Tag: real authentication

Buying on eBay: Sellers I recommend

Posted on by bargain.hunting.blonde@gmail.com

*This is the second part to my eBay series. For tips and tricks please check out my last post.

The number one request I have gotten since revealing more of my handbag collection on Instagram is “where did you get that bag?” Inevitably once I say eBay people have many questions including what sellers I recommend. This is NOT a comprehensive list of every seller I have purchased from and just because a seller is NOT on the list does not mean that they are not reputable or a good seller. Most of the sellers you see below are Japanese resellers but I have also mixed in some of my favorite US-based resellers as well. As noted in my previous post, I highly recommend that (regardless of where you purchase) you should get the bag authenticated. I recommend Real Authentication. Use code “E0D81C3” for $5 off your first authentication.

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  1. brand_jfa– This Japanese reseller has been on eBay since 2012 and has a 99.4% positive feedback. As you can see in the picture above they have over 20,000 items listed for sale. To me all of these things are good things to see in a seller.Screen Shot 2020-08-15 at 9.52.01 PM
  2. atlantis-tokyo– This Japanese reseller had more of a curated collection but you can still find some very unique pieces in excellent condition. They have been on eBay since 2010 and have 100% positive feedback! Screen Shot 2020-08-15 at 9.57.40 PM
  3. brandoff- This Japanese resale company actually has a couple different brick and mortar stores in the APAC area. This eBay page is linked to their Tokyo store where they have been selling luxury goods since 1993. They have a great selection of both vintage and new pieces.Screen Shot 2020-08-15 at 10.03.19 PM
  4. brandoff_hk– This is the Brandoff page based of their Hong Kong store. Same great service and reliability as the original Brandoff in Tokyo. Screen Shot 2020-08-15 at 10.07.49 PM
  5. marqueluxury– This is a US-based reseller who is actually based in Irvine, CA. They normally just work in the wholesale business but through their eBay page they sell to everyone. They often have some really interesting, rare pieces so be sure to check them out. Screen Shot 2020-08-15 at 10.12.04 PM
  6. rebagofficial– This is the eBay page for Rebag, a resale site like Fashionphile. They normally have similar stuff to what they have on their site but I always check both to see which has the best price. They are based in the US, with stores in CA and NY.

This post is not sponsored by eBay. I have previously worked with eBay. If you are interested in those posts, which contain even more information about buying luxury on eBay please check out these posts: post 1, post 2 and post 3.

Tips on How to Safely Buy Luxury on eBay

Posted on by bargain.hunting.blonde@gmail.com

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Lately I have been posting more and more vintage luxury finds on my Instagram in both posts and stories. Inevitably when I do this I get questions about how to safely buy authentic luxury goods on eBay. Below are my tips and tricks for finding a good authentic deal on eBay.

  1. SEARCH– Run a search for what you are looking for. I would recommend thinking like a seller. For example, typing in “vintage Chanel” is likely not going to yield what you want. But trying “Chanel flap bag” or “Louis Vuitton Speedy 30” (basically any search with more detail) will probably lead you to what you are looking for. Also in the course of reviewing your search you may come across different phrases that you should add into your search. For example when looking at vintage Chanel flap bags you will often find the word “metalasse” in the title of the item. Try adding that into your search so now instead of just “Chanel flap bag” you are searching for “Chanel metalasse flap bag.”
  2. CHECK the Seller’s Information– Once you find an item you are interested in check out the seller’ s information. I check to see how many items the seller has sold which normally indicates if they are a “top seller.” Plus I look to see their overall ratings as well as their recent reviews. I find that sellers that are from Japan and have thousands of listings and reviews are the best to purchase from. I rarely (if ever) go with a sellers that has only 0-10 reviews, especially if the reviews are only on the sell side.
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  3. READ the Details– Looking at the pictures is a definite must bust so is reading the description. The description will tell you what other accessories might come with the item you are looking to purchase, like the dustbag, authenticity card, ribbon, box etc., as well as point out flaws that may not have been very clear in the photos. For example you might comes across a Hermes bag at a steal of a deal. But when you read the description it has been re-touched and likely not by hermes. For me this is not a deal breaker but for some it is as Hermes will no longer repair it. Plus in the description there is often even more pictures!
  4. TRUST You Gut Instinct– If something seems too good to be true then it likely is and this applies to luxury goods too. If you are worried about an item feel free to message the sellers and ask for more pictures. Or you can go right to step five and authenticate the item in the listing. (This is not always the best option since items can sell quickly so you might authenticate a listing that sells before you can authenticate and purchase!) A positive thing about eBay is they have a money back guarantee that can save you if you do purchase a fake.
  5. ALWAYS Authenticate– eBay does have their own verification program for luxury goods (which is great!) but I always get my bags authenticated a second time. That stands true if I buy from eBay, Fashionphile, Poshmark, The Real Real, etc. It’s worth the little extra money to know your piece is authentic. I personally like Real Authentication. I find them reasonable, very fast and their phone app is very easy to use. (Use my discount code “E0D81C3” for $5 off your first authentication!)

