Some of the most popular counterfeit products on the market are Louis Vuitton bags. But how can you tell if it's a real? bag You'll need to take a close look at it and follow a few simple steps to spot a fake Louis Vuitton purse.
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Louis Vuitton bags are particularly susceptible to being counterfeited due to their unique designs and the impressive number of details that need to be accurate in order for them to be authentic.
With more than one billion Louis Vuitton handbags sold worldwide between 2013-2015, it would be very difficult for manufacturers of counterfeit bags not make any mistakes.
Counterfeit items in leather goods and luxury brand items are unfortunately very common.
To help you know if your favorite LV bag is really the real deal, we've put together this post with some tips on how to spot fake Louis Vuitton bags.
Plus what you can do if you discover they're copying your style! It should save you thousands in the long run.
How can I tell whether a Louis Vuitton bag is fake?
Whether you are buying the iconic Louis Vuitton neverfull bag, the Louis Vuitton speedy bag or the damier ebiene canvas bags there are many different lines of bags to look out for fakes. The damier canvas bag is the first Louis Vuitton canvas bag!
Most fakes are easy to spot: often they're made from shoddy materials, are missing details, and don't have the practical zippers or clasps that make a real LV bag worth its price tag. one great way to tell is you can easily take a quick look and use common sense to spot a large red flag but some bags need you to look in the right place to spot imperfections.
The logo might be off-center, crooked, or missing entirely. It can be a great deal of work checking the authenticity of the bag. Also, Louis Vuitton bags do not come with authenticity cards so if you have one that is an easy way to tell it is fake.
The heat stamp, zipper pull, dust cover, interior lining, side seam, hardware details, and golden brass are all details that may need a closer look
If you get a new bag and suspect it is fake, you need to inspect the details. The leather is almost always fake. Is it natural cowhide leather, cross-grain leather, or a continuous piece of leather? Also the stitches are often too wide and poorly sewn. Older bags may be harder to spot a fake simply because of the natural wear.
The inside of the bag should be lined with a brown paper. If there is padding, it will either be black or red.
Also, the word "Louis Vuitton" should be spelled out in multiple languages – including English and French. It will also have a registered trademark symbol next to it.
Other things that might indicate authenticity are dust bag (this protects your handbag from getting dirty), serial number (this is for tracking purposes), model numbers (these provide specifics about the product you're buying) and monogram pattern (if this is present, it's likely real).
Sometimes, a counterfeit will have flaws in the hardware, too. The stitching on a Louis Vuitton bag might be off-center or crooked to the point of giving the bag a sloppy appearance.
If you buy a purse and suspect it's fake, you can go ahead and return it. But before you do, take a close look at your new purse for these telltale signs:
Genuine Louis Vuitton purses come with an identification card that shows their serial number as well as any other information about authenticity. This will help you protect yourself from fraud if you ever decide to resell it.
So, how can you tell if a LV purse is real? Well, it's pretty tough to fake. The incredibly high standards of design and production that Louis Vuitton is known for ensure that no two purses are the same!
Even if an LV bag is a cheap copy, the production quality makes it obvious. That's why the most common test is pretty simple: pull out the wallet or checkbook and look for a tag.
To help you out, here's some important information regarding the LV logo and its use. There are three important factors to check:
The serial number. It's helpful to have the serial number in case you ever need to contact Louis Vuitton about your purse. If you have the serial number and they recognize it as authentic, they'll give you more information about how to authenticate it yourself.
This means that if anyone ever tries to return a fake purse or try to resell it, LV will have records of its authenticity and can identify it as such! The LV logo itself is usually attached with four screws, so if you see any discoloration or scratches where the screws should be, this may be a sign of a fake.
Also, check for any inconsistencies in the stitches.
The LV logo is printed in the bottom right corner of every LV product. The most important point to remember about the logo is that it's there for three main purposes.
First, it identifies a single product; second, it's used to validate quality; and third, it's used to protect trademarks. The logo is protected by international laws. It must be used properly, and it can't be altered in any way.
That's all you need to know! Here's an overview of what you need to check for:
The LV Symbols: This is the most straightforward part of the LV logo: a double L, and V. If your product has this symbol with the right spacing and perfect imperfections – everything from tiny flaws to slight discolorations – then it's authenticity is verified.
The Lettering: To ensure the logos claims of being "Made in France," each LV bag uses a different font, but the most important parts are always the written logo and the year.
That's it! If you can see the LV logo and check all those boxes, then you have yourself a real LV bag. Now you'll be able to enjoy years of use out of your beautiful new purse, or if you choose, resell for a good profit.
