Super-fakes and VIP gifts

Finding a fashion connoisseur who doesn't want to own an original Hermes Birkin or Chanel 2.55 bag in their wardrobe would be a challenge. According to statistics, these bags top the list of most desired women's accessories and are the epitome of luxury. They are considered the most expensive designer models in the world of luxurious fashion, with their prices regularly increasing. The retail price of the classic model has increased by 75% over the last 7 years, and to buy a Birkin bag, you may have to wait in line for 3-4 years.

Buying these models is considered the best investment. Such bags are either hard to obtain or have purchase limits. Waiting lists do not always guarantee to fulfill your dream, and many enthusiasts have to search for their coveted bag on the secondary market.

Buying vintage or pre-owned designer items requires buyers to exercise utmost vigilance regarding their purchases. Over the past 5 years, there have been superfakes of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Celine, and Hermes, fooling even the most sophisticated authentication devices like Entrupy. Obtaining the latest bag models on the second-hand market online has become possible only with physical authentication, as merely relying on photographs for comparison is no longer sufficient.

After a collaborative effort between our experts and representatives from Entrupy, a new mandatory step was introduced during the microscope authentication process: the additional scanning of the serial number. This step seemed to solve the issue of successfully authenticating superfakes using microscopy. However, the suppliers of these counterfeits spent time devising new tactics. They started imitating damaged chips on the bags and the absence of stickers with serial numbers on Chanel bags. They would call such items "Sample" or "VIP Gift." If you come across such advertisements on Telegram channels or pages of consignment stores at attractive prices, it's best to steer clear.

Examples of such bags:

Chanel VIP gifts - what is it?

The authentic VIP gifts from Chanel are exclusive items that can only be obtained by loyal VIP clients who regularly visit the store and spend a significant amount of money at the boutique. These are products that regular customers cannot purchase. All gift items are crafted with the same attention to detail and high craftsmanship quality just like everything associated with the Chanel brand.

These products have serial numbers and a special "with compliments from Chanel" tag, as shown in the photo below:

VIP gifts and "Sample" bags are indeed the most successful types of sales for ordinary counterfeit products, often exploited by Instagram resources. The buyer has no way to dispute whether the bag they purchased is not an original Chanel product since these items are not originally intended for resale. Therefore, when purchasing VIP gifts and Samples on the secondary market, the buyer runs a high risk of acquiring a regular copy from platforms like AliExpress at an inflated price.

Examples of such counterfeit products referred to as VIP gifts are shown in the photo below:

Cheap fake hardware that is immediately recognizable as counterfeit even without touching it.

Cheap material, poorly applied logo that has absolutely nothing to do with the Chanel logo:

Sample bags

"Sample" bags are original products manufactured by the company, and some of them come with cards. They are used for photoshoots, fashion shows, reviews, store displays, etc. They are not intended for sale and are stamped with "not for sale." Typically, they are given to company employees. However, counterfeit versions of sample bags of superfake quality also exist, and when purchasing them, the buyer cannot dispute the authenticity of the bag or request a refund. Fake SAMPLE bags can often be found on Instagram pages of consignment stores, with prices starting from 1800 euros.

Such bags have the quality of superfakes, with good execution of all logos and engravings, and most importantly, a "SAMPLE" plate or tag.

For those considering buying a pre-owned bag from a luxury brand and do not have the opportunity to verify its authenticity with specialists, here are the three main things to pay attention to:

1. The feel and smell of the item.

The first sign that a bag is not authentic is poor-quality material, which can be felt immediately when you hold the bag, as well as the smell of a freshly made factory bag.

Yes, some bags from recent Louis Vuitton and Chanel collections, such as Mylockit, Timeless Classic, Onthego, and others, may also have a different brand smell than we love and are accustomed to. However, in 98% of cases, this is exactly what will save you from buying a counterfeit.

Insist on professional authentication and only pay for the bag once an expert has examined it if you don't like the way it feels or smells.

2. Serial number and stamps.

It is important to know the meaning of the serial number and compare it with the bag model you are considering purchasing. Additionally, it is crucial to know each brand's authentic design and font of digits and letters. The presence of a serial number on a bag is not an indicator of its authenticity. If a bag has a chip, it can be considered a special feature. However, all "bags with chips" counterfeits cannot be scanned through an app because, in reality, they don't have a chip.

The latest collections of Bottega Veneta and Valentino bags do not have serial numbers, chips, or engravings on the back of the slider. In such cases, pay attention to the logo and engravings on the hardware of the item.

Never refer to the packaging of the items. Often, fake sellers buy original kits for a successful deal and to confuse the buyer: dust bags, boxes, and receipts that can be obtained online. Always focus only on what truly matters - the bag itself!

3. Logo.

Know the brand's font. Pay attention to the correct spelling of "made in France/Italy" on the logo. The most successful font imitations we have encountered in our work are prevalent in the limited edition men's bags of Louis Vuitton in Damier leather.

How to learn to spot fakes at first glance based on the logo? Well, perhaps you can't.

It takes years of experience in the luxury resale industry and daily analysis of copies compared to the originals. You can spend a lot of time searching online and comparing logos with photos from different websites and still end up with a counterfeit item.

Our experts always recommend consulting professional authenticators when purchasing an expensive branded second-hand bag. Spending $20-30 on authentication is never a waste compared to the amount paid for a super fake, which has a cost and quality that doesn't even exceed $300.

Published:

09.05.2023

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