When does "faking it" serve us, and when does it hinder us? This week ELLE.com is exploring a wide variety of topics, including why we accumulate fake friendships, why we're so quick to judge a woman who surgically enhances her features, and why faking is essential to our careers, closets, and finding closure.
In March of 2013, federal authorities seized 1,500 fake Hermés bags in Los Angeles. Had they been real, that would have been about $14 million dollars worth of Birkin bags. And that's just the tip of the iceberg: Handbags and small leather goods, like your favorite Chanel wallet or Gucci coin purse, account for $700 million (that's 40 percent) of counterfeit goods seized annually worldwide.
"Of those, Louis Vuitton is the most commonly counterfeited brand," RealReal.com's senior director of authentication Graham Wetzbarger tells ELLE.com. The RealReal.com, a luxury resale site, prides itself on its commitment to authenticity. All items sold on the site are put through a multi-step, brand-specific authentication process by a team of luxury experts like Wetzbarger.
"Louis Vuitton's famous monogram pattern is the most regularly duplicated. Other commonly counterfeited brands and handbags include anything with Gucci GG logo, the Prada triangular logo, and the Chanel Ligne Cambon."
Over the years, brands like Gucci, Prada, and Chanel have spent millions of dollars trying to shut down websites the deal in fakes. They're bad for business–but they're also bad for customers, too, when you don't even realize that you're buying a fake in the first place. Here, to prevent that, we tapped Wetzbarger to share five ways to spot a fake on your own, straight from the expert himself.
1. Know the Source
The source can tell you a lot about the probability of a handbag being counterfeit, so it's important to do some research. Check out the website's FAQs section, About Us, and Press pages, and make sure they have a legitimate customer service department. If the shop or website doesn't look and feel high-end, chances are it's not, and chances are neither are the products.
2. Confirm Authenticity
Does the company you are buying from specifically state that everything they sell is guaranteed to be authentic? Many websites will mislead shoppers with phrases such as "guaranteed original" or "100% new," which is not the same as "guaranteed authentic Chanel bag." (Or, on the other hand, they might not mention anything at all, which is a red flag, too.)
3. Check the Images Carefully
Don't buy an item against a stock image. Make sure to request photos of the actual piece with the ability to view it up close and in detail. Images that show multiple angles of the bag are essential.
4. Compare Prices
Price compare the item against other reputable sources. If the bag you're considering buying is priced considerably lower than similar items on other sites, that is a red flag.
5. Do Your Research
Familiarize yourself with the brand by inspecting its current selection at a department store or brand boutique. Check the product details, materials, and construction. Does the brand use hallmarks or serial numbers? Where should the item be manufactured? What do the logos and zippers look like up close? Make note of all the teeniest things possible: a magnetic closure in the inside pocket vs. a zipper on the inside pocket, visible stitching on the handle vs. non-visible stitching, all that stuff. These are the details you should look for in photos!
