Introducing: myauthentics.com - Your Guide to Spotting Fakes

Learn to spot a fake when you see one with Myauthentics - a web portal that provides up-to-date information on counterfeit news, the negative effects of counterfeit and reputable retailers online for safe shopping. You'll never have to worry about paying a large sum of money ever again to an unknown retailer only to find that you've been ripped off.

If you've already made a purchase but have doubts as to whether you've bought an original, visit the Myauthentics website for relevant materials from their wide range of categories and find out what you could do if what you've purchased isn't what you got.

How to Spot a Fake

Faking it
How to spot a fake by Alice Temple
Just how do you tell a fake Louis Vuitton or Gucci bag from the real deal? Find out how to take home the genuine article every time with this indispensible guide to spotting the fakes.


Handbag wars
With the advent of the Internet the crims are raking in the dirty dollars. Ebay is a breeding ground for fake designer merchandise and while there are websites selling the genuine article, there are just as many passing off counterfeit goods as the real thing. The problem is taken seriously by those at the top. Rumour has it that security staff at Louis Vuitton will even confiscate guests' handbags at their fashion shows if they are suspected fakes (oh the shame)! So, what are the signs to look out for?

The design
Do your research. Every celeb worth their close-up carries a status bag - the pages of Heat, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar are full of them. Check sites like Vogue.com or the designers' own sites ( Gucci, Louis Vuitton , Dior to see the styles and details of authentic merchandise clearly. Never seen a Murakami visor? That's because they don't exist outside of Canal Street. Puckered leather and wonky stitching are sure signs of a fake.

The fabric
When paying big bucks for a designer bag you're definitely paying for the name, but also the craftsmanship. The reason a real Hermès Kelly bag costs an arm and a leg is because they're hand made. You won't see shoddy workmanship on a legitimate bag - puckered leather and wonky stitching are sure signs of a fake. Only accept an article in pristine condition; if you're questioning the quality it's likely to be suspect.

The details
Don't overlook the smaller features. The zips, handles, buckles and other trimmings are often what lets down a fake. Hermès bags should have an 'Hermès Paris' stamp, while genuine Louis Vuitton leather goods say 'Louis Vuitton Paris, Made In France'. However, the fakers are cannier than ever and are wise to the fact that savvy shoppers seek the 'LV' stamp on zips and press studs. In this case, look even closer. Monograms should be clearly printed, not smudged - and stitches should be tiny and discreet, not clumsy and gaudy.


The nod of approval
There are some websites authorised to sell designer labels. Amongst the three most popular are www.yoox.com, eLuxury and Net-a-Porter - all legitimate designer e-tailers (eluxury.com is run by LVMH which owns Dior and Vuitton). Natalie Massenet from Net-a-porter.com that sells bags by Marc Jacobs, Chloé and Moschino advises, 'Consumers should look to shop on websites that are recommended by the brands themselves or by a trusted source such as high-end fashion magazines. Jimmy Choo for example links to Net-a-Porter. If in doubt about the authenticity of the goods available online you should always review the Terms and Conditions of the website, which should explain the provenance of the goods.' It's also worth checking the returns policy. All sites are bound by law to offer a refund service. If it doesn't, alarm bells should ring.


The extras
When buying from auction sites like www.ebay.com look for extras like branded dustbags, boxes (designers love packaging) and identity cards. But be alert. However much you follow these rules the fakers are always one step ahead. In many cases they can fake the packaging and ID cards as well as the handbags, so don't let your guard down. The bottom line is: if you have any doubts, don't buy.


article courtesy of Handbag.com


---------------------
In addition to that, Bagaholic Babe would like to add that these professional Fake Handbag sellers on auction sites like eBay can even fake receipts! And...the photo of the bag you see is sometimes a photo they nicked from authentic sites such as eLuxury....so oftentimes, the item you receive differs greatly from the one the seller put up in his auction. To be safe, never buy online unless from the authentic e-tailers such as Net-a-Porter and eLuxury.

Rent-a-Designer Bag service!

Bagfetish Unleashed!: Rent-a-Designer Bag service!


Balenciaga


Gucci


Fendi Bag du Jour


Like all these bags above but can't afford to buy them?? Or can't stand waiting for highly coveted waitlisted bags any longer?

