I have a few id’s here on eBay, for buying/selling you name it. One of my id’s I use for selling authentic (of course) Louis Vuitton items. On another id,  I use lots for buying LV’s.

I received a message from a ‘fellow’ eBayer, (whom, I’m now convinced is the son of a *#&%# who took my $$$) saying how she saw how I bought loads of LV items and thought I should check out a website she had used in the past to buy her authentic LV. It was named, authlouisvuitton.com… I was skeptical. However, the bottom line, is after about 6 weeks of following her site and watching the inventory flow and numerous emails between myself and “Nelly Ado”, I felt confident I found a legit source for more authentic LV.

$2200 was sent by means of a money order… (I know, I know)… and I received 4 bags in return. 2 ‘Louis Vutiton’ FAKES and 2 Balenciaga FAKES. When I notified her that I would need to return and collect a refund, she assured me this was the first time ANYTHING like this had ever happened… blah, blah, blah,… but yes, send the bags back for an IMMEDIATE refund to be mailed back to me.

Well, surprise, surprise… no refund. no nothing. nada.

Now, come to find out, before this site existed it was authenticlvbags.com under owner Mari Adams. She’s a pro con.

Do I feel like an idiot? Yes.
Is $2200 a lot of money? Yes.
Am I the slightest bit hesitant to expose her if it will help others NOT send hundreds/thousands of their hard earned $$$’s? Nope. 

So, here it is. Here’s this guide, that will hopefully show up in search results when “Nelly Ado” is looked up on Google or her fraudulent website, authlouisvuitton.com … we’ll see.

Rule of thumb: If it’s too good to be true… it usually isn’t.

1. STITCHING
Stitching can be a dead giveaway. Inconsistent stitching and sloppy construction in less visible areas, such as the underside of the bag or inside pockets, are details to look for immediately. Authentic designer bags tack on an extra zero on that price tag due to extra, carefully-crafted construction. They cost more because they are built more complexly. Counterfeit products usually do not have the care of construction that the real item has. If the construction looks simplistic, it’s likely to be a phony.

2. MATERIALS
Many fakes are no longer made of PVC but of reasonably good leather, even lambskin; however, they are seldom as good as the materials labels like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Coach would use. Fake purses tend to be stiff and often have some sort of discoloration.  SMELL if it smells like chemicals it’s a fake. We all know what leather is supposed to smell like. When dealing with replica leather handbags, make sure the leather does not have an uneven look that is consistent. Also, people generally assume designer bags should be lined, which is why many replicas are lined. But, on the contrary, real purses are not. 

3.  Fake purses & handbags are advertised on the internet as “Fakes”.  Sellers buy these then sell them on Ebay as genuine.  Take a look at the picture on a website selling fakes and look at the picture the seller is using – if it is the same it’s fake.

Good Luck!

another good tip, ask the seller about the authenticity.  it doesn’t matter if they put in the item description that it’s genuine; people lie.  ask the seller that if you were to purchase their item, let’s say a louis vuitton bag, and you were to take it to a louis vuitton boutique to verify it’s authenticity,  would they accept a return if the boutique says it’s a fake?  if you get no replies to that question, you KNOW it’s not real.

Also, the saddle leather trim appears light tan in color when brand new, but develops a darker shade quickly as it picks up oils from skin after being handled. The edges appear darker still as they are cut via a special burning process that initially appears red, but also darkens. If the seller claims to have owned the items for yrs, the handles and trim should no longer be the light tan color. Cheaper leather will not develop a patina like the authentic top quality saddle leather LV uses.

The label inside the handbags is small leather patch (about an 1 1/2″ wide and 1″ tall) and should appear something like this:

Trademark symbol, an “R” in a circle
Louis Vuitton
Paris
Made in (country can be USA, France, Spain and may be others that I am unaware of)

I rarely see an authentic LV up for auction, but there have been a few, so hopefully the above will help you vet out some bargains!

How to avoid buying fake Juicy Couture merchandise

Unfortunately there are a lot of unscrupulous sellers on Ebay passing off knock-offs or cheap imitations on designer merchandise such as Juicy Couture jewelry, bags and clothing. Here is a quick guide taken in part, from my Juicy supplier on how to tell if what you are purchasing is the real deal or some fake knock off. 

Below are pictures of knock off 2006 Velour Backpack, Hobo, and Daydreamer with Pom Poms.

