It is in the interest of Le Handbag Chateau to protect consumers from the ever increasing illegal activity of purchasing fake designer bags. These bags are known as "Mirror Image" ~ "Replicas" ~ "Looks Like" ~ "High Quality" and "Knock Offs" Some of these bags are so well made that it is hard to determine from the real item, unless you know what to look for!

Don't be fooled into buying one of these bags, not only is it illegal to sell them, it is illegal to purchase them. Notorious avenues for selling fake designer handbags are auction websites. Ebay for example, who have certainly cut down over the years, promote a very stringent policy about selling fake handbags, but there are those that fall through the cracks. EBAY do offer authentic handbags, but fake ones still definitely exist. I purchased what I was led to believe an authentic Burberry last year from Ebay. It looked like a Burberry, I was told it was an authentic Burberry, yet when my package arrived it was clearly fake; bad stitching, bad quality, and the famous Nova Check pattern was inconsistent. So, be very careful when looking into purchasing designer handbags. Unless of course you order through us! 





One of the most difficult authentic designer handbags to get your hands on is CHANEL. Unless you buy directly from Chanel, an authorized retailer, or a reputable dealer. These handbags are the most replicated of all designer handbags, why? because everybody wants one. The name alone conjures up luxury and sophistication. Premier designer handbags, are truly works of art!

Here's what to look for:

A real Chanel Handbag will have the copyright R next to the word Chanel. Some fake bags do not have this, or they have they word Chanel without the R. AUTHENTICITY CARDS do NOT mean that the bag is real. Most fakes come with an authenticity card with a fake serial number, the number will often match the number inside the purse, but it is a fake number. Chanel started using the Hologram serial number sticker in 1984, their numbers will have either 7 or 8 digits. The earlier vintage handbags have 7-digit serial numbers starting with 0. As Chanel brought about more bags, the number began to ascend, starting with a 1. Once the number exceeded 9999999, the number then became 8 digits long because 10 has two digits. You may also determine if you bag is fake by the actual TEXT of the number. For instance, The Chanel 1 Series had a line at the bottom of the one (1) like this. The 2, 3 and 4 Series (serial numbers beginning with a 2, 3 or 4 did not, they looked more like this: (1). The 6 Series and up DO have the line at the bottom. 

Authenticity cards have black and gold lettering. Those are the only colors that Chanel use so if you find any cards other than the usual chances are your purse is a fake. Also these cards are never laminated. A laminated authenticity card is a strong indication the purse is fake.
Chanel bags are always made of Calfskin, not Lambskin.
Chanel does not put tags on   their handbags.
Check the quality of the purse, if the stitching is not straight or the material is inferior its a fake.
The right CC logo always overlaps the left one.
If the serial number sticker comes of easy, simply peeling off, it is fake.
One is fake ~ One is real
Fake. Lining should be Burgundy
CHANEL
Fakes

Louis Vuitton
Before entering into the designer handbag business, and educating myself on fake bags, I had purchased two replica Louis Vuitton's. I was of course oblivious and was told over and over again YES our Louis Vuitton bags are the real thing! I was unaware that LV did not sell wholesale, I did not know that you can only buy new and authentic Louis Vuitton handbags through their website and retail stores. Louis Vuitton is the most replicated designer ever! Purchasing replica Chanel's and LV's when I was told over and over again that they are authentic is why I ventured into this business. Well I thought I was getting a bargain, but I got more than I bargained for! So, beware of the millions of fake Louis Vuitton's out there.

