You can buy authentic LOUIS VUITTON on eBay and I am going to help you do it! If you are trying to avoid relicas... you've come to the right place. This guide goes through my tips to spotting fakea and to buying authentic Louis Vuitton. Because I'm limited in the length of each guide, I've had to break it down into parts. This is Part 4... I've already discussed the juicy specifics about the bag, researching the seller, stuff you need to know about Louis Vuitton corporate (now and vintage), date codes, buyer's protection and why never to trust a receipt.
Buying Authentic Louis Vuitton- Guide Part 4
If you missed the previous three parts- check them out...
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:
- A picture of the front
- A picture of the back
- A picture of the base
- A picture of the lining
- A picture of the date code
- 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.
The Community Boards
I have been a contributor on the Clothing & Accessories board for almost 5 years now and usually post on Louis Vuitton related questions and posts. However, the purse people have found a new home in the new Shoes, Purses & Fashion Accessories board.
There is actually an entire thread entire on the Shoes, Purses and Fashion Accessories board that is dedicated to helping you out! It is called Handbag Authentification Resources: Find the Answers to your Questions Here.
Feel free to post authenticity questions on these boards... there are tons of knowledgeable sellers and buyers who will be happy to share their insight.
About Me Pages
There are also a ton of really helpful "About Me" Pages here on eBay, where eBayers have used this space to help you in your quest to buy authentic Louis Vuitton and other highend and frequently counterfeited brands...
I wrote another Guide with Links to some of these Me Pages, which you can find here: Authentic Louis Vuitton
Good Luck!I've been able to acquire a collection of authentic Louis Vuitton that would not have been possible just 10 years ago (before eBay was born)... OK, I'm wiping away a tear ;) Really, though... eBay is an amazing resource- the ONLY way possible for any non-Louis Vuitton employee to get authentic Louis Vuitton at anything below retail.
We all hear the nightmare stories about the scammers out there, the unbelievable number of fakes online, the increasing quality of newer fakes etc. etc., but if you follow the guidelines in my Top Ten Tips... you really should be able to avoid most fakes. Please be careful. Protect yourself. Do your homework and Enjoy the hunt!!!
If you missed the first four Guides, you can find them here:
More Information on Louis Vuitton...
MY GUIDES --- Here is a list of all of my free eBay Guides.
LOUIS VUITTON --- This is a general buying guide for all Louis Vuitton- vintage and current
MULTICOLORE --- A guide to buying authentic Louis Vuitton Murakami Multicolore on eBay
THE FRENCH COMPANY --- A guide to buying vintage The French Company for Louis Vuitton
OTHER DESIGNERS --- I don't know it all- Guides and About Me pages written by experts in Juicy Couture, Chanel, Hermes, Marc Jacobs, Denim & Cerises Vuitton- you name it!
BOUGHT A FAKE? --- So you think you've bought a fake? Check out my guide to getting your money back!
Mark Allen Rochefort Inc. 1802-380-3664
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