If your product doesn't have some of these symbols or information, then it's likely a fake.
What would determine the authenticity of Louis Vuitton goods and apparel?
Check for the following details:
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Lettering: Every LV product has a printed logo on it. The lv monogram is iconic. It looks like all capital letters, but is actually print in six types of fonts. In authentic Louis Vuitton logos the letter "V" is used for 100% of the leather tag and logo-printed products (i.e.: laptop cases).
The other letters are used for accessories in lowercase. Designer labels on a real bag or other Louis Vuitton item are very specific and will only look one certain way.
Year: The logo will be marked with the year the item was manufactured. ItThe last two digits of the year indicate the year being used. For example, a 3 digit number would signify 1999, 2000, 2001, etc.
A 4 digit number would be 2008, 2009, 2010, etc. If the first letter in the serial number is M. M means that the product was made in the year 2000.
The first two digits of the year are the month of production and the second two digits indicate the year. For example: a 4 digit number of "06" would be June, 2006. Most date codes will have the month or week of the year it was made. The third numbers and possible fourth number are the month it came out.
TP: Made In France helps to indicate the authenticity of the item.
Color: The color of the logo is just as important as its other features. The lettering should be clear and crisp, and there should be no yellowing or fading of any kind.
Vachetta: Vachetta is a soft leather, Louis Vuitton uses it often in accessories such as key chains and pouches. If it looks like a real vachetta leather it probably is. If something is made from a fake leather, it may have a different look, feel, or texture. Real Louis Vuitton bags will feel much better than fake ones.
Material: The materials Louis Vuitton products are made from are just as important as the logo. The leather should be soft and supple, and real LV leather has a light, natural smell.
The cotton lining should be smooth to the touch and free of any imperfections. Different linings will be a giveaway that it is a fake. Louis Vuitton’s hardware is also top quality. Louis Vuitton red microfiber will feel and look better than other materials.
Stitching: Even the best fakes will have a few loose stitches here and there or a short tail, but that's because they're cut by hand. Real LV bags have even length stitching across the craftsmanship of the entire bag.
Stitches on the leather tab may show the level of quality. Certain Louis Vuitton styles may also have a certain number of stitches to look out for.
Serial Number: There should also be a serial number on the product. It's located on the inside of the bag or on the hardware (i.e.: the zipper pull) and consists of four numbers.
This serves as a form of purchase protection but is also used if you ever need to send your ware in for repairs and other tracking purposes by the manufacturer.
Louis Vuitton bags rarely come with a serial number, but if you've had yours for a long time and find that it's got one, just in case, here's the basics on how you can tell.
There are three main parts to the serial number:
1. The first part in a letter-number combination identifies the year your bag was produced, also known as the Louis Vuitton date codes.
2. The second part is a serial beginning with a letter, which designates the country code, country in which it was produced. The letters in the second section indicate to where the product was shipped when it was first made.
3. The third section is the last number in the serial. This number indicates where the product is to be stored and shipped. It should a number between 1 and 9. If it's any other number between 0 and 8, then it's likely a fake. Here's an overview of an authentic serial number:
Ref: MCM
Louis Vuitton started using number codes with dates in the early 1980s. There is no such thing as being too careful while looking for authentic Louis Vuitton date codes.
Country: The first two numbers in the serial number indicate where the product was made. The 00 in the Louis Vuitton date code means that it was made in the year 2000 in the United States, because if it was made in France it would have started with the letter F.
Leather: Made with vachetta leather, a tanning process that has been used since the 15th century, your bag should not leave any marks or residue on your clothes. It's also important to check the quality of leather. If the product is too shiny, it's likely fake.
Stamp: The stamp should be textured and have no mistakes. The stamp on the inside of the bag is one of the most common ways to tell if a bag is authentic.
A fake Louis Vuitton stamp will usually not have any embossing or texture to it. It may appear faded and be missing letters. The stamp will usually only say “Louis Vuitton Paris” with no missing letters.
Hardware: The metal hardware should be gold plated or stainless steel. Alloyed metals can discolor over time. The zippers should work well and have tabs on them for easy opening and closing.
This is the part of the bag that should be checked last. Here is where LV logos are the best at identifying fakes. Usually, the hardware is inlaid with gold because it would be too expensive to use full-on 14 karat gold.
All of these factors, in addition to the caring of the bag (which should turn out to be a lot of care) should add up to an authentic LV product.
Among the most obvious signs of an authentic product is whether or not it matches the color from the website. However, this isn't as easy to tell if you're a first time buyer!
