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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask if this gift is real or fake?

56 replies

Mistressofnone · 21/09/2021 00:11

It's my birthday and FIL & his wife sent over my present. I have opened it at home and it's quite a sizeable Louis Vuitton handbag.

I don't really own anything designer but step-MIL is obsessed with LV and gets herself something new for every birthday/anniversary. Normally they get me a top or some bath sh*t so I can't imagine they would spend hundreds, but they are quite wealthy and I thought they would be anti knock-off.

If it's real then I should be thanking them profusely. But to be honest it doesn't look great quality as I imagine LV would look inside - stitching, lining etc. It didn't come in a branded box or gift bag.

Would IBU to text thanks and ask if it's real? They are easily offended.

OP posts:
LateDecemberBackInLowB12 · 21/09/2021 00:13

Could it be one of her older ones that she hasn't used?

Profusely thank them anyway and ask where they got it from as you'd like to treat yourself to the matching purse.

Changethetoner · 21/09/2021 00:14

Google - how to tell fake louis vuitton

ItsNotMeAnymore · 21/09/2021 00:15

Could it be a second hand one? If it was new and real it would come with a bag and paperwork. It’s either fake or second hand. Either would still be an ok present - not to my taste though

JackOfGentleman · 21/09/2021 00:19

@LateDecemberBackInLowB12

Could it be one of her older ones that she hasn't used?

Profusely thank them anyway and ask where they got it from as you'd like to treat yourself to the matching purse.

That's what I thought. An old bag that she doesn't use any more.

A new, genuine LV bag would come beautifully presented and with authentication to prove its provenance.

It's not necessarily a bad gift, but it's a bit sly to not say anything and let you think it's brand new.

sakuramiyagi · 21/09/2021 00:19

I would recommend posting an authentication post on the PurseForum. The people there are really helpful.

Anordinarymum · 21/09/2021 00:24

It should have a number inside. This will tell you if it is real. Google it.
I am surprised it did not come with a dustbag even !

Jacopo · 21/09/2021 00:34

It would be really rude to ask them if it’s genuine.

readingismycardio · 21/09/2021 05:56

I'd be really rude and ask. Why the f would you give someone a fake bag, instead of a normal present?

WoozySnoozy · 21/09/2021 06:08

You can't ask them if it's real!
As long as you're not planning on reselling it then does it matter? (I don't mean that in a rude way It would matter to me if I'd got fake perfume so I'm guessing it matters to some people). If it does matter then check out the forum posted up thread. Or the "i'd like to buy a matching purse where did you get it from?" Is a good line.

Mercurial123 · 21/09/2021 06:15

I don't think you can ask. As others have said post it on the Purse Forum.

My ex was a high earner and he'd buy luxury items for himself. He bought me a fake bag one Christmas. Wealth has nothing to do with it. I hate fakes give me a decent unbranded bag.

PatsyJStone · 21/09/2021 06:19

Probably fake as if she likes her LV stuff surely she’d have the original dust bag to pass on with it.

Why not get Hubby to say something about how generous it is while you aren’t around, she may tell him if it’s real or not?

Pikamoo · 21/09/2021 06:32

It would be very rude to ask if it was real. Why does it even matter? You don't sound like you really appreciate any of the gifts they get you so why is this one any different?

Just say thanks like you'd do for "bath shit" and move on.

UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme · 21/09/2021 06:36

I think its one she had in her cupboard for a few years and doesn't use any more too. It'd be a bit strange to seek out a fake version of something she buys herself originals of when she usually gives you bath stuff, so it's more likely something she had lying around.

Gorl · 21/09/2021 06:41

It would be so rude to ask. Surely the only correct etiquette for any gift ever is to politely thank the gift giver?!

GertietheGherkin · 21/09/2021 06:50

If it was a brand new Louis Vuitton bag it would come very elaborately packaged and be authenticated with provenance and a number inside it.
If it looks a bit used, as others have said it may be one of her old ones.

If it's not to your taste, either stick it on eBay and get yourself something you'd like more with the proceeds ( she'll obviously question why you aren't using it though)

Or if selling isn't an option, shove it in the back of the wardrobe, and just smile gratefully when you get bath shit next year 😁

Iwonder08 · 21/09/2021 07:23

It is very likely an old bag of hers. It will always come with a dust bag and beautiful packaging if new.
If you don't want to rock a boat I would just politely thank her. No need to thank her profusely - she either gave her an old used bag( more likely) albeit expensive or a fake one. You haven't asked for one and not craving for a designer stuff so giving you second hand item with no explanation and pretending it is new is really bad taste.

Lerram · 21/09/2021 07:29

Perhaps she bought it for herself, realised it was fake, and then repurposed it as a birthday present?

terriblyangryattimes · 21/09/2021 07:32

You could ask (or get your husband to) her if you should put it on your household insurance as it looks expensive and watch her reaction closely as to whether it may be real or not?

DobbyTheHouseElk · 21/09/2021 07:33

Even fake bags come with a dust cover.

Macncheeseballs · 21/09/2021 07:35

I'm not sure why you should 'profusely' thank her, not everyone is in to ridiculously over priced status hand bags

notapizzaeater · 21/09/2021 07:36

I'd presume they gave you a used one - you would need to know to put on your insurance (or resell! )

rookiemere · 21/09/2021 07:36

I'm not into designer bags, but I certainly wouldn't want to use a fake one for many reasons. It's an odd choice of gift either way.

SnarkyBag · 21/09/2021 07:38

I’d just go for polite thanks. It’s highly unlikely it’s real or it is at best second hand. I’d probably want to find out on the side if it’s fake as I would cringe at carrying around a knock off. To be honest I wouldn’t be actively interested in acquiring a brand new one either as it’s not my thing but I would use a real one that was gifted to me

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 21/09/2021 07:40

Just say thanks, and secretly find out if it’s real

BunnytheFriendlyDragon · 21/09/2021 07:43

There will most likely be LV groups on Facebook you could check with

Just make sure MIL isn't in the group first!

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