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Original poster

If you saw someone with a Louis Vuitton bag ...

165 replies

HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 28/05/2013 20:50

... and it was a fairly small bag, and the person was obviously not a millionaire, but just sort of pretty average, would you assume it was a fake?

I've wanted one all my life Blush, and have A PLAN. I'm having a HUGE wardrobe clearout and am going to put the money I get from getting rid of heaps of clobber and unworn shoes towards a Posh Bag (I've never had one), and have my heart set on LV, but DH says there's no point because people will just assume it's not real.

What d'you think? Are my girlish dreams all for naught?

OP posts:
Chipstick10 · 28/05/2013 22:28

I have three lv's. you can always spot a fake because the leather doesn't change colour and the stitching is always off. I say go for it, if that's what you want. You have one life, live it. I'm hankering for a balenciaga and there are loads of fakes.

Original poster
HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 28/05/2013 22:34

Thanks Ivana. I'm feeble enough for it to be reassuring that people are being nice about it!

There is one going for £350 on a reputable website - but there is only one available and I won't know how much my wee eBay sale will make for another week. I think I might be really unbelievably naughty - sleep on it, and if I still feel besotted tomorrow go ahead with the purchase out of my savings since I can return the bag if it doesn't live up to my dreams, and if I keep it then pay myself back.

Apologies for that very boring and totally unnecessary level of detail Hmm

OP posts:
santamarianovella · 28/05/2013 22:43

LV leather is very difficult to duplicate ,it has a grainy texture which most sweatshops ignore,and it changes color,it does get better with age.

haunted hermes bought massive farms in OZ to cater for the demands in birkin and kelly bags ,but i have no idea if they are being spoiltGrin.i love looking at their window display in paris,its a work of art.

MoodyDidIt · 28/05/2013 22:49

yeah i do like that style you linked to OP. its quite unusual (in a good way) and doesn't look like the fakes about

i think the speedy and the neverfull are popular fakes, they are the ones i see around my area anyway

buttercrumble · 29/05/2013 08:44

Go for it, as long as you know its real you will love it...

Original poster
HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 29/05/2013 09:22

Thanks to all the enablers Grin And to everyone, actually.

WELL I am still very keen on getting it, but have decided to be a Grown Up, and wait until all my eBay sales are done, so it's all rather more responsible. It only means waiting a week, after all

One question though - how good are eBay at preventing the sale of fakes? I know they tightened up massively. The ones I've been looking at seem genuine (such as this one) - even stitching, muted colours, faded leather trim etc. - but I feel a bit itchy about it really...

Anyone got any tips on getting vintage designer bags from auction sites?

(The original one I spotted was on BrandAlley so would have been genuine but will be gone by the time I have the spends...)

And Thanks in advance for helping a total Bag Fool.

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 29/05/2013 09:37

Sorry came in right at the end. I'd think fake and definitely don't think the Mitfords wouldve thought LV classy if they'd still been around!
But spunds like you have decided on a sensible plan anyway.

Original poster
HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 29/05/2013 10:05

Heh, they would have probably preferred a German atelier, Poly Grin

OP posts:
morethanalltheteainchina · 29/05/2013 10:09

Pleeeeeeease don't buy from eBay. I would guess that at least 70% on there are fakes. Personally, if I'm spending that amount of money on a bag, I want to go directly to the store (or to a concession in a department store) and buy it. That way I know it's genuine, I have all the paperwork in case I need to return it or want to sell it on, and it will come all beautifully wrapped up in the dust bag etc.

Original poster
HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 29/05/2013 10:11

Yes, I thought that was the case Sad

Thing is - I will have about £350 to spend, not £1000. If I had a £1000, I would totes go to the store and have all the paperwork, but 'tis not an option ...

OP posts:
noxius · 29/05/2013 10:15

I think the trouble is that there are so many fakes, of that brand, around. You see people with whole LV luggage sets at airports.

DowntonTrout · 29/05/2013 10:32

I have a couple of LV bags and a piece of luggage. I don't use my speedy bag anymore because of all the fakes, but I will get it out again one day. It's over 20 years old and the leather is beautifully worn.

My overnight case I use when travelling. I know it's real and that's all that matters. I bought a few iconic bags in the 90s and I have a collection of Fendi baguette, Burberry, and Prada etc. thousands of pounds sitting in my wardrobe.

I have had a few fakes over the years, but I KNEW they were fake and didn't feel the same using them. I was cheating on myself really. So if you love something, and it will make you feel good- go for it.it's how it makes you feel, not what anyone thinks that matters.

badblueeyeliner · 29/05/2013 10:53

If it sells for 1,000 in the shop but you find it for 300 it will not be real. Where could they buy it from and make a profit for a third of the price? If you can't afford the 1k bag in the shop, see what you can get for 300 - there are loads of lovely bags for that price!