Here's what to look for:
One of the easiest ways to spot a fake LV is by the pattern, especially with the monogram style bags. the LV's will always be lined up on a real bag, not off centered, not tilted or have a greenish tint. Some of their bags will have the pattern upside down on the rear side, this is because they have used one continuous piece of leather to make the bag, therefore the LV's will be upside down as it folds over to make the back. Not all Louis Vuitton bags were made with one piece of leather though. Look for other details which might establish that your purchase is authentic or not. The serial numbers, or date codes for one. LV didn't start using these codes until the early 1980's so if you buy a vintage piece there will not be a date code, the same applies with the French Company LV items . When Louis Vuitton began issuing their items with date codes they consisted of 2 letters followed by 3 or 4 numbers, just 3 numbers alone, or numbers followed by letters. The letters today consist of 2 letters and 4 numbers. The letters represent where the item was made. Letters where the items was made in France are as follows: A0, A1, A2, AA, AN, AS, BA, BJ, CT, DU, ET, FL, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, VI. Letters for Italy made: CE, SA. USA made: FC, FH, LA, SD. Spain made: CA, LO, LB, LM, LW.  The numbers represent the month and year. All LV serial numbers are imbedded in the leather, either discreetly inside the bag or under the D Ring. They are never on a tag, and Louis Vuitton NEVER issue Authenticity Cards!. If you need more information on date codes Louis Vuitton are most accommodating. You can even visit one of their stores for authentication. If you come across a website saying "Wholesale Louis Vuitton" run! Louis Vuitton do NOT sell wholesale, so chances are they are fake.

Louis Vuitton uses oxidizing cowhide leather on their bags, so if it turns a darker more 'honey' color over the years it's okay. Always make sure the bag is Leather and not Plastic or Vinyl.
One of these Trevi PM's is a fake. It is not hard to determine which one. I was told the fake one was authentic!
This Louis Vuitton 'French Purse' wallet certainly does look real. Everything seems to be in place regarding the pattern, the stitching looks pretty good, all the LV markings are where they are suppose to be, BUT.... There are some flaws: The leather is not perfectly cut, and a dead giveaway; the serial number doesn't exist as far as being authentic. All LV bags that begin with M6 are fake. The handbag here is also fake: The pattern is way off center, the hardware is really cheap plastic, the handles are made of cheap vinyl, the stitching is terrible, the interior material is bright red as opposed to burgundy, and lastly there is no date code on this more recent design.

Always check for hardware; Some Louis Vuitton handbags come with locks and corner protectors, so it is important to know what your bag should have.
Fake Interior. Fake Everything.
Coach
One of the easiest ways to spot a fake Coach on a signature jacquard handbag is by the layout of their C's. Take a look at the bag on the right. This is an authentic Coach. The C's are perfectly symmetrical. If the C's are not aligned then it is a fake. I have seen replica Coach bags where the C is all over the place, yet the hang tag read Coach. I have also seen where the C is cut off in the middle of the bag. Coach C's are only cut off at the edges of the bag, not in the middle. Be aware of any bag that has an 'O' or a 'G' implanted also, these are fakes. The signature C's should always run horizontal and not vertical. Another pointer is that the signature C handbag will NEVER have a signature C lining. Solid colored bags will however have the signature lining. See the examples below.
"THIS IS A COACH BAG. IT WAS HANDCRAFTED IN CHINA (or wherever) FROM THE FINEST MATERIALS TRIMMED WITH GENUINE LEATHER. ITS SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIP AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL REFLECT OUR COMMITMENT TO ENDURING QUALITY." Underneath this will be registration numbers. Coach do produce their handbags from different Countries around the world, even China! I have another authentic Coach which was made in Turkey, and another from the US. So even though it may say different countries on your bag do not worry. Do worry however if it's from Korea, Coach do not have their handbags produced from Korea. Also, if you find any  mispeled words. (I did that on purpose) Coach will NEVER misspell their words. No matter where your authentic Coach is produced it will ALWAYS have the superior craftsmanship it refers to.

Registration codes are not unique to every piece, and they ARE copied by counterfeiters so be careful. Look for shoddy workmanship. The label should not be at an angle, and the stitching straight. The numbers after the hyphen represent the bags style. The red bag on the left for example is # 6094 a Coach Demi Purse, so be sure to check that the number matches with the bag style.
Inside each Coach handbag you will find a leather creed patch. This identifies the item, and tells you where it was made. The text is always in CAPS and always in English. They read:
Coach also use their logo tags that are attached by a beaded chain, the beaded chain normally matches the leather trim of the bag. The word “COACH” should be raised, and not imprinted. I have seen fakes where the word has been printed on. Some styles have metal tabs also, but NEVER plastic.
FENDI
Familiarize yourself with the FENDI Logo. Believe it or not you can find Fendi replicas with the emblem completely reversed. The logo on the left is correct. I shudder at the thought of what Adele and Edoardo Fendi would have said about this. If you see the emblem on the right do NOT buy it! Also, be sure to examine if this iconic symbol is stamped or engraved into the hardware, it should always be engraved.