And Below are the Authentic bags. Notice the difference in the Pom Poms, they should be fuzzy and multi colored. Also notice how sloppy the stitching is on the front and the little X stitches which the authentics do not have. Their Fake Daydreamer is the worst as the daydreamer looks nothing like this and none of the new 2006 Fall Pom Pom Bags have that type of Juicy logo. Instead all The new daydreamers have Juicy Royal on the front with Pom Poms on the side.

Juicy Couture Made in the USA?

• The first thing to know and the most unknown information on finding an authentic Juicy Couture Bag is that 90% of Authentic Juicy Couture Bags and Jewelry are actually manufactured in China and have ”Made in China” on the manufacturers tag. I encourage all of you interested in buying a Juicy Couture Bag or jewelry to take a trip to an authorized Juicy supplier, Juicy’s company stores, Nieman Marcus or Nordstroms and check out the tags and you will see they all say “made in china”. But you thought Juicy Couture was Made in the USA right? So did I until I started selling them. The truth is almost all affordable designer bags are manufacturer in China, however the company itself is “made in the USA” hence why Juicy Couture and many other popular Designer Handbags such as Kenneth Cole and Coach all claim to be USA companies, but get their merchandise is absolutely manufactured in China. This is why Juicy Couture uses the slogan “Made in the USA”. So what does this mean? Unfortunately the actual tag is not as much help in determining a Fake Juicy Couture item. When purchasing a bag make sure there is a Juicy tag on it and the bag is made of genuine cowhide leather.

• **IMPORTANT** WHEN PURCHASING A JUICY COUTURE PIECE OF JEWELRY CHECK THE GIFT BOX IT IS PACKAGED IN. THE JUICY LOGO IS STAMPED ON ALL GIFT BOXES. As I write this I can’t believe I am looking at an auction from a another seller for what is advertised as authentic Juicy earrings listed at $8.00, sitting in a gift box without the logo! JUICY COUTURE JEWELRY GIFT BOXES ARE DISTINCTIVE CLASPED HEAVY DUTY AND ATTRACTIVE. THEY ALL HAVE THE JUICY LOGO ON THE INSIDE. sOME HAVE THE LOGO ON BOTH THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. SOME WILL HAVE CARDBOARD SLEEVES OVER THE ENTIRE BOX. From time to time we do run across Juicy shelf pulls and they will NOT have a gift box. Our distributor does assure and guarantee that these are genuine Juicy pieces non the less.  

Authentic Juicy Couture Characteristics on hand bags

• Almost All Authentic Juicy Couture Carriers have small metal knobs with Juicy Couture Engravings on them. If your bag has little metal knobs or feet at the bottom of the bag, make sure there are little Juicy Couture marking on them. Replica bags have plain knobs and feet.                                                      


• The tag should say 100% Cowhide Leather, cheap imitations have “leather like” material. Authentic Juicy Bags & Carriers use 100% real leather trim, handles, ect. Real Leather is nice and Soft and has a Matte Pebbled Finish on almost all leather Juicy Couture Baby Fluffs, Totes, Satchels ect. Even the Metallic Leather Bags have a more Matte Finish. Unfortunately fake bags are becoming more advanced and many actually use real leather.
  
•  Almost All Charms & Hardware will have Juicy Couture or some type of Logo engraved into the metal. I’ve seen several imitations where the hardware is plain. 

Authentic Juicy Couture Sellers

• Be very weary of sellers who do not disclose information about themselves.


• Ask your seller questions!! Authentic Juicy Couture Sellers are easy to communicate with and are not afraid to answer your questions.


• Be very weary of low starting bids. Although it is popular on ebay to start bids very low and sell low Buy It Now, if you bought a Juicy Piece necklace or bracelet for less than $30.00 or a Juicy bag for less than $100 chances are you are buying a fake. Let’s face it. Sellers of authentic merchandise DO pay quite a bit of money for genuine Juicy merchandise even if it’s been discontinued or a store is going out of business. Wholesalers and liquidators DO sell for a lot less than wholesale but even at less than wholesale, it’s still not cheap to purchase genuine Juicy merchandise. If you see an “authentic Juicy bag for the Buy It Now price of $50.00, you can be certain it’s not a real Juicy bag. If you see a Juicy bracelet or necklace at the Buy It Now price of $25.00 you can be certain it is NOT geniune Juicy jewelry. We cant stress how important this is. The majority of Authentic bags that are on ebay are listed at Full Price, it is not common for people to be able to get Juicy Couture at wholesale prices. Please don’t forget to ask your sellers where they get their Juicy! Most Juicy Couture Bags sell for $200-$400 so expect to pay $150-$300 as a reduced rate. Most smart sellers also know where to purchase genuine Juicy jewelry at a reduced price from overstock shelf pulls or going out of business sales or know a reliable and BBB certified Juicy redistributor. This is where I find and buy my Juicy jewelry. From a BBB certified redistributor. I can’t possibly sell you these bracelets and necklaces at $25.00 as my Juicy jewelry IS authentic and I pay more than 25.00 even on closeout. If you see the same necklace or bracelet that I am selling on here for $45.00 when it retails for $$85.00 and another seller is selling theirs for $20.00, chances are it’s a fake. (Or they are desperate for money!) The problem is the fakes are very nicely done and some quite attractive. I can easily get those as well and may even purchase some of them to sell on here cheap, but I WILL disclose when I am selling a knock-off or look-a-like. I do not rip off my clients!  

