First off, let’s be real: if you’re finding a “Supreme x Louis Vuitton” duffel for 30 bucks, *run*. Just run. That’s faker than a politician’s promise. Those collabs are ludicrously expensive, even used. Don’t even bother scrutinizing it; it’s a waste of time.
Okay, so let’s say you *think* you’ve found a deal, maybe on eBay or some consignment shop. Time to play detective. One thing that I found while browsing is that like 90% of Louis Vuitton handbags sold on eBay were fake. And you should always do your research and ask questions.
Leather Strips and Stitching: This is where the devil is in the details. Real LV leather is like, *buttery*. It feels good. Fake stuff often feels plasticky or stiff. Also, peep the stitching. Is it even? Are the lines straight? LV has super high standards. Sloppy stitching is a huge red flag. The leather strips too, should be attached very properly.
Price Point: This is a biggie, right? Do some digging. What do real Louis Vuitton duffles *actually* cost? If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. It sucks, I know. We all want a bargain, but when it comes to luxury goods, corners are rarely cut honestly.
The “Feel” Test: This is totally subjective, but I swear it works. Real LV just *feels* different. It’s substantial. It has a weight to it. It’s hard to explain, but if you’ve handled a real one before, you’ll kinda know. If it feels flimsy or cheap, trust your gut.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions: If you’re buying from a reseller, ask for more pictures, especially close-ups of the details I mentioned. Ask about the origin of the bag. See if they have receipts or authentication papers. A legit seller won’t be afraid to answer your questions; a scammer will probably get defensive or avoid them altogether.