More often than not, you would come across a designer handbag that immediately catches your attention on social media platforms! What’s more interesting is the fact that the prices that they offer are dreamy, and the label looks legit as well. However, how do you know whether the deal is legit or a stylish scam? Getting tempted to purchase a luxe-looking bag is common, but here's the deal: you must only go for the purchase after being completely sure that you are not being duped. Let’s understand how!
Start with the price tag
Authentic designer bags do not come cheap; that’s the basic fact regarding designer bags! If you see that you are being offered a luxury designer bag for the price of a pair of normal sneakers, it’s time to introspect. In all probability, the bag is fake and will not be a worthy purchase at all.
Have you ever noticed the pricing of a luxury bag? They are never priced cheaply, simply due to the fact that these companies know the worth of their bags. Even if you are getting a hefty outlet discount, there is no chance that the price will be anywhere close to what you can call cheap!
Check the logo
You must have come across bags that have misspelled logos, haven’t you? It is a common thing, especially in those developing markets, where duplicate products with misspelled brand names are being sold.
So, keeping an eye on the logo can help you! With fake products, you will often notice that the logo font, spacing, or letter placement are all messed up. When you are handling a real designer bag, the logo is crisp, clean, and perfectly symmetrical. Such designer brands are super consistent with their branding.
Feel it to believe it
When you touch a bag, you instantly know whether it is an original one or a fake one. Authentic and premium brands use premium materials like soft calfskin leather, real suede, and high-quality canvas to manufacture their bags. You can easily understand the difference by just touching the bag once.
In the case of a cheap and copy product, the material used is generally cheap pleather or plastic, which is stiff and weirdly shiny. Even in the case of a premium bag, the stitching is completely different from that of a cheap copy bag! If you see any loose threads or crooked seams, it's probably a fake.
Peek inside
Never forget to check the inside of a bag, as the interior says a lot about your bag. When you are purchasing a real designer bag, there is as much detail on the inside as on the outside. The material of the lining is also high-quality, as the brand label is stitched and not glued on the inside.
Specific fabrics and patterns are used for the lining of the inside by luxury and premium brands. You can understand the quality of the bag by reading the quality of the hardware, like zippers, buttons, and clasps, as well.
Serial numbers and authenticity cards are not optional
If there are no authentication details, then your designer bag is not genuine at all! You would get serial numbers, date codes, or even authenticity cards with the products of premium brands. Nevertheless, remember that just because a product has a serial number, it doesn't mean it is authentic.
Fake products can easily copy numbers, so checking the format is essential to identify a fake product. You can always check the serial number format of a brand online and use an online checker on the bag as well!
Look at the hardware
Luxury brands make sure that their hardware is on point as well! From zippers and buckles to clasps, everything oozes quality in the case of premium quality handbags. They feel weighty, smooth, and well-made as well.
In fake bags, you will find plastic-y hardware, where the coloring is inconsistent and the engravings are also poor. Make sure that the zipper glides like butter, and all engraved brandings are sharp and clear. If it is shallow and messy, then in all probability, the bag you are dealing with is fake.
Packaging counts
You can differentiate between a high-end brand and a fake one by just looking at the packaging. The high-end brands generally go all out in packaging and provide you with a real unboxing experience. Fake bags are often wrapped in plastic and unclean packaging, which comes with generic tags as well.
Know the style
You might find out a design that looks extremely attractive, but never actually existed. Fake brands generally create designs that premium brands never launched, just to grab attention, and this can be a massive issue. Before purchasing anything with a unique design, make sure that you search the bag's model name online, to be on the safe side.
Buy from reliable sellers only
Where you buy from actually matters! Never buy from unauthorized platforms or retail outlets, and stick to official boutiques, brand websites, or well-known resellers, who have a strong reputation.
Buying from social media marketplaces can be extremely risky, as the chances of fraud and scams are higher there. Always stick to reliable sellers with an appropriate reputation and reviews.
Rely on your gut
Do you think that you need years of training just to spot a fake designer handbag? Well, you don’t! You just need a little know-how and a sharp eye, and once you start noticing the small details, you are good to go. The stitching, the hardware, the lining, all these aspects matter and thus, keep a keen eye on these areas, and more importantly, rely on your gut!
Final thoughts
Getting duped into purchasing a fake designer handbag is nothing uncommon, as more and more people are falling prey to it! However, you don’t need extensive technical knowledge to detect a fake bag and differentiate it from an authentic one. In this regard, all you need to do is know certain aspects clearly and use the basic knowledge to differentiate between these bags. So, the next time you purchase a premium designer handbag, make sure to follow the tips provided here for better outcomes!