The fabric is another giveaway. Since 1925, with the opening of their first handbag shop and fur workshop in Via del Plebiscito, Rome, Fendi have been in the forefront of designing prestigeous luxury items. You will not find an inferior Fendi, you will not find cheap fabric, or stitching that is unever or coming apart. Fendi use a light weight durable fabric, their leather is also light weight, if it's heavy and rough, it's not Fendi. You will not find a hollow handbag strap, all of Fendi's straps are solid leather. Their hardware is not made of cheap plastic. The lining will not be 100% cotton, but a sleek satiny material.

One important feature in authenticating a real Fendi is the fabric tag inside the bag. A real Fendi will have the FF logo in hologram on one side and like Coach, although shorter, a written statement guaranteeing its authenticity on the reverse, this is written in both English and Italian. Their cards include a magnetic strip, a barcode on the top left, and a description of the bag style. If you do not see this it is fake. If you are still unsure, take it to a Fendi boutique and have them analyze the bag.
Correct
FAKE
Beautiful Craftsmanship
There ARE many retailers online selling both authentic AND replica designer handbags. Some are 100% authentic, some claim to be, while others openly admit they are knock offs. Do your research! I cannot stipulate this enough. I was caught up in this scam where I was told again and again "Our bags are Real/Genuine/Authentic".
Visit www.ripoffreport.com and you'll see a few, it might save you a lot of aggravation down the road! or of course you could order from us and sleep at night.
Fake Lining. Fake Tag. Fake Label.
Inferior Material. Fake Chain. Fake Zipper. No Serial Number. Fake Authenticity Card

GUCCI
Take note of the GUCCI logo and the fabric. The G on the fabric will always be upside down and reversed. There are two dots between the G's, not 3 or 4. and the G's will never be C's! Like all of the other designer handbags listed on this website, they are extremely high quality craftsmanship, this is why they have earned the reputation they have, this is why we hold them in high regard and are willing to pay the extra cost for their products. Therefore, craftsmanship is the key. None of these designers will EVER produce shoddy work. Gucci products are impeccable.

Most Gucci handbags come with a serial number. This number recognizes that the bag is an original authentic product. A replica Gucci handbag won't have a serial number. This number is usually found underneath the leather tag inside of the bag. Vintage Gucci bags however will not necessarily come with a serial number, though it will come with the Gucci Coat of Arms shield, or a brass plate with the words "GUCCI Made in Italy". (See right images)
With the newer Gucci bags the serial number is engraved into the leather, not stamped on. Gucci do not just stamp their exquisite handbags. They also do not embellish their bags with tissue or plastic, bare this in mind because a LOT of replicas will come wrapped in plastic, or the handles will be wrapped in tissue. The serial number is found on a leather tag just below the inside zipped compartment, if the bag has no zipped compartment the serial number will still normally be in the same area. The top of the tag reads: "GUCCI" and "Made in Italy" underneath the word GUCCI. The back of the tag is the style number and a 4 or 6 digit number all engraved into the leather.

All Gucci handbags come with an authenticity card, care card, history card, dustbag, and sometimes the Gucci carrying bag. The authenticity card really doesn't tell us much other than that the word GUCCI should always in CAPS. There is no serial number on a Gucci authenticity card, referred to as a "Controllato" card, so you cannot distinguish the serial number with the card. All Gucci cards come with the numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0. They are small white cards.

China and Korea are the highest producers of fake goods anywhere, and the Korean customs service announced in 2006 that $162.5 million worth of fake products were seized within that year, those bearing Chanel's logo accounted for $23.5 million, more than any other label. Louis Vuitton came in third after Rolex.

Stop faking it!  Yard Sales and Thrift Shops:

You can find authentic designer items at yard sales. People for what ever reason, eventually decide to let go of their treasures. But again, be careful! Some will tell you they are "Real" when they are not, but most are honest. I bought a Louis Vuitton wallet at a yard sale for $5.00, I had it authenticated at the LV store in L.A's Beverly Center. I also bought a Radar which turned out to be fake. My suggestion would be to educate yourself before purchasing any designer items from a private source.

