Luxury bags are valuable items to include in your wardrobe. Not only do they serve their purpose, they also last for many years and add an elegant touch to your look. However, buying a luxury bag isn’t that simple. There are important things to remember if you want to make the most of your purchases. Here are ten tips that can come in handy.
- Read the brand name.
Many “class A” items can get away with their imitated designs, but the fakeness can be detected with a simple glance at the brand name. A common indicator of fakeness is any error on the brand name such as misspellings, different font, or even odd placement on the bag. Check images of original items on the Internet to see if the brand name is exactly the same on the item you want to buy.
- Check for any signs of damage.
Luxury bags are expensive because they are made with the highest quality of skill, machinery, materials, and technique. This means damage is unlikely, especially for brand new items. A loose thread is a big red flag that indicates the item is not genuine. The same goes for any chips or fading on the pattern.
- Inspect the inner tag.
Most luxury brands have unique inner tags with the product code, manufacturing information, and care instructions printed on them. If you don’t see any inner tag on the bag, it may as well be a fake product. In some brands, the inner tag is the ultimate indicator of originality and without it, the item would be unsellable.
- Take a close look at the seams.
Seams of luxury bags are very well done, symmetrical, and neatly sewn. If a bag has recklessly stitched seems that look like they didn’t even undergo design planning, you can immediately tell that it’s a fake. Open seams are also major problems because no luxury designer would ever allow a damaged bag to be sold commercially, unless it’s at a clearance outlet.
- Buy from a reputable shop.
A thrift store is the best place to get fake items for low prices, but if you’re really after brand new genuine items, you should buy from their direct shops or websites. Many malls also carry genuine luxury bags and you can avoid buying fake items in major malls.
- Check the brand’s official website for the exact item.
You can check the website of the brand that you’re buying from. Some examples of websites with complete catalogs include Italian bag brands like Bidinis, Bulgari, and Prada. Most catalogs get updated on a regular basis and some old items may already have been removed, but you can still check for similarities and indicators of genuineness from the current catalog items.
- Research about clues in detecting fake items.
Every brand has an indicator of fakeness, like how Louis Vuitton bags can’t have asymmetrical patterns divided at the seams. Find out how each brand distinguishes its fake counterparts and use this information when you go out shopping.
- Verify the price.
If a luxury bag is priced at less than $100, you should be suspicious, especially if you’re buying from a local store that isn’t really known for luxury items. Likewise, some sellers might rip you off and add a markup to the price of the item, making it more expensive than it actually is. The website price is different from store prices because it may include shipping and handling. Nevertheless, the difference is usually small, so the closer the item price is to the website price, the more realistic it is.
- Match the bag with your style.
There are practically hundreds of different designs that you can choose from. Make sure the bag you’re buying is one you really want to use. It’s expensive, after all, and it would be a waste not to use it.
- Use discount coupons or promo codes to get a good deal.
Many luxury sellers give their customers discounts and promotions in the form of coupon codes. You can use these codes to get up to 25% off on the regular-priced items. That’s $250 off from a $1,000 bag!
Buying luxury items is a great hobby and personal achievement, but you should make sure that your investment is worth it. Be a smart buyer and get the best out of your purchases.