Case Study Three
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.
Below is the power point breakdown of a Louis Vuitton listing by: rj2XXXXX:
1. Power point one.
Keywords: STYLISH LOUIS VUITTON HANDBAG TOTE FRENCH
Power point one assessment:
These are weak, non-specific keywords. They portray the seller as having little
if any knowledge of Louis Vuitton. However, weak keywords alone do not constitute a red flag,
as someone without brand specific knowledge can still encounter an authentic handbag, be ignorant
of the details, and sell it on eBay. And despite the weakness of these keywords, there is no incorrect model/style/color information
listed. That said, weak, non-specific keywords should give rise to caution.
2. Power point two.
Feedback:
Seller's feedback score: 2725
Seller's feedback percentage: 100%
Power point two assessment:
This sellers has a phenomenal 2725
feedback score at %100. However, designer handbags are not this sellers standard inventory.
But the high feedback score itself is enough to eliminate any red flags here. (High feedback
is not an automatic free pass to buy. We discuss feedback in more detail here.
3. Power point three:
Item's pictures: Seller offered item pictures.
Image 1:
Image 2:
Image 3:
Image 4:
Power point three assessment:
Image number one has many glaring tells. The stamp impression is of poor quality, the "N"
has a misprint or glitch, the overall stamp impression is crooked, and there is low quality
stitching in the lower right hand corner of the label. These tells are conclusive enough to
confirm this bag of being fake (An example of why feedback score alone does not guarantee
anything). More examples of Louis Vuitton logo stamp tells here.
Image number two is another example of a low quality stamp impression.
Image number four reveals incorrect hardware.
4. Power point four:
Return policy: This seller does not offer a return policy. This does not justify a red flag
itself, as many sellers do not offer returns on used merchandise, but they do 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.
(The "No Returns accepted" policy can be seen in the power point one image below the keywords).
Power point four assessment: 
The "No Returns Accepted" policy at first glance is 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 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:
NICE SPACIOUS BAG WITH NUMEROUS LV LOGOS...........TWO TONE COLOR---DEEP AMBER BROWN AND
TAN.............THE BAG APPEARS IN OVERALL GREAT CONDITION WITH NO TEARS, STAINS OR
HOLES..........THE BAG HAS 4 GOLDTONE FEET WITH AN LV LOGO ON EACH...........THE BAG IS
14 INCHES WIDE AND 13.5 INCHES TALL NOT INCLUDING THE HANDLES.......I AM NOT YOUR
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WHEN IT COMES TO PURSES AS YOU CAN TELL FROM MY FEEDBACKS........
THE BAGS I HAVE LISTED CAME FORM MY MOTHER'S ESTATE AND I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE SOME
VALUE........SHIPPING ESITMATED AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE.......THANKS FOR LOOKING
Notes on seller description:
- Seller writes, "THE BAG HAS 4 GOLDTONE FEET WITH AN LV LOGO ON EACH" If this handbag
had passed all the points thus far, an image of this detail from the seller would be needed.
- Seller writes, "I AM NOT YOUR
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WHEN IT COMES TO PURSES AS YOU CAN TELL FROM MY FEEDBACKS........
THE BAGS I HAVE LISTED CAME FORM MY MOTHER'S ESTATE AND I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE SOME
VALUE"
- The seller corroborates (above) what we already have learned in power point two,
that the seller
has little experience with designer handbags. Meaning the seller would have no way of
knowing if the bag was real or fake. The seller then goes on to say the bag came from her
mother's estate and says, "I was told they have some value." Many times sellers will use the "gift" line (true or not true),
to give themselves cover for the lack of details offered or if it comes back as fake.
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 (the damage):
This handbag ended up selling for $325 + shipping. It had 16 bids , and 278 hits on the listing.
This case is an example of $325 + shipping 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: --