• Juicy Couture sold from outside the USA are probably not authentic(not to mention if something does go wrong you will probably have a hard time communicating with the seller so international sales are usually non refundable). While most Juicy Couture is manufactured in China, those manufacturers are under strict contracts. All Juicy Couture is shipped to distribution centers in the US.  The only way to get discounted Juicy Couture is to get it directly from the Distribution Center, not just anyone can do this, you really have to know someone.  My reseller is a trusted source who does purchase from Juicy Distribution centers and authorized Juicy retailers ONLY.

•  Also almost all counterfeit bags are made outside the USA so the odds of finding an authentic Juicy Couture Bag are better if it is from a US seller.

• **NEW** DROP SHIPPING SCAM: Juicy Couture Manufacturers in China would never allow this and are in strict contracts. Many companies do what is called “Drop Shipping”. So an ebayer puts a fake bag up for bid using the picturer from the manufacturer in China. Then when you buy the bag the ebay seller pays an extra $5 to have the Fake bag manufacturer in China ship the bag directly to you. So they basically make a huge profit by just collecting your money and sending it to the manufacturer in China. The box will often have chinese writting and is usually shipped by a non traditional carrier.

• The most obvious is to make sure the bag you’re buying was actually made by Juicy Couture. I have seen several pictures of Fake Juicy Couture Bags which are similiar to the original but are made of different material. The most common is the color. Juicy Couture comes out with a line of colors each season and fake bags are usually way off, either not having the same shade or having colors that Juicy Couture has never even come out with.                                                      

The picture below doesn’t need much explaining, it is an obvious fake even though the shape and details are similiar to the original the color is all wrong, the material is not real leather and I don’t believe this bag ever even came in that weird purple metallic foil color.

This bag is very common on Ebay and is available in several different colors. This bag was never even made by Juicy Couture and it’s been on auction for over $200.

This is a fake Velour Baby Fluff. These are not Juicy Couture Colors and this style Juicy Couture was never available in the style. Also look at the metallic handles. If the metal looks more like Foil it is not authentic Juicy Couture

This is a fake leather baby fluff. See how the leather looks more like plastic. Also the leather baby fluff never came in this color and this style is so old it is no longer even being made. This is a replica of the original baby fluff which came out several years ago.

More you should know about Juicy Couture

• 
  many people don’t realize that about every 6 months Juicy Couture comes out with a new style of the same bag. For example the most popular styles like the Baby Fluff & Daydreamer Tote are constantly coming out in various styles, new colors, etc. Only the newest styles are available in Department Stores and when they sell out the latest season bags take their place.

• 
  The interior of the Juicy Couture Bags vary depending on the color of the bag NOT the style. Every Baby Fluff Satchel does not have the same interior. That also goes for most of Juicy Coutures Bags. They are color coordinated, so if you ordered a Tea Dye bag it has a blue interior it doesnt mean its not authentic.

• 
  When Department Stores choose the bags they put on Display they are extremely choosy and will ship back any bags they feel are non displayable. Juicy Couture Bags are not like Louis Vuitton Bags, they often do have defects, but it is very rare to pay full price at a retail store and find one with a defect. This is also why each department store only carry one or two of each bag.

NOTE-This guide was posted in a similar format from the company I purchase my Juicy Jewelry from. They do want us to spread the word to all ebayers on the dangers of purchasing fake Juicy Couture items on auction sites, I firmly believe in this as well. I can’t think of a better way to spread the word about fake Juicy Couture items than to post it in this guide. So buyer please beware when shopping for designer bags, apparel and jewelry. We live in a world where people really do rip others off without feeling any remorse or regret. Don’t be a victim. Once you purchase a fake it’s almost impossible to get your money back. Check out the feedback and buy from reputable sellers. Chances are if you see a newbie selling a Juicy bag for 100.00 it’s a fake. If they are selling a bracelet for 20.00, chances are it’s a fake or it fell off the truck if you know what I mean. Also be wary of short auctions. Many fraudsters will want to close their auctions asap so they can’t be caught before they take your money!