Well, don't fret. Because in addition to being able to rent dresses and jewellery, you can now rent designer BAGS too! Yep! Your eyes aren't playing tricks on you. Websites such as Be-A-Fashionista and BagBorroworSteal offer rent-a-bag services. They've got an ever expanding archive of designer bags, and yes, even WAITLISTED bags such as the Chloe Paddington in blue and the Fendi Spy. However, the downside is that the more popular bags also have a waitlist!

For Be-a-Fashionista.com, all you need to do is to sign up as a member for SGD$50 a month, and you have all the access you need to drool-worthy designer handbags. Chloe, Luella, Tods, Gucci, Juicy Couture, Fendi, Chanel -- you name them, they've got 'em! You can rent them for as long as you want - a day, a week, a month, a year...and that's not all! You can even opt to buy the bag off them if you find yourself being too emotionally attached to the bag after renting it! However, the downside is that you have to be living in Singapore or the United Kingdom, to be able to rent from this fabulous site.

For those of you in the US, Bag Borrow or Steal.com is the place for you to rent-a-bag! All you have to do is pay a low membership fee and you're good to go! You can start 'borrowing' from all their collections, and yes, even the Couture collection.There is no time limit as to how long you can borrow your desired Designer bag for. Like Be-a-Fashionista, you can buy it off them or as the website says 'steal it' for a fee if you don't feel like returning it after renting the item. However, you can only borrow up to 3 items at a time for the first 3 months of membership. Members can also buy gift certificates for their friends!

Another exciting feature that BagBorroworSteal is that they even have an outlet store, where you can buy gently used bags for an affordable price!

What are you waiting for peeps? Head on over to Be-a-Fashionista and BagBorroworSteal right now to enter Designer Handbag Heaven! You know you want to!! ;)

Is your Authentic Designer Handbag Really Authentic?

So, you have just bought a new designer handbag. Maybe you have had your eye on a Christian Dior Saddle Handbag, or Gucci Jackie-O that you know your friends will drool over . You got a huge discount off of the hefty retail price and you’re feeling pretty good about yourself. But know you are wondering- is my designer handbag authentic.

Determining the authenticity on any product can be a little tricky, but if you know the basics, you will be able to spot a fake in just a few seconds.

One of the best ways to ensure your new handbag is authentic is to look at the bag itself. Designer handbags are popular and cost as much as they due because first and for-most they are made from quality materials. Take a good look at the stitching. There should be no loose or missing stitches, the color of the thread should match the main color of the bag and the stitches should be evenly spaced. If the handbag is leather, the logo should be engraved, not just printed on the leather.

Also take a look at the hardware. All of the hardware should match in color and sheen. The hardware should also be free of scratches. Many manufactures, including Gucci, Fendi and Prada, protect their hardware with a removable plastic cover that is to be removed only after it has been purchased. The brand name or logo should be engraved, not embossed or simply printed on the hardware. You can also find the brand name of logo engraved on the strap hardware on Gucci, Fendi, Prada, Chanel and

Inspect the material the bag; lining, hardware and accents are made of. Many handbags are made of different types of leather, from Lambskin, Calfskin, Goatskin and Patent Leather, but it is easy to distinguish if the leather is of a good quality or not. The lining is usually made of a satin material that has a nice shine to it and most designer handbags have the name brand name or logo on the lining. Designers almost always use leather accents, not plastic. Some purses have straps that are specially coated and seem to be artificial. However a quick look at the edge of the strap, usually near a stitched joint, should reveal a leather core.

Is there an authenticity card. An authenticity card is a little card that usually has the manufactures logo embossed on the front and has some information about the product you purchased and sometimes includes a magnetic strip, bar code. Many manufacturers, including Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Kate Spade and Coach, use these cards.

Check for a serial number. Not all manufacturers use serial numbers, but many do. The serial number for Fendi purses can be found on the inside pocket. Simply turn the pocket inside out and there will be a printed number on the fabric or possibly on the leather tag. Gucci includes a small leather tag on the zipper seam of the handbag which includes a serial number.

If you shop wisely, and inspect the bag carefully, you will be able to spot a fake from a mile away.

