Stylish with Substance

Britney lost the law suit defending against LVMH, but what we care about second to that bit of news is finding this music video, natch!

Britney Spears - Do Somethin'

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=lb-oyK3t7tI[/youtube]

I've added the vid to our No Knockoffs playlist on our YouTube account: Lipped Media, as well, so check it out.

And of course you should check out the news story, if you don't already know all the details.

I've thought up a feature for the blog of posting videos of blogistas inspecting authentic and fake bags to educate fellow shoppers.

The first video is not by me, but you will see me do some (thanks in part to me just joining Bag Borrow or Steal, so even though my budget restricts me from buying many bags even at the COACH level, I might be renting some occasionally!), although I have limited access to counterfeit purses to vid. This really is a practice all designer lovers should try to follow, if you can take a vid that is - post it on YouTube - just like those bad products videos that caused such a stir!

Today's video features a fake Prada, a replica of a gorgeous Prada indeed. I hope you learn something, although it's hard not being able to touch it (it always is), but I figure that seeing it in video-dimension will add something to the education process! (Let me know if you agree, and contact me if you make a video like this!)

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=BH406dfPhWY[/youtube]

There will be more to come, and if you'd like to see similar videos or send me one of yours, check out my new YouTube account: LippedMedia (I still need to flesh my page out [and of course make some vids!] - any tips on using YouTube? - I'm a little behind in the whole thing!). Also, we could connect as friends on there! (I didn't know YouTube was social - geez I AM behind!)

Anyway, the real point to these posts are to help you shop smarter on places like eBay; so best of luck!

I know I do a lot of Marc Jacobs, but can you blame me? I love his bags. But I'm actually only doing another Fake Spotting about Marc Jacobs because a commenter wrote in. This is so late in relation to when the commenter asked, but LIFE ran at me like a MAC Truck! (And don't worry, I wrote to her back right away after!)

Hi could you tell me what the tale signs are of a fake Blake handbag to a real one?

I have just purchased one from Designers Imports and am really worried.

Well, first of all, the website you bought it from is a faker. All those discount websites are. For Marc Jacobs buying online, only blindly trust eLUXURY, Net-a-Porter and the really upscale department stores, such as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.

The Blake is a great classic bag, similar to the Venetia, but it's not one of the older classics, so it isn't quite as known to people.

Look on MarcJacobs.com for the past few seasons' collections photos and examine the Blake. Here's a photo of one:

Here are things that should be the same with all bags by Marc Jacobs similar to the Blake:

1. Any quilting will align up centered on quilted bags.


2. The leather on the pocket flap will be plain, without texture.


3. The shape of the pockets is always the same.


4. The strap detail is always the same.

There is a great guide from an eBay user to spot authentics on all classic Marc Jacobs bags. The Blake was based on the classics, but is not in this guide. Also, check out our own general article with tips on avoiding fakes.

Also you must note that with any high-priced designer bag, no company or person can afford to slash big prices drastically. You won't find big "below retail" or "our price" deals, only markdowns at the end of a season - and those don't last long.

Safe buying!

Before I actually go into any designers or styles or photos of fakes again, I thought it was quite necessary to go over the basics of what you need for every bag when bidding on eBay.

Use this as a check list, don't bid until every aspect is satisfactory. (Do you have any requirements to add?)

This is long, so click for full...

1. Research the designer, the classics, and what's always the same and what's not. Research the exact bag style you want. They say you can get 'It' on eBay, so you may want to pick the exact style, size, material and color you want ... and wait. Be prepared to wait no matter what. It's also a good idea to give in a little for a similar style.


2. First when you click on an auction, check the seller's feedback. But don't bother clicking on the # score (just yet), go to ToolHaus.org and put the seller's name in the first form field. This will easily display all negative feedbacks, but also neutrals and "mutually removed" feedbacks (often buyers want to remove their own negative given in retaliation). But this won't show any issues given in positives. Read as much of the feedback on that # score feedback page back on eBay as you can stand, when you feel satisfied this is a good seller, read some more until you're tired.


3. Make sure the person states authenticity guaranteed, or some form of that statement. If the seller does not, perhaps he or she believes or isn't aware that this should be there, so e-mail!


4. The listing must have a lot of great pictures, or freely offer you more detailed pictures through e-mail.


5. When asking questions, make sure you only do business with polite and forthcoming sellers! No matter what.


6. Back to the pictures, you need pictures of all the correct tags, dust bag, interior authenticity plaques and tags, interior pockets (sometimes the fakes have extra or different pockets), exterior signs of authenticity, such as engravings and tags, et cetera. But you must research what these should look like for your designer and bag. Sometimes these pictures are unclear, because it is very hard to take some of these photos. Ask if the seller can try to take clearer ones, but nicely. Fuzzy photos of details are understandable, in this case, you can give a slight pass while you look at the full picture.


7. There must be pictures of the front, back, both sides separately, bottom, and like I said, interior. Don't accept only pictures at an angle, ask for more.


8. Check the listing text. Look for complete descriptions, including size, pockets, colors, style description and/or number, etc. Make sure things go along with the photos, and if they don't, ask what's correct.


