from cheap knockoffs, with ‘Prado’ or ‘Cucci’ logos sold out of trash bags on street corners to consumers who know they’re buying fakes. The goods,” author Elizabeth Holmes elaborates, “are made from high quality materials, with zippers and grommets boasting the brand name, and are stamped with what appears to be the proper manufacturing location and date.”
Added to that, counterfeit sellers set up ecommerce websites that can fool even savvy shoppers, complete with product images, descriptions, logos and keyword advertisements on search engines. The internet makes it very easy to lift product information directly from a legitimate retailer’s website.
Still, knockoff goods aren’t foolproof, even with the increased sophistication of counterfeiting. Some red flags may be extremely low pricing (for instance, a Hermes purse that’s a couple hundred dollars instead of a couple thousand) or quality that’s somewhat off.
If you’re planning on getting a Chanel purse online and want to make sure you’re buying the read deal, here are a few tips:
Take stock images with a grain of salt. Product images can be easily taken off of other websites, and you may be surprised after placing an order to receive a purse that looks completely different.
If you’re buying second-hand on a marketplace like eBay, request additional pictures of the purse. If you’re buying off of a website that purports to sell Chanel purses, do your research by searching for the business’s online reputation.
Stores that have been featured on large media outlets (like Oprah, ABC) are probably legit. And if you can find your desired brand’s website, authorized stockists or resellers are often listed.
Check the smaller details. The chain and strap of a genuine Chanel double chain lambskin flap leather handbag should be substantial; the leather should lie fairly flat. The quilted crisscross stitching on a real Chanel purse should line up throughout the purse. Seams should not be prominent, but delicate and subtle. Basically, the bag should look like the thousand or so dollars that it retails at a Chanel store.
Check your tags. When you buy a real Chanel bag, you’ll receive an authenticity card with some serial numbers. This serial number will match one on a sticker found somewhere in the interior lining of the bag. Beware that this can be faked too. Also be aware that the sticker or authenticity card can be lost over time, so a Chanel bag that lacks one need not be a counterfeit.
eBay posts numerous guides on authenticating Coach purses, Fossil bags, Lacoste products and more. Online forums like PurseForum or The Fashion Spot have brand-savvy users who can also offer their insight on products you’ve bought or are considering buying, and can also alert you to sellers on online marketplaces that are known counterfeit purveyors.
Hopefully these tips will give you more confidence to buy the purse you really desire!