How to spot a fake Louis Vuitton bag
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To spot a fake, you'll need to take a look at every detailed part. Even the lightest color differences or smallest imperfections are cause for concern.
Authentic Louis Vuitton bags will certainly be better quality than fake Louis Vuitton handbags. A vintage bag may be more worn but genuine Louis Vuitton bags look great no matter what.
Most fakes are produced in Asian countries, so they will have an off-orange tinge that makes them seem duller than the real thing.
It will also be made with poor-quality materials, either fake leather or poor quality cotton. There's a saying that "a fake bag is 95% the same as a real one," and it's not too far from the truth. The logos are copied right down to the smallest detail so people can't tell the difference.
However, a fake bag will only have an "LV" logo on the bottom, whereas an authentic one will also say "Made in France." This is because authentic LV bags are produced within the country, while fake ones are made in Asia.
The seams should be even and strong with no loose stitches. The hardware should also be shiny and well stitched together. While it's true that LV's hardware can tarnish over time due to its copper content, there should be no signs of rust or wear by looking at the metal pieces.
If you spot two fakes side by side, you might end up with nowhere to go but to return them both to your local Louis Vuitton outlet. However, there are many other counterfeit brands available on the market today. They will also be made with poor-quality materials, either fake leather or poor quality cotton.
Where Else to Shop
If you are in the market for an authentic Louis Vuitton product, but can't afford to pay the full price tag, there are plenty of places where you can find an authentic product at a lesser price.
For example, checking celebrity handbag auctions or going to a local outlet could help you spot some great deals.
Authentic Louis Vuitton products are almost always worth their weight in gold. Although there are many fakes out there that seem legit from the outside, it's important to know what to look for when buying one.
Price is also a good indicator of a fake Louis Vuitton bag. Just because you got the purse for half the price of what it ordinarily sells for doesn't mean that it is authentic.
Louis Vuitton bags can be very expensive. A lost purse, even if it was authentic, is nothing compared to the money you could lose buying an imitation product.
Selling authentic Louis Vuitton products is only profitable when you really have an authentic bag in your possession. There are lots of places online where you can sell your bags for a good price. Just do your research regarding designer bags.
Can you tell if the bag is fake by the price?
You cannot tell by the price if a product is fake or not. There is no way to tell for sure. You can get varieties of fake Louis Vuitton bags at about $200. Luxury items will cost a lot more so it's important that you get a real Louis Vuitton purse for your money.
If you have good-quality pictures of the Louis Vuitton purse, you can use it to identify the product. For example, you can see where the logo is, the actual stitching of the bag, and more.
Questions regarding the authenticity of a bag are good ways to get answers to your concerns. When you want to know the real thing about a Louis Vuitton bag, you cannot just visit the Louis Vuitton website. You have to have a third party or ask someone who is an expert in the Louis Vuitton bags.
How to indicate if who you are buying the LV bag from is lying about the authenticity of the brand
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If he or she don't have an authentic Louis Vuitton bag. This is the easiest way to spot a fake. Ask the seller where the bag is from, if they have ever visited LV in their life, or where it is manufactured. Fake reviews are among the most common signs of a fake product.
If the seller tells you specifically that their bags are the real deal, then you probably have a fake bag. They still might be telling the truth, because it is quite easy to be more specific about what you did, where you can be found (it’s always a good idea to talk to customers) and some details about when the product was made.
It is also the most likely that the seller is lying on the purpose of the bag. Get to know why they purchased the bag in the first place, it’s the easiest way to spot a fake. For example, “My sisters and I wanted to buy it for a school bag,” is not a good reason.
You can ask the seller about the purpose of the bag. The seller will likely say a lot about the name of the bag, material, style, an amount of money that was spent on it.
If they claim to have bought the bag in a store, you may even want to ask if they can take pictures of the bag from inside the store.
Guarantee is something that should not be overlooked. A lot of traders will give you a two-year guarantee if your bag is fake. If it's in a guarantee contract, the firm has to give you some money back if the bag is fake. If the bag is not real, then it is your responsibility to send the bag back to the seller.
What websites are known for selling fake Louis Vuitton bags?
There is a very big market for selling fake bags. They might convince you that it's real, but they don't have an authentic bag like the rest. There's no way of telling unless they tell you. You don't want to buy these items because they are usually more expensive than their authentic counterparts.
It's not wise to buy from any of the following companies. They are the biggest sellers of fake bags in the market. That is because they will show you an authentic bag, but it will be fake.
Amazon is the biggest seller of fake Louis Vuitton products. They are actively trying to get rid of fakes on their site. It’s also important to note that a lot of the fakes are coming from China, so they can also be ordered from Amazon.