JonesH · 29/05/2013 10:58

I would probably also assume it was fake but there are many ways to find out whether one is fake or not, although you can get VERY good copies abroad. I am in a similar situation in that I want a designer bag, never had one, my preference is a Mulberry bag that fetch from around £600 upwards, hoping to sell some old clothes, and then put money aside in order to buy one. May seem a bit extreme as it is the price of a nice holiday but then if it's what you want - go for it!

ChewingOnLifesGristle · 29/05/2013 11:05

If you want one get one if you canSmile

If you want one, but part of the 'experience' of owning it depends on total strangers reaction to it in their heads, that's Confused to my mind.

Tbh though the whole designer bag thing isn't on my radar. If I like it I like it. If I don't I don't.

LemonBreeland · 29/05/2013 11:06

I have a speedy, and don't use it very often, but mainly because it isn't big enough for all of the child paraphenalia I always need to carry.

I wouldn't care if people thought it was fake as I know it is real and that is all that matters to me. tbf where I live if someone realised it was real they would probably try to nick it. Grin

TobyLerone · 29/05/2013 11:11

I wouldn't think anything.

But then again, I think it's ridiculous to buy things just to impress other people. This is what you're doing if your biggest concern is that people will think you couldn't afford a real one.

Dawndonna · 29/05/2013 11:44

I have this small, understated, beautifully made. Will age beautifully too. Also comes with shoulder strap. More subtle than loud logos.

Original poster
HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 29/05/2013 11:50

Oo I like that Dawn. I panic if I don't have both hands free, so need a satchel style, but that's gorgeous.

Re the logo thing - I don't like them because they're a logo (I hate that wretched Fendi 'F' business, for example, and cannot bear those huge canvas bags with the Dior thingy printed all over it like a tablecloth) I just think the LV one looks purdy. Can't explain it - obvs a childhood yen that has just sort of stuck.

Everyone's bang on though. Doesn't matter one jot what anyone thinks, stranger, friend or foe. I want one, I shall shortly have the pennies for one, and that's my own damn business!

OP posts:
SilverSixpence · 29/05/2013 11:51

I have to say I am not a fan of LV - I just assume they are knockoffs and even if not i find them a bit tacky and ostentatious. However you should just buy what you like, if you've gone without other things for it then why not?

Original poster
HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 29/05/2013 11:57

I know what you mean SS - and as I say I am slightly bemused by my totally and utterly out-of-character longing for the bloody thing.

I shall tell myself I am doing it ironically, since nothing could be more out of keeping with my rather shabby and eccentric charmingly Bohemian appearance Grin

OP posts:
MoodyDidIt · 29/05/2013 11:57

that really is lovely OP (ebay link to your bag)

i would say that seller is probably OK, as they have a 3000+ rating and also say that authenticity is guaranteed, so if it was fake you will get your money back. also, even if the seller then went back on their word, ebay are very hot on fakes and you will get your money back

or if you post it on the purse forum, they will tell you if its real or not

YoniOno · 29/05/2013 12:02

I wouldn't buy LV from EBay, it's absolutely teeming with fakes. Look at Vestiaire Collective, they sell pre loved bags at really quite low prices and guarantee authenticity. They usually have a lot of LV in and a wide range of styles but you have to be quick if you see something you want.

AmberNectarine · 29/05/2013 12:20

I wouldn't think it was a fake. I have a little LV, bought for me when I was 17 by my dad, a little patent vernis speedy. It is a lovely little bag, very well made, though I never use it as its so small and has no strap.

Nowadays I prefer more understated bags. Currently stalking a Tila March, which of course doesn't seem to be available anywhere but the states at an outrageously inflated price. Sigh.

I wouldn't worry about people thinking it's a fake, you know it's real, that's the main thing!

worldgonecrazy · 29/05/2013 12:32

The Saumur (satchel style) in Monogram Canvas retails for £780.

The one you've linked to on ebay looks like a fake - the real one has the Louis Vuitton stamped across the front retaining strap (maybe difference between Saumur 30 and Saumure MM but you can visit an LV shop to find out). The serial number tag is too big and has "Made in France" stamped on it in the wrong font/letter spacing. The leather is also too "orange" though that might be the camera.

I do like Louis Vuitton, have a few and am quite good at spotting fakes - it annoys me that people pay hundreds for fakes when they could get a perfectly decent non-LV bag for the same price, or a similar fake for £20. I would never buy off ebay. Even if the seller is using genuine pictures, there is no way of knowing what bag you are going to be sent in the post.

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