9. Make sure, very sure, the listing says you are looking at the photos of the exact bag you are receiving, not just style, but exact item to be shipped to you. Don't accept a bag completely packaged and not inspected. If the seller doesn't state this, ask, often it's true but isn't mentioned. If the bag the listing shows has visible flaws, this should be the same bag you receive, but if it isn't stated, ask.


10. Never trust for a second a stock photo being the only photo, or the only photo of the front. Don't trust professional photos, these may be taken from web stores selling counterfeits. (Personally, I hate photos with white backgrounds. I like to see real life photos, this is just eBay!)
    
11. Used bags can be a little better trusted. Watch for photos of flaws. Be prepared to pay more or just as much for a flawed used bag, because this might say more about authenticity, unfortunately.


12. Price: don't go by lower prices, especially at Buy It Now. Pay attention to start bids, even if they're higher at the moment, and sometimes a reserve can be a good thing, unfortunately.


13. Look at all of the seller's current auctions and don't forget to check completed listings. If there are many of the same bag, especially a more expensive bag, be wary. If there are a lot of very expensive bags, be wary. Stay away if the seller uses the same images for all of the same style. If a completed listing has the same photo, but didn't sell (the price should be red, I think), then the same pictures are fine. If one bag did sell a while ago and your listing has the same photos, the bag could have been returned, but don't put too much trust into that. If it was returned, it might have been because it's fake. Check other auctions, if the same bag is used for any other multiples, forget that seller.


14. Look for a good return policy. 24 hour notice? Not good enough in terms of authenticity. Don't be fooled into thinking you can get a letter from a boutique stating counterfeit status, most shops won't do this.


15. Always pay through PayPal and with a credit card. Both of these give you extra protection to get your money back. Never pay with PayPal funds, check or checking card. Never pay with anything other than PayPal. Always purchase insurance for the full amount.
    
16. Don't buy from overseas in case you need to send it back and would have to pay nonrefundable shipping. Never buy bags from Asia, the faking capitol of the world.


17. Vintage bags can be fake and are sold. Research these just as much. This can be tough, but there are authentic bags. And there are great deals. Plus there are timeless styles that will fit into your current wardrobe!


18. Before you move on after research into bidding, also do your research on how to get a refund on a fake. If the process seems too much, maybe you shouldn't shop eBay. Sorry.


19. Now, once you get your bag, inspect it. Bring it to a boutique. If you don't live near a boutique, you might want to order a bag for inspection or comparison, which can then be returned. Once again compare the bags. Feel the leather. Smell the leather! Trust your gut instinct. We have a 6th sense. A $1,000 bag should give an aura of expense, quality, and luxury. If the bag seems authentic and well-made, but one thing bothers you, go to a message board.


20. Finally, outside sources: eBay Guides, eBay's Fashion Accessories Message Board, and eBay Groups.

First of all, never trust iOffer in the first place. And even though their fakes are worse than eBay's, we can still learn things.

Here is a brand new gold metallic Marc Jacobs Cammie from Neiman Marcus (which I really hope stays around for a sale).

Here is a FAKE Marc Jacobs Quilted Leather Cammie in midnight blue.

(Quite clear, right?)

Now I don't have too much information on Cammies, but I know enough to tell these two points:

• The pockets and quilts are off with the line of the bag. Marc Jacobs has excellent alignment (so too bad the brand doesn't do signature).


• The chain strap is too long.

Now stay away from iOffer!

I love this style, the Marc Jacobs Quilted Venetia, it is my favorite and my most coveted of Marc Jacobs, although it is too wide for me at 16", so I will quite contentedly settle for the Blake. I just need to find one. Must be blue!

Anyway, my little tizzying search led me to this bag, and after wanting it, of course I did my research before moving forward.

I learned how to spot a Marc Jacobs fake, and I could tell with the styles at which I looked.

Whether you can see it right away or not, this is a bad, or at least easily-seen fake.

The tell-tale signs:

• There is no belt loop that the strap/belt sits through. Instead, as many fakes have it, the strap is placed through the decorative strap of leather.


• The bottom of the strap is higher than the top of the pocket, it should be slightly lower, especially for the Resort 2005 collection quilted version (further below). (Perhaps this higher strap happens from stuffing the strap into the decorative piece?)

Here are some alternative views of the same (fake) bag. The issues are more obvious, even. See the real views further below.

• On the back, there is no decorative leather strap to match the one on the front.


• On the side view, the piece of leather below the zipper is small and rounded, but should be larger and triangular.

Here is the inside compared to the real inside.

• The real Venetia bags have a flap pocket, and the logo plaque is on that pocket, as well. (auth image credit)

Here is a second bag with a few more problems:

• The proportions are just off, it's sloppy, and the leather looks to be lower quality as the pocket flap is bent.


• The pocket flap looks to be made of pebbled leather, but no classic Marc Jacobs handbag is made of pebbled leather.

Now for more authentic pictures, you'll really be able to tell after seeing them!

You could never see the preceding bags the same way again! Still, you need to continue reading tips from my information source: Vogue1966 on eBay. It's all Marc Jacobs classic bags. By the way, that user has nothing to gain, because she doesn't sell! (She has 0 feedback, literally.)

Now are you ready to attack and shop Marc Jacobs on eBay?

If you find a fake or a faker on eBay, report it to us. We're putting together a database.