(If you think I can improve this article, e-mail me and tell me what you’d like to see included!)

1. Below is a fake Dooney and Bourke.  The first red flag is the
patterned material, which is cheap and easy to reproduce.  The
second clue to its lack of authenticity is the plastic wrapped around
the handles, which is also cheap.  The major differences between
real and fake are in stitching, material, the label, and
packaging.  Fakes will typically have sloppy stitching, stiff material, and
misspelled tags. Moreover, the “real thing” will likely be packed in a
soft, thick flannel wrap, and often a box. 

  Rule #1: If it looks cheap, it most likely is cheap.

2. Is the item coming to you from Hong Kong or another Asian
city?  I have worked in textiles and can tell you from experience
that Chinese factories can and do make spot on fakes, right down to the
tags! Just because it says Coach, doesn’t mean it is Coach.  The
real deal may be made in Asia, as well, but it will not be sold from
Asia!

Keep in mind, you can get fakes from street vendors in New York and
from flea markets across the U.S., so just because an item is being
sold by someone from North Carolina or California still doesn’t
guarantee it’s not a fake.  It’s just more likely to be a fake if
it’s coming directly from Asia.

Rule #2: If it’s shipped from Asia, assume you’re getting a fake.

3.  Along those same lines, pay attention to spelling and grammar!
If the seller doesn’t seem to have a very good grasp of the English
language, chances are they’re selling fakes. 

Rule #3: Don’t dismiss the seller’s poor attempt to construct a sentence as a result of our public school systems–move along!

4.  Beware buying items based on photos of professional
models.  What does the gallery picture of the item look
like?  Is it a professional photo from a magazine, website or
runway show?  If the seller cannot or will not provide you with an
actual photograph of the item he/she is selling, most likely what he or
she is selling is a fake that does not look like the real thing.

Rule #4: Insist on a photo of the actual item!
 (photo courtesy of www.Bananarepublic.com)

5.  Is the seller’s feedback “PRIVATE”?  If so, there’s a
reason, and it’s not because customers were happy.  Run the other
way! Purchasing authentic items online is risky, but you can arm
yourself with information.  Your best tool is to look for other
customers’ claims of fake product.  Check the feedback of the
seller, and if it’s “PRIVATE”, move along.

Rule #5: Do your research!

6.  Is the item still available in stores?  Keep in mind,
many people clean out their closets seasonally, but if you are gettting
an item at a significant discount that is not even on sale yet in
stores –be suspect.  Be very suspect. 

Rule #6:: If it seems to good to be true….

7.  Does the seller have about fifty of the same item?  Do
you think they bought out every pair of jeans Macy’s carries? 
HELLLOOOO?

Rule #7: Products being sold in bulk is a sure sign of a fake!

8. Like knowing the stockmarket, know your chances of getting a
fake.  Cartier is highly counterfeited in Asia, and Microsoft is
the most counterfeited tech brand. Nike, Adidas, Burberry, Louis
Vuitton, Sony, Lacoste, and Reebok are all common knock-off
brands. 

Rule #8: When at all possible, make comparisons between actual photos
of the item being sold, and a photo of a known to be genuine product.

9. Number 9 is scariest of all.  I have often relied on a photo of
the “receipt” to provide PROOF that the seller bought the item from a
retail dealer, but that is all out the window now that online web
resources have made it possible for anyone to fake a receipt from
anywhere.  That “Tiffany & Co.” receipt may or may not be from
the actual store, so beware, and definitely don’t assume it’s either a
genuine receipt or a genuine product.

Rule #9: No longer trust the “I have the receipt” claim.
Click here for items claiming to have receipts– all rules above still apply!

10. Lastly, remember there is only one way to know for certain that
what you are buying is, in fact, authentic, and that is to buy it
yourself from a retail dealer. 

There is some GOOD NEWS heading
the way of the authentic-loving, second-hand shopper, though! The
designers are finally getting wise! According
to my sources, Fendi, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton will be taking their
products to the space age by installing holograms and wireless devices
that will PROVE the authenticity of their products! 

  For even more information, go to the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition webpage at www.iacc.org

My experience of buying Louis Vuitton started when I was heavily pregnant with my first baby.  I was at home all day, and spending alot of time scouring Ebay when I decided (perhaps hormonally) that what I really needed before I became a Mum, was a Louis Vuitton purse. 

