When buying a designer handbag on eBay remember RULE #1 is that pictures are EVERYTHING and RULE # 2 is that you CANNOT trust pictures. It does not matter whether the salesperson is a PowerSeller or any other kind of seller if they do not supply CLOSEUP pictures of the bag and/or paperwork so that you can discern whether the bag is authentic. If adequate pictures are not shown then DO NOT BID because MORE than likely you are about to be ripped!
If you are spending your money on their item then you DESERVE to know what you are getting! You know how cheats HATE questions so do not be shy, ask questions like where did you get the bag and how are you going to prove its authenticity? Ask for pictures of ALL logo plates or embossments, serial numbers, holograms, authenticity tags, engraved hardware and strap attachments because you will find authenticity in the small details. If you receive no reply move on to the next item. The more info you gather the more info you will have to dispute the transaction if it comes to that. Always email sellers through eBay to lock them in on the facts.
If you are refused additional pictures then you might suspect whether the pictures shown are of the actual bag. If extra pictures are provided look at the backgrounds to see that all pictures seem to be taken at the same location. If the items in the pictures look like they are floating in the air without any background then beware because the bag you are about to buy is probably just as groundless. Pictures like these are usually STOLEN from the Handbag Designers OWN website so of course the bag looks authentic! Also, if the picture is so tight that there is no background at all beware because these photos may have been stolen from other sites and identifing features removed so that instead of seeing the whole bag you see a picture of a bag with the side, top or bottom cut from it. Be sure to compare pictures of bags from each seller. I have come across these problems myself at a PowerSellers site!
You can actually find yourself bidding on an item and not even having a true picture of it. If a person is going to sell on eBay then they need to invest in a digital camera so they can supply EXCELLENT photos of their items. If you are going to buy designer bags on eBay then you need to invest in a magnifing glass and if you cannot count the stitches on the bag then the photo is inferior and you need to move on to the next item. Blurry, small don't-show-much photos are meant to mislead you and once misled, then fleeced! If you cannot supersize the picture move on to the next item. Some replicas look so real it is hard to tell them from the real thing and you need a magnifier to tell the difference.
Realize that MOST "authentic" designer handbags on eBay are FAKE! Authentic Fendi spy bags, Chloe paddingtons, Balenciaga city bags, Louis Vuitton multi-colored bags and others of these high end designer handbags are going to cost you almost always a $1000.00 or so! YOU WILL NOT GET THEM FOR 3, 4, 5 or $600.00 unless they are USED and DAMAGED!! If the seller does not guarentee their item with an item return and money back policy then move on to the next item.
Remember FAKE bags have authentic features, such as lampo or ykk zippers, authentic looking monogram placement, dust bags, authencity tags, controllato cards, serial numbers, made in Italy embossments, ID plates, holograms, care booklets, logo designer hardware and RECEIPTS!!!! If you cannot find an authentic bag to compare the item to, then find a fake and compare it. For example, if you see a new Chloe paddington with a Buy It Now option for $399.99 then you have your fake bag so start comparing! You can go to a store on ebay like 88caviar, montecarloclub or thehuangfamily to find an AUTHENTIC BAG, then do a comparison or you can go into Buying Handbags and set a monetary begin amount of $1500.00 and leave the end amount open and see what pops up and find a comparison there.
Designers are a repetitive bunch and each style bag will have an EXACT pattern that is followed. The pattern on a Louis Vuitton multi-color speedy 30 is always the same on EVERY speedy 30 bag. There is NEVER EVER anything hap-hazard or sloppy about true designer bags. The same number of neat looking stitches are used and each stitch is the same size! Also, you do not have sloppy stitch lines that cross over each other such as some of the fake Fendi spy bags have on top of their flaps. If you cannot get a picture of the top of the flap of a Fendi spy bag do not bid on it! Nor do Designers allow their logos to be cut in half at the top of a bag, inside or outside.
Research the bag you want before bidding so you know what to look for. As I pointed out you will find its authenticity in the small details. Remember that just because a number of bidders are bidding the same designer bag DOES NOT MAKE IT AUTHENTIC!! Also, I would be cautious of anything private such as private seller feedback and private bid listings. I was in a quick paced bidding war at a private bid listing site and lost because of my slow computer. The next thing I know I am getting an email telling me the item was still available at the high ending price if I would like it. This made me wonder if I had been bidding against the seller! As a result I do not like anything done privately.
If you cannot find an authentic bag within your price range then research the fake designer inspired bags. They differ in quality and some are better than others, but they are not worth more than $50.00 to $400.00 depending on the bag style and whether the bag is a mirror image or not. Do not pay more than this for them unless you want to double someones profit.
I would buy only from sellers who use PayPal because if you find you have ended up with one of the thousands of fakes on eBay you would have a better chance of getting your funds returned when and if you put up a fight!
Watch out for smooth talkers and keep your wits about you!
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