If you want to see more posts about my eBay finds please check out this post about buying vintage Chanel on eBay or this post about more tips and tricks.

This post is NOT sponsored by eBay and these tips and tricks are just what I personally do. Please always be cautious when shopping online and use your best judgment!

Buying Preloved- Getting Your Luxury Goods Authenticated

Posted on by bargain.hunting.blonde@gmail.com

The first question I get when talking to someone about buying a preloved luxury good is how do you know it’s authentic? The answer is to get it authenticated. Even if you have bought and how much of an “expert” you may think you are fakes have gotten really really good. (Super fakes are literally the scariest things ever and one of the reasons if I was to buy more current season Chanel I would likely buy straight from the boutique.)

The second question inevitably is a combination of what company should I use and how does it work? If those are the questions you have then this article is here to help.

What Company should I use?

REAL AUTHENTICATION

Real Authentication allows you to authenticate from literally anywhere. They also authenticate a wide variety of luxury items including clothing, shoes, handbags and jewelry. Create an account and once you have done that just upload your images. Their turn around time is between 12 to 24 hours for their basic services but if you need it quicker they even have instant turnaround. Every item is looked at by two authenticators to confirm whether the item is authentic or not. This is my preferred authentication service and the one I currently use.

Real Authentication‘s pricing is as follows:

  • Basic authentication is $20. The following chart shows the additions you can make to your basic authentication.
  • real authentication pricing.PNG

Real Authentication authenticates all the following brands- 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Audemars Piguet, Balenciaga, Baume & Mercier, Bell & Ross, Blancpain, Bottega Veneta, Breitling, Bulgari (Bvlgari), Burberry, Carrera Y Carrera, Cartier (High- Res Photos Required), Celine, Chanel, Charles Krypell, Charriol, Chloe, Chopard, Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin, Coach, Corum, David Yurman, Dolce & Gabbana, Doony & Bourke, Fendi, George Jensen, Girard Jensen, Girard- Perregaux, Givenchy, Goyard, Graff, Gucci, Hermes, Hublot (High-Res Photo Required), IWC, Jager Le- Coulter, Jimmy Choo, John Hardy, Judith Leiber, Judith Ripka, Lago, Lanvin, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Michelle, Mikimoto, Miu Miu, Montblanc, Mulberry, Nancy Gonzalez, Oliver Peoples, Omega, Panerai, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Roberto Coin, Rolex, Simon G, Stella McCartney, Stuart Weitzman (shoes only), Saint Laurent, Tacori, Tag Heuer, Tiffany & Co., Tissot, Tom Ford, Ulysee Nardin, Valentino Garavani, Van Cleef and Arpels, Versace, Yeezy, Yves Saint Laurent and Zenith.

AUTHENTICATE FIRST

I have used Authenticate First before and have had a good experience with them. They also had great customer service when I had an issue with a certificate I got from a seller on Tradesy. (To learn more click here.) They do have a slower turn around time of 2 days. This timeline can be shortened if you pay for expedited service. They do a photo authentication service and an in-house authentication service where you send it your item to them to be reviewed.

Authenticate First has a more complicated pricing structure so I attached the pricing chart below. They are more expensive on the Hermes front (unless its an SLG email opinion) but are cheaper for most brands email opinion authentications then Real Authentication.

