Buzz
When purchasing an expensive Louis Vuitton bag, it’s crucial to ensure that the money you spend matches its true value. You can identify counterfeit bags by carefully inspecting their quality and appearance. Verifying the legitimacy of the seller can also be a key factor in confirming the authenticity of the bag.
Steps
Check the Quality
A genuine Louis Vuitton bag is crafted with exceptional precision.
Examine the Stitching. Ideally, inspect the bag in person, but if that’s not possible, request the seller to provide close-up pictures. Loose or uneven stitching is a clear sign of a counterfeit. Another indication of a fake is the SPI count. SPI represents the number of stitches per inch (2.5 cm). A higher SPI means stronger stitching and, consequently, a higher-quality bag. Authentic Louis Vuitton bags will have a higher SPI compared to fakes.
Avoid Bags with Crooked Patterns. The designs on a real Louis Vuitton bag must be consistent, symmetrical, and proportional. Bags with uneven patterns are likely counterfeit.
Check for Reversed LV Letters on the Back of the Bag. Not all genuine Louis Vuitton bags have reversed LV letters, but it’s a common feature, especially with one-piece designs that lack stitching around the bag. This is particularly true for models like Speedy, Keepalls, and Papillons.
Know Your Seller
The seller’s reputation is a key factor in determining the authenticity of the bag.
Research the Seller, Especially When Bidding Online or Using Similar Trading Platforms. Check the seller's feedback. Look for sellers with numerous positive reviews and a clear majority of favorable responses. Avoid sellers with negative feedback, no reviews, or private feedback.
Avoid Sellers Who Don’t Offer a Return Policy.
Trust Your Instincts. If the seller’s product description leaves you uncertain about purchasing the bag, trust your gut feeling.
If You Can’t Inspect the Bag in Person, Request Multiple Detailed Photos. Only purchase a bag once you’ve seen at least the front, back, bottom, interior lining, serial number, and embossed 'Louis Vuitton Made in' stamp.
Ask the Seller for Additional Images. They may use authentic Louis Vuitton photos to sell counterfeit bags.
Look for a Good Price, But Be Cautious of Sellers Offering Unbelievably Low Discounts. A genuine Louis Vuitton bag that retails for several hundred dollars won’t be sold for under $100, especially if it’s new.
Avoid Sellers Who Claim to Have 'New Collection' Bags Not Available in Stores.
Don’t Buy from Sellers Who Say They Have 'Wholesale' or 'Clearance' Bags. Louis Vuitton doesn’t offer discounts, clearance sales, or wholesale prices. Any retailer claiming otherwise is not trustworthy.
Avoid Purchasing Louis Vuitton Bags from Street Vendors, as the Company Does Not Sell Products in This Manner.
Pay Attention to the Small Details
Another indicator of whether a bag is real or fake lies in the small details, such as the zipper, interior lining, and serial number. While each design may differ slightly, many similar design features can provide clues for identification.
Avoid Bags with Tags Attached to Them. Authentic Louis Vuitton bags do not have tags attached to the bag itself; they are usually placed separately inside a compartment. Be especially cautious with tags that appear cheap or are attached by a string.
Check the Lining Inside the Bag. Counterfeit bags often use cheap plastic or suede materials for the lining. Depending on the specific design, genuine bags are lined with various materials such as canvas, smooth fabric with interwoven logos, textured leather, polyester, or microfiber suede.
Fake Bags Have Plastic Wrapping Around the Handles. Real leather, such as natural cowhide, doesn’t require plastic protection, so any bag with plastic-wrapped handles is a fake.
Inspect the Clasps and Metal Components. Authentic bags use brass or gold metals, while counterfeit bags use plastic with a gold-colored paint coating.
Inspect the zipper for the embossed "LV" logo.
Check the "Made in" label. Louis Vuitton bags were historically made in France. However, over the past several decades, the company has expanded its production to include the USA, Spain, Germany, and Italy.
Verify the serial number. Most bags produced after the 1980s have a serial number printed on them. Since 1990, the serial number consists of two letters followed by four digits. Before 1990, it consisted of one or two letters and three or four digits. Some bags only have a three-digit serial number.
- Locate the serial number. It is positioned beneath the D-ring.
Understand the special components of the bag. Although Louis Vuitton bags are similar, no two designs are exactly alike. It's important to familiarize yourself with specific features of a particular bag style, such as the lining fabric, base feet, and bottom details. Refer to the official company website or consult the nearest store for more information.
Examine the overall design.
The design of the bag will be the first indicator to determine whether the bag is authentic or not. Some counterfeit designs are obvious, while others require a closer inspection to spot.
Check if the bag has an authentic design. If you fail to recognize the Louis Vuitton design, it's likely a fake. If you're still uncertain, verify the design at stores, in catalogs, or on the official Louis Vuitton website.
Designs that may look authentic but are actually fake. Designs like Multicolor, Cherry Blossom, and Cerises are not available in all bag styles. Classic styles are more likely to be counterfeit.
If you're planning to purchase a bag with a monogrammed brand name, make sure the letters are clearly printed in gold with brown strokes around the LV. Avoid buying bags with monogramming that is one solid color or has a greenish hue.
Advice
- Don't be fooled by the extras. Counterfeit bags also come with dust bags, receipts, gift boxes, authenticity cards, packaging, and care instructions. These extras do not guarantee authenticity.
- Search online for comparison images of real and fake Louis Vuitton bags to learn how counterfeit bags differ from the authentic ones.