What stores are known for selling fake Louis Vuitton bags?
There are thousands of stores claiming that you can purchase the real deal from them, but there is no way of knowing where the bags are manufactured. If you want to know more, you can always follow the signs of a fake bag.
You can check whether the store has a license to sell the product or not. This is a very important aspect of fashion products and it is, generally, not difficult to check the licensing information of the store.
If the store that you are going to buy it from has no license, it is probably a fake product.
Just because you're not buying your products directly from another country does not mean that they are not fake. This means that no matter where you buy these products, it’s possible that you're buying a fake.
Additionally, you might want to look in places frequented by your friends or people well known in the field of fashion. Even though these people might be trustworthy, you just can't put your faith only in them.
When you are buying a Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, or any other famous bag, always go to the company itself to special order the bag. There are many fake companies that copy the concept, but not the materials.
The best method for purchasing a designer handbag is going to the Louis Vuitton Paris store in person. This way you can be sure your bag is real vs counterfeit.
Who to ask to identify fake bags
If you don't know much about fashion bags, you can try to find a bag expert that would be able to tell you how certain things are fake or genuine. That way, you will know where to look for the real deal.
Sometimes that's the only way you can tell, and you may end up wasting your money because of how poorly it is made.
How to tell if a checkered/monogram Louis Vuitton bag is real or fake -checkered leather
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Authentic handbags rarely carry any monograms, and when they do the monogram is very careful to be subtle. For a lot of customers, that subtlety is enough reason to pass on the bag.
This is why you should use the following guidelines when determining if a checkered/monogrammed Louis Vuitton bag is real.
When viewing the bag, look for the color of the case.
Like any other fake LV bag, it will also be made with poor-quality materials, either fake leather or poor quality cotton. There's a saying that "a fake bag is 95% the same as a real one," and it's not too far from the truth. The logos are copied right down to the smallest detail so people can't tell the difference.
However, a fake bag will only have an "LV" logo on the bottom, whereas an authentic one will also say “Made in France”.
How to tell is a Louis Vuitton duffle bag is real or fake
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The Louis Vuitton duffle bags are always brand new. They will never appear in the same condition as the website pictures. The stitching and materials will have poor quality and will be very shaky.
One way to spot a fake, is to look at the dust bag. It should have an oblong shape, so that there are no loose threads on it. The dust bag itself should look real and thick.
The wheels of the bag will also appear very fake. They should be very smooth and have no defects.
A fake classic bag will most likely be made of poor-quality materials. The stitching would be very crooked and the leather will look much darker than the original bag. The soft parts of the bag, such as the floppy handles will also not be as smooth and shiny as the vintage authentic bags.
The "Vachetta calfskin" has all of the same properties as a real Vachetta calfskin. This bag will come in a canvas bag with the LV logo stitched on the top edge. There should be no stains or creases on the bag, especially in the corners. The leather will also be extremely soft.
How to tell if a vintage Louis Vuitton bag is real or fake
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Is the box an original authentic Louis Vuitton box?
Every single item, vintage or in season, is in a Louis Vuitton box. New pieces will come in white boxes with logos and old pieces will have slightly aged boxes without logos.
The boxes should not have any signs of peeling or any other defects. It should also say “made in France” in a small corner.
Where to find authentic Louis Vuitton handbags
Often, buying online is your best bet to find an authentic bag. There are many sites that sell authentic Louis Vuitton at a very cheap price. You can also find good deals on auction sites such as eBay.
How can you tell if a Louis Vuitton packaging is fake?
To determine authenticity, you can use the code and symbol that Louis Vuitton will provide. On the website, the code should always be present. It will have numbers on it. You can also check the packaging to see if everything is correct.
How to spot a fake Louis Vuitton “Trois Petit Cochon” shoulder bag?
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The "Trois Petit Cochon" bags will not have bows and will have written verses on them. Fakes will not have the authenticity card and the card itself is quite bad.
Again with the bag, the logo on the bag is not as sharp as the real thing, and the checker on the LV symbol will also be missing.
Will the Louis Vuitton store verify authenticity?
Yes, you are definitely welcome to send the bag back to the Louis Vuitton store. To have it checked out, please contact info@louisvuittonoutletnyc.com for a prepaid shipping label. They will also accept shipping back to headquarters for authenticity testing at your own cost.
Does Louis Vuitton offer payment plans?
Yes, they do offer payment plans! It only takes a few seconds to begin an application! If you would like to purchase on our website, click here to go to the application page.
Will I get a receipt for my purchase at a Louis Vuitton store?
