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How to SPOT Fake LV LOUIS VUITTON: Authentic Guide # 4

8. A Picture says 1000 words!

Good pictures are essential! You can't even begin to determine whether or not an item is authentic, if the seller hasn't supplied good pictures! When you are shopping for a $900 bag, one picture isn't good enough. Don't be afraid to email the seller and ask for more... You'll need to see:

1. A picture of the front
2. A picture of the back
3. A picture of the base
4. A picture of the lining
5. A picture of the date code
6. A picture of the embossed "Louis Vuitton Made in..." stamp

Other pictures are also nice... It's good to see any damage or wear upclose.

Beware of "Borrowed" Pictures!!!

Great pictures tell you nothing, if the pictures aren't of the actual item that you are bidding on! Watch out for auctions where the only pictures included are "borrowed" from Elux or the Vuitton website. You can't tell whether their bag is authentic or not based on these pictures, and I'd rather be safe than sorry... so I pass.

Unfortunately, I am also constantly dealing with sellers who "borrow" my own pictures and use them to sell their items. I sometimes protect my pictures with a watermark, but I don't do it all the time. The problem with these seller's auctions is that the pictures that they are using are of authentic bags... They are very detailed and would convince anyone that the items that they are selling are authentic. The problem is that these pictures are mine- and not of the item that they are selling. Just beware that this is always a possiblity. Be sure to ask questions and check the seller's feedback etc. to try to protect yourself. There really is very little you can do if someone has done this.

9. Guaranteed Authentic

eBay has a very strict policy forbidding the sale of counterfeit items.

• "Counterfeits, unauthorized replicas, unauthorized items (such as counterfeit watches, handbags or other accessories)... are not permitted on eBay."
• "GUIDELINE: If the product you are selling bears the name or logo of a company, but it wasn't made or endorsed by that company, don't list it on eBay."

Read the Fine Print

Be sure to read the auction very carefully. You are looking for wording that gives you confidence that the item is authentic. You'll never base your determination of the authenticity of any item based on the promises of the seller alone (you need to consider all 10 of my tips in making your decision), but you want to buy from someone who is offering a money back guarantee that the item is authentic. If they don't say so in the auction, email them and ask. Wording like "all sales final", "no returns", "ask questions first as all sales are final" are scary... steer clear. While these may be acceptable terms when considering returns based on the size of a bag, or condition, or general buyers remorse, it is not acceptable for a seller to refuse to consider a refund if the item is found to be fake.

Read Between the Lines

Sometimes the wording a seller uses or doesn't use speaks volumes.

This is an ACTUAL auction listing that I have just copied ver batim:

"Beautiful Louis. Comes with dust bag. The retail value of this bag is currently $685. I do not accept refunds so bid accordingly. PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS before bidding. ALL SALES FINAL!"

My interpretatation:

"Fake Louis. Comes with fake dust bag. The retail value of the authentic version of this bag is currently $685. I do not accept refunds, so bid like it's a cheap fake: cause it is. PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS before bidding. Remeber- your're getting a fake and ALL SALES FINAL!"

Watch out for items with titles or descriptions that say:

"100% New Louis Vuitton Speedy 25 NWT"

Authenticity Disclaimers

eBay does NOT allow sellers to disclaim authenticity.

"Sellers may not disclaim knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the items offered in their listings. Sellers should take steps to ensure that their items are authentic before listing them on eBay. If a seller cannot verify the authenticity of an item, the seller is not permitted to list it".

Basically, a seller is not allowed to say, "I bought this at the estate of a really rich person, so I assume it's real, but don't really know... Buy at your own risk, as I can not guarantee authenticity." This is NOT an acceptable way to sell a fake. There is no acceptable way to sell a fake on eBay.

10. Finally, Ask an Expert!

If you just can't tell- or just would love a second opinion, there are a lot of great resources here on eBay that will help you in your quest! These resources can direct you to authentification services that are extremely cheap and can help save you from making a major mistake.

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