Any fashion lover at one time or another has searched the net for their
favorite designer and discovered results that said things like, “Louis
Vuitton Bags - Only $50!” And, if you’re like me, you were quick to
click the link! But after reviewing the site for a matter of moments
you probably discovered that the bags offered are not real L.V.’s -
they are knock offs.
When it comes to the fashion industry and purse shopping, it’s very difficult to find a site that has “real” designer handbags.
You can always ensure that you are getting an authentic designer bag by
ordering directly from the manufacturers/designers’ website. But if you
are like me, you like to shop around for a great deal. Here’s how you
can shop safely:

1. Words to Watch Out for: Keep your eyes peeled for the following words: “Designer-Inspired,” “Replica,” “Knock Off,” “Look Alike,” and “Counterfeit.”

2. Check the craftsmanship. Fake bags will usually be poorly crafted
and made out of cheap materials. My girlfriend told me an interesting
thing that I have found to be true: If you visit a quality site that
sells authentic designer bags they usually have icons where you can
view close-ups of each product. Sometimes you are even able to view
numerous different angles of each bag. Shady sites selling
less-than-credible products may have a small thumbnail of the item.

3. Pay Attention to Price. Ask yourself, “Is this too good to be
true?” If you see a “new” Gucci bag for $30 that you know is selling
for hundreds elsewhere, it’s 99.999% likely that it’s a fake. Companies
that work as affiliates for big business generally have to sell the
product for a minimum. Other site owners may be able to work out deals
with major manufacturers and get a few thousand purses at once. By
buying in bulk they are able to lower the cost per unit for the buyer
(you and I). But no seller is going to be able to drop the price that
significantly because there’s no way they will ever get that good of a
deal, even if they buy in bulk.

4. Identity Cards. Whenever you purchase designer goods you will
receive special identity cards. These cards prove that the bag is real.
Sites that sell genuine products will usually say that their item comes
with identity cards. If you come across a site you’re unsure of, don’t
hesitate to email them and ask.

5. Read and re-read. I am from Detroit, where Rolexes and designer
name brands are the big thing. You can find knock off designer products
at almost every gas station and corner store. Look-alike Oakley
sunglasses are one of the most common counterfeit products here. If you
read the labels on the glasses you will see that many companies try to
trick you by changing one letter in the company name, such as “Oakly.”
Anybody taking a quick glance at these products or someone who may be
unfamiliar with the spelling of Oakley would probably jump to purchase
these glasses. In the world of purses you can also spot counterfeit
misspellings, such as bags being stamped with “Burberrys” instead of
the authentic “Burberry-London.” Once again, an untrained eye may think
they are just getting a great deal!

6. And finally, compare and contrast. Isn’t that what your
elementary school teacher had you do? Look at pictures of authentic
bags and cross examine them with the questionable bag. It’s pretty easy
to find the differences in the fake!