Thrift shops also sell authentic designer handbags, in addition to fake ones. I visited a thrift shop in Florida who had a whole row of designer handbags behind the counter in a glass case. They permitted me to cross the counter for a closer view. There was Donkey and Bourke for $100.00. Coach for $80.00 and a Louis Vuitton Speedy for $175.00. Great deals! but every one of them were fake. The assistants assumed they were authentic and sold them as such.

Consignment stores have a better understanding, and are more likely to stock the genuine article. They are more expensive of course, but, like most things "You get what you pay for".

When purchasing online, don't be afraid to ask about authenticity. If you are unsure, ask again. Compose a nice e-mail stipulating the importance of purchasing the genuine article. Some will say "Yes they are authentic, just like the real thing" or "Yes, they are very high quality" This means that they are fake! and remember, if the price is too good to be true, it's probably a fake. Use your judgement, pay attention to your instinct, and educate yourself. Sadly trust isn't always going to play out.
Real
Real
Fake
How NOT to become a victim of the multi-billion dollar counterfeit market.

FAKE.
You need to be extra vigilant when it comes to Balenciaga. The same applies to Hermes. These handbags are exceptional and expensive! You will not find an authentic Balenciaga for $300.00, even a used one (or at least very rarely). Some websites selling counterfeit handbags raise their prices leading you to believe they are real. This happened to me with a Chanel handbag. The very same company offer Balenciaga's for $500.00 and inform you that they are real. You could well imagine that perhaps these bags are overstock pieces, or simply cheaper than retail because they are selling them at wholesale prices. Well, don't be mislead.

Another thing to be aware of are the pictures of the product. Some counterfeiters use other peoples photographs, photographs of the genuine article but sell you a fake. I once spotted a Blue Jean Hermes on Ebay selling for $5,000. The background of this beautiful Birkin was of a tropical location so it was very easy to identify the image. I spotted the exact same image on a website selling replicas. The Blue Jean Birkin on this particular site was $75.00.

Having said that, you will notice a lot of authentic designer handbags sites using the same image. This is because we are supplied these images from the wholesaler we purchase from.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can determine a fake Balenciaga from an authentic one. Here's how:

Balenciaga
Balenciaga use serial numbers to identify their handbags, and there are a few ways for you to determine their authenticity. Some handbags have leather tags attached inside the bag under the zipper pocket. The front will say BALENCIAGA. PARIS (in CAPS) the reverse will have the serial number, and beneath this made in italy (in lower case). Note also that the serial number will always be the right side up when you flip the tag. It will not be upside down. There are also Balengiaga bags that have metal tags inside, these tags have the serial number on the front. All tags will match the colored leather of the actual bag. Note also that the interior of these handbags is black! Not the same color as the bag.

Here are the serial numbers to determine authenticity of some of Balenciaga's most popular styles. This being the first 6 numbers.

WORK. The tag will be metal and have the serial numbers 132110
GIANT WORK. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 173080
CITY. The tag will be metal and have the serial numbers 115748
GIANT CITY. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 173084
FIRST. The tag will be metal and have the serial numbers 103208
DAY. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 140442
WEEKENDER. The tag will be metal and have the serial numbers 110506
TWIGGY. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 128523
MID-AFTERNOON. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 168026
MID-BOWLING. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 163259
GIANT PART TIME. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 173082
PART TIME. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 168028
GIANT CLUTCH. The tag will be leather and have the serial numbers 177286
Metal tags will also have a number representing the season of the bag.
One of the most obvious signs to look for is the bale. The bale is the metal piece that attaches the shoulder strap to the handbag and the hook. Balenciaga use an oval shaped bale whereas replicas normally will have a rectangular shaped bale. Another noticeable character is of course the leather, Balenciaga's leather is like no other, it has a distressed veiny look but is thick and feels soft. The leather they use is Chevre, goat skin, it is very strong, and treated in order to soften it. Replicas are often shiney, thin, and very inferior. The decorative studs on a Balengiaca have a distinct grain to them, although some are also smooth, but certainly not cheap plastic. 
Vintage GUCCI pieces that do not have a serial number will have the GUCCI Shield engraved into the leather or on a gold toned plaque.
Pelham Serial Number