Like everyone I guess, I jumped into this blindly and started bidding on all sorts of purses, but unfortunately they all went over my spending limit quite quickly.  This was lucky for me looking back on it now.

My first supposed Louis Vuitton purchase was when my son was roughly 6 months old.  I found a purse that looked so cute!  I bid madly, as you do, and to my delight I won it!  So I did what I thought would be the right thing to protect my new purchase, and paid via Paypal just incase something went wrong.  Well, something did go very wrong.  I received my purse roughly 10 day later, and to my horror, it was something I could have picked up at the market for $5.  Keep in mind that the seller had Guarenteed that it was authentic.  So I contacted my seller and expressed my dissatisfaction in no uncertain terms!  The reply I got was “Too bad.  You bought it and now its yours”.  I started on the correct channels to request a refund through Paypal, but only to find out that the only way they wil refund money is to get a written letter from Louis Vuitton stating that the purse is a fake.  I contacted my local LV store and was told that under no circumstances would they do that!  So I was stuck.  With a fake purse.  Less money.  And a bitter taste in my mouth.

So my suggestion to potential LV buyers is

1. BE CAREFUL! 
   
2. Do your research (there are plenty of online sites that can clarify a fake with just a picture)
   
3. Dont beleive Authenticity guarantees (youve got no hope of ever getting a refund)
   
4. Dust bags, cards, certificates can be as easily faked as the item itself
   
5. Ask for an original receipt of the purchase.  If they cant provide it – ITS  A  FAKE!
   
6. Ask yourself “Why is this person selling a $1000 item for $100?”
   
7. Check out their feedback – if they have sold multiples of the same sort of item, they could be bringing them in from Asia = FAKE
   
8. Where possible, ask if you can pick the item up.  At least you have a chance to check the item out before parting with your cash
   
9. LV products do not have imperfections
   
10. LV products do not go on sale
    
11. No one gets LV products as ‘unwanted gifts’.  Just think how much they cost!

So dont be afraid to ask questions of your seller – even pay the extra and get it delivered COD.  And finally – assume that they are all fakes, and dont spend more than you would pay for a fake.

My experience of buying Louis Vuitton started when I was heavily pregnant with my first baby.  I was at home all day, and spending alot of time scouring Ebay when I decided (perhaps hormonally) that what I really needed before I became a Mum, was a Louis Vuitton purse. 

Like everyone I guess, I jumped into this blindly and started bidding on all sorts of purses, but unfortunately they all went over my spending limit quite quickly.  This was lucky for me looking back on it now.

My first supposed Louis Vuitton purchase was when my son was roughly 6 months old.  I found a purse that looked so cute!  I bid madly, as you do, and to my delight I won it!  So I did what I thought would be the right thing to protect my new purchase, and paid via Paypal just incase something went wrong.  Well, something did go very wrong.  I received my purse roughly 10 day later, and to my horror, it was something I could have picked up at the market for $5.  Keep in mind that the seller had Guarenteed that it was authentic.  So I contacted my seller and expressed my dissatisfaction in no uncertain terms!  The reply I got was “Too bad.  You bought it and now its yours”.  I started on the correct channels to request a refund through Paypal, but only to find out that the only way they wil refund money is to get a written letter from Louis Vuitton stating that the purse is a fake.  I contacted my local LV store and was told that under no circumstances would they do that!  So I was stuck.  With a fake purse.  Less money.  And a bitter taste in my mouth.

So my suggestion to potential LV buyers is

1. BE CAREFUL! 
   
2. Do your research (there are plenty of online sites that can clarify a fake with just a picture)
   
3. Dont beleive Authenticity guarantees (youve got no hope of ever getting a refund)
   
4. Dust bags, cards, certificates can be as easily faked as the item itself
   
5. Ask for an original receipt of the purchase.  If they cant provide it – ITS  A  FAKE!
   
6. Ask yourself “Why is this person selling a $1000 item for $100?”
   
7. Check out their feedback – if they have sold multiples of the same sort of item, they could be bringing them in from Asia = FAKE
   
8. Where possible, ask if you can pick the item up.  At least you have a chance to check the item out before parting with your cash
   
9. LV products do not have imperfections
   
10. LV products do not go on sale
    
11. No one gets LV products as ‘unwanted gifts’.  Just think how much they cost!

So dont be afraid to ask questions of your seller – even pay the extra and get it delivered COD.  And finally – assume that they are all fakes, and dont spend more than you would pay for a fake.