ARE YOU TIRED OF SEEING NON-AUTHENTIC, FAKE DESIGNER BAGS & ACCESSORIES LISTED ON EBAY?

So am I!!  You and I can do something about it!  Every time you see a listing that says 'vintage' and doesn't say authentic - it probably isn't.  Most experienced sellers know better than to list faux designer bags, but sometimes even they can't tell the difference.  (I'm cutting experienced sellers a break here because they should know better even if there is a question as to authenticity).

If you think a particular listing is a  COUNTERFEIT- go to the bottom of the page and click on Report This Item.  Then click on trademark and copyright violation - then click on counterfeit bag or whatever the item may be. IT'S COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS, BUT DEFINITELY A NECESSARY STEP TO REMOVING COUNTERFEIT GOODS FROM EBAY.  I reported an item 3 times and still it never got removed from eBay.  The seller had less than 100 feedback, I even sent the seller a message informing them that the Gucci bag they listed was a fake and the reasons why it was a fake.  FINALLY, I had to write about it in a handbag forum before it was finally removed.  This shouldn't have to happen.

To make eBay a truly safe place to buy, it's up to all of us to keep it that way, by reporting items we know and believe to be counterfeit.  Particularly in the women's handbag category - i.e. Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Dior, Dooney & Bourke, Brighton and even Vera Bradley.

It's basically an anonymous way that you can become a part of help to keep eBay a safer trading community for all of us.  If you are thinking of purchasing a bag and the price seems particularly low for a hot designer bag, ask the seller for proof of purchase.  Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Dior and Dooney & Bourke DO NOT wholesale to private individuals.  I've heard of  "back door" authentic Gucci's - and those mostly come out of Florida and they are fakes too.

Remember the Golden Rule on purchasing authentic, designer handbags on eBay...if it seems to good to be true, it's most likely NOT AUTHENTIC!!  Do us all a favor and report FAKE, COUNTERFEIT LISTINGS.  I do NOT work for eBay, I'm just a seller and a buyer who is extremely tired of seeing page after page of counterfeit designer bags listed on eBay and they never seem to be removed - the poor buyers are getting ripped off for hundreds of dollars and I feel it's up to all of us to start doing something about it! And Paypal/eBay will most likely NOT help the buyer get their money back!!

Thank you for reading this guide - if you need authentication of a vintage Gucci or vintage Louis Vuitton, feel free to e-mail me as that is my area of expertise. If this guide was helpful to you, please do vote for it.  I'd appreciate it.

Update: 11/15/08: I authenticate Gucci bags when asked by eBayers - of the last 15 Gucci bags-all relatively new styles-they were all fake and all listed here on eBay.  Reporting fake/counterfeit designer bags on eBay is an ongoing process (and nightmare)-please report all fakes! You'll be saving someone else a lot of heartache and hard earned money!  Thanks! :)