authenticate first price chart

Authenticate First authenticates all the following brands- 3.1 phillip lim, Adamo, Adidas, Alaia, Aldo Cipullo, Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Alice + Olivia, Alviero Martini, Anya Hindmarch, Armani (Giorgio Armani), Auguste Raymond (watches only),B Makowsky, BCBG Max Azria, Baccarat Crystal, Baccini, Badgley Michka, Balenciaga, Bally, Balmain, Bebe, Belstaff, Botkier, Bottega Veneta, Brahmin, Breil Watches & Jewels, Breitling Watches, Bruno Cucinelli, Bulgari (Bvlgari), Burberry, Caludio Orciani, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Cartier (Handbags and wallets only – no jewelry), Cavalli, Celine, Certina (watches only), Chanel (16 series and below ONLY), Chloe, Chopard, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, Christian Louboutin, Chrome Hearts, Ciccinelle, Coach, Coccinelle, Cole Haan, David Yurman, Delvaux, Diane von Furstenberg, Dior (Christian Dior), Dodo Jewels, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Dooney & Bourke, DSquared2, Edox (watches only), Elizabeth & James, Emanuel Ungaro (handbags only), Emilio Pucci, Erdem, ETRO, Equipment, Fede, Fendi, Ferragamo (Salvatore Ferragamo), Ferrari, Fossil, Francesco Biasia, Frye, Furla, Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Goyard, Gucci, Guess, Guiseppe Zanotti, Halston, Hartmann, Harley Davidson, Haute Hippie, Helzberg Diamonds, Hermes, Herve Leger, Hogan, Hugo Boss (sunglasses only), Isaac Mizrahi, Isabel Marant, Issa, Jason Wu, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jimmy Choo, John Hardy, Johnstons (scarves only), Judith Leiber, Judith Ripka, Juicy Couture, Karl Lagerfeld (jewelry only), Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, Kieselstein-Cord, L.A.M.B., Lacoste, Lagos, Lana Marks, Lanvin, Liu-Jo, Loewe, Longchamp, Loro Piana, Louis Vuitton, Luella, Manolo Blahnik, Mansur Gavriel, Marc Jacobs (Marc by Marc Jacobs), Marino Orlandi, Marni, Max Aria, MCM, Michael Kors, Michele Watches, Mikimoto, Miu Miu, Moncler, Mont Blanc, Moschino, Mou, Movado, Mulberry, Murano Glass/Crystal, Nancy Gonzalez, Nanni Milano, Nike, Nina Ricci, Oakley, Oliver Peoples, Omega, Oscar de la Renta, Paloma Picasso, Pandora, Peuterey, Phillip Lim, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Rag & Bone, Ralph Lauren, Ray Ban, Rebecca Minkoff, ReCarlo Jewels, Roberto Cavalli, Rock and Republic Jeans, Roger Vivier Shoes, Rolex, Saint Laurent (Yves Saint Laurent), Salvatore Ferragamo, Salvini Jewels, Seiko, Sergio Rossi, Sophie Hulme, Stella McCartney, Stuart Weitzman, Swarovski, Tag Heuer, The North Face, Tiffany & Co., Tissot (watches only), Tods, Tom Ford, Tory Burch, True Religion Jeans, Tumi, UGG, Valentino, Valentino Garavani, Vera Wang, Versace, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood, Waterford Crystal, Yves Saint Laurent, and Zac Posen.

There is an exception to their Chanel photo services based on the series number.

authenticate first chanel

PROAUTHENTICATORS

Proauthenticators is not a service I have used before but has come highly recommended especially when buying Louis Vuitton products on Ebay. The authentication service focuses solely on Louis Vuitton.

Proauthenticators pricing is as follows:

  • Item Identification is $5.
  • Pricing Estimation is $10. (The price is reduced to $5 if combined with authentication)
  • Verbal authentication is $10. This means that you get your results via Facebook messenger, email or text.
  • An authentication letter is $20. This included an emailed PDF letter.
  • An authentication letter that is printed and mailed out is $25.
  • An authentication letter for insurance/ appraisal purposes is $35.
  • An authentication letter for claim or dispute purposes is $70.
  • Also please note that any item that is pre-1990 has an extra $5 service fee attached to it.

Proauthenticators only does Louis Vuitton Products.

Overall I now solely use Real Authentication just because of their speed and mobile app function.

How does it work?

Let’s take the service I use and love the most- Real Authentication. I always use their Mobile Authentication services which means I can upload all my photos and get my results via my phone.

real authentication

Real Authentication requires the following information for your authentication:

  • Front
  • Exterior Log (if there is one)
  • Made In Tag (if there is one)
  • Serial Number/ Date Code (if there is one)
  • Hardware engravings
  • ** If they need more photos they will message you and ask

Once you check out that is all you have to do! Its really simple and a great service.

When your authentication is ready they email you. You then log in and will see a screen like this:

real authentication how to

Hopefully you see the green check mark because that means its authentic. If not you will see a red a mark like below. If they need more pictures they will email you that and tell you what pictures they require.

real authentication counterfeit

What should I get authenticated?

Honestly the sad answer is everything. I would obviously authenticate anything that does not come pre- authenticated. So that would be anything from Ebay, Tradesy, Poshmark (even the items over $500 because I do not trust their authentication services), Mercari, and Depop to name but a few. Even companies like Fashionphile and The Real Real have been known to let fakes slip buy even though they allegedly authenticate everything.

Also return fraud to luxury stores is a real thing so always be careful when purchasing in store and ask questions. For example when I am at Louis Vuitton I always ask where the date code is in a piece that I am buying.

More Questions?

Feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or leave a comment on this article!