How to Spot a Fake Handbag

Before we begin, it's worth considering a couple of important points. The market for used and second hand goods is massive. There are good reasons for this. The most obvious one is, of course, cost.

Whether it's a car, a laptop, or indeed a handbag, the cost of a second hand item compared to the very latest model can be staggering. It's not uncommon to find a used model up to 70% cheaper than a brand new version.

The price you pay, for any second hand goods, will largely be determined by the age and the condition the product is in, but new goods depreciate in value pretty quickly, whatever they are - and that's why, if you shop around, you can often find items that are 'as good as new' for greatly reduced prices.

With that, comes a few fairly obvious caveats. Depending on what the product is, buying second hand might mean you have to go forego a few things you would expect when buying brand new. Some are superficial: the original packaging, tags, etc. Some could be more important: warranties, guarantees, etc.

So, it's a balancing act - are you prepared to miss out on some of the protection you often associate with purchasing new goods for a considerable price saving?

The next thing that concerns many when buying second hand goods is how reputable the seller is or isn't. It's a matter of trust, but most people feel more secure buying from a high street store rather than a complete stranger off the internet. This is understandable, but it is usually easy to ascertain how reputable a seller is online by looking at the number of reviews and the quality of the feedback that the seller has.

In the vast majority of online transactions the buyer and the seller are both completely satisfied.

All that said, one area where it does pay to proceed with a little more caution is when considering buying any designer goods, including handbags. Counterfeiting of designer goods is rife because of the high prices that the top designers command for their goods.

However, if you are sensible and take some basic steps you can greatly reduce the possibility of falling into the trap of buying fake goods. The good news is that most of the advice is just common sense, but with used handbags there are a few other tips to follow which will help you stay well ahead of the counterfeiters. Here are the things to look out for:

• Go for newer items. Counterfeiters tend to be fairly slow on copying and selling items, so the newer a designer style actually is, the less likely there are to be fake versions around. Again, know the brand - old styles and new styles.
• For top-end designer handbags, sellers are unlikely to be selling more than a single item. Multiple listings of the same particular item, of course, doesn't necessarily mean anything is untoward - but it should make you proceed with a little more caution.
• If you spot an 'X' or indentation on the inside of a used handbag, it could indicate that the product was not bought from the high street. Instead, it could indicate that the item was from overstock. This does not mean it is a fraud- the 'X' is actually a good sign of authenticity!
• Although there's a fair chance, buying used, that they will not be included - any tags, dust bags and labels that are present would suggest authenticity.
• Never buy on the basis of stock photos alone. You need to see a genuine photo of the actual item you are buying, not a picture lifted from a brand's website. It is good practice for sellers to include shots of authenticity patches and serial numbers, etc as evidence of validity. If they are not included in a listing, ask to see one! A genuine seller will always be happy to send a photo to verify a handbag's validity.
• Watch out for plastic protectant packaging - usually seen on the edging of the handbag or the straps or handles. Some fraudsters put this plastic packaging around items because they think it looks authentic. Do not be fooled, it is a common trick.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions of any sort to the seller. If they are a genuine this will not be seen as a problem for them. In fact, anybody selling a high end item such as a used designer handbag probably expects to be asked questions - unless the photos and the description offered in an item's listing is crystal clear, thorough and detailed.
• If, on receiving the item from the seller, you are not wholly convinced of its authenticity the best thing to do is to visit a department store that stocks the same item. Compare your item with the one on the shelves and ask the opinions of the shop staff. They are likely to be knowledgeable about designer handbags.

So in conclusion, when looking for a second hand designer handbag and spotting a fake used handbag are:

1. Do your research: Get to know as much as you can about a brand or a style that you are interested in buying - the print, the stitch, the material. Go for the finer details.
2. Look for any of the warning signs detailed above - these may turn out to be nothing sinister at all, but they are reminders for you to be cautious.
3. Ask questions - if you want further information, clarification or assurances from a seller, just ask.

Finally, remember with a combination of your knowledge and your common sense you should now be well equipped to search for your dream used designer handbag!