Deanna Key is the author of many articles and resources concerning desinger handbags. She has worked as an importer/exporter of designer fashions for over 5 years, and has imported over $25 million worth of designer goods. Read more helpful articles and get discounts on designer handbags at http://www.handbag-spot.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deanna_Key


----------------------------------

Continuing on this subject, Bagaholic Babe recommends mypoupette.com. MyPoupette.com offers services such as authenticity checks, where they can check the authenticity of your bag. For safe online shopping, I recommend that you check this list outThey also have a list of blacklisted websites that claim to sell authentic designer handbags but actually don't. Also, there are eguides for checking the authenticity of your bag. These eguides are available on eBay (search under 'Reviews and Guides'. So far, there are eguides for checking authenticity of Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Balenciaga, Fendi, and Prada - and yes they come with a whole lotta pictures too so that you can compare between the fake and the real. However, there are really good Korean replicas out there... where even the leather handles of the LV monogram can change colour with age, much like the REAL Louis Vuitton. Most are so well made that you can hardly tell the difference even when you compare the real with the fake.

However, to be REALLY sure that what you're paying for is the real deal, only buy online through websites such as net-a-porter.com, neimanmarcus.com, eluxury.com which can be found under the 'online shopping tab' on the left of this blog. Don't be tempted by the unbelievably cheap prices that other websites offer, because you could be paying for the replicas instead of the authentic designer stuff. And believe me when I tell you this, because I'm speaking from experience.

Vintage (second-hand) bag shops in KL!

For all you trend following fashionistas out there, the word 'recycling' has been taken to a whole new level!

Welcome to a designer brands' recycling culture, where you can buy or sell your unwanted bags! Too good to be true? Not at all!! ;)

Vintage (or second-hand) shops are now popping up in the KL scene. So, for all you fashionistas out there who couldn't get your hands on that limited edition designer handbag that you SO wanted (due to either insufficient finance availability -- i mean, we all know how much those coveted limited editions can cost!; or any other reasons *gasp* you were informed too late about them!), don't fret! You can now get your hands on them, and at a fraction of their retail price too!!

I mean, places like these even have God forbid.....waitlists for Chloe Paddingtons, Luella's Gisele, Balenciaga (no longer available in KL!! Shuz no longer carries them!), or the Hermes Birkins and Kellys!! Yep, no, your eyes are not playing tricks on you. You are NOT hallucinating. It's true! I promise! Some of the bags at these second hand shops are unused!! They could've been a result of having received a gift they didn't like, or a result of having too many bags that the owner had *gasp* forgotten about them and hence, over time, don't like em' as much anymore... or it could even be a result of an impulse buy.... Yep... ain't that all too familiar to us all? After all, isn't what's unobtainable more appealing than what is? It's the thrill of the chase i suppose. Once you get your hands on them....it doesn't seem too appealing anymore?? Isn't that how it is with guys when wooing girls? But, I digress. Back to the topic at hand.

For those interested in selling their stuff off ...I mean, hey, at least you get some money back to invest in another new bag that you've got your eye on instead of giving them to your hired help (maids) right? ;) Different second-hand stores have different policies, so be sure to check them out. Some second-hand shops like Treasures Collection in Plaza M'ont Kiara don't only take bags, but wallets, clothes and shoes too! The way Treasures works is, once they go through your bag to make sure it's authentic, you can display it at the shop with the price you wanna sell it at. (They don't buy your bag from you though...But like i said, each shop has their own policy, so be sure to check them out!) When your bag is sold, they'll call you up. However, you have to pay them 30% commission of the price that you sold your bag for. They don't buy your bag from you though...But like i said, each shop has their own policy, so be sure to check them out!. After all, it's small price to pay. I mean, at least you got some money back instead of giving it away, right?

You see, Handbags really ARE worth the investment!! ;-)

Rest assured, these Second-hand boutiques that sell authentic (read AUTHENTIC) stuff. Treasures Collection actually has a 3-day guarantee... where if you want to, you can verify the authenticity of the bag you purchased. If it's fake, you can return it to them within 3 days of the date of purchase, and they guarantee your money back in full.

What are you waiting for??
Here are the details of the second-hand bag stores... So far, these are the only ones that sell authentic stuff (as featured in November's Marie Claire Malaysia). So don't be conned!

Milano Station
Plaza Ampang City,
Jalan Ampang, KL
Tel: 03-42564137

Scoop
Plaza Damas,
Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, KL
Tel: 03-62011206
www.scoop.com.my

Lilypot
Desa Sri Hartamas, KL
Tel: 03-62039940/1

Treasures Collection
Wisma Sunrise
Plaza M'ont Kiara, KL
Tel: 03-62034231