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Case Study 1

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  Our case studies are designed to offer insight on how to apply our power points while shopping online, especially eBay. We will show you our process, how we spot the red flags, and subsequently render a verdict on an item's authenticity. We want to point out that our way is not the best method, or the most conclusive method to spot fake handbags online. But it is an effective method. We recommend that you treat our case studies as guidelines, not laws, and develop a system that works best for you, as your speed and skill increases.
More case studies will be added on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

POWER POINTS:
Power point 1. Use detailed keywords when searching.

Power point 2. Meticulously scrutinize the seller’s feedback.

Power point 3: Scrutinize the handbag pictures for tells.

Power point 4: Check out the seller’s return policy.

Power point 5: When in doubt, get a second opinion:



Note: A detailed description of these five points can be found in our tutorial online buying tips

Disclaimer: Part of the sellers ID has been blocked, as these items are not currently on the market, and the seller may or may not be currently in good standing with eBay. It is not our purpose to attack the sellers personally, it is however our purpose to inform you the buyer on how to protect yourself. The assault on counterfeit merchandise must be done from the top down and the ground up. We will leave the top down strategy to law enforcement, but the ground up strategy can be done by us, the consumers and legitimate sellers, with a surplus of good information.



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Case Study 1:

Below is the point by point breakdown of a Louis Vuitton listing by ameerazoXXXXX.
Here are our findings:


1. Power point one.

Keywords: stunning brand new authentic louis vuitton handbag



Power point one assessment:
The keywords this seller used are weak, non descript, and non specific, and this lack of detail should give rise to caution. However, there is no incorrect style/model/color information in this description, so it does not automatically constitute a red flag.


2. Power point two:

Feedback:
Seller's feedback score: 0
Seller's feedback percentage: 0%





Power point two assessment:
This sellers has no feedback to scrutinize. No feedback is always cause for a red flag. This is not conclusive evidence, as everyone good or bad, starts out with a "0" feedback score. However, more caution should be taken when you see a big fat goose egg for a feedback score.


3. Power point three:

Item's pictures: Seller offered only four item pictures. A small number of pictures should give rise to caution. However, a small number of pictures alone is not enough to justify a red flag.
Image 1:





Image 2:





Image 3:





Image 4:





Power point three assessment:
We spotted a tell in image #2, and image #4 (the engraving in #3 seemed funny too). Image #2 pertains to the label. The impression appears to be slighly crooked and off-center, especially the "made in france" lower stamp. Also, the "U" in Louis and Vuitton is an incorrect font.
And in image #4, the monogram pattern is not symetrical, from one side to the next. The material on the top left corner under the leather strip has no monogram pattern, but on the right side, part of the monogram pattern is stitched over by the leather accent, creating an asymetric look.
When cross referenced with our Louis Vuitton brand specific details, the evidence is conclusive. These tells confirm the handbag is a counterfeit LV.

4. Power point four:

Return policy: This seller does not offer a return policy. This does not justify a red flag itself, because many legit sellers do not offer returns on used merchandise, but they will however, grant a money back guarantee if the item is not authentic. A buyer must read the fine print of the seller's return policy to find out all these details before buying.




Power point four assessment:
This seller does not offer a return policy. Not an automatic red flag, but when we checked for further return policy details in the listing, we found no money back guarantee even if the bag is found out to be not authentic. This further detail (or lack thereof) is grounds for a red flag (below is the seller's actual description, more clues are available within this description).

Seller description: (Seller description will be discussed in this section, to conform to our tutorial).


The seller writes:
"Louis Vuitton Gold Theda Mini Monogram GM Bag! Guaranteed authentic as always. Excellent condition, very minor spot inside please view photographs otherwise this bag is mint. Retail price is $3650.00. Louis Vuitton protective dustbag is included! This is the same Theda bag Kim Kardashian is carrying!! First things first, this is a limited edition LV bag, only Louis Vuitton VIP's were able to obtain this rare, holy grail bag!! This is the GM size, which is the large size. The body of this phenomenal bag is an ivory canvas with the LV mini monogram in a mauve plum color... absolutely gorgeous! The gold leather trim and hardware create an OUT OF THIS WORLD GLAM LV bag!! Measurements: Length: 14" inches. Height: 7.5" inches. Width: 4" inches. Handle drop is 6" inches. There is endless fashion possiblities with this bag, it goes with everything in the closet!! The bag opens with the beautiful large gold buckle and is embossed "LOUIS VUITTON" on each sides of the buckle. Each gold stud is engraved "LOUIS VUITTON". Date code is embossed on the gold leather tab inside the pocket. Inside of the bag has an open patch pocket. This bag is not only stunning but a Louis Vuitton collectible investment! Expect tons of compliments from everyone on this gorgeous Theda bag! One of the best thing about this Louis Vuitton bag thanks to the understated colors, it goes beautifully with everything in the closet!! so dont miss out on this fantastic bargain selling for a fraction of the price as i have two!!!"

Notes on seller description:
• Seller writes, "Guaranteed authentic as always." However, there is no feedback history to justify the "as always claim."
• Seller writes, "Date code is embossed on the gold leather tab inside the pocket." However there is no picture of this. Had the bag passed inspection thus far, a picture of this detail would be necessary to confirm authenticity.
• Seller writes, "dont miss out on this fantastic bargain selling for a fraction of the price as i have two!!!" Very strange to have two of such a "limited edition" LV bag, and to be selling it for a "fraction of the price" on top of that.


5. Power point five: Get a second opinion.

Assessment: No second opinion is needed as the evidence against this bag via the listing images was conclusive enough to confirm it a fake.

Extra notes:
This handbag ended up selling for $863.99. It had 38 bids, and 247 views of the listing.
This case is an example of $863.99 that could have been saved with a few simple tips.

Summary:
Power point 1:

Power point 2:

Power point 3:

Power point 4:

Power point 5: --

Louis Vuitton Speedy Bags



Louis Vuitton Speedy 25
Louis Vuitton Speedy 30
Louis Vuitton Speedy 35
Louis Vuitton Speedy 40

Case Study 1

Case study 2

Case study 3

Case study 4