If you're purchasing at least $200 worth of merchandise, they will not only give you a receipt, but they will also give you a Louis Vuitton bag. This bag will be between $10-$50.
How can I get more information about buying a bag online?
The best way to purchase an authentic Louis Vuitton bag is to visit the official website and use the store locator to visit one nearby you. All other methods of commerce are very likely to be fake bags.
Will LV ship to my address?
Yes, for orders over $99 they can ship it out within a few days of receiving your order. You can also choose to have it shipped and picked up in store (more cost effective).
When does the payment plan end?
You will have the option of using the payment plan for up to 3 months after having placed your order (as long as your order remains in a pending status).
What kinds of payment are accepted?
MasterCard/Visa and American Express is only accepted. Other forms of payment are not accepted at this time. Please note that the credit card you use must have the billing address on it for the card to go through.
If your credit card has other information for the billing address, such as an apartment number, the customer's phone number, etc. They may not be able to process payment.
Which shipping methods are available?
Free 2-day shipping is offered as well as standard shipping speeds of 5-10 business days. For expedited order processing, please choose 2nd day air at checkout.
Louis Vuitton store
For real Louis Vuitton handbags and other authentic fashion items visit their luxury tee shirt store: http://www. lvseeshirts.com
Get the scoop on more info about authentic louis vuitton bags on Amazon.
Where is Louis Vuitton's flagship store?
There are Louis Vuitton flagship, or official, stores all over the world. In the US they are located in New York, Las Vegas, South Beach Miami, and Beverly Hills. If you are planning a trip to the US, you can find out their locations here.
Where is the Louis Vuitton store located?
This can depend on what part of the world you live in. In the United States, there are Louis Vuitton stores located in downtown Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Beverly Hills. In the United Kingdom they are located in London, Glasgow, and Manchester. If you are planning a trip to one of these places, the addresses and even official maps can be found online.
Why should I not buy a Louis Vuitton bag replica?
It's important to be aware of the disadvantages that a fake product can have.
These include: How the quality of the materials is not very good, meaning that it may not last as long as the authentic. They don't hold up against color-fastness and tend to fade and soiling.
A replica will not be the same weight, even if they are the same size by looking at the two bags you can tell which one was real and which one was a fake, and this can make the experience of holding the purse unsatisfactory.
These fake bags will often look cheap and flimsy.
Additionally, fakes are also usually made more quickly, with cheaper labor, and so they may be inferior in other ways that you may not have seen yet.
How will I know if it's bad quality?
There are always signs of rip-offs and the biggest sign of all is a very inflated price. Any product with a price tag that is at least five times the price you see anywhere else is almost certainly a fake product. You can only know if something is fake or not by trying it out. There are ways to tell if the bag you want to buy is a sham.
What to do if you get a fake bag
If you happen to get a fake Louis Vuitton bag that you've purchased from a store, you may want to take your best shot at a return.
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Because the store may not even accept a return, you are just going to be out the money bought and more. By taking the bag back, you can still get your money back.
If you have bought the fake from an online site, you can always report back the details to the site and try to get your money back. Make sure that the site that has given you fake goods has bad reviews left by other customers.
The first thing you should do is take a look at the origin of the bag. Take into consideration the brand of the bag, the style, the material, the pattern, the stitching and the leather.
Knowing these tips will help you spot an authentic Louis Vuitton bag when you are looking at one in person or online. If you see a purse that is significantly cheaper than its price tag would indicate, your best bet would be to move on to the next one.
Original manufacturers will have the company's crown logo and not a different company's logo. If you go to an outlet they'll usually have the same discount as well.
If you're looking for the best price possible, check out online auction sites, such as eBay. You can often find genuine Louis Vuitton purses at a much cheaper price!
For example, here's a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Damier Azur (Size: 9.0) for just $610.00! That is a bargain for this year's fall collection!
In conclusion, Louis Vuitton is known for its quality and craftsmanship. Among the most obvious signs of an authentic product is whether or not it matches the color from the website. However, this isn't as easy to tell if you're a first time buyer!
Take a look at this Louis Vuitton Monogram Leather Yayo Pouch Mini (1.55" x 2.15" x 5.90"). On LV's site, it appears that all of their purses are about two inches smaller in width and height.
If you are going to buy Louis Vuitton handbags in another country, you will need to make sure you buy them from an authorized retailer. This can be determined by looking for “made in France” on the inside of the bag, or by contacting Louis Vuitton and asking about authorized retailers.
To spot a fake, you'll need to take a look at every detailed part. Even the lightest color differences or smallest imperfections are cause for concern.
Good luck shopping for your